Ambition Without Compromise

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!When a message about choosing your wholeness reaches 100,000 people, you stop and ask, why does this land so hard? Monique did exactly that, and this episode is her thinking out loud about what she found.She gets real about why so many high-capacity women are stuck waiting for an environment to change before they give themselves permission to shift, why visibility feels terrifying when your whole professional identity has been built around what you can endure, and why community is not a nice-to-have, it is the actual mechanism of change.GEMS DROPPED"There's no magic pill number thats like, hey girl, watch these, these three videos and now you will have a more holistic, whole self centered version of success. That's not really how this works. That's not how anything works in terms of creating a transformation in your life."“What I have found to be the single most important driver is what community that you are in, who is speaking into you, or who is not, and how you have had a chance to practice being different inside of community that is a lot more aligned to who it is that you wish to be.""We start to develop pride around our ability to endure. And then we start to develop our identity. Our whole person, our whole professional personality starts to get built around what we can endure. And we will talk about it loud and proud.""You are in control of what environment you choose to put yourself in. Even if the choice is hard. Even if it's like, oh, but this environment pays me a whole lot of money. Even though I am not emotionally safe here, I am choosing to be here. You can never forget that that is your choice.""Until you feel yourself behaving different, you will not become different.""The inner voices that we have — as far as I know, not a psychologist — that inner sabotage, those voices that come up from us, they are not ours. They're not ours.""If you really allowed yourself to fill the depths of what you were truly hungry for, the appetite that you really have for, satisfaction in your work, for feeling aligned more with your values, for feeling safe in meetings, to speak up and to be who it is that you naturally are being, you know, that you naturally want to be and who you actually are, to establish relationships with anybody along any level or whatever, you know, inside your organization, that was truly satisfied, the appetite is humongous.""My old pastor used to say this. He said, your blessings are locked up in other people. Every blessing you desire, hope for, pray for in this world is locked up in another person."LINKSYouTube channel Join Monique’s NewsletterJoin Monique’s CLAIMED Group Coaching Program WaitlistSTAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!Today’s episode is about finding real momentum. Recently, a few of my past clients reached out to share the incredible wins they are celebrating. It honestly blows me away to see the real-world impact of our work together, and I know their stories will hit home for you.Like a lot of women, I used to play small. But reading those messages right before recording this episode reminded me of what actually happens when you stop ignoring your gut and pursue the work you care about. Too many of us hide our talents because we think our work isn't perfect, or that we need another degree, or that nobody will care.Trust your experience. Stop waiting for outside permission to feel qualified. You are ready, you have earned this, and nothing is stopping you. You just have to take the first step. So if you’re holding onto a business idea or a creative project you keep putting off, just build it. Someone out there needs your exact perspective.GEMS DROPPED“If there is something that you know that you're just good at, or that you're just drawn to, it's like you have this creative inkling to go and put out into the world, someone is waiting on you. Someone is waiting on you…it's going to matter for someone in the end. You don't know how these things are going to take shape”.“I know that there is someone, there are a lot of us, who are sitting on our visions who are sitting on our talents, or we're just minimizing, the baddest, most exciting and dopest parts of ourselves”“It  doesn't have to look a certain way for you to get out. Take the thing that you know is in you and just give it like you mean it.”“No good ever comes from us thinking of ourselves as insignificant or not significant enough”“Don't wait to offer the most real, the most true, the most honest parts of who you are to the world. Don't wait for someone to tell you that it's time. Don't wait for someone to tell you that it's okay. Don't wait for someone to tell you that you're worthy”.   “Courage takes time, I think to build… time and testing.  You have to put yourself out there in small ways, and build and build and build until you can look back and see, oh, wow, look how much I've grown. Look how much I can offer. Look what I can do, right? Sometimes it just does take time to, see our magic”.“it doesn't actually take time to extract your magic, it's already there. Like, you don't need to package it, you don't need to do anything else with it, someone is waiting on it”.“The community that you've been waiting for, the community that you have desired and wanted. Actually, it's on the other side of you offering your most true and honest self”. “There's a connection on the other side of you offering your, whatever your thing is. There is a community, there is a person, there is a human being who is waiting for your bat signal so they can be drawn to you so that you can connect for your purpose”. “Doing what you were called to do, showing up as you're meant to show up in the world is not easy. It's going to force you to confront things that make you feel deeply uncomfortable, things that make you feel terrified. And it's not to minimize the fear, it's not to minimize the feelings of terror, those feelings can be real, those feelings are yours, and they are real. And you could give yourself permission to hold those feelings and to just do it messy”.MENTIONSEpisode 07 | Being "Worthy" Of The PivotSTAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!In this encore episode, Monique tackles the complex relationship between risk and ambition, especially for women of color. Through personal stories, she explores the emotions that come with pursuing dreams and why it’s important to acknowledge and work through those feelings. She also shares how self-awareness and creativity can help you face fear and find clarity when things seem chaotic.Join in to discover how to change your perspective on risk and make progress on your own terms.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?”“Remembering the ​truth ​of ​our ​resources, ​remembering ​the ​truth ​of ​our ​history, ​of ​our ​strengths, ​of ​our ​access, ​of ​our ​instincts, ​ ​remembering ​​the ​fullness ​of ​that ​truth, ​it ​changes ​how ​we ​sit ​with ​things ​that ​feel ​like ​risk, ​that ​are ​important ​to ​us, ​that ​we ​want ​to ​move ​through, ​that ​we ​are ​tired ​of ​approaching ​​once ​a ​quarter ​and ​not ​knowing ​how ​to ​push ​ourselves ​through.”“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.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!In this episode, Monique talks directly to women of color about how to stop just getting by and start actually moving forward. When everything feels messy and unpredictable, it is hard to find the headspace to think about growth. Monique gets real about why you need to know where you stand in your own healing and how to handle the nerves that pop up when you start betting on yourself. Listen in for some real-world steps to help you plan for what is next and build the grit you need to handle whatever life throws at you.MENTIONEDTressi (Tressie McMillan Cottom)LINKSYouTube channel Join Monique’s NewsletterGEMS DROPPED“The ​fact ​of ​the ​matter ​is ​that ​investing ​is ​a ​future ​oriented ​opportunity, ​A ​​future ​oriented ​exercise. ​You ​have ​to ​be ​focused ​on ​what ​is ​here ​and ​what ​is ​available ​to ​me ​going ​forward. ​If ​you ​are ​trapped ​in ​the ​never ​again, ​you ​can't ​properly ​assess ​and ​attach ​yourself ​to ​the ​return ​on ​a ​future ​investment. ​Like ​you ​won't ​take ​the ​time ​to ​plant ​the ​seeds ​because ​you ​are ​not ​familiar ​with ​or ​you're ​not ​engaging ​with ​the ​sweetness ​of ​that ​future ​fruit.”“The ​first ​thing ​I ​want ​to ​acknowledge ​is ​that ​​it's ​really ​hard ​to ​leap ​into ​a ​season ​of ​​thriving, ​a ​season ​of  ​acceleration. ​​It's ​hard ​to ​accelerate ​when ​you're ​still ​recovering. ​​And ​I ​think ​we ​have ​to ​be ​honest ​with ​ourselves ​about ​that ​because you ​can't ​shortcut a ​recovery ​process. ​​You ​can't ​skip ​past ​or ​circumvent ​a ​​wound ​that ​is ​still ​healing.”“It's ​still ​hard ​to ​believe ​ ​and ​rest ​in ​our ​​seasons ​of ​abundance ​when ​our ​hearts, ​our ​spirits ​are ​still ​trapped ​in the ​story ​of ​recovery ​or ​actual ​recovery.”“What we gained through our challenges is just as important as the pain we experienced. Both are true.” STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields or YouTube and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!Starting a business is often sold as an exciting path to success. But for many women of color, the reality of entrepreneurship is usually a lot messier.This week, Monique gets real about the unglamorous side of building a multi six-figure business and shares the personal experiences that helped her handle the hard parts of the journey. She also talks about the stuff that actually matters, like setting your prices, knowing what your work is worth, and how to deal with those feelings of being a "fraud" that show up when it is time to sell your services.Tune in to learn how to get into the right headspace, feel good about your pricing, and build the confidence you need to actually grow your business. LINKSYouTube channel Join Monique’s NewsletterGEMS DROPPED“To ​build ​a ​multi ​six ​figure ​business ​and ​to ​sell ​what ​it ​is ​that ​you ​do ​for ​five ​and ​six ​figures ​sustainably, it ​is ​not ​magic, it ​is ​about ​having ​the ​patience ​to ​learn ​what ​your ​value ​is. ​It ​is ​about ​finding ​peace ​with ​the ​discomfort ​in ​the ​process ​and ​it ​is ​about ​releasing ​your ​attachment ​to ​asking ​reasonable ​questions. ​This ​is ​not ​a ​science, ​it's ​a ​practice.”“Just ​based ​on ​the ​research that shows as ​a ​woman, we ​deeply ​undersell ​ourselves ​or ​​discount ​ourselves, ​I ​think ​you ​should ​just ​lean ​towards ​overcharging ​because ​that's ​probably ​what's ​going ​to ​just ​even ​get ​you ​within ​the ​band ​of ​what's ​reasonable.”“Pricing ​and ​what ​people ​pay ​for ​things ​and ​buyer ​psychology ​is ​so ​subjective. ​​The ​longer ​that ​I ​have ​been ​running ​a ​business ​or ​I ​guess ​the ​more ​confidence ​I've ​grown ​in ​believing ​that ​you ​can ​charge ​anything ​for ​anything.”“​I ​also ​just ​generally ​think ​that ​entrepreneurial ​skills ​are ​beautiful ​life ​skills ​to ​build. ​I ​think ​I ​feel ​so ​much ​more ​connected ​to ​myself ​as ​someone ​who ​works ​for ​myself ​because ​soup ​to ​nuts, ​like, ​I ​have ​to ​imagine ​a ​future ​that ​I ​just ​create ​out ​of ​my ​head ​and ​then ​I've ​got ​to ​figure ​out ​how ​to ​make ​it ​happen. ​I ​think ​that ​that ​is ​an ​incredible ​skill ​set ​to ​have.”“I ​don't ​necessarily ​believe ​that ​we ​need ​to ​be ​doing ​free ​work ​all ​over ​the ​place. ​This ​is ​a ​capitalist ​society. ​And ​I ​think ​that ​if ​you're ​delivering ​value, ​even ​if ​you're ​new ​at ​doing ​a ​thing, ​value ​is ​value. ​So ​when ​there ​are ​opportunities ​for ​you ​to ​get ​paid, ​ask ​to ​be ​paid, ​and ​if ​somebody ​doesn't ​have ​the ​budget ​for ​it, ​then ​you ​can ​have ​that ​conversation.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields or YouTube and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!Ladies, it's time to embrace our mess! Because our mess has the most to offer us.In our latest episode, Monique shares her transformative experience with a group of women who bravely confronted their struggles and emotions. Each woman, while successful in her own right, expressed feelings of falling short in various aspects of life—be it motherhood, relationships, or career. This candid discussion highlights a common theme: the burden of perfectionism and the unrealistic standards that high achieving women often impose on themselves.Join in to find out how accepting your mess can give you real clarity and a better way to connect with who you really are.LINKSYouTube channel Join Monique’s NewsletterGEMS DROPPED“I ​think ​this ​is ​the ​nature ​of ​high ​achievement, ​where ​we ​feel ​we're ​coming ​up ​short ​because ​the ​bar ​is ​way, ​way, ​way ​too ​high. ​And ​that, ​way, ​way, ​way, ​way ​too ​high ​bar ​serves ​us ​in ​many ​ways ​throughout ​our ​life. ​And ​so ​it's ​tricky ​when ​that ​same ​strength ​becomes ​your ​greatest ​weakness. Having ​an ​extremely ​high ​bar ​in ​life, ​​when ​you ​don't ​wield ​it ​with ​intention, ​with ​thoughtfulness, ​is a ​lot ​of ​suffering.”“If ​you ​allow ​it, ​if ​you submit ​to ​yourself, ​​you ​get ​to ​find ​that ​the ​message ​​is ​not ​actually ​too ​much ​for ​anybody.““Many ​people ​won't ​take ​that ​step, ​won't ​move ​past ​that ​threshold, ​that ​marker ​of ​control, ​​that ​line ​of ​demarcation, ​because ​they ​believe ​if ​they ​start ​crying, ​ ​if ​they ​start ​raging, ​if ​they ​let ​the ​sadness ​out, ​the ​confusion ​out, ​that ​they'll ​never ​stop. ​That ​it ​feels ​so ​vast ​and ​so ​deep ​that ​no ​one ​can ​contain ​it. ​No ​one ​would ​be ​able ​to ​hold ​the ​space ​for ​it. ​And ​it ​feels ​unending. be. ​It's ​never ​as ​scary ​as ​you ​think ​it's going ​to ​be. ​And ​when ​you ​allow ​yourself ​to ​let ​some ​of ​that ​steam ​out ​of ​the ​pot, ​you ​allow ​yourself ​to ​be ​out ​loud ​in ​your ​mess, ​like ​you ​just ​kind ​of ​relinquish ​control, ​again ​in ​safe ​held ​space, ​that ​you ​get ​to ​meet ​the ​side ​of ​yourself ​that ​you've ​been ​dying ​to ​meet.”“Our ​mess ​has ​the ​most ​to ​offer ​us, ​our ​mess ​has ​​the ​peace ​that ​we're ​craving, ​our ​mess ​has ​the ​creativity ​that ​we ​can't ​access, ​​our ​mess ​is ​where ​our ​compass ​lies ​in ​seasons ​of ​life, ​where ​we ​feel ​so ​lost.”