July 14, 2025 • 17 mins
In this heartfelt and empowering episode of the Early Accountability Podcast, host Kimi Walker is joined by Venchele Saint Dic, a writing brand strategist, public health advocate, and founder of Pathway Coach Writing. Venchele shares how her multicultural background and global experiences shaped her mission to help women of color and emerging thought leaders use writing as a transformative tool for healing, legacy, and impact. She and Kimi dive into the importance of reclaiming narrative power, navigating imposter syndrome, and staying grounded while balancing entrepreneurship, academic work, and personal growth.
Venchele offers listeners practical and reflective strategies, from setting micro-goals and practicing Sunday planning rituals to using Notion dashboards and the Pomodoro Technique. She emphasizes rest as a form of resistance and encourages others to stop waiting for perfection and start honoring their lived experiences now. Her message is clear: clarity comes through action, and our stories deserve to be told—even if our voice shakes.
Topics Covered in This Episode:
- Using writing as a tool for healing, advocacy, and legacy
- Navigating imposter syndrome and reclaiming your voice
- Creating sustainable habits with micro-goals and planning rituals
- Practical tools like Notion dashboards and the Pomodoro Technique
- Embracing rest, reflection, and mindful productivity
- Knowing when “done is better than perfect” and acting with courage
About Venchele Saint Dic
Venchele Saint Dic, MPH, is a Writing Brand Strategist, author, and founder of Pathway Coach Writing. Born in the United States and raised in the Caribbean, she empowers individuals and brands to share their stories with clarity and impact. Venchele is pursuing a doctorate (DrPH) in Public Health Leadership. A recognized voice in writing, branding, and leadership, her work has appeared in outlets such as BLACKSTATE, DMV Daily, and Thrive Global. She has been featured on podcasts across all major streaming platforms.
Based in San Diego, Hopf also mentors writers and consults on publishing strategy. His work blends compelling narrative with deep insight, whether chronicling survival, mystery, or the unexplained.
Connect with Venchele Saint Dic
- Linkedin: Venchele Saint Dic
- Email: pathwaycoachwriting@gmail.com
Connect with Kimi Walker:
· Visit: earlyaccountability.com
· LinkedIn: Kimi Walker
· Facebook: Kimi Walker
· Instagram: Kimi...
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Kimi (00:26):
Okay, so welcome
back, Kimi Walker here.
Welcome to the next episode of
the Early Accountability Podcast.
Today we have a very
special guest, van Shell.
She is a writing brand strategist, a
public health advocate and founder of
Pathway Coach Writing, whose mission
is to empower others to tell their
stories with clarity and purpose.
(00:46):
But the voice shaped by resilience,
multicultural identity, and a
passion for equity, van Shell
helps individuals and organizations
navigate life transitions and personal
growth through the power of words.
So Elle, first off, thank you so
much for being here on the podcast.
We are happy to have you and
so grateful that you're here.
Venchele (01:04):
So much, Kimmi,
for having me on the show.
Kimi (01:07):
Absolutely been on the
street with riding here lately.
So why don't you first just tell
the audience about you about your
business and how what kind of got
you into doing what you do now,
those fields that you practice in.
I.
Venchele (01:20):
Yeah, so essentially when
we talk about my business and when
we talk about like my passion for
public health and writing these
are part of my mission, right?
This is the work that I do in the
world, and so my mission really is
to help people, especially I. Women
of color, but I work with everyone.
And emerging thought leaders
reclaim their narrative power and
(01:40):
then use writing as a tool for
healing, transformation, and impact.
And so through my business
pathway Coach writing, I guide
clients in turning their life.
Stories, expertise or advocacy work
into cohesive manuscripts, visionary
projects or for policy influence.
And so to me, in terms of like how I got
(02:01):
into the business it was really early
on, as a child where I was exposed to
the power of words through reading.
Because in order to be a great
writer, you have to be an avid reader.
I was born in the States, but I spent like
my foundational years in the Caribbean
specifically in Haiti because my family's
from Haiti and Martinique and France.
