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.

You’re waiting. You’ve asked all of the questions that you have been storing up and still you are not sure about it. There are still the doubts. But deep inside you know that you have to take that step forward.

You’re not sure where the road will take you, but you know that it’s time to embark upon a different type of journey. Where you are now has already been explored——you’re curious about what’s next because you’re an adventurer. You know that something great is waiting for you. You are determined to find out what that is.

You take that next step knowing you will have your share of adversity——that goes with the territory. What is more important is how you handle the adversity. When a difficult challenge is thrown at you, you are able to maintain your center and see possibilities that at one time you didn’t know existed. You couldn’t see them because you were looking for reasons not to move forward.

You were waiting for the perfect time. What you now know is that the only perfect time is now.

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.

You are faced with a problem and you’re not sure what to do. At first it seems like you only have two choices, neither of which is satisfactory, so you do nothing. You let it sit for a while hoping that the problem will go away. It does for a period of time, only to come back begging for a solution. Still all you see are the same two possibilities.

Something has to give. The way you have been approaching the problem hasn’t been working. This is your chance to think outside the box and to be creative.

Begin to focus on the desired outcome you would like to see. Of course you might say to yourself, “Don’t be ridiculous that’s out of the question.” Don’t let those thoughts stop you. They have been running your life. Keep focusing on the result you want to achieve——see it, feel it.

Then ask yourself, “For that result to occur, what has to happen.” And then ask, “To make that happen what has to shift and what has to be done differently.”

Whatever you do, don’t keep rehashing what you know won’t work. And stop thinking of all of the reasons you think it can’t be done. Instead think of this challenge as an opportunity for you think in a new way.

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.

We have many thoughts and ideas, but not all of them are acted upon. These thoughts are endless. Brain researchers estimate that we have over 60,000 thoughts in a day. Very few of these thoughts become reality.

But some of these thoughts do get acted upon and become our reality. As we know from doing this work together what we focus on expands. If we focus on the negative then we will attract more of the negative to us. If we worry we will always find things to worry about.

Of course we don’t want that. We have to have a clear sense of what are values and priorities are. We keep going in the direction of making these priorities are reality. Of course along the way there will be many pitfalls and obstacles. But because we have intention and determination, we keep going.

Your life today is a reflection of the choices you have made in the past. That includes your thoughts, your actions and your commitments. If you wonder what’s important to you, look around at your life; where do you live, who are your friends and what are you doing with your life.

To get to where you are now, something deep inside you kept you going. I am sure that you had many reasons to quit along the way, but you kept going. You knew what you wanted. As the year is winding down, it’s a great time to think about all of the blessings in your life. It’s a great reminder of what your values are.

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.

If you have been reading this blog for a while, you know that it is my belief that we are constantly making choices as to what we focus on. And it is those choices that determine our happiness rather than the current circumstances of our life.

Perhaps the most important choice that we can make is how we start the day. Here’s a glimpse of the morning program that I start my day with.

After taking time for quiet reflection, focus on what you are grateful for. Then be curious and start to wonder about what the highlight of your day might be. You are curious as to what that might be. As the day progresses you are open to receiving that good.

Love is like that. Love comes from within. It is our true nature to be loving. It affects all of our relationships and opens us to a richness that is infinite.

As our heart opens we’re able to see the beauty that is all around us. We’re able to see the world in a different way.

What we used to be afraid of, we welcome. When we see another person, rather than focusing on our differences, we know that they too have experienced all that life has to offer———the joys and the sorrows. That is what is to be alive and human.

We feel it all, but we have a choice to focus on what gives us joy and to rejoice in the moment.

CHOOSE HAPPINESS

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.

Carl, like many of my life coaching clients, is standing on the edge. He is ready to jump into the next thing, into the land of uncertainty and the unknown, but he hesitates. He doesn’t take the leap. He watches thinking about what it would be like if he took that leap of faith. He’ll never know. IF he is honest with himself, he has to admit that there is something missing in his life.

Like many other people his life has plateaued. There is no excitement, no passion. He is just going through the motions waiting for something to happen, although he is not sure what that is.

He hasn’t found a real purpose for his life and for what he is currently doing. Until he does it will be difficult for him to get that passion back. You can’t pretend, although that’s what many of us are doing until we totally commit.

Many of us are close to achieving good things, but still have a ways to go before accomplishing great things.

You have the means and the resources, but it’s up to you to apply it to something bigger than what you are doing now. Keep where you want to go in mind and then let it go.

The good news is that it doesn’t take any longer. What it does take is deeper focus; the ability to be totally present with what you are doing.

When you are focused and in the moment, it’s attractive to others for you are in your power. It’s also when you are committed and passionate about living.

Declare to others and the world what you stand for. The world is waiting for you to be you.

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.