We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Monica Curtis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Monica below.
Hi Monica, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
Looking back on my journey, I’ve realized that life’s challenges often catch us off guard, leaving us stranded and weary. Yet, in these challenging moments, I’ve found an inner strength that pushes me forward, even amidst life’s unpredictable currents.
It all started in my childhood when financial struggles shook the stability of my family’s life. Suddenly, our once-solid ground felt shaky beneath our feet.
Those early years were tough – money was tight, our cupboards were often bare, and the absence of a father figure left a void in our hearts. But my mother, a pillar of resilience, somehow found the strength to keep us afloat.
Despite the embarrassment and shame, I found solace in the kindness of others. Today, as I navigate life’s twists and turns, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just a trait – it’s a transformative force that shapes who we are. Through it all, I’ve discovered the power of empathy – approaching others with compassion, knowing that everyone carries their burdens.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
At the heart of my mission is Collective Impact: Empowering women to embrace their authentic selves and unleash their voices, paving the way for a more inclusive and compassionate world. When the values and perspectives of women are woven into the fabric of society, it sparks a harmonious and diverse global community. I’m passionate about creating communities and nurturing spaces where women can authentically shine, whether through my role as a speaker and blogger or co-founding The Kindling Project, crafted to pursue passion projects. My dedication is to empower women to confidently occupy space and use their voices for a collective impact.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1) Resilience from Scars: Acknowledging that the scars of my yesterdays are part of my story and have shaped my resilience.
2) Mindset Shift: I transformed challenges into opportunities for growth by shifting from perceiving life as happening to me to understanding that it’s happening for me.
3) Curiosity-Led Leadership: Leading with curiosity, adopting a “tell me more” mentality, and actively seeking to understand by peeling the layers of situations and perspectives.
For those early in their journey, my advice is to:
Embrace your yesterdays unabashedly; own every part of your story. It’s the unfiltered chapters that genuinely make us unstoppable. Cultivate a mindset beyond being interesting; become genuinely interested, with curiosity as your guiding compass. Above all, remember that your opinions don’t determine what’s right—stay open to learning and evolving.
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
I’ve intentionally shifted away from the usual strengths chatter—it’s the low-hanging fruit. Delving into stories of everyday champions triumphing over struggles and vulnerabilities, acknowledging imperfections, and facing fears spark magic. Growth isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a dynamic journey tackling challenging issues. Confronting weaknesses cultivates fierce resilience and true courage. Addressing our weak spots goes beyond self-improvement; it reveals a world of possibilities. It’s about rewriting ‘flaws’ into ‘fortitude’ and transforming ‘can’ts’ into proud ‘cans.’
Contact Info:
- Website: https://togetherjoy.com/
- Instagram: @togetherjoy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monica.inestrozacurtis
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicaicurtis/
- Other: https://www.thekindlingproject.com/