(02:21):
And so I think living there, definitely
shaped my understanding of resilience,
resourcefulness, and community care.
And so, with that, living between two
cultures, like really taught me how
to navigate differences with grace
and how to see, health, education
and justice through a global lens.
And then using those experiences
or those lived experiences to help
(02:42):
my clients shape their own stories.
Because like I said, at the intersection
of creativity and public health.
I really do support individuals
and organizations to bridge the gap
between intention and expression.
And so whether I'm coaching someone
through a book proposal or helping
them align their goals with like
systems change, my work really centers
(03:03):
around voice, vision and values.
And because I believe that writing
is not just about publishing, but
it's really about building a legacy.
So that's a little bit about
me and how I got into the
business, because I knew that.
When I was growing up, most of the
books that were available to me were not
written by people who looked like me.
And so that's the reason why when I came
(03:24):
to familiarize myself with the works
of Tony Morrison, yo, Maya Angelos.
I realized that.
It's incredibly important, to read
books that you know, that reflect
your own life stories and your own
struggles and your inner earnings,
for growth and development and
to find new perspectives that can
(03:46):
help challenge your own thinking.
And so that's the reason why I
decided to be part of the movement
of creating those spaces for people
who need folks who are going to
amplify their voices and encourage
them to show up as their true selves.
Kimi (03:59):
All right, so
let's go, let's dive in.
You've built venture.
So you've built a brand about,
guiding people in using their
stories and their voices.
What are some moments when you had
to hold yourself accountable to
do the same, especially if there
was a time you felt like you were
staying silent or playing small?
Venchele (04:18):
So that's a very good question
because I think playing small is,
we have to contextualize it, right?
Because it does show up.
It sometimes can be impacted
by, traumatic experiences.
Or, like I always tell myself, I'm
very mindful of who I surround myself
with because sometimes even the
people around us can, amplify that
(04:41):
experience too, like those challenges,
these inner struggles that we face.
And so to me, I think
one of the consistent.
Not necessarily challenges, but areas
of further exploration that I've faced
in the past is like imposter syndrome,
especially in academic policy or
entrepreneurial places where my identity
as a black woman as someone who comes
(05:03):
from an educated family and a bicultural
thinker wasn't always reflected.
And there were also seasons where
I had to juggle my business.
Full-time work.
And then now my current DRPH doctoral
program, all while navigating,
the financial and the emotional
stressors that come with it.
And so I think what helped me push
through was really the power of
(05:24):
community, which is very much aligned
with my business of creating a space
for community for my clients, right?
Knowing that they have
a cheerleader in me.
And yeah, so what helped push me
through was the power of community
mentors, spiritual grounding, and the
wisdom of just pausing when necessary.
That's why like earlier I was telling
you, we were talking and I said to
(05:45):
you that, I only preach to my clients
what I go through, and if I don't go
through it, I have enough gravitas and
wisdom to say, give me a moment, right?
Give me a few more months.
To try this out and then I'll
let you know how it went.
And so I've also learned to trust
my intuition and, treat failure as a
learning opportunity, not as a signal
(06:06):
to quit, but as feedback for refinement.
And so I think like each of these
challenges definitely sharpened my clarity
and reminding me that purpose sometimes
can stretch across multiple callings.
Kimi (06:18):
Okay.
Yes, that is, that's very true.
That's, that's a. Phrase within itself.
It really can go in a lot of different
directions and a lot of different sectors.
I never thought about it like
that, but that's definitely true.
So let's talk about you a little more.
You're a doctoral student,
you have a business, you're
entrepreneur, you're a writing coach.
That's a lot of roles, a
lot of demanding roles.
How do you stay consistent?
(06:39):
How do you manage, how do
you manage, overdoing things?
How do you avoid burnout?
Venchele (06:44):
I think for me first
things first is to remind
people and remind yourself that
you're only one person, right?
That, in helping people understand and
at the same time, they will help you
define, what emotional availability.
It looks like for them.
So I know for me, because I wear
different hats, I may not be the friend
(07:04):
who is able to attend every single
event, but I do show up in other ways.
