Shawn trautman biography

Competitive Awareness

by Shawn Trautman | Coaching, Life Lessons & Leadership, Sports

Competitive Awareness #TalentPlusSkill #CompetitiveAwareness #Stress #EyesOpen #Awareness #Options #Choices #Lesson #Learn #Athlete #Coaching   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN Did you really give it your all? Did you put in that 100% effort you think you did? Did you really go out...

Let’s Go Branding

by Shawn Trautman | Business, Life Lessons & Leadership, Shawn Trautman Instruction

Let’s Go Branding #BuildABrand #WelcomeToMoes #MoreThanALogo #CustomersFirst #Awareness #Options #Choices #Lesson #Learn #Branding #Business   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN “Let’s Go Branding!” There was a time I’d go out of my way to find a Moe’s. I know the food isn’t...

Make It Happen

by Shawn Trautman | Business, Life Lessons & Leadership, Shawn Trautman Instruction

You are it. You’re the one that can make it happen. Not me. Not them. Not some stranger. Not us. You. A team of one.

First Impressions

by Shawn Trautman | Business, Life Lessons & Leadership

“I don’t know if she understood, dad” says my daughter. “And, why do you do that to people?” I pondered this for only a few seconds before answering and then my answer was clear…

I’ve Never Been to a Hooters

by Shawn Trautman | Business, Life Lessons & Leadership

When most people think of branding, they think of colors and logos. Branding is the core essence of your existence. It’s what your brand represents. It’s what your brand conveys. It’s the imagination your brand ignites. It’s the experience and feelings and atmosphere. It’s the floors, tables, dust, and lighting. It’s the menu & word choices, the food, the speed, and the smile that comes with it. It’s the bathrooms and the soap and the garbage and the type of toilet paper. It’s the system that works to remind you that you’re there for a reason. It’s what gets you to talk about it over and over and over.

Check Engine Light for Your Body

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

What would life look like if we had an internal check engine light that others could see? What does this mean and is it possible that we’re heading in this direction?

The Road To Successful Coaching

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Coaching is much more than just winning. Here you’ll learn 20 of the top strategies for successful coaches and have your own playbook for truly making an impact as a coach.

Volcanic Interruption?

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

What would happen if a large chunk of the Canary Islands did, in fact, break off? How much water would there be? How large would the tsunami be? Who would it impact and when? I explore all these thoughts and more, here.

Goodbye to the Net

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Goodbye to the Net #BlackOut #SolarFlare #Stress #EyesOpen #Awareness #Options #Choices #Lesson #Learn #AreYouReady   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN Have you ever stopped and thought about what runs on the Internet nowadays? (this is important). I mean, really, if there happened...

In This Moment

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

In This Moment #InTheMoment #PickYourBattle #Stress #EyesOpen #Awareness #Options #Choices #Lesson #Learn #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN I’m paying attention, yet detaching. I’m preparing more, yet letting go. I’m watching other’s more, yet closing my eyes more. I’m...

See For Yourself

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

See For Yourself #SeeForYourself #PickYourBattle #Stress #EyesOpen #Awareness #Options #Choices #Lesson #Learn #GGGGG #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN Just received this text from a friend in the Tampa, FL area. Based on my recommendation to “see for yourself”, he did and...

Level 1

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Level 1 #Level1 #KnowMoreStuff #Stress #EyesOpen #Awareness #Options #Choices #Lesson #Learn #ChemTrail #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN Level 1. 50 “good-to-know” questions that I put together for a friend. The feedback I received was that they found it super helpful...

Sight for Soar Eyes

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Sight for Soar Eyes #ClearSkies #KnowMoreStuff #Stress #EyesOpen #Awareness #Options #Choices #Lesson #Learn #ChemTrail #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN This is the first time in the last 3 weeks that there were ‘normal’ looking clouds and it’s quite the sight for “soar”...

Salsa Verde: Tomatillos

by Shawn Trautman | Cooking, Life Lessons & Leadership

Salsa Verde: Tomatillos #WholeFoodsPlantBased #PickYourOwn #FreshIsBest #SalsaVerde #Tomatillo #Options #Choices #Lesson #Learn  #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN 3 years ago we started with a single tomatillo plant and a bit of hope. Today, we have 15 super-healthy,...