“Just ​because ​somebody ​is ​feeling ​fragile ​in ​a ​moment, ​somebody ​is ​breaking ​and ​cracking ​in ​a ​moment, ​doesn't ​mean ​that ​that ​is ​who ​they ​are. ​That ​fragility ​is ​something ​that ​we ​experience ​sometimes, ​that ​we ​move ​through, ​that ​we ​learn ​from,  ​that ​we ​need ​to ​just ​be ​with. ​And ​then ​you ​find ​your ​way. ​We ​are ​all ​whole.”“​It ​is ​a ​practice. It ​is ​a ​skill. ​It ​is ​a ​capacity ​to ​build ​within ​yourself. ​And ​it ​takes ​a ​lot ​of ​strength ​and ​willingness ​and ​just ​faith ​​that ​you ​can ​allow ​yourself ​to ​be ​seen ​by ​yourself ​and ​by ​others, ​to ​be ​witnessed ​as ​well, ​at ​your ​most ​honest, ​​at ​your ​most ​real ​and ​raw.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields or YouTube and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!In this episode, Monique examines the struggle many women face when longing to reconnect with a former version of themselves. She addresses the common longing of wanting to "get back" to who they used to be, exploring the nuances of this desire in the context of new life chapters. Through an insightful coaching conversation with a woman who feels lost after stepping back from her career to raise her child, Monique highlights the challenges of balancing motherhood with personal aspirations.Tune in to hear the full conversation and gain practical steps to reignite your creativity and confidence while walking through your individual journey.LINKSYouTube channel Join Monique’s NewsletterGEMS DROPPED“In ​retrospect, ​when ​you ​get ​to ​this ​stage ​of ​life ​and ​you ​have ​children ​and ​your ​priorities ​change, ​your ​rhythms ​change, you ​sometimes ​miss ​parts ​of ​yourself ​​that ​felt ​less ​​encumbered, ​that ​felt ​like ​you ​had ​less ​constraints.”“You're ​never ​going ​​to ​be ​unencumbered ​the ​way ​that ​you ​were ​10, ​15, ​20 ​years ​ago. ​Wherever ​that ​version ​of ​you ​is ​that ​you're ​looking ​back ​to, ​she's ​not ​coming ​back. She's ​never ​going ​to ​come ​to the present ​day ​to ​rescue ​you ​from ​this, ​your ​current ​context ​and ​the ​current ​place ​that ​you ​feel ​stuck ​in.”“​It's ​not ​that ​we ​necessarily ​have ​to ​resent ​where ​we're ​at ​today, ​but ​when ​we ​want ​to ​go ​forward ​and ​we ​don't ​feel ​like ​we ​have ​the ​tools ​that ​we ​need ​today, ​we'll ​reach ​backward ​to ​a ​version ​of ​ourselves ​that ​cannot ​help ​us ​in ​our ​new ​context. ​I ​do ​love ​connecting ​with ​former ​versions ​of ​ourselves ​in ​some ​instances, ​but ​she ​can't ​be ​the ​captain ​of ​this ​ship. ​You're ​the ​captain ​now. ​She ​was ​equipped ​for ​the ​season ​that ​she ​came ​through. ​She’s ​obviously ​laid ​some ​groundwork ​for ​you ​to ​be ​who ​you ​are ​today. ​​But ​we ​can't ​go ​back ​searching ​for ​that ​version ​of ​ourselves ​to ​fully ​direct ​where ​we're ​going ​next.”“We cannot ​compare ​our ​capacity ​or ​our ​experience ​or ​our ​own ​energy ​to ​that ​of ​other ​people. We ​all ​have ​different ​boundaries ​and ​limitations ​and ​you ​should ​be ​assessing ​that ​on ​an ​individual ​basis. ​If ​you ​want ​to ​push ​through, it's ​an ​individual ​assessment and ​you ​understand ​how ​you ​want ​to ​define ​the ​bounds ​of ​limitation ​for ​yourself.” “You ​can ​​at ​the ​end ​of ​the ​day, ​write ​down ​one ​thing ​that ​you ​found ​beautiful ​or ​inspiring ​or ​unique ​or ​curious. ​What's ​one ​little ​thing ​to ​begin ​to ​train ​your ​brain ​​to ​focus ​on ​a ​little ​bit ​more, ​to ​begin ​to ​grow ​that ​relationship, ​to ​begin ​to ​feel a connection to creativity ​again. ​It ​can ​be ​small. ​These ​things ​don't ​have ​to ​be ​grand. Oftentimes ​it ​is ​just ​these ​little ​small ​commitments, ​these ​very ​simple ​revelations ​that ​we ​just ​have ​to ​respond ​to ​that ​will ​make ​all ​the ​difference. ​It's ​those ​incremental ​things ​over ​time. That ​is ​how ​people ​win.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields or YouTube and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!In today’s fast-paced world, the conversation about community matters more than ever, especially in a time when isolation is one of the biggest challenges many women are facing. In this episode, Monique breaks down the huge difference between simply being in a room with people and being in a space where someone can truly say, “I’m in the right place. This is where I belong.” She explores why so many women leave group programs, masterminds, and memberships feeling underwhelmed, not because the space was “bad,” but because it wasn’t curated with the depth, specificity, and psychological safety needed for real transformation.Monique unpacks what aligned community actually means, why group size and curation matter, and how to stop settling for spaces that force women back into survival when they are seeking spaces that support thriving. Tune in for a deeper conversation on discernment, alignment, and how to find a space that truly supports growth, belonging, and becoming more of who you are.LINKSYouTube channel Join Monique’s NewsletterApply for her upcoming Retreat March 1-4, 2026 in Palm Springs, CAGEMS DROPPED“There ​is ​a ​huge ​difference ​between ​finding ​community ​and being ​in ​a ​room ​where ​you ​can ​look ​to ​your ​left, ​you ​can ​look ​to ​your ​right ​and ​say, ​”I'm ​in ​the ​right ​place. ​This ​is ​where ​I ​belong. ​I'm ​so ​glad ​I'm ​here. This ​is ​making ​sense.”“Aligned community has ​to ​be ​one ​of ​the ​most ​overused ​phrases ​and ​I ​think ​that ​we ​don't ​really ​know ​what ​alignment ​is ​and ​what ​it ​actually ​requires.”“​Group ​size ​matters when ​you ​are ​trying ​to ​actually ​grow ​your ​network, when ​you ​are ​actually ​trying ​to ​grow ​yourself,  ​not ​just ​up ​level ​your ​skills, ​but ​you ​are ​trying ​to ​see ​yourself ​evolve, ​move ​past ​a ​lot ​of ​those ​internal ​barriers, ​the ​things ​that ​are ​scaring ​you. ​Like ​the ​extremely ​vulnerable, ​interpersonal, ​internal ​work. ​So ​who's ​in ​the ​room ​and ​what ​connection ​you ​feel ​to ​those ​folks ​really ​matters.”“You ​have ​to ​know ​what ​your ​goals ​are. ​If ​your ​goals ​are ​things ​like ​exposure ​or ​inspiration ​or ​like ​broad ​networking, ​larger ​rooms ​can ​work ​beautifully. ​But ​if ​your ​goal ​is ​actually ​identity ​transformation, ​​you ​want ​to ​become ​different. ​If ​your ​goal ​is ​depth ​and ​community, y​ou ​want ​to ​feel ​connected, ​begin ​to ​establish ​new ​bonds ​with ​people, size ​matters. ​ ​No ​one's ​going ​to ​tell ​you ​that. ​But ​I'm ​telling ​you ​that ​today.”“​​High ​quality ​rooms ​create ​transferable ​insights.​That ​is ​the ​goal.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields or YouTube and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!If you’ve been telling yourself you’re “just not disciplined enough,” this episode is your permission slip to stop weaponizing that story.Because the truth is you’re trying to create from a body that’s depleted.In this episode, Monique names what so many high-achieving women experience: you can hold a crystal-clear creative vision for years… and still shut down the moment you finally have time to work on it. Not because you’re lazy. Not because you don’t want it badly enough. But because pressure and creativity don’t thrive in the same conditions.Tune in as Monique breaks down why execution can happen under adrenaline, urgency, and cortisol, but creation requires something else and offers a grounded shift that changes everything.LINKSYouTube channel Join Monique’s NewsletterApply for her upcoming Retreat March 1-4, 2026 in Palm Springs, CAGEMS DROPPED“You ​don't ​actually ​lack ​discipline. ​You're ​just ​trying ​to ​create ​from ​a ​body ​that ​is ​truly, ​completely ​depleted.”“​Rest ​is ​not ​a ​reward ​that ​you ​get ​after ​you ​create. ​It's ​the ​requirement ​before ​you ​do.”“You ​can't ​solve ​for ​your ​dream ​from ​the ​same ​place ​you ​produce ​from ​for ​your ​job. ​​That ​place ​​is ​pressure. The kind ​of ​pressure ​that ​has ​depleted ​you.” “There ​is ​a ​middle ​space between ​burnout, ​which ​we ​have ​to ​acknowledge. And ​what ​I ​think ​is ​in ​that ​middle ​space ​is ​restoration.“STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields or YouTube and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!In this episode, Monique explores a moment so many high-achieving women experience. That moment an opportunity appears and you quietly start building a case for why you shouldn’t take it.Using the launch of her new YouTube channel as a real-time example, Monique shares what it looks like to move forward without waiting to feel “ready.” She unpacks the familiar fears that often surface when visibility increases, such as What if it flops? What if people judge me? What if I’m not enough? and offers a grounded reframe.For anyone sitting on a pivot, a transition, or a new chapter, Monique encourages you to shoot the shot, stop self-disqualifying and see what happens. LINKSJoin Monique’s NewsletterApply for her upcoming Retreat March 1-4, 2026 in Palm Springs, CAGEMS DROPPED“​Don't ​count ​yourself ​out ​before ​​you ​give ​it ​a ​shot.”“We ​have ​this ​​very ​interesting ​relationship ​to ​our ​achievements ​as ​high ​achievers ​where ​it's ​like ​as ​soon ​as ​you ​achieve ​something, ​you ​write ​it ​off. ​It's ​just ​like, ​okay, ​on ​to ​the ​next.We ​have ​just ​been ​dismissing ​over ​and ​over ​and ​over ​again, ​not ​enoughing ​over ​and ​over ​and ​over ​again. ​Through ​every milestone, ​every ​point ​of ​new ​expansion, ​every ​big ​lesson ​learned, ​or every ​iInternal ​shift. These are huge ​things, but ​we ​discount ​​so ​much ​of ​it.”“​I ​don't ​know ​what ​it ​is ​that ​you ​might ​be ​facing. What it is ​that ​you're ​hesitating ​to ​go ​for,  ​to ​toss ​your ​hat ​in ​the ​ring ​for, ​to ​apply ​for, ​​to ​step ​into, ​a ​phone ​call ​that ​you ​have ​been ​holding ​off ​on ​making, ​there's ​a ​person ​that ​you ​want ​to ​mentor ​you, ​​someone ​that ​you ​want ​to ​connect ​with, ​anywhere ​you ​want ​to ​be. ​Shoot ​your ​shot. ​Shoot ​your ​shot.”“Whatever ​the ​thing ​is ​that ​you ​are ​holding ​yourself ​back ​on, ​​with ​intention,​ shoot ​your ​shot. ​Stop ​counting ​yourself ​out  ​and ​see ​what ​happens. ​​Know ​that ​you ​can ​cope ​and ​that ​you ​will ​grow. ​Guaranteed. ​In ​any ​case, ​you ​will ​grow. ““​​We ​have ​to ​push ​ourselves ​into ​​new ​limits. ​And ​I ​think especially ​to take ​emotional ​risks. ​These ​are ​the ​things ​that ​make ​us ​feel ​very ​vulnerable. ​​Oftentimes ​we ​feel ​a ​lot ​more ​equipped ​to ​take professional ​risks, ​tactical ​risks, ​strategic ​risks. ​But we ​don't ​always ​want ​to ​take ​the ​emotional ​risk. And ​the ​emotional ​risk ​is ​​where ​it's ​at. ​That's ​where ​you're ​going ​to ​see ​yourself ​transform.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields or YouTube and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!In ​this ​day ​and ​age ​when ​​there ​are ​a ​lot ​of ​things ​that ​want ​to ​stifle ​our ​dreams ​and ​stifle ​our ​energy ​and our ​creativity ​about ​what ​it ​is ​that ​we ​can ​build ​or ​do ​or ​how ​we ​can ​exist ​in ​the ​world, we need support with dreaming. In this episode, Monique shares what came up during a recent dream session she led with her clients, and why making space for self-reflection and imaginative play is such a powerful (and necessary) practice. You’ll hear her unpack our relationship with dreaming and the ongoing work of becoming, not the version of yourself that gets approval, but the version that feels true. She also offers a gentle but clear shift: instead of chasing external validation, start paying attention to what you actually desire, because those internal cues are often the most honest fuel for your ambition.If your dreams have been feeling distant, smaller, or harder to access lately, this conversation will help you reconnect. Tune in, explore what’s calling you forward, and take one small step toward reclaiming your dreams.GEMS DROPPED“​Dreaming ​can ​feel ​really ​tough, ​especially ​for ​women ​who ​are ​positioned ​to ​be ​the ​caretakers ​of ​this ​world ​in ​our ​communities, ​in ​our ​families, ​​in ​our ​offices, everywhere ​we ​go.  ​And ​so we ​get ​wrapped ​up ​in ​what ​everybody ​else ​needs.”“To ​have ​a ​relationship ​to ​the ​dream, ​which ​is ​like ​more ​of ​a ​destination ​positioning, ​as ​opposed ​to ​having ​a ​relationship ​to ​dreaming, ​which ​is ​the ​act ​​of ​creating, ​engaging ​with ​the ​dream. ​I ​think ​the ​line ​of ​delineation ​there ​is ​​one ​points ​to ​where ​am ​I ​supposed ​to ​go ​or ​and ​how ​am ​I ​supposed ​to ​go ​there. ​The ​other ​one ​points ​to ​who ​am ​I ​supposed ​to ​be and ​so ​that's ​the ​question ​​I'll ​pose ​to ​you, ​which is who ​it ​is ​that ​you're ​trying ​to ​be?”“The ​dream ​is ​really ​just ​a ​byproduct ​or ​a ​symptom ​of ​​you ​being ​who ​you ​are ​meant ​to ​be ​​expressed ​as here and ​now, ​right? ​Are ​you ​behaving ​as ​her? ​Are ​you ​existing ​as ​her? ​Are ​you ​at ​the ​energetic ​frequency? It's ​just ​what ​happens.”“Whether ​or ​not ​we ​know ​it, ​y', ​all, ​we ​have ​mantras ​running ​through ​our ​heads ​every ​day. ​Directing ​our ​beliefs, ​directing ​our ​actions, ​​all ​of ​our ​choices. You're ​already ​running ​off ​of ​a ​mantra, ​and ​it ​is ​your ​job ​to, as ​often ​as ​you ​can, ​examine ​what ​is ​the ​mantra ​that ​I'm ​living ​by ​right ​now. ​What ​is ​the ​track ​that ​is ​running ​through ​my ​mind ​that ​is ​directing ​my ​thoughts, ​my ​emotions, ​my ​behaviors, what's ​in ​there ​​and ​is ​it ​serving ​me? ​Because ​sometimes ​it ​is, ​and ​sometimes ​it ​isn't. ​Many ​times, ​especially ​in ​a ​season ​where ​you ​are ​triggered ​by ​fear ​and ​overwhelm, ​those ​kinds ​of ​things, they ​don't ​come ​from ​nowhere, ​and ​they ​don't ​have ​an ​impact. ​That's ​just ​external. ​It's ​like ​your ​mind ​is ​running ​on ​something. ​And ​so ​we’ve ​got ​to ​get ​a ​hold ​of ​our ​thoughts, ​and ​we ​have ​to ​replace ​our ​thoughts.”“Your ​dream ​is ​about ​who ​you ​wish ​to ​be. How ​you ​wish ​to ​be ​expressed ​in ​the ​world. ​It's ​not ​about ​the ​destination ​or ​the ​accomplishments. ​It's ​about ​how ​you ​want ​to ​feel ​about ​yourself. ​​The ​kind ​of ​woman ​who ​is. The ​kind ​of ​woman ​who ​does. ​The ​kind ​of ​woman ​who ​exists. Are ​you ​willing ​to ​put ​her ​at ​risk ​to ​make ​other ​people ​feel ​better?”