Diary of an Executive Coach - Refreshing Leadership, Career Clarity & Life Design with Maya Gudka

Maya Gudka
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Hello there High Achiever! You're not alone. Here's the inside track on: - Career clarity for ambitious leaders who’ve outgrown their current role or story - Life design and work-life balance for high performers who don’t want to burn out - The “unwritten rules” of progression to C-Suite or Dream Role - Purpose, identity and dharma – when success on paper stops being enough - How the top 1% of leaders think about time, energy, money and long-term impact Because inside the Exec Coaching room is where the real, edgy conversations on leadership are happening!

  1. 6D AGO

    The One Process That Will Change Your Year — Start in February

    By February, the shine of New Year goals has usually worn off. Some things are working. Some things aren’t. And this is the moment where many high achievers either compound progress, or slowly disengage, telling themselves “it’s not working” or “I’m not working.” In this episode Maya Gudka explains why February is one of the most powerful months of the year for progress, and why this is the perfect time to shift your focus from outcomes to small, repeatable processes. You’ll learn the difference between outcome goals and process goals, why “trust the process” isn’t always helpful advice, and how to choose one simple process to commit to for the next 28 days, without burnout, pressure, or overhauling your life. What You’ll Learn Why February is a critical inflection point for goalsThe difference between outcome goals and process goalsWhy high achievers often over-control outcomesWhy “trust the process” only works if it’s the right process To find out more about Maya you can connect with her at www.mayagudka.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayagudka/ And subscribe to her YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@MayaGudka?sub_confirmation=1

    13 min

  2. JAN 26

    The 5-Minute System for Getting on Top of Your Camera Roll

    If your iPhone camera roll feels overwhelming — too many screenshots, duplicate photos, long videos, and thousands of images you never look at — this episode is for you. In this episode, Maya shares a simple January routine for decluttering photos on your iPhone: a 5-minute daily photo delete habit that makes steady progress without turning into a huge digital clear-out. This isn’t organising for the sake of it. It’s about organising your photos so your memories are usable again, freeing up iPhone storage, and reducing the mental load that comes from digital clutter. Maya explains why digital photos become overwhelming, where to start for the biggest wins (duplicates, selfies, videos, screenshots, and storage-by-size), and how to delete photos without regret — including why starting one year back makes this process much easier. If you’re looking for a calm, sustainable way to declutter your camera roll, clear iPhone storage, and feel more intentional about the photos you keep, this episode will give you a simple place to start. What You’ll Learn How to declutter photos on your iPhone in just 5 minutes a dayWhy your camera roll feels overwhelming (and how to fix it)The fastest way to free up iPhone storage using videos and duplicatesHow to delete photos without regretA sustainable digital declutter habit for busy professionalsThis episode is part of Maya’s January series helping high achievers build clarity around money, career, and daily routines for 2026. You can find the £33 Vision Unblocked programme here https://www.mayagudka.com/vision-unblocked 2024 Year End Review Episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/02TyZAsVS7Qf8FTnudRcv0 What is Your Personal Rich Life Vision? Episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/7KC86MbwBZhL6ExiSDGl8k The Abundance Series - Start with these https://youtu.be/IZJJlI2mw_E?si=8BXyvpkcSb9bh4YU https://youtu.be/L67WF_2I9sk?si=HVDhSj17GN3gzfIv  5 Ways to Effortlessly Achieve Your Goals Episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/4l6zoSOQVzQTcSdxn8GCxZ And download your free Vision Checklist here https://www.mayagudka.com/vision-checklist Connect with Maya on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/m/in/mayagudkaAnd subscribe to the pod YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@MayaGudka?sub_confirmation=1

