Welcome to
Empowering professionals to lead balanced and successful lives
Build the healthy & productive life you deserve!
About
Lifestyle Guidance
Managing your body and mind will offer you life enrichment and longevity.
Working Remotely
Working from home brings new habits and activities that will enrich your life
The Orchid: The Secret Code of Modern Goddesses
A heart-stirring journey about discovering inner peace, strength and self-love. Join Mary, as she unveils a profound truth: the real treasures of true love lie within.
The Orchid is a peaceful and luxurious retreat founded by Mary and nestled in picturesque Northern California. Its unique healing and empowerment program, featuring invaluable lessons and exercises in awareness, gratitude, forgiveness, acceptance, and intention, are designed to ignite a transformation from within. It is in this holistic wellness setting where Mary and her team combine ancient wisdom with modern practices, creating a school and spa for the mind, body and soul which guides these women on their journey of introspection.
Weekly, for over two decades, Mary and her team of expert teachers and healers, welcome 30 women each searching for a life-changing experience. Our story follows five closely: Nicole, battling societal pressures; Olivia, overcoming childhood traumas; Jennifer, seeking renewal after betrayal; Stephanie, a ex-model healing from pain; and Sofia, a business owner dealing with ethical challenges and anger.
At its heart, the story is a celebration of emotional resilience, female solidarity, and the power of self-reflection. As the characters navigate their personal growth and transformation, you will too, becoming an active participant in their journey and process. The Orchid is an uplifting festival of emotions, a testament to life, growth, hope and self-love.
Come and spend a week with us at The Orchid and prepare for an experience that will ignite your imagination, stir your emotions, and awaken the powerful goddess within you.
Available now: On Paperback
Why Knowing Yourself is Key for Success
We've all dealt with someone at work who rubs us the wrong way. They never listen to feedback, can't empathize with colleagues, and have an inflated view of their own performance. Chances are, these co-workers lack self-awareness - the ability to accurately understand one's strengths, weaknesses, and impact on others.
Though we can't force self-awareness on others, developing it within ourselves is one of the most powerful things we can do for our careers and relationships.
To grow, we need input from others on how we're showing up. But for critical feedback to land, we must be open to hearing it. Self-aware people have the humility to accept they have blindspots, whereas the unaware get defensive at the mere hint of criticism. When we know ourselves, feedback feels less threatening.
Seeking regular input from trusted sources can help boost self-awareness. Ask for targeted feedback on your leadership style, communication tendencies, or collaboration skills. Be prepared to hear hard truths and thank the giver for their candor. Avoid justifying your behaviors and instead reflect on what may be driving them.
Understanding our own motivations and triggers gives us insight into how others operate. Self-aware people can "read the room" and adjust their style because they appreciate different personalities and work styles. Unaware people struggle to take others' perspectives.
Practice empathy by getting curious about what makes colleagues tick. Notice their work habits, communication preferences, and approaches to common problems. Avoid making assumptions. Ask clarifying questions to better understand their challenges and priorities. Reflect on times you acted without empathy so you can choose more supportive responses next time.
Knowing our natural tendencies means we can thoughtfully adapt our communication approach. Do you fall into using unhelpful sarcasm when stressed? Are you too blunt in emails? Self-knowledge helps us override ineffective habits and fine-tune our delivery based on context.
Analyze your common communication pitfalls and emotional triggers. What situations reliably make you act ineffective or abrasive? Become vigilant about pausing before reacting in those moments. Consider the other person’s perspective and what tone and style would serve the relationship best. Save charged conversations for in-person rather than digital channels.
Working well with others necessitates understanding team dynamics and our role. Self-aware people know when to check their egos, step up, or stay quiet. They pause before reacting and consider what will best serve the team.
Note when you tend to dominate team discussions or not speak up enough. Track the outcomes when you consciously modify your approach. Do more listening or dissenting voices emerge when you talk less? Are decisions of higher quality when you contribute your perspective? Adjust your collaboration style over time based on what works.
So, how do we become more self-aware? Here are a few research-backed tips:
1. Seek feedback from trusted colleagues on your specific behaviors and impact. Listen with an open mind and ask clarifying questions rather than justifying yourself.
2. Reflect regularly through journaling, meditation, or walking in nature. Look for patterns in your emotional responses to gain insight into your triggers and blind spots. Unpack what drives your perfectionism, need for control, or other tendencies.
3. Notice your self-talk and beliefs. We often make inaccurate assumptions about ourselves and the world that fuel unaware behaviors. Challenge your inner narrative to align with reality rather than self-protective distortions.
4. Take personality assessments to uncover natural strengths, work style preferences, and areas for growth. Combine insights from multiple tools for a more complete picture.
