In a recent coaching session a client was blessing their ambitious goals with ‘inshallah’ (if Allah wills it). And ‘Deo volente’ (God willing) has been woven into my thinking through Stoicism. I love the power of being all in and going for something amazing, while simultaneously embracing whatever happens.
Sometimes it works.
Sometimes it falls apart.
Sometimes it takes an unexpected turn, maybe just after you start or maybe just before you thought it would end.

A doubtless and powerful focus, coupled with humility and engagement. Running to the edge of the cliff, knowing you can stop on a dime. Loosing the arrow and allowing where it lands.

And, why only embrace the downside? What about embracing that something even greater might be possible, might be trying to happen? What if it’s not that you’re aiming too high but that you’re aiming too low?

I don’t know the Latin equivalent, but the mantra I’ve instilled into many of my clients is “this or something better.” Whether it’s a simple desire or goal or prayer or commitment. This or something better. Don’t limit your future self to conditioning of your present self. The unknown holds infinite possibility in it, and can handle the paradox (co-existence, not conflict) of deeply wanting and pursuing something while remaining open to what the universe wants for you.

I led an Insight Salon on “This or Something Better” years ago, in 2021, as a way to help people break out of the achievement mindset — outsourcing happiness to future goals — and how you can still set direction and create amazing futures coming from being innately fulfilled right now. If you’d like access to the recording simply reply to this email with the word "better".

Michael McDonald :: Transformational Coach :: authenticintegrity.com​
raising the consciousness of humanity, one conversation at a time

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