2016 is Here! What do you WANT?
Lisa Marie Platske • January 5, 2016
It’s January 4th and 2016 has arrived in all of her fanfare and glory.
So, let’s get real and talk about resolutions.
With only four (4) days into the new year, I know there are people who have already fallen off the bandwagon.
Yep. New year’s resolutions sound like a great idea.
I mean who doesn’t want to look and feel sexier or eat better?!?
Most people will say they “need” to join the gym, start running or stop smoking/drinking/staying up late/spending too much time on social media, etc.
When I was in college, my best friend’s stepfather, a well-known psychologist, would speak about the harsh reality of resolutions on Good Morning America every year.
His research showed that while most people were committed for a week or two, their habits were too powerful that they’d be back in the same rut by the end of the month.
Yep. To the tune of 93% of failed resolutions.
How about you?
Do you remember what you resolved to do last January?
How did it work out for you?
How about five years ago?
Ten?
So while I believe that it’s a great time to vow to do something differently less you end up in the same place 365 days from now, it’s more important to identify what you want to do more of, less of, or just improve upon…..what you want to stop, start, or move in a new direction.
And, the best part is you don’t have to wait for January 1st to roll around again to do that.
In my book, Designing Your Destiny, I speak about your ability to reinvent yourself every day.
Because I’ve had my own failed resolutions – and finally get the secret to achievement, I can proudly share that it’s simpler than I originally thought.
In January at my 3-day event Design Your Destiny LIVE (www.DesignYourDestinyLIVE.com ), I will give practical strategies of how to implement the 7 Pillars of Leadership that have gotten clients of mine results that have enabled them to travel the world, do work they love and be well paid for it, and spend more time with family, friends, and loved ones. ((Oh, and there are some great testimonies about the event – check them out here ))
My individual client testimonials validate how with the right partner it can be easy-peasy to make money and be seen, heard, and recognized with BIG opportunities -and to do it all without having to change who you are. ((The benefits of my 20-year learning curve…))
The 1st pillar is starting with a written plan and I walk you through how to do that so you get results.
Knowing what you want and being willing to ask for it is the secret to life.
Unfortunately, most people don’t know what they want or how to ask for it so beginning with the end in mind is only one teeny-tiny piece of this pillar (which is why you need to come to the event! – www.DesignYourDestinyLIVE.com )
It’s your WHY that matters.
• Why are you where you are right now?
• Why aren’t you already where you want to be?
• What do you think will happen if you get to that end?
If you ask yourself difficult questions and are honest with yourself, you may have answers you don’t like, but you will have a real place to start.
Over the past year and ½, I lost 30 pounds.
It wasn’t my intention to lose 30 pounds. It was my intention to get rid of heart inflammation and be able to digest food properly.
I could have given many excuses to myself and others as to why I was operating the way I was and how weight gain was normal and natural –> –> I travel a lot, I don’t love to cook unless it’s with Jim, I have a lot on my plate….blah, blah, blah……but I knew understood my why.
How about you?
Ask yourself:
- Why are you out of shape?
- Why are you not doing what you love?
- Why are you not making the difference you were called to make in the world?
- Why are you snippy and on edge with the people you love?
- Why are you not making the money you deserve?
What excuses are you giving yourself?
The answers to the questions above are foundational to setting a resolution and achieving it.
Choice – Direction – Commitment – Consistent Action.
It’s that simple.
You can’t make a change unless you know how you got there, what you have to do differently, and whether you are willing to make the commitment to do something about it.
One of my clients tried to lose weight for years.
Now, I’m not a weight-loss coach, however, it was getting in the way of her success and one of my gifts is to teach my clients how to remove barriers that keep them from increasing their impact, influence, and income.
In our sessions, I challenged her with the above process coupled with loving on herself – and the weight literally fell off. (Well, not literally…..but it was pretty fast.)
Ultimately, she understood why she was where she was. She made changes to her lifestyle, and even had countless post-it notes in her car and around the house to remind her of where she was going.
She made a choice, put a plan in place, committed to the results she wanted which was around her health and inflammation, and consistently took actions every day that were in alignment with what she had resolved to do.