Leveling Up

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Leveling Up #StateChamp #GirlsGolf #Stress #PlayingUnderPressure #Awareness #Options #Choices #Lesson #Learn #Breaking70 #HighSchoolAthlete   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN Yesterday was the 2A State Championships in Owensboro, KY and it just so happened to be a big deal. You’ve...

Cold Brew In the Afternoon

by Shawn Trautman | Cooking, Life Lessons & Leadership

Cold Brew In the Afternoon #ColdBrew #AfternoonCoffee #LittleThings #DIYCoffee #Cooking #Options #Choices #Lesson #Learn #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN Last week, while traveling, we ended up with a cold brew at a coffee shop ONLY because their regular coffee machine...

When the Topic Matters

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

When the Topic Matters #TimeCrunch #TheClockIsTicking #Stress #WhatIsImportant #Awareness #Options #Choices #Lesson #Learn #ImportantStuff #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN There was a time when I had to make & set agendas. Every topic had a time limit, or if it was...

What IS That?

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

What IS That? #WildThing #GrowlingTire #CountryLiving #EyesOpen #Awareness #MysteriousSound  #Lesson #Learn  #Nature   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN *Read the short story THEN watch the short clip.* “Grrrrrrrrrrrrr” – that’s the sound that made me jump as I walked past my...

This Could Get Heated

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

This Could Get Heated #HotTopics #VerifyYourSources #Stress #EyesOpen #Awareness #Options #Choices #Lesson #Learn #WhoDoYouTrust #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN Although this could get heated, it needs not get this hot (see yesterday’s ridiculous unedited pic after we...

Something Extra-Ordinary

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Something Extra-Ordinary #SomethingExtraordinary #HoleInOne #BigDeal #HailMary #HugeMoment #ReadyForIt #Athlete #GreatGolf #Learn #CanIGetAWitness #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN I’m not a huge fan of witnessing things first-hand that end in injury, humiliation, death,...

I Don’t Think..Or Do I?

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

I Don’t Think..Or Do I? #SmoggySkies #ChemTrails #Stress #EyesOpen #Awareness #Options #SomthingBigIsGoingOn #Lesson #Learn #Preparedness #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN I don’t think there’s something going on we should worry about. I don’t think there’s something...

The Sky is the Limit

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

The Sky is the Limit #TheSkyIsTheLimit #NoLimits #Stress #OptimumPerformance #Awareness #CompetitiveAwareness #Choices #Lesson #Learn #SportsTraining #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN Is the sky the limit or are you limited in some fashion? If you feel limited as a coach or...

Radiant Blue Skies

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

#EMF #BlueSkiesAbove #Stress #EyesOpen #Awareness #Options #ResearchRadiation #Lesson #Learn #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN Can you see it? I took this picture of our sky a moment ago to use as the basis for what we can’t see. My response here is based on a comment I...

But I Didn’t Know

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

But I Didn’t Know #ButIDidntKnow #PickYourBattle #Stress #YouNeverSaid #Awareness #Options #Choices #Lesson #Learn #Parenting #TVOff   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN “Good news! Your youngest has been located!” – Joanna I took a screenshot of our FaceTime conversation...

Big Stories on the Green

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Big Stories on the Green #FirstEagle #MakingPar #KidsGolf #EyeOnTheBall #Coaching #Options #Choices #Lesson #Learn #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN Big moment today. Two firsts for these two, and it happened on the SAME hole. A short 281 yard Par 4 where Paxton’s high and...

High of 79

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

High of 79 #Breaking80 #OnlyGolfInThe70s #EyeOnTheBall #Goals #Progress #Options #Choices #Lesson #Learn #Golf #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN Huge Congratulations to Breanna! For two years now she’s scored in the 90’s and then 80’s and has flirted with the 80 mark time...

Can’t See The Forest

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Can’t See The Forest #CantSeeTheForestForTheTrees #PickYourBattle #Stress #EyesOpen #Awareness #Options #Choices #Lesson #Learn #ChemTrail #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN What’s riskier… Arguing about something or just letting things go? Depends, right? Are we...

To Another Year

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

To Another Year #HappyAnniversary #19Years #CheersToAnotherYear #Mindset #Rebound #Lesson #Learn #Life #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN@shawntrautman It just so happens today’s our 19th anniversary. I could go on and on about life as we know it and have lived it, but it’s...

Independent Thoughts

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Independent Thoughts #IndependenceDay #4thOfJuly #Mindset #Freedom #Lesson #Learn #Life #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN@shawntrautman O say can you see? Bright Stars. Broad Stripes. Bombs bursting in air. Proof through the night that our flag was still there. Happy...