5. Work with an executive coach who can share candid observations and collaboratively explore development areas through questioning and reflection. An outside professional perspective provides invaluable self-awareness.
6. Completely unplug from work periodically to gain mental space for self-reflection. Extended time offline fosters internal rather than external awareness.
7. Observe how your energy and focus fluctuate during the workday. Notice when you are most productive, distracted, drained, or energized. Reflect on what activities or situations precede the shifts.
Developing self-awareness takes courage, commitment, and daily practice. But the personal growth and professional benefits are immense. Rather than spinning our wheels trying to "fix" unaware colleagues, let's focus first on achieving self-mastery. The rewards for investing in our self-knowledge are well worth the effort.
Keep moving forward,
Ivan Bargueiras
The Modern Monkey Blogs
Follow us @
https://www.tiktok.com/@themodernmonkey1?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
https://www.instagram.com/the.modernmonkey/
https://twitter.com/themodernmonke1
5 Key Elements to Success
Success is a concept that fascinates and motivates individuals around the world. We often admire successful people for their achievements, but have you ever wondered what sets them apart from the rest? Is it luck, talent, or something else entirely? In this blog, we will delve into the key reasons why successful people are successful, providing valuable insights and advice that you can incorporate into your journey towards success.
1. Clear Goals and Vision
One of the primary reasons behind the success of many individuals is their ability to set clear goals and visualize their desired outcomes. Successful people have a clear vision of what they want to achieve, allowing them to create a roadmap to success. They set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals, providing them with direction and motivation.
Advice: Take the time to define your long-term goals and the steps required to achieve them. Break down your goals into smaller milestones to make them more manageable. Visualize your success and use it as a compass to guide your actions.
2. Resilience and Persistence
Success rarely comes overnight. Successful individuals understand that setbacks and failures are part of the journey. However, what sets them apart is their resilience and persistence. They have the tenacity to overcome obstacles, learn from their failures, and keep moving forward. They do not let setbacks deter them from their path toward success.
Advice: Embrace failure as an opportunity for growth and learning. Develop a resilient mindset that allows you to bounce back from setbacks stronger than before. Stay persistent in pursuing your goals, even when faced with challenges. Remember, perseverance is key.
3. Continuous Learning and Personal Growth
Successful people have a thirst for knowledge and are committed to continuous learning. They never stop seeking new information, acquiring new skills, and improving themselves. They prioritize personal growth and understand that investing in their own development is crucial for long-term success.
Advice: Foster a mindset of lifelong learning. Stay curious and open to new ideas. Read books, attend workshops or seminars, and surround yourself with people who inspire and challenge you. Seek feedback and actively look for opportunities to grow personally and professionally.
4. Discipline and Time Management
Discipline and effective time management are essential qualities that successful individuals possess. They understand the value of time and prioritize tasks accordingly. They practice self-discipline and make conscious choices that align with their goals, avoiding distractions that may hinder their progress.
Advice: Create a routine that allows you to manage your time effectively. Prioritize tasks based on their urgency and importance. Set boundaries and limit distractions. Practice self-discipline by focusing on the tasks at hand and avoiding procrastination.
5. Strong Networks and Mentors
Successful people recognize the importance of surrounding themselves with like-minded individuals who support and inspire them. They build strong networks and seek guidance from mentors who have already achieved the success they desire. They understand that learning from others' experiences can provide them with valuable insights and shortcuts to success.
Advice: Connect with individuals who share your aspirations or are already successful in your field of interest. Attend networking events, join professional organizations, or participate in online communities. Seek out mentors who can provide guidance and share their wisdom. Surround yourself with a supportive community that nurtures your growth.
Success is not a stroke of luck. It is a culmination of various factors and traits that successful people possess. By understanding the key reasons why successful people are successful and implementing the advice provided, you can unlock your own potential and set yourself on the path towards achieving your goals. Remember, success is a journey, and with determination, resilience, continuous learning, discipline, and a strong support network, you can overcome any obstacles and achieve the success you deserve.
Keep moving forward,
Ivan Bargueiras
The Modern Monkey Blog
Follow us @
https://www.instagram.com/the.modernmonkey/
https://www.tiktok.com/@themodernmonkey1?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Did you know...
•The world record for low temperature (-128.6F) was set at Vostok Station, Antarctica, on 21 July 1983
•"Karaoke" means empty orchestra in Japanese.
•Short-term memory generally lasts around 20 to 30 seconds
•Some newborns are expected to reach 150 years of age
•Plants can communicate with each other
•“Brain freeze” is actually your brain recognizing a drop in temperature
