?? What Would YOU Tomorrow Want YOU Today to Do?

Reflecting on the week and its intensity, I find myself asking an essential question... What would YOU tomorrow want YOU today to do?

This question always resonates with me, especially after a week of battling invisible demons and managing multiple businesses.

From my experience, here's what I've learned and what I aim to practice to ensure a balanced and effective approach to cyber security... and life!

My Actionable Steps for a Secure and Balanced Future, I hope they help!

Prioritise Sleep

After countless late nights and early mornings, I've realised that sacrificing sleep is counterproductive. Tomorrow's me craves a well-rested mind to handle the complex and rapid decision-making required in this field. Aiming for 7 - 8 hours of sleep is not a luxury but a necessity for me.

Maintain a Healthy Diet

The brain needs the right fuel to function at its best. A balanced diet rich in nutrients supports cognitive function, helping me stay alert and sharp. This weekend, like most, I’ve reflected on the importance of eating right, even when the job gets hectic.

I use MyFitnessPal to help me here and it helps keep me on track. I plan and prep as much as I can on a Sunday, so it’s all ready to go during the week. If I see in the calendar that I’ve got a dinner on, or similar, I look at the menu ahead of time but also know what is best to order on the menu.

The same goes when I’m travelling, I know what healthy snacks to pack and always look to book a hotel with a decent gym, or somewhere I can get a day pass nearby and walking is a great way to discover different cities… including the one you live in!

Regular Exercise

Physical fitness is crucially linked to mental resilience. Regular exercise not only reduces stress but also boosts energy levels, making me a more effective leader and thinker.

Step Goals ~ I set a minimum of 8k steps on weekdays and ramp it up to 12k on weekends. My dog (Ollie) is a great motivator, ensuring I hit my step goals with our daily walks.

Gym Routine ~ I hit the gym 5 times a week, allowing me 2 days of flexibility if work gets hectic. My workout routine follows a push/pull/legs split, focusing on different muscle groups each day. I enjoy throwing weights around. Strength training not only keeps me fit but also helps burn off the energy built up from sitting at a desk all day. Popping in my headphones and listening to pump-up music keeps me motivated and energised during workouts. It’s my time to disconnect from work and focus on my personal wellbeing.

These work for me, but pick activities that you love, that will stretch you and track your results. Keep it realistic and something that you can maintain consistently, not just the sugar hits for special events.

Continuous Learning

Continuous learning is essential, not just in cyber security, but also in business and health. I find YouTube to be an excellent resource for this. Filling your mind with positive, proactive material is crucial, especially in a field where negativity can easily dominate.

Diverse Learning Topics ~ I don’t limit my learning to just cyber security. Exploring topics in business and health keeps my mind sharp and versatile.

Positive Content ~ “Rubbish in, garbage out” is a mantra I live by. Consuming positive content helps maintain a proactive mindset. Avoid focusing on negative news and instead, look for the lessons and proactive steps that can be taken from any cyber security breaches reported.

Avoid Doom Scrolling ~ Be mindful of the time spent on social media. Avoid doom scrolling, which can drain your mental energy. LinkedIn and positive content are exceptions that can contribute to growth.

Connect & Collaborate

This week reminded me of the power of community. Engaging with peers, sharing knowledge and supporting each other is key.

Power of Community ~ Engaging with peers and sharing knowledge is invaluable. Our recent CISO 12 Melbourne Cyber Club event was a testament to this, highlighting the importance of open, honest discussions in tackling pressing issues.

Face to Face Interactions ~ Sometimes, we get stuck behind our computers and phones. It’s crucial to get out and meet people in person. Your network is your net worth. Reflect on who your closest five friends/people are and what you all focus on. Are these conversations positive and forward looking, or are they dwelling on the negative and the past?

Building a Positive Network ~ Surround yourself with people who uplift and motivate you. Positive discussions and shared goals can propel you forward in your career and personal life.

Set Big Hairy Audacious Goals

The bigger and scarier, the better! Ambitious goals drive innovation and personal growth. Break them down into manageable steps to stay motivated and on track. You have more time and also less time than you think! We don’t have much time left, and you never really know how much time you’ve got, so make sure you go BIG!

Ambitious Goals Drive Innovation ~ Setting big, audacious goals (often referred to as BHAGs – Big Hairy Audacious Goals) can significantly propel both personal and professional growth. As Jim Collins, a renowned business consultant, highlights in his book "Built to Last - Successful Habits of Visionary Companies," BHAGs can help organisations and individuals reach extraordinary levels of success. These goals should be clear and compelling, serving as a unifying focal point of effort.

Break Them Down into Manageable Steps ~ While big goals are essential, breaking them down into smaller, actionable steps is crucial to avoid feeling overwhelmed. This practice aligns with the SMART criteria, goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant & Time-bound.

