Ambition Without Compromise
Ambition Without Compromise is the space where powerhouse women of color — with a special heart for Black mothers and future mothers — come to redefine success on their own terms.
Hosted by Monique R. Shields, executive coach, entrepreneur, and mentor to women at the highest levels of leadership, this podcast dives into the real challenges women face when juggling bold professional pursuits with the responsibilities of being present partners, mothers, and whole, healthy individuals.
Through honest conversations and powerful stories, you’ll gain insights on:
- Balancing ambition and freedom without burnout
- Crafting sustainable work-life integration
- Protecting your mental and emotional well-being
- Building intentional communities and seeking mentorship for growth
Whether you're scaling your business, stepping into a higher leadership role, or simply seeking clarity about what success means now, this show offers the tools and stories to help you thrive without compromise.
Follow Monique wherever you listen to podcasts and step into a world where ambition and joy can coexist.
Ambition Without Compromise
57 | The Less I Do The More I Get Done: Finding Rest As We Work
Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback!
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 TOUCH
CLAIMED is a 6-month group coaching experience for Black mother in senior leadership ready to stop performing and start becoming. This is for the woman who’s done everything “right” on paper—but knows a deeper version of success is calling. If you're craving real support, expert guidance, and a powerful circle of women who get it, you're in the right place.
Text me your name and email via the link in the show notes to get details and apply.