Blog Layout

No Judgment Zone

Lisa Marie Platske • Oct 30, 2017


Do you know the key to your focus and success? Rest and sleep. Let me share with you my evening routine that allows me to have great nights of sleep.



Last night I had a great night of sleep.


Actually, I sleep well most nights.


And, when I’m not traveling, I typically nap on Saturday and Sunday for about an hour.


This was not the case when I was in my 20’s.


Back then, I thought it was cool to burn the candle at both ends.


I bragged about how little sleep I could live on as if this earned me some sort of high-achiever trophy for staying awake more hours than my counterparts.


When I went back to school for my Master’s degree, I came close to a full burnout because of how often I was running on empty.


And, I did this again in the first year of opening my business.


Trying to do it all has never worked well for me.


This is directly related to Leadership Pillar #4: Live Your Priority or Priorities that we discuss in detail at Design Your Destiny Live (I hope you’re going to be there in January!).


Getting good sleep enables you to thrive and do the work you’re called to do.


It enables you to live out your big mission in a way that inspires others vs. living out your big mission and being a hot mess throughout the journey.


I encourage my clients to have lots of spaciousness in their lives.


It’s a habit I look to help them create when we’re together on calls or at our in-person retreats.


Rest is vital to both focus and success – and studies show this.


Yet, most people who are high-achievers feel lazy if they’re not doing something or if they’re not in action.


Being is as important as doing – and sleep helps you to be the best version of yourself.


Now, this isn’t a sexy topic – and it’s critical to be a great leader that is worth following.


Key to Your Focus and Success

So, put away your technology and turn it all off so that the sounds, lights, and electricity don’t get in the way of a great night of sleep.


And, create a peaceful routine to end the day well.


I suggest 10 minutes to assess what has worked, what didn’t and what you would do differently.


Several years ago, I realized most of my clients had routines to start their day that included prayer and meditation, — yet very few of them had routines to review, assess and close out their day.


My evening routine includes reading from the Bible, and a chapter from one book, 10 minutes to be still, and prayer and meditation.


One of the evening prayers I love is the Examen.


It was created by St. Ignatius of Loyola, a Spanish priest who was the founder of the religious order the Society of Jesus or the Jesuits.


Some trivia for you – One of the reasons I chose to attend University of Scranton for my undergraduate degree was because they were a Jesuit research university.


The purpose of the Examen is to understand yourself – and God – in a deeper way by reviewing what occurred throughout the day and feeling the feelings that showed up.


Most people are okay with the review.


Very few people like to review and re-live the feelings that came up during the day.


Yet, feeling the feelings enables you to identify and move past something and experience peace.


Because I’ve had the honor of working with an incredibly diverse clientele, I’ve worked with clients of all faiths and several have modified this practice to benefit them in finding peace and joy at the end of their day, leading to a good night of rest.


As Michael Hyatt said,


“Shortchanging your sleep to get more done is actually sabotaging your success.”


And, I agree with him.


The world needs you even more right now.


When you deprive yourself of sleep, you deprive your people of getting the best of who you are.


You sabotage the success of your mission and big calling.


The world needs leaders who can inspire and lead well.


So, rest up because the world needs you and your brilliance.


Action Item: Key to Your Focus - Lisa Marie Platske

The Upside Challenge of the week is to review your routine at the end of the day. What is working – and what is not working to ensure that you get an optimal amount of sleep each night? What will you commit to doing differently?


The world needs you and your brilliance.

