What’s New? Productivity, Podcast and Certification

Hope you are all having a beautiful start to the week. I’m feeling pretty accomplished because I managed to be very productive last week, thanks to the weekly challenge I proposed last Monday Motivation.

I finally updated my podcast! As of now, it’s a compilation of blog posts, youtube videos, and newsletters I’ve recorded. I’m excited to see where it goes.

Check it out!

“Objects in motion stay in motion,” and I believe the same thing happens to people as we pick up the momentum on projects that excite us. I am happy to be finally taking action on ideas I’ve sat on for too long.

I also wanted to share another update. You’ll now see an Ipec logo at the footer of my site, because I am officially a certified professional coach! I finally finished my certification process with iPec and feel proud to have gone through an extensive program to be a better leader and coach.

I’m still learning so much and working to hone in on what my “specialty,” or “niche” is and what area(s) I can be most of service in, but I’m excited for the journey ahead and opportunities for growth.

Thank you for following along as I learn and grow.

Love,

Gabriela

Thanking the Past Me

Thanking the Past

I thank you for the time you spent, writing all those blog posts—one after one, even though you only got a couple reads.

I thank you for posting online about your work, even though, it was oftentimes

scary as hell.

I thank you for following that inner-voice, even when it lead you down

a vulnerable path.

I thank you for the hour after hour,

without any results.

I thank you for investing in courses, even when your savings were dwindling.

I thank you for taking me out to get my nails done, when I sometimes felt poor.

I thank you for your ideas, like starting a blogcast— even if you didn’t know anyone would care.

I thank you for tuning out the negativity, and for taking advice from people who had done

what you

wanted to do.

I thank you for saying “no thank you” to anything

that didn’t feel true.

I thank you for making mistakes.

I thank you for letting the self doubt live,

and for feeding it love.

I thank you for waking up early, even when you had

nowhere to be.

I thank you for trying new things, over

and over again.

I thank you

for not obsessing about what others think

anymore.

I thank you

for walking me here.

Weekly Challenge: Getting Creative Projects in Motion!

Has anyone else been feeling super lazy lately?

The beginning of the year was packed with excitement and productivity for me, but in the last few days all I’ve wanted to do is lay on the couch and watch TV.

It’s been hard to find balance between relaxing and creating.

In an ideal world, I would create so much more than I consume. I would take action on all my creative ideas and complete projects with ease, instead of spending most of my time consuming movies/TV, podcasts, youtube videos etc.

Sometimes it’s frustrating to have a myriad of ideas and creativity stored inside, and not have the energy or drive to bring them to life; like being uncomfortably stuffed with inspiration.

I want to challenge myself to find a better balance, to create AND to allow myself time to rest; to be proud of my work AND be compassionate of my physical and mental need to slow down sometimes.

If you like the sound of that too, I invite you to participate in the following challenge with me, so we can start getting shit done without the burnout.

Step 1) Choose a project or task you’d like to do by the end of the week. For me, it’ll be to update my podcast. (I’m planning on recording all my newsletters and blog posts, making them digestible through audio).

2) Be thoughtful and specific about what you can truly get done by the end of the week. Ex) I know I probably won’t have time to record ALL these newsletters and edit the audio, but I CAN do 3 of them.

3) Look at your calendar and plug in days and times you can allocate to working on your project.

4) Find a way to be held accountable. The reason I’ve been successful at consistently writing these newsletters week by week is because I have an audience to hold me accountable to it.

What works just as well is choosing a friend you can share your goal and deadline with, who either expects you to check in about it, or who will call you up and ask if you got it done.

5) Allocate time in the week when you will purely REST. During this time, you are given a free pass to binge watch your favorite show, take a bath, dive into a novel, or whatever truly relaxes you. You are not allowed to beat yourself up for resting during this time, because you’ve earned it, and because you have full confidence, you are also getting stuff done and completed in due time.

This is a very simple challenge, meant to be taken week by week. I have full confidence we can do it! Let me know how it goes!

Love,

Gabriela

Celebrating Life on My Birthday

Hi, friends!

I mentioned this in my Insta stories (@gabrielammelgar), but for the past few years I’ve downplayed my birthday, and I didn’t feel like doing that anymore. This year, I wanted to own it and make it a special day.

I’m thankful that despite being apart from many loved ones, I had my partner in crime with me to celebrate and let me play the role of birthday princess.

But most importantly, I was grateful to be fully celebrating myself, my life, and everything I continue to learn and experience year by year.

Life is so exciting, mysterious, playful, and always has a way of surprising me over and over again, so long as I stay open minded to all the possibilities out there.