For instance, if your goal is to enhance your cyber security skills, break it down into steps like completing a specific certification, attending workshops and setting aside time for continuous learning each week.

Stay Motivated and On Track ~ Maintaining motivation can be challenging when working towards large goals. Techniques such as regular self assessment, setting interim milestones and rewarding yourself for achievements can help sustain momentum. Reflecting on Simon Sinek ’s concept of the “Golden Circle” starting with why, can also keep you aligned with your core motivations and values.

Leverage the 80/20 Rule ~ The Pareto Principle, or the 80/20 rule, suggests that 80% of results come from 20% of efforts. Identify the key actions that will have the most significant impact on achieving your big goals and focus your energy there. Eg. If your goal is to build a robust cyber security network, focus on the most impactful connections and partnerships first.

Time Management and Prioritisation ~ As Stephen Covey states in "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," effective people put "first things first." Prioritise tasks that align closely with your big goals and ensure you're dedicating adequate time to these high impact activities. Utilise tools like Eisenhower's Urgent Important Matrix to distinguish between urgent and important tasks, helping you to allocate time effectively.

“A goal properly set is halfway reached.” – Zig Ziglar

“If your goals don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough.” – Unknown

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Practical Steps to Achieve Big Goals

• Define Your BHAG ~ Articulate your big goal in a way that inspires and challenges you.
• Create a Plan ~ Break down the goal into smaller, manageable tasks and set deadlines, a task will take as long as you give it!
• Identify Key Actions ~ Focus on the 20% of actions that will drive 80% of your results.
• Monitor Progress ~ Regularly review your progress and adjust your plan as necessary.
• Stay Flexible ~ Be ready to adapt and pivot as you encounter obstacles or new opportunities.
• Celebrate Milestones ~ Recognise and celebrate your achievements along the way to stay motivated.

Eg. Implementing Cyber Security Measures If your goal is to enhance your organisation's cyber security posture.

• Conducting a thorough security assessment.
• Identifying critical vulnerabilities.
• Developing a comprehensive security strategy.
• Implementing key security measures such as MFA, passwords and regular updates… and build from there!
• Educating and training your team on best practices.
• Continuously monitoring and improving your security systems…

The Big Rocks in Your Week and Your Life

Once you get all of this set, put in place the big rocks, your kids' time, family, fitness, etc. As Stephen Covey highlights in "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," identify and prioritise the most important tasks (the "big rocks") first and let the less important tasks fill in around them. This helps ensure you are focusing on what truly matters and maintaining a balanced life.

Eat the Frog First ~ Brian Tracy's "Eat That Frog!" suggests tackling your most challenging task first thing in the morning. This approach not only boosts productivity but also builds momentum for the rest of the day. By addressing the toughest task early, you set a positive tone and create a sense of accomplishment that propels you forward.

James Clear ’s Atomic Habits ~ In his book "Atomic Habits," really drives home the power of small, consistent actions in achieving significant goals.

• Build Good Habits ~ Focus on creating systems that make positive behaviours automatic.
• Make it Easy ~ Reduce friction for good habits and increase friction for bad ones.
• Consistency is Key ~ Small actions performed consistently over time lead to remarkable results.
• Habit Stacking ~ Pair new habits with existing ones to create a seamless routine.

Balancing Work & Personal Life

In this sometimes crazy world of cyber security, it's easy to let work dominate your life. However, taking the time to disengage and recharge is crucial. I realised the importance of spending quality time with loved ones and friends to maintain a healthy work/life balance. While startup mode can make this challenging, establishing strong foundations helps me manage things more effectively.

Get Off the Booze Train!

Another significant change for me was quitting alcohol at the start of 2023. It was a major life changer! Although it can be controversial and often puts people on the defensive, for me and others I know, it has had a profound impact. The wasted time, the people you associate with, the hangovers, the disrupted sleep and the poor choices… whether in food or other areas, have all improved dramatically.

I feel so much better now. Interestingly, I often get asked why I don't drink, but a more pertinent question might be, "Why do you/we drink?" When you examine the research on its physical and emotional effects, along with the associated crime rates, it makes you think. If alcohol were invented today, it would likely be classified as an illegal and harmful drug.

Reflecting & Moving Forward

In the relentless world of cyber security, it's easy to get swept up in the chaos. However, these reflections and actions are what tomorrow's me will thank today's me for.

Balancing professional demands with personal wellbeing is not just beneficial it’s essential for long term success.

What drives your passion in your career? Share your story and thoughts in the comments below…

#CyberSecurity #CareerReflection #WorkLifeBalance #ContinuousLearning #HealthAndWellness?