Time Under Tension

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Time Under Tension #TimeUnderTension #Router #FathersDay #Awareness #Options #Lesson #Learn #Life #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN@shawntrautman I think I’ve got it. “It?” Yep. But “it”’s not what you think. If ever there was a post that everyone should read, it’s...

Being Duped

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Being Duped #Duped #LookingFromDifferentAngles #Stress #Mindset #Awareness #Options #Lesson #Learn #Life #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN@shawntrautman Admitting I’ve been duped on something is really tough for me as it is for most people. And, it makes sense. Even when...

Are You With Me

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Are You With Me #AreYouKiddingMe #Checkmate #Stress #Mindset #Awareness #Options #Lesson #Learn #Life #Choices   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN@shawntrautman “You’ve gotta’ be f*cking kidding me!” That’s the exact phrase I’ve joked about for years saying that it’s going to be the...

Hiss & Herss

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Hiss & Herss #Check #Checkmate #PhotoBomb #Mindset #Awareness #Options #HealthyEats #Lesson #Learn #Life #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN@shawntrautman Hiss and herss. The other night we made pizza and bread sticks. Joanna left the room right when I started to cut...

Lady’s Stinky New Friend

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Lady’s Stinky New Friend #StinkyDog #HappyEaster #Skunked #Mindset #Awareness #Options #SkunkStink #Lesson #Learn #Life #Clean   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN@shawntrautman > Easter dinner this year with my parents was extraordinarily delicious and everyone and everything...

Plumbing, Filtration, Cutting Granite

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Plumbing, Filtration, Cutting Granite #Projects #Problems #Stress #Mindset #LittleThings #Success #Lesson #Learn #Life #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN@shawntrautman This is SO COOL!! After 8 days of plumbing nightmares, burnt cartridges, stripped screws, cracked filters,...

AT-AT in the Yard

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

AT-AT in the Yard #AT-AT #StarWars #BlusteryDay #PointOfView #Awareness #WishISawThat #Perspective #Lesson #Learn #Life #Laugh   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN@shawntrautman I thought for sure we were about to be under attack from one of those Star Wars AT-AT Walkers when I walked...

Not So Welcome

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Not So Welcome #tolerance #diversity #dunedin #Mindset #SmallTown #MakingADifference #NotSoWelcome #Lesson #Learn #Life #Change   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN@shawntrautman This sign is on the front door of a restaurant just over a mile from where we lived in FL. 4 years ago we...

F.E.A.R.less

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership, Shawn Trautman Instruction

F.E.A.R.less #Fear #FEARless #Stress #Mindset #Anxiety #Options #Dance #Cooking #Lesson #Learn #Life #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN@shawntrautman What FEARs do you have? I mean, real FEAR? Fear is natural and is critical for survival. Fear keeps us alive as it...

Infringement 101

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership, Shawn Trautman Instruction

Infringement 101 #FiveSenses #ThreeOptions #Infringement101 #SeeHearSmellTasteTouch #Connect #Divide #Choices #Lesson #Dance #Partner #Connection #Learn #Life #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN@shawntrautman Can you make sense of this? Any one (1) of the five (5) main senses...

Grading on a Curve

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Grading on a Curve #GradingOnACurve #RealLife #Success #Mindset #Awareness #Options  #Lesson #Learn #Life #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN@shawntrautman What would life be like if we were graded on a curve? Would the room where we painted 3 of the 4 walls yesterday...

Who is That in the Mirror

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Who is That in the Mirror #Self-Image #Reflection #Stress #Mindset #Awareness #Like-Point #Strong #Lesson #Learn #Life #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN@shawntrautman What do you see when you look in the mirror? Do you see your own beauty or do you immediately look for...

People are Like Golf Balls

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

People are Like Golf Balls #GolfBall #GolfWisdom #Diversity #Mindset #Awareness #Inclusion #PerfectShot #Lesson #Learn #Life    by SHAWN TRAUTMAN @shawntrautman People are like golf balls. Different colors. Different styles. Different brands. Different strengths....

The Birthday Gift

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

The Birthday Gift #BuildingThings #BirthdayGift #SoManyLessons #Mindset #Teamwork #Options #HomeSchool #Lesson #Learn #Life #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN @shawntrautman This one’s worth the read (and the video’s good too, but don’t do one without the other). —...

