This week on Ambition Without Compromise, we’re revisiting a pivotal episode that resonates deeply with our ongoing theme of embracing change.

Join Monique as she tackles the elusive concept of the "right time" and how it often keeps us stuck in a cycle of waiting for the perfect moment to pursue our dreams. She dives straight into the heart of the matter, sharing powerful insights on how we often cling to familiar paths, fearing the unknown, and how this can lead to stagnation. She encourages us to challenge the narratives that keep us from embracing our true passions and desires.

It's time to give ourselves permission to dream big and take action!

GEMS DROPPED

“This ​magical ​right ​time, ​​the ​time ​when ​you ​feel ​ready, ​when ​things ​are ​in ​place, ​when ​you ​have ​done ​enough, ​when ​you ​have ​prepared ​enough, ​and ​you ​know ​that ​this ​is ​up ​for ​you, ​that ​this ​is ​a ​challenge ​for ​you ​right ​now… ​The ​whole ​thing ​is ​a ​trick.”

“When ​you ​keep ​saying ​stuff ​like, ​well, ​I ​just ​have ​to ​think ​about, ​or ​I ​just ​have ​to ​decide, ​or ​​I've ​got ​to ​give ​some ​more ​thought ​to … ​I ​need ​to ​do ​some ​preparation… ​I ​just. ​I ​just. ​I ​just. ​I ​just. y'all. ​This ​is ​all ​danger language. ​Danger, ​danger, ​danger, ​danger, ​language. ​We ​start ​backing ​ourselves ​into ​deep ​limitation ​​because ​we ​are ​fearful ​of ​giving ​ourselves ​permission ​to ​be ​specific ​about ​what ​it ​is ​that ​we ​truly ​want.”

“Leading ​with ​our ​wants ​feels reckless ​when ​we ​have ​always ​led ​with ​what ​we ​think ​we ​need/​what ​is ​required, ​for ​so, ​so, ​so, ​so ​long.”

“You ​can't ​cut ​something ​off ​from nourishment ​and ​expect ​it ​to ​survive.”

“​I ​recognize ​that ​in ​order ​for ​this ​next ​part ​of ​me, ​this ​next ​phase ​to ​come ​to ​fruition, ​for ​that ​to ​happen, ​I'm ​gonna ​have ​to ​relinquish ​the ​reins. ​I'm ​gonna ​have ​to ​let ​this ​other ​part ​of ​me, ​this ​free ​and ​creative ​and ​open, ​this ​vulnerable ​part ​of ​me, come ​up ​to ​the ​driver's ​seat ​​and ​I ​might ​have ​to ​get ​in ​the ​back, ​I ​might ​have ​to ​get ​in ​the ​trunk ​at ​some ​point. ​That ​feels ​so ​risky. ​It ​feels ​so, ​so ​risky ​internally.”

“We ​disconnect ​from ​that ​part ​of ​ourselves. ​We ​leave ​those, ​air ​quote, ‘​childish ​things’ ​behind ​and ​we ​get ​serious ​about ​life ​and ​we ​put ​on ​new ​coping ​skills ​and ​different ​things ​toughen ​us ​up ​and ​rough ​us ​up, ​and ​we ​forget ​that ​that ​wild ​and ​free ​little ​version ​of ​us, ​has ​so ​much ​power.”

“​I ​hope ​that ​if ​you ​are ​sitting ​in ​stagnation ​and ​not ​realizing, ​I ​hope ​that ​if ​you ​are ​sitting ​in, ​‘I ​need ​to ​wait ​for ​the ​right ​time’, ​or ‘​I ​just ​need ​to ​think ​through. ​I ​just ​need ​to ​figure ​out,’ ​or ‘​I ​just ​need ​to, ​you ​know, ​shore ​up ​x, ​y ​and ​z,’ ​that ​you ​bust ​down ​those ​walls ​and ​get ​real ​with ​the ​truth ​of ​what's ​going ​on ​here, ​which ​is ​​knowing ​that ​you ​don't ​have ​to ​cling ​to ​what's ​familiar ​and ​that ​you're ​not ​going ​to ​find ​your ​freedom. ​Your ​salvation ​will ​not ​come ​from ​this ​place. ​You ​have ​everything ​you ​need ​to ​make ​the ​move ​if ​you ​give ​yourself ​permission ​to ​let ​that ​part ​of ​you ​actually dream ​it ​up ​and ​connect ​you ​to ​the ​urgency ​of ​it ​all.”