I’m thankful for my sense of wonder, a thirst for living, and a desire to see as much as possible (hence, why I love to travel and explore so much).

If we are here for a limited amount of time, and each birthday marks one year less of it, so much as it marks one more, then why not experience as much as possible?

It’s the reason I can’t stay put for too long, and maybe that’s a bit of a curse as well, but I wouldn’t. have. it. any. other. way.

This birthday was an opportunity not just to celebrate life, but to celebrate my relationship to life as well. I’m so glad to walk through this existence optimistically, with an open mind, an open heart, and an unwavering determination to find joy in every single day.

So, I ask you, what is your relationship to life, and how can you celebrate the way you live more often?

xxGabriela

Having a Bad Day? Try These Tricks

Good evening, friends!

Today’s been a rough day which inspired me to talk about the ebb + flow of moods throughout each 24 hours, and how we can show up for ourselves compassionately, while balancing and lifting our spirits.

Starting the day off on the right track is essential to me and can set the tone for how the rest of my day will go. It took some time to figure out a morning routine, but now I’ve got it down to: light yoga/stretching, praying and or meditating, journaling, writing a gratitude list and doing affirmations. I encourage you to find out what’s right for you and allow some time for yourself before the day gets hectic.

As awesome as your morning routine is though, you may— naturally—experience some bumpy events and low moods as the day progresses. Remember that there’s always an opportunity to steer the wheel in the direction of compassion and positivity.

So, if you, like me, have had a terrible day thus far, it doesn’t have to end that way.

Here are some things that help me make it through before bedtime:

FEEL THE FEELS. Angry? Sad? Frustrated? Whatever you may define as a “negative” feeling just needs a way through. Don’t be afraid to sit with and/or express whatever’s in your body. A few moments of intense presence and feeling can lead to serious relief. (It sounds silly, but when I get super mad it helps me to scream into a pillow or punch the bed). Try whatever form of expression feels best to you and is safe. The key is to really honor your experience and to let it move through and out of you.

Rest. If I feel like I’m having a bad day, I’m probably not in a good mindset to start any project or task. In fact, I probably need a nap. Rest in whatever form is appropriate for you, whether that’s sitting outside for a few moments, taking some time to enjoy a snack, a cup of tea, or a bath. Take a break to breathe before working or doing anything else.

Practice kindness. You are human and it’s totally normal to have ups and downs! How can you support yourself in each moment? For me that means taking deep breaths and reminding myself that it’s ok not to feel like sunshine 100% of the time.

Choose what makes you feel good. What are sure habits, hobbies or treats that always lift your mood? For me it’s great food, listening to inspirational podcasts, journaling, and going outside. Give yourself the time to PLAY and ENJOY life, even if it’s just a few minutes.

Direct your attention towards service. Helping someone else is an amazing way to get out of your own head and connect in a meaningful way. This could look like checking on a friend, running an errand for someone, buying a person in need some food, or giving something away. The possibilities are endless.

If you feel inspired to try any of these practices, I also encourage you to figure out if you can add anything further to the list, and have your own go-to’s for when things get rough and you just need a moment to get up and continue on with the day.

Hope you have a beautiful night,

Gabriela

Happy New Year

Hi, friends! I’m back from my little Christmas break and wanted to wish you all a happy new year! I’d also like to say: thank you so much for your support in 2018! It’s been somewhat of a scattered year for me, full of so many ideas and projects, many which I’ve dabbled in and left unfinished. (And that’s ok! <―I’m working on being more self-forgiving)

Writing this newsletter for the past ten weeks has been different, though. I’ve been able to be consistent with it because of the joy it brings me and because in a sense, you all hold me accountable to writing it each week. It means so much to hear from you and know that it’s made an impact in any positive way.

I also wanted to remind you, that I created a guide to help you reflect on your 2018, and ring in the new year with more clarity and positivity. Remember to relish in your accomplishments! Check it out by clicking the link below!

See you in 2019.

Love,

Gabriela

2018, What a Year!

What has your 2018 been like? (Keep reading for an opportunity to reflect)

2018 has been a massively important year to me, because I made a huge commitment to myself. I decided that this year I was going to pursue my own coaching business, and gave myself the gift of time and dedication.

While taking on this lofty goal, I experimented with various approaches and sources of advice to help me succeed. 2018 was filled with small successes, and failures, too.

Though I am finishing this year different than I would have anticipated at the start, I am working towards celebrating my accomplishments and reframing my “failures.”

At the start of my year, success meant financially thriving from my entrepreneurial pursuits, having a large audience, and partaking in some amazing travel. I was actually very successful in the latter and nearly forgot. This year I was fortunate enough to visit Mexico, El Salvador, Cuba, Costa Rica, Washington D.C., and Florida. Oh, and I moved to Utah.

(See, it’s so easy for our minds to go straight to the “problems” and “failures” and overlook all the amazing things that have happened and are happening in our lives).

My business goals have a long way to go, but throughout the pursuit, I never failed myself. I tried so many things and continuously left behind what didn’t feel true and right in my heart. And if that means, a windier, longer road towards my end goal, that’s alright with me.

This year allowed for a lot of exploration, which has prepared me to hone in and strategize in 2019. I can already feel, it’s gonna be a big one.

I have created a guide to help you reflect on 2018, and think about your intentions for the coming year. Spending time alone, writing, and reflecting has led to some helpful insights for me, and I’d like to extend an invitation for you to do the same.

Click on the link below to get started.

https://www.melgarcoaching.com/resources

xx Gabriela

Getting Unstuck

I feel out of words today. I’ve been sitting in front of my laptop for a while, brainstorming what I want to write about, and nothing feels genuine. It’s important that my work is honest above all, and that it is alive for me.

My writing process for this newsletter is a little wild. Sometimes ideas come to me throughout the week. I might experience a challenge in my life, then figure out a way to find peace about it, and want to share that with you. Or, I might be inspired or in awe of something and want to share that, too.

Sometimes I write a little note down somewhere, and come back to it when it’s time. But, typically, all the old ideas go out the window, and I begin to write something else; something very present; something with a life of its own.

I like to think of myself as a vessel, materializing ideas that come from the ether, and letting them flow through me. Adding my personal experience and my own writing style, but honoring that for some reason or other, the words that come out are meant to be, and meant to be read by you.

It’s funny how as soon as I gave into admitting and accepting my stagnancy, something flows. And that can be applied to many areas of life. Maybe if you too, are feeling stuck, you can allow yourself to give into that for a moment, too. Admit that right now, you don’t have the words, the right decision, or the next best step, and then allow yourself to be a vessel. What feels like a totally natural next move? Give your mind a break, and flow.

xx Gabriela

Loved Ones

This past Friday I had the pleasure of attending a wedding in St. Augustine, Florida. The experience was surreal. First off, because I was transported into a land of lush vegetation, humid air, and coastal views (so different than Salt Lake right now).

Secondly, because I hadn’t seen the bride—a good friend of mine from college—in five years, and there I was, suddenly witnessing one of the most important days of her life.

It led me to think about weddings and how special they truly are; not only in the romantic sense of two people committing to a life together, but because for most, a wedding is the only time that you’ll have the opportunity to gather the majority of your loved ones together for a day.

If you think about it, the only other time will probably be your funeral.

I truly wish we had more opportunities and excuses to bring everybody we care about under the same roof, and really be present with one another. To cherish our shared memories, and to celebrate our joys.

I don’t know about you, but my idea of heaven is living on the same block as everybody I love. Being at the wedding made me feel so appreciative of the moments I’ve shared with people in my life, near and far, and also a little sad that there’s been so much time and space between me and some of those I care about.

I wish I could just cut through the miles, and walk over to some of my friends’ or relatives’ houses and hang out.

It solidified just how important people are to me. In fact, my relationships are the most important thing in life, and I sometimes forget that.

I am living well so long as I’m present in the shared moments, laughter, adventures, and conversations I have with someone. I am successful so long as I have beautiful people in my life.

Thank you to those, near and far who I’ve shared an experience with, and a little bit of my life. Even if we’ve never met, and you are simply reading my words, thank you for listening.

Love,

Gabriela

Each Morning

Good morning, friends!

I woke up early today to write this email before work, and watched the sun filter through the windows in the office as I typed and sipped on coffee. There was something inspiring and magical about waking before the sun; it felt like I was showing the world just how excited I was to be here.

It made me wonder why I’m generally enthusiastic about waking up and starting the day, and it’s because at some point, I made the decision that my attitude towards life would be that it’s beautiful and full of wonderful opportunities.

It made me think. Each morning, we get to decide what we want to make of that day, and with that, our general attitude towards life. We get to decide if we want to start over in some way. If we can make something new of whatever was troubling us and see it as an opportunity for growth. We get to decided if today we’re going to ask for help. We get to decide to focus on what we do have, instead of what we don’t, and fully appreciate all the love that surrounds us.

And it’s a powerful thing to be consciously aware of the choice you made that morning, and to see how life evolves from that, day by day.

Love,

Gabriela