Let the healing continue
Monique Russell
In light of the recent events impacting our nation, what advice would you give to people in order to help them navigate the uncertainty? ALSO, SHARE ONE OR TWO available RESOURCES YOU RECOMMEND WHICH ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP PEOPLE RIGHT NOW?
Our nation has been impacted by unexpected trauma and change.
1. Be gentle with yourself. Embrace and understand that life as you knew it has changed and that business, as usual, is unrealistic. Avoid placing unhealthy expectations on yourself and/or others.
2. Celebrate the wins. Each day is an opportunity for you to do the best you can. Focus on doing the next right thing, whatever that means for you.
3. Choose the mindset you want to be in. We are not ignoring or denying the real challenges many people are facing; however, if we choose to practice gratitude and look for the things we can be grateful for each day; it will enhance our overall outlook and well-being. There is no evidence that being negative is helpful. In fact, it weakens our immune system daily.
4. Monitor and manage the content you consume. It’s easy to get wrapped into the news cycle, or communication cycle of what is going on nonstop. Reduce your intake of media; and avoid spreading negative content to family and friends on Whatsapp, text or email. Choose to spread positive energy.
5. Reflect on the most difficult obstacles you faced in your life. Think about what you did specifically to get through. Who did you become in order to persevere? Channel that inner fortitude as you embrace your day. You are a warrior and the human spirit can sometimes get weary, but you are resilient and will get through this.
6. Be of service. No matter how small the act is, when we perform acts of service by checking in on others, donating to someone in need (clothes, food, money), it helps us to boost our outlook on life because we are taking part in a global human need of connection.
7. Forgive yourself, and others. Un-forgiveness takes up space in our hearts, mind, and body. It is a weight that weakens our immune system. Think about those people you need to forgive and forgive them. Think about those that need to forgive you, and ask for it.
8. Seek professional support. As a professional coach, many clients come to me to accelerate the process of achieving their goals, to increase self-awareness and ways they are holding themselves back. On occasion, past traumas and hurt arise which can be dealt with in a gradual way. The current crises didn’t allow for a gradual embracing of change and because it came on so suddenly, it can be overwhelming and confusing to think things through clearly. Get an outside, supportive counsel in your corner.
9. Connect to your spiritual source. Emotional intelligence research shows us that regular practice of compassion, mindfulness, and prayer to a loving God activates the system of renewal. Don’t forget who you are and whose you are.
What is your personal mission in life?
My Personal Mission is to help inform, inspire, and empower others so they can live a leadership lifestyle they can be proud of. I want people to understand and accept that they can have the positive and productive relationships the desire in this life to create healthy legacies for their families and children with the powerful tools of effective communication. This is something I love doing because these are things I have worked on and continue to work on in myself, we don’t ever stop growing.
What is one of the biggest challenges you have overcome?
One of the biggest challenges I have had to overcome was learning how to be totally in love with myself. You don’t really know that you don’t like yourself because there are so many others around you who don’t like themselves either! There were many things I didn’t like about myself in my earlier years: my skin color, the size of my nose, the shortness and texture of my hair, etc. All of this happened while I was simultaneously excelling in everything I did. Additionally, I struggled to set boundaries and would often do things out of obligation even to my own detriment. Learning how to see myself and my past in a powerful way as well as developing the skills to say now without feeling guilty is something I am immensely proud of. As a result, I am literally in love with the woman I am; Monique.
What one action helped you overcome your challenge?
One action that helped me overcome this challenge was identifying and being in the presence of other women who had the same characteristics I did but are walking with confidence in who they were and being true to themselves. It’s very powerful to be inspired through modeling and adapt to what you see possible for yourself. This one action led me to be exposed to other intrapersonal communication tools and strategies such as visioning, new forms of goal setting, sisterhood, community, therapy and more.
What is your definition of leadership?
I define leadership as a lifestyle. It is who we are and our continuous development. It is not a place where you ever arrive, but it is an ongoing journey of continuous improvement.
What is your advice to someone who is ashamed to tell their story?
My advice to anyone ashamed to share their story is that you are not alone. The first fear of sharing something you’ve had to overcome is often that no one else has experienced it. or that if you were to share it, you would be rejected. This is far from the truth. Your story is your gateway to a deeper connection with others. It will humanize you, inspire and give others permission to share and inspire in a ripple effect form.
Make sure you take the time to heal yourself first before sharing so that when you do, you have developed the inner fortitude, wisdom, and confidence to stand tall and strong when it is released.
How Can I Be Reached?
Website: www.clearcommunicationsolutions.com
Phone: 706-963-0322
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/clearcommunicationcoach
Monique Russell Bio
Hailing from the beautiful islands of The Bahamas, Monique Russell is an International Inspirational Teacher, and Executive Communications Coach based in Atlanta, GA where she teaches effective communication strategies to leaders in a variety of business and government sectors. She has taught thousands of leaders globally and has consulted for government agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control, OSHA and for fortune 100 companies such as Verizon, Intel, and Equifax. She has worked with institutions of higher education in the areas of diversity, cultural sensitivity, public speaking, and communications with an emphasis on Emotional Intelligence. New managers and leaders especially seek her out for her unique and interactive methods of team-building and problem solving using human-centric approaches.
Monique has been a leadership and communications strategist to local Chambers of Commerce, National associations such as the Society of Human Resource managers, National Headstart Association, Consulate Generals, school groups, and faith-based organizations. Because of her background, she is a frequently sought after guest on business, local and international radio shows, and she's been quoted and featured in publications as a subject matter expert in the areas of leadership development, team building and effective communications in the United States, United Kingdom, The Bahamas, Namibia, Nigeria and Jamaica to name a few.
Monique's civic involvement includes serving as a board Advisor for non-profit groups, establishing a Tedx afterschool club which is broadcast globally on TED.com, sponsoring anti-bullying campaigns in the Caribbean, and facilitating programs at Junior Achievement, and YearUp Atlanta among others. She is the founder of the Clear Communication Online Institute and an advisory board member of Leadercast, the world’s largest one day leadership conference.
Despite the credentials and success, through the journey of life, Monique lost her confidence but reclaimed it through a series of empowering exercises and resources. It is because of her multi-dimensional experiences that her teachings on how to communicate confidently from the inside out are very effective. Monique earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism, and two Masters of Science degrees in Public Relations and Advertising. She is a Certified Life Coach and DiSC facilitator. Monique is married with two boys, loves the outdoors and reading.
Compiled by Tanysha W Carroll Executive Coordinator www.tanyshawcarroll.com