The Power Circle

Your weekly retreat for reflection, empowerment, and inspired action.

Hello Queen,

As we step into the holiday season surrounded by family and friends, I find myself reflecting on the journey of this year. It’s been a challenging one, no doubt, but through every twist and turn, we’ve made it here. And that, to me, is nothing short of a miracle.

Muses and Thoughts: Centering On Self-Care

When times get tough, I’ve learned to embrace stillness. When life gets loud, it drowns out my thoughts. But in the quiet, clarity emerges, and my next steps come into focus. This November, one truth became undeniable: no one is coming to save us. I sense many Black women felt the same shift. And while Kamala Harris reminds us to stay in the fight, I believe we are already fighting, but our way forward just looks different now.

This new fight centers on radical self-care. Not just lounging in silk pajamas with a glass of our favorite drink, but a deeper, transformative commitment to ourselves. I sense we’re all questioning everything, planning our next chapter with the cape off. For years, we’ve answered the call to save everyone else, but now, it’s time to let them miss us. Like when you tell someone, "It’s not you, it’s me," we’re stepping back to rediscover the "me" beyond the obligation to save others.

What does centering self-care truly look like? In this newsletter, we’ll explore the possibilities together. Let’s embark on this journey of unapologetic self-discovery and transformation.

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Reflections in Ink: Writing Your Truth

Recently, I had the privilege of being a guest on a Canadian podcast about entrepreneurs in the arts—a topic that’s close to my heart. It was a joyful and insightful conversation. Toward the end, Angela, the host, asked me a powerful question: "What would you tell your 20-year-old self?" My answer came quickly, shaped by years of reflection.

I would tell her this: Put yourself first. Put your dreams at the center and allow others to do the same for themselves.

Looking back, I can see so many moments where I poured my energy into helping others build their dreams, chasing opportunities that never truly materialized. If I had channeled that same energy into my ambitions—unapologetically—I know my path would have been different.

When I was earning my certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship at Cornell University, we explored the deep contrasts between how men and women are socialized around business. Men are raised to be transactional, to take what they need, get paid, and move forward. Women, however, are taught to help, to nurture, to serve. While there is beauty in helping, it can’t be a lifestyle. Giving endlessly without reciprocity drains us and leaves us empty.

Here’s the hard truth: people will take what they need and move on. Lesson learned.

As I continue to reflect on my journey, I’m reminded of the importance of claiming your vision, holding it tightly, and pursuing it fiercely. Let this be a reminder to all of us: prioritizing your dreams is not selfish, it’s necessary.

This Week’s Writing Prompt:
​What would I tell my younger self and how can I apply it now?..

Take five minutes daily to write and contemplate this question.

Friday Vibes: Music for Your Soul

This week, while working on a project for a new client, music became my anchor. I found myself diving back into India Arie’s catalog, something I hadn’t done in years. It felt like reconnecting with an old friend, and her songs resonated deeply in a new way.

The song I Am Light stopped me in my tracks. Listening to it felt like a soul reset, a reminder that we are so much more than the boxes the world tries to put us in. We are not defined by titles, roles, or anyone’s expectations. At our core, we are light, pure, unshakable, and infinite.

This Week’s Song: I am Light by India Arie
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Take a moment to listen to I Am Light by India Arie. It was medicine for my spirit, and I hope it brings you the same sense of peace and inspiration.

India Arie Let the lyrics fill your heart with joy. Lyric Video On YouTube

Business Insights: The Apple Method

Speaking of the light, have you started thinking about your goals for the new year? With self-care at the center, I’ve been asking myself: how do we weave it into our business lives? Sis, I had an aha moment that got me excited, the Apple Method.

Here’s the gist: The Apple Method is about intense focus on one thing until mastery. Think about Muhammad Ali, Bruce Lee, Josephine Baker, or Steve Jobs. They weren’t out here juggling a million projects. They zoned in on one idea, refined it, and changed the game.

Take Apple, for example. The iPod, iPhone, iPad, and MacBooks? They’re practically the same device, just reimagined for different uses. I’ll never forget the day a Genius Bar tech told me the iPod and iPhone had the same internal components, the phone function just wasn’t activated on the iPod. That blew my mind.

Now think about us in business. How often are we out here with 50 million offerings, posting on every platform, and attending every event, hoping something sticks? But what if we streamlined everything? What if we focused on just one or two things and poured all our energy into mastering them?

Look at Mariah Carey—she’s built an entire empire around one song and made herself the queen of Christmas. If she can do it, so can we.

And here’s the real gem: when we are focused, we are creating better businesses and a more harmonious life. It clears up our schedules, frees our energy, and opens space for self-care. Suddenly, we have time to breathe, to rest, to reconnect with ourselves.

What could The Apple Method do for your life? Let’s make 2025 the year of simplicity, mastery, and us.

Final Thoughts

I want to take a moment to let you know how much I appreciate you. Truly. I admire powerful, driven women like you, and that this newsletter and my work inspire you to dream bigger, live with intention, and build a life that nourishes your soul.

As we move through the season, I can’t help but think of our elders and ancestors. The ones who came before us, who moved mountains without the technology or opportunities we have today. No matter what’s happening in the world, remember this: they walked so you could fly. And when we focus on our own path and trust others to focus on theirs, clarity and purpose naturally come into view.

As we head into the holidays, know that I’m not just cheering for you—I’m praying that your life becomes everything you’ve ever dreamed of.

This is our final newsletter for the year, and I’m taking a step back to spend time with my people, clear my mind, and lay the foundation for an inspiring 2025. You’ll still see some emails in your inbox, but the Power Circle newsletter and the podcast will return next year. It’s time for me to take my own advice, and let the streamlining begin.

Thank you for all that you do in the world, and here’s to the incredible things waiting for you in the new year. Merry Christmas or whichever celebration fills your life with joy.

With love,
Monica Wisdom

P.S. If you’re feeling the pull to streamline your life and step into your next chapter, the Next Chapter Blueprint Session is here for you. You can learn more about it at the link below.