In this episode, Alisa and Michael talk beer (and of course, wine), The Bachelor, and music. Seriously though, Alisa and Michael also share ideas on learning, growing, living in your strengths, and financial goal-setting as an important component of creating your own financial plan.

Music Picks:
Michael: Classical music all the way, but a bit of Muse here and there pumps him up.
Alisa: Anything to slow her down, like Classical Chill on Apple Music or Minimalist Classical.

Serious Talking Points:

• Alisa, thanks to their last episode and the help of her assistant, gained awareness and a realistic view of her money, hopes, and dreams.
• Financial goal-setting means aligning your dreams, your values, the most important things, with your money over a reasonable amount of time.
• What do you want to do with your money? What are you saving for? How much do you need to reach your goals
• Long-term goals first. Start big, aim high! The intermediate and short term goals will present themselves as you continue to brainstorm.
• When pursuing your goals, course corrections are inevitable. Not to worry, keep moving forward!
• “If you aim for nothing, you will hit it everytime!”
• Join the Strengths Revolution: Imagine a society where your strengths are the focus, where they are fostered and where you could grow and thrive using your natural gifts
• One study compared a city in China where people in the workplace focused on strengths to a city in the US where the focus was on weaknesses. Result: people in China were 30% more productive, they were happier and more fulfilled than in the US city. 
• Knowing your strengths can help you grow in areas where you’re naturally gifted.
• Everyone has a different skill set and set of strengths. Find out what your natural talents are so can use them effectively in your career and life.
• Want to know your strengths for free? Try the High 5 Strengths Test.
• Something to look forward to: Alisa is creating a 3-month group experience for modern professionals to live, grow, and learn their strengths starting February 24. Sign up to get the latest info!
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If you have questions for Michael or Alisa (or both of us), please submit them for “Serious Fam Q&A” at seriouslythoughpodcast@gmail.com or @seriouslythoughpod.

More from Alisa:

• The Happy Cactus
• @thehappycactusclub

More from Michael:

• @michaeldm