Monday Motivation on a Tuesday

My “Monday” Motivation is going out a little late this week due to unforeseen circumstances (feeling super unmotivated and having one of those really bad days that makes you question your path in life <—can anyone relate? lol)

I had two choices. I could get down on myself for being inconsistent with my newsletter, or, I could accept that I needed a day to sulk, love myself anyways, and continue on. I chose the latter, because hey, it’s not my job to get down on myself when life can sometimes do that for me. My job is to get back up, care for myself, and go on with doing the things that make me happy, such as writing this newsletter.

So here I am. The topic that feels near & dear to me today is: trust and validation while pursuing your dreams.

When taking action towards our big goals and dreams, doing things we truly care about, and creating from the heart, it can feel like we are a walking vulnerability.

You know that quote about parenting, “Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” Well, while creating, it’s as if you yourself are the heart—living and making vulnerably, straight from it.

When you seek out to live life in alignment with your passions—no matter what, you’re bound to come up against some serious doubt, judgement, pressure, road blocks, you name it. A lot of it will be coming from within, and some of it from outside forces.

In a world of instant gratification, it’s also challenging not to see the fruits of our labor while we’re working away, and to continue despite the lack of validation we so often seek. People in your life may not be as supportive as you’d like, the clients, and money may stall, etc.

The key is to stay in that space of self trust, to believe in your goals and cling to that vision, whilst continuously validating yourself. Take note of every step you take, of your accomplishments thus far, of what you know now that you didn’t before.

You can be the witness and support you’ve desperately been needing. Trust, that you are there, ready to lift yourself up with every challenge, and there in celebration of the progress you make in your own self-development throughout the journey.

You- are doing amazing.

Love,

Gabriela

Accomplishing Goals

I hope today you woke up with enthusiasm for the week, and some goals to keep you motivated.

I’ve been feeling a fire in my belly due to a current goal of mine, which is to pass a Spanish fluency assessment for an employment opportunity.

Though Spanish is my mother tongue, I don’t practice it too often unless I’m talking with my grandmother on the phone. So, this is something that sometimes makes me nervous! And when I get nervous or feel intimidated, I lose confidence and my Spanish gets worse.

So- this week I am incorporating some serious practice, and some mindset work in order to be successful.

It’s been nice to feel fired up about something and experience intense focus. It’s lead me to think about everything I can do that’s within my control, and the rest that I need to leave up to the Universe to decide.

What I can do, and have been doing is practicing as much as possible by taking Spanish classes online, going over vocabulary, and immersing myself in Spanish media.

The rest, has been mindset shifts I thought I’d share with you, in case you’re also in the midst of pursuing something specific.

My mindset work has incorporated:

Journaling each morning, venting worries when necessary and letting them go. Then, reaffirming what I want to achieve.
Writing a daily gratitude list to generate positive thinking.
Saying affirmations daily ex) “I am successful at everything I do”
Listening to visualization meditations and imagining having successfully completed all the necessary steps to attain this position.

And the rest, I leave up to fate. At least, whatever happens, I’ll know I gave it my all.

I’d love to know: are you in the midst of working hard for a specific goal? If so, what helps you be successful?

I hope you have an amazing week,

Gabriela

Is this right for me?

I’m learning not to be so black and white about things.

For so long, I’ve been knee-deep in the coaching world. I consumed so much inspirational and motivational content from coaches I admired and jumped on the bandwagon of their beliefs. They echoed thoughts, such as: “if you think and feel abundant, abundance will come” (invest in yourself, even when it’s freaking scary), “know your worth + value” (charge a lot) and “people are waiting to hear your message” (self-promotion is key). I really wanted all of this to work: for my business to be successful, to see results quickly and to prove all the skeptics wrong.

It’s not that I don’t think it’s still possible anymore. I’m just more aware of the effort that actually goes into growing a business and brand, and that I have a lot to learn. There is no one way of doing things. I’m preparing for this to be a long-term process with its own ups and downs, which I’m willing to push through, even if my success isn’t immediate (as advertised).

I’m becoming more aware of how I can stay true to myself, too. It’s so easy to put successful individuals on a pedestal and take their word as gospel. I don’t blame myself for it, but going forward I’d like to tune in with what feels right to me. (This is a continuos lesson).

There are some things around self-promotion for example that coaches recommend doing which I don’t feel totally comfortable with and need to find my own way of executing. Sure, there is healthy advice and ways I can push myself to succeed, but the key is to be discerning and question: Is this right for me?

Born to Express

Lately I’ve been thinking about the things I enjoy most about my coaching endeavor. You think i’d be coaching itself, but it’s actually been writing this blog and my weekly newsletters lately.

I never know what I’m going to write about until I’m in front of my laptop (just like today). I enjoy seeing the magic of my thoughts and experiences unfolding onto the page.