By Lisa Marie Platske 14 Mar, 2024
The worst part of my business is seeing people with potential and watching them squander away their opportunities, understanding that if they put the work in and did it with consistent effort, they would be successful. Massively successful. Sure, they may have to make a few sacrifices. How do you think I got to where I'm at today?!? Instead, I see many folks with potential choose the path of least resistance, making excuses for their plight. I didn't get a silver spoon; rather, I graduated from The School of Hard Knocks. You've got to believe you can achieve what you want -- and that you're worthy to have it. This determines what's possible as it's the seed that will produce delicious fruit or not. You can't choose actions and make decisions from a place of lack or scarcity. That only leads to negative results. To change the success cycle, you have to first see the outcome you want, and then believe it's possible because your mind can't tell the difference between what is imagined and what is real. This goes back to the body of work that Aristotle and Plato brought to the world. If you can start to envision what your life will be like putting in the effort and getting the results, you can change the momentum in your life. Most people only envision the result -- and not the work. They see the car they want to drive or the house they want to live in, and forget to envision what they are willing to do to put forth the effort, energy, and work to have what they want. I've learned the more I do the hard things, the easier my life gets. When I do the easy things, the harder my life gets. Believe in yourself and take the necessary actions. If you don't think what you want is possible, borrow my belief in you. The World Needs You and Your Brilliance. ACTION: The Upside Challenge this week is to pick one area of your life where you've been making excuses or taking the path of least resistance. Identify the potential you have in this area that you have not fully tapped into if you were to do the work. Visualize in detail what it would look like and feel like if you put in the effort and achieved the success you desire. Let yourself believe at your core that you are capable of making it happen. Then, write down 1-3 small, specific action steps you can take this week to start making progress. They should feel challenging and actionable. Remember, the only limits on your potential are the ones you place on yourself. That's the power of Upside Thinking.
By Lisa Marie Platske 11 Mar, 2024
There's a simple daily practice that will increase your success, and you just may be undervaluing it. If you knew doing it would GUARANTEE ~ clarity, ~ happiness, and ~ meaning, would you ignore it because it was simple? I'm talking about the power of gratitude. Gratitude isn't an emotion. It's also not a "nice-to-do" practice. Gratitude is a habit that, when implemented, has the ability to remind you of your commitments and why they matter. There are studies that link it to emotional well-being. Regardless of what shows up to derail you and take you off track, gratitude has the ability to keep you on course. Start your day with it in the morning for clarity on your daily tasks. End your day by acknowledging all you did and expressing thanks, even for the challenges that popped up. Speak it aloud and tell someone. Gratitude practiced daily uplifts everyone around you. I spent the last week on the farm with my baby sister. Our time together was an immense blessing to me and my business. I'm deeply grateful for the people in my life, as well as having the ability to rest and refuel my tank before traveling to speak and see clients again. How about you? Who are you most grateful for right now? ACTION: The Upside Challenge this week is to start and end each day by writing down 3 things for which you are grateful. Take just a few minutes in the morning and before bed to reflect deeply on what you appreciate and why. Think about small joys as well as big blessings. Keep your list somewhere you'll see it often as a reminder to stay grateful. Speak it out loud and choose to share your list with someone. Gratitude shared multiplies its benefits. Remember, the World Needs You and Your Brilliance. 
By Lisa Marie Platske 07 Mar, 2024
Receiving is better than giving. This is something that took decades for me to learn, and I feel it’s deeply misunderstood. Most people struggle to receive, having grown up with the mantra, "It’s better to give than receive." Yet, if that’s true, where does what you have to give come from? Didn’t you have to receive something first – in order to be able to give?!? And if you are giving something, doesn’t someone else have to be open to receiving it?!? It’s incredibly important to be a receiver of goodness in life. A great example of this is... I’m a hugger. When hugging, you have the opportunity to do both. See, the effects of touch on the body are long-lasting. For children and adults alike, the physiological effects of positive touch are: ~ Reduced stress and anxiety ~ Stronger immune system ~ Increased circulation And research shows babies who receive affection have a greater chance of living happier, healthier lives. That’s why when I choose to hug someone, it’s an action I am deeply present for. I’m transferring my energy – my soul imprint – onto the person I’m hugging. Some people want to pull away because they haven’t yet learned how to receive and are uncomfortable with the giving that’s going on. Have you learned how to be a good receiver? For without receiving, there can be no giving. That's putting leadership into action. On a side note, 1.3 million social media messages have been about giving - while there are only 80,000 on receiving! ACTION: The Upside Challenge this week is to consciously practice receiving from others with an open heart. When someone extends an act of kindness, words of affirmation, a gift, or even just their presence - don't deflect or downplay it. Fully take in what they are offering you without judgement. Receive the love, guidance, and support that life continually provides. Being a generous receiver is just as important as being a generous giver. The world needs more conscious leaders who know when to step back and receive what is being offered for their highest good. 
By Lisa Marie Platske 04 Mar, 2024
