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Reflecting on her time at the ROI Millionaire Summit, Monique shares the profound inspiration she gained from connecting with like-minded individuals dedicated to closing the wealth gap for marginalized communities. As she transitions from the empowering atmosphere of the summit back to the harsh realities of the world, Monique grapples with feelings of guilt and confusion about her role in the larger scheme of things.

Join in as she shares her journey of navigating these conflicting emotions and the grounding moment she had when she observed a trail of ants marching diligently across her driveway. The ants remind her to stay connected, support others, and remain focused on our collective goals.

Join in as she explores these themes and ways to find encouragement in our shared experiences.

GEMS DROPPED

“​I ​think ​that's ​the ​thing ​that's so ​compelling ​to ​me ​about ​ants ​is ​that they ​lead ​these ​lives, each ​one ​of ​them ​has ​a ​role. ​There's ​a ​very ​specific, ​sort ​of ​caste ​system ​within, ​​ant ​colonies ​where ​you ​have ​a ​specific ​role. ​Are ​you ​a soldier, ​protector, scouts, nurse, worker, forager? ​They ​play ​these ​very ​specific ​roles ​and ​it's ​like, ​play ​your ​role. ​It's ​like ​they ​know ​what ​lane ​they're ​in. ​They ​know ​what ​their ​mission ​is. ​They ​know ​what ​their ​purpose ​is. ​Like, ​I ​exist ​to ​do ​this, ​therefore ​I ​do ​it.”

“I ​hope ​that ​that's ​encouragement ​to ​anyone ​else ​who ​is ​feeling ​in ​any ​way ​destabilized ​emotionally, ​or ​otherwise ​by ​what ​is ​going ​on ​around ​us…​to ​remind ​yourself ​in ​those ​moments ​that ​they ​are ​moments, ​they ​are ​fears, ​and ​they ​can ​come, ​they ​can ​pass ​through, but ​that ​doesn't ​mean ​you're ​confused ​about ​who ​you ​are. ​​That ​does ​not ​mean ​you're ​confused ​about ​what ​you're ​here ​​to ​do, ​what ​your ​purpose ​is, ​what ​you ​were ​literally ​built ​for. If ​you ​stop ​playing ​your ​role, ​then ​the ​colony ​fails, ​the ​community ​fails, ​the ​family ​fails.”

“It's ​such ​an ​illusion ​to ​believe ​that ​you ​are ​playing ​every ​role ​that ​you ​play, ​every ​position ​on ​whatever ​field ​you're ​trying ​to ​play, ​as ​we're ​out ​here ​building ​and, ​trying ​to ​advance ​ourselves ​in ​our ​communities, ​that ​you're ​ever ​supposed ​to ​do ​it ​alone ​and ​that ​you ​ever ​have ​it ​all ​covered. ​You ​don't, ​you ​don't. And ​that's ​a ​reason ​why ​​our ​bodies ​start ​to ​suffer, ​our ​psyches ​start ​to ​suffer, ​because ​you ​were ​never ​meant ​to ​be ​everything, ​every ​person, ​​playing ​every ​role ​for ​everyone. ​We ​were ​not ​actually ​built ​to ​do ​this.”

“I ​find ​so ​much ​peace ​and ​encouragement ​by ​observing nature ​​when ​I ​feel ​lost ​in ​human ​nonsense…By observing ​these ​creatures, ​these ​animals ​who ​are ​still ​doing ​​the ​same ​behavior, ​still ​exhibiting ​the ​same ​behaviors ​and ​instincts ​that ​their ​ancient ​ancestors ​were, because ​they're ​just ​being ​what ​they're ​supposed ​to ​be. ​​And ​that ​helps ​me ​to ​be ​guided ​by ​an ​inner ​wiring, in ​a ​collective ​rhythm.”

