RTDM: Suzanne Schilling

Suzanne Schilling
Leadership Coach
Asheville, NC

We want to get to know you! Briefly tell us about yourself: Where you came from, where you've been and how you're living your dream?

My blood runs green as I am the proud daughter of a retired Army 2-star General. My blood runs Methodist because I am the proud spouse of an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. Needless to say, I am well versed in the art of relocation, transition, versatility and adaptability, courtesy of the military and the Methodist appointment system. I attended 10 different schools between Kindergarten and high school graduation. Lived in 12 different states and Central America. Traveled and worked in 6 different countries. As for careers, I've spent the majority of my time with financial institutions, and the learning and growing that took place in both locations, I wouldn't change for the world. But where I am right now, is truly where I belong. I am living out the life I was meant to live - in the mountains, self-employed as a Leadership coach, with time to work with the community and time to play with my husband, family and friends.

How do you define success?

The inner peace and joy derived from living authentically.

What did it take to make your dream happen and when did you know you had arrived?

Saying YES to everything that came my way, and telling everyone who would listen about my dream, is what got the gears shifting. When I received my first signed contract, I knew I had arrived.

What are you most proud of? Go ahead, boast a little!

Financially supporting my husband while he was in 2 graduate programs (at the same time) while my daughter was attending a private performing arts school out of state. Both of them pursuing their dreams while I held down the financial fort.

What was your biggest obstacle/fear and what was your turning point?

In a single year, I was laid off, my 1st husband left me and my cat died. My fear/obstacle was losing the only home my daughter knew, and obliterating my retirement savings. The cat dying was just the added bonus. The turning point was taking a part-time job, knowing it didn't pay enough, but trusting something positive would happen. That part time job turned into an 11 year full-time stint.

What’s the best advice you’d give to a younger you?

Trust your gut....you really do have the answers.

How do you stay motivated and purposeful when you feel overwhelmed?

Remembering to eat the elephant a teaspoon at a time.

Tell us a time when a perceived failure was actually a blessing in disguise or served you in a surprising way.

My first marriage fell apart in the late 90's. After 13 years, my husband decided he didn't love me anymore. No one was more shocked! I truly thought we were solid - financially, emotionally, spiritually, etc. We were the couple everyone emulated. Single girlfriends wanted to clone him. But there I was, divorced. It felt like an epic fail. But it wasn't failure at all. It was an opportunity for me to test my grit. It was an opportunity to expand my wings. It was an opportunity to remember that I was not perfect, but pretty darn terrific. It was an opportunity to grow. And with gritty teeth, expanded wings, and a perfectly imperfect self - I grew. Grew to be more empathetic. More optimistic. More healthy. More spiritual. More creative. More intuitive. More, more, more..... And with all this lovely 'more', I met my forever husband. But that is another story in itself.....

What is your favorite vice/guilty pleasure/strange habit? Come on now, we all have them!

Cussing

What the smartest investment you’ve made for yourself?

Starting my own business and a fantastic looking pair of shoes (or two, or three....)

What’s MOST important to you right now?

The gift of time

Share 1-2 books you've given as gifts:

Middle Sex by Jeffrey Eugenides and White Teeth by Zadie Smith

What have you learned to say no to?

Most meetings. A discussion of 10 minutes or less usually provides all the info needed for all parties involved.

What's something most people would never guess about you?

I have run 5 marathons

Follow Suzanne:
suzanneschilling.com (future website)
Facebook: Suzanne Schilling Coaching