How do you handle setbacks? Do you reassess what just happened and then change your expectations. Most of us do and change our expectations by lowering them.

We can’t change what has already occurred, but we can learn from it. What if we take this new information and use it to surpass what our previous expectations were? You might think that this is not only unreasonable but also impractical. Here’s why I think that this is not only reasonable but also very practical.

We have more information to work with and ways to use this new information to make us more effective. We have more experiences under our belt and more successes and setbacks.

Isn’t that the way of all of life? When we think of life’s seasons, we are reminded of the cyclical nature of life—— We prepare ourselves for the changes and look forward to each season. It provides a variation and new opportunity. If you love to ski, you can’t ski in the middle of the summer. And if you love go to the beach the winter is not very appealing.

When we let our past circumstances be our guide as to what to expect in the future we limit ourselves to what we know and what is possible. Think about what your life would be like if what concerns you turns out better than expected.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

Mark Susnow, is an executive & life coach and thought leader who inspires others to believe in themselves. He is passionate about life being an exciting journey of discovery. His enthusiastic and inspiring keynotes on change, leadership and connection thoroughly convey this message to his audiences. A former trial attorney for 30 years, 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 is the author of Dancing on the River…Navigating Life’s Changes. Give yourself the gift of coaching and make an investment in your future.

You are determined this time——you really mean it. It might be losing weight, training for a big sporting event, or having a breakthrough year in your business. But…there is that but again…the time isn’t right. There are a few things that need to be done before you reach out. Or perhaps your website isn’t the way you want it to be. I’m sure you have your own version of what is in the way of your beginning. Most of us are waiting for the ideal time to start.

Recently I was being interviewed on a radio show. The host had difficulty pronouncing my name correctly, which is not uncommon, especially the last three letters…N-O–W. Finally I just said it, “Now, not later…the only time is now.”

Whenever I go mountain biking, before climbing a hill, I assess the steepness of the incline. Regardless of how steep it is, I still have to do the same thing which is to take the step that is in front of me. Even when you look around for that ideal place to begin, it still comes down to putting one foot in front of the other.

Each step you take opens you to new opportunities that weren’t available previously. But you couldn’t get to where you are now without taking the steps before.

When I look back on the journey that I am on now, I see how each step paved the way for the next. I remember when I began a newsletter. Within a few years I began this blog. The book was next. And so it goes. I remember when I got my first coaching client. That was 11 years ago.

Take the step that is front of you. That’s the only one there is.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

Mark Susnow, is an executive & life coach and speaker who inspires others to believe in themselves. He is passionate about life being an exciting journey of discovery. His enthusiastic and inspiring keynotes on change, leadership and connection thoroughly convey this message to his audiences. A former trial attorney for 30 years, 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 is the author of Dancing on the River…Navigating Life’s Changes. Give yourself the gift of coaching and make an investment in your future.

At this time of the year, I encourage those with whom I work with as their life coach to focus on a theme for the year. It’s much more encompassing and whole than having a specific goal in mind, although goals are a powerful tool in our becoming the person we want to be. Having a theme gives us a direction and purpose that reminds us of what really matters.

With one of my life coaching clients, who I will refer to as Sally, the theme was to reclaim her life. In fact that is the theme with many of my clients. What does reclaiming your life actually mean? Sally began by looking at some of her relationships, in particular her relationship with her primary partner and realized that he walked all over her. Eventually Sally realized that she was in an abusive relationship. As Sally got stronger she asked her partner to leave and opened herself up new beginnings.

Then she reevaluated her work environment. She noted the same pattern. One of her co-workers was taking advantage of her.

For Sally it began by drawing the line and saying, “No, that’s not ok.”

So what about you. Where do you need to draw the line and say, “No, that’s not o.k.” And with whom would you have that conversation? In what other aspects of your life can you say to yourself, “No, that’s not o.k.”

BE COURAGEOUS AND HAVE THAT CONVERSATION

JOURNEY ON

MARK

Mark Susnow, is an executive & life coach and speaker who inspires others to believe in themselves. He is passionate about life being an exciting journey of discovery. His enthusiastic and inspiring keynotes on change, leadership and connection thoroughly convey this message to his audiences. A former trial attorney for 30 years, 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 is the author of Dancing on the River…Navigating Life’s Changes. Give yourself the gift of coaching and make an investment in your future.

Wherever we are in our life’s evolution we have had to face our share of challenges, many of which have involved finances and relationships. And we frequently question what we are doing with our life. That is the good news and the bad news. The bad news is that we will continue to question what we are doing with our lives. The good news is that we will continue to question.

That’s good news because if we don’t question what we are doing and how we are contributing, the light inside us becomes dull and the simplest of tasks seems complex. As we keep questioning and discover what gives our life meaning our inner light begins to shine again.

But to discover that light we need to get out of our comfort zone and be willing to face life’s challenges and adversities.

Along the way we discover that we have many more capabilities that we realized.

We have the means and opportunity to play a bigger game and make a profound impact. We are here to make a difference. In the process of doing so, we transform the mundane into the extraordinary. Yes we are talking about our life which is full of opportunities for us to step forth and make that difference.

Each of us has something great to contribute. The world is waiting for you to declare yourself by fully expressing your unique wisdom.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

Mark Susnow, is an executive & life coach and speaker who inspires others to believe in themselves. He is passionate about life being an exciting journey of discovery. His enthusiastic and inspiring keynotes on change, leadership and connection thoroughly convey this message to his audiences. A former trial attorney for 30 years, 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 is the author of Dancing on the River…Navigating Life’s Changes. Give yourself the gift of coaching and make an investment in your future.

It’s that time of year——a new beginning. We usually have more determination than at any other time of the year, but as the year progresses we lose some of our enthusiasm. Perhaps you’ve noticed this pattern in your own journey. What would your life be like if this year was different?

When our intentions are an extension of last years, nothing changes but the time of year. Unless we have a clear sense and purpose of why we are doing something, life’s challenges will deter us from doing something great and going to the next level in our life.

Our past disappointments have made it difficult to keep dreaming. Instead we have learned to accept the status quo. We give up on dreaming. We give up on what brings us alive.

Do you remember that last time you felt really alive? Do you remember how excited and determined you were? It was natural and effortless to put forth your best intention. You were determined to be your “best you.”

When you are your “best you”, your light shines. It’s attractive, exciting and compelling. It is when the universe is drawn to support you on your journey. It’s when you have the most potential to make the most difference in the life of others. It is your passion that ignites the spark of hope in others. You light the way for others to see.

JOURNEY ON

MARK

Mark Susnow, is an executive & life coach and speaker who inspires others to believe in themselves. He is passionate about life being an exciting journey of discovery. His enthusiastic and inspiring keynotes on change, leadership and connection thoroughly convey this message to his audiences. A former trial attorney for 30 years, 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 is the author of Dancing on the River…Navigating Life’s Changes. Give yourself the gift of coaching and make an investment in your future.