Steve Schlafman
@schlaf.bsky.social
Founder of Downshift. I help high performers navigate transition and answer life’s biggest questions.
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?
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?
December 3, 2024 at 5:44 PM
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?
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?
✍️ 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?
December 2, 2024 at 2:16 AM
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?
✍️ 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?
💰 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?
December 2, 2024 at 12:37 AM
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?
💰 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.
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.
December 1, 2024 at 9:46 PM
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.
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.
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.
December 1, 2024 at 8:54 PM
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.
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.
Looking for people who are interested in elevating the consciousness of humans and the planet.
December 1, 2024 at 7:56 PM
Who should I follow on here?
Looking for people who are interested in elevating the consciousness of humans and the planet.
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.
December 1, 2024 at 7:52 PM
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.
December 1, 2024 at 4:41 PM
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.
This is so true. I haven’t watched a movie in one sit in years.
December 1, 2024 at 3:52 PM
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.
December 1, 2024 at 3:32 PM
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.
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.
December 1, 2024 at 2:51 PM
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.
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.
December 1, 2024 at 2:01 PM
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?
Any favorite follows?
December 1, 2024 at 2:07 AM
Still getting a feel for it. Very different vibes than X and LI.
Any favorite follows?
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.
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.
November 30, 2024 at 11:16 PM
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.
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
—Maria Popova
November 30, 2024 at 1:59 AM
“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
—Maria Popova
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.”
The theme of this issue: “Take Your Time: How pacing yourself is good for mind, body, and business.”
November 29, 2024 at 8:32 PM
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.”
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.
Reading it for a second time this year. Mind and soul expanding.
November 29, 2024 at 2:37 PM
This book should be required reading for the school of life.
Reading it for a second time this year. Mind and soul expanding.
Reading it for a second time this year. Mind and soul expanding.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from upstate New York 💚
November 28, 2024 at 7:06 PM
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from upstate New York 💚
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...
www.wheretheroadbends.co/p/a-thread-o...
A Thread of Gratitude
Reflections On Life’s Quiet Miracles and Binding Moments
www.wheretheroadbends.co
November 28, 2024 at 4:01 PM
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...
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.
November 27, 2024 at 5:40 PM
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.
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👇
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👇
The Path to Becoming a Coach
From Passion to Profession: A Comprehensive Guide for Aspiring Coaches
open.substack.com
April 29, 2023 at 3:35 PM
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👇
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👇