Here are some ideas to get going and stay going at a peak level:

Start each day with a review of your goals. In a 24/7 world, it’s easy to lose sight of where you ultimately want to go. Take the 30 minutes at the beginning of each day, when your mind is still clear, to review your goals. Start with your big goals and then put today’s work in the context of achieving them. If there is a chronic discrepancy between your long-term goals and what you are planning to work on today, it will unmistakably emerge in these early morning sessions.

Figure out your “next actions.” When you are overwhelmed with a seemingly endless to-do list, many motivational experts recommend starting with anything in order to “get some points on the board” by checking something off the list. While doing something may be better than doing nothing, doing the right thing is better still. David Allen, a well-known productivity consultant, recommends identifying the next physical action required for each of your open projects. That way, your to-do list is not encumbered with everything, but just with the “next things.” No matter what you do on the list, you will be accomplishing something that matters.

Do nothing. Another way to sustain your motivation is to periodically do nothing. Turn off your Blackberry, hibernate your computer, shut down your iPod—actually take 20 minutes or so to truly do nothing but sit and relax. If you are unfamiliar with this process, the first time will seem like torture after about five minutes. But with a little practice you will find that a brief respite of real quiet can be tremendously rejuvenating.

Look to your energy levels. Consider the advice of performance consultants Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz who say, “Energy, not time, is the fundamental currency of high performance.” After years studying professional athletes, they realized that in many ways, your brain is exactly like the muscles in your body. Too much work will strain it and you will perform below your peak. (Too little mental work will cause the same result, but not many of us face that issue.) In their book The Power of Full Engagement, Loehr and Schwartz say that stress is important to maintain motivation—provided that you build in sufficient recovery time. Their techniques for managing your energy levels range from taking 10-15 minutes for a walk around the block every couple of hours, to changing your diet, to building in recovery time after the work day ends and it is time to re-engage with your family or with your partner.

Posted in: Self Improvement, Step It Up Living at 9:20 pm | Comments (0)

A practice of any kind can keep you tethered to yourself in those times when overwhelm wants to scatter your enegery to the wind. Regularly repeated, these practices are best cultivated in times when things are going well so that they are there to sustain you when you get overwhelmed. Some examples:

• Say a small prayer, read a meditation book or a holy book or recite a poem each morning to greet the day.
• Walk the dog while whispering all the things for which you forgive yourself.
• Write in a journal as fast as you can for 15 minutes first thing in the morning without editing or judging. Pour it all out on paper.
• Do the “Salute to the Sun” yoga postures every morning after arising.

Posted in: Self Improvement, Step It Up Living at 10:20 am | Comments (0)

We can learn all the self-management tricks in the book, but none of them will be worth a dime if we don’t follow through and use them. That’s where self-discipline comes in. There’s no easy, painless way to enforce self-discipline, but if we don’t utilize it, we will be left forever unfulfilled.

Brian Tracy, one of the world’s top business speakers and author of 35 books on business and personal productivity, offers some very simple advice: Simply start doing what you know you need to do. Stop pushing it off for later. Once you start seeing the results active self-discipline yields, the desire for the payoff begins to become greater than your resistance to taking action.

To more easily promote successful self-discipline, break down tasks into smaller chunks and then simply focusing on taking the first steps. This way all your tasks and goals won’t feel so overwhelming, which makes it easier to take action.

Posted in: Self Improvement, Step It Up Living at 9:05 pm | Comments (0)

Write down all the nurturing things you can think of to do when overwhelm begins to visit. They’ll help you reconnect with yourself, to re-collect and re-focus your energy inside. Keep a copy with you and one at home. When you begin to notice your particular symptoms and/or triggers, use the list to remind yourself of things that have worked in the past. Here are just a few suggestions. Be as creative as you want.

• Breathe. Remember the breath’s metaphor: Let in; let go.
• Wrap up in a blanket. Cuddle.
• Dance alone, with or without music. Let your body lead the way.
• Listen to violin, cello or piano music. Let the music elicit tears.
• Light a candle. Maybe it’s one small candle at your work desk or lots of candles around your house.
• Watch a funny video. Laughter has a positive effect on brain chemistry.
• Ask for help. It’s a gift that allows others the opportunity to give.
• Go for a walk. Exercise increases adrenaline and endorphins, the body’s natural antidepressants.
• Lie on the grass outside. Connect with the earth’s regenerating powers.
• Go to your room—or your car—and sing to yourself. Or hum quietly as you work.