ACTION ITEM: The Upside Challenge of the week is to resolve to do something you WANT, not NEED to do. Identify something that would be Upside and resolve to do that.
Here are a few examples:
- Love more. Call one person every week for the next 52 weeks and tell them you are grateful for knowing them. Make a list. Start now.
- Care more. Go out of your way to carry out an act of kindness every day, preferably by 10am.
- Give more. Whether it’s your time, your talent, or your treasure, vow to give something of value to someone you love every day.
- Work more. Research shows that 80% of people at work could do more if they wanted to. This isn’t about the number of hours you’re working; it’s about the quality of your output. Plan on giving your best every day and working to the best of your ability. Go the extra mile.
- Invest more. How you grow and develop yourself makes a difference to everyone you meet. Invest in your personal and professional development.
New Year.
New Possibilities.
New Realities.
Yes, I see a year filled with happiness, success and meaning if you design your destiny.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
April 18, 2025
Hope isn't a strategy. You can’t hope your way into a better job, career, or business. You can’t hope your way into a better relationship. And you can’t hope your way into a better life. I've watched people who "hope" others will trust them enough to do business with them. Or hire them for their dream job. Or "hope" that the most talented people out there will want to work with them in their company. Or "hope" that the man or woman of their dreams will show up on their doorstep and ask them out. Hope is defined as a "feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen." When invest time to get clear about who you are, what you want, and why it matters, it's more than just feeling your desire for something. You spent time, energy, and money creating clarity for your soul. This Upside leadership principle ensures you're not strong in only one area of your life - while being completely out of balance everywhere else. It keeps you from burning out after a year, or even a few. Because operating with clarity, confidence, and strategy ensures you get results that last. And that requires more than just hope. What kind of difference could that type of clarity make for you? If you want to be successful and profitable all areas of your life, this is the work I do so perhaps you're being called to dive in deeper to this community. Because the world needs you at your best. And hope isn’t the way to get there. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to identify one area where you’ve been hoping instead of leading. Where have you been waiting for a breakthrough instead of creating one? Take one decisive action today to move forward. Make the call. Send the email. Have the conversation. Do the work. Because God moves with you when you do.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
April 9, 2025
A few years ago, I felt as if I was on a hamster wheel in my business. It seemed as if I was in the same place every morning - and running fast. Maybe you can relate. I knew I needed someone else to take a look and see what I couldn't because I was too close to it. I sought out someone who would let me learn from their mistakes and not have to make them all on my own. That’s one of the greatest benefits of leadership coaching. Can you be a leader without it? Sure. Yet, the odds of you wildly succeeding are stacked against you for so many reasons. And the biggest one is, you will be light-years behind your competitors if you have to make all of the mistakes on your own. You can always benefit from wisdom gained through others' direct experience, thereby saving yourself a great deal of time and energy. And, you never outgrow the need for coaching. For example, although my leadership coaching and consulting give my clients insights into other industries and companies and have them consider questions they may never have thought about, I, too, have undergone gap analyses in my own business. With the help of others, over 15 months, I examined every single activity that every team member did as well as scrutinizing where my time gets INVESTED. I brought in someone to look at processes for operations, and had a firm conduct a financial audit. We re-wrote SOP's (standard operating procedures), streamlined systems, and eliminated duplication. Some of the questions that I asked were: ~ Is this the simplest way to do this? ~ Is this (action, system, app, etc.) truly needed to run the business? ~ Is everyone on the team committed to the mission, values, and vision of Upside Thinking? ~ What can be automated or done differently? ~ What am I missing? While I talk to business owners almost every day with these questions in mind, it was an interesting journey to do this for me and my business and understand how important it is to ensure the people around me are involved in the process despite this being my area of expertise. Sometimes you can’t see what’s in front of you on your own. You have to be willing to see a new perspective. And then you have to be willing to do something about it. Sometimes, you need to step out of your current environment completely to gain the perspective you’re missing. That’s why I create spaces where leaders can reflect, and recalibrate. If this resonates with you, consider signing up for a Private, Leadership Retreat Day at Summit Hills Farm in Richmond, Kentucky. Our Spring and Fall Upside Retreats are already sold out. And I have a limited number of private retreat days available for 2025. Make a plan to reset, gain clarity, and step fully into what’s next for you. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to be committed to personal development, understanding you can't see what's getting in the way on your own. So, where in your business or life do you need outside perspective? Be open to taking action to get the answers needed to move forward with greater ease. Remember, you’re here for a reason… …and the world needs you and your brilliance.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
