Women in Hospitality Leadership: Pivoting from Setbacks to Setups
By Monica Ortega, Actress, Author, Professional Speaker
If this last year has taught us anything, it’s how to pivot. We’ve all had to get creative in our careers and remain resilient through constant change. Whether that be in travel, hospitality, or life in general. As the host of a travel show who emcees big music festivals, speaks at events, and worked in the entertainment industry, every contract I had coming into 2020 came to a halt. Like the rest of the world, I had to pivot. When I began my travel show Monica Goes, back in 2014, I quickly realized that I’m afraid of everything. So that became a big premise of the show; me facing my fears to show others that if I can do it, anyone can!
I believe the lessons learned in pushing out of our comfort zones translates far beyond an outdoor adventure. Facing fears turns into resilience and confidence and knowing that you can handle whatever may come your way. Lessons that came in really handy this past year!
I never planned on writing a book in the pandemic, I actually never planned on writing a book at all! But when the world began panicking and fear was creeping up all around, I thought “maybe I have some insight to share on how we can utilize fear and change to BETTER ourselves."
My proverbial “rug” had been pulled out from underneath me in my personal life four years prior, with my unexpected divorce. When everything seemed to “fall apart”, it was the first time in my life I stopped to ask myself “What do I actually want out of life?” I realized that there is a lot of power in times of change, even when it can feel like we have no control. Once you can shift your mindset from setbacks to setups and start seeing that things aren’t happening to you, they’re happening for you, life gets pretty darn exciting!
I believe the lessons learned in pushing out of our comfort zones translates far beyond an outdoor adventure. Facing fears turns into resilience and confidence and knowing that you can handle whatever may come your way. Lessons that came in really handy this past year!
I never planned on writing a book in the pandemic, I actually never planned on writing a book at all! But when the world began panicking and fear was creeping up all around, I thought “maybe I have some insight to share on how we can utilize fear and change to BETTER ourselves."
My proverbial “rug” had been pulled out from underneath me in my personal life four years prior, with my unexpected divorce. When everything seemed to “fall apart”, it was the first time in my life I stopped to ask myself “What do I actually want out of life?” I realized that there is a lot of power in times of change, even when it can feel like we have no control. Once you can shift your mindset from setbacks to setups and start seeing that things aren’t happening to you, they’re happening for you, life gets pretty darn exciting!
So what now? How do we step into this “new world” in a way that sets us up for success? It’s all about a positive mindset and clear goals. For me, when we find ourselves pivoting in career, relationships, or life in general, this is the time to get excited about what the next chapter can hold! Like my favorite quote from the movie Hope Floats says “Beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it’s the middle that counts. Remember that when you find yourself at the beginning.”
The first thing I do is to start picturing what I want my life to look like from HERE. No longer how you think it should look. We need to stop should’ing all over ourselves! Once you get clear on the details, journal them out. Next, create a new vision board with all of your goals moving forward. It doesn’t help to keep looking at old goals of where you thought your career or life would go. Get excited about what’s next! Then I start chunking down each area into actionable steps that I can take today to start working toward that dream life! Change is scary, it just is. But it doesn’t have to be something that we fear. We survived the unthinkable last year. The world is slowly reopening and ready to get back out and explore. Learn to lean into the pivot and stay positive. The best is yet to come!
To learn more leadership insights from Monica Ortega, join the MRLA’s Women in Hospitality Leadership (WIHL) Webinar Series: There’s Glass Everywhere, Pivoting in Today's World: Shifting Your Mindset From Setbacks to Setups on Tuesday, August 17 at 10:00 a.m. Register to attend at mrla.org/wihlevents.
The first thing I do is to start picturing what I want my life to look like from HERE. No longer how you think it should look. We need to stop should’ing all over ourselves! Once you get clear on the details, journal them out. Next, create a new vision board with all of your goals moving forward. It doesn’t help to keep looking at old goals of where you thought your career or life would go. Get excited about what’s next! Then I start chunking down each area into actionable steps that I can take today to start working toward that dream life! Change is scary, it just is. But it doesn’t have to be something that we fear. We survived the unthinkable last year. The world is slowly reopening and ready to get back out and explore. Learn to lean into the pivot and stay positive. The best is yet to come!
To learn more leadership insights from Monica Ortega, join the MRLA’s Women in Hospitality Leadership (WIHL) Webinar Series: There’s Glass Everywhere, Pivoting in Today's World: Shifting Your Mindset From Setbacks to Setups on Tuesday, August 17 at 10:00 a.m. Register to attend at mrla.org/wihlevents.