And so I think that it's a question of
having grace, in order for people to
have grace, for me, I have to have grace.
I have to extend grace to myself and
understand that I'm only one person.
I'm not going to be able to be
everywhere doing everything.
However, I am going to be the friend.
(07:25):
I'm going to be the person you can
count on, when it's most needed.
And so for me, even when I think about
specific action steps that you know
can even help your listeners, take
today to help them reach their goals,
is really starting with your why
understanding why you're doing this work.
Because when times get tough when
you are at the end of the rope,
the why is gonna, pull you through.
(07:46):
And so for me, one of the first things I
typically suggest is create micro goals
based on the why, something that you
can ac accomplish in the next 15 minutes
that moves your project or dream forward.
I work with parents.
They usually will tell me, I have to
dedicate, like, when they explaining
their timeline, because during the
first two or three days of working
(08:07):
together, I send them like this list
of questions, like 10 questions to
really help them understand what is
it going to take for them to finish a
project and also for them to realize.
How realistically, like if they say
they want to finish a project in
six months how is that realistic
based on where they are right now?
And for me, I say instead of trying
(08:29):
to dedicate an hour to writing,
I. It could just be spending like
10 minutes jotting things down.
It doesn't have to be full sentences.
It could be as small as writing
a sentence, sending an email,
brainstorming a voice memo and really
committing to that each week because
that's just, for their vision.
It has nothing to do with multitasking.
(08:50):
There's no, that it has nothing to do
with comparing yourself, comparing your
beginnings with someone else's ending,
which is something that typically happens.
It's just really focusing, and again,
going back to this idea of community,
really surrounding yourself with people
who are going to champion your work.
Joining mastermind retreats.
Hiring a writing coach like myself
(09:10):
or finding thought partners who
hold you accountable and affirm your
worth, because your worth should
not be based on your performance.
You are inherently everyone is worthy.
Everyone has value.
And so to me that's very important
to remind folks when I work
with them because it's easy.
It's easy to start comparing yourself.
And saying to yourself, I know
(09:31):
this person in my circle, who had
their book won the pul surprise.
Like, how come I'm not getting?
You can't do that to yourself
Because then you're diminishing
your own worth and your own value.
You're diminishing your own
sense of purpose, and then
finally getting comfortable.
It's important to get
comfortable with iteration.
Because writing to me
is not a one day deal.
(09:52):
Sometimes you have to go back and revisit
certain memories, talk to a therapist
and realign yourself with what your why
was, and even writing that book and then
also don't wait until things are perfect.
There's no such thing.
Most progress is made by those who dare to
start messy and then they stay consistent.
my 2 cents on that.
Kimi (10:11):
Okay, that you led into what my
next question actually so I wanna talk
about consistency and like on your
website in many places you talk about,
you emphasize the power of habit formation
and mindfulness in both
writing and personal growth.
So what's one small, like daily habit
you would recommend to someone who
is trying to write more consistently
or they're trying to develop a
(10:31):
more let's say, focused mindset.
Venchele (10:33):
So when I was, so earlier,
I was alluding to just like my
meditation spiritual practice.
I think for me, like I stay motivated by
anchoring into my why and being deeply
intentional how I use my time and energy.
And so I practice for me,
like Sunday planning rituals
where I review upcoming task.
I align them with my long-term vision
(10:54):
and I make room for joy and rest.
I'm gonna stress rest very like 16 times.
I also use a personal dashboard
on this app called Notion
to track habits, project,
milestones, and even affirmations.
I like right now I think I have the book
I have this book called Lunar Abundance,
Kimi (11:14):
Oh wow.
Venchele (11:15):
Reflective journal.
I highly recommend it.
And that's the book that taught
me how to set intentions, right?
How to set intentions, which is very
much aligned with defining your why and
doing the things that align with that.
I'm trying to think of any other ones
that I do use the Pomodoro technique.
Tracker where you work for 15 to 20
(11:36):
minutes and then you take a rest,
you go and do something else and
then you come back to the writing.
