Steve Schlafman

The longer I’m alive, the less I know who I truly am.

Each time I think I’ve figured it out, life humbles me with a new revelation, a new truth.

Our sense of self isn’t fixed but endlessly unfolding.

What if the goal isn’t to find yourself, but to let go of needing to?

Things I love in my 40s:

✍️ Writing
🧘‍♂️ Meditation
📚 Philosophy
🍄 Psychedelics
🌳 Time in nature
🛏 Rest and sleep
🌄 Early mornings
❤️ Helping others
👨‍👩‍👧 My wife and kids
🏢 Calm companies
✨ The higher power
💬 Deep conversations
🎶 Neo-classical music

What do you love?

Things I loved in my 20s but no longer care for in my 40s:

💰 VC
💻 Tech
🌱 Weed
🥃 Booze
🏈 Sports
🎵 Pearl Jam
🤝 Networking
🎮 Video games
🕺 Music festivals
🚀 Startup culture
🥇 Winning at all costs

Funny how priorities shift. What about you?

When I began to see my body as a vessel for life, I stopped worrying about people stealing “my ideas.”

Releasing my ego, I saw that others replicating my ideas is just life unfolding as it’s meant to.

It’s been a potent shift—a release of control and an embrace of emergence.

I’ve received more than a dozen emails this week asking when this year’s edition of my annual review will launch.

Downshift will release the 2024 edition this Friday, Dec. 6th.

This marks the most radical change to the review in seven years. I promise it’ll be worth the wait.

Who should I follow on here?

Looking for people who are interested in elevating the consciousness of humans and the planet.

I don’t think it’s a coordination problem—it’s a human and tribal problem. We’re wired to prioritize the interests of our individual tribes over the collective good of our species. We struggle to grasp that we’re all part of one big tribe, and I believe that’s one of our fatal flaws.

This is quite funny. Shows what is valued in our society. College Football programs are massive for-profit businesses disguised as state run non-profits.

Zero!

This is so true. I haven’t watched a movie in one sit in years.

Yes, that’s what I miss the most. Real conversations rather than AI bot and engagement bait comments.

There’s something incredibly refreshing about starting on a new social platform.

For years, I struggled to engage on X—it was triggering and felt overly performative.

I see this platform as a clean slate—a space to show up authentically, not to perform or achieve, but to express and connect.

Didn’t realize he was here for the party.

Still getting a feel for it. Very different vibes than X and LI.

Any favorite follows?

I'd like to reintroduce myself.

I'm Steve Schlafman. My friends call me Schlaf (pronounced "shh-laugh").

I'm a girl dad, husband, writer, book worm, meditator, tree hugger, and much more. Professionally, I'm an executive transition coach and Founder of Downshift.

I'm honored to be here with you.

“There are moments in life when we are reminded that we are unfinished, that the story we have been telling ourselves about who we are and where our life leads is yet unwritten. Such moments come most readily at the beginning of something new.”
—Maria Popova

Thank you Nate!

Surreal to see Downshift featured in Think:Act Magazine’s September issue alongside 37Signals, the Slow Food Movement, Oliver Burkeman, and so many of my influences.

The theme of this issue: “Take Your Time: How pacing yourself is good for mind, body, and business.”

This book should be required reading for the school of life.

Reading it for a second time this year. Mind and soul expanding.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from upstate New York 💚

A Thread of Gratitude Reflections On Life’s Quiet Miracles and Binding Moments

Gratitude isn’t always visible or loud. It’s often quiet, woven into the fabric of our everyday lives, waiting to be recognized. It feels less like a single feeling and more like a thread—binding moments, contrasts, and truths.

www.wheretheroadbends.co/p/a-thread-o...

Our relationship with our bodies can transform when we stop seeing them as machines to be perfected and start honoring them as vessels for life to be expressed.

The Path to Becoming a Coach From Passion to Profession: A Comprehensive Guide for Aspiring Coaches

Interest in the coaching profession is at an all time high.

Recovering founders and execs email me weekly asking how I became a coach and built a successful practice.

Here’s my journey and everything I wish I knew when I got started 6 years ago👇

Maine is nice 🌲

My day ended at 4pm and it was 80 degrees out, so I said fuck it and went for a hike.

You can’t put a price on the freedom and flexibility solopreneurship offers.

Eliza banned them in the city. Only allowed North of Newburgh.

Don’t judge me for wearing Keens

All the people I want to hang out in real life are here.

Cancelled my last meeting of the day. Had a good excuse.