Self-Love… Taking Care of YOU

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Self-Love… Taking Care of YOU  #SelfLove #Stress #Mindset #SelfWorth #SelfEsteem #SelfCare #Lesson #Learn #Life #Health #OxygenMask #Confidence #InputOutput   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN @shawntrautman An interesting discussion yesterday about self-love took place in our...

Masks and Critical Thinking

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Masks and Critical Thinking #CriticalThinking #Research #Mask #Mindset #Awareness #Options #Lesson #Learn #Life #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN@shawntrautman Wait, what?? I spent the last 6 hours today at a college campus. I observed students, by the hundreds, and watched...

Getting What You Paid For

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Getting What You Paid For #GettingWhatYouPaidFor #DeliveringOnPromises #BirthdayEarrings #Tenacity #Awareness #Options #Balance #Lesson #Learn #Life #Parenting   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN @shawntrautman Here’s a story about getting what you paid for (getting what you want),...

Job Well Done

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Job Well Done #JobWellDone #CheckYourWork #AsLongAsItTakes #Mindset #Awareness #Homeschool #LearnToLearn #Lesson #Learn #Life #CleanKitchen   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN @shawntrautman Y’all have no idea how big this moment was for me. “What’s going on?” you say. Well, this is...

Tackling Big Projects

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Tackling Big Projects #BigProjects #GettingItDone #KidPower #CrownMolding #GoodbyeAvocado #ItsGoingToBeHuge #ElbowGrease #Lesson #Learn #Life #TeamWork   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN @shawntrautman For the first time in nearly 4 years we actually enjoy looking out this set of...

Customer Satisfaction

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Customer Satisfaction #JustForLaughs #SomeAssemblyRequired #WinterFun #SnowDay #Balance #IKEAAdventures #Lesson #Learn #Life #Health   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN @shawntrautman We got a notification from UPS that our Igloo, Snowmen & Snowballs were all delivered from IKEA....

Is Seeing Actually Believing?

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Is Seeing Actually Believing? #SeeingIsntAlwaysBelieving #Truth #FakeNews #Mindset #Awareness #TrustButVerify #ChallengeBeliefs #Lesson #Learn #Life #ReadTheFinePrint   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN @shawntrautman I believe what I believe is, for the most part, correct.  You...

Moment of Silence

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Moment of Silence #PowerfulSilence #TooMuchNoise #Stress #Mindset #Awareness #QuietThoughts #Resilience #Lesson #Learn #Life #Creativity   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN @shawntrautman A moment of silence.  Perhaps for our nation? For our current leaders or future administration?...

Participation at Its Finest

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Participation at Its Finest #ParticipationAward #PresentToWin #PresentNotPresent #ParticipationFail #DistanceLearning #HomeSchool #RealLife #Lesson #Learn #Life #ProudPapa   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN@shawntrautman We had a first yesterday.  And, before I share the story, let...

Quality Time Worth Remembering

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Quality Time Worth Remembering #QualityTime #Mindfulness #LovedOnes #Mindset #Awareness #SharedExperience #SharedGoals #Lesson #Learn #Life #TeachingKids   by SHAWN TRAUTMAN @shawntrautman Spending time versus spending quality time. This looks like it could be me just...

A Neat little story about cards

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

A Neat little story about cards #ThankYou #NeatStory #CustomerAppreciation #ArtBiz #LifeLessons #LearningTheRopes #Lesson #Learn #Life    by SHAWN TRAUTMAN @shawntrautman Here’s a neat little story… I watched, on-and-off, as my two eldest  girls spent nearly 20...

Searching for a Support System

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

It’s not as easy for humans to find, tap into and use strong foundational pieces in other humans. You can’t just buy a tool…

What does it matter?

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

What does it matter? #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...

CHECK! What’s Your Move…

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

CHECK! What’s Your Move… #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...

Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership, Shawn Trautman Instruction

Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way #Lead #Follow #Balance #Leadership #Lesson #Role #Dance #Life #Team #Family #Disaffiliate by SHAWN TRAUTMAN @shawntrautman A leader cannot lead followers who won’t follow. Think about it. But, first, what is a leader? What is a...

Fighting Gravity is a Losing Game

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Fighting Gravity is a Losing Game #Gravity #Posture #Stress #Mindset #Problems #Progress #Attitude #BabySteps #Life #Health by SHAWN TRAUTMAN @shawntrautman Fighting gravity is a losing game. Naturally, we all fight it from the day we’re born. The longer we live, the...

