Next Steps Mindset

Home
United States
Tulsa, OK
Next Steps Mindset

As Life Coach and Consultant, I guide you on your journey to reaching your full potential! This is the human condition.

My favorite quote is “Success is not final; Failure is not fatal; It is the courage to continue that counts.” - Winston Churchill. I have experienced a lot of success in my life, but have also experienced a bit of failure. Each failure has lead to growth and enriched my story
No matter how much we accomplish, there is always something looking to knock us off that pedestal. Throughout my whole li

fe, I have coached students and adults. Public Schools have provided a great opportunity for this. As we have seen mental health care explode over the past few years, I have seen a giant deficit in human connection and trust. I believe that every adult and child would benefit by having a close coach or mentor to guide them through the ups and downs of life. We are too reactive in how we are dealing with the mental health care crisis. Unfortunately, our society continually devalues the importance of authentic human connection. Our ‘Village’ has gotten smaller and smaller, and this lack of robust community, has resulted in people feeling more and more isolated. I want to partner with you to help guide you to living your best life! I also partner with schools to implement coaching and culture programming. Whether you are a school or individual, please contact me directly to discuss opportunities to help you reach your full potential! Additional Details: My senior of high school, I was selected as Mr. Owasso High School - recognition for top student. I graduated from Oklahoma State University with a double degree in Economics and Sociology. My love of travel and adventure has led me to live in three different continents. I spent a year in Chile, South America, resulting in me becoming conversationally bilingual in Spanish. I successfully started a small real estate business. I have been a teacher of English, Spanish, and Economics. I have been a public school principal for 10 years with Union Public Schools. I recently transitioned from this career to start my own business. I have a beautiful wife, Sarah, and 3 amazing kids: Cora, Owen, and Caleb.

04/23/2026

Most schools and teams spend a lot of time focused on what’s *not* working.
Behavior is being corrected; Students are being redirected
What needs to improve.
What needs to change.
What’s broken.
Something amazing happens when we start focusing on what’s already *strong*
That’s the heart behind **Know Your Strengths** at Next Steps Mindset.
When students and staff understand their **character strengths**:
👉 Confidence grows
👉 Teamwork improves
👉 Leadership becomes more natural
👉 Engagement increases
Instead of constantly fixing weaknesses, we start **building on what’s good and right** within our people.
That’s how you create a positive, sustainable culture.
If you’re a school leader or team looking to build a stronger, more aligned culture, I’d love to partner with you.
Let’s help your people see what they bring to the table—and build from there.
📩 [clay@nextstepsmindset.com]
🌐 nextstepsmindset.com

04/22/2026

Next Steps Mindset Coaching is now offering couples coaching 💍

Whether you’re:
Preparing for marriage
Newly married
Or have been together for years

Designed Together Coaching helps couples build the daily systems that make life work—together.

Many couples don’t have a relationship problem…
they have a systems problem that needs intentional focus.

We focus on:
✔ Building financial alignment
✔ Balancing the mental load of family life
✔ Supporting each other’s personal and professional growth
✔ Improving communication
✔ Creating a shared vision for your future

Strong couples don’t just happen—they’re built with intention.

If you or someone you know is looking for a proactive focus to relational alignment, then please reach out!

04/21/2026

I came across this quote awhile back. I always remind myself of this when I find myself pursuing 'success'. This pursuit of success is not enough. It needs to be connected to something beyond ourselves. How can we live our lives in such a way where 'success' ensues, it is the by-product of living for something greater than our own self?

04/18/2026

I’ve been working with a lot of young adults lately who feel completely stuck.

They’re asking questions like…
“What should I be doing with my life?”
“Am I on the right path?”
“Why does it feel like everyone else has it figured out except me?”
And the truth is—most of them don’t need more pressure.
They need clarity.

One of the tools I use in coaching is called Ikigai. It helps us slow down and look at four simple, but powerful areas:
What do you actually enjoy?
What are you naturally good at?
Where is there a real need in the world?
And how could that turn into something sustainable?

When we start connecting those dots, things begin to click.
Not overnight—but enough to take a real next step.
That’s what I’m about. Not having all the answers, but helping you find direction so you can move forward with confidence.
If you—or someone you know—feels stuck right now, I’d be glad to help.

I am also working with students in schools to move forward with clarity as they transition from high school to further their education and careers.

04/15/2026

I keep coming back to this idea.
In a lot of schools and work places, we’ve gotten really good at noticing what’s not working—what needs to be fixed, improved, or corrected.

But the teams that really thrive tend to do something different. They make it a point to notice what’s already strong in each other.
When people feel seen for what they bring to the table, they show up differently. There’s more trust. More energy. More willingness to step up.

That’s a big part of the work I’ve been doing lately—helping individuals and teams slow down long enough to actually understand their own strengths and start recognizing them in the people around them.

If you have a group of young people (students) or team of adults that would benefit from better understanding their strengths, then let's talk. I am offering some programming that can really elevate your team!

Curious—what’s something someone on your team does really well that maybe doesn’t get acknowledged enough?

04/13/2026

I woke up early this morning and made the mistake of getting on my phone. I shortly came across an article that reminded me of something from my past. This particular 'something' is very good at hitting a nerve inside of me.

I found myself getting worked up and saying things like, "I told you so", along with other useless comments in my head. I often fantasize about being a whistleblower and exposing past and ongoing wrongs.

When I take a moment and recenter myself, I always come back to The Sermon on the Mount and how Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

In a weird way, I have come to be thankful for past hurts. It has given me the opportunity to extend grace and be reminded of all the grace that has been extended to me.

Now, when I experience that visceral reaction that comes as a result of past scars, I clearly see all the beauty that surrounds me. And nothing is more beautiful than a future full of hope that we get to shape

04/06/2026

Step 5: Strategic Action

04/03/2026

Step 4: Building Capacity

04/01/2026

Step 3: Eliminate Barriers

03/30/2026

Step 2: Have a Vision

03/27/2026

Step 1 to Design Your Life: Self-Reflection

03/25/2026

5 Steps to Design Your Life

Address

3916 S. Lewis Place
Tulsa, OK
74105

Website

http://NextStepsMindset.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Next Steps Mindset posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Next Steps Mindset:

Shortcuts

Featured

Gary L. Jones, Ph.D. PLLC
7136 South Yale Avenue
Layrek Clinical Research
10505 E. 91st Street, Suite 202