Learning How to Celebrate – Part 2

Learning How to Celebrate – Part 2

This is a continuation of Part 1.

My lack of celebrating and taking the time to stop and enjoy life over the years is what made me commit to taking a vacation every four weeks this year. After not taking a real vacation in nearly 13 years and giving so much of myself to others, I needed to stop and give myself the time to start pouring back into myself. I am so grateful that process has begun.

We all only have so much to give away to others before the deficit for ourselves begins to take its toll. Fortunately for me, I did it while I was still whole. For some, once they actually do it, they have already compromised their health, their mind and it is too late for them to recover. If this is you, start giving yourself the time to heal yourself. Your responsibilities, your family and yourself need you to give from a place of being whole not a place of depletion.
 

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I am so grateful it is my season to do just that. I am taking the time to live and celebrate not just the big things, but also some of the smaller, daily moments of my life.

The celebration doesn’t have to be outrageous. It can be quite small. It just needs to acknowledge that something good happened and you want to take a moment to enjoy that space and, for me, feel grateful in it.

My celebration can be as simple as getting a bubble tea and enjoying it while thinking of the celebratory event. It could be a massage, a lovely dinner out or doing something that you’d enjoy doing, but may not necessarily get the chance to do regularly. However, if you prefer to celebrate, just make the time to do it and follow through with it. Life has enough non-celebratory events on its own. So, take full advantage of the moments you have when something special and exciting occurs in your life to celebrate!
 

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Do you feel as if you’re currently celebrating the good things that happen in your life? Or do you have some learning and growing to do around celebrating like I do?

Share with me your thoughts and experience below or on Facebook or Instagram.


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Learning How to Celebrate – Part 1

Learning How to Celebrate – Part 1

I have been in the process of learning a few things lately. Not in the area of business where I am always learning or the area of life lessons which is a never ending journey, but to be quite honest in an area which seems to be a bit remedial to me.

After years of going from one crisis to the next, celebrating just wasn’t something I’ve been concerned with doing. From dealing with the fallout from the recession to having a period of double digit family losses to dealing with the niece I raised having a traumatic brain injury, contemplating celebrations was just not on the list of the important things to do in my life.

However, a new season has bloomed. Tragedies and traumas don’t last forever and when your new season comes in, you can’t taint it with the spirit of your past seasons.
 

learning-how-to-celebrate-monique-manigault
 

What I now acknowledge is that I don’t really celebrate good things that occur in my life. The reality is that I didn’t really do much celebrating even before those incidents occurred. The last event I really remember celebrating was graduating from law school, which was nearly 20 years ago. In recent years for my birthday, I wouldn’t really do anything unless my dear friend Stephanie forced me to go somewhere with her.

I talk about celebrating with my clients and the importance of enjoying life, but the fact of the matter is, I have not organically felt so inclined to ever really do it for myself. That was until now. While recently speaking with someone who works with me, she discussed my lack of celebrating. So, we agreed that it is time for me to start.
 

learning-how-to-celebrate-monique-manigault
 

We also talked about how hard I am on myself and my very high standards. She told me that I have accomplished more in 1 year than most of the business owners she knows. And that I don’t really think it’s a big deal. She’s right. I don’t.

Those words were familiar to me, because just the other day, a lovely 18 year old named Savannah that I had recently met told me that I’ve achieved more in my life than most people do in a lifetime. That was such an interesting comment to me shared from an 18 year old.

For me, I just know the work that lies ahead. So, I am constantly looking forward instead of spending any time looking at what has or is being accomplished. I am actually perfectly fine with that. But sometimes, every now and then, I need to take a break from achieving and just do some living and celebrating.

To shop my outfit, go to: https://bit.ly/2yffPuy


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3 of the Biggest Challenges Facing Women Business Owners Today

3 of the Biggest Challenges Facing Women Business Owners Today

I recently had the opportunity to attend an event for women business owners in a suburb of New York City. The event was focused on the challenges women business owners experience while running their companies.

It was a very interesting conversation around the difficulties that plague many women business owners. Although the owners represented were in the NYC area, I am sure that women business owners across the country share their sentiments.

One of the major challenges that were discussed was related to funding. Capital is one of the main reasons why businesses are forced to close. Where do you get it? Where are the best options? How do you put yourself in the best position for funding? These were all questions and challenges that many of the business owners had to face.
 