So I do that with all of my tasks,
which has been very helpful.
And so again, most importantly,
I think the biggest tool that
you can change is your mindset.
So I've learned to view productivity, not
as how much I do, but how aligned I feel.
I really try to avoid
(11:57):
like the hustle culture.
By honoring my cues and
adjusting goals accordingly.
And that goes back to what I said
about making room for joy and rest.
And so the key would be sustainable
momentum and not burnout driven motion.
So I did talk about motion
the Pomo door technique.
The Sunday planning rituals and then,
before you even get into those logistics,
(12:20):
really sitting down with yourself and
defining your why, and aligning some micro
goals of, to this why, to achieve your
goals and stay motivated and productive.
Kimi (12:29):
Okay, so, the question I do have
is about, so I know when people may
wanna write a book or create a workbook
or do things of this nature, one thing
may be that I've heard a lot or people,
getting ready to start a business or
get a website out there or do this
or do that is not feeling it's ready,
Or already enough.
What do you tell, like your
clients is there a gauge where we
can see that this is not ready?
(12:51):
Is procrastination or mindset, or is it
that it is not ready, it needs more work?
What are some like things that you tell
people to gauge that of No, we need to.
There's, this is a situation when done
is better than perfect, or this is where
we need to go back to the drawing board.
Venchele (13:10):
I think when, that's a very
good question because it's also helping
me reflect on my role as a coach.
Even when I work with clients, I don't
know if I can assure them a hundred
percent whether or not they ready,
because remember, it's their product.
They're the ones going to be
critiqued and judged, and so to me
(13:30):
I think it's important for them
or for me to remind them that.
Other people are not expecting
them, to be perfect and then also
help them dig a little deeper as
to who they're trying to impress.
And I think that's very important because
sometimes when people say that to me, I
always ask myself I always ask them like,
what does your inner child want right now?
(13:53):
To help gauge what's the underlying
reason why they feel the need
that it needs to be perfect.
And that's where as a coach, like I'm
somewhat limited because I'm not a
therapist, I'm not medically trained
to go into those nitty gritty details,
but that's something I usually tell
them to share with their therapist
and let me know, what came out of
(14:13):
those sessions so that I can tailor.
My approach and tailor the assignments or
to I shouldn't even say assignments, but
tailor like the exercises that I give to
To reflect on the book, to reflect on
the chapters that they may be writing.
So that's my strategy.
And then really diving into the
self-care practices that they use,
(14:33):
to generate ideas and to create
a system of peace and healing, as
they continue to do this project,
Kimi (14:42):
that's great.
That's awesome.
So Michelle, how can the audience
like follow you, find out more
about you, find out more about
your services and your business?
Venchele (14:50):
so people can find me on my
LinkedIn profile just using my name
and then also visit me on Instagram.
And my website ww dot
pathway coach writing.com.
I know it will be in the notes.
And so they can find out
more about my mission.
There I am across all social media
channels, and I've been featured
(15:10):
on different podcasts, so they
can find me that way as well.
Kimi (15:14):
Okay.
And how does your name appear on.
Venchele (15:16):
It's just been Elle
Sinek, just the name, the full name?
Kimi (15:20):
Gonna have all of that in
the show notes so everybody can
make sure to follow you and stay
connected during your journey.
Like you said, still finishing
your doctorate and everything.
So what are some words that
you live by with some mantra or
anything that you use to keep
yourself focused in moving forward?
Venchele (15:35):
So I think the one mantra that
I return to often is rest is resistance.
Clarity is power.
And this reminds me that in a world that
often measures worth by output, that
choosing rest is an act of reclamation.
It's in those still moments that I
find the insight and the strength
to move forward with intention.
(15:55):
Clarity allows me to lead.
It allows me to write, it allows
me to serve from a place of
alignment rather than obligation.
And this mantra isn't
just a feel good quote.
I think this is the
foundation of how I live.
I lead and coach others and
it just reminds me that.
Being working slowly
can still be strategic.
(16:15):
And stillness, often births, like
stillness, often births the strongest
breakthroughs in my opinion.
And then also, to go back to the tip,
because there's one last tip that I
wanna give to people who are looking to.
Overcome something that they have launch,
something that they've accomplished
or achieve something within their
realm of expertise is really, you
(16:36):
don't need more credential, more time.
You just need more courage to trust
what you already know, because too
many people are waiting for perfect
conditions before they launch
their ideas or share their stories.
But clarity really often
comes through action.
So take the first step.
Even if your voice shakes, that's what
I'm, that's what I've been doing here.
Don't be afraid to be seen.
(16:56):
Starting small, the book, the brand, the
movement, it all begins when you honor
the spark within and you decide that
your lived experience is already valid.
So if fear is in the room, invited to
sit down, but don't let it drive the car.
Kimi (17:11):
Okay.
That's great.
Those, that was actually great words.
Elle, we thank you so much for coming and
being a guest on the Early Accountability
podcast and gifting us with all your
expertise and just your amazing talent and
everything that you've done to discipline
yourself and all that you've learned.
So thank you so much.
Thank you for being on the
guest and to the audience,
thank you so much for tuning in.
(17:32):
Until next time.
Okay, so welcome
back, Kimi Walker here.
Welcome to the next episode of
the Early Accountability Podcast.
Today we have a very
special guest, van Shell.
She is a writing brand strategist, a
public health advocate and founder of
Pathway Coach Writing, whose mission
is to empower others to tell their
stories with clarity and purpose.
(00:46):
But the voice shaped by resilience,
multicultural identity, and a
passion for equity, van Shell
helps individuals and organizations
navigate life transitions and personal
growth through the power of words.
So Elle, first off, thank you so
much for being here on the podcast.
We are happy to have you and
so grateful that you're here.
Venchele (01:04):
So much, Kimmi,
for having me on the show.
Kimi (01:07):
Absolutely been on the
street with riding here lately.
So why don't you first just tell
the audience about you about your
business and how what kind of got
you into doing what you do now,
those fields that you practice in.
I.
Venchele (01:20):
Yeah, so essentially when
we talk about my business and when
we talk about like my passion for
public health and writing these
are part of my mission, right?
This is the work that I do in the
world, and so my mission really is
to help people, especially I. Women
of color, but I work with everyone.
And emerging thought leaders
reclaim their narrative power and
(01:40):
then use writing as a tool for
healing, transformation, and impact.
And so through my business
pathway Coach writing, I guide
clients in turning their life.
Stories, expertise or advocacy work
into cohesive manuscripts, visionary
projects or for policy influence.
And so to me, in terms of like how I got
(02:01):
into the business it was really early
on, as a child where I was exposed to
the power of words through reading.
Because in order to be a great
writer, you have to be an avid reader.
I was born in the States, but I spent like
my foundational years in the Caribbean
specifically in Haiti because my family's
from Haiti and Martinique and France.
(02:21):
And so I think living there, definitely
shaped my understanding of resilience,
resourcefulness, and community care.
And so, with that, living between two
cultures, like really taught me how
to navigate differences with grace
and how to see, health, education
and justice through a global lens.
And then using those experiences
or those lived experiences to help
(02:42):
my clients shape their own stories.
Because like I said, at the intersection
of creativity and public health.
I really do support individuals
and organizations to bridge the gap
between intention and expression.
And so whether I'm coaching someone
through a book proposal or helping
them align their goals with like
systems change, my work really centers
(03:03):
around voice, vision and values.
And because I believe that writing
is not just about publishing, but
it's really about building a legacy.
So that's a little bit about
me and how I got into the
business, because I knew that.
When I was growing up, most of the
books that were available to me were not
written by people who looked like me.
And so that's the reason why when I came
(03:24):
to familiarize myself with the works
of Tony Morrison, yo, Maya Angelos.
I realized that.
It's incredibly important, to read
books that you know, that reflect
your own life stories and your own
struggles and your inner earnings,
for growth and development and
to find new perspectives that can
(03:46):
help challenge your own thinking.
And so that's the reason why I
decided to be part of the movement
of creating those spaces for people
who need folks who are going to
amplify their voices and encourage
them to show up as their true selves.
Kimi (03:59):
All right, so
let's go, let's dive in.
You've built venture.
So you've built a brand about,
guiding people in using their
stories and their voices.
What are some moments when you had
to hold yourself accountable to
do the same, especially if there
was a time you felt like you were
staying silent or playing small?
Venchele (04:18):
So that's a very good question
because I think playing small is,
we have to contextualize it, right?
Because it does show up.
It sometimes can be impacted
by, traumatic experiences.
Or, like I always tell myself, I'm
very mindful of who I surround myself
with because sometimes even the
people around us can, amplify that
(04:41):
experience too, like those challenges,
these inner struggles that we face.
And so to me, I think
one of the consistent.
Not necessarily challenges, but areas
of further exploration that I've faced
in the past is like imposter syndrome,
especially in academic policy or
entrepreneurial places where my identity
as a black woman as someone who comes
(05:03):
from an educated family and a bicultural
thinker wasn't always reflected.
And there were also seasons where
I had to juggle my business.
Full-time work.
And then now my current DRPH doctoral
program, all while navigating,
the financial and the emotional
stressors that come with it.
And so I think what helped me push
through was really the power of
(05:24):
community, which is very much aligned
with my business of creating a space
for community for my clients, right?
Knowing that they have
a cheerleader in me.
And yeah, so what helped push me
through was the power of community
mentors, spiritual grounding, and the
wisdom of just pausing when necessary.
That's why like earlier I was telling
you, we were talking and I said to
(05:45):
you that, I only preach to my clients
what I go through, and if I don't go
through it, I have enough gravitas and
wisdom to say, give me a moment, right?
Give me a few more months.
To try this out and then I'll
let you know how it went.
And so I've also learned to trust
my intuition and, treat failure as a
learning opportunity, not as a signal
(06:06):
to quit, but as feedback for refinement.
And so I think like each of these
challenges definitely sharpened my clarity
and reminding me that purpose sometimes
can stretch across multiple callings.
Kimi (06:18):
Okay.
Yes, that is, that's very true.
That's, that's a. Phrase within itself.
It really can go in a lot of different
directions and a lot of different sectors.
I never thought about it like
that, but that's definitely true.
So let's talk about you a little more.
You're a doctoral student,
you have a business, you're
entrepreneur, you're a writing coach.
That's a lot of roles, a
lot of demanding roles.
How do you stay consistent?
(06:39):
How do you manage, how do
you manage, overdoing things?
How do you avoid burnout?
Venchele (06:44):
I think for me first
things first is to remind
people and remind yourself that
you're only one person, right?
That, in helping people understand and
at the same time, they will help you
define, what emotional availability.
It looks like for them.
So I know for me, because I wear
different hats, I may not be the friend
(07:04):
who is able to attend every single
event, but I do show up in other ways.
And so I think that it's a question of
having grace, in order for people to
have grace, for me, I have to have grace.
I have to extend grace to myself and
understand that I'm only one person.
I'm not going to be able to be
everywhere doing everything.
However, I am going to be the friend.
(07:25):
I'm going to be the person you can
count on, when it's most needed.
And so for me, even when I think about
specific action steps that you know
can even help your listeners, take
today to help them reach their goals,
is really starting with your why
understanding why you're doing this work.
Because when times get tough when
you are at the end of the rope,
the why is gonna, pull you through.
(07:46):
And so for me, one of the first things I
typically suggest is create micro goals
based on the why, something that you
can ac accomplish in the next 15 minutes
that moves your project or dream forward.
I work with parents.
They usually will tell me, I have to
dedicate, like, when they explaining
their timeline, because during the
first two or three days of working
(08:07):
together, I send them like this list
of questions, like 10 questions to
really help them understand what is
it going to take for them to finish a
project and also for them to realize.
How realistically, like if they say
they want to finish a project in
six months how is that realistic
based on where they are right now?