“All ​this ​surrounds ​identity ​and ​who ​it ​is ​that ​every ​day ​we ​have ​to ​examine ​and ​decide ​who ​we are? ​Who ​are ​we ​being in every ​conversation ​and ​every ​time ​we ​show ​up ​and ​knowing ​that ​we're ​never ​going ​to ​get ​it “right”. ​We're ​never ​going ​to ​get ​it ​perfectly, ​but ​to ​stay ​in ​it. ​To ​stay ​in ​the examination ​of ​it. ​To ​stay ​in ​the ​curiosity around ​it ​and ​to ​do ​our ​damn ​best, ​y' ​all.”

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Tune in as Dené Logan joins Monique to explore the dynamics of feminine and masculine energy and how they impact our relationships and personal growth. They explore how these dynamics shape our identities, relationships, and ambitions in a world that often demands we suppress our true selves.

As high-achieving women, we often find ourselves caught between the demands of our professional lives and the yearning for personal fulfillment. Monique and Dené tackle the realities of motherhood, the pressure to conform to societal expectations, and the challenges of maintaining intimacy in relationships. They discuss the significance of vulnerability and the power of asking for help, emphasizing that true strength lies in embracing our feminine essence.

Don’t miss out on this enlightening conversation that encourages us all to reclaim our joy, creativity, and connection to one another.

GUEST INFO

Dené Logan Marriage and Family Therapist, a group facilitator, and an author of Sovereign Love: A Guide to Healing Relationships by Reclaiming the Masculine and Feminine Within | Website | Instagram

GEMS DROPPED

“All ​the ​things ​like ​wounded, ​masculine ​energetic ​quality, ​afraid ​of ​fear…all ​of ​those ​are ​human ​qualities. ​They're ​not ​necessarily ​bad, but ​when ​they ​become ​the ​paradigm from where ​we ​are ​operating ​from ​as ​a ​baseline, ​which ​I ​would ​say ​our ​culture ​really ​does ​value ​things ​that ​are ​sort ​of ​wounded ​masculine ​qualities ​or ​ways ​of ​being,​ ​then ​they ​become ​distortions. ​They ​really ​are ​us ​operating ​with ​our ​wounds ​​versus ​in ​that ​conscious ​space ​of ​’how ​do ​I ​want ​to ​respond ​based ​on what ​is ​coming ​up ​for ​me’ ​and ​’what ​is ​the ​truth ​of ​how ​I ​want ​to ​show ​up ​in ​this ​moment?’ ” - Dené Logan

“As ​grateful ​as ​we ​all ​are ​for ​the ​modern ​feminist ​movement, ​I ​think ​there's ​a ​way ​that ​what ​we ​were ​really ​taught ​to ​embrace ​​was ​a ​lot ​of ​wounded ​masculine ​energy. That, ​we ​can ​do ​everything ​that ​men ​can ​do. ​We ​can ​show ​up ​and ​work ​like ​men ​and ​make ​ourselves ​sick. ​Productivity ​at ​all ​costs. ​All ​these ​things ​that ​if ​we ​really ​think ​about ​them ​aren't ​necessarily ​healthy ​qualities ​for ​anyone. ​​But ​in ​order ​for ​us ​to ​sort ​of ​be ​competitive ​in ​the ​workplace ​and ​feel ​like ​we ​have ​a ​seat ​at ​the ​table, ​​so ​many ​of ​us ​were ​conditioned ​to ​reject ​what ​would ​be ​​some ​of ​our ​healthy ​feminine ​characteristics ​like ​trust ​in ​life,​ and ​receptivity , ​and ​our ​willingness ​to ​be ​vulnerable. ​So for ​a ​lot ​of ​us, ​those ​things ​can ​be ​really ​hard ​for ​us ​to ​recalibrate ​into ​stepping ​into ​or ​accepting ​within ​ourselves.” - Dené Logan

“So ​many ​things ​in ​our ​society ​are ​just a ​reaction to ​​this ​fear ​of ​the ​feminine ​essence. The ​feminine ​spirit and ​so much ​of ​what ​we're ​experiencing ​day ​to ​day ​is ​rooted ​in ​that ​fear.​ We're ​just ​so ​terrified ​of it.” - Monique R. Shields

“Wounded ​masculinity ​is basically ​a ​kind ​of ​a ​fear ​based ​state, it ​cuts ​you ​off ​from ​creativity ​and ​that's what ​the ​healthy ​feminine ​is ​all ​about- ​creativity ​and ​being ​in ​your ​creative ​mode.” - Monique R. Shields

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What if the key to unlocking your future self lies in how you treat her today?