It’s funny how I’m coming back around to this passion I’ve had since I was seven and started writing short stories in class. I identified so much with being a “writer” for years until I realized later in life that I wanted to be so many other things, too.

It’s always been difficult for me to hone in on one thing I want to pursue head-on. When I found coaching I thought: This is it. I am a life coach. And then, wearing that label became heavy, too. I wanted to be so much more than that. I wanted my other passions to have an outlet, too. But everyone seemed to echo that you need to focus on one thing at a time in order to be successful. Each time I try to do that, I end up rebelling, tearing off whatever label has been holding me back from expressing different parts of myself.

Maybe that’s why I’m savoring my time writing now. Because it goes beyond being a “coach.” Because it sat on the back-burner for so long, aching for a voice and some time to be expressed.

I’d like to honor all those different parts of me that are waiting for permission to experience and create. Maybe I don’t need to be anything, maybe I was just born to express.

Prayer

I didn’t think I’d be writing about this topic—today, if at all. When you see the word “prayer” you may instinctively think, “religion,” which I understand is a weary subject for some. I get it. But this isn’t about that. This is about: surrender.

How much of your day to you attempt to control? How much of your life? I know I try and control most aspects of my life: from my morning routine, to the work I’m going to get done that day, my meals, my relationship, my thoughts and feelings, the fruition of my dreams…It can be overwhelming and exhausting, especially when things don’t go my way.

Lately what I’ve been doing with that overwhelm, is surrendering it. I do that by praying each morning. I light a candle, get down on my knees, and start off by thanking God/The Universe for all the great things I have going in life. I like to start off with gratitude because it makes me feel full, and reminds me that I’ve got more good things going than “bad” ones.

Then, I pray for help with whatever I’m struggling with and for the ability to stay present. I also ask God/The Universe to show me how I can best be of service that day. (Maybe I’ll write about this another time, but thinking about how you can help others and serve is a sure way to get out of your own head).

This new routine of mine has already created positive shifts in my day to day. When I pray I feel as if I’ve actually let go of some of the burden of doing it all on my own, and that I am being assisted and guided throughout the day. It’s a reminder that I’m constantly being heard and supported.

I was inspired to share this when I finished my prayer this morning and

thought it might be helpful for any of you that may be struggling to hold everything down on your own.

Remember that you can also pray in whatever way you feel comfortable. You can pray through a chant or a song. You can do it as you’re walking, or driving. You can make a little altar to pray to if you’d like, or just write down what you need help with; whatever floats your boat.

I think the important thing is to communicate with a higher power or your inner-guidance and to ask for help, or even just let it know what you’re thankful for.

art blur bright candlelight — Photo by Hakan Erenler on Pexels.com

The Power of a Gratitude List

Each morning in my journal, I write a “gratitude list.” I write down: I am grateful for… whatever it is that day. Often times, it’s my lovely little house, my partner, the kindness of someone that day, some unexpected savings or income, something wonderful I ate, a lovely conversation. It can be something big, or small. When I write this list I am thankful. I realize that I have absolutely everything I need and more. I have a BIG life, and so do you. My burdens and worries become less significant. I know there is more good than bad. Our minds often focus on lack and the “problems” that plague us. Writing this gratitude list every morning takes me out of that problematic mindset and puts me into the energy of love and abundance as I feel into that everything is going to be okay vibration. Because everything has always and always will be Okay.

Staying Positive in Times of Rejection

I am back in Utah now, and it seems that Fall suddenly happened while I was away. having grown up in San Francisco, I’m not very accustomed to seasons. It blows me away how suddenly the landscape can change and how aware we can become that time is moving forward, often urging us to rethink our direction in life.

A new path I’m currently pursuing is finding a part time job here in Salt Lake City while I work on my passion projects.

I’ve found it disheartening to either not hear back from some places, or to feel like there are slim pickings in terms of the types of jobs I actually want, and those that pay decently. I’m not usually the type to be discouraged, since I often try to look at the bright-side of things, so this disappointment hasn’t been an easy feeling to digest.

With that, I am reminded to be extra gentle with myself and to trust in the universe. Rejection, though oftentimes painful, is an opportunity to have faith in your unique path. When I don’t get that one job I wanted, I think: There is another one out there I’m supposed to have (possibly an even better one!) and some great people I am bound to meet. I just have to be patient and have faith.

Today I was actually offered a decent position and became aware of another one I could pursue, too. The key is to stay open, flexible and optimistic. And if you really really want something, rejection can be a way of testing that desire + your determination to push forward and try again.

How do you handle rejection & what are some ways to deal with it that feel more positive for you?

Would love to hear your thoughts. You can email me or find me on insta @gabrielammelgar anytime.

Shake it up

Greetings from Washington D.C. !