April 1, 2025
That’s the question, isn’t it? If we’re connected, you’re probably not someone who settles. You stretch yourself regularly, and you know there’s always more to do and be. Yet even the most conscious leaders can fall into the comfort of what’s familiar. It’s easy to mistake movement for progress, busyness for impact, and routine for purpose. Settling doesn’t always look like giving up, it often looks like: ~ Saying “yes” to things that keep you busy and yet you don’t move you forward ... ~ Downplaying your vision because it feels too big or uncertain ... ~ Waiting for clarity instead of creating it through action ... ~ Feeling restless yet unsure how to break through ... It’s not a lack of ambition. Rather, it’s a lack of space to recalibrate, strategize, and listen to what’s next. Stretching requires intention. It means: ~ Surrounding yourself with people who challenge you to expand ~ Creating space for deep, strategic thinking ~ Taking bold action even when the path isn’t fully mapped out ~ Bringing God into the process so you’re aligned, not just accomplished I used to wonder where leaders -- those who wanted to change the world -- went to do this kind of work, to breathe life into their vision and build their next level. When I couldn’t find it, I built it. A space for those who refuse to settle for “someday.” Because when you decide to stretch into your highest calling, clarity follows. And when you surround yourself with others who are doing the same, transformation happens. Where are you stretching next? ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to identify one area where you’ve been holding back, whether it’s speaking up, taking a bold step, or committing fully to your vision, Then take one action today to stretch beyond it. Growth happens when you move past comfort. And the miracle happens after you take the leap of faith.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
March 26, 2025
Everyone wants success, yet few are willing to take the steps required to make it happen. The difference between those who wish for more and those who create it comes down to one thing — moving from belief to bold, faith-filled action. Napoleon Hill famously wrote in PMA: Science of Success Course that "The majority of people never discover the difference between wishing and believing; nor do they recognize that there are six steps which people usually follow in using their mind-power for the attainment of their desires. These steps are: First: Wishing or having wishes. The vast majority of people go through life by merely wishing for things. The percentage of people who stop at wishing is estimated to be 70%. Second: Developing wishes into desires. A much smaller percentage of the people develop their wishes into desires. These are estimated at 10%. Third: Developing wishes and desires into hopes. A still smaller percentage, estimated to be 8%, develop their wishes and desires into hopes. Fourth: Use mind-power to form hopes into beliefs. A still smaller percentage, estimated at only 6%, apply their mind-power up to do this step. Fifth: Crystallize wishes, desires, hopes, and beliefs into burning desire and faith. A very much smaller percentage of people, 4%, get this far in transforming their initial wishes. Sixth: Put faith into action by (1) planning and (2) carrying out those plans. The percentage of people who take the last two steps, putting their faith into action, is estimated to be only 2%. The outstanding leaders in every walk of life are the ones who carry on through each step and reach the sixth. They are a small group who recognize the power of their own minds, take possession of that power, and direct it to whatever ends they choose. To these people, the word impossible has no truth to it—no relevance to their lives. To them, everything they want or need is possible, and they manage to get it or make it happen." To quote Napoleon Hill, "The only trait which differentiates them from most of the others who accept failure as their lot, is that they recognize and use their mind's power for the attainment of the circumstances and things they want while the others do not. " I believe that this process, this use of my mind, and the power of my intention are how I ended up with a farm, barn, caretaker's cottage, and an event center. When you surround yourself with the right environment and take intentional steps forward, the shift from wishing to action becomes easier. That’s why I created the Upside Retreat , a space designed to help purpose-led leaders move beyond possibility and into reality. You were created with the power to bring your vision to life. Every desire placed on your heart is there for a reason, and it's your responsibility to move it forward. Action, guided by faith, is what creates transformation. So trust the process. Lean into what’s possible. And take the next step. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to recognize where you started with a wish and went through all six steps to bring it into action or being. If you cannot find an example, start today. Commit to persevering, to ignoring the concept of impossible. Whether you are celebrating a past success or starting anew, strengthen your mind-muscle around developing wishes through beliefs to faith to fruition. Go shine your light. Because the world needs you and your brilliance.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
April 18, 2025
Hope isn't a strategy. You can’t hope your way into a better job, career, or business. You can’t hope your way into a better relationship. And you can’t hope your way into a better life. I've watched people who "hope" others will trust them enough to do business with them. Or hire them for their dream job. Or "hope" that the most talented people out there will want to work with them in their company. Or "hope" that the man or woman of their dreams will show up on their doorstep and ask them out. Hope is defined as a "feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen." When invest time to get clear about who you are, what you want, and why it matters, it's more than just feeling your desire for something. You spent time, energy, and money creating clarity for your soul. This Upside leadership principle ensures you're not strong in only one area of your life - while being completely out of balance everywhere else. It keeps you from burning out after a year, or even a few. Because operating with clarity, confidence, and strategy ensures you get results that last. And that requires more than just hope. What kind of difference could that type of clarity make for you? If you want to be successful and profitable all areas of your life, this is the work I do so perhaps you're being called to dive in deeper to this community. Because the world needs you at your best. And hope isn’t the way to get there. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to identify one area where you’ve been hoping instead of leading. Where have you been waiting for a breakthrough instead of creating one? Take one decisive action today to move forward. Make the call. Send the email. Have the conversation. Do the work. Because God moves with you when you do.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
April 9, 2025
A few years ago, I felt as if I was on a hamster wheel in my business. It seemed as if I was in the same place every morning - and running fast. Maybe you can relate. I knew I needed someone else to take a look and see what I couldn't because I was too close to it. I sought out someone who would let me learn from their mistakes and not have to make them all on my own. That’s one of the greatest benefits of leadership coaching. Can you be a leader without it? Sure. Yet, the odds of you wildly succeeding are stacked against you for so many reasons. And the biggest one is, you will be light-years behind your competitors if you have to make all of the mistakes on your own. You can always benefit from wisdom gained through others' direct experience, thereby saving yourself a great deal of time and energy. And, you never outgrow the need for coaching. For example, although my leadership coaching and consulting give my clients insights into other industries and companies and have them consider questions they may never have thought about, I, too, have undergone gap analyses in my own business. With the help of others, over 15 months, I examined every single activity that every team member did as well as scrutinizing where my time gets INVESTED. I brought in someone to look at processes for operations, and had a firm conduct a financial audit. We re-wrote SOP's (standard operating procedures), streamlined systems, and eliminated duplication. Some of the questions that I asked were: ~ Is this the simplest way to do this? ~ Is this (action, system, app, etc.) truly needed to run the business? ~ Is everyone on the team committed to the mission, values, and vision of Upside Thinking? ~ What can be automated or done differently? ~ What am I missing? While I talk to business owners almost every day with these questions in mind, it was an interesting journey to do this for me and my business and understand how important it is to ensure the people around me are involved in the process despite this being my area of expertise. Sometimes you can’t see what’s in front of you on your own. You have to be willing to see a new perspective. And then you have to be willing to do something about it. Sometimes, you need to step out of your current environment completely to gain the perspective you’re missing. That’s why I create spaces where leaders can reflect, and recalibrate. If this resonates with you, consider signing up for a Private, Leadership Retreat Day at Summit Hills Farm in Richmond, Kentucky. Our Spring and Fall Upside Retreats are already sold out. And I have a limited number of private retreat days available for 2025. Make a plan to reset, gain clarity, and step fully into what’s next for you. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to be committed to personal development, understanding you can't see what's getting in the way on your own. So, where in your business or life do you need outside perspective? Be open to taking action to get the answers needed to move forward with greater ease. Remember, you’re here for a reason… …and the world needs you and your brilliance.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