    19 min

  3. JAN 19

    3 Career Shifts you need for 2026

    January is career-planning season and this year, those conversations are more urgent than ever. In this episode, Maya Gudka shares the three career strategies she is discussing most frequently with her clients right now, particularly in light of growing uncertainty around AI, automation, and the future of knowledge work. What You’ll Learn How to spot the parts of your work that energise you most Why vision matters more when the future feels uncertain How AI uncertainty can push people into short-term thinking Why holding a personal North Star helps you ride change instead of drowning in it This episode is part of Maya’s January series helping high achievers build clarity around money, career, and daily routines for 2026. You can find the £33 Vision Unblocked programme here https://www.mayagudka.com/vision-unblocked 2024 Year End Review Episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/02TyZAsVS7Qf8FTnudRcv0 What is Your Personal Rich Life Vision? Episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/7KC86MbwBZhL6ExiSDGl8k The Abundance Series - Start with these https://youtu.be/IZJJlI2mw_E?si=8BXyvpkcSb9bh4YU https://youtu.be/L67WF_2I9sk?si=HVDhSj17GN3gzfIv  5 Ways to Effortlessly Achieve Your Goals Episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/4l6zoSOQVzQTcSdxn8GCxZ And download your free Vision Checklist here https://www.mayagudka.com/vision-checklist  Connect with Maya on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/m/in/mayagudka And subscribe to the pod YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@MayaGudka?sub_confirmation=1

    10 min

  4. JAN 12

    5 Money Shifts Every High Achiever Needs to Hear This Year

    If money admin sits on your 2026 goals list but fills you with a low-level sense of dread, this episode is for you. In this episode, Maya Gudka shares a calm, sustainable approach to getting on top of your finances, without overwhelm, avoidance, or perfectionism. Rather than treating money as an end goal, Maya reframes it as a powerful enabler: one that shapes your career choices, your risk tolerance, and how quickly you can bring your long-term vision to life. She explains why January is the highest-leverage time of year to get financially organised, and how even a few well-designed systems can quietly transform your sense of control and confidence. Using her Easy, Fun, Fits (EFF) framework, Maya walks you through how to make financial organisation manageable, even if money has historically felt heavy or triggering. What You’ll Learn How financial clarity directly expands your career options Why January is the perfect window for financial organisation The difference between housekeeping, daily systems, and long-term investing Why automation is your biggest ally with money How to connect money to your “rich life” and joy spends This episode is part of Maya’s January series helping high achievers build clarity around money, career, and daily routines for 2026. You can find the £33 Vision Unblocked programme here https://www.mayagudka.com/vision-unblocked 2024 Year End Review Episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/02TyZAsVS7Qf8FTnudRcv0 What is Your Personal Rich Life Vision? Episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/7KC86MbwBZhL6ExiSDGl8k The Abundance Series - Start with these https://youtu.be/IZJJlI2mw_E?si=8BXyvpkcSb9bh4YU https://youtu.be/L67WF_2I9sk?si=HVDhSj17GN3gzfIv  5 Ways to Effortlessly Achieve Your Goals Episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/4l6zoSOQVzQTcSdxn8GCxZ And download your free Vision Checklist here https://www.mayagudka.com/vision-checklist Connect with Maya on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/m/in/mayagudkaAnd subscribe to the pod YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@MayaGudka?sub_confirmation=1

    14 min

  5. JAN 5

    Want 2026 to Feel Different? Start Here

    If January already feels noisy, overwhelming, or full of other people’s goals  this is the episode for you. In this episode Maya Gudka shares a more strategic way to orient yourself at the start of the year, whether you already have goals, are still deliberating, or feel completely stuck. Rather than rushing into action, Maya explains why January is a unique window for reflection, organisation, and laying foundations  and why this season is not about launching or pushing hard. You’ll be guided through choosing a Word of the Year, visualising where you want to be one year from now, and using the Easy, Fun, Fits (EFF) framework to design goals that actually work in real life. This episode kicks off a January series focused on money, career, and daily routines, designed specifically for high achievers who want clarity without burnout. You can find the £33 Vision Unblocked programme here https://www.mayagudka.com/vision-unblocked 2024 Year End Review Episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/02TyZAsVS7Qf8FTnudRcv0 What is Your Personal Rich Life Vision? Episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/7KC86MbwBZhL6ExiSDGl8k The Abundance Series - Start with these https://youtu.be/IZJJlI2mw_E?si=8BXyvpkcSb9bh4YU https://youtu.be/L67WF_2I9sk?si=HVDhSj17GN3gzfIv  5 Ways to Effortlessly Achieve Your Goals Episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/4l6zoSOQVzQTcSdxn8GCxZ And download your free Vision Checklist here https://www.mayagudka.com/vision-checklist Connect with Maya on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/m/in/mayagudkaAnd subscribe to the pod YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@MayaGudka?sub_confirmation=1

