Development Digest - January 2025
“When you are intentional, you choose to make decisions and take action on what’s important to you. Being intentional means getting clear upfront about what you want to achieve, then taking deliberate action to make it happen.”
– John C. Maxwell
At our Academy for Personal Development, January was all about being intentional – choosing how we show up in life rather than drifting through it. Living with intention creates positive life experiences, fosters ease, nurtures inner peace, and strengthens our relationships.
What does it mean to live an intentional life?
Our Framework for Living an Intentional Life provides actionable steps and clarity to guide you in living an empowered, purposeful life:
1. Develop Self-Awareness
The foundation of an intentional life begins with self-awareness: paying attention to how you feel and how your words and actions impact others. When self-aware, we engage in self-inquiry, acknowledge our strengths and weaknesses, and recognize when we need support. When we know ourselves deeply, we make decisions that align with our values rather than reacting out of habit or fear.
2. Cultivate Foundational Habits
Intentionality isn’t just a mindset—it’s built through daily habits that create stability and resilience. Identifying our core values helps guide decision-making, while practicing kindness over niceness ensures we interact with authenticity rather than simply pleasing others. Gratitude shifts our focus to what’s working, and emotional regulation allows us to respond to life’s challenges rather than react impulsively. One of the most important habits is getting back up when you fall. Every step forward matters.
3. Build Healthy Relationships
No intentional life is complete without meaningful relationships. This means being honest, listening with presence, and setting healthy boundaries that honor ourselves and others. It’s about following through on our promises and doing what’s right simply because it’s right. Strong relationships don’t happen by accident—they are cultivated with care, respect, and a willingness to show up authentically.
4. Pursue Lifelong Learning and Growth
An intentional life is one of continuous learning. We grow when we remain open to new perspectives, adjust and adapt to life’s changes, and share our skills and resources with others. Reflecting on our progress allows us to see how far we’ve come – and celebrating our wins fuels the momentum to keep going.
Our Framework for Living an Intentional Life is transformative because it offers a clear path to living with purpose and integrity. Instead of feeling lost in the day-to-day grind, we can make conscious choices that result in greater confidence, deeper relationships, and a more fulfilling life.
If this resonates with you, we invite you to explore these principles in your own life.
Each step, no matter how small, moves you closer to living life with intention!
Throughout January, we explored this framework in depth on our podcast, discussing each component in greater detail. If you’d like to dive deeper, feel free to listen in! Most importantly, you CAN live with intention—one choice, one habit, and one moment of self-awareness at a time.
Join Our Worldwide Audience!
Morning Intentions is your time to set intentions, create meaningful change, and step into the possibilities of a brighter, more empowered you.
Follow us on:
I’m so glad you added this section to your newsletter! Here’s something I’ve been struggling with: Whenever I host gatherings for family and friends or go to work events, the same thing happens—everyone drinks heavily, and I don’t even drink. The holidays were especially tough. I put in so much effort to make everything nice, but by the end of the night, I felt completely drained and taken for granted. Honestly, I’m already dreading the next time. This pattern keeps repeating, and I’m tired of it. How do I handle this situation?
First, thank you for sharing your question with us. It sounds like you’ve been carrying a heavy emotional and physical load when it comes to hosting, and that exhaustion is completely understandable. When we put in a lot of effort to create a warm and welcoming environment, only to feel drained and unappreciated afterward, it can be incredibly frustrating—especially when a pattern like this keeps repeating.
It sounds like there are two key issues at play here: feeling exhausted from hosting and feeling uncomfortable with how drinking takes over these gatherings. Let’s start with the first. Hosting doesn’t have to mean overextending yourself. You might ask yourself: Am I doing too much? Am I setting expectations that make me feel more obligated than I want to be? Maybe it’s time to rethink how you host. This could mean scaling back what you provide, asking guests to contribute, or even hosting less frequently. Your time and energy are valuable, and you get to decide how you want to spend them.
As for the drinking—this is a tough one because it’s a dynamic that’s already in place. It might help to set some new boundaries. For example, you could let your guests know ahead of time that you’re planning a different kind of gathering, one that’s more about connection than alcohol. You might also choose to host in a way that naturally shifts the focus—like organizing a brunch, a game night, or a structured activity where drinking isn’t the centerpiece. And if you’re truly dreading having everyone over, it’s okay to step back and ask yourself if hosting is even something you want to continue in the same way.
At the heart of this is honoring your needs, not just the expectations of others. You deserve to feel good about the gatherings you host, and if they’ve become more draining than fulfilling, that’s an important sign to make some changes. We encourage you to check in with yourself about what you want, and to give yourself full permission to act on that.