Delicate times. That’s the best way I can describe the world today. My choice to remain upside with all that swirls around me and in me doesn’t mean I’m oblivious to the pain going on in the world. Most days I’m engaged in difficult, and often emotionally-charged conversations, and at times with people whose views differ from mine. Most days I experience bouts of uncertainty, questioning what I’m being asked – dare I say, called by the Holy Spirit -- to do with my life. Many days the conversations are with folks, ranging in age from 21-71, who are dealing with addictions, trauma, and grief. Usually, there is also anger associated with each of these situations. That doesn't mean they're raving lunatics. You probably couldn't tell as the anger, guilt, and shame are internal. I'm honored to do this leadership work because I understand it. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “ For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness. ” After 9/11, I was angry. Very, very angry. This anger was the culmination of years of anger, and until I learned where my anger came from and I shifted the way I saw the world, I rarely felt really happy. I see a lot of that going on right now. In 2001, I made the decision I didn’t want anger to be my operating system where I traded in my happiness for the pain that was behind the anger. There are things that are going on in the world right now that anger me greatly, and I focus my energy on taking positive action. And, I make room to grieve. Happiness is a state of being. While you may experience joy here and there, if your neuro-network allows anger to run the show, you stop yourself from choosing happiness and being happy. By holding on to anger for too long in any given situation, you harm yourself. There are certain techniques I use to release anger and grief. For starters, to release anger, I identify what it is I am angry about and why. I examine the content and the context. Then I decide to take the energy created by the emotion and consciously direct it into a constructive action. By taking positive action, I de-energize the situation, detach from the content to focus my action, and am freed up to move forward without baggage. I also do a forgiveness exercise. While simple, it's not a 'once and done' activity. You deserve to be happy. The best leaders get this. Not from a place of ignorance, rather from a place of choice. ACTION: The Upside Challenge this week is to practice consciously releasing anger and choosing happiness instead. When you notice yourself feeling angry about a situation, pause and reflect : - What specifically is triggering this anger? Name it. - What past experiences or patterns may this be bringing up for you? - How might this situation look from the other person's perspective? - What constructive action could you take to improve things? Then, make a deliberate choice to release the anger and redirect that energy into positive change, rather than fueling negativity. Let go of what you cannot control. Forgive others and yourself. Finally, do something that brings you joy - listen to uplifting music, get outdoors, call a friend, play with a pet. Your leadership is defined not by an easy life. It is by how you meet adversity, wisdom, compassion and courage. The world needs beacons of hope that remind us happiness is a choice, in any moment. 
More Posts
By Lisa Marie Platske 14 Mar, 2024
The worst part of my business is seeing people with potential and watching them squander away their opportunities, understanding that if they put the work in and did it with consistent effort, they would be successful. Massively successful. Sure, they may have to make a few sacrifices. How do you think I got to where I'm at today?!? Instead, I see many folks with potential choose the path of least resistance, making excuses for their plight. I didn't get a silver spoon; rather, I graduated from The School of Hard Knocks. You've got to believe you can achieve what you want -- and that you're worthy to have it. This determines what's possible as it's the seed that will produce delicious fruit or not. You can't choose actions and make decisions from a place of lack or scarcity. That only leads to negative results. To change the success cycle, you have to first see the outcome you want, and then believe it's possible because your mind can't tell the difference between what is imagined and what is real. This goes back to the body of work that Aristotle and Plato brought to the world. If you can start to envision what your life will be like putting in the effort and getting the results, you can change the momentum in your life. Most people only envision the result -- and not the work. They see the car they want to drive or the house they want to live in, and forget to envision what they are willing to do to put forth the effort, energy, and work to have what they want. I've learned the more I do the hard things, the easier my life gets. When I do the easy things, the harder my life gets. Believe in yourself and take the necessary actions. If you don't think what you want is possible, borrow my belief in you. The World Needs You and Your Brilliance. ACTION: The Upside Challenge this week is to pick one area of your life where you've been making excuses or taking the path of least resistance. Identify the potential you have in this area that you have not fully tapped into if you were to do the work. Visualize in detail what it would look like and feel like if you put in the effort and achieved the success you desire. Let yourself believe at your core that you are capable of making it happen. Then, write down 1-3 small, specific action steps you can take this week to start making progress. They should feel challenging and actionable. Remember, the only limits on your potential are the ones you place on yourself. That's the power of Upside Thinking.
By Lisa Marie Platske 11 Mar, 2024
