by: Stephanie Gonzalez, CEO & Managing Partner photo by: Stephanie Ringleb Photography Drunk monkeys live on our backs! Each one of us has our very own personalized drunk monkey that can come and go as they please. They can do a Brian Buffini style pop-by. Or they can sit there and hang out for what feels like days. What are they and how do they get there? Let me start by answering the question: what is a drunk monkey? A drunk monkey is a fictitious character in our life (although they can feel very real) that may act as an alter ego of sorts. They appear on the back of our shoulder, sitting in our blind spot, as a bit of a devil’s advocate. Drunk monkeys can show up for everyone a little differently. For some risk takers I bet their drunk money helps to protect them and keep them safe. For risk averse individuals like me, they can act as an anchor exacerbating fears. They do serve a purpose – each of us has to decide to what end. But, generally – for me – they hop on my back when I am connected to fear, doubt and worry. My 2021 has been filled with amazing fresh new beginnings. There are so many blessings in my life, family and work this year. With ‘amazing fresh new beginnings’ comes growth, change and transition (something that I have had to work at accepting and loving). Most recently, I have wrangled with my changing title: moving from COO to CEO. It seems like such a small detail. But, nothing is small. Beauty lives and magic happens in the smallest forms. BUT, my drunk monkey showed up back in March and it seems to have leased out space on my back the past few months. I have not fought it. I have been observing it. My drunk monkey is asking me questions like: • How can you fill the BIG shoes of CEO? • How can you leave your long-standing COO role behind? • How will you behave, make decisions and show up differently as CEO, versus COO? • How will you lead yourself into this next phase? • How will you be successful at growth, change and expansion for the North&Co. community? • All very good and valid questions! When my drunk monkey first showed up, the above list of questions offended me. I placed a veil of fear, doubt and worry over the questions. Over time, I realized that these questions were valid to ask and viable to answer. I think everyone in relationships can relate to the fact that it’s not the question itself that can excite or upset us from a loved one – it is our own perception (or misperception) that creates an emotional trigger. We get asked a question, and project good or ill intention based on the approach, the body language and the intonation. The same thing can be said in relation to our own drunk monkey. As I said early, our drunk monkey serves a purpose. As I move through life my drunk monkey keeps me focused on my opportunity, my power and my passions. So…the next time your drunk monkey jumps on your back don’t be so quick to ignore it or want to get rid of it.