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We’re bringing back this powerful conversation as a replay because the message is still exactly what you need to hear if you’re feeling called to something more in your career or business.

Join Monique as she dives into the art of self-persuasion and the importance of recognizing your inherent worthiness. She challenges you to shift your mindset from external validations to embracing your internal power, urging you to ask yourself: Who do I need to be to make the changes I desire?

By understanding the narratives you create around your ambitions and the social contracts you feel bound to, you can begin to dismantle the barriers that prevent you from stepping into your fullest potential.

When you move with confidence in who you are and what you stand for, it’s magnetic. You are powerful. You are worthy. You can make that pivot and this replay is your reminder.

GEMS DROPPED

“Setting yourself up for success is either code for, “I want to make sure that I make a move that protects me from failure” or “how do I make sure I'm set up for it is what will finally make me worthy of the success?” So one is about, I want to make sure that I have collected all of the Girl Scout badges, and the other is about I've put on enough armor to protect myself. Both of those buckets are a way of thinking that has been handed down to us through traditional career building in corporate structures and neither of those models is going to get you to your intrinsic vision”

“The social contracts that you make with people, they do exist. When we build up different brands, or even just professional reputations in people's minds, they exist, …people need to be able to hold you in their imaginations as something, we need to make sense of each other. But those brands, those reputations are not built on the specific configuration of what you do and how you do it in the world. They're not built upon the specific titles that you carry, and the specific strengths and skills that you have and how those things specifically come together. That's not actually the bedrock, they're a part of it, for sure, but the bedrock of those social contracts, and the way that people are carrying us in their minds… is trust”.

“People are not thinking about us as much as we think they are. we're caught up in our own stuff y'all, like the same way that you're just trying to stay on top of all the basic necessities of your life in all the big questions of your life. That's what everybody else is doing, too.”

“...things that you think you need to have… all of the shiny objects that you need to collect… all of the people, all of the authorities that need to approve of you before you can make this step, you don't have to be set up in that way for success. The way that we set ourselves up for these pivots. The ways that we prepare ourselves to make these kinds of pivots is by going internal into making some decisions and making some shifts around how we are relating to ourselves, which then carry out to how we move. When we move with that kind of energy, you become magnetic…’

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Are you feeling overwhelmed by the demands of life and struggling to prioritize your well-being? This struggle is not unique; countless high achieving women share similar experiences of knowing what they should do for their health and happiness, but finding it difficult to take action.

In our latest episode, Monique offers insights that can help transform your approach to self-care and ambition. Join in to explore the systemic influences at play and discover four key pillars that can help you adhere to your personal goals.

By understanding the systemic barriers we face and recognizing the importance of support systems, we can take meaningful steps toward a more fulfilling life. Tune in to learn more about how to align your actions with your highest goals and create the life you truly desire.

GEMS DROPPED

“​Thinking ​about ​what ​keeps ​us ​from ​prioritizing ​our ​priorities, ​I'm ​gonna ​say ​number ​one ​is ​capitalism. As ​we ​think ​about ​what ​are ​the ​things ​that ​hamper ​us? ​A lot ​of ​them ​are ​systemic. ​Which ​is ​why ​I ​point ​to ​capitalism, ​which ​means ​they're ​all ​around ​us. The ​pressures ​on ​our ​time, ​our ​mental ​energy, ​our ​ability ​to ​access ​things ​like ​clarity ​or ​confidence. ​It's ​all ​driven ​by ​these ​systemic ​influences and it's ​by ​design.”

“We ​have ​a ​whole ​​culture ​around ​career ​building ​in ​this ​country ​in ​particular ​that ​despises ​space, ​rest, and restoration ​for ​our ​body,​ ​mind, ​or ​spirit. So we ​know, ​but ​day ​by ​day, ​the ​lived ​experience ​of ​it ​is ​like we ​know ​better ​ ​and ​we ​have ​every ​reason ​to, ​and ​we ​have ​the ​urgency, but we ​still ​don't ​do ​it.​•

“Routines, ​​they ​drive ​adherence. ​If ​you ​don't ​have ​somebody ​holding ​the ​routine ​for ​you, ​because ​I ​think ​that ​is ​the ​mistake ​we ​make. ​We ​just ​like, ​I ​just ​need ​to ​get ​more ​discipline. ​I ​just ​got ​to ​hunker ​down. ​Girl. ​If ​you ​ain't ​been ​hunkered ​down ​or ​grown ​this ​imaginary, ​you ​know, ​pool ​of ​discipline in ​these ​past ​five ​years, ​it's ​not, ​it's ​not ​coming. ​So ​make ​it ​happen. ​Invest ​in ​making ​sure ​that ​someone ​else ​​is ​holding ​it ​alongside ​you, ​holding ​it ​for ​you. ​Holding ​it ​with ​you. At ​a ​bare ​minimum, ​we've ​got ​to ​find ​ways ​for ​the ​routines ​to ​be ​held because ​life ​is ​life ​in ​life ​be ​lifeing.”

“If ​you ​don't ​have ​space ​to ​actually ​move ​through ​what ​is ​your ​true ​emotional ​state ​or ​states ​of ​being, ​it ​makes ​it ​hard ​for ​you ​to ​also ​align ​your ​actions ​with ​moving ​toward ​what ​it ​is ​that ​you ​want.​Because ​your ​wanting ​becomes ​ ​tainted ​or ​complicated. It ​just ​taints ​your ​willingness ​if ​you, ​if ​you're ​feeling ​​a ​lot ​of ​suppressed ​emotions.”

“If ​you ​are ​not ​doing ​the ​things ​to ​actually ​evolve ​yourself, that ​moment's ​not ​coming. ​It's ​not ​coming. ​The ​way ​it ​works ​is ​you ​invest ​ahead. ​You ​invest ​ahead ​so ​that ​you ​can ​fast ​track ​yourself ​to ​the ​things ​that ​you ​know ​you ​should ​be ​doing, ​but ​you're ​just ​not ​doing ​right ​now. ​​And ​then ​you ​get ​the ​payout.”

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Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

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Are you feeling overwhelmed and underwhelmed at the same time? You're not alone! This paradox can be particularly pronounced for women and people of color, who often carry the weight of not just their own responsibilities, but also the expectations of their communities.

In this timely episode, Monique addresses the struggle of feeling squeezed while trying to maintain personal and professional aspirations and inspires us to rethink our approach to leadership, collaboration, and self-care. Tune in to discover how to reclaim your time and energy while still pursuing your dreams without sacrificing your well-being.

MENTIONED

70 | Inside Our Marriage: Navigating Ambition, Money, and Vision Together

GEMS DROPPED

“​Don't ​wait. ​Just ​offer ​what ​you ​have ​to ​offer ​when ​you ​have ​to ​offer ​it, ​where ​you ​have ​to ​offer ​it ​from. ​And ​so ​that's ​what ​we're ​doing ​right ​now. ​Sometimes ​it's ​not ​perfect, ​and ​​why ​does ​it ​need ​to ​be?”

“​We ​have ​a ​lot ​on ​our ​side ​right ​now ​and ​maybe ​still ​feel ​pressured. ​And ​I ​want ​us ​to ​realize ​how ​much ​we ​still ​have to ​create ​with. ​All ​is ​absolutely ​not ​lost, ​y'all.”

“It's ​important ​to ​note ​that ​it's ​not ​about figuring ​out ​how ​to ​squeeze ​more ​out ​or ​how ​to ​become ​more ​productive ​yourself. ​It's ​really ​about ​how ​to ​skillfully ​become ​​a ​producer ​who ​is ​not ​​doing ​direct ​producing. ​Like, ​how ​can ​you ​be ​someone ​who's ​orchestrating ​while ​other ​people ​are ​producing ​on ​your ​behalf. ​I ​think ​that ​this ​is ​something ​that ​we ​really, ​really, ​really ​struggle ​with.”

“If ​you ​are ​overwhelmed, the ​solution ​can't ​be to ​fill ​my ​brain ​with ​more ​stuff ​that ​cannot ​be the ​automatic ​solution, ​or ​it ​can't ​be ​the ​entire ​solution. Cognitive ​deficit ​is not the issue. We ​got ​to ​stop ​solving ​for ​the ​thing ​that ​is ​not ​the ​problem ​​or ​where ​we ​are ​actually ​missing support ​is ​in ​who ​we ​are ​showing ​up ​as ​who ​we ​are ​being.”

“​We're ​attached ​to ​the ​identity ​of ​being ​the ​one ​who ​handles ​everything because ​that ​is ​how ​we ​are ​appreciated. ​That ​is ​how ​we ​are ​seen ​as ​valuable.​That ​is ​how ​we ​have ​connected ​with ​a ​sense ​of ​being ​loved ​and ​belonging. ​That's ​how ​we ​have ​had ​a ​sense ​of ​ourselves ​for ​so ​long. ​It's ​really ​hard ​to ​detach ​from ​that.”

“You ​can ​and ​actually ​have ​to ​begin ​to ​learn ​to ​do ​less ​in ​order ​to ​experience ​more. ​​Period, ​point ​blank. ​Period.”

STAY IN TOUCH

Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

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How do you balance ambition with your partner?

In our latest episode, Monique explores the delicate balance of managing personal and shared goals within a relationship. Drawing from her own experiences with her husband, she sheds light on the importance of mutual support, communication, and understanding in navigating shared and individual ambitions.

Monique candidly discusses foundational elements that must be in place for a successful partnership, including respect, kindness, and the value of therapy. As the conversation unfolds, Monique introduces actionable tools and strategies, including the concept of "over owning" and the importance of articulating personal desires. She also shares her unique approach to regular "family off-sites," designed to foster alignment and communication about goals and aspirations.

Plus, she’s sharing a FREE tool to help you get started. Tune in to learn more.

MENTIONED

Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less by Tiffany Dufu

Grab my Family Offsite ​Workbook DM me the word OFFSITE on IG @moniquershields.

GEMS DROPPED

“​To ​ambition ​as ​a ​couple, ​to ​ambition ​with a ​spouse, requires some ​foundational ​things ​that ​you ​just ​got ​to ​have ​in ​place such as love, ​respect, ​kindness, mutual willingness. If these are missing ​then ​there's ​nothing ​else ​to ​talk ​about.”

“​If ​you ​have ​a ​habit ​of ​feeling ​like ​you ​have ​to ​be ​on ​top ​of ​everything ​and ​own ​everything, ​it ​will ​bleed ​across ​multiple ​areas ​of ​your ​life ​and ​work, ​and ​it ​will ​get ​you ​into ​trouble ​in ​various ​ways.”

“At ​some ​point ​you ​have ​to ​recognize ​like, ​okay, ​well, ​if ​I ​have ​a ​holistic ​view ​on ​all ​the ​things ​that ​I ​want ​to ​accomplish ​in ​life ​​and ​this ​piece ​of ​me ​over ​owning ​is ​keeping ​me ​from ​the ​things ​that ​I ​want ​for ​myself. It's ​basically ​pushing ​me ​out ​of ​the ​equation. The ​solve ​is ​simply. You ​may ​be ​setting ​up ​your ​partners ​to ​be ​​the ​intern. So ​step ​back ​​and ​let your ​partner, your ​spouse, ​exercise ​and ​build ​their ​competence. Because your ​co-​CEOs, ​your co-​leaders, your ​one, your ​a ​unit.”

“We'll ​convince ​ourselves ​that ​things ​are ​scarce ​when ​we ​haven't ​directed ​ourselves ​towards ​​wanting ​what ​we ​want ​and ​asserting ​what ​we ​want. ​And ​then ​you ​move ​towards ​what ​you ​want ​and ​then ​you ​create ​what ​you ​want. ​Like ​that's ​kind ​of ​how ​it ​works. And ​we ​don't ​give ​ourselves ​space ​to ​do ​that. ​We ​don't ​take ​it ​seriously ​because ​​we ​just ​need ​to ​respond ​to ​the ​demands. ​We ​need ​to ​be ​reactionary. ​And ​I'm ​telling ​y', ​all, ​​if ​you ​don't ​give ​yourself ​this ​space, ​then ​no ​one ​can ​get into ​that ​space ​with ​you ​and ​help ​you ​build ​towards ​it.”

STAY IN TOUCH

Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

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This week's episode is all about confidence! After months of reflection, Monique shares her insights on why we must prioritize optimizing for confidence in a world that often undermines it.

Through relatable scenarios from her coaching practice, Monique illustrates how fear and uncertainty can hold us back from pursuing our true potential. She emphasizes the importance of community and support in building confidence, highlighting how being witnessed in our struggles can lead to breakthroughs. From transitioning to full-time entrepreneurship to navigating family dynamics, Monique provides actionable insights for reclaiming our confidence and taking bold steps forward.

If you’re looking to explore the intricacies of confidence and how to cultivate it in your life, this episode is a must-listen.

GEMS DROPPED

“​Confidence ​is ​that ​feeling ​you ​have ​when ​you ​feel ​on. ​When ​you ​feel maybe ​not ​ready, ​but ​ready ​enough. When ​you ​feel ​like, ​I'm ​gonna ​take ​this ​first ​step regardless ​of ​how ​I ​feel. That's ​what ​I ​like ​to ​think ​of ​as ​confidence. And ​I ​think ​sometimes ​we ​confuse ​confidence ​for ​certainty. ​They're ​not ​the ​same ​thing. ​And ​I ​think ​we're ​often ​waiting ​on ​certainty ​before ​we ​can ​tell ​ourselves ​that ​we ​are ​confident and ​it's ​really ​the ​illusion ​of ​certainty.”

“I've ​just ​recognized ​​that ​the ​world ​the ​world ​is ​coming ​for ​me ​in ​a ​really ​specific ​way, ​especially ​as ​a ​woman ​of ​color. ​​And ​I ​have ​got ​to ​do ​everything ​in ​my ​power ​to ​optimize ​for ​my ​confidence. ​Not ​just ​because ​feeling ​confident ​feels ​good, ​but ​because ​it ​costs ​me ​to ​not ​feel ​confident. ​​There's ​a ​massive ​cost ​​to ​us ​feeling ​stuck, because ​what ​do ​we ​do ​when ​we're ​not ​confident? ​We ​stay ​where ​we ​are. ​Stagnation ​thrives ​off ​of ​our ​lack ​of ​confidence.”

