Steven Bartlett, the host of The Diary Of A CEO, opens up about something he rarely talks about: his relationship. He’s just announced he is engaged to be married! And his take is simple: independence isn’t the flex we think it is! If you want that dream life, you’re going to need someone to build it with! We dive into the mental frameworks that have made Steven the success he is today and why his quitting framework is your 2026 super power. And if you're a creator or an aspiring creator you’re going to want to listen to this! This is the perfect episode for setting your goals and intentions for your most ambitious year yet. ⸻ Timestamps 00:00:00 Intro00:02:26 Why Steven Never Wears Shoes 00:03:46 Handling Pressure: The Lesson Padel Taught Steven00:07:28 Confidence Rituals That Work00:08:40 Steven’s Mental State (Cold + Rational)00:11:03 Why Steven Stays Emotionally Neutral00:12:19 Making Decisions Without Certainty00:14:49 Your Best/Worst Decision Is People (Hiring Truth)00:16:56 The Culture Test Steven Swears By (FlightStory)00:19:43 “Paper Walls”: The Invisible Rules Holding You Back00:26:54 Childhood Failure Creates Adult Confidence00:28:05 People-Pleasing Keeps You Trapped00:30:01 Shopify Ad00:31:23 Maggie’s First Upload (Online Ridicule)00:32:56 Steven’s 3 Rules for Hot Smart Rich00:36:58 Why Thinking About Death Is Liberating00:38:25 How to Find Your Mission (Stack Small Wins)00:44:39 Can Anyone Be a Creator?00:45:28 The 1% Rule That Built a Global Podcast00:49:24 Steven’s Quit Framework00:53:50 Embarrassment Is the Price of Entry (Creators)00:56:01 First Principles: How Steven Thinks01:00:10 How to Build Yourself Into a Top Creator00:58:07 Those 3 Pinned Posts Explained01:01:19 Bilt Ad01:02:23 Cozy Earth Ad01:03:29 Why Those 3 Photos Are Pinned (Meaning)01:04:40 A Voice Note From Mel01:06:32 “Romantic Independence” Is a Mistake01:09:33 Make Dependency Sexy Again (Relationship ROI)01:11:50 What a Successful Relationship Actually Takes01:14:27 Conflict Resolution That Works01:16:00 “I Felt Like the Failure” (Steven’s Childhood)01:17:01 Youngest Sibling Energy: Bend the World01:20:42 The Spider & The Barrier (Breaking Paper Walls)01:23:14 Why Advice Doesn’t Land01:23:55 Not Knowing Early Is a Superpower01:26:08 Rapid Fire: Last Thing You Bought01:26:24 “WAIT… YOU’RE ENGAGED?!”01:26:57 Why Steven Finally Chose Commitment01:28:29 The Engagement Ring Story01:28:58 Describe the Ring (Details)01:30:09 Avoidant Attachment & Changing Your Pattern01:31:53 Modern Dating: Too Many Options, Less Love 01:35:11 Fatherhood: Trusting the Next Chapter01:37:29 How Marriage Changed Maggie01:40:03 Love + Ambition Can Coexist01:42:54 More Rapid Fire01:43:19 Steven’s Favourite DOAC Episode01:44:35 Eggs or Watermelon Forever?01:44:52 Working With a Superfan01:46:24 Steven’s Favourite Podcast01:47:03 What He’d Call This Season of His Life01:47:54 Steven’s Biggest Achievement (Explain Like You’re 10)01:49:16 How Can Hot Smart Rich Help You Right Now Shopify - http://Shopify.com/HSR Bilt - http://joinbilt.com/hsr Cozy Earth - http://cozyearth.com with code HSR ⸻ Hot Smart Rich: Join 250,000+ angels and subscribe to the Hot Smart Rich newsletter: https://hotsmartrich.com/subscribe Hot Smart Rich Money Mindset: https://shorturl.at/pJWLc Merch: https://hotsmartrich.shop/ YouTube: https://shorturl.at/IXXFZ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotsmartrich/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hotsmartrich Maggie Sellers Reum: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maggiesellersreum/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maggiesellersreum LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sellersmaggie/ Locker: https://www.wantlocker.com/users/maggiesellers ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/maggiesellers Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/maggiesellers  ⸻ Follow Steven Bartlett: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steven Diary Of A CEO: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDiaryOfACEO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices