Living Your Priorities

Lisa Marie Platske • February 15, 2016

 Last week I wrote about not taking fast action in life and began the article with a Jim Rohn quote.


“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.”


This week I have a Part II to this piece but am sharing from a very personal angle. Hold on to your seats, I’m about to get very vulnerable…..and this is a long one.


On day 2 at Design Your Destiny Live, I spend most of the afternoon speaking about the 4th leadership pillar, Live Your Priorities.



Design Your Destiny LIVE – 2016


I’ve often said that you can tell a lot about a person by how they spend their time, energy, and money.


In my work, I’ve been fascinated by people who want/expect others to invest in their products and services yet they aren’t willing to invest time and money in products and services that would benefit them. For example, every coach should have a coach. ((But, I digress… I could write volumes on this universal law, however, it isn’t our focus for today’s Upside Thought.))

While I take a vacation every 2 months and spend time with my family and friends, this is a pillar I struggle with for the same reasons most people struggle with it.


Here are some of the thoughts that run through my head as I live my priorities:


  • I’m selfish.
  • People are depending on me. Who am I to ________ (fill in the blank) want that/do that/take time off, etc.
  • I will disappoint _______ (my clients, my family, my friends…) if I do that.


Two Sunday’s ago, my husband got a call that his father, who had been diagnosed with prostate, liver and bone cancer and had been in and out of the hospital for 2 months, was refusing to go back to the hospital for treatment.


We decided we needed to leave for Wisconsin immediately.


Within 2 hours of the call, I had us booked on a flight, made a rental car reservation, arranged for accommodations at a local bed & breakfast, and packed our suitcases for the trip. And, within less than 12 hours we were in the air and on our way.


Priorities.


Do you know what your priorities are? Do you live them?


I’m clear that my priorities are faith, family, and friends – and that is where I spend my time and money.


I don’t always get it right. I make BIG mistakes and disappoint people. Fortunately, I believe in mercy and forgiveness for everyone, myself included.


When we got on that plane my mind was reeling.


What was I going to do with all of the appointments I had scheduled for the week?


As I shared last week, I work with action-takers and difference makers — brilliant, talented, highly-driven women who are making a big difference in the world by using their genius


In looking at my calendar, I realized I had appointments scheduled with new and existing clients, speakers from Design Your Destiny LIVE, my team, a VIP retreat day with a client who was flying in from Santa Cruz, and many of the women who attended Design Your Destiny LIVE who had invested in a special Super Givers call with me.


Ugh.


In reality, when I booked the flight, I planned on driving back to the bed and breakfast to take my calls.


However, on the 4-hour drive from the airport to my in-laws, I was thinking “How am I ever going to make this work? Someone is going to end up not getting the best of me….”


As I shared last week, we all get the same 24 hours a day.


What you do with that 24 hours is what matters.


I kept in close contact with my executive assistant, Sheri, who is a rock star and shares my same values.


She suggested I cancel everything and she would serve as a buffer — but I couldn’t let go.


I allowed her to cancel my calls with the team and speakers from the event but held on to the VIP day, client calls, and Super Givers event.


And, because my father-in-law was chatting with us and seemed to be doing okay, my husband suggested we fly back early. (I had booked us a return flight on Sunday.)


Sheri and I spoke and she again suggested that I cancel everything, stating that I have an incredibly loving Upside community and people would understand.


I agreed to re-scheduling the VIP day but shared that we may go back early so I could take the client calls in the morning, visit my father-in-law, and then drive back to the bed and breakfast for the Super Givers event in the afternoon – and then back to my in-laws.Grace


Sheri sighed.


After our call, I went over to visit my father-in-law.


Unfortunately, his situation had changed dramatically.


Within less than 12 hours, he was no longer talkative but in and out of consciousness and not coherent.


I sat with him for hours at the side of his bed whispering words of comfort and squeezing his hand. By the time I got back to the bed and breakfast, I was emotionally drained.


But, in the back of my mind, I felt I was failing my clients and just couldn’t let go.


I had been waking up at 4am for the past 3 days to answer emails from clients, once again not wanting to disappoint anyone, and already feeling like a failure because I couldn’t do it all.


Because I couldn’t let go of feeling as if I would be disappointing my clients and those who signed up for the Super Givers call, I waited until less than 24 hours when it was clear that he was in his final hours before letting Sheri cancel what was left on my calendar.


What’s amazing is that many of my clients reached out expressing their love and support when Sheri shared that I was dealing with a family emergency.


On Saturday morning (my mother-in-law’s birthday) we got the call that my father-in-law had breathed his last breath.


Jim and I got to spend the day with his family and it was a good day considering the circumstances.


Because family is a priority, I choose to drop everything and live my priorities. (As you can see, it wasn’t easy and I’m grateful for Sheri’s support as she reminded me how loving this Upside community is.)


The next morning Jim and I flew home after an emotionally-charged week.


While I was dreading all of the unpacking and laundry, I was greeted with a ½ dozen letters from women who attended Design Your Destiny LIVE, expressing their gratitude the content and how I show up as a leader in the world. Now, my heart was filled with joy.


Live. Your. Priorities.


Not mine.


Yours.


ACTION ITEM: The Upside Challenge of the week is to be clear about your priorities – and ensure you’re set up to live them. If you’re not sure, examine where you’re spending your time and money.

What If You Believed The Best?

By Lisa Marie Platske • February 23, 2026
You can believe the best or worst about people. It’s less lonely to believe the best in them, yet that's really hard to do, especially when you've been burned over and over. When I think about leadership as a whole, this is one of the hardest elements to master because people are human. ~ They're going to get stuff wrong. ~ They're going to say things you don't like. ~ They're going to hurt your feelings, even if you don't want to admit it. At some point, most folks give up trying or at least caring. It's often easier to numb or ignore than to deal with a disappointment. Yet numbing or ignoring doesn't change the body's reaction internally to the situation. To get to a place where you are able to believe the best in folks takes work. There is no leadership pill or shortcut. At least not one that I've ever found. One of the biggest flexes is being able to hold space for someone when they've wronged you. I remember years ago reading an article about Richard Branson, and one of his employees who had stolen from him. Branson told the manager to speak to him—and give him a second chance. A second chance?!? Are you kidding me?!? That's a break in integrity and grounds for removal in any industry. Reading this had me wonder what Branson knew about leadership that at the time I didn't. To take it a step further, my curiosity increased and I wondered what would happen if I did something like this in my own life. It felt awkward to try this idea on as I had long-rooted beliefs that certain behaviors were vehemently wrong—and should be punished. Was it possible that leadership required unconditional love? Now, this didn't mean being a doormat and letting someone walk all over you. Anyone who knows me understands that's never gonna happen. Yet this new perspective, this new lens, had me curious about what would happen if I led from that place. Over the years, I can say it hasn't been the easiest thing to do—and it's been the most rewarding. I still have folks come back to me who wronged me telling me how much they respect the way I handled the situation. My greatest desire for folks is that they lead their lives in a way that honors the core of their being—their divine mission and purpose. And it's really hard to do that when you're steeped in judgment, blame, or shame-inducing behaviors. Love is the answer, regardless of the question. Because you can choose to believe the worst in people. Or you can choose to see the best in people. It's always your choice. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to choose one person who has disappointed or frustrated you. Take one step from your highest self that keeps your heart open. Speak with calm. Acknowledge something they did right. And release the story you’ve been holding. Lead from love today.

The Quiet Ways Life Speaks

By Lisa Marie Platske • February 16, 2026
Life’s little synchronicities. Have you noticed them? Something happens that was too meaningful to be a coincidence. ~ Meeting that person. ~ Getting that call. ~ Having the impossible become possible?!? Perhaps you’re thinking about someone, and then they call. How does that happen?!? Or, you get a bill, and you've got no idea how you’re going to pay it. And then, poof! ... the exact amount of money you need just shows up. I’ve experienced countless events like these throughout my life. And while some people believe they are random, I understand in the depth of my being that these experiences are signs from the Holy Spirit to get my attention or answer a prayer. When you are in co-creation with all of Life, you get messages to confirm you’re on the right path. When I’m in ease and grace, greater wealth, opportunities, and relationships flow into my life. It’s magical. However, you have to be open to notice the signs in the first place. Every synchronicity carries wisdom for the journey. When you lean into the whispers of the Holy Spirit, life opens in ways you couldn’t script on your own. Stay open. Stay expectant. What you’ve been seeking may already be moving towards you in ways you can’t yet see. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to stay on the lookout for meaningful synchronicities throughout your days. Each time one happens, jot it down so you don’t forget. At the end of the week sit with your list and speak your gratitude aloud for every moment that aligned for you.

Don’t Wait for Permission to Do What Works

By Lisa Marie Platske • February 9, 2026
“You can’t quit your job to open a business. You don’t even know anything about business.” I get it. Taking a leap of faith doesn’t make sense. That’s why it’s called faith. So I took the leap of faith anyway. “That’s not the way we do that here.” I understand. And I created a new way of doing business that is more effective—and fun! “Why must you be such a troublemaker?” I don’t know what you mean. I get there are rules within the system—and I chose to create a new system. “That’s not possible.” Sure it is. I just did it. “You’re being reckless. You have responsibilities.” It depends on how you look at it. I see unlimited possibilities. These are real-life conversations I've had with folks in different seasons of my life. See, the rewards of courageous leadership are immense. Questioning 'what if...' to create 'what is' has been my journey. And it’s probably yours, too. You can’t live out your mission by playing by the rules of a broken world. Don’t let the “we’ve always done it this way” paradigm get in the way of making a positive difference on the planet. Remember, there’s always a way. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to stop letting “we’ve always done it this way” slow your impact. Take a process, workflow, or system that isn’t serving your mission and start redesigning it. Remember, there’s always a way to make a bigger difference and it starts with your decision to do things differently.

When Staying Liked Costs Your Soul

By Lisa Marie Platske • February 2, 2026
You have been hard-wired for greatness so stop trying so hard to be something other than who you are. I see it all the time. Folks who tie themselves into knots, seeking the approval of others. Oh, it's not conscious. Most leaders would tell you that they're comfortable being their own boss, in charge of their time. Behind closed doors, many of them have told me something different. And that's because conflict, being misunderstood, and being vilified are pretty crummy. Most folks want to be liked. They want to be valued and appreciated for the effort they've put in. Your greatest gift to the planet is to be fully, completely, and unapologetically who you are. Doing that may come with some pretty harsh consequences ... which is why most leaders are willing to sell out. The thing that isn't always self-evident about compromising your values and beliefs is that every night you're stuck with you. You have to look at yourself in the mirror. You are the only one who understands the choices you've made—right, wrong, or indifferent. When the day is done, the truth always meets you in the quiet. It asks whether you stood in integrity or traded pieces of yourself to keep the peace. Leadership requires decisions that don’t win applause. It often asks you to hold your ground when others want you to bend. Living aligned with who you are may cost you approval or relationships. Yet, it will never cost you your soul. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to name a decision you’ve been avoiding because it feels risky or uncomfortable. It could be ending a partnership that no longer serves your vision, raising the standards for a client, or closing a door that keeps you from your calling. Take one bold, aligned action this week that honors your integrity and the leader you were created to be.
More Posts

What If You Believed The Best?

By Lisa Marie Platske • February 23, 2026
You can believe the best or worst about people. It’s less lonely to believe the best in them, yet that's really hard to do, especially when you've been burned over and over. When I think about leadership as a whole, this is one of the hardest elements to master because people are human. ~ They're going to get stuff wrong. ~ They're going to say things you don't like. ~ They're going to hurt your feelings, even if you don't want to admit it. At some point, most folks give up trying or at least caring. It's often easier to numb or ignore than to deal with a disappointment. Yet numbing or ignoring doesn't change the body's reaction internally to the situation. To get to a place where you are able to believe the best in folks takes work. There is no leadership pill or shortcut. At least not one that I've ever found. One of the biggest flexes is being able to hold space for someone when they've wronged you. I remember years ago reading an article about Richard Branson, and one of his employees who had stolen from him. Branson told the manager to speak to him—and give him a second chance. A second chance?!? Are you kidding me?!? That's a break in integrity and grounds for removal in any industry. Reading this had me wonder what Branson knew about leadership that at the time I didn't. To take it a step further, my curiosity increased and I wondered what would happen if I did something like this in my own life. It felt awkward to try this idea on as I had long-rooted beliefs that certain behaviors were vehemently wrong—and should be punished. Was it possible that leadership required unconditional love? Now, this didn't mean being a doormat and letting someone walk all over you. Anyone who knows me understands that's never gonna happen. Yet this new perspective, this new lens, had me curious about what would happen if I led from that place. Over the years, I can say it hasn't been the easiest thing to do—and it's been the most rewarding. I still have folks come back to me who wronged me telling me how much they respect the way I handled the situation. My greatest desire for folks is that they lead their lives in a way that honors the core of their being—their divine mission and purpose. And it's really hard to do that when you're steeped in judgment, blame, or shame-inducing behaviors. Love is the answer, regardless of the question. Because you can choose to believe the worst in people. Or you can choose to see the best in people. It's always your choice. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to choose one person who has disappointed or frustrated you. Take one step from your highest self that keeps your heart open. Speak with calm. Acknowledge something they did right. And release the story you’ve been holding. Lead from love today.

The Quiet Ways Life Speaks

By Lisa Marie Platske • February 16, 2026
Life’s little synchronicities. Have you noticed them? Something happens that was too meaningful to be a coincidence. ~ Meeting that person. ~ Getting that call. ~ Having the impossible become possible?!? Perhaps you’re thinking about someone, and then they call. How does that happen?!? Or, you get a bill, and you've got no idea how you’re going to pay it. And then, poof! ... the exact amount of money you need just shows up. I’ve experienced countless events like these throughout my life. And while some people believe they are random, I understand in the depth of my being that these experiences are signs from the Holy Spirit to get my attention or answer a prayer. When you are in co-creation with all of Life, you get messages to confirm you’re on the right path. When I’m in ease and grace, greater wealth, opportunities, and relationships flow into my life. It’s magical. However, you have to be open to notice the signs in the first place. Every synchronicity carries wisdom for the journey. When you lean into the whispers of the Holy Spirit, life opens in ways you couldn’t script on your own. Stay open. Stay expectant. What you’ve been seeking may already be moving towards you in ways you can’t yet see. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to stay on the lookout for meaningful synchronicities throughout your days. Each time one happens, jot it down so you don’t forget. At the end of the week sit with your list and speak your gratitude aloud for every moment that aligned for you.

Don’t Wait for Permission to Do What Works

By Lisa Marie Platske • February 9, 2026
“You can’t quit your job to open a business. You don’t even know anything about business.” I get it. Taking a leap of faith doesn’t make sense. That’s why it’s called faith. So I took the leap of faith anyway. “That’s not the way we do that here.” I understand. And I created a new way of doing business that is more effective—and fun! “Why must you be such a troublemaker?” I don’t know what you mean. I get there are rules within the system—and I chose to create a new system. “That’s not possible.” Sure it is. I just did it. “You’re being reckless. You have responsibilities.” It depends on how you look at it. I see unlimited possibilities. These are real-life conversations I've had with folks in different seasons of my life. See, the rewards of courageous leadership are immense. Questioning 'what if...' to create 'what is' has been my journey. And it’s probably yours, too. You can’t live out your mission by playing by the rules of a broken world. Don’t let the “we’ve always done it this way” paradigm get in the way of making a positive difference on the planet. Remember, there’s always a way. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to stop letting “we’ve always done it this way” slow your impact. Take a process, workflow, or system that isn’t serving your mission and start redesigning it. Remember, there’s always a way to make a bigger difference and it starts with your decision to do things differently.

When Staying Liked Costs Your Soul

By Lisa Marie Platske • February 2, 2026
You have been hard-wired for greatness so stop trying so hard to be something other than who you are. I see it all the time. Folks who tie themselves into knots, seeking the approval of others. Oh, it's not conscious. Most leaders would tell you that they're comfortable being their own boss, in charge of their time. Behind closed doors, many of them have told me something different. And that's because conflict, being misunderstood, and being vilified are pretty crummy. Most folks want to be liked. They want to be valued and appreciated for the effort they've put in. Your greatest gift to the planet is to be fully, completely, and unapologetically who you are. Doing that may come with some pretty harsh consequences ... which is why most leaders are willing to sell out. The thing that isn't always self-evident about compromising your values and beliefs is that every night you're stuck with you. You have to look at yourself in the mirror. You are the only one who understands the choices you've made—right, wrong, or indifferent. When the day is done, the truth always meets you in the quiet. It asks whether you stood in integrity or traded pieces of yourself to keep the peace. Leadership requires decisions that don’t win applause. It often asks you to hold your ground when others want you to bend. Living aligned with who you are may cost you approval or relationships. Yet, it will never cost you your soul. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to name a decision you’ve been avoiding because it feels risky or uncomfortable. It could be ending a partnership that no longer serves your vision, raising the standards for a client, or closing a door that keeps you from your calling. Take one bold, aligned action this week that honors your integrity and the leader you were created to be.
More Posts