#Reaction #Decision #Stress #Mindset #Check #Checkmate #Awareness #Options #Rebound #Lesson #Learn #Life #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN@shawntrautman “What does it matter?” “What’s the point?” Twice this week I’ve had these questions hurled at me with solemn contempt as...

#Check #Checkmate #Stress #Mindset #Awareness #Options #Rebound #Lesson #Learn #Life #Health by SHAWN TRAUTMAN @shawntrautman What’s the right move? Sometimes we’re in situations where there’s not a good solution. A no-win scenario, of sorts. All options seem like bad...

#Balance #Worry #Stress #Cortisol #Dopamine #Serotonin #Endorphins #Lesson #Learn #Life #Health by SHAWN TRAUTMAN @shawntrautman Ebb & flow, yin & yang, give & take, plus & minus, positive & negative, left & right, increase & decrease, see...

What do you learn from others? In other words, where do you get your stories? Stories that are worth telling others. Meaningful encounters are so much more than small talk. Talk. Ask questions. Real questions. Not “how’s it going?” with no real intent to find out. Go...

The Law of Unintended Consequences   Ever heard of it? In simple terms, a single change in a complex system will have a ripple effect, or consequences, downstream. The changes can be both positive or negative and the ones that we didn’t anticipate are considered...

Do you have back pain? A lot of people do. Mine wasn’t as bad 3 weeks ago as it is today. I’ve done a LOT of walking (probably 4 to 5 miles a day) as I’m in the process of building my legs back up after a couple of weeks of being on the road and driving a lot. The...

Playing the hand you’re dealt doesn’t mean you’ll win. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. Sometimes you have a really good hand and get beat by someone with a better hand. Sometimes you win with a hand you shouldn’t have. It all depends on how you play what you’re...

Well, which is it? 1/2 full or 1/2 empty? The answer is all about perspective. Recently, I poured a 1/2 of glass of orange juice for my youngest daughter and she completely threw a fit. She was in no frame of mind to be short-changed as her heart wanted a full glass!...

My daughter pulled out and onto a highway the other day as we had about a 15 minute drive to get back home. She quickly accelerated only to find herself hitting the brakes within seconds as the car directly in front of her got super close, super quick. “Yo! Let’s go!...

What if the proverbial ladder of success wasn’t really a ladder at all?And, that we all have our own? I’m starting to think the ladder of success as a ladder of growth and man, it’s quite the sight.

Okay, I'd love some input. We got into a heated discussion the other night about Christmas . "What is the point of Christmas?" I asked . "It's about Jesus!" one of them said . "Can't have Christmas without Christ!" another said . "Great marketing spin", I said,...

I now have the perfect coffee cup! This morning, for no reason at all, our black cat (the mischievous one) walked by my coffee on the counter, looked at it, tilted his head back and forth, and then proceeded to “help it get over it’s fear of heights.” Although I was...

“Everything was better when everything was worse” I heard this in a Ted talk once (the paradox of choice) and it stuck with me... so here’s my take. The reason things were better when things were worse was that when things were worse, we expected that they were bad...

To see the true reflection of one’s self (oneself?), one must have a calmness equal to that in nature.   Only when the conditions are right can we clearly see a mirrored image of the true reality to be seen.   It’s these truths that bring inner peace and, often,...

Quiet introspection may just be one of my most utilized self-examination tools of 2020.   Come to think of it, I’m not sure what other self-examination tools I use.   Maybe a bathroom mirror? A looking glass? Photos?   Yeah, no, it’s the introspection that wins.   I...

This was the exact moment we got home yesterday and, while taking a deep breath, I realized just how fortunate we’d been.   I shared a small part of the story yesterday, but it really didn’t capture the whole story and what made it a good one.   And, it’s a worthwhile...

I’m impressed with how clear this picture is compared to what I just saw with a naked eye.  I could barely make out the telephone pole and, though I probably should wear glasses when reading, I don’t have any trouble seeing things at a distance.  I took this picture...

This was quite the turn of events...   34 minutes before my eldest daughter’s tee-time in the opening round of the High School State Championship...   I had just finished working with her at the range and we were about to head to the putting green as we had a lot to...

“It wasn’t my FAULT!!!’”
We had a long conversation, as a family that started last night and made it’s way to the breakfast table this morning, and then to the couch.
Our talks was on the difference between fault and responsibility.

Delegation vs empowerment… at home and at the office.
Being a leader isn’t the same as being a manager.
Managing people isn’t the same as being a leader.

The older I get, the more I grow appreciation for life’s basic experiences.

In a five minute period here a short while ago while standing near an open window I wrote a few things that truly bring a smile to my face.