Sometimes you just have to fly 2,000 miles to be somewhere new with your best friend; that one person who’s known you most of your life, who can offer support and give you feedback when you’re stuck looking at things in black and white.

This was a very impromptu trip for me (first time purchasing a flight the day of), and it’s been nice to be reminded of the type of person I can be: spontaneous, flighty (literally), fun and adventurous. Travel has always been a priority of mine because it fills me with a sense of gratitude for life, for all the beauty and diversity of the world and for the amazing people in it.

I try to live life at home with the same type of attitude and curiosity, but I must admit that travel brings me right to the present moment and snaps me out of a type of complacency we can all feel in our daily routines. The upside of it too, is a sense of appreciation for everything you have at home, waiting for you.

If you’re finding yourself at home, and maybe realizing you’re a little too attached to your routine, or perhaps stuck on one perspective, you don’t have to fly 2,000 miles away like me to switch things up (though, please be my guest!)

Here’s a list of things you can do to shake things up from where you are:

Call someone you love who can offer you a new perspective on a subject you’ve been pondering or are stuck on in your life.
Go to a park, restaurant, or neighborhood you’ve never been to or rarely explore. Try and be present without any distractions, and soak it all in.
Change up your routine. Maybe you’ve been trying to incorporate a morning jog before heading to work, or you want to try a new route.
Read a book or listen to a podcast on a subject you’re curious on but don’t know much about.
Hang out with someone you’d like to get to know better, or try out a Meetup in your area.
And lastly, when bored, reach for something different. If you always go for your phone or Netflix, try drawing something, starting a puzzle, knitting a scarf, or whatever else might be fun and engaging for you!

I hope that if you’re inspired to, you can take a small step towards gaining a new perspective on life, or perhaps just a greater sense of appreciation for all that you’ve got going on now.

Moving Forward

So much has changed for me the last two weeks. Not having a website and message that was authentic to me was a big stumbling block I’m glad to have moved past. I felt stuck without this missing piece; without knowing and voicing to the world how I wanted to help my clients. I had to find my own voice in this.

Now, I know that my simple goal is to help others connect to their inner-guidance and live more joyously. I finally feel like I can move forward at rocket speed. It was scary but really exhilarating to announce my new website/content and introduce the fact that I’m even a life coach across all my social media platforms: to my family, friends and acquaintances.

All these worries about what people might think of me popped into my head. Maybe they were thinking: who does she think she is? I let the fear wash over me and then released it, because I’m too busy taking action and moving forward to dwell. Now, when I share about my business online, I simply post it and let it go.

I am learning to believe in my message; to believe I have something valuable to offer and to make it less about me, and more about how I can serve others. It’s such a process and I am having fun with this whole thing.

I’ve had the opportunity to coach various people the last few days and it’s been an amazing experience! I feel like I’ve genuinely connected and helped them. By the end of our sessions, there is a spike in their energy and I’ve received some awesome feedback. It reminds me of why I want to do this work, and also that I am a capable and dedicated coach.

What I’ve learned from these past two weeks is how valuable it is to investigate what is holding us back in moving forward with goals. Is it that you don’t feel like what you’re doing is authentic? Are you still looking for the right words? Is there a missing piece? Or is it the fear of what others think that’s stopping you?

It’s important to bring awareness to what we need to shift through in order to move forward, grow and expand. To be fierce in our determination of sharing our purpose with the world. We deserve it, and so does the world.

Let the new chapter begin.

Happy Monday, everyone! Mondays are sort of strange for me these days, I’m actually excited for them! After taking it easy on the weekend and spending quality time with my partner and foster doggy, I know it’s time for me to get back to my work.

This Monday is special because I am launching an updated website, that feels more like me. I believe my current mission to is to see how my coaching business can positively impact others and change my life. There’s a fire in my belly, urging me to get this work out, and see what type of feedback I receive from the world.

Throughout this journey, I’ve stumbled with my own self confidence. I’ve thought: who am I to be doing this–to be coaching? Or, how can I just decide to start my own business and dictate my own life and schedule? Sometimes I felt like I was living in my own fantasy, waiting for the bubble to burst.

For months now, I have been experimenting and learning. I hired a business coach and took several courses, worked thoroughly on my own self-development and came to the conclusion that now it is time for my own inner-guidance to take the lead. From this point on, I am trusting myself to know best & to take forward only the information and lessons that resonate with me.

The truth is, after listening and experimenting with so many other opinions on how to grow this business, I’ve been waiting to give birth to my mission in a way that feels authentic to me.

The re-vamp of my website represents this new chapter. It was created to express what feels true in my heart: I want to help others connect to their inner-guidance and live joyous lives, and I am bringing forth the confidence that I am prepared to do it.

Love,

Gabriela