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Another issue they tackled was around being a woman in a predominately male industry or just being disregarded or overly questioned by men in a non-male dominated industry. This was actually surprising to me as it has never been my experience. But it was evident how present it was for many who were sharing as part of their experience.

Some of these women business owners were in heavily male dominated arenas such as construction and moving. Some were actually told by colleagues that they were expecting them to fail.
 

women-entrepreneur-challenges
 

We as human beings, and certainly as women, have our own questions and often times insecurities around our abilities to do different things especially those things we’ve never done before. The added pressure and stress of having individuals tell you that they are waiting for you to fall I find to be very saddening. But this is the reality for many female business owners across the country.

The 3rd challenge many of these business owners faced was related to having to learn exactly what to do at different times in their businesses. How to do it and when to do it without ever having the experience of doing it before. Many credit mentors and other business owners with previous experiences for assisting them and giving recommendations, but ultimately the final decision fell on the actual business owner to make the best decision for their business and then learn from the outcome depending on the results. Asking for and seeking help was a big factor for many of them to move their businesses ahead.

Although these issues were discussed by women business owners, I know that the first and the third challenges described are shared by all business owners, male or female, in America.


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The Importance of a Lifeline

The Importance of a Lifeline

We all have times in our lives when we’re just not feeling so great about things. It is part of the ebb and flow of life. The important thing to know is that during those moments you have a lifeline to reach out and hold on to.

You have to identify a resource for you to tap into that helps pull you through difficult times. It can allow you to have momentary breakthroughs to see that things are not nearly as bad as they seem.
 

lifeline-monique-manigault
 

Your lifeline can be an inspirational book. It can be a special place. It can be a specific person.

A lifeline should be a support system that helps to remind you that things will get better. It helps to support and elevate your level of thought so you know that this is but a moment in time.

Life can and will be very uncertain at times. There are times of despair. There are times of experiencing tremendous fears. There are times of excruciating traumas. Any and all of these times can allow someone to feel as if nothing will ever improve. People can feel as if they will never be able to push through that place. And that can be a terrifying space.
 

lifeline-monique-manigault
 

What is absolutely essential for you to understand is that these times will not always consume you. To the contrary, they are but moments in time. Don’t be in despair, don’t allow such a moment to penetrate your greater knowing. Knowing that your life destiny is far greater than what you can currently see. Hold on to faith – your breakthrough is just ahead of you.

Seek out a lifeline. Seek out a person, place, inspirational reading or organization to help pull you through your harder days. There is a better, higher reason for your being. Borrow my faith for you to help pull yourself through until you’re able to see it for yourself.

To shop my outfit, go to: https://bit.ly/2OZoF9y


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How Angel Investors Can Help Your Business Grow

How Angel Investors Can Help Your Business Grow

Angel investing is a powerful way for entrepreneurs to fund their businesses. One of the major reasons why businesses don’t succeed is due to the lack of capital.

Angel investors are often wealthy individuals who are interested in investing seed money or capital to expand a business. Many are interested in bringing certain ideas and innovation to fruition.
 

angel-investing
 

Some angel investors love to contribute their expertise to the businesses they invest in. Some have already created successful businesses and have a tremendous amount of business experience they want to share. Others may not have the expertise, but could be interested in learning. Whatever the interest of the angel investor, it is important to know exactly what their expectation is as it relates to being a part of the company their money is helping to support.

Most angel investors require ownership in your business in exchange of their investment, while others do not. Some may require you to pay a particular investment return without requiring shares. You are able to negotiate and structure the best deal for yourself and your business. But just remember, if you are in need of the funds, the investor has the upper hand. They will have a significant advantage when structuring the deal for your company. There are tons of companies seeking out investors. You are not the only viable business opportunity in town.

Many angel investors focus on specific industries and sectors. Some may only be interested in women-owned businesses or tech, but whatever the type of investor, do your research to make sure you have the angel investor and investment that is best for you.
 

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Finding the right angel investor can be difficult. It’s going to take much more time and effort than you may anticipate. So, make sure to give yourself a significant amount of time to search for one.

Once you find one, you’ll want to make sure you complete your due diligence before signing any agreements. I advise you to seek out a corporate attorney to assist you in the process and ensure it is the best deal for you. Do not wait until the last minute to do this. Bring the attorney in early as the right one will help you to avoid a ton of pitfalls in this process.

I have seen countless investment deals go bad. So, you’ll want to do whatever is possible to put yourself in the best position at the beginning. Otherwise, it can be a huge liability to yourself and ultimately your business in the end.


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