With care,
Annette & Ada
——————————————-
Do you have questions about personal development, navigating relationships, or creating a more balanced and fulfilling life? If you have a question, there’s a very good chance you are not alone, and now’s your chance to ask us directly! Each month, we’ll choose one or more questions to answer in our newsletter. Whether you’re seeking advice on setting boundaries, developing self-understanding, or simply finding peace in the midst of life’s challenges, we’re here to provide you with thoughtful, compassionate insights.
Your privacy is our priority. While we’ll share your questions and our answers, we’ll never share your name or identifying details. Feel free to ask any personal development question that’s on your heart or mind. This is your opportunity to gain clarity and guidance in a safe and supportive space.
To submit your question, visit the newsletter page of our website and click the big button that says “Submit Your Question for Ask Annette and Ada.”
Send us your questions today, and you might see your answer in our next edition of Development Digest.
Self-Care Tip of the Month:
Stop and Be Still
In the busyness of life, it’s easy to push through frustrations, pains, and upsets without truly acknowledging them. This month, we invite you to embrace the practice of Stop and Be Still—a daily moment of pause to listen to what’s really going on inside you.
For at least 15 minutes a day (or whatever time you can manage), step away from activity, noise, and conversation. Find a quiet space, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and simply observe your thoughts, emotions, and body sensations without judgment. Let this time be one of compassionate curiosity: What is your mind saying? What emotions are sitting beneath the surface? What is your body telling you?
When you give yourself permission to be still, you create space for clarity, emotional healing, and self-awareness. Over time, this practice can help you respond to life with more intention and less reactivity.
Even a few minutes of Stop and Be Still can make a difference—so start where you are and allow yourself to listen.
January’s Recommendation:
The Six Triple Eight and The Journey
Tyler Perry’s The Six Triple Eight is a deeply moving and inspiring film that brings to life the incredible true story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female unit deployed overseas during World War II. These courageous women faced adversity on multiple fronts—combatting racism, sexism, and the seemingly insurmountable task of clearing a massive backlog of undelivered mail. Yet, through resilience, determination, and an unshakable sense of duty, they accomplished the impossible, ensuring that millions of letters reached soldiers longing for connection with their loved ones.
Perry masterfully blends history, emotion, and empowerment, shining a long-overdue spotlight on these unsung heroes. The film’s powerful performances and rich storytelling make it a must-watch for anyone who appreciates stories of perseverance and triumph.
The emotional impact of The Six Triple Eight is beautifully amplified by the song that plays over the end credits—"The Journey" by H.E.R. This stunning, Oscar-nominated ballad captures the essence of the women’s struggle and victory, reminding us that every challenge we face is part of a larger purpose. With heartfelt lyrics and soaring vocals, The Journey serves as the perfect closing tribute to these extraordinary women, leaving audiences inspired long after the credits roll.
If you’re looking for a film that educates, uplifts, and resonates on a deeply human level, The Six Triple Eight is not to be missed. – And if you’re like Annette, you’ll play the song over and over hundreds of times afterwards!
Gisele Bündchen’s Chicken Meatballs
Gisele Bündchen’s cookbook, Nourish: Simple Recipes to Empower Your Body and Feed Your Soul, is more than just a collection of recipes—it’s a guide to creating a balanced, vibrant lifestyle through mindful eating. Rooted in her personal approach to wellness, Nourish embraces whole, nutrient-dense foods that fuel the body while supporting overall well-being. Gisele shares family-favorite dishes, plant-based options, and nourishing meals that prioritize fresh, organic ingredients. With an emphasis on simplicity, her recipes are designed to be both accessible and deeply satisfying, proving that healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated.
Beyond the recipes, Nourish reflects Gisele’s holistic philosophy of self-care, which extends beyond food to include gratitude, movement, and emotional well-being. She encourages readers to cultivate a mindful connection with the foods they eat, choosing ingredients that align with their body’s needs and the planet’s health. This cookbook is an invitation to slow down, savor each meal, and embrace nourishment in all its forms—body, mind, and spirit. Whether you’re looking for clean, gluten-free alternatives or simply want to add more whole foods to your diet, Nourish offers an inspiring and practical approach to eating well and feeling your best.
Here’s one of our favorite recipes:
Ingredients
Avocado Oil
1 pound ground chicken
1/2 cup chopped, fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 tsp onion powder
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp fine sea salt
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment and blush lightly with avocado oil.
In a large bowl, combine all other ingredients and mix well.
Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions and roll into smooth balls, then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake for 12 minutes, then turn the meatballs over and continue baking for approximately another 12 minutes. Use a food thermometer to ensure the meatballs are cooked fully.
We love to serve this with risotto!
