As a conscious Entrepeneur, I was always taught that to achieve my goals I need to just see and feel it in my minds eye for it to manifest.

Whilst I do agree with the overall principles, it’s so easy to get caught up in the ‘feeling’ of it all, so much so, that it ACTUALLY FEELS like you’ve arrived at your destination.

This is a trap I have fallen into many times.

I imagine what it feels like to have a successful business, new car, sell products etc, and once I achieve those goals in my mind, I feel like the work has been done.

What we need to realize is that this visualization stuff only works if you combine it with massive AND consistent action.

I agree it’s important to acknowledge your achievements, but things fall apart when you start buying into your own hype.

What does this mean?

For me it means that I am focusing on centering myself rather than oscillating between flat-lining and red-lining. Keeping myself in the present moment, with my eye on the big picture is a massive juggling act, but one that pays off in bucket loads.

Since adopting the intention of staying centred, I am now able to still acknowledge my wins, without boycotting the steps required to get me where I need to be.

Visualizing while still ‘doing’ what needs to be done is the key to success. Don’t get so caught up in your vision that you forget about today. It’s like waiting for happiness, ‘when I get this I will be happy’ or ‘when I lose weight I will take care of my appearance’.

Setting an intention can be so much more empowering than planning.

Let me tell you my story.

I was forever planning, visualizing and dreaming.

Whenever I would achieve something that would bring me closer to this vision, something inside me would shut down, much like ticking things off a to-do list. Except this would apply to my whole vibe.

The problem was that I was so invested in the outcome.

There is a big difference between wanting something and being desperate.

The magic formula is simple:

Clarity + Intention + Kick-ass action is all that’s required.

Think about the reason why you want what you want.

Keep peeling away those layers until you get to the pure intent of the BIG FAT WHY.

Why do you want this? THAT my friend is the kinda gold that’s going to get your life + biz blinging.

Visualizing ONLY works if you remember that there are still steps you need to take to get to that sweet spot.

The magic takes place when you find your middle ground on the oscillating speedometer between doing nothing and EVERYTHING.

When I stopped and became clear on the why, the how suddenly became unambiguous.This actually grounds you into feeling, rather than allowing mind chatter to rule, so you are able to come back to your heart space.

Can you relate to this sweets? I would love to hear your thoughts on this below.

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Monique Alamedine is a Writer + Intuitive Biz Coach + Life Strategist who believes that ‘success’ means being calm, centred & crazy ambitious – all at the same time.

She calls this being a Zen Hustler – and is on a mission to help you become one too.

She helps women in retail & service business make money doing what they love while ‘keeping it real’. Ain’t no sugar-coated fluff coming out of this Mumma’s mouth – expect straight from the heart home truths delivered with a big serving of love.

As a Zen Hustler, she mixes intuitive readings with kick-ass business strategy. Email Hustle@ZenHustler.com

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Mastering The Art Of Multi-passionate Entrepreneurship

I have (another) confession to make.

Up until recently, I struggled with doing one thing really well.

Give me 5 things and I felt like I was right in my element.

Hindsight is a wonderful little bugger though, because I can now see all the opportunities I had missed out on for growing my business.

I loved the variety, and excitement of something new.

The exhilaration + passion alone, led me to believe that juggling so many things at once was sustainable

But alas, I was being mediocre and needed to stop.

Now don’t get me wrong I have no issue with doing multiple things, but when you constantly start something and move onto the next it’s called Bright Shiny Object Syndrome.

I’m definitely guilty of BSOS.

In fact I still have to pull myself up on it, and to be honest it’s much like a reformed alcoholic – you can never allow yourself to be lured into the shine and sparkle of that ‘new’ exciting project.

Be aware that being multi-passionate, can also lead to BSOS if not managed correctly.

I don’t know about you, but I am sick of half-assed effort. I no longer accept mediocre. My heart + arms are wide open to focus and devotion. 

Focusing on the one project/business/task.

Devotion to my cause by doing the work on a daily basis.

Going through the day to day grind and reaping those juicy sweet rewards.

What would happen if you focused purely and solely for a set amount of time on ONE project?

Juggling between Snugbods, Glass Straws and Mentoring had me running on empty and chasing my tail. After feeling like a wench was physically pulling me in 3 different directions, I realized there had to be a better way to do this. Glass Straws was taking off all of a sudden, and my gut was telling me that this is where I needed to be. But of course it’s one thing to know and another to DO.

Enter my brilliant coach who suggested I focus on ONE thing for ONE month.

Bingo!