Posted in: Self Improvement, Step It Up Living at 8:52 pm | Comments (0)

         As a mother and an employer there are two characteristics I praise above all others.  They are accountability and responsibility.  When a person is straight with you about their actions, when you can trust that they will do what they say they will do, then true comfort and trust can be built.  Give me a child or an employee with these characteristics and I will give you someone that is easy to rely on and who will be successful in many areas of their lives.

Posted in: Self Improvement, Step It Up Living at 2:00 pm | Comments (0)

I wanted to share a success of one of  my client’s.  It is so exciting to watch people to step into their dreams.

When I was 8 years old, I took a modeling class.  And let me tell you, I had a kick butt runway walk – even then!  As kids, we dabbled in the entertainment industry, being involved in commercials and movies.  As a teenager I totally wanted to model and even went to an agency!  I was instructed to lose an inch off my hips and come back.  Though I never did, I have thought about modeling for years and gone through phases of enthusiasm… but never really done anything about it.

Until now.  In November, I started working with life coach Lisa J. Peck, the Step It Up Queen.  The weekend before, this urge to model had been rekindled so we talked about it.  She told me how she could hear the color in my voice whenever I talked about modeling and encouraged me to make time for and pursue my childhood dream.  It’s been amazing how Lisa’s encouragement has helped me move forward these last few months, not just with modeling, but life in general.  With her help, I’ve made incredible progress in trusting my instincts, living with confidence and actively pursuing my dreams.  I live with greater clarity and direction.

Here’s some of my favorite shots from some recent photo shoots… more to come!

Photo care of Robert Parker

Photo care of Chris Blackburn

Photo care of Chris Blackburn

Photo care of Justin Hackworth

Posted in: Self Improvement, Step It Up Living at 9:55 pm | Comments (0)

My daughter was sixteen months old, dressed in a light pink felt coat that flared.  Her long, light baby hair twisted in slight curls that spilled down half her back, and her bangs were pulled up in a twisty on top of her head to keep out of her bright blue eyes.  With her first few steps in New York she took to the city like she owned the place.  She trotted down the street, ignoring the bitter wind, smiling and waving at everyone that she passed.

I followed closely behind, shocked, as one hardened New Yorker after another stopped their busy rush forward to look at my child, take in her wave and smile back. 

 “Oh, how cute.” 

 “What a doll.”  

 “Well, hello there.”

The show didn’t end on the streets.  We made our way into the small restaurants filled with divine-smelling foods.  My daughter perched herself up on the highchair and smiled, waving at anyone and everyone whose eye she could catch.  Then, as the music swept through the room she’d wave her arms and dance to the beat to receive more gushing and laughter.  I saw no one resist at least smiling at her act.

Why did my baby bring so much happiness to a place that is known for its business and rushed attitude?  Why did everyone respond to her no matter what race or language they spoke?

I have a theory.  There at the toddler stage my daughter had fully embraced gratitude.  She was living in the moment.  She loved life.  She loved any and every flickering moment of attention she caught.  If she was unable to catch someone’s eye she didn’t let this bother her.  She kept trying until she did catch their eye and then when she got the desired response, she would light up and be grateful.

She was grateful for life.  She totally embraced the living of it and people recognized that joy and recognized when someone was grateful for their natural response.  It only took a moment of attention for her to light up and the people who gave it were immediately rewarded with the best she could give back.  This brought happiness to both her and them.

I often wonder if we could be grateful for the small things—like the ability to trot down the street, or a smile, or to be able to rock to the music—how much happier would we be?  When we stop and enjoy the little things, our lives are enriched.

Posted in: Self Improvement, Step It Up Living at 9:39 pm | Comments (0)

I am so excited to share this with you.  As many of you know, I have had many of you request to work with me or have your friends be coached.  I know because of the economic times many of you can’t afford my one-on-one service.  Good news!  I’ve come up with a cost-effective way where more people can gain clarity on their lives and accomplish their goals.

Introducing the 2009 Step It Up Queen Coaching

On February 4th, 2009 I am leading a monthly workshop on the phone, tele-community style, for people who are ready to master the skill sets, mindset, and environment for creating their ultimate Step It Up Life.

We’ll Study Life-Changing Keys In-Depth for the 9 Areas of Your Life

 Some of the topics you’ll experience:

 How To Live a Fully Motivated Life

 How to Rise Above Overwhelm

 Conquering Negative Thinking

 Jumping Over Blocks from the Past

 How to Avoid Burn-Out Permanently

 Conquering Poverty Thinking

 Supercharge Your Career

 Utilizing the Power of Networking

Step It Up Coaching offers you the opportunity to get live access to Lisa J. Peck every month, plus specific tools and exercises to incorporate so you can “step it up” in your life.

You will also get the benefit of having a well trained coach guide you to assist you in maximizing your strengthens, outsource your weakness, and to build a solid support system to keep you moving forward living the life you were meant to live and fulfilling your purpose.

Step It Up Coaching calls will also give you the additional benefit of being in an inspiring community of like-minded individuals achieving their goals.

Not only will you have a safe, supportive environment that will encourage change but you also will have the live coaching calls to help you implement the changes in your life that will be customized to your unique circumstances.

How It Works:

Here’s how the calls work:

Week 1:  Lisa leads you through information and exercises from her upcoming book, Step It Up Living.  You get a sneak preview of these valuable insights and tools so you can “step it up” in your life now.

Week 2 & 3:  Each month you get live access to Lisa on this open Q&A call.  Lisa works directly with you and your colleagues during this 60 minute call.  Just listen in to others’ questions being answered or join in the conversation with your own questions or live feedback.  To respect confidentiality, Lisa provides anonymity to those who want to email their questions in advance so she can address the question without a or specific name or circumstance.

Current Schedule for Calls:

Week 1 & 3: 1^st and 3^rd

           Wednesday of each month at 11am MST (10 Pacific, 1 Central, 2 Eastern)

Week 2:  2^nd

Friday of each month at 1pm MST (12 Pacific, 2 Central, 3 Eastern)

Lisa records the calls in mp3 so you can replay them when it’s convenient for you and your schedule.  This way you can take the time to absorb the guidance at your own pace; a special benefit if you miss a live call or just wish to review.

Imagine having regular access to a leading expert on success and getting things done.

Lisa knows how to step it up in her own life – and now you can too.

Step It Up now and sign up to join Lisa on her next call session.  To sign up email Lisa@StepItUpQueen.com.

Testimonials

As a result with working with the Step It Up Queen, I will go forward with renewed enthusiasm believing I can achieve anything I can dream. Lisa has great competency, enthusiasm, radiance and believability. You can definitely tell she walks the path. She knows so much about everything. Could we just infra-red her brain to mine?

— Kathy Gibson, Housewife

I love Lisa’s personality, energy, vitality and professionalism. She taught me that I change

the way I live through the power of thought, how to glean help from others, and to establish reachable goals. She’s a 12 on 10 point scale. Dynamite!

— Tiffany Jones, Office Manager of Parker Orthodontics

Lisa has so much energy and conviction. It propels you toward success. She provides a lot of great information and good atmosphere for change.

— Wendy Bentley, Owner of Nurturing Inc

Lisa helped me be more positive. She taught me that there is “no failure,” just working through and solving. I am now armed with a lot more positive strategies.

— Nina A. Brown, Jane’s Reader

As a result of working with Lisa, I will set daily goals and step it up every day. Lisa has taught me how to take responsibility for what is happening in my life. I have shared what I learned with my children and school children. They love it. Thanks Lisa!

— Karen Schwen, Educator Westridge Elementary

As a life coach, Lisa J Peck has provided a safe port in the storm. An experienced mentor who listens before she analyzes, leading me to solutions that fit my life where it is, even as we drive it to where I want to go.

— Kristi Hopkins, Housewife and Mother of 6

Posted in: Self Improvement at 9:37 am | Comments (0)

I willingly take responsibility for any problem I cause, and, to the extent possible, make it right.  This principle is one of those with which people often struggle. Either people like to believe that they are completely innocent of all wrongdoing, or they like to take total responsibility for every problem. Learning how to figure out what part is your mistake and what is not can be tricky. If you wrestle with this, talking with a trusted adviser over your situation can be extremely helpful.  

Posted in: Self Improvement at 11:07 am | Comments (0)

I am so excited!  I just teamed up with a communication expert Shauna Kelly Ward and we are going to give a series of free teleseminars call Boost Your Confidence.  We would love to hear from you about what you want to learn about in this area and how we can best serve you.  Please take this 5 minute survey so we can best meet your needs.

<a href=”http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=tHNhvEIB6voCtL07K6xOvA_3d_3d”>Click Here to take survey</a>

Posted in: Self Improvement at 1:34 pm | Comments (0)