In today's episode, we celebrate the one-year anniversary of Ambition Without Compromise, a testament to the power of persistence and the beauty of evolution. Join me as I take a reflective journey down memory lane, recounting the origins of this podcast, born from a desire to connect authentically and serve a community of visionary women. From the humble beginnings of voice memos sent out to a small circle of friends and family, to the robust, twice-monthly musings that reach an ever-growing audience, this journey has been one of learning, growth, and unwavering commitment to my vision. I delve into five key lessons learned along the way, from embracing imperfection to tuning into the data, and the importance of meeting ourselves where we are. As we step into the next year of the show, I invite you to celebrate the milestones we've reached together and the space we've created for daring questions and honest answers. Whether you've been with me from the start or have recently joined our community, I hope you find inspiration in the realization that ambition does not have to be compromised when we listen, adapt, and serve with heart. In honor of our anniversary, I ask for the gift of your feedback. Leave a review and share how this podcast has impacted your journey. Your words not only help others find this podcast but also guide the future of our conversations. Send me a DM or an email to let me know your thoughts, and together, let's step into another year of uncompromised ambition. REQUEST Share your anniversary well-wishes by leaving a rating and review for Ambition Without Compromise on Apple Podcast. Your engagement fuels this journey, and I can't wait to hear from you. MENTIONED 13 | Re-Mothering Ourselves GEMS DROPPED “Perfection ​is ​not ​required ​to ​do ​the ​next ​thing ​that ​you're ​trying ​to ​do. ​I ​just ​want ​to ​remind ​you, ​if ​you ​don't ​already ​know, ​or ​if ​you ​know, ​that ​you're ​placing ​this ​undue ​pressure ​on ​yourself, ​that ​perfection ​is not ​required.” “Sometimes ​it's ​not ​about ​you ​having ​said ​the ​perfect ​thing, ​​crafted ​the ​perfect ​positioning, ​​and ​language, ​and ​put ​all ​of ​this ​thought ​and ​science ​and ​art ​just ​melding ​together ​into ​this ​gorgeous ​piece ​of ​work. ​​Sometimes ​it's ​just ​the ​way ​you ​naturally ​say ​things. Someone ​else ​out ​in ​the ​world ​needed ​to ​hear ​it ​in ​that ​way. ​Someone's ​looking ​for YOU.” “Sometimes ​we ​think ​we ​need ​to ​over ​prepare ​when ​it's ​like ​you ​are ​enough ​as ​you ​are, ​that ​your ​rawness ​is ​actually ​the ​best ​gift ​you ​can ​give ​people, ​for ​people ​to ​get ​a ​real ​taste ​of ​the ​essence ​of ​you.” “You ​have ​everything ​you ​need ​to ​start, you ​just ​need ​to ​be ​creative. Just ​allow ​yourself ​to ​have ​the ​freedom ​to ​have ​like, ​a ​quick ​and ​easeful ​creative ​exploration. ​If ​you ​give ​yourself ​permission​ ​to ​be ​where ​you ​are ​and ​to ​listen ​to ​what ​exactly ​it ​is ​that ​you ​want.” “Listen ​to ​the ​data ​to ​block ​out ​distraction. ​Most ​of ​the ​time, ​I ​think ​the ​distractions ​are ​like ​our ​insecurities, fears ​or ​doubts.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to [email protected].