One thing that I like about being a life coach is that I get reminded almost every day of what I’m working on. Yesterday I went to breakfast with my wife Annie and the restaurant owner (let’s call her Susan) who is a reader of my newsletter, Letters on Life, asked me where I get my ideas. Quite often it’s in the coaching calls that I have. What I have found is that what I’m feeling and challenged by is what most people are also challenged by.

Perhaps the biggest challenge for most people is that they have the illusion that they don’t have enough time. I say illusion because they do. We do what we have to do and have time to do what we really want. If we don’t do it, it’s because we don’t make it a priority.

We don’t make it a priority because we get caught up in the challenges of the day and feel like we don’t have anything left over. Whatever you are struggling with there is a common denominator. Let’s say you feel stressed at work because of the personalities involved and the deadlines. That’s the most common scenario.

Whatever you do or have to say, it still comes down to your reaction or response to the event. To feel stressed is a habit. Something happens and you give it a negative meaning because it’s a conditioned response.

It’s the meaning we give something, not the event itself that causes us our stress.
You have a choice as to how you respond. That choice is made over and over again until it becomes a different kind of habit-one that supports you, rather than one that lessons you. Just knowing that you have a choice as to how you react is a big step.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

THERE’S NO BETTER TIME THAN NOW. There will always be something that holds you back; an excuse to put your life on hold. JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach, inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. Signup! http://www.inspirepossibility.com.

I’m thinking about the highlight today. And I would have to say it was getting to know a new friend….somebody who I see at the coffee shop yet who remains a mystery. (Let’s call her Susan.) And how much do I really want to know? And what if I did find out her innermost secrets? Would I want to take that on?

And then I think what I really want is to connect with her. That’s why I love what I do in my work. I get to connect with people everyday in a real way. It helps to know their story. And even if I don’t know their story I can still connect with them emotionally…their fear, their uncertainty, their hopes and aspirations.

In my article, the Four Fundamental Truths of Communication, I wrote that the first truth is that what we all want is connection. We crave it. We want to have more intimacy in our interactions.

And yes we want to know those secrets…yet we can connect by being present with the other person and listening….not just to the words but to the feeling behind the words. Think about the connection in your life. What would it take to have more of it? What steps could you take now to create more of it in your life.

My newsletter, Letters on Life went out today. I called the article Got Time? Are you willing to take the time to connect.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

THERE’S NO BETTER TIME THAN NOW. There will always be something that holds you back; an excuse to put your life on hold. JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach, inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. Signup! http://www.inspirepossibility.com.

I’ve been focusing on the highlight of the day. Really focusing. It’s what I’m curious about. You might think that you are being in denial. Don’t worry..you’re not. Our mind tends to go to some these dark places naturally. So that’s why the highlight is such a great focus.

It’s focusing on where you want to go and what you want to create. Certainly that’s the type of focus that Greg Mortenson in 3 Cups of Tea had. He was committed. He made many personal sacrifices including risking his life to fulfill his promise to build the schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Once you read the book you’ll see he didn’t have a choice.

Greg had a higher purpose. We need to keep asking ourselves what our higher purpose is? I shared with you that recently I took a workshop and our focus was on what our “deepest intent” is.

In many ways I think of my deepest intent in the same way as my life purpose. My deepest intent is to inspire others to believe in themselves. Once I was able to clarify this for myself, it became alive. I have a greater sense of what I’m about and why I do what I do. I don’t know if I am committed as Greg Mortenson, but I have moved up on the scale. I know I make a difference in the lives of others and so do you.

Think about your life. Whose life do you make a difference in? Acknowledge yourself for you being you.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

What is your deepest intent?

JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach, inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. Signup! http://www.inspirepossibility.com.

Yesterday I spoke about being in the question. Not really a question, but an inquiry, a curiosity as to what the highlight of your day is going to be.

I felt kind of blah beginning the day. By the time I was done I had two good things to think about. One of them seemed little and the other also seemed like no big deal. But isn’t that the way most of life is? We wait for the trumpets to blare, waiting…waiting to be hit over the head as life passes us by. Waiting for that phone call or that email that you think is going to make a big difference. Today I see more possibility….but I’m also careful to not wait and overlook what’s right in front of me.

Last night I felt inspired by a book I finished reading. Actually I have felt inspired from day !. If you haven’t already, pick up a copy of 3 Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. It’s the most inspirational book that I have read in many years.

After failing to reach the summit of K2, Greg wanders into a village whose inhabitants literally save his life. He sees their poverty and realizes their illiteracy. Greg makes a promise to the village chieftain that he will build a school for the children. This is about Greg’s commitment to building that school and fifty others. Greg has done more for world peace than almost anyone I am aware of and should get the Nobel Peace Prize.

If you ever wonder what one person can do to make a better world, read Greg’s story.

I have a question for you. Who is the most inspirational person you know of? Think about it. How can you create it so that person inspires you in your life right now?

If you like this blog, most likely you will be inspired by my monthly newsletter, Letters on Life. Take the time to subscribe.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach, inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. Signup! http://www.inspirepossibility.com.

Today, I am really playing with the inquiry, ” I wonder what the highlight of my day will be?”

As you know I have written about asking this question as a way to create a positive expectation as you experience your day. It’s part of the morning program that I begin my day with. I meditate first and then focus on what I’m grateful for.

Then I get into thinking about the highlight. The way it’s planned right now, there isn’t a lot planned so I don’t have a particular thing that I’m thinking about.

So I’m totally open. It’s a great question. I went to send off a book proposal and waited in line at the post office thinking about what was special about waiting in line.

And when I weighed my package and gave it to the postal worker and knew it was off it was a great feeling.

So now I’m wondering if that moment was the highlight of my day. And I don’t know. It’s still early and what if it was.

I’m open to what happens during the rest of the day. I like to get the great connection with someone I talk to in a coaching call or in the flow of my day. But perhaps today will be different.

As you go through the day, be in the question. Wonder what your highlight will be. Maybe at the end of the day you will have two or three great things to choose from.

And that is what usually happens even though you might be feeling a little flat. That’s the way I feel right now but I know it’s still early. I wonder what’s next.

If you like my blog, most likely you will like my monthly newsletter, Letters on Life, inspirational.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach, inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. Signup! http://www.inspirepossibility.com.