“We've ​lived ​life ​long ​enough ​to ​look ​back ​​and ​see ​sometimes ​we ​have ​this ​negativity ​bias ​where ​we ​only ​see ​the ​mistakes ​or ​the ​missteps ​that ​we ​feel ​like ​we've ​had ​or ​the ​lost ​opportunities. ​But ​when ​we're ​really ​honest ​with ​ourselves, ​we've ​done ​so ​many ​things well. ​We've ​done ​so ​many ​things ​with ​integrity ​​and ​with ​courage ​and ​with ​creativity. ​​So ​much ​creativity. ​And ​so ​to ​give ​ourselves ​that ​moment, ​to ​have ​it ​reflected ​back ​to ​us, ​again, a ​confident ​confidence ​booster.“

“What ​it ​means ​to ​have ​the ​support, ​​the ​vetted, skilled, ​appropriate support ​for ​where ​you ​are ​in ​life, ​​where ​you ​are ​in ​work, ​to ​have ​that ​support ​to ​bring ​you ​back ​into ​yourself, ​it's ​priceless. ​It's ​actually ​priceless.”

“​We ​cannot ​afford ​to ​get ​stuck. Especially ​now, ​the ​world ​is ​really ​showing ​us, ​we ​cannot ​afford to ​get ​stuck. ​And ​I ​tell ​you, ​the ​fastest ​way ​to ​get ​stuck ​is ​to ​get ​isolated.”

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In this deeply personal episode, Monique opens up about her recent struggles with visibility, purpose, and the weight of societal turmoil. After a series of engaging guest interviews, she reflects on her own journey, feeling speechless and overwhelmed by the state of the world. Monique shares her experiences of grappling with inner turmoil while maintaining her coaching practice and supporting her family.

As she confronts feelings of anxiety and the pressures of capitalism, Monique explores what it means to embrace change and vulnerability. She discusses the importance of community, the necessity of being honest about one’s struggles, and the transformative power of pain. Through her candid storytelling, Monique invites us to reflect on our own journeys and consider how we can show up authentically in times of uncertainty.

Join in for an honest conversation about vulnerability, resilience, and the journey of self-discovery. Don't miss this opportunity to connect and find strength in our shared experiences. Tune in now!

GEMS DROPPED

“​I ​am ​loved. ​I ​am ​love. No ​matter ​what… No ​matter ​what.”

“​I ​feel ​like, ​especially ​as ​someone ​from ​a ​marginalized ​community, ​​we ​keep ​talking ​about ​the ​unknown, ​the ​unknown. ​And ​I ​think ​what ​we're ​actually ​scared ​of ​is ​not ​the ​unknown, ​I ​think ​that ​we're ​scared ​of ​what ​we ​know ​is ​to ​come ​​and ​how ​we're ​gonna ​cope ​with ​it.”

“Pain ​is ​a ​part ​of ​life, and you ​can ​handle ​pain. ​It's ​just ​pain. ​It ​comes ​and ​it ​goes, ​​and ​you're ​still ​here…​ you're ​fine. ​And ​for ​the ​things ​that ​are ​worth ​it… ​the ​pain ​required ​to ​get ​to ​the ​other ​side ​is ​not ​only ​okay, ​but ​can ​be ​really ​worth ​it.”

“​I ​hope ​that ​this ​offers ​somebody ​who ​is ​listening ​and ​trying ​to ​keep ​it ​together, and ​also ​​recognizing ​that this ​season, ​or ​the ​seasons ​to ​come ​are ​asking ​you ​to ​submit ​to ​changes, ​ ​to ​submit ​to inevitabilities ​that ​feel ​like ​they're ​going ​to ​invite ​some ​painful ​things, ​​some ​scary ​things ​that ​​it ​doesn't ​serve ​us ​to ​focus ​on ​how ​fearful ​we ​are ​of ​the ​pain, ​that ​there ​is ​possibility in ​releasing ​that ​tension as ​best ​you ​can.”

“You ​can ​show ​up ​honestly ​in ​the ​midst ​of ​the ​mess, ​fully ​admitting ​that ​you ​don't ​have ​the ​answers.”

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Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

In this week's episode, join Monique as she shares her inspiring journey from side hustler to executive coach.

Monique takes us on a journey through her recent conversation with Nicaila Matthews Okome on the Side Hustle Pro podcast. Together, they dive into Monique's career trajectory, from her time at Spelman College to her evolution as an executive coach, and the lessons learned along the way.

Tune in to gain insights into the significance of resourcing oneself, the power of community, and the necessity of setting high standards for personal and professional growth.

GUEST INFO

Nicaila Matthews Okome, host of Side Hustle Pro Podcast | Website | Instagram | YouTube

MENTIONED

59 | You Don’t Need More Time — You Need a New Identity

GEMS DROPPED

“ When ​we ​feel ​connected ​with ​the ​truth ​of ​who ​we ​are ​and ​how ​we ​actually ​feel, ​and ​then ​we ​get ​to ​know ​what ​we ​actually ​think ​and ​what ​our ​imaginations ​can ​bring ​us ​to, ​we ​get ​to ​dream ​forward.” - Monique R. Shields

“Corporate ​spaces ​are ​not ​designed ​for ​anybody ​to ​be ​their ​full ​authentic ​selves. ​You ​have ​to ​decide ​what ​pieces ​of ​you ​are ​safe ​here, ​what ​pieces ​of ​you ​are ​advantageous ​to ​share ​here. ​You have ​to ​kind ​of ​design ​yourself ​a ​certain ​way. ​It's ​just ​what ​it ​is.” - Monique R. Shields

“Instead ​of ​shaming ​ourselves ​for ​decisions ​we ​have ​made ​or ​are ​about ​to ​make, ​remember ​a ​lot ​of ​these ​decisions ​are ​rooted ​in ​survival. ​And ​you ​need ​to ​do ​what ​you ​need ​to ​do ​​in ​that ​moment ​or ​in ​this ​moment ​to ​put ​your ​survival ​first. ​Right. However, when ​you ​do ​have ​space ​and ​time ​to ​be ​able ​to ​think ​beyond ​surviving ​to ​thriving, ​ ​this ​is ​the ​conversation…”- Nicaila Matthews Okome

“If ​you're ​still ​feeling ​on ​the ​fence ​about ​things, ​I ​think it's ​good ​to ​listen ​to ​that ​survival ​instinct ​in ​you, ​that ​gut ​check and remember ​that just ​because ​something's ​high ​ticket ​doesn't ​mean ​it's ​going ​to ​be ​valuable. You must vet ​the business and ​make ​sure ​it's ​what's ​really ​going ​to ​help ​you ​to ​move ​the ​needle ​in ​your ​business. ​Emphasis ​on ​your.”- Nicaila Matthews Okome

“A ​lot ​of ​us ​​actually ​need ​to ​start ​to ​dismantle ​some ​of ​the ​identities ​we've ​taken ​on ​​unknowingly.” - Nicaila Matthews Okome

“We’re walking ​around ​with ​a ​lot ​of ​invisible ​I ​ams ​and ​I'm ​nots​ and ​it's ​about ​doing ​the ​work ​to ​make ​those ​things ​a ​lot ​more ​visible ​to ​you ​so ​that ​you ​can see the one's ​holding you ​back or ​the ​one's keeping you ​stuck.” -Monique R. Shields

“Whatever ​it ​is ​that ​you're ​facing ​down ​next, ​whatever ​challenge ​it ​is ​that ​you're ​trying ​to ​take ​on ​or ​figure ​out, you ​don't ​need ​more. ​You're ​not ​deficient ​in ​anything. ​There's ​no ​deficit ​within ​you. ​You ​don't ​need ​to ​take ​on ​anything ​new. ​Tack ​on ​anything ​new. ​Build ​yourself ​up ​more. ​Usually ​you ​need ​to ​release, ​so ​focus ​on ​what ​you ​need ​to ​let ​go and ​let ​that ​be ​your ​energy. ​Let ​yourself ​be released.” -Monique R. Shields

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Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.