One Life with Donny Raus

There are two motivators in life, pain and pleasure.  Most people don't change until they're forced. Resisting change is a very painful process. Wouldn't it be nice if you could bypass the pain and go right to the very thing you want? Doing so requires you to get better acquainted with your desires, rather than your fears. This episode I share the story of Michael, a former bonds trader who contemplated suicide, before making a drastic lifestyle change, as well as, questions to guide you on your journey.

You want to be/do/achieve great things, but sometimes you're your own worse enemy. One of the reasons people fail to achieve their goals, is because they leave themselves a "way out". When you "burn your boats", leaving no way to escape, you will take the metaphorical island.  In times like these, courage and faith are your best friends. In this episode I tell the story of one restauranteur who decided to start a bar, restaurant, and cafe, all at the same time and with no prior operating experience. Crazy? Perhaps. Impossible? Not for the person who is truly committed. Commit with 100% of your being and you will take the island.

Let's face it. Change can be scary. This is particularly true when the object of desire seems insurmountable.  In times like this, it is helpful to remember two things. First, we all start at different places and as a result, our journeys will also be different. Some will be longer and some will be shorter. Secondly, the journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step. As long as you're moving forward, leaning into the discomfort (no matter how small the steps may seem), you'll eventually arrive at your destination. In this episode I share one woman's journey to move from New York City to Miami, during one of the most challenging times in her life, the winter covid lockdown. No matter how small the step, each action opens up a new world of possibility.

I believe that there is a part of us that has the answer to every question we dare to ask, that is if we can quiet our minds long enough to get the answer... How can we gain access this all knowing part of ourself? The ability will require you to get out of your head and into your heart. Sound challenging? Don't worry... There is a short cut. Similar to trusting your "gut", one of the best indicators that a decision is right, is the feeling you get from it. One of my favorite quotes is, "if it isn't a hell's yes, it is a hell's no." In order to fully engage in this decision making process, you got to feel the other options. By doing so, you allow yourself to feel the contrasts of each decision, and thus, make a decision.

Change an be pretty scary, even if it is moving towards something you say you want. The reason being that it forces you to do take new action/to do something you haven't done before. Said differently, it requires you to step into the unknown. This pull back is one of the many faces of self sabotage. If it is our natural tendency to resist change, how can we double down, ensuring that we move forward towards the thing we want? The answer is accountability. In this episode I tell the story of my decision to visit Puerto Rico and how friends held me accountable, when I was ready to back out.

What if everything in life was happening for you, instead of to you? How would that impact your life?  The only difference between something "good" or "bad", is the meaning you give it. Want to know the best part? You are are the meaning maker! Adopting the belief that life is happening for you, is like putting on a pair of yellow colored glasses. Whether it is cloudy or raining, it always appears that the sun is shining. As a result, you start looking for the positive experiences that each circumstance/situation brings. 

Are you at a challenging moment in your life? If so, rather than resist it, I want to invite you to instead celebrate it. There is the misconception that growth is linear line and that everything is supposed to flow perfectly. What if we did away with this belief all together? What if the challenges were there to give you a greater sense of clarity, to help you grow, to help you appreciate even more all the beauty that is life?  How would you look at the setbacks then? These are the lessons I learned from a plate of dipping sauces and chicken scraps...

What is real wealth? How will you know when you've achieved it? Will you be happy?  In the western world, especially in America, we tend to attach a monetary value to the word wealth, but is it true? In a speech I gave at my best friends wedding, I had him breakdown his model of what it means to be wealthy, coming away with the realization that he was the richest man in the world. My hope is by the end of this podcast you will also redefine what it means to be wealth, so that you can start creating a life that is aligned with your values.

We create our personal realities with our thoughts and our focus. When you understand this simple and yet, complex concept, you'll understand that you're the creator of your reality.  In this episode I recap a conversation I had with a homeless man at a bus stop and the gifts he gave me in the form his personal story. Those lessons are a reminder that we are the authors of our lives and that there is a fine line between where he and I stand.

if you don't have a plan for your life, someone else does. Not having a "plan" means you'll get swayed wherever the wind blow. Not how you want to live, especially if you want to create a life of passion and excitement. Then how do we check in to make sure we don't get sucked into someone else's plans? Easy, you get clear on your own and evaluate every decision as to how it aligns with it. Doing so will give you focus and excitement, as you see yourself making massive progress towards your outcomes.