What is a bad word and why?

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

What is a bad word and why? “Different strokes for different folks” – I’m using this picture to illustrate differences of opinion on a single topic. The story that accompanies this was not between Joanna and I, it was a guest we had for Christmas. Please read...

The Balancing of Life

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

The Balancing of Life #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,...

What do you learn from others?

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

What do you learn from others? 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...

The Law of Unintended Consequences

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

The Law of Unintended Consequences 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...

Etiquette (Dance Partner / Dance Floor)

by Shawn Trautman | Shawn Trautman Instruction

Etiquette (Dance Partner / Dance Floor) Partner Etiquette When you are dancing, the two most important people on the dance floor are yourself and your dance partner. The following rules will make your joint dancing experience, especially during the learning period,...

The Agony of da Feet!

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

The Agony of da Feet! 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...

You can’t win ’em all

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

You can’t win ’em all 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...

It’s all about perspective

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

It’s all about perspective 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...

Why is he going so slow?

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Why is he going so slow? 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,...

What kind of person are you?

by Shawn Trautman | All Dance Lessons, Shawn Trautman Instruction

Dancer or Regular Guy/Gal but Loves to Dance? As those that know me know, I am passionate about helping people learn new things and dancing has been a huge part of my life…. but it’s because I love the social ends of dance and helping others, not because I love...

The Growth Spiral

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

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.

What’s the point of Christmas?

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

What’s the point of Christmas? 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 ....

Rhythm & Music for beginner dancers

by Shawn Trautman | Shawn Trautman Instruction

Rhythm & Music for beginner dancers      Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to know much about music to be a great dancer. Assuming you know very little about music, I’ll get you started here with the essentials that will have you feeling like...

Introduction to Social Dancing

by Shawn Trautman | Shawn Trautman Instruction

Introduction to Social Dancing Social dancing is the bomb-diggity.  Social dancing, in and of itself, though, encompasses a wide variety of couples dances, as well as various styles of dancing. So what all is it? In general terms, social dancing includes everything...

The perfect coffee cup

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

The perfect coffee cup 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...

Were things better when things were worse?

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Were things better when things were worse? “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...

The true reflection of one’s self

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

The true reflection of one’s self 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...

Thanksgiving Thoughts

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Thanksgiving Thoughts 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...

This could have ended so differently

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

This could have ended so differently 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...

Fog vs. Clarity in our lives

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Fog vs. Clarity in our lives 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...

Struggles we don’t understand…

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Struggles we don’t understand… 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...

How & Why these videos rock

by Shawn Trautman | Shawn Trautman Instruction

1) The layout is a perfect setup for *****
2) We include ***** that make learning SIMPLE
3) Unique ******* format allows you to dance along with instructors
4) Includes ***** unlike “Date night” programs designed for quick “Show off” moves…

Lessons Learned

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Lessons Learned I had a lengthy conversation with my family the other day about keeping track of lessons in all we do. You see, I was fortunate enough to be a part of some fascinating teams at Raytheon, EDS & the VA and also in some of the small businesses...

Intent matters (be careful out there)

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Intent matters (be careful out there) Rarely do I have an empty back seat. I carry a lot of people and drive a LOT. Yesterday, I made a quick trip, alone, to the nearest gas station and I had my windows down. It’s a small 4 pump BP station and I just wanted to fill up...

A problem worth solving

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

A problem worth solving “Now that’s a problem worth solving!” Solving problems is how I spend most of my time so it’s no surprise that a picture like this (with my ‘analyze then solve’ face) surfaces. And, it’s where I get the most satisfaction. Truth is, we all have...

Random Acts of Kindness

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

Random Acts of Kindness This guy completely caught me off-guard today at a Wal-Mart. At first, I thought he was mad. He looked angry and his eyes were glossy. He walked up to my youngest daughter and said something that thoroughly confused me. She didn’t know what to...

Why Trust Me? (Shawn Trautman)

by Shawn Trautman | Shawn Trautman Instruction

Learning to dance should be easy, but most instructors make it hard. Shawn Trautman removes barriers and makes lessons fast, simple & fun.

Fault Vs. Responsibility

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

“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

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

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.

Appreciation for Life’s Basic Experiences

by Shawn Trautman | Life Lessons & Leadership

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.