And for me, I say instead of trying
(08:29):
to dedicate an hour to writing,
I. It could just be spending like
10 minutes jotting things down.
It doesn't have to be full sentences.
It could be as small as writing
a sentence, sending an email,
brainstorming a voice memo and really
committing to that each week because
that's just, for their vision.
It has nothing to do with multitasking.
(08:50):
There's no, that it has nothing to do
with comparing yourself, comparing your
beginnings with someone else's ending,
which is something that typically happens.
It's just really focusing, and again,
going back to this idea of community,
really surrounding yourself with people
who are going to champion your work.
Joining mastermind retreats.
Hiring a writing coach like myself
(09:10):
or finding thought partners who
hold you accountable and affirm your
worth, because your worth should
not be based on your performance.
You are inherently everyone is worthy.
Everyone has value.
And so to me that's very important
to remind folks when I work
with them because it's easy.
It's easy to start comparing yourself.
And saying to yourself, I know
(09:31):
this person in my circle, who had
their book won the pul surprise.
Like, how come I'm not getting?
You can't do that to yourself
Because then you're diminishing
your own worth and your own value.
You're diminishing your own
sense of purpose, and then
finally getting comfortable.
It's important to get
comfortable with iteration.
Because writing to me
is not a one day deal.
(09:52):
Sometimes you have to go back and revisit
certain memories, talk to a therapist
and realign yourself with what your why
was, and even writing that book and then
also don't wait until things are perfect.
There's no such thing.
Most progress is made by those who dare to
start messy and then they stay consistent.
my 2 cents on that.
Kimi (10:11):
Okay, that you led into what my
next question actually so I wanna talk
about consistency and like on your
website in many places you talk about,
you emphasize the power of habit formation
and mindfulness in both
writing and personal growth.
So what's one small, like daily habit
you would recommend to someone who
is trying to write more consistently
or they're trying to develop a
(10:31):
more let's say, focused mindset.
Venchele (10:33):
So when I was, so earlier,
I was alluding to just like my
meditation spiritual practice.
I think for me, like I stay motivated by
anchoring into my why and being deeply
intentional how I use my time and energy.
And so I practice for me,
like Sunday planning rituals
where I review upcoming task.
I align them with my long-term vision
(10:54):
and I make room for joy and rest.
I'm gonna stress rest very like 16 times.
I also use a personal dashboard
on this app called Notion
to track habits, project,
milestones, and even affirmations.
I like right now I think I have the book
I have this book called Lunar Abundance,
Kimi (11:14):
Oh wow.
Venchele (11:15):
Reflective journal.
I highly recommend it.
And that's the book that taught
me how to set intentions, right?
How to set intentions, which is very
much aligned with defining your why and
doing the things that align with that.
I'm trying to think of any other ones
that I do use the Pomodoro technique.
Tracker where you work for 15 to 20
(11:36):
minutes and then you take a rest,
you go and do something else and
then you come back to the writing.
So I do that with all of my tasks,
which has been very helpful.
And so again, most importantly,
I think the biggest tool that
you can change is your mindset.
So I've learned to view productivity, not
as how much I do, but how aligned I feel.
I really try to avoid
(11:57):
like the hustle culture.
By honoring my cues and
adjusting goals accordingly.
And that goes back to what I said
about making room for joy and rest.
And so the key would be sustainable
momentum and not burnout driven motion.
So I did talk about motion
the Pomo door technique.
The Sunday planning rituals and then,
before you even get into those logistics,
(12:20):
really sitting down with yourself and
defining your why, and aligning some micro
goals of, to this why, to achieve your
goals and stay motivated and productive.
Kimi (12:29):
Okay, so, the question I do have
is about, so I know when people may
wanna write a book or create a workbook
or do things of this nature, one thing
may be that I've heard a lot or people,
getting ready to start a business or
get a website out there or do this
or do that is not feeling it's ready,
Or already enough.
What do you tell, like your
clients is there a gauge where we
can see that this is not ready?
(12:51):
Is procrastination or mindset, or is it
that it is not ready, it needs more work?
What are some like things that you tell
people to gauge that of No, we need to.
There's, this is a situation when done
is better than perfect, or this is where
we need to go back to the drawing board.
Venchele (13:10):
I think when, that's a very
good question because it's also helping
me reflect on my role as a coach.
Even when I work with clients, I don't
know if I can assure them a hundred
percent whether or not they ready,
because remember, it's their product.
They're the ones going to be
critiqued and judged, and so to me
(13:30):
I think it's important for them
or for me to remind them that.
Other people are not expecting
them, to be perfect and then also
help them dig a little deeper as
to who they're trying to impress.
And I think that's very important because
sometimes when people say that to me, I
always ask myself I always ask them like,
what does your inner child want right now?
(13:53):
To help gauge what's the underlying
reason why they feel the need
that it needs to be perfect.
And that's where as a coach, like I'm
somewhat limited because I'm not a
therapist, I'm not medically trained
to go into those nitty gritty details,
but that's something I usually tell
them to share with their therapist
and let me know, what came out of
(14:13):
those sessions so that I can tailor.
My approach and tailor the assignments or
to I shouldn't even say assignments, but
tailor like the exercises that I give to
To reflect on the book, to reflect on
the chapters that they may be writing.
So that's my strategy.
And then really diving into the
self-care practices that they use,
(14:33):
to generate ideas and to create
a system of peace and healing, as
they continue to do this project,
Kimi (14:42):
that's great.
That's awesome.
So Michelle, how can the audience
like follow you, find out more
about you, find out more about
your services and your business?
Venchele (14:50):
so people can find me on my
LinkedIn profile just using my name
and then also visit me on Instagram.
And my website ww dot
pathway coach writing.com.
I know it will be in the notes.
And so they can find out
more about my mission.
There I am across all social media
channels, and I've been featured
(15:10):
on different podcasts, so they
can find me that way as well.
Kimi (15:14):
Okay.
And how does your name appear on.
Venchele (15:16):
It's just been Elle
Sinek, just the name, the full name?
Kimi (15:20):
Gonna have all of that in
the show notes so everybody can
make sure to follow you and stay
connected during your journey.
Like you said, still finishing
your doctorate and everything.
So what are some words that
you live by with some mantra or
anything that you use to keep
yourself focused in moving forward?
Venchele (15:35):
So I think the one mantra that
I return to often is rest is resistance.
Clarity is power.
And this reminds me that in a world that
often measures worth by output, that
choosing rest is an act of reclamation.
It's in those still moments that I
find the insight and the strength
to move forward with intention.
(15:55):
Clarity allows me to lead.
It allows me to write, it allows
me to serve from a place of
alignment rather than obligation.
And this mantra isn't
just a feel good quote.
I think this is the
foundation of how I live.
I lead and coach others and
it just reminds me that.
Being working slowly
can still be strategic.
(16:15):
And stillness, often births, like
stillness, often births the strongest
breakthroughs in my opinion.
And then also, to go back to the tip,
because there's one last tip that I
wanna give to people who are looking to.
Overcome something that they have launch,
something that they've accomplished
or achieve something within their
realm of expertise is really, you
(16:36):
don't need more credential, more time.
You just need more courage to trust
what you already know, because too
many people are waiting for perfect
conditions before they launch
their ideas or share their stories.
But clarity really often
comes through action.
So take the first step.
Even if your voice shakes, that's what
I'm, that's what I've been doing here.
Don't be afraid to be seen.
(16:56):
Starting small, the book, the brand, the
movement, it all begins when you honor
the spark within and you decide that
your lived experience is already valid.
So if fear is in the room, invited to
sit down, but don't let it drive the car.
Kimi (17:11):
Okay.
That's great.
Those, that was actually great words.
Elle, we thank you so much for coming and
being a guest on the Early Accountability
podcast and gifting us with all your
expertise and just your amazing talent and
everything that you've done to discipline
yourself and all that you've learned.
So thank you so much.
Thank you for being on the
guest and to the audience,
thank you so much for tuning in.
(17:32):
Until next time.
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