There's a simple daily practice that will increase your success, and you just may be undervaluing it. If you knew doing it would GUARANTEE ~ clarity, ~ happiness, and ~ meaning, would you ignore it because it was simple? I'm talking about the power of gratitude. Gratitude isn't an emotion. It's also not a "nice-to-do" practice. Gratitude is a habit that, when implemented, has the ability to remind you of your commitments and why they matter. There are studies that link it to emotional well-being. Regardless of what shows up to derail you and take you off track, gratitude has the ability to keep you on course. Start your day with it in the morning for clarity on your daily tasks. End your day by acknowledging all you did and expressing thanks, even for the challenges that popped up. Speak it aloud and tell someone. Gratitude practiced daily uplifts everyone around you. I spent the last week on the farm with my baby sister. Our time together was an immense blessing to me and my business. I'm deeply grateful for the people in my life, as well as having the ability to rest and refuel my tank before traveling to speak and see clients again. How about you? Who are you most grateful for right now? ACTION: The Upside Challenge this week is to start and end each day by writing down 3 things for which you are grateful. Take just a few minutes in the morning and before bed to reflect deeply on what you appreciate and why. Think about small joys as well as big blessings. Keep your list somewhere you'll see it often as a reminder to stay grateful. Speak it out loud and choose to share your list with someone. Gratitude shared multiplies its benefits. Remember, the World Needs You and Your Brilliance. 
By Lisa Marie Platske 07 Mar, 2024
Receiving is better than giving. This is something that took decades for me to learn, and I feel it’s deeply misunderstood. Most people struggle to receive, having grown up with the mantra, "It’s better to give than receive." Yet, if that’s true, where does what you have to give come from? Didn’t you have to receive something first – in order to be able to give?!? And if you are giving something, doesn’t someone else have to be open to receiving it?!? It’s incredibly important to be a receiver of goodness in life. A great example of this is... I’m a hugger. When hugging, you have the opportunity to do both. See, the effects of touch on the body are long-lasting. For children and adults alike, the physiological effects of positive touch are: ~ Reduced stress and anxiety ~ Stronger immune system ~ Increased circulation And research shows babies who receive affection have a greater chance of living happier, healthier lives. That’s why when I choose to hug someone, it’s an action I am deeply present for. I’m transferring my energy – my soul imprint – onto the person I’m hugging. Some people want to pull away because they haven’t yet learned how to receive and are uncomfortable with the giving that’s going on. Have you learned how to be a good receiver? For without receiving, there can be no giving. That's putting leadership into action. On a side note, 1.3 million social media messages have been about giving - while there are only 80,000 on receiving! ACTION: The Upside Challenge this week is to consciously practice receiving from others with an open heart. When someone extends an act of kindness, words of affirmation, a gift, or even just their presence - don't deflect or downplay it. Fully take in what they are offering you without judgement. Receive the love, guidance, and support that life continually provides. Being a generous receiver is just as important as being a generous giver. The world needs more conscious leaders who know when to step back and receive what is being offered for their highest good. 
By Lisa Marie Platske 04 Mar, 2024
Delicate times. That’s the best way I can describe the world today. My choice to remain upside with all that swirls around me and in me doesn’t mean I’m oblivious to the pain going on in the world. Most days I’m engaged in difficult, and often emotionally-charged conversations, and at times with people whose views differ from mine. Most days I experience bouts of uncertainty, questioning what I’m being asked – dare I say, called by the Holy Spirit -- to do with my life. Many days the conversations are with folks, ranging in age from 21-71, who are dealing with addictions, trauma, and grief. Usually, there is also anger associated with each of these situations. That doesn't mean they're raving lunatics. You probably couldn't tell as the anger, guilt, and shame are internal. I'm honored to do this leadership work because I understand it. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “ For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness. ” After 9/11, I was angry. Very, very angry. This anger was the culmination of years of anger, and until I learned where my anger came from and I shifted the way I saw the world, I rarely felt really happy. I see a lot of that going on right now. In 2001, I made the decision I didn’t want anger to be my operating system where I traded in my happiness for the pain that was behind the anger. There are things that are going on in the world right now that anger me greatly, and I focus my energy on taking positive action. And, I make room to grieve. Happiness is a state of being. While you may experience joy here and there, if your neuro-network allows anger to run the show, you stop yourself from choosing happiness and being happy. By holding on to anger for too long in any given situation, you harm yourself. There are certain techniques I use to release anger and grief. For starters, to release anger, I identify what it is I am angry about and why. I examine the content and the context. Then I decide to take the energy created by the emotion and consciously direct it into a constructive action. By taking positive action, I de-energize the situation, detach from the content to focus my action, and am freed up to move forward without baggage. I also do a forgiveness exercise. While simple, it's not a 'once and done' activity. You deserve to be happy. The best leaders get this. Not from a place of ignorance, rather from a place of choice. ACTION: The Upside Challenge this week is to practice consciously releasing anger and choosing happiness instead. When you notice yourself feeling angry about a situation, pause and reflect : - What specifically is triggering this anger? Name it. - What past experiences or patterns may this be bringing up for you? - How might this situation look from the other person's perspective? - What constructive action could you take to improve things? Then, make a deliberate choice to release the anger and redirect that energy into positive change, rather than fueling negativity. Let go of what you cannot control. Forgive others and yourself. Finally, do something that brings you joy - listen to uplifting music, get outdoors, call a friend, play with a pet. Your leadership is defined not by an easy life. It is by how you meet adversity, wisdom, compassion and courage. The world needs beacons of hope that remind us happiness is a choice, in any moment. 
More Posts
Share by: