Blog: Intentional Living

Master Prioritization: Align Your Actions with What Matters

“Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of things that matter least.”—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Prioritization is a powerful way to bring clarity and focus to your life. Becoming aware of where you have gaps between what you say is important and what you actually do on a day-to-day basis is the first step to creating better alignment between priorities and actions.

This week’s challenge:

🔸Begin each day with a list of your three most important priorities and actions.

🔸End your day by reviewing your priorities and actions.

🔸Did you focus on your most important priorities? If so, make note of what helped you stay focused on your top priorities. If not, why not? Use what you learn to make changes/adjustments.

If there is a gap between your priorities and action, see it as an opportunity for personal growth. Recommit to your list of priorities and take action.

The same practice of prioritization that brings clarity to life also strengthens your ability to focus on career goals and professional growth.

All the best,

Ruthann


Copyright © Ruthann M. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.

In-Progress, LLC
Walk your path with clarity and intention
Live in a way that is true for you

Start Small: Overcoming Procrastination

This week, I invite you to get started on something that you have been putting off. Start small and gain momentum if procrastination is an ongoing challenge.

🔸 Envision a desired future state and write it down and/or find an image that captures what you envision. Keep your vision in a place where you can see it on a regular basis.

🔸 Outline the steps needed to bring your vision to life as well as a date for completing each step.

🔸 Create an affirmation that aligns with your future state and work with it on a daily basis.

🔸 Each day, commit to taking three actions to move toward your desired future state.

🔸 Hold yourself accountable by assessing your commitment to action at the end of each day.

Don’t wait until you are “ready” to begin. Start small, gain momentum, and bring your vision to life. Plan and prepare for it or something better to happen.

The same discipline of starting small and building momentum applies in your career. Each step forward strengthens your confidence and clarity.

Believe in your ability to succeed.

All the best,

Ruthann


Copyright © Ruthann M. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.

In-Progress, LLC
Walk your path with clarity and intention
Live in a way that is true for you

Spring Reflections: Awakening, Clearing, and New Beginnings

Each season brings gifts and opportunities for growth as we journey through the year. Spring is a season of hope and possibility. 

On a personal level, spring invites us to start fresh, be hopeful, joyful, creative, and open to possibility. There are many ways to embrace the season: cleaning and clearing clutter, starting a new project, setting meaningful goals, and reconnecting with nature and the planet we call home, just to name a few.

The spring ritual of cleaning and clearing out clutter is a great way to transition into the energy of the season to make room for new beginnings, new opportunities, and new blessings to come into your life. A great place to start is to clean and clear your home/space of:

  • Things you no longer need or use.
  • Things you no longer feel connected to.
  • Things that keep you stuck/anchored in the past.

Begin a new project

  • Life is always inviting us to reach, stretch, and grow. Initiate a new beginning by starting a new project or setting a new goal that will help you stretch and grow. Stay open to possibility and be willing to leave your comfort zone.

Deepen your sense of connection to nature and the planet that is our home.

  • Spend time in natural settings and experience the beauty of the season as it unfolds.
  • Plant and nurture seeds/seedlings and watch them grow.
  • Make direct contact with the earth. Put your bare feet on the ground, sit or lay down on the ground.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. You can receive notifications of new posts by clicking on the follow button or click here to join my mailing list to receive email updates. If you know someone that might benefit from reading this post, please share it by clicking on a share button below.

All the best,
Ruthann

 

Copyright © Ruthann M. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.

Embrace Your Career Journey: The Power of Being Present

In addition to being a writer/author, I’ve had a long and fruitful career in corporate America. I had an opportunity to speak with a group of graduating students about my work and experience growing a career in a corporate setting. The students were a part of intensive training program that provided them with technical and professional skills. I love new beginnings and the energy of new graduates about to embark on their careers. I recall graduating from college and being excited about my first job post graduation. I had a very supportive supervisor and transition into my career.

One of the six career lessons that I shared with the graduates is to be where you are. The lesson was shared through a corporate lens; however, it’s also a powerful life lesson.

My message as it relates to being where you are in a corporate setting is to know what is expected of you, do your current job really well, and be open to new assignments/opportunities that can help you stretch and grow into the next role. Oftentimes, when people are early in a career, the goal is get to the next level quickly. The focus often becomes getting promoted/getting to the next level instead of learning, growing, excelling, and enjoying their current role. Moving too quickly can be problematic when an employee is promoted and not prepared for their next role. I encouraged them to be fully present and embrace the journey of growing into their next role.

The bigger life lesson is to live in the here and now; not in the past or in the future, but where you are right now. You can make the most of where you are by cultivating habits and practices that enable you stay grounded and present in your life. A few things to consider:

  • Give thanks for your life, even if it’s not exactly as you wish it to be
  • Reduce multi-tasking and focus on doing one thing at a time
  • Give other people the gift of your full attention
  • Spend time in nature and literally put your feet on the ground
  • Be intentional with your time
  • Breathe deeply
  • Meditate/embrace silence

Being where you are is about making the most of where you are right now. It has a way of opening doors and drawing people and opportunities to you.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. You can receive notifications of new posts by clicking on the follow button or click here to join my mailing list to receive email updates. If you know someone that might benefit from this message, please share by clicking on a share button below.

All the best,

Ruthann


Copyright © Ruthann M. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.

In-Progress, LLC
Walk your path with clarity and intention
Live in a way that is true for you

Winter Reflections: How to Go Within for Inner Growth

I received the Chrysanthemum plant in the picture as a birthday gift three months ago. It was filled with beautiful white Chrysanthemum flowers in full bloom. It was given to me by someone special who knows how much I love flowers. It brightened the room for weeks. I was sad when the flowers began to wither and die. I know it’s a part of the cycle of life; however, it still made me a bit sad to watch the plant transition to its current state.  My sadness has shifted to acceptance and I am now sitting with this beauty each day during meditation as a reminder that winter is a time of rest, renewal, and going within. It is a necessary phase of the cycle of life that requires strength, patience, and trust in the process to begin again.

Each season brings gifts and opportunities for growth as we journey through the year. Winter is a wonderful time of year to commit or re-commit to a daily practice of being still and silent. I invite you to read my post “Give Yourself the Gift of Silence” for inspiration in creating a daily practice. You might want to consider practicing silence in the evening as a bridge to nighttime – a natural time of deep renewal that enables you to begin anew in the morning.

If you are located in the southern hemisphere, I invite you to embrace the essence of the message. Winter is a great metaphor for being still and silent; however, the practice is relevant throughout the year.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I hope you found it helpful. You can receive notifications of new posts by clicking on the follow button or click here to join my mailing list to receive email updates. If you know someone who might benefit from reading this post, please share it by clicking on a share button below.

All the best,
Ruthann

Copyright © Ruthann M. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.

New Year Reflection Practices

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous year! I have included links to posts to help kick off the new calendar year.

You can receive notifications of new posts by clicking on the