April 1, 2025
That’s the question, isn’t it? If we’re connected, you’re probably not someone who settles. You stretch yourself regularly, and you know there’s always more to do and be. Yet even the most conscious leaders can fall into the comfort of what’s familiar. It’s easy to mistake movement for progress, busyness for impact, and routine for purpose. Settling doesn’t always look like giving up, it often looks like: ~ Saying “yes” to things that keep you busy and yet you don’t move you forward ... ~ Downplaying your vision because it feels too big or uncertain ... ~ Waiting for clarity instead of creating it through action ... ~ Feeling restless yet unsure how to break through ... It’s not a lack of ambition. Rather, it’s a lack of space to recalibrate, strategize, and listen to what’s next. Stretching requires intention. It means: ~ Surrounding yourself with people who challenge you to expand ~ Creating space for deep, strategic thinking ~ Taking bold action even when the path isn’t fully mapped out ~ Bringing God into the process so you’re aligned, not just accomplished I used to wonder where leaders -- those who wanted to change the world -- went to do this kind of work, to breathe life into their vision and build their next level. When I couldn’t find it, I built it. A space for those who refuse to settle for “someday.” Because when you decide to stretch into your highest calling, clarity follows. And when you surround yourself with others who are doing the same, transformation happens. Where are you stretching next? ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to identify one area where you’ve been holding back, whether it’s speaking up, taking a bold step, or committing fully to your vision, Then take one action today to stretch beyond it. Growth happens when you move past comfort. And the miracle happens after you take the leap of faith.
By Lisa Marie Platske
•
March 26, 2025
Everyone wants success, yet few are willing to take the steps required to make it happen. The difference between those who wish for more and those who create it comes down to one thing — moving from belief to bold, faith-filled action. Napoleon Hill famously wrote in PMA: Science of Success Course that "The majority of people never discover the difference between wishing and believing; nor do they recognize that there are six steps which people usually follow in using their mind-power for the attainment of their desires. These steps are: First: Wishing or having wishes. The vast majority of people go through life by merely wishing for things. The percentage of people who stop at wishing is estimated to be 70%. Second: Developing wishes into desires. A much smaller percentage of the people develop their wishes into desires. These are estimated at 10%. Third: Developing wishes and desires into hopes. A still smaller percentage, estimated to be 8%, develop their wishes and desires into hopes. Fourth: Use mind-power to form hopes into beliefs. A still smaller percentage, estimated at only 6%, apply their mind-power up to do this step. Fifth: Crystallize wishes, desires, hopes, and beliefs into burning desire and faith. A very much smaller percentage of people, 4%, get this far in transforming their initial wishes. Sixth: Put faith into action by (1) planning and (2) carrying out those plans. The percentage of people who take the last two steps, putting their faith into action, is estimated to be only 2%. The outstanding leaders in every walk of life are the ones who carry on through each step and reach the sixth. They are a small group who recognize the power of their own minds, take possession of that power, and direct it to whatever ends they choose. To these people, the word impossible has no truth to it—no relevance to their lives. To them, everything they want or need is possible, and they manage to get it or make it happen." To quote Napoleon Hill, "The only trait which differentiates them from most of the others who accept failure as their lot, is that they recognize and use their mind's power for the attainment of the circumstances and things they want while the others do not. " I believe that this process, this use of my mind, and the power of my intention are how I ended up with a farm, barn, caretaker's cottage, and an event center. When you surround yourself with the right environment and take intentional steps forward, the shift from wishing to action becomes easier. That’s why I created the Upside Retreat , a space designed to help purpose-led leaders move beyond possibility and into reality. You were created with the power to bring your vision to life. Every desire placed on your heart is there for a reason, and it's your responsibility to move it forward. Action, guided by faith, is what creates transformation. So trust the process. Lean into what’s possible. And take the next step. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to recognize where you started with a wish and went through all six steps to bring it into action or being. If you cannot find an example, start today. Commit to persevering, to ignoring the concept of impossible. Whether you are celebrating a past success or starting anew, strengthen your mind-muscle around developing wishes through beliefs to faith to fruition. Go shine your light. Because the world needs you and your brilliance.