Now in my mind, it didn’t feel like a permanent thing so for a BSOSer, it felt do-able, manageable and somehow not so stifling but rather liberating. 

What ended up happening is that, I actually quite enjoyed giving something my full attention. I got so immersed in what I was doing that I forgot it was only for a month.

If you’re a BSOSer (Bright Shiny Syndrome) here are a few things to try:

1. Focus on one project, but ensure that you have variety.

For my Glass Straws I ensure that I mix it up with writing, taking pictures of my smoothies + juices, sales + marketing. Keep it exciting by thinking outside the square. Research other industries and see what you can apply to your business.

2. Create  a Read Later file 

Use tools like Pocket or Evernote to create a folder of ideas or things that you would like to do once you have followed through on your current project. That way you won’t be concerned that you will ‘forget’ something if you don’t act on it immediately.

3. Devote yourself to the cause

Constantly remind yourself about why you do what you do. What’s the big why? When it’s something that goes deep, it’s easier to stick to it. My big-ass why with Glass Straws, is that I am contributing to the longevity of our beautiful planet. Now THAT makes me want to go hard.

 Ask yourself gorgeous, where are you settling for mediocre?

Be honest.

What are you going to do to start playing full-on and doing EPIC shit?

Love always

 

 

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Monique Alamedine is a Writer + Intuitive Biz Coach + Life Strategist who believes that ‘success’ means being calm, centred & crazy ambitious – all at the same time.

She calls this being a Zen Hustler – and is on a mission to help you become one too.

She helps women in retail & service business make money doing what they love while ‘keeping it real’. Ain’t no sugar-coated fluff coming out of this Mumma’s mouth – expect straight from the heart home truths delivered with a big serving of love.

As a Zen Hustler, she mixes intuitive readings with kick-ass business strategy. Email Hustle@ZenHustler.com

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I have a confession to make.

My name is Monique and……..

I am the girl who cried wolf.

When these words first escaped from my mouth, a sense of relief and peace washed over me.

Here I was the glam, proud, successful Business Blingstress admitting to weakness.

But you see herein was my problem. The fact that I could not admit. Could not accept. Could not be vulnerable. What did I do instead of owning my shit?

Well….I was always mesmerized by those Bright Shiny Objects (BSO) that would somehow find me in my darkest hour and seduce me into believing that ‘it’ was going to be my saving grace.

There was always this great new idea that I had which was going to be THE next biggest thing in my life or that I somehow needed to buy the latest program that was just released because I didn’t have enough resources or information already or the best one was the procrastination of ‘needing’ to get everything right, or having the right tools to start. Puhhhleeesse!

Once again, all bullshit!

If you’re honest with yourself, I’m sure you have done this at some point too. And some of you may still be there. There is no judgement on either part, just experience that I can share with you.

By embracing this path of awareness and allowing myself to immerse into it completely, I feel like I understand the true meaning of liberating empowerment. In the past I thought I was playing fullout and that I was the victim because people just didn’t understand me. They just weren’t visionaries like me – that’s all. B fricken S!

The day I realized and openly admitted to my Husband that I was the girl who cried wolf was such an emotional turning point for me.

Y’all know about the major breakthroughs I experienced with my Mentors. As a result, I now feel a strong urge to share my journey, so you too can see that all that glitters ain’t gold, and to give you an inside peak into the mind of a reformed perfectionists mind. I am so happy to have moved passed double, triple and quadriple checking something hundreds of times. Even Blog posts used to take me days. I recall my first blog post taking me about a week to write, the pictures had to be perfect and I even created alot of the graphics. Fast forward to today and this blog post you’re reading has taken a matter of hours not days. Now THAT is a proud moment for me, no more sitting on it and waiting for some outside entity to tell me it was ok. These are MY thoughts and feelings, so why the hell was I seeking external validation?! Go figure.

Where do you feel stuck gorgeous? Can I ask you to look within yourself first before blaming others or looking for them to save you and then feeling more helpless or disheartened when there is no knight in shining armor?

When a cycle keeps repeating itself again in your life, it’s a warning for you to take action. There is no point in doing the same thing and expecting the outcome to be different this time. By chopping and changing you don’t harness that energy into one cause, so you never nurture it enough to give it a strong foundation to start with.

Letting go of the need to be right, is right up there with forgiveness and gratitude. Be honest with yourself sweetness, have you been giving 100% focus and dedication to your project?

Bashing Your Head Against A Brick Wall Is Easier.

How many times have you said, this time will be different? This time I will complete this program. This time I will wake up early. This time I will create my new product. This time (fill in the blanks) then all of a sudden it’s 12 months down the track and you have done diddly squat of what you said you were going to do.

