oak tree
July 2014 - In This Issue:
Oak Communications logo
LESS PLANNING.
MORE LIVING.

"Sometimes the only way to discover who you are or what life you should lead is to do less planning and more living," said Daniel Pink in an address to the 2014 graduating class at Northwestern University's Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences.

 

He encouraged the graduates to ask people who are engaged in their work and "successful" how they got to this point. He suggested that most will say it was a circuitous route.

 

That certainly is true for me and many of the happier people that I know. Our lives are not linear and planned out. Instead, we have followed myriad paths as opportunities have become available. And, opportunities became available because of our openness to explore, meet a variety of people, and try new experiences.

 

Curiosity, an ability to sit with the unknown and be uncomfortable for a period of time, openness to switch gears when the time is right and lifelong learning are keys to living a dynamic, impactful life.

 

"This might sound risky - and you know what? It is. It's really risky. But the greater risk is to choose false certainty over genuine ambiguity. The greater risk is to fear failure more than mediocrity. The greater risk is to pursue a path only because it's the first path you decided to pursue," said Pink

 

Mary Oliver in her poem, The Summer Day, asks,  

 

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?"

 

Happy Summer,

 

Sue

 

 

P.S. What do you think of this new e-newsletter format? Is it easier to read on your mobile/tablet devices?

 


Lagniappe

Pink's graduation address 

Mary Oliver reads The Summer Day  

 

 

Photo of Sue Schleifer
COACHING SERVICES
Quote from a Client

A client wrote, "For our last session together Sue took out her notes and we reviewed a year's worth of coaching sessions. As she read the things I had written and her own observances, we reflected with amazement at the tremendous changes that had occurred.

 

She challenged my self-perception. She gave practical steps towards tangible goals while also guiding me through a sort of existential shift in my thinking. Sue, along with friends and family guided me up from the well and back into the light and reminded me of who I really am. By the end of our time together, I was a transformed person.  

 

I believe that with what I have learned and achieved, I have the tools to not only reach tangible, practical goals but also to right myself when I'm thrown off-kilter, with confidence, peace, joy and dare I hope, grace. This is possible to a large degree to Sue's coaching."

 

(With permission of Nicole L.)

 

Click here to continue reading and to learn more about Coaching Services.
The Key to the Castle book cover
THE KEY TO THE CASTLE
Zen and Travel Stories of Trust - Book

Please "Like" The Key to the Castle Facebook page to learn about future events.

 

Have you read the book? If so, please consider writing a review on Amazon or Smashwords.

 

To read reviews of the book, please visit The Key to the Castle web page.

 

Thank you!


Sue Schleifer 
Oak Communications Coaching and Consulting 
337.534.0954
337.534.09337.534.0954

www.Oak-Communications.com

acorns with sprouts
CUSTOMIZED COACHING AND CONSULTING SERVICES NATIONWIDE
STAY CONNECTED

Like us on Facebook     View our profile on LinkedIn