Hello
This is me! My name is Cheryl McSweeney and I am the owner and creator of "Up On My Desk". I offer a variety of programs and services that benefit a multitude of ages. I hope you will take the time to look over all that I have to offer, as well as my wealth of experience in leadership training and Positivity and Relaxation Training.
My Story
Up On My Desk LLC was created from a simple idea:
when we change our vantage point, we change what feels possible.
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My work is rooted in nearly 20 years of retreat and leadership development with junior high students, high school students, and adults. Along the way, I’ve learned that the most powerful growth comes from embracing both the hits and the misses of life—and using those experiences to create programs that meet people exactly where they are.
I believe deeply that leadership is not a title you’re given; it’s something you practice every day. Young people especially need to hear that they don’t have to be “named” a leader to lead. When individuals are encouraged to explore their emotional vulnerability, they begin to uncover their natural talents and learn how to use them with confidence and purpose.
I’ve also worked extensively with people who feel stuck under stress, which led me to study and explain the science behind relaxation and why our nervous systems need intentional tools to reset. Today, I blend leadership development with relaxation and positivity training to help people see the best in themselves—building confidence, resilience, and the ability to lead with humility.
Available Programs
Contact me with questions about any of the programs below!
Positivity and Relaxation Training (PART)
The Positivity And Relaxation Training (PART) program is a 9-week interactive education program (one 90-minute session per week) that teaches participants self-care techniques to promote health, happiness and generalized wellbeing. Similar in theme to the Benson Henry Institute's copyrighted Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART) program, PART employs a variety of mind body techniques like meditation and mindfulness, physical activity and positive psychology; it also relies on creativity, humor and adaptive thinking. Where SMART is a clinical intervention, PART was designed for delivery by non-clinicians in community, corporate and educational settings. Participants report the program has helped them develop skills to manage stress and cultivate a more positive outlook.
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New Year Program Special: $99
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Leaders Training Leaders Workshops
Training leaders to lead is ultimately an exercise in both humility and strength. When you are in a position to develop other leaders, the question becomes: are you asking them to lead exactly as you do—or are you empowering them to lead with their own gifts, instincts, and strengths? A good leader provides structure and guidance, but a great leader creates space for growth beyond what feels familiar or comfortable. True leadership development requires the willingness to step aside, to get out of your own way, and to trust the process. When mentoring is rooted in trust, curiosity, and humility, it opens the door for confidence, creativity, and leadership potential to emerge in ways you may have never imagined.
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Youth Leadership
Retreats
Student Leadership Retreats are designed for both junior high and high school students who are ready to grow into confident, authentic leaders—no matter the role they hold. Too often, young people measure success by grades, GPAs, and college résumés, while overlooking their natural gifts, strengths, and voice. These retreats shift the focus inward, helping students recognize their leadership potential and learn how to get out of their
own way.
Through guided reflection and practical skill-building, students explore when to speak up, how to communicate in ways that are heard and respected, and how to see the bigger picture beyond their own perspective. They learn that leadership is not about title or recognition, but about awareness, humility, and confidence—especially in moments
of challenge.
Programs can be customized as a single-day experience or expanded into multi-day retreats, depending on your needs. Student Leadership Retreats are an ideal fit for school-based leadership groups such as student council, FFA, student government, performing arts programs, and other organizations committed to developing thoughtful, capable leaders.
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