If you aren’t ready to share it with anyone, just at least admit it to yourself gorgeous. Have you too been the girl who cried wolf, and now that you are legitimately serious nobody is actually taking you seriously?

That’s what ended up happening with my hubby, he got so tired of hearing about my latest brainwave that by the time the ‘real deal’ had landed in my brain it just sounded like another distraction that I had created to him.

I remember a few years back, during another procrastination period. Mr Handsome by this point was at his wits end about how to move me along, looked at me with compassion and understanding and asked me – what are you afraid of honey?

I realized that I was afraid of my own success. I know that sounds weird or to some perhaps cliched – but it’s the truth. In my warped mind, success had all these complications that went with it. So I want you to ask yourself the same question – what are YOU afraid of?

Are you the boy (girl) who is crying wolf too?

You need to know that it can all change in a heartbeat.

I used to be the most easily distracted person. I love innovations and new ideas. In fact that’s why I built my business this way, because I get to vicariously live through my clients. It’s just a case of finding what’s right for you and creating a business around what you LOVE!

I see so many people do it the other way around, they create their business and then conform for their business. Whereas the opposite is true – Create a business around who you are. Regardless of whether you provide a product or service.

Just like you do a business plan or a checklist, why not take the time to do a ‘life check’ list?

Whatever you decide, just commit to it in every sense of the word and don’t forget to have fun!

All my love

Monique xx
[warning]

Monique Alamedine is a Writer + Intuitive Biz Coach + Life Strategist who believes that ‘success’ means being calm, centred & crazy ambitious – all at the same time.

She calls this being a Zen Hustler – and is on a mission to help you become one too.

She helps women in retail & service business make money doing what they love while ‘keeping it real’. Ain’t no sugar-coated fluff coming out of this Mumma’s mouth – expect straight from the heart home truths delivered with a big serving of love.

As a Zen Hustler, she mixes intuitive readings with kick-ass business strategy. Email Hustle@ZenHustler.com

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The whole world was against me. There were insurmountable obstacles and I was drowning in my own self-limiting beliefs.

Where was that light at the end of the tunnel?

Help!

God, Jesus, Buddha, Archangel Michael. All the saints and the prophets. Where are you in my time of need?

No answer.

What’s a girl to do when there is nowhere to hide from these fear based and debilitating thoughts.

Well in my case I was fortunate enough to be called on my shit by my fricken awesome Mentors. They smashed through EVERY single one of my perceived ‘problems’. When all is said and done, all outcomes have been based on choices that I have made.

They made me realize how much I had been looking for others to save me. WTF, really?! I mean I am strong, independant and proud, so HOW could I be looking for others to save me? It just couldn’t be.

In that moment I clearly saw how I had given away my power to all these external factors, my Husband, Parents, Mentors, Siblings, Friends. Here I was giving away my power with excuses like, I am a Mum, I have to help everyone, I need to run a household, I have duties and obligations to be a great Sister/Mum/Daugher/Wife.

Once again, I thought I was going to learn High Level Marketing Strategies and Sales and walked away with a helluva lot more. They did tell me that everybody gets what they came for during this intensive 9 day program. I thought that meant making more sales, but it turns out that erasing the shit stuff made way for me to make actual sales – on a deeper level. A level that was coming from a loving space not a fear based place. Where I could lovingly call my clients on their bullshit too.

What a revelation!

Why do you think it’s not the right time to expand or invest in yourself? What’s the ‘excuse’ you’re feeding yourself? One thing I am sure of is that you can and will create whatever you believe. I hear people sometimes say to me, it’s not in my nature to make a snap decision, I need time to think about it. Well do you realize that THAT is a decision in itself?

Everyday we make choices, they can empowering or discouraging. It’s up to you which way you go, there is no judgement. But for God’s sake, DO NOT complain. It doesn’t matter where you were up to this point, what matters is where you go from here. One of my favourite movies that illustrates this is Sliding Doors with Gwyneth Paltrow. You get to see two different versions of how her life progressed, based on whether she caught an earlier train. Now I am not saying that you need to start analyzing every detail like when to get on a train, because it goes so much deeper than this. It’s a metaphor for the choices we need to make EVERYDAY in life.

Are you going to choose to do it the easier way, through love, self-respect and discipline or go down the fearful path of just dabbling in a few things to see what works best, and if you fail (which you inevitable will) – well, there wasn’t too much damage caused, and you don’t really need to feel the pain of it.

Bullshit!

