In the glittering Principality of Monaco, where the pace of life often mirrors the sleek speed of its Grand Prix, Alicia Sedgwick, a British-born media personality and communication expert, offers a radical counterpoint. Her second book, BEING: Guidance in How to BE Rather Than How to DO, released this month by Serapis Bey, invites readers to pause, reflect, and rediscover what it means to be human in an era defined by relentless activity.
“We are human beings, not human doings,” Sedgwick writes, a mantra that resonates deeply in a world gripped by stress and hyperproductivity. Her book, already a Top New Release on Amazon US in Nonprofit Marketing and Communications, No. 4 in Diversity and Inclusion on Amazon France, and No. 6 in Mental Health and Healing on Amazon US, is both a gentle rebuke to society’s obsession with “doing” and a practical guide to cultivating inner peace.
Sedgwick, a Monaco resident with a storied career in media, events, and corporate training, draws on personal anecdotes and hard-won wisdom to craft a narrative that feels like an intimate conversation. From moderating Olympic press conferences to hosting three TEDx events and managing red carpets at the Laureus World Sports Awards, her professional journey is as dynamic as the principality she calls home. Yet BEING shifts the focus inward, urging readers to quiet their minds and align their lives with their core values.
The book’s structure—peppered with uplifting affirmations, life lessons, and musical references at the start of each chapter—offers a roadmap for self-discovery. “Each chapter is an invitation to live with the heart as much as with the mind,” notes David A. Leith, a reader from South Africa. This sentiment is echoed by Antony Lishak MBE, CEO of a U.K.-based Holocaust education organization, who praises Sedgwick’s “gentle and reassuring voice” for inspiring readers to tap into their inner strength with “love, humility, and non-judgmental wisdom.”
Sedgwick’s first book, Communicating Through Change (2021), was lauded as “transformative” for guiding readers through personal and professional transitions with practical exercises and candid stories. BEING builds on this foundation, addressing a universal need to slow down. As Gabrielle Françoise Achilleos, a Monaco-based stress management coach, puts it, “Alicia encourages us to detach from the frantic pace and savor life—a plea to slow down before it slips away.”
The book’s appeal spans generations and borders. Phoebe Creed, a 16-year-old student from the U.K., calls it “beautifully written, brilliantly structured, and filled with light,” while Karen Lane, a researcher at Deakin University in Australia, describes it as “radical and essential” for prioritizing self-care over societal demands. For Isabelle Kinsella, a U.K.-based dancer and author, the book’s affirmations offer “powerful” clarity, reminding readers that “setting boundaries is neither selfish nor boring.”
Sedgwick’s work extends beyond the page. Her coaching practice serves a diverse clientele, from corporate CEOs and educational institutions to refugees from conflict zones, reflecting her commitment to fostering connection and resilience. Her global presence, from webinars in India to podcasts in Vietnam, underscores her ability to bridge cultures and perspectives—a skill honed through years of managing high-profile events like the BBC Chelsea Flower Show and the World Music Awards.
In Monaco, a place synonymous with elegance and ambition, BEING feels like a timely exhale. As Kathy Pickard, a California-based author, notes, “This book offers a way of being that can elevate our humanity. It’s exactly what our times need.” For readers seeking solace and purpose, Sedgwick’s words are a reminder that the art of being is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity.
BEING is available on Amazon. For interviews, contact Annette Anderson at (+33) 6 14 80 49 61 or Sedgwick directly at alicia@aliciasedgwick.com.