    10 min

  6. 12/29/2025

    Making Big Goals Inevitable: My 2026 Easy, Fun Method

    Most high achievers assume they fail at their goals because they didn’t push hard enough or weren’t disciplined enough. But after working with thousands of leaders, Maya Gudka knows that’s almost never the real issue. In this episode, Maya shares the goal-setting method she’s using for 2026 - a simple but powerful approach designed to make your biggest goals inevitable, not exhausting. Instead of relying on short bursts of motivation or unrealistic “perfect week” plans, this method focuses on designing how you pursue your goals so that it’s easy, fun, and fits your real life, even in your hardest weeks. This episode is essential listening for high achievers who want ambition and joy, progress without burnout, and goals that finally stick.  What You’ll Learn Why most goals fail (and it’s not lack of discipline) The hidden flaw in traditional goal-setting for high achievers Why big goals require regularity over time, not intensity The Easy, Fun, Fits (EFF) Method for sustainable success Maya’s Word of the Year for 2026 and how to choose yours You can find the Vision Unblocked programme here https://www.mayagudka.com/vision-unblocked The Vision Code programme here https://www.mayagudka.com/vision-code And download your Vision Checklist here https://www.mayagudka.com/vision-checklist You can also connect with Maya on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/m/in/mayagudka And subscribe to her YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@MayaGudka?sub_confirmation=1

    12 min

  7. 12/22/2025

    What We Really Achieved This Year (and How to Measure It)

    In this solo episode, Maya takes you behind the scenes of her own 2025 year in review  and shares an easy, data-informed method you can borrow for your own reflection. Instead of relying on fuzzy memory or end-of-year recency bias, Maya uses a monthly “Ta Da List” (a done list), Apple Notes, and a touch of AI support to create a much more accurate picture of what actually happened this year: in work, life, family, health, money, and more. She also shares what surprised her most when looking at the honest ‘data’ If you’re a high achiever who tends to underestimate what you’ve done (and rush on to the next thing), this episode will help you slow down, take stock, and see just how much your effort has really created 💡 You’ll Learn A simple monthly reflection method (the “Ta Da! List”) you can start now How to use notes + tech to make your year-end review more accurate Why we underestimate our progress when we only review at the end of the year How seeing the full picture of your year shapes your 2026 goals for what’s next You can connect and find out more about Maya on her website www.mayagudka.com or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/m/in/mayagudka Plus find her on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE8JBk-eQ0dA8zv1eWJZelA/

    17 min

  8. 12/15/2025

    Planning Without Perfectionism - with Sarah Hart-Unger

    If you hold many roles but want to do so with clarity, calm, and joy, this episode gives you a rare behind-the-scenes look at Sarah Hart-Unger’s systems, mindset, and rituals. In this episode, Maya sits down with one of her long-time planning and productivity influences: Sarah Hart-Unger, a physician, mother of three, podcaster, planner, blogger, and now author.  Sarah shares the practical planning habits that make her life work, how she avoids burnout, and why she believes planning should feel fun, not rigid. From morning routines to nested goals, daily rituals to quintiles, this episode is packed with insights to help you design a life that aligns with your values, ambition, and reality,  not someone else’s expectations.  You’ll Learn: How Sarah manages multiple roles without burning out Why planning doesn’t need to be rigid and can actually create joy Why not being a perfectionist is a key to Sarah’s success You can connect and find out more about Maya on her website www.mayagudka.com or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/m/in/mayagudka Purchase or pre-order her book here: https://amzn.eu/d/95dhVyL  Connect and find out more about Sarah on her website www.theshubox.com

    36 min
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Hello there High Achiever! You're not alone. Here's the inside track on: - Career clarity for ambitious leaders who’ve outgrown their current role or story - Life design and work-life balance for high performers who don’t want to burn out - The “unwritten rules” of progression to C-Suite or Dream Role - Purpose, identity and dharma – when success on paper stops being enough - How the top 1% of leaders think about time, energy, money and long-term impact Because inside the Exec Coaching room is where the real, edgy conversations on leadership are happening!

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