If you don’t feel a bit scared, then you’re not really moving out of your comfort zone. If you’re happy to stay in mediocre world, then make sure you don’t allow yourself to feel scared. And do ONLY what feels comfortable and safe.

The flip side, is to feel that fear and push through because when you believe in what you’re doing, your passion will override anything.

The moral of the story is to find out what is REALLY stopping you and admitting it. When I got really honest with myself and my Husband, I felt like a weight had lifted. Sure, I felt vulnerable and scared. At the same time I felt excited, light and free. It’s an amazing feeling when you are not hiding behind these protective barriers and no longer feel the need for so many of these bullshit layers that just weigh you down for nothing.

Quite simply – stay strong, true and disciplined! Love yourself enough to expect more from life, the people you serve, friends and family.
[warning]

Monique Alamedine is a Writer + Intuitive Biz Coach + Life Strategist who believes that ‘success’ means being calm, centred & crazy ambitious – all at the same time.

She calls this being a Zen Hustler – and is on a mission to help you become one too.

She helps women in retail & service business make money doing what they love while ‘keeping it real’. Ain’t no sugar-coated fluff coming out of this Mumma’s mouth – expect straight from the heart home truths delivered with a big serving of love.

As a Zen Hustler, she mixes intuitive readings with kick-ass business strategy. Email Hustle@ZenHustler.com

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I have a confession to make.

One I was really reluctant to share.

For most of my life I was a fraud.

I wasn’t really who I wanted to be perceived as.

That realization alone has helped catapult me to greater inner joy and success than I could have ever imagined.

For way too long, I have treated my business as a separate entity.

Is it any wonder why there was such a disconnect. Struggling. Detached. Unfocused. Divided.

How did I manage to regroup you may be wondering. (More on that later)

Whether you’re selling a hard product or an info program, people are buying you. Yes that’s right YOU Sweet Pea 🙂 I struggled for many years with this (seemingly) complex conundrum, which I now realize is quite simple.

Authenticity Sells.

The end of the Mayan Calendar heralds a new wave of intuitive awareness. A place where people are suddenly developing built in BS detectors.

When I stopped trying to hide behind my product, my life mission became quite clear. I stopped playing small. Spoke my truth. Stopped taking crap from people. Only took on projects that I felt strongly about.

What are you hiding behind gorgeous?

The ever present perfectionist (blame it on my Virgo’ness) saboteur kept telling me that everything I did was never good enough, completed, finished (insert your own words here) blah blah blah and just know sweetness that there are plenty more where they came from if you give your inner critique the power.

Being authentic means to stand your ground about who you are – stand in your true power without fear of rejection or ridicule. When I got clear on who I am – I mean the ‘real’ me that not many people in my business life get to see. The cheeky, fun, green juice guzzling, rap loving, popstar ‘wanna be’, wog chick who just loves to be of assistance.

Would the real Monique Alamedine please stand up?

Authenticity if not actioned to it’s fullest, is just another buzz word.

In order to be authentic, you need to get clear on who you are. Some of the questions to ask yourself are:

• What do I stand for?

Whether it’s clean living, eco-sustainability or Women being allowed to breastfeed in public. Get clear on what you stand for.

• What am I totally against?

I am totally against dictatorship. I started my business for the freedom to make the choices that suit me best. What do you totally abhor?

• What are my values?

I usually do this yearly and when I am feeling stuck maybe twice a year. Just take some time to write a list of as many that you can think of, go back through the same list and circle the most relevant ones, keep repeating this process until you get it down to 20-30 words and keep referring to this with every decision you make.

• What’s the Legacy you want to leave behind?

Think about what you would like your friends and family to say about you when you leave this planet. This allows you to ensure that you’re on the right track with every choice  you make.

It’s also really important to set your intention for each year as well as each day. I find when I set the intention about more than just my tasks on my to-do list, I have an amazing day.

Set your intention for how you want to feel and you’re laying the foundations for some magic to take place.

Where are you being inauthentic gorgeous? Be bold + brave by sharing below 🙂

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Monique Alamedine is a Writer + Intuitive Biz Coach + Life Strategist who believes that ‘success’ means being calm, centred & crazy ambitious – all at the same time.

She calls this being a Zen Hustler – and is on a mission to help you become one too.

She helps women in retail & service business make money doing what they love while ‘keeping it real’. Ain’t no sugar-coated fluff coming out of this Mumma’s mouth – expect straight from the heart home truths delivered with a big serving of love.

As a Zen Hustler, she mixes intuitive readings with kick-ass business strategy. Email Hustle@ZenHustler.com

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