In this inspiring episode, Monique introduces the transformative concept of embodying your future self right now. Drawing from a powerful talk by Hal Hirschfeld, she explores the importance of developing a relationship with your future self and how this connection can guide your actions today. Monique challenges the common notion of 'winning tomorrow tonight' and instead encourages you to cultivate a mindset that prioritizes being held, healthy, and whole.

Join Monique on this journey and learn how to make choices today that honor the vibrant, successful version of yourself you aspire to be. Tune in now!

MENTIONED

55 | When You Do The Most But Expect The Least: Letting Go Of Shrinking Yourself

GEMS DROPPED

“Making ​​tomorrow ​better ​today ​requires ​a ​commitment ​to ​certain ​rituals, ​certain ​behaviors ​​and ​it's ​in ​service of an ​investment ​in ​the ​version ​of ​you ​that ​will ​exist ​tomorrow ​because ​you've ​set ​her up ​for ​success. ​And ​those ​things ​are ​important.”

“We ​are ​struggling ​to ​occupy ​our ​future ​state ​of ​ourselves because ​we ​have ​no ​relationship ​with ​her. It’s like ​why ​would ​I ​sacrifice ​for ​you? ​I ​don't ​know ​you, ​girl. ​I ​don't ​know ​you.”

“There's ​different ​levels ​to ​when ​we ​talk ​about ​feeling ​embodied. ​I ​think ​it's ​like ​past, ​present ​and ​future ​self ​embodiment. ​There's ​something ​here ​that ​is ​moving ​across ​the ​dimensions ​of ​our ​life, ​not ​just ​today, ​that's ​really ​important.”

“Sacrifices ​are ​the ​hard-charging ​things ​that ​we ​do–the ​ways ​that ​we ​push ​ourselves ​harder ​to ​create ​a ​better ​future ​tomorrow. ​Sometimes ​the ​push, ​the ​really ​hard ​push ​is ​actually ​a ​deep ​​releasing ​of ​an ​attachment ​that ​we ​have ​today, ​or ​a ​belief ​that ​is ​actually ​holding ​our ​future ​self ​back. ​Sometimes ​the ​sacrifice ​is ​a ​gift.”

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In this week's episode, Monique tackles the complex relationship between risk and ambition, especially for women of color. Through compelling stories she illustrates the emotional turmoil that can accompany the pursuit of dreams and the importance of acknowledging and processing those feelings. She also emphasizes the power of self-awareness and creativity in overcoming fear and finding clarity in uncertain times.

Join in to discover how to redefine your understanding of risk and unlock your true potential.

GEMS DROPPED

“We ​will ​use ​the ​past ​to ​try ​to ​predict ​the ​future. ​Right. ​Because ​this ​is ​the ​thing ​with ​the ​women ​that ​I ​work ​with, ​they're ​not ​just ​saying, ‘​well, ​I'm ​scared ​of ​taking ​risks, ​so ​I ​don't ​even ​consider ​it’. You ​keep ​approaching ​the ​idea ​of ​taking ​those ​risks, ​but ​it's ​kind ​of ​torturing ​you ​because ​you ​keep ​approaching ​it, ​and ​then ​you ​keep ​hitting ​a ​wall. ​Everything ​feels ​too ​scary and ​so ​you're ​like, ​well, ​let ​me ​kind ​of ​think ​through my ​past–right? ​So ​there's ​this ​formula, ​and ​it ​feels ​like ​an ​airtight ​formula, ​and ​that's ​where ​we ​kind ​of ​get ​trapped, because if one or ​two ​of ​those ​variables ​feel ​off, you’re like ‘​ooh, ​the ​risk ​of ​failure ​is ​now ​high’. That ​automatically ​shuts ​us ​down.”

“Where ​do ​you ​have ​space ​to ​actually ​stop ​and ​feel? ​​You ​typically ​don't. And ​things ​are ​often ​happening ​fast. ​So ​you're ​trying ​to ​react, ​you're ​trying ​to ​think. ​You ​haven't ​gotten ​yourself ​any ​space, ​any ​room ​to ​feel ​what ​you're ​actually ​feeling. ​And ​that ​is ​what's ​keeping ​you ​trapped ​in ​that ​merry ​go ​round. ​There's ​no ​creativity ​available ​to ​you ​in that ​space because ​you're ​just ​trapped ​in ​cyclical, ​fear ​based ​thinking.”

“​I ​challenge ​you, if ​you're ​sitting ​with ​this ​kind ​of ​indecision, ​this ​fear ​around ​risk ​and ​this ​story, ​ ​to ​take ​a ​moment ​and ​see ​if ​you ​can, ​​which ​I ​know ​you ​can, ​​embrace ​the ​belief ​that ​I ​am ​someone ​who ​takes ​incredible ​risk ​​and ​finds ​success. ​I ​am ​the ​great ​I ​am. ​I ​am ​someone ​​who ​takes ​incredible ​risks ​and ​finds ​great ​success. ​ ​What ​would ​it ​be ​like ​to ​embrace ​that? ​​What ​are ​your ​earliest ​memories ​where ​that ​is ​true?”

“You ​cannot ​access creativity ​if ​the conditions ​that ​you ​have ​created ​for ​yourself ​to ​be ​creative ​have ​not ​been ​set.”

“Sometimes ​the ​way ​that ​we ​protect ​our ​imaginations is with our ​creativity, ​right? ​That's ​where ​it ​all ​flows ​from ​by ​allowing ​what ​is ​​arising ​in ​us that ​is ​keeping ​us ​stuck…​allowing ​it ​to ​flow ​through ​us ​and ​to ​inform ​us ​about ​any ​limitations ​that ​we're ​placing ​on ​ourselves, ​​any ​lies ​that ​we're ​telling ​ourselves, ​any ​old ​stories ​that ​are ​coming ​up ​and ​distorting how ​we ​believe, ​how ​we ​believe ​we ​can ​exist ​and ​what ​we ​believe ​that ​we ​can ​have. ​That's ​another ​way ​of ​protecting ​our ​imaginations.”

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What if the version of leadership that got you here is the very thing keeping you stuck? It’s time to grow and expand—not so you can carry more, but so you can finally live out your dream without the weight that’s been holding you back.

Join Monique as she speaks directly to high-achieving women like you—navigating the tension between your professional obligations and your personal ambitions. This isn’t about finding another tactic or quick fix. It’s about shifting your identity, cultivating an abundant mindset, and setting boundaries that protect your time and energy.

When you do that, you’ll start to reclaim your vision and attract the kind of opportunities that truly align with who you are becoming. Monique’s insights and strategies are here to help you break free from what’s no longer working and step boldly into the future you know is waiting for you.

GEMS DROPPED

“You've ​always ​known ​that ​where ​you're ​at ​right ​now ​is ​a ​stepping ​stone ​place. ​And ​​it ​may ​have ​given ​you ​really ​specific important ​things, but it's ​not ​meant ​to ​be your ​forever ​place, ​and ​you ​know ​that.”

“Because ​you're ​on ​this ​hamster ​wheel ​every ​day, it diminishes ​your vision, and ​it ​shrinks ​your ​capacity ​to ​exist ​as ​bigger.”

“Growing ​your ​skills ​to ​the ​point ​where ​you ​can ​now ​possess ​the ​dream. ​That's ​not ​actually ​how ​it ​works. ​You ​have ​to ​grow, ​expand ​yourself ​so ​that ​you ​begin ​to ​live ​out ​the ​dream. ​You ​begin ​to ​attract ​the ​dream.​ It ​begins ​to ​build ​within ​you ​and ​around ​you ​because ​you're ​operating ​that ​way.”

“I ​honestly ​don't ​​care ​who ​it ​is ​that ​is ​listening ​to ​my ​voice ​right ​now. ​If ​you're ​my ​girl and ​you're ​considering ​becoming ​better and expanding ​in ​your ​leadership, ​delegation ​is ​going ​to ​be ​a ​thing ​for ​you. ​Because ​we, ​as ​women, are ​actually ​socialized ​against ​delegation. ​We ​are ​socialized ​to ​show ​up ​for ​everybody ​in ​every ​way, ​for ​everything and ​so ​becoming ​better ​at delegating ​is ​absolutely ​something ​that ​we ​need ​to ​do. ​But ​here's ​the ​problem, getting ​better ​at ​delegating ​or ​delegate ​more ​is ​not ​the ​advice ​you ​need. ​What ​you ​need ​is ​the ​space ​to ​occupy a ​more ​abundant boss ​mindset.”

“This ​being ​too ​busy ​to ​connect ​with ​our ​dreams-the ​solving ​for ​the ​busyness, ​it ​does ​have ​to ​happen ​first. ​Like, ​you ​cannot, ​​you're ​not ​going ​to ​connect ​with ​an ​authentic ​dream ​from ​a ​place ​that ​feels rushed ​and ​constrained ​and ​overwhelmed ​and ​tight. ​Like, ​that's ​not ​the ​place ​that ​you ​want ​to ​be ​dreaming ​from. ​So ​we ​do ​have ​to ​solve ​for ​this ​first. But ​what ​I'm ​trying ​to ​say ​is ​that ​the ​solve ​starts ​at ​the ​identity ​level. ​The ​solve ​does ​not ​start ​at ​the ​tactics ​and ​the ​tricks.”

“​This ​is ​not ​about ​becoming ​better ​at ​carrying ​all ​these ​things ​that ​are ​just ​too ​much. ​It's ​about ​showing ​up ​in ​a ​way ​that ​protects ​you ​from more ​and ​more ​of ​the ​nonsense, ​and ​shifts ​you ​into ​a ​being ​that ​attracts ​the ​dream.”

EPISODES MENTIONED

Ep 15: Learning To Dream First
Ep 3: What Are You Playing For?

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Feeling overwhelmed by your ambitions? It's time for a mindset shift!

Join Monique as she dives into the struggles many ambitious women face as they juggle multiple responsibilities and aspirations. She explores the metaphor of spinning plates and overflowing buckets to illustrate the challenge of managing multiple identities—mother, partner, professional, and more—while yearning for growth.

In our latest episode, Monique discusses how to transform your self-concept and embrace a 10x growth approach. Press play to learn more.

GEMS DROPPED

“​You ​cannot ​do ​all the ​hard ​things. ​You ​don't ​need ​to ​do ​all the hard ​things. ​There ​is ​a ​human ​limit ​on ​your ​life, ​okay? ​There ​are ​human ​limitations, ​and ​we ​can ​push past ​many ​of ​those ​limitations. ​I ​understand ​the ​capacity ​of ​my ​woman. ​Like, ​a ​lot ​of ​y'all, ​you ​know ​you're ​built ​differently. ​I ​get ​that…But ​we ​also ​cannot ​disregard ​our ​very ​human, ​physical, ​spiritual, ​emotional ​existence, ​and ​try ​to ​step ​past ​it ​and ​think ​that ​there ​will ​be ​no ​consequences, ​because ​there ​will.”

“Let's ​be ​clear, ​the ​capitalist ​society ​that ​we ​are ​enshrouded ​in ​that ​surrounds ​all ​of ​this, ​that ​drives ​a ​lot ​of ​the ​unnecessary ​pressures ​that ​we place ​on ​ourselves.and ​these ​patterns, ​rhythms ​and ​the ​pace ​that ​we ​are ​all ​pushed ​into. We ​can ​never, ​never ​erase ​that ​context ​from ​the ​conversation. ​But what ​I ​want ​to ​speak ​about ​today ​is ​where ​you ​still ​have ​some ​agency ​and ​power. ​You ​still ​have ​quite ​a ​bit ​of ​agency ​and ​power to ​shift, ​to ​make ​a ​10x ​choice, ​to ​make ​a ​shift ​where ​you're ​not ​just ​doing ​a ​few ​things ​differently ​or ​trying ​to ​double ​your ​output ​in ​your ​doing, ​but ​that ​you ​get ​to ​become, ​that ​you ​shift ​the ​being ​of ​it ​all.”

“The ​environment, ​the ​relationships, ​the ​structure, the ​guidance--those ​things ​allow ​for ​a ​new ​self ​concept ​to ​emerge. ​It ​is ​one ​of ​the ​most ​powerful ​things ​that ​we ​can ​create ​space ​for ​in ​our ​lives. ​Because ​again, ​the ​situation ​that ​you ​are ​thinking ​about ​with ​what's ​the ​next ​phase ​of ​my ​career ​and ​how ​am ​I ​going ​to ​hold ​all ​of ​these ​things ​and ​what's ​going ​to ​happen ​with ​this ​or ​that? ​Like, ​those ​aren't ​the ​questions. ​The ​topic ​is ​not ​the ​topic. ​You ​are ​the ​topic. ​Okay. ​Who ​you ​consider ​yourself ​to ​be, ​how ​you ​self ​conceptualize, that ​is ​the ​topic ​at ​hand. ​That ​is ​how ​we ​can ​shift ​from 2x ​possibility, ​that's ​going ​to ​keep ​us ​overrun ​in ​old ​identities ​to ​a ​10x ​possibility ​because ​we've ​allowed ​ourselves ​to ​fundamentally ​change, ​to ​allow ​ourselves ​to ​fundamentally ​shift.”

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In this deeply personal episode, Monique shares the behind-the-scenes story of her biggest self-investments—from surprise trips and $15K coaching programs to community spaces that changed everything. She walks us through the fears, mindset shifts, and identity upgrades that come with choosing yourself.

As busy ambitious women, we don't have time to piece together every self-help book and DIY our way to transformation. You don’t have to do this alone. Monique is spilling all the tea as she discusses the financial aspects of her investments, the importance of mentorship, and the invaluable lessons learned along the way.

This conversation is your reminder that betting on yourself isn’t just bold—it’s necessary.

GEMS DROPPED

“I ​want ​to ​be ​a ​solution ​to ​isolation. Self-investment ​is ​one ​less ​thing ​that ​you ​need ​to ​figure ​out ​and ​DIY—to let someone else hold you. This ​is ​how ​I ​have ​been ​held ​and ​continue ​to ​find ​ways ​to ​make ​sure ​that ​I ​am ​held, ​and ​I'm ​making ​sure ​that ​I ​take ​my ​skills ​and ​offer ​it ​to y'all.”

“​I ​have a ​firm ​belief that if you are not willing to invest in the thing that you are offering to other people—then what are you doing in that profession?"

“​The networks we were building a decade ago may not serve the vision we’re trying to live out now. ​It's ​a ​lot ​more ​efficient ​​and ​it's ​a ​lot ​more ​effective to ​be ​in ​community ​with, ​​in ​council ​with ​someone ​or ​some ​group ​that ​gets ​it, ​that ​is ​trying ​to ​do ​the ​same ​or ​very ​similar ​things ​that ​you ​are ​trying ​to ​do.”

“​I ​know ​many ​of ​y'all ​listening ​are ​good ​students. ​You're ​like, ‘​I ​can ​learn ​anything. You ​can ​put ​me ​in ​front ​of ​a ​stack ​of ​books, ​baby, and ​I ​will ​read ​the ​research ​papers. ​I ​will ​watch ​all ​the ​videos ​and ​the ​documentaries. ​I ​know ​how ​to ​learn ​things’. ​It ​is ​not ​the ​same ​thing ​as ​forming ​a ​whole new ​self -concept.​ That ​requires ​relationship, that ​requires ​a ​new ​environment, it ​requires ​challenging ​limiting ​beliefs ​and ​somebody ​that ​can ​help ​you ​see ​your ​blind ​spots. ​If ​you ​want ​to ​do ​that ​with ​speed ​and ​not ​isolated, ​​it's ​available ​to ​you.”

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Are you feeling overwhelmed and overworked? In our latest episode, Monique explores the transformative power of rest and how it can revolutionize your productivity.

Drawing inspiration from a recent gathering of high-achieving Black women, she addresses the overwhelming exhaustion that often accompanies leadership roles, motherhood, and societal pressures. Monique also introduces seven actionable steps to help us combat overwhelm and create meaningful space in our lives. From fostering community support to establishing clear priorities and making time visible, she provides a roadmap for reclaiming control over our schedules.

Tune in now to discover how rest can be your greatest ally in achieving your goals!

GEMS DROPPED

"We ​point ​to ​time ​management ​just ​because ​it ​is a ​buzz ​phrase for when things start to feel out of whack, when your focus is too scattered and spread. You look back over a day or a month and think: I was busy and ​I ​know ​I ​got ​some ​things ​done, but what just happened? And ​why ​do ​I ​feel ​like ​nothing ​is ​getting ​done although ​I'm ​doing ​all ​of ​the ​things? What ​this ​actually ​ends ​up ​boiling ​down ​to ​is ​less ​about ​time ​management and ​more ​about ​the ​courage ​to ​actually ​stop ​everything. An ​aggressive ​stop can feel impossible. It can feel indulgent.”

"With growth comes breaking. When something new is born, something else has to die. ​And ​taking ​account ​of ​that ​and ​anticipating ​it ​ahead ​of ​time, ​before ​you're ​too ​broken ​to ​pull ​yourself ​back ​together. ​That's a ​tough ​practice."

“For ​my women ​of ​color ​and ​moms, ​the ​courage ​​to ​stop ​everything ​feels ​like ​we're ​taking ​something ​away ​from ​someone ​else. ​To ​stop ​for ​ourselves ​feels ​like ​theft. ​To rest can feel spoiled, privileged, or entitled—but that belief is cultural conditioning. We’ve been trained to demonize the part of us that wants to rest, that needs a break. If you're not producing, then who are you? What are you worth? That lie holds us back. What ​I've ​discovered is the less I do, the more I get done. And ​I ​want ​to ​offer ​that ​to ​you ​today. ​The ​less ​you ​do, ​the ​more ​you ​can ​get ​done. ​”

“Stopping for yourself is not selfish—it’s strategy. Build a practice that includes rest, not as a reward, but as part of the process."

“​When ​we ​give ​ourselves ​away, ​we ​give ​our ​energy ​and ​our ​time ​away ​for ​other ​people ​to ​control, ​for ​other ​people ​to ​tell ​us ​what ​we ​can ​and ​should ​do ​with ​our ​time ​and ​our ​energy. There's a ​cost. And ​you're ​probably ​suffering ​that ​cost ​if ​this ​is ​the ​existence ​that ​you're ​in ​right ​now ​where ​you're ​not ​creating ​aggressive ​space ​for ​yourself.”

“Whether ​you ​work ​for ​yourself ​or ​you ​work ​for ​someone ​else, ​​it's ​incredibly ​important ​to ​create ​sacred ​space ​for ​yourself and ​to ​do ​so ​as ​aggressively ​as ​you ​possibly ​can ​​and ​to ​hold ​it ​​firm. ​Do ​not ​let ​others ​in. Not ​only ​can ​you ​not ​let ​other ​people ​onto ​your ​calendar, ​you ​can't ​let ​your ​little ​productivity ​self ​in ​either. Focus ​on ​what ​you ​need ​and ​what ​those ​priorities ​are ​and ​let ​it ​flow.”

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