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields or YouTube and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!In this introspective episode, Monique shares her self-discovery journey and what it’s taught her about shifting her relationship with money and consumption.You’ll hear how she’s approaching better money management through a low-buy challenge, plus the real lessons she’s carrying forward from past accountability efforts in other parts of her life.This conversation is a reminder that financial wellness isn’t meant to be done alone. When we name what’s true, share the messy parts, and ask for support, we create a healthier, more fulfilling relationship with money. Tune in now.GEMS DROPPED“​I ​think ​that ​our ​relationship ​with ​money ​and ​finances ​is ​just ​like ​any ​other ​relationship ​in ​life ​where ​it ​is ​a ​continuous ​growth process, ​a ​continuous ​learning ​curve with  ​reevaluation ​and ​reinvestment ​and ​retesting ​and ​retrying.” ​“When ​we ​say ​we ​want ​something, ​then ​we ​don't ​do ​it, ​It's ​because ​you ​didn't ​commit. ​You ​didn't ​really ​want ​it. ​You ​wanted ​to ​want ​it, but your ​behaviors do ​not ​demonstrate ​that ​commitment.”“One ​thing ​I ​know ​about ​myself ​is ​that ​if ​I ​have ​an ​accountability ​partner, ​an ​accountability ​group ​that's ​also ​serious, ​I ​am ​​golden. ​I ​am ​golden. ​I ​work ​out ​so ​many ​things ​in ​my ​life ​through ​relationships. It's ​a ​tool, ​​it's ​a leveraging ​piece ​that ​I ​use ​to ​help ​me ​meet ​my ​goals.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!In today's fast-paced world, women often find themselves at a crossroads, grappling with their professional identities and the desire for personal growth. In this candid conversation, Monique discusses the societal pressures that often keep women tethered to outdated identities and the necessity of forging authentic connections that foster growth and transformation. Her message serves as a reminder that change is possible, and with the right support, women can achieve their dreams and redefine success on their own terms.Tune in to discover how to reclaim your worth, embrace your agency, and build meaningful relationships that support your growth.GEMS DROPPED“I ​do ​believe ​that ​we ​all ​should ​own ​something. ​​It ​does ​not ​matter ​if ​you ​work ​full ​time ​and ​you ​are ​a ​corporate ​baddie. ​You ​are ​busting ​down ​doors ​and ​climbing ​all ​the ​ladders… I ​do ​believe ​that ​we ​should ​all ​own ​something.”“You ​need ​to ​actually ​take ​the ​reins ​of ​your ​own ​story ​and be ​able ​to ​not ​only ​build ​it, ​​but ​speak ​about ​it ​and ​move ​in ​it. To ​actually ​exist ​in ​this ​new ​identity.”“Transformation ​is ​a ​choice, ​but ​it's ​also ​a ​result ​of ​relationships. ​You're ​not ​going ​to ​find ​transformation ​by ​reading ​a ​book. ​You're ​not. ​You ​might ​find ​a ​spark ​that ​leads ​you ​down ​a ​path ​towards ​​growth ​and ​development ​and ​transformation, but information ​is ​not ​transformation. ​Information ​in and ​of ​itself, ​does ​not ​mean ​that ​you ​have ​actually ​made ​meaning ​of ​it. ​And ​I ​know ​that ​as ​we ​endeavor ​to ​make ​big ​changes ​in ​our ​world ​and ​big ​changes ​in ​our ​life ​that ​if ​we ​continue ​to ​exist ​only ​in shallow ​spaces, ​then ​we ​are ​missing ​out on ​the ​transformation.”“I ​know ​when ​I ​feel ​like ​I'm ​down ​in ​the ​dumps ​about ​something ​and I'm ​doing ​that ​thing ​where ​it's ​like, ​well, ​I ​just ​need ​to ​do ​better. ​I'm ​just ​not ​enough. ​I'm ​not ​doing ​enough ​of ​the ​things. I ​gotta ​push ​harder. ​I ​just ​need ​to ​pull ​myself ​up ​by ​my ​bootstraps. ​All ​that ​bs. ​We ​self ​isolate ​as ​well. ​It ​puts ​you ​in ​this ​sort ​of ​self ​fulfilling ​cycle ​of ​the ​thing ​that ​you ​need ​most, ​which ​is ​the ​degree ​of ​support ​that ​you ​are ​not ​getting ​from ​the ​outside ​through ​an ​aligned ​community. ​When ​you ​don't ​do ​it, ​it ​just ​leads ​you ​to ​further ​and ​further ​self ​isolation ​and ​shame.”“Depth [in relationships]  ​is ​about ​alignment ​and ​a ​mutual ​willingness ​to ​continuously ​reach ​for ​realignment ​and ​overlap ​and ​ways ​in ​which ​to ​know ​each ​other ​more ​and ​to ​create ​more ​and ​more ​permission ​to ​know ​each ​other.”"When you've ​got ​the ​passion, ​​the ​ideas, ​the ​access ​and ​the ​networks, ​but ​you ​still ​won't ​move. ​ ​That's ​your ​signal. ​It's ​not ​you. ​There's ​nothing ​else ​that ​you're ​lacking…​​Stop ​blaming ​yourself. … ​There ​is ​something ​about ​your ​environment, ​your ​community, ​the ​systems ​that ​exist ​around ​you, ​or ​don't ​exist ​around ​you. ​That ​is ​what ​is ​lacking. ​And ​so you ​have ​to ​solve ​for ​those ​things ​with ​the ​resources ​that you ​have.”“​’I’ve ​shouted ​from ​the ​rooftops ​that ​this ​is ​how ​we ​have ​to ​move ​in ​the ​society ​that ​exists ​around ​us. ​This ​is ​how ​we ​have ​to ​move. ​You ​cannot ​be ​passive ​with ​this. ​You ​cannot ​be ​wishing ​upon ​a ​star ​and ​hoping. ​This ​is ​not ​a ​time ​for ​just ​being ​hopeful. ​You ​gotta ​take ​action ​and ​use ​what ​you ​have ​to ​get ​what ​you ​want.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!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.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!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…’STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!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.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!👉🏾 Interested in learning more about Monique's group coaching experience CLAIMED?  Click this link to join the interest list and we will email you the details ASAP.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. MENTIONED70 | Inside Our Marriage: Navigating Ambition, Money, and Vision TogetherGEMS 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 TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!👉🏾 Interested in learning more about Monique's group coaching experience CLAIMED?  Click this link to join the interest list and we will email you the details ASAP.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.MENTIONEDDrop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less by Tiffany DufuGrab 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 TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!👉🏾 Interested in learning more about Monique's group coaching experience CLAIMED? Click this link to join the interest list and we will email you the details ASAP.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.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!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.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!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 INFONicaila Matthews Okome, host of Side Hustle Pro Podcast |  Website | Instagram | YouTubeMENTIONED59 | You Don’t Need More Time — You Need a New IdentityGEMS 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  STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!In this week's episode, Monique welcomes Danielle Bayard Jackson, a relational health educator, to discuss the complexities of female friendships, particularly for ambitious women of color. Throughout the conversation, they unpack the three affinities that strengthen female friendships: symmetry, support, and secrecy. Danielle emphasizes the importance of reciprocity and vulnerability, encouraging listeners to embrace their needs and foster deeper connections. Monique and Danielle also address the impact of competition within friendships and how it can create barriers to intimacy.If you are an ambitious woman feeling isolated in your friendships, press play to discover how to cultivate deeper connections and break the cycle of loneliness.GUEST INFODanielle Bayard Jackson, Women’s Relational Health Educator and Director of the Women’s Relational Health Institute |  Website | Book | Podcast | TikTok | InstagramGEMS DROPPED“​I ​think ​a ​lot ​of ​people ​would ​be ​surprised ​to ​know ​that ​most ​of ​the ​women ​I ​work ​with ​are ​high ​achieving ​women. ​They're ​not ​women ​who ​don't ​have ​social ​skills ​or ​don't ​know ​how ​to ​have ​a ​conversation. ​These ​are ​women ​who ​are ​charismatic, ​​who ​are ​extroverted. ​They ​have ​no ​shortage ​of ​social ​connections, ​but ​it's ​just ​that ​they ​feel ​so ​deeply ​unsatisfied ​with ​the ​connections ​they ​have. ​And ​of ​course, ​this ​is ​something ​that ​they ​are ​harboring ​secretly ​because ​to ​publicly ​announce ​that ​you ​are ​having ​challenges ​with ​what ​other ​people ​think ​should ​come ​so ​naturally ​bring ​some ​sort ​of ​shame. ​And ​it ​also ​detracts ​from ​this ​image ​of ​self-​sufficiency ​that ​an ​ambitious ​woman ​would ​like ​to ​project.” -  Danielle Bayard Jackson“On ​one ​hand, you ​feel ​the ​weight ​of the ​expectations ​that ​we ​place ​on ​each ​other. ​But ​on ​the ​other ​hand, ​it's ​like, ​yes. ​And ​it's ​partially ​for ​really ​good ​reason, ​because ​there's ​so ​much ​available ​when ​we ​can ​reach ​that ​depth ​with ​one ​another ​and ​then ​navigate ​the ​times ​where ​inevitably ​conflict ​strikes.“ - Monique R. Shields“There ​are ​so ​many ​things ​I ​think ​we ​overlook ​when ​it ​comes ​to ​building ​close ​relationships. ​I ​think ​we ​think ​of sharing ​secrets ​and ​being ​vulnerable. ​And ​that's ​all ​true, ​but ​it's ​other ​surprising ​things, ​like navigating ​healthy ​conflicts or ​receiving ​help. ​The ​research ​finds ​that ​that's ​a ​prerequisite ​to ​platonic ​intimacy.” -  Danielle Bayard Jackson“You ​do ​have ​to ​shift ​your ​beliefs ​to ​shift ​your ​behaviors. ​And ​if ​you ​can ​get ​yourself ​into ​this ​practice ​of ​checking ​in ​on your ​values. ​We ​can ​all ​recall ​a ​time ​where ​​we ​had ​the ​good ​feels ​for ​being ​able ​to ​show ​up ​for ​somebody ​else, ​and ​it ​is ​robbing your friends ​of ​that ​experience. ​It's ​a ​gift ​to ​let ​somebody ​give ​to ​you.” - Monique R. ShieldsSTAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!How do you dress for the life and legacy you actually want?In this powerful and personal episode, Monique is joined by costume designer, educator, and style visionary Pamela Shepherd, as they unpack what it really means to show up in your full presence. From dressing bodies to shaping identities, Pamela reveals how style becomes a strategy for visibility, authority, and self-reinvention, especially for Black women in leadership.Tune in to hear how Pamela navigated her leap from tech to fashion, what it takes to embrace your own definition of “executive presence,” and why asking for help is the real flex. Together, they explore fashion as liberation, style as storytelling, and the magic of taking up space without apology.If you’ve ever questioned your image, doubted your voice, or wrestled with how to be both authentic and visible, this episode is your call to reimagine what success looks like from the inside out.GUEST INFOPamela Shepard, Costume ​Designer ​and ​Stylist |  Website | Instagram | FlowWood Costumes (Launching soon!)GEMS DROPPED“For ​those ​of ​us ​who ​are ​designing ​our ​ambitions ​and ​creating ​futures ​that ​maybe ​we ​don't ​have ​an ​example ​for ​in ​our ​household. ​ ​Who ​are ​you ​not ​just ​asking? What ​doors ​are ​you ​not  ​just ​knocking ​on?” - Monique R. Shields“Because ​​I ​work so ​collaboratively, ​I'm ​often ​working ​with ​different ​groups ​of ​people. ​And ​because ​the ​work ​requires ​your ​expertise ​and ​your ​expertise ​and your ​experience ​and ​your ​experience ​and ​your ​experience, I ​think ​that ​it further ​helps ​me ​to ​develop ​the ​muscle ​​when ​it ​comes ​to ​leaning ​on ​others ​for ​what I ​don't ​know. It's ​not ​indicative ​of ​weakness ​or ​lack ​of ​ability ​or ​​really ​anything. ​What ​it's ​indicative ​of ​is ​curiosity.” - Pamela Shepard“One ​way ​that ​you ​signal ​to ​yourself and ​to ​the ​world ​that ​you ​take ​yourself ​seriously ​is ​by ​asking ​for ​help, ​​by ​actually ​leveraging ​the ​relationships ​that ​you ​have ​poured ​into. ​And ​it ​doesn't ​take ​that ​many. ​You ​don't ​have ​to ​know ​the ​world. ​You ​start ​with ​who ​you ​know, ​and ​then ​you, again, ​you ​don't ​know ​who ​they ​know and ​who ​those ​people ​know.” - Monique R. Shields“If I were talking to someone about fashion, I ​think ​my ​first ​question would ​be, ​​where ​do ​you ​spend ​most ​of ​your ​time? Is ​it ​in ​an ​office? ​Is ​it ​at ​home? ​Is ​it  ​in ​transit ​and ​traveling? ​Like, ​what ​does ​the ​look ​of ​your ​life ​look ​like? ​Because ​​I ​think ​that ​sometimes ​we ​feel compelled ​to ​have ​all ​the ​things. Our ​lives ​don't ​really ​call ​for ​all ​the ​things.” - Pamela Shepard “There ​is ​part ​of ​the ​work ​that ​is ​just listening ​to ​people, ​checking ​in ​with ​people, ​seeing ​how ​they're ​doing, and ​listening ​to ​what ​they're ​saying, ​because ​I ​think ​that ​can ​help ​inform, ​the ​decisions ​of ​the ​pieces we're ​choosing ​and ​moving ​forward. And ​so ​​just ​encouraging ​people ​to ​be ​brave ​and ​trying ​to ​put ​on ​the ​things ​that ​embody ​how ​they ​see ​themselves.” - Pamela Shepard “Your ​clothes ​are ​not ​going ​to ​give ​you ​executive ​presence. ​They ​can ​be ​a ​reflection ​of ​the ​presence ​that ​you ​already ​​carry, ​that ​you ​already ​exude, ​but ​the ​clothes ​can't ​give ​it ​to ​you .” - Monique R. ShieldsSTAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!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.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!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 INFODené 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 | InstagramGEMS 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. ShieldsSTAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!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!MENTIONED55 | When You Do The Most But Expect The Least: Letting Go Of Shrinking YourselfGEMS 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.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!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.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!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 MENTIONEDEp 15: Learning To Dream FirstEp 3: What Are You Playing For?STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. CLAIMED is a 6-month group coaching experience for Black mothers in senior leadership ready to stop performing and start becoming. Applications for the upco

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!👆🏾 TEXT ME for more on CLAIMED™ - Group Coaching Experience For Black Mothers in LeadershipFeeling 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.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!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.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected].

