Meet Amanda Gibby Peters

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amanda Gibby Peters. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Amanda, so glad you were able to set aside some time for us today. We’ve always admired not just your journey and success, but also the seemingly high levels of self-discipline that you seem to have mastered and so maybe we can start by chatting about how you developed it or where it comes from?
When I was young (maybe 8 years old), I was “having a morning.” I’d been told I couldn’t go outside and play until my room was cleaned up, which had me sorely frustrated and overwhelmed. My dad came into the room and said, “If you would take a couple minutes every day and clean up your room, those 5 minutes will spare you from the 30 minutes of cleaning you have on Saturday mornings.” I must’ve responded that I had no idea where to start, and he suggested I make my bed.

Now, I don’t remember what my daily routine was before that day, but almost every day since our conversation, I make my bed, and it is one of the first things I do consistently.

While it seems like “making a bed” on the surface, it actually goes deeper than that: (1) I learned not to negotiate the daily tasks that actually set me up for success in the day; (2) I learned consistency is its own kind of accelerant; and (3) I had time to “feel” the difference a tidied space makes in how we feel in the world.

And when it comes to self-discipline, I believe that mine continues coming from insignificant moments; the small daily choices; and the decisions I make when no one is paying attention.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I help people fall in love with their homes, and it begins with a conversation between your home and you.

No matter the house or amount of space…

No matter your challenges or circumstances…

No matter what you think you “know for sure” about your home…

You do not need to live in the house of your dreams for your surroundings to trigger the opportunities to make those dreams a reality.

I believe and know that what we experience in life is reflected energetically around us. And when we understand that, our home becomes a collaborative partner willing to help us influence what’s happening around us in the most delightful ways.

Even better? When we improve our home, it generates and triggers power within ourselves!

So, if I am an expert at anything, it is this: I navigate people closer to their full potential by helping them tell better stories. Words, actions, intentions, and our surroundings are opportunities to generate new energy with some straight talk.

I teach a 6-week course that walks participants through how I “look” at homes and spot ways to improve the energy in any given environment. For those who want to do what I do, I offer a certification program that becomes lifetime access to learning Feng Shui. I also offer 1:1 consultations for anyone who isn’t interested in learning and more curious to start living the benefits of Feng Shui’d home.

And it’s within those communities that I have learned that once we get a whiff of what’s possible – and have a little of this fluency for ourselves – we have a whole new way of seeing our surroundings – one that is with us everywhere we go.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three qualities I value most:

1 / Curiosity: I consider myself a student because I know there is so much I don’t know. So, I appreciate the opportunity to ask questions, hear / read someone’s story, and borrow all the brains / expertise I can to absorb different perspectives, alternative considerations, and life angles that I wouldn’t otherwise know.

2 / Patience: I pride myself on appreciating the long game. It has afforded me the ability to spot patterns, calm myself during any life turbulence, and inherently trust the wisdom of “this, too, shall pass.” In return, it keeps me from making rash choices, overreacting, and getting in my own way.

3 / Gratitude: This sounds cliche, but it is true: when I am deliberate with my gratitude, everything in my life gets a tune-up!

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
I give myself permission to not do anything. I wasn’t always this way — I genuinely believed and operated from a hustle mentality for years, thinking I could work the overwhelm off. Instead, what I’ve learned is that my work, my emotional capacity, and my overall energy deteriorate if I keep pushing against the current. So, when overwhelm sets in, here is what I do:

1 / If possible, I remove myself from the situation — whatever it is. Work, expectations, noisy environments, an impossible TO DO list.

2 / If I have the ability to walk away for the day (or half a day_), I do. Most of the time, though, I don’t, so I will go for a quick walk; lie down for 20 minutes, or go drink a glass of water…slowly. I might take deep breaths and look outside a window, or do the 5-4-3-2-1 exercise:

Name 5 things you can see.
Name 4 things you can touch.
Name 3 things you hear.
Name 2 things you can smell.
Name 1 thing you can taste.

I do whatever drops me back into my body.

2 / If I feel “rushed” overwhelm, I deliberately take my time. Slowing down to slow myself down works wonders. I find counting out loud helps, too! (I know it sounds strange, but it lulls me back into balance.)

3 / I break the overwhelm down into two categories: MUST HAPPEN and IT WOULD BE NICE IF THIS HAPPENED. Basically, this is how I interfere with my own impossible expectations.

Does this really need to be done / said / handled by me today?
What is the worst that can happen if this doesn’t get crossed off the list?
Why is this essential? Is there a gain on the other side of this?

And my favorite new strategy…

4 / How can I make this easier for me?

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Anastasia Chomlack Sarah Mendoza

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