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!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.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!Motherhood is a transformative journey that ambitious women in leadership find themselves contemplating. For many, the thought of becoming a mother can evoke feelings of fear and uncertainty. How will this new role affect my professional impact? Will I lose my sense of self? These are common concerns, and in this episode, Monique addresses them head-on, offering insights and encouragement for those navigating this complex decision.  Join in as she candidly shares her own experiences and the profound changes that come with stepping into this new identity. And the importance of defining what motherhood means to you, identifying the resources you need to thrive, and embracing the support of your community.📢As a special note, Monique is opening her coaching waitlist for March 2025. You can sign up through her website to receive updates and secure a spot for transformative one-on-one coaching.MENTIONED53 | The Safety Shift: Trusting Yourself in Times of Transformation52 | Making The Scary Identity Leap26 | When Achievement Is No Longer The Goal15 | Learning To Dream First (CEO Series)GEMS DROPPED"The ​version ​of ​yourself ​that ​exists ​today, obviously ​she ​has ​evolved, ​she ​has ​grown ​and ​learned ​things ​over ​time. ​You're ​not ​the ​same ​woman ​today ​that ​you ​were ​a ​decade ​ago. That's ​part ​of what ​living an expansive ​and ​ambitious ​life ​will ​bring. ​You ​have ​to ​constantly ​be ​open ​to ​change, but ​there's ​a ​deeper ​thing ​that ​happens ​when ​we ​become ​responsible ​for ​other ​human ​lives.. It's ​a ​starker ​shift. So being afraid ​of ​what's ​going ​to change ​for ​you makes ​a ​lot ​of ​sense.”“The ​version ​of ​you ​that ​you're ​about ​to ​get ​introduced ​to through motherhood, ​you ​can't ​really ​anticipate ​what ​she's ​gonna ​look ​like. You don't ​know ​who you're about to ​encounter and ​that is ​scary ​because you're like, ​can ​I ​count ​on ​her ​to ​still ​push ​forward ​my ​goals?”“Take ​a ​moment ​to​ ask ​yourself the ​why ​behind the ​concern​ for becoming a parent ​for you ​in ​particular. This​ ​is ​really, ​really ​important. It's ​actually ​pretty ​critical ​to understand ​what ​is ​driving ​that ​fear ​for ​you.”“As ​a ​leader, ​part ​of ​what ​I ​know ​my ​clients ​will ​get ​caught ​up ​in ​is hiding ​their ​motherhood ​identity ​or ​trying ​to ​minimize ​it. ​Trying ​to ​make ​themselves as low ​maintenance ​as ​possible. ​We ​need ​to ​release ​this ​low ​maintenance ​identity. ​This ​is ​the ​time, if ​there ​were ​ever ​a ​time, ​babes, ​for ​you ​to ​step ​into ​your ​high ​maintenance ​era. ​Becoming ​a ​mother, while ​leading ​big ​things is ​the ​time… ​I ​want ​you ​to ​give ​yourself ​full ​permission ​to ​embrace ​your ​want, ​to ​embrace ​your ​need, ​and ​to ​let ​the ​team know.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!This week's episode dives into self-love and transformation! Join Monique as she discusses the importance of recognizing your worth and embracing your true self. Inspired by a profound coaching conversation with a client, she explores the concept of being "low maintenance" and its detrimental effects on women, particularly women of color. Monique unpacks the societal pressures that lead us to minimize our needs and accomplishments, urging us to embrace our bigness and the unique contributions we bring to the world.This episode is a call to action for all women to acknowledge our worth, celebrate our achievements, and demand the support we deserve. Press play to start your journey to break free from the limitations of self-doubt and step into your full power.📢As a special note, Monique is opening her coaching waitlist for February 2025. You can sign up through her website to receive updates and secure a spot for transformative one-on-one coaching.GEMS DROPPED“An interesting ​gift ​of ​having ​a ​strong ​reflection ​practice ​is ​that ​the ​reflection ​teaches ​you ​a ​lot ​around what ​did ​and ​didn't ​work ​right. What ​did ​I ​learn? ​What ​do ​I ​need ​to ​let ​go ​of? What ​were ​some ​of ​the ​strengths ​and ​the ​weaknesses ​of ​that ​season? ​What ​were ​the ​lessons? ​And ​now ​I ​get ​to ​take ​stock ​of ​what ​in ​me ​has ​changed ​and ​what ​that means ​for ​my ​future. ​It's ​not ​like ​the ​analytical ​sort ​of ​assessing ​and ​processing, it's ​something ​that ​has ​the ​fundamental ​elements ​of ​who ​I ​am.”“The ​concept ​of ​being ​low ​maintenance, ​it's ​really ​a ​special designation ​that's ​reserved ​only ​for ​women. ​It ​was ​designed ​to ​keep ​women ​mentally ​busy ​with ​this ​impossible ​sort ​of ​dance ​and ​not ​having ​needs. And ​so ​what ​we're ​supposed ​to ​do ​is ​to ​be ​small.”“​I ​think, ​hopefully, ​prayerfully, ​at ​some ​point, we ​have ​the ​opportunity to ​one ​day ​catch ​wind ​that ​something ​is ​off. Like, ​​how ​am ​I ​supposed ​to ​be ​small ​and ​need ​nothing, ​yet ​bear ​all ​this ​fruit, ​create ​all ​of ​these ​things and ​be ​the ​vessel ​for ​such ​huge ​transformation ​in ​the ​world? There's ​a ​discrepancy.”“There ​are ​some ​baseline ​needs that ​we ​all ​have…ways ​that ​we ​can ​be ​more ​specific, ​to ​be ​more ​precise about ​how our ​bigness ​functions. When ​it ​comes ​to ​this ​level ​of ​acceptance ​and ​understanding ​about ​ourselves, about ​fundamentally ​who ​we ​are ​and ​what we ​have ​to ​offer baseline ​level, can't ​nobody ​take ​that. ​Nobody ​is ​going ​to ​shame ​you. And ​it ​just ​becomes an opportunity ​to ​exist ​more restfully, ​more ​peacefully. And is one of ​the ​greatest ​manifestations, ​I think, of self ​love.”"We ​are ​making ​outsized ​contributions ​in ​the ​places ​and ​spaces ​that ​we ​care ​about, ​and ​we ​are ​not ​treating ​ourselves ​in ​accordance with ​that ​contribution. ​We ​think ​others ​deserve ​more ​than ​we ​do ​because ​there's ​this ​distortion ​that ​exists ​in ​who ​we ​actually ​are."“We ​all ​deserve ​to ​have ​our ​distorted ​mirrors ​absolutely ​demolished ​​and ​to ​see ​ourselves, in ​our ​true ​radiance ​and ​all ​of ​our ​unique ​nooks ​and ​crannies ​and ​ways ​of ​being ​as ​beautiful ​and ​worthy ​of ​support and ​love, ​​especially ​from ​ourselves.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!Is the pursuit of success weighing you down? In this episode, Monique uncovers how ambition can sometimes come at the cost of our deepest dreams.Listen in as she shares compelling stories of women balancing leadership, motherhood, and personal fulfillment. Through the lens of the 'Giver,' the 'Grinder,' and the 'Pleaser,' she reveals how these identities shape our paths—both fueling and restricting us.Tune in to learn how to break free from outdated roles, redefine success on your terms, and step into a future of authentic fulfillment.📢As a special note, Monique is opening her coaching waitlist for March 2025. You can sign up through her website to receive updates and secure a spot for transformative one-on-one coaching.MENTIONED53 | The Safety Shift: Trusting Yourself in Times of Transformation52 | Making The Scary Identity Leap26 | When Achievement Is No Longer The Goal15 | Learning To Dream First (CEO Series)GEMS DROPPED"Everything ​that you are ​doing could be ​mission ​oriented. ​Everything ​that you are ​doing ​could be ​impact ​driven.​ And ​then ​the ​thing ​that ​is ​not ​getting ​done ​is ​the ​thing ​that you ​desire ​most ​deeply. ​So ​the ​thing ​that you ​wanted ​most is ​the ​thing ​that is ​also ​being ​put ​at ​risk.""When ​you're ​in ​a ​perpetual ​state ​of ​grind ​over ​years ​and ​years ​and ​years ​and ​years, ​your ​whole ​identity ​begins ​to ​form ​around ​that. ​And ​it's ​really, ​really ​challenging ​to ​see ​how ​it's ​possible ​to ​set ​that ​down ​and ​to ​still ​succeed. ​How ​to ​be ​any ​other ​way even ​when ​you ​know ​what ​is ​at ​stake.""We ​think ​that ​just ​because ​this ​is ​​the ​version ​or form ​of ​winning ​that ​I've ​ever, ​always ​known ​that ​that ​is ​what ​winning ​is. ​That ​is ​what ​that ​looks ​like ​for ​me. ​That ​is ​what's ​possible ​for ​me. ​With ​the ​strengths ​that ​I ​have, ​with ​the ​weaknesses ​that ​I ​have, ​with ​the ​perspective ​that ​I ​have, ​the ​background that ​I ​have, that ​is ​how ​I ​must ​win. But, ​no, ​that is ​just ​how ​you ​happen ​to ​have ​won ​for ​this ​period ​of ​time. ​Winning can look different."“The ​ways ​that ​we ​need ​to ​be ​must ​evolve ​if ​we ​want ​our ​successes ​to ​evolve, if ​we ​want ​to elevate ​ourselves. ​We ​constantly talk ​about ​elevating ​our ​voices ​and ​elevating, ​expanding ​our ​impact, those ​things ​don't ​elevate ​and ​expand, ​not ​truly, ​unless ​we ​do.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!In today's fast-paced world, the pressure to conform to a certain image of success can be overwhelming. Many of us are familiar with the archetype of the "4am CEO," a figure that embodies relentless ambition and productivity. But what happens when this pursuit of success starts to overshadow our true selves? In this week's episode, Monique dives into the journey of identity evolution and the fears that accompany significant life changes. Building on her previous discussions about identity leaps, she reflects on the critical moments when we find ourselves on the brink of transformation, yet held back by fears surrounding safety and acceptance.Join in as Monique guides us through the transformative process of letting go, embracing new identities, and ultimately finding peace in the pursuit of our authentic self.📢As a special note, Monique is opening her coaching waitlist for February 2025. You can sign up through her website to receive updates and secure a spot for transformative one-on-one coaching.MENTIONED52 | Making The Scary Identity LeapGEMS DROPPED“We ​have ​identity ​needs. ​Safety ​at ​the ​identity ​level ​is ​very ​different ​than ​safety ​at ​the practical, ​tangible ​level. ​Safety, ​in ​terms ​of ​our heart’s needs, it operates ​very ​differently. And ​I ​think ​these ​are ​driving ​forces ​that ​are ​deeper ​and ​can ​be ​far ​stronger ​if ​we ​turn ​our ​attention ​to ​them ​and ​actually ​start ​to ​get ​real ​with ​what ​is ​trying ​to ​stretch ​and ​come ​from ​us.”“I'm ​tired ​of ​money ​being ​this ​primary ​driver. ​I'm ​beyond ​that. ​​I ​know ​I'm ​in ​a ​system ​that ​requires ​money ​to ​sustain us, but ​I ​don't want ​that ​to ​be ​the ​thing ​that ​is ​driving ​all ​of ​my ​decisions ​anymore. ​I ​want ​to ​do ​the ​things ​that ​have ​been ​deemed ​frivolous. I ​want ​to ​spend ​more ​time ​in ​my ​garden. ​I ​want ​to ​spend ​more ​time ​cooking. I want to ​experience ​a ​season ​that ​lets ​that ​version ​of ​myself ​come ​to ​be. ​I ​want ​to ​get ​to ​know ​this ​version of ​myself ​where ​money ​is ​no ​longer ​the ​core ​driver. ​Like, ​what ​a ​privilege ​that ​would ​be. ​How ​incredible ​​would ​that ​be? ​It's ​a ​shame ​that ​that's ​a ​privilege. ​It shouldn't be ​a ​privilege.”“​If ​you ​change, ​the ​world ​around ​you changes which means ​the ​relationships ​around ​you ​have ​to ​change. ​They ​can ​embrace ​it, you ​can ​figure ​out ​how ​to ​move ​forward ​together, you ​might ​have ​a ​rough ​patch ​or a ​season, ​but ​there's ​also ​the ​risk ​that ​that ​relationship is now ​lost ​or some ​of ​the ​core ​fundamentals ​that ​kept you ​connected ​before, ​are ​null ​and ​​void ​at ​this ​point.”“If ​I'm ​evolving ​into ​a ​whole ​new ​world, ​there’s a version ​of ​myself ​where ​I'm ​not ​going ​to ​be ​your ​savior ​anymore ​because ​I'm ​relaxing ​into my ​own ​needs. ​I'm ​leaning ​into my ​own ​creative ​expression ​and ​like ​minded, ​equally ​yoked ​community, ​partnership, ​friendship…​the ​version ​of ​me ​that ​was ​required ​to ​uphold ​the ​nature ​of ​our ​past ​relationship, ​she's ​not ​going ​to ​be ​here. ​That ​undercurrent is ​a ​huge ​part ​of ​what ​will hold ​us back from ​evolving ​into ​the ​next ​version ​or ​the ​next ​stage ​of ​identity ​that ​is ​calling. ​I ​cannot ​overstate ​how ​deep ​that ​runs, ​how ​real ​that ​is ​for ​us.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!Are you standing at the edge of a new chapter, feeling the pull of transformation, yet held back by invisible barriers? Join Monique as she uncovers the secrets to navigating identity shifts and breaking free from the self-doubt that keeps us stuck. Explore the thought-provoking questions that often paralyze progress, like 'Am I truly capable?' and 'Is this the right moment?' Through fresh insights and actionable strategies, Monique helps you reframe those doubts into empowering questions that inspire clarity, courage, and momentum on your journey of becoming.📢As a special note, Monique is opening her coaching waitlist for February 2025. You can sign up through her website to receive updates and secure a spot for transformative one-on-one coaching.GEMS DROPPED"You're ​it. ​You're ​the ​one ​we've ​been ​waiting ​on ​to ​usher ​forward ​this ​next ​thing ​that ​has ​been ​placed ​on ​your ​heart, ​in ​your ​mind ​and ​your ​imagination ​to ​create ​in ​the ​world. Who ​is ​going ​to ​come ​through ​and tell ​you you're ​ready, ​tell ​you ​you're ​the ​right ​person ​for ​the ​job? ​No ​one. ​​No ​one ​is ​going ​to ​come ​through ​and ​affirm ​that ​for ​you.”“Am ​I ​the ​right ​person? Any ​version ​of ​this ​question ​is ​an ​absolute ​trap, ​and ​we ​have ​to ​let ​the ​question ​go. It's ​not ​about how ​do ​I ​get ​to ​that ​answer. It's ​the ​question ​in ​and ​of ​itself that ​is ​not ​useful.” ​“If ​we ​can ​equip ​ourselves ​to ​move ​through ​this blockade ​phase or ​protective ​barriers ​phase, ​and ​we ​can ​slide ​that ​barrier ​to ​the ​left. Slide ​the ​’am ​I’ ​person ​question barrier ​to ​the ​right ​and ​then ​get ​into, ‘​well, ​what ​is ​the ​identity ​that ​I ​am ​sitting ​in ​today ​that ​is ​no ​longer ​serving ​me,  ​that ​is ​keeping ​me ​stuck ​on ​the ​road, ​that ​is ​keeping ​me ​boxed ​in ​with ​these ​barriers?’ This ​is ​when ​we ​start ​getting ​into ​more ​useful ​questions.”“However ​you ​believe ​timing ​takes ​place, ​whatever ​right ​timing ​means ​for ​you, ​that's ​what ​it ​will ​be. ​No ​one ​else ​can ​tell ​you if ​it's ​the ​right ​time ​to ​pursue ​the ​thing ​that ​you ​need ​to ​pursue ​now. ​​I ​think ​a ​better ​question ​is, ‘​am ​I ​willing ​to ​make ​the ​sacrifices ​or ​to ​make ​the ​investments ​that ​are ​required ​right ​now ​in ​order ​for ​me ​to ​step ​into ​this ​new ​version ​of ​myself?’ ”“We've ​got ​to ​get ​more ​precise. ​We've ​got ​to ​get ​more ​practical. ​We've ​got ​to ​get ​more ​tangible ​and ​real. ​These ​questions ​have ​to ​be ​useful ​to ​actually ​help ​us ​arrive ​at ​what ​we're ​trying ​to ​arrive ​at. We ​need ​questions ​that ​force ​decision ​making.” ​“​​​If ​it's ​yours, ​you ​can ​do ​it. ​You ​can ​set ​the ​timeline. ​You ​can ​set ​the ​look ​and ​the ​feel- the ​vibe and ​the ​pace. ​You ​get ​to ​set ​it. ​Just ​give ​yourself ​permission ​to ​stop ​asking ​questions ​that ​limit ​you, ​that ​keep ​you ​stuck ​and ​that ​keep ​you ​spinning around ​an ​old ​identity ​that's ​trying ​to ​hold ​on ​to ​you ​and ​keep ​you ​safe. And ​free ​yourself ​with ​questions ​that ​actually ​move ​you ​forward, ​ ​that ​spark ​creativity, ​that ​spark ​your ​inner ​problem ​solver, ​that ​give ​you ​something ​to ​grab ​onto ​so ​that ​you ​can ​grab ​onto ​the ​next ​thing ​and ​the ​next ​thing ​and ​start ​that journey ​forward.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!In this episode, Monique shares her personal process for annual reflection, offering insights into how she evaluates the past year and sets intentions for the year ahead with clarity and purpose. Tune in to discover how embracing feminine energy and becoming more emotionally available can transform your approach to goal setting and personal growth. As you listen to this episode, you'll be inspired to reflect on your own journey and consider how you can set intentions that align with your values and aspirations. Happy New Year, and here's to a year of intentional living and personal growth!📢As a special note, Monique is opening her coaching waitlist for February 2025. You can sign up through her website to receive updates and secure a spot for transformative one-on-one coaching.MENTIONEDYearCompass42 | Committing To Success That Heals You With Marla Teyolia13 | Re-Mothering OurselvesGEMS DROPPED"I am caring less and less about my annual planning process as annual planning. I care very much about setting clear intentions for the time ahead."“I ​spent ​a ​lot ​of ​years ​in ​more ​of ​my ​masculine ​energy ​in ​building ​this ​business. ​And ​after ​having ​baby ​number ​two, we ​didn't ​have ​it ​in ​us ​to ​continue ​to ​keep ​that ​up ​in ​the ​same ​way. ​And ​so I ​had ​to ​trust ​that ​the ​seeds ​that have ​been ​planted ​in ​those ​previous seasons ​would ​allow ​me to gently reap ​what ​had ​been ​sown. So ​in ​2024, ​I ​came ​into ​the ​year ​with ​a ​clear ​focus ​​on ​depth ​and ​well ​being ​and ​how ​those ​two ​interact ​both ​for ​me ​personally ​and ​professionally. Embracing ​this ​was ​about ​embracing ​a ​more ​feminine, ​energetic ​approach which is ​a ​lot ​more ​about ​what ​you ​can ​attract. It's ​a ​creative ​energy ​that ​is ​not ​about purely ​execution ​or ​hunting. ​It's ​about ​believing ​that you ​can ​experience a ​holistic ​well ​being. Because ​I ​decided ​that, ​this ​is ​the ​highest ​grossing ​revenue ​year ​for ​my ​business, ​which ​is ​wild ​because ​I ​did ​the ​least.”“I'm ​really ​proud ​of my ​decision, ​my ​commitment ​to ​continuously coming ​back into ​a ​feminine ​posture ​of ​receiving ​and ​not over ​exerting ​myself. Resting ​in ​the ​magnetism, ​the ​attraction ​and ​the ​abundance, and ​just ​allowing ​for ​things ​to ​unfold ​in ​my ​favor.​ I ​mean ​down ​to ​like ​little ​things ​with ​grandparent ​help ​and ​things ​like ​that, where ​before ​I ​used ​to ​be ​like, ​no, ​I ​need ​to ​be ​the ​one, ​or ​no, ​I ​shouldn't ​stay ​on ​the ​trip ​this ​one ​extra ​day. ​It ​was ​just ​like, ​no, ​the ​help ​has ​been ​offered. ​Receive ​it, ​receive ​it ​fully.”“My ​goal into ​next ​year ​is ​to ​start ​being ​more ​emotionally ​available. ​I ​realized ​that ​I ​have ​been ​robbing some ​of ​my ​closest ​relationships of ​the ​fullness ​of ​who I am. My ​daughter ​deserves ​to ​see ​what ​it ​looks ​like ​for ​a ​grown ​Black ​woman, ​the ​leading ​grown ​Black ​woman ​in ​her ​life, ​to ​experience ​emotion ​so ​she ​knows ​it's ​okay ​for ​her ​to ​experience ​the ​full ​range ​of ​emotion.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!Welcome 2025 with us as we celebrate our 50th podcast episode! 🎉Join Monique as she reflects on the top five episodes—ranked by downloads and impact—exploring themes like embracing change, prioritizing well-being, and balancing humanity with wealth. Monique also shares exciting news about her upcoming speaking engagement at Rachel Rogers' ROI Millionaire Summit, a conference aimed at empowering marginalized identities to achieve financial success.Whether you're a long-time listener or new to the podcast, this episode serves as both a guide to the most impactful episodes and a celebration of the journey so far. Thank you for being a crucial part of our community. Here's to another year of growth, reflection, and ambition. 📢As a special note, Monique is opening her coaching waitlist for February 2025. You can sign up through her website to receive updates and secure a spot for transformative one-on-one coaching.TOP 5 EPISODES#1) Episode 25 | Avoiding The Real Work#2) Episode 26 | When Achievement Is No Longer The Goal#3) Episode 27 | Scaling Your Humanity With Your Wealth#4) Episode 29 | Betting On My Wellbeing: Sharing My Practices#5) Episode 01 | Embracing Your Next Season - How To Let Go Of What's Holding You BackHONORABLE MENTIONS#6) Episode 32 | The Right Time Is Not Coming#7) Episode 30 | How I Became A Podcaster - 1 Year Anniversary Episode!#8) Episode 12 | Allowing Your Ambition To Evolve with Jereshia Hawk#9) Episode 31 | When Will It Ever Be Enough?#10) Episode 28 | Beneath The Struggle To Ask For HelpMENTIONEDWhere Monique is Speaking:  ROI Millionaire Summit by Rachel Rodgers Jan 15-17 2025 in Huntington Beach California.  My session is the afternoon of Weds, Jan 15 for Golden Ticket holders... get your tickets here!Book: We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel RodgersGEMS DROPPED"Take a moment to appreciate yourself for having the level of integrity with yourself that you have had, no matter how big or small the commitment.""The work that actually unlocks the success that we're deeply craving is the work that we're avoiding.""When you share from the vulnerable place, you create powerful influence and connect with people as a leader."STAY IN TOUCHFollow me on Instagram @moniquershields

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!Have you ever felt the pull to close one chapter of your life and start a new one, only to be held back by an invisible ball and chain? This episode tackles the heart of that struggle, exploring how we can make meaningful shifts in how we work, live, and perceive ourselves. Join Monique on this live broadcast episode as she discusses how to break free from old identities, embrace personal evolution, and seek permission from within. Tune in for a transformative conversation that challenges you to rethink the rules you've lived by and invites you to create from a place of artistry and authenticity.📢As a special note, Monique is opening her coaching waitlist for February 2025. You can sign up through her website to receive updates and secure a spot for transformative one-on-one coaching.GEMS DROPPED“Once ​we've ​reached ​a ​certain ​level ​of ​achievement ​and ​success ​in ​our ​lives, ​oftentimes ​then we ​have ​the ​privilege ​of ​looking ​up ​and ​creating ​from ​this ​place ​of ​artistry, ​like ​actually ​being ​a ​creative, ​taking a paintbrush to ​blank ​canvas ​and ​building ​from ​scratch. ​How we ​see ​the ​world, ​how we ​want ​things ​to ​be, ​how we ​want ​to ​exist. ​And ​that ​level ​of ​freedom ​can ​come ​with ​a ​lot ​of ​fear ​and ​it ​can ​be ​disorienting. ​But ​it ​is ​the ​place ​that ​we, ​I ​think, ​all ​deserve ​to ​be ​at.”“I ​think ​the ​top ​two ​reasons ​that ​I ​hear ​from ​people ​who ​are ​scared ​to ​pivot, ​who ​are ​scared ​to ​make ​the ​leap: ​number ​one, ​there's ​some ​scarcity ​thing ​going ​on ​around money. ​But ​I ​think ​that ​the bigger ​driver ​is ​something ​around ​this ​invisible ​audience ​that ​is ​judging ​our ​every ​move. ​The ​language ​that ​people ​use ​constantly ​is ​’I ​get ​scared of ​what ​people ​will ​think ​or ​what ​people ​will ​say’. Like, what people? Who ​are ​you ​talking ​about? ​Who ​specifically ​are ​you ​referring ​to? ”“Usually ​there ​are ​specific ​relationships, there ​are ​specific ​groups ​of ​people ​that ​we ​have ​related ​to ​in ​a ​certain ​way, ​who ​have ​seen ​us ​occupy ​a ​certain ​identity, ​who ​have ​seen ​us ​in ​a ​certain ​light ​that ​we ​don't ​want ​to ​break ​our ​current ​image ​with ​them. ​We're ​terrified ​of ​becoming ​something ​unrecognizable ​to ​​these ​people ​or ​a ​specific ​person. ​And ​​the ​way ​these ​show ​up ​in ​our ​thoughts ​and ​in ​our ​minds ​that ​then ​influence ​our ​actions ​is ​what ​I've ​been ​calling an ​invisible ​audience.”“There's ​a ​physiological ​connection ​to ​the ​ways ​in ​which ​we ​are ​not ​allowing ​ourselves ​to ​show ​up ​in ​the ​fullness ​of ​who ​we ​are and ​we've ​created ​all ​of ​these ​rules ​around ​these ​old ​identities ​that are no ​longer ​going ​to ​serve ​us. ​We ​have ​created ​all ​of ​these ​limitations ​and ​rules ​and ​constraints ​based ​off ​of ​old ​spaces, ​places ​and ​identities ​that ​we've ​had ​to ​occupy ​or ​that ​we've ​chosen ​to ​occupy ​in ​the ​past and ​that ​stuff ​is ​sticking ​with ​us.”"Sacrifice is meant to be temporary. It is not meant to be the end all, be all, forever state of things."STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!In a world where success is often defined by external benchmarks and societal expectations, Monique invites us to pause and reflect on the art of intentional living. Tune in as Monique shares her personal framework, "Nature, Nurture, Navigate," guiding us to understand our inherent strengths and make choices that resonate with our true self. Press play now to learn how aligning your actions with your core values can lead to a more fulfilling and abundant life. This is the first step into a life of intentional living. Listen now!📝As a special note, Monique announces the opening of her coaching waitlist for February 2025. You can sign up through her website to receive updates and secure a spot for transformative one-on-one coaching.MENTIONEDEpisode 27 | Scaling Your Humanity With Your WealthGEMS DROPPED“Discomfort ​is ​necessary ​for ​us ​to ​grow, but ​not ​all ​discomfort ​is ​necessary. ​And ​I ​think ​that ​we ​haven't ​stopped ​to ​consider ​what ​necessity ​means ​to ​us. ​I'm ​not ​adding ​things ​to ​my ​plate ​for ​no ​reason. ​There ​has ​to ​be ​a ​reason. ​And ​the ​reason ​needs ​to ​be ​specific. ​It ​has ​to ​feel ​necessary.”“You're ​oftentimes ​​fighting to ​create ​more ​equity ​in ​the ​world. ​You're ​pushing ​so ​hard ​and ​overextending ​yourself ​for ​the ​people ​that ​you ​are ​making ​a ​way ​for. ​Your ​employees, ​your ​team, ​your ​mentees, ​​whoever ​it ​is ​that ​you ​are ​trying ​to ​blaze ​the ​trail ​for ​or ​with. ​A ​big ​part ​of ​the ​mission ​oftentimes ​is ​to ​create ​more ​equity ​for ​them, ​for ​them ​to ​have experiences ​where ​there ​is ​more ​given ​to ​them ​than ​was ​given ​to ​you. Where ​they ​get ​to ​experience ​a ​reciprocal ​relationship ​within ​these ​crazy ​systems ​that ​they ​have ​to ​operate ​in ​and ​navigate ​and ​build, ​within and ​yet ​we ​won't ​expect ​that ​for ​ourselves. ​​It's ​like​ you're ​trying ​to ​give ​the ​thing ​that ​you ​are ​not ​willing ​to ​give ​to ​yourself. ​And ​I ​want ​you ​to ​know ​that ​that ​comes ​at ​a ​cost, ​not ​just ​to ​you, ​but ​for ​those ​who ​are ​watching. ​Because ​you're ​not ​setting ​the ​example ​you ​think ​that ​you ​are. ​​When ​you ​are ​living ​a ​life ​that ​​is ​​feeling ​lopsided, ​other ​folks ​can ​see ​that. We ​have ​to ​give ​ourselves ​permission ​to ​exist ​in ​what ​it ​is ​that ​we're ​trying ​to ​create ​for ​others ​to ​not ​leave ​ourselves ​out ​of ​our ​own ​vision.”“You ​need ​to ​know ​what ​your ​values ​are.​ I ​think ​a ​lot ​of ​us ​have loosely ​articulated ​vague ​values ​that ​are ​really ​just ​a ​set ​of ​feelings ​that ​we've ​never ​actually ​taken ​the ​time ​to ​do ​the ​work ​on, ​to ​truly ​be ​precise ​about, ​to ​be ​specific ​about.”“My ​values ​coupled ​with ​​my ​mind, ​body, ​connection, ​and my ​gut feeling ​help ​me ​decide ​​what ​I ​choose ​to ​say ​yes ​to ​versus ​what ​I ​don't. And ​we ​all ​need ​these.  ​And ​I ​will ​also ​say ​that ​getting intentional practice around connecting ​the ​two, ​using ​them ​in ​real ​life ​situations, it ​deepens ​our ​conviction. ​It ​makes ​it ​much ​easier ​to step ​into ​whatever ​season ​of ​life ​or ​work that ​is ​ahead ​of ​us ​with ​a ​lot ​more ​confidence ​and ​speed, ​honestly.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!Are you feeling ungrounded or disconnected from your true self? Our latest episode takes you on a transformative journey of self-discovery through therapy, journaling, and meditation. Join Monique as she takes us on an unscripted journey, sharing raw and real insights fresh from a therapy session, where the realization dawned that the key to feeling grounded lies in embracing our past and present selves.Through insightful reflections and a powerful grounding exercise experienced at a recent retreat, Monique challenges the notion of productivity-driven meditation and journaling, advocating instead for a return to the simple, joyful practices of being in nature and embracing the present moment.This episode is a heartfelt call to action for those feeling detached from their inner selves, offering a fresh perspective on finding balance between our adult responsibilities and the wisdom of our inner child. Tune in now to explore your own relationship with stillness, play, and the simple pleasures of life.MENTIONEDSpelman CollegeBarnes and NobleGEMS DROPPED“Sometimes ​you're ​in ​a ​moment, ​you're ​having ​realizations,in real ​time, and ​trying ​to ​architect,organize, and ​package ​it ​is ​just ​going ​to ​kind ​of ​ruin ​it. ​And ​it ​just ​needs ​to ​be ​raw, ​it ​needs ​to ​be ​real.”“The ​thing ​is ​never ​the ​thing ​y'all. ​There's ​something ​that's ​running ​beneath ​it ​that ​is ​keeping you ​from ​doing ​whatever ​activity ​or ​habit ​or ​ritual ​or ​behavior ​it ​is ​that ​you ​want ​to ​exhibit ​or ​want ​to ​stop ​exhibiting. It's ​not ​about ​the ​behavior ​itself. ​It ​is ​about ​something ​else ​that ​is ​running ​beneath ​it.”“I ​always ​had ​my ​diary. ​It ​was ​a ​companion ​and ​it ​was ​a ​way ​that, ​I ​not ​only ​just ​consolidated ​my ​thoughts ​or ​processed my ​emotions, ​but ​it ​was ​a ​way ​that ​I ​connected ​with ​myself. ​It ​was ​like ​a ​part ​of ​a ​relationship ​that ​I ​had ​with ​myself. ​It ​was ​a ​trusted ​anchor, ​​and ​an ​expression ​of ​my ​own ​rootedness.”“The ​aspects ​of ​how ​journaling ​used ​to ​show ​up ​for ​me ​when ​I ​was ​younger and what ​was ​so ​grounding ​and ​beautiful ​about ​it ​was ​that ​there ​was ​no ​adult ​pressure. ​There ​was ​no ​pressure ​period ​on ​it.”“For ​those ​of ​you ​who ​are ​craving stillness, who ​feel ​like ​the ​relationship ​that ​you ​once ​had ​with ​yourself, where ​there ​​was ​space ​for ​no ​strings ​attached, ​no ​pressure, ​no ​expectations, where  ​you can ​just ​be ​and ​let ​your ​feelings ​flow. ​It's ​like ​you ​get ​to ​experience ​the ​fullness ​of ​yourself. ​To experience that again, make ​space ​for ​this ​other ​part ​of ​yourself, ​your inner child.”​STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!Join Monique for an enlightening conversation with Tamyra Gordon as she shares her journey of intentional living, homeschooling and legacy building.Tamyra, also known as Tammy, is a public historian whose work serves as a powerful reclamation of Black history, identity, and legacy. With over 18 years of experience in education, historic preservation, workforce development, and public programming, she is more than just an executive; she is a steward of ancestral stories.Tune in as we explore Tamyra's path and learn how she continues to build and nurture her legacy with courage and heart. Her wisdom and experiences offer valuable guidance for anyone looking to live a life of purpose and impact. GUEST INFOTamyra Gordon, former and founding Executive Director of Blavity.org and the current Founder of Your Legacy Tours | Website | Instagram (Tamyra) | Instagram (Legacy Tours) | Instagram (Greenwood Seneca) | LinkedInMENTIONEDAssociation of African American MuseumsGEMS DROPPED“There's ​something ​really ​special ​and ​important ​about ​recognizing ​that building ​a ​relationship ​with ​our ​little ​selves and our ​former ​selves.The ​different ​essence ​is ​the ​part ​that ​we ​get ​to ​reconnect ​with,celebrate ​and ​honor, ​but ​also ​giving ​room ​for ​the fact that our little ​nine ​year ​old ​selves will ​never ​exist ​exactly ​in ​the ​same ​format ​that ​she ​did ​back ​then. So ​even ​as ​we ​reimagine ​our ​younger ​selves ​now ​and ​engage ​with ​that ​essence ​and energy ​and ​help ​leverage ​it ​as ​best ​we ​can ​that she ​gets ​to ​grow ​and ​evolve ​and ​morph ​as ​we're ​growing, ​evolving, ​and ​morphing. ​It's ​not ​like ​this ​static ​thing. ​​I ​think ​that ​that's ​really ​important ​because ​that ​speaks ​to ​the ​beauty ​and ​the ​messiness ​of ​it ​all.” - Monique R. Shields“Legacy is ​less ​about ​generational ​wealth ​and ​what's ​the ​hand ​down, ​and ​what ​are ​the ​things ​that ​we ​sort ​of ​get ​as ​part ​of ​being ​tied ​to ​someone ​else's ​legacy. ​Really, ​it's ​just ​like, ​are ​we ​leaving ​this ​place ​any ​better ​than ​we ​found ​it and ​​can ​the ​people ​who ​are ​left ​to ​tell ​our ​story ​actually ​articulate ​that? ​Did ​we ​live ​a ​life ​that ​our ​values, ​that ​our ​beliefs, ​that ​our ​actions are ​aligned ​to ​all ​those ​things ​that ​we ​said ​that ​we ​cared ​about? ​Did ​people ​feel ​better ​after ​being ​in ​my ​presence ​and ​being ​around ​me ​than they ​did ​not being ​around? ​​Did ​I ​honor ​people ​who ​would ​otherwise ​be ​forgotten and not let to work ​and ​other ​things ​sort ​of ​distract ​from ​those ​moments ​where ​you ​can ​pull ​in ​people ​into ​the ​fabric ​of ​how ​we ​live ​today. ​​In ​my ​mind, ​that's ​the ​legacy. That's ​how ​​​I'm ​thinking ​about ​it ​today. ​I'm ​also ​open ​to ​the ​idea ​of ​what ​that ​looks ​like ​continuing ​to ​mature ​and ​evolve ​with ​me ​and ​how ​I ​sort ​of ​see ​​the ​babies ​keeping ​and ​thinking ​about ​legacy, ​because ​that ​will ​also ​matter. But ​for ​right ​now, ​it's ​keeping ​things ​alive ​that ​I ​think ​matter ​at ​the ​end.” - Tamyra Gordon  STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!This episode is a delightful reflection on Monique's recent family trip to Australia and the valuable lessons she learned about balancing ambition with rest. Monique takes us through her journey of stepping away from her solopreneur business to embrace a much-needed break, all while maintaining the essence of her work and personal life. She shares insights on how to create space in your life for rest and recovery, even when you're running a business that thrives on personal connections.Monique also dives into the practices that have enabled her to take extended breaks without compromising her business. She discusses the importance of viewing rest as an asset, studying your own rhythms, setting a vision and plan, and getting the right support. For anyone contemplating a sabbatical, a big trip, or simply more spaciousness in their daily life, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration.Press play now to discover how to integrate rest into your entrepreneurial journey and emerge with renewed energy and clarity. MENTIONED42 | Committing To Success That Heals You With Marla TeyoliaGEMS DROPPED“You ​have ​to ​decide ​that ​rest ​is ​an ​asset ​and ​not ​a ​liability.”“We ​have ​to ​acknowledge ​that ​something ​is ​not ​congruent ​and ​that ​we ​actually ​have ​to ​step ​into ​a ​true ​valuing ​of ​rest, ​of ​space, ​not ​with ​the ​deep ​undercurrent ​of ​guilt ​that ​comes ​along ​with ​not ​constantly ​being ​productive. ​We ​have ​to ​see ​the ​relationship, ​like, ​truly ​feel ​the ​relationship ​between ​rest ​and ​productivity ​as ​one ​that ​is ​harmonious.”“Conceptually, ​it's ​easy ​to ​understand ​that ​rest ​is ​good ​for ​you, but ​my ​behaviors ​over ​time ​are ​not ​necessarily ​lining ​up ​with ​that ​understanding. ​So ​I ​want ​to ​shift ​us ​from ​understanding ​to ​belief.”“We ​are ​wrapped ​up ​in ​so ​many ​systems ​that ​tell ​us ​that ​if ​we ​ever ​stop ​moving, ​that ​we ​will ​be ​overtaken ​and ​destitute ​and ​just ​out ​of ​the ​game, ​​that ​we ​will ​be ​fighting ​for ​our ​lives ​to ​feed ​ourselves ​and ​to ​be ​relevant. ​No ​matter ​how ​much ​money ​you ​have ​that ​track ​can ​be ​running ​in ​the ​background ​still pushing ​you ​to ​do ​more ​than ​what ​you ​need ​to ​be ​doing. ​And ​so ​I ​don't ​mean ​to in ​any ​way ​make ​light ​of ​this, ​but ​we ​have ​to ​kind ​of ​get ​real ​with ​how ridiculous ​it ​actually ​is ​and ​that ​it ​is ​not ​a ​narrative ​of ​our ​making. ​It ​is ​a ​narrative ​driven ​purely ​out ​of capitalism.”“I'd ​given ​myself ​over ​to ​this ​season ​of ​rest, ​and ​it ​gave ​me ​the ​proof ​after ​going ​through ​that, ​that ​abundance ​can ​be ​possible ​for ​you ​when ​you ​treat ​yourself ​abundantly.When ​you ​treat ​yourself ​with ​scarcity, you ​cannot ​be ​surprised ​when ​your ​results ​are ​scarce.““We ​cannot ​always ​be ​sowing ​seeds. ​Sometimes ​we ​need ​time ​for ​the ​stuff ​to ​grow. ​Sometimes ​we ​need  ​time ​for ​the ​stuff ​to ​wilt ​and ​die so ​that ​it ​has ​the ​energy ​to regrow in ​a ​new ​season. ​You ​cannot ​always ​be ​on, ​you ​cannot ​always ​be ​doing, ​you ​cannot ​always ​be ​giving ​because ​​you're ​going ​to ​reap ​really ​weak crops ​or ​it'll ​be ​the ​wrong ​crop.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!Are you navigating a season of change? This episode is here to provide inspiration and guidance.Join in as Monique revisits a transformative period in her life, reflecting on a throwback episode from her earlier audio newsletter series, "Letters from Monique." She shares insights from her journey of allowing herself to be changed, especially during significant life transitions like the birth of her second child and the early seeds of this very podcast. She also emphasizes the importance of allowing oneself to be changed, the power of community, and the necessity of support and presence.Monique dives deep into the messy and beautiful process of change, offering a raw and honest account of her experiences. Whether you're in a season of transition or just seeking inspiration to embrace change, this episode is dropping gems. So, grab your tea, journal, and a cozy spot as Monique takes you on a journey through personal evolution, resilience, and the beauty of embracing change. Enjoy, and may this episode meet you exactly where you need to be met.GEMS DROPPED“You ​can't ​want ​change ​without ​permitting ​yourself ​to ​be ​changed.”“Our ​thoughts ​are ​anchored ​upon ​ ​the ​changes ​that ​we ​get ​to ​experience ​externally, but ​what ​has ​to ​happen ​internally ​we undersell, ​we ​undershoot, ​and ​oftentimes, we ​don't ​fully ​anticipate ​because ​it's ​something ​that's ​new. So ​you're ​not really ​able ​to  ​preemptively anticipate ​what ​those ​internal ​changers ​are. So ​to ​be ​changed ​is ​something ​that is ​easy ​to ​struggle ​with.”“We ​want ​the ​external ​product ​of ​change, we ​want ​the ​external ​experiences ​of ​change, but ​it's ​not ​all ​upside ​to ​get ​there. ​​It ​can't ​be. There ​has ​to ​be ​some pain. ​And ​I'm ​not ​gonna ​say, ​full ​on ​suffering, ​necessarily, but ​pain, ​loss, ​absolutely. ​And ​this ​comes ​with ​any ​kind ​of ​change.”“When ​we ​ask ​for ​change ​be ​ready ​for ​everything ​that ​comes ​with ​that, ​but ​also ​recognize ​the ​beauty ​in ​it.”“Permitting ​ourselves ​to ​be ​changed ​is ​to ​​permit ​ourselves ​to ​have ​permission ​to ​change,  ​to ​have ​permission ​to ​create ​in ​the ​midst ​of ​change, ​to ​have ​permission ​to ​re​envision, ​to ​pivot, ​to ​shift, ​to ​reimagine, ​to ​want ​differently. And ​it ​requires ​support. ​I ​think ​for ​most ​of ​us, ​particularly ​so ​for ​women, ​we ​are ​so ​practiced ​at ​not permitting ​ourselves to ​want, ​to ​create,​to ​build ​freely, ​ ​unapologetically, ​and ​inviting ​in ​the ​support ​to ​do ​that. ​And ​not ​even ​the ​support ​to ​do ​that, ​but ​also ​just ​making ​sure ​that we are ​part ​of ​​communities ​where ​that ​was ​heralded ​and ​encouraged ​and ​modeled. It ​means ​everything.”“It ​is ​very ​easy ​to ​scale ​back ​on ​our ​self ​investments ​when ​we ​think ​we ​can't ​produce ​as ​much, ​or ​we ​think ​that, ​like, ​oh, ​I'm ​stepping ​into ​a ​season ​of ​less. ​So ​then ​we ​start ​giving ​ourselves ​less. ​Girl, ​you're ​doing ​the ​opposite ​of ​what ​needs ​to ​happen. This ​is ​a ​season ​where ​we ​give ​ourselves ​more,much, ​much ​more.”“If ​you ​want ​change, ​you ​have ​to ​permit ​myself ​to ​be ​changed. ​So ​ask yourself, what ​needs ​to ​be ​true ​in ​this ​next ​season ​in ​order ​for ​you ​to ​get ​prepared ​for ​that ​season​? There's ​a ​new ​version ​of ​you ​that ​is ​waiting.”​STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!In this episode, Monique takes us on a journey through her relationship with social media. She dives into an ongoing experiment that is reshaping her life, work, and well-being. Instead of waiting until the end of this process, Monique brings you into the messy middle, sharing her live experiences, feelings, and the steps she’s taking to reclaim her time and attention. Join Monique as she unpacks the psychological and emotional layers of her social media detox, offering valuable insights that might just inspire you to rethink your own digital habits. Grab your tea, take some notes, and let’s dive in together.GEMS DROPPED“I ​too, ​grapple ​with ​my ​relationship ​to ​technology, ​specifically ​that ​of ​social ​media. ​And ​I'm ​in ​the ​middle ​of ​an ​experiment ​that ​impacts ​my ​life, ​my ​work, ​my ​wellbeing,and ​my ​relationships ​regarding ​social ​media.”“We ​are ​going ​to ​reclaim ​our ​time. ​We ​are ​going ​to ​reclaim ​our ​attention. That ​is ​of ​high, ​high ​value ​to ​me, ​especially ​in ​this ​transitional ​season ​where ​I ​am ​really ​focusing ​down ​and ​redirecting ​my ​path ​with ​some ​new ​intention. ​And ​this (social media) ​cannot ​be ​a ​thing ​that ​stands ​in ​the ​way.“​“I ​was ​actually ​really ​surprised ​by ​the ​release ​​that ​I ​felt (with unfollowing every account on IG). ​It ​felt ​like ​a ​real ​releasing, ​a ​relinquishing ​of ​something… ​something ​relieving ​and ​easeful.”“Baby, ​I ​got ​goals and ​[social media] cannot ​be ​a ​thing ​that ​stands ​in ​the ​way. ​This ​cannot ​be ​a ​thing ​that ​feels ​like ​it's ​clogging ​up ​my ​brain. A ​top ​line ​​goal ​for ​all ​of ​this ​was ​to ​build ​the belief ​that ​I ​could ​feel ​in ​control ​of ​technology ​that ​I ​claim ​to ​use ​for ​my ​business ​and ​engage ​in ​for ​entertainment ​and ​connection. ​But ​its ​primary ​use is ​to ​be ​a ​tool ​to ​amplify ​the ​messaging ​of ​my ​business, ​to ​make ​sure ​I'm ​reaching ​people ​with ​my ​message.““Social ​media ​can ​serve ​as ​this ​passive ​proxy ​for ​connection ​that ​does ​not ​exist and ​it ​keeps ​you ​in ​a ​state ​of ​inaction ​of ​actually ​creating the ​thing ​you ​want, ​which ​is ​real ​connection.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!Welcome back, good people! This episode is a special treat as we welcome the inspiring Marla Teyolia, a seasoned transformational coach with over two decades of experience. Marla’s expertise lies in executive presence development, enhancing communication skills, career growth, and team expansion, all while preserving core values and personal authenticity. Her holistic approach integrates mindfulness, meditation, and yoga practices, making her coaching a transformative experience.In this episode, we dive deep into Marla’s journey, from her early work in the field of domestic violence to her current role in empowering leaders. We explore how she balances her deeply spiritual practices with her work in high-powered corporate spaces, and how she navigates the dance between personal freedom and family commitments.Marla shares profound insights on the importance of reconnecting with our humanity, the power of breathwork, and the necessity of decolonizing our vision of success. This conversation is a powerful reminder that our true power lies within, and that by tending to our spirit, we can navigate any space with grace and strength.Join us for this enlightening conversation and discover how you can embrace your inner power and live a life aligned with your deepest values.GEMS DROPPED“Nothing ​about ​the ​fuckery ​that ​I ​was ​experiencing ​shifted, ​but ​I ​had ​shifted. ​And ​that's ​when ​I ​realized, ​oh, ​my ​liberation ​is ​an ​inside ​job, ​first ​and ​foremost. And ​then ​when ​I ​feel ​strong ​and ​powerful ​and ​I ​feel ​free, ​then ​I ​can ​actually ​do ​the ​work ​I'm ​here ​to ​do ​in ​a ​way ​that's ​fully ​aligned ​and ​isn't ​coming ​from ​a ​place ​of ​lack ​or ​trauma, ​but ​it's ​coming ​from ​a ​place ​of ​power.” - Marla Teyolia“We ​have ​a ​western ​way ​of ​thinking ​where ​it's ​like, ​medicine ​is ​an ​external ​thing ​that ​you ​take ​into ​your ​body ​to ​help ​you to solve a problem. But ​your ​relationship ​to ​your ​inner ​spiritual ​awareness ​and ​connectedness ​is at your core and is your medicine. The ​medicine ​is ​inside. Making ​your ​medicine ​your ​lifeline has ​to ​start ​from ​there ​and ​everything ​else ​flows ​from ​that.” - Monique R. Shields“The strength ​that ​comes ​from ​knowing. ​First ​of ​all, ​what ​you ​value ​most-​family, ​freedom, etc- there's ​no ​perfect ​static ​place ​that ​you ​arrive ​to ​that ​just ​stays ​that ​way. There's ​always ​this ​constant ​dancing ​trade ​off. When ​you ​think ​about ​doing ​that ​dance, we ​will ​cannibalize ​the ​things ​that ​matter ​most. And ​it's ​not ​like ​your ​family ​always ​gets ​the ​best ​of ​you ​or ​your ​work ​always ​gets, ​you ​know, ​100% ​of ​the ​time, ​all ​the ​time. ​But ​there ​are ​other ​things ​outside ​of ​what ​matters ​most. ​And ​it's ​like ​focus ​on ​cannibalizing ​that.” - Monique R. Shields GUEST LINKSLearn more about Marla Teyolia, Exec Coach + Advisor to BIPOC Visionary Leaders | Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Tik TokSTAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!Have you ever found yourself feeling stuck, even though you've accomplished everything you set out to do? Life is full of subtle shifts and changes that can catch us off guard, leaving us feeling lost or in limbo. As high achievers, we can sometimes be so focused on our goals that we miss the subtle shifts happening around us. In this episode, we’ll explore how to recognize and adapt to these seasonal transitions, ensuring that our dreams expand and contract with grace. Whether you're a CEO, entrepreneur, or someone in the midst of a personal transition, this episode offers valuable guidance to help you align with your next season.Join in as we explore the importance of acknowledging shifts, seeking trusted perspectives, and giving yourself the grace to grow.MENTIONED15 | Learning To Dream First (CEO Series)GEMS DROPPED“Dealing with seasonal ​transition ​in ​our ​life ​means ​to ​have ​a ​life ​that ​is ​ever ​moving, ​​ever ​changing, ​and ​responding ​to ​those ​changes, …getting ​what ​we ​need ​out ​of ​the ​seasons ​that ​we're ​in, ​not ​fighting ​the ​seasons ​that ​we're ​in.All of ​those ​things ​are ​going ​to ​come ​up, but, ​I ​think ​part ​of ​where ​we ​hit ​the ​rough ​edges ​is ​we ​don't ​realize ​that ​a ​season ​has ​changed ​until ​it's ​too ​late. ““It's ​hard ​to ​detect ​that​ ​something ​is ​off because ​the ​really ​tricky ​thing ​about ​it ​is ​that ​things ​aren't ​actually ​​broken.”“​I ​don't ​think ​​we ​spend ​enough ​time ​talking ​about ​what ​it's ​like ​to ​navigate ​the ​murky ​waters ​of - not ​just ‘​I ​set ​the ​vision,’ ‘​I ​set ​the ​mission,’ ‘I ​walked ​the ​path,’ and ‘​I'm ​accomplishing ​the ​things ​I ​said ​I ​wanted ​to ​do’ and ​now ​something ​is ​wavering, ​something ​is ​shaky.”“​Dreams move. ​They pivot and change course but our ​dreams also ​expand ​and ​contract ​through ​different ​seasons. When ​something ​contracts, ​usually ​everything ​comes ​closer ​together ​and ​you ​become ​more ​compact. ​There's ​no ​more ​or ​less ​material ​there. ​It's ​just that ​we ​are ​more ​focused, ​​and ​only ​going ​to ​do ​a ​certain ​number ​of ​things. ​And when ​ ​we ​have ​a ​little ​more ​heat–​think ​of ​that ​as ​energy ​or ​capacity …​then ​that ​same ​dream ​gets ​to ​expand.”“Sometimes ​we ​will ​wake ​up ​in ​the ​middle ​of ​a ​season ​​that ​is ​basically ​trying ​to ​end. I ​had ​to ​wake ​up ​to ​the ​fact ​that ​my ​season ​had ​shifted. Now ​I'm ​in ​a ​season ​where ​all ​these ​doors ​are ​open, ​and ​I ​get ​to ​choose ​which ​door ​I ​want ​to ​walk ​through. ​Initially, ​the ​prospect ​of ​that ​felt ​kind ​of ​exciting. ​But ​then, ​immediately, ​it ​turned ​to ​overwhelm ​because ​I ​had ​not ​given ​myself ​space ​to ​actually unpack ​the ​season ​that ​I'd ​come ​through ​because ​I ​did ​not ​realize ​that ​that ​season ​had ​come ​to ​a ​close.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!One of the most challenging aspects of this journey of entrepreneurship is people management. As entrepreneurs, we often find ourselves grappling with delegation and feedback, two crucial elements that can make or break our team dynamics and overall business success.In this episode, I’m diving deep into these very topics by exploring the common pitfalls entrepreneurs face when trying to delegate tasks and provide feedback, and offering practical solutions to overcome these challenges. Join me as I share personal experiences and the lessons I've learned from coaching clients through the intricate dance of delegation. From setting clear expectations to creating effective checkpoints, I walk you through my thought process and provide actionable advice to help you delegate tasks more effectively and give constructive feedback. If you've ever struggled with feeling like your standards are too high or questioned your ability to trust your team, this episode is for you.MENTIONEDI'm opening three exclusive spots for women CEOs ready to redefine their leadership. If you're at a pivotal moment—launching a new fund, leading a team, or stepping into a new role—and feel the weight of what's next, I’m here to support you. Ready to invest in your growth and tackle challenges head-on? Visit www.moniquershields.com and fill out the simple contact form to get started.GEMS DROPPED“When ​we ​delegate ​the ​first ​thing ​we ​go ​to ​is ​the ​initial ​delegation, but I ​think ​that ​we ​skip ​a ​couple ​of ​steps ​when ​we ​jump ​to ​initial ​delegation. We ​bundle ​together ​in ​our ​mind ​that ​expectation ​setting ​and ​delegation ​are ​the ​same ​thing. ​Telling ​someone ​what ​you ​expect ​them ​to ​do ​in ​terms ​of ​steps ​that ​you ​expect ​them ​to ​take, ​people ​that ​you ​expect ​them ​to ​speak ​to, that ​is ​not ​the ​same ​thing ​as ​expectation ​setting. Expectation ​setting ​really ​revolves around, have ​I ​actually ​taken ​the ​time ​to ​define ​what ​ownership ​means?”“I ​think ​the ​other ​part ​of ​​defining ​ownership, ​is ​also ​explaining ​the ​stakes ​in ​the ​context because when ​we ​start ​handing ​over ​decision ​making ​authority - even ​if ​it's very ​low ​stakes ​or ​small ​decisions - they ​still ​have ​an ​impact. ​We ​equip ​our ​team ​members ​with ​what ​they ​need ​to ​increase ​their ​chances ​of ​success when ​we ​explain ​to ​them ​the ​context, ​that ​is ​necessary ​for ​the ​task ​at ​hand ​or ​for ​the ​whatever ​it ​is ​that ​you're ​trying ​to ​hand ​over ​ownership ​for. This ​is ​a ​key ​missing ​piece.”“Before ​we ​set any ​expectations, we ​have ​to ​recognize ​how ​little ​we ​actually know about ​what ​our ​expectations ​are. Especially ​as ​women ​leaders, ​we ​ ​know ​what ​we ​want, ​but ​we ​don't ​know ​how ​to ​express ​what ​we ​want. ​We're ​not ​practiced ​at ​it. ​We're ​not ​practiced ​at ​both, ​what ​it ​is ​that ​we ​want, ​and ​expressing ​it ​freely ​because ​we ​are ​often ​in ​spaces ​where ​it ​is ​not ​safe ​to ​do ​that. And ​so, number ​one … ​is ​to ​drop ​into ​and ​find ​support ​for ​expressing ​your ​needs. ​This ​flows ​outside ​the ​walls ​of ​your ​business or ​your ​organization. ​This ​is ​about ​how ​you ​are ​also ​showing ​up ​in ​life, ​how ​you ​relate ​to ​what ​it ​is ​that ​you ​need…  ​How ​you ​express ​that. ​Period.“STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!In this live-recorded episode, we explore the pervasive issue of people-pleasing, its roots, impacts, and the paths to overcoming it. This behavior, often rooted in a desire to be liked and accepted, can have profound impacts on both our personal and professional lives. Join me for personal stories, client experiences, and actionable steps to help you reclaim your voice and set healthier boundaries. Learning to love and accept ourselves, flaws and all, is a vital part of the journey towards breaking free from this behavior.If you're ready to reclaim your voice, tune in to this enlightening episode. It's time to prioritize your own well-being and create a life that truly reflects who you are. GEMS DROPPED“People pleasing ​is ​symptomatic ​of ​feeling ​unseen, ​going ​for ​long ​periods ​of ​your ​life, ​probably ​in ​your ​youth, ​probably ​having ​to ​deal ​with ​some ​of ​our ​traumas, ​​where ​we've ​been ​unseen. ““​I ​want ​to ​be ​really ​clear ​that ​people ​pleasing ​is ​not ​the ​same ​thing ​as​ being ​”weak”, ​or, not ​having ​a ​perspective ​or ​being passive. Some ​of ​the ​most ​hard ​hitting, ​ambitious, ​aggressive, ​in ​all ​the ​best ​ways, women ​that ​I ​know ​also ​identify ​as ​being ​people ​pleasers. ​Two ​things ​can ​be ​true ​at ​the ​same ​time, ​y'all. ​People ​pleasing ​is ​not ​the ​same ​thing ​as ​playing ​second ​fiddle ​and ​always ​taking ​a ​backseat.”“You ​are ​in ​the ​driver's ​seat ​of ​the ​choices ​you ​make, ​no ​matter ​what ​choices ​you ​make. ​This ​podcast, ​Ambition ​Without Compromise, ​is ​about ​you ​designing ​what ​ambition ​looks ​like. ​And ​I ​think ​oftentimes ​when ​you ​really ​think ​about ​it, ​one ​of ​the ​most ​ambitious ​things, ​if ​I'm ​honest, ​that ​a ​black ​woman ​in ​this ​world ​could ​do ​is ​to ​decide ​against ​all ​odds ​that ​she ​is ​prioritizing ​just ​her ​basic ​well-​being ​over ​anything ​else. Over ​career, ​over ​accolades, ​over ​anything. ​And ​that ​could ​look ​a ​lot ​of ​different ​ways.”“Our ​bodies ​are ​our ​bodies. We ​are ​still ​real ​flesh ​and ​blood ​human ​beings. ​We ​are ​not ​supernatural. ​We ​are ​not ​meant ​to ​take ​on ​all ​the ​burdens ​of ​the ​world. ​We ​have ​got ​to ​stop ​convincing ​ourselves ​that, ​like, ​I ​can ​hold ​it. ​ ​They're ​not ​built ​like ​me, ​so ​I ​guess ​I ​better ​handle ​it. ​Like, ​at ​some ​point, it ​will ​catch ​up ​with ​you. ​​1000% ​guaranteed and ​on ​that ​day, ​you ​won't ​be ​able ​to ​always ​just ​walk ​it ​back.”“I ​think ​all ​of ​this ​boils ​down ​to a ​very ​fundamental ​need ​that ​all ​of ​us ​have ​as ​humans, ​which ​is ​unconditional ​love. It's ​like ​the ​ooey ​gooey ​center ​of ​it ​all. ​I'm ​talking ​about ​leadership. ​I'm ​talking ​about, ​you ​know, ​showing ​up ​in ​spaces ​and ​holding ​things ​and ​pleasing ​folks. ​And ​you ​gotta ​please ​your ​investors, ​you ​gotta ​please ​your ​team, ​you ​gotta ​please ​your ​clients, ​you ​gotta ​please ​your ​parents, ​you ​gotta ​please ​your ​extended ​family, ​you ​gotta ​please ​your ​spouse, ​you ​gotta ​please ​your ​kids. ​Right? ​But ​when ​we ​operate ​like ​this, ​I ​think ​a ​big ​part ​of ​it ​is ​that ​we ​move ​into ​​circumstances, ​in ​general, ​in ​life, ​where ​we ​just ​don't ​expect ​unconditional ​love. ​We ​don't ​know ​what ​that ​looks ​like. ​We ​have ​not ​been ​taught ​that ​and ​not ​in ​a ​blanketed ​way. ​And ​it's ​what ​we ​crave ​most, ​where ​it's ​just ​like, ​I ​can ​be ​me  ​and ​I'll ​still ​be ​accepted. ​I ​can ​want ​what ​I ​need ​too, and ​still ​be ​loved. I’m ​deserving ​of ​it ​all.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected]. 

⚡️Click Here To Text Monique!In this special behind-the-scenes episode, I pull back the covers on my personal journey as a CEO and entrepreneur sharing my fears, challenges, and breakthroughs. From hiring hurdles to business growth, I get real and raw about the ups and downs of my five-year journey of building my business and the challenges of making my first full-time hire. If you've ever hesitated to invest in yourself or your business, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in now and discover how you can move past your fears and build the business of your dreams.MENTIONED12 | Allowing Your Ambition To Evolve with Jereshia HawkGEMS DROPPED“Inevitably ​when ​we ​move ​through and we ​get ​one ​new ​level ​of ​clarity, a ​new ​barrier ​gets ​introduced. ​When ​we ​break ​through ​one ​ceiling, ​a ​new ​ceiling ​all ​of ​a ​sudden ​appears.”“I ​had ​begun ​to ​buy ​into ​this ​sort ​of ​vague, ​emotional ​reaction, ​and ​told ​myself ​a ​story ​that ​was ​irresponsible ​to ​hire ​someone ​until ​I ​have ​this ​feeling ​that ​I ​can ​support ​them. ​And ​that's ​not ​what ​hiring ​is ​like. The ​actual ​exchange ​of ​expectations ​and ​the ​resources ​and ​the ​energy ​that ​flows ​between ​you ​and ​your ​team ​members ​or ​those ​who ​are ​working ​for ​your ​company, ​​you're ​not ​paying ​to ​take ​care ​of ​them. And ​so ​that ​doesn't ​have ​anything ​to ​do ​with ​my ​values ​around ​​being ​a ​thoughtful ​and ​kind ​and ​compassionate ​person ​and ​leader, ​right. How ​I ​will ​treat ​people, ​how ​I ​actually ​care ​about ​whoever ​works ​with ​me, ​their ​humanity, ​like ​I'm ​still ​me ​and I ​don't ​have ​to ​place ​this ​additional ​weight ​on ​the ​relationship ​that ​doesn't ​need ​to ​exist. ​It ​just ​really ​has ​no ​place.”“We ​all ​need ​this. ​We ​need ​other ​people ​to ​help ​us ​catch ​those ​blind ​spots ​and ​shift ​our ​perspective. ​Otherwise, ​we're ​trapped ​in ​our ​own ​way ​of ​thinking, ​and ​we ​overcomplicate ​stuff. ​We ​make ​things ​harder ​than ​they ​need ​to ​be and ​it's ​just ​because ​certain ​things ​are ​hidden ​or ​there’re ​certain ​angles ​that ​we're ​just ​not ​exploring.”“I ​think ​it's ​important ​to ​get yourself ​into ​conversation ​not ​only ​with your ​coach, ​because ​I ​would ​not ​have ​made ​the ​connections ​to ​the ​undercurrents ​right ​around ​the ​belonging, ​around ​the ​messiness ​if ​I ​had ​not ​already ​laid ​the ​groundwork, ​which ​with ​the ​deeper ​level ​work ​that ​I ​do ​with ​my ​coach ​and ​that ​I ​have ​done ​with ​my ​therapists. ​But ​these ​kind ​of [questions], ‘What's ​the ​next ​step? ​Where ​are ​we ​going ​to ​take ​it ​next?’ ​Not ​sitting ​in ​that ​alone. ​It ​makes ​all ​the ​difference.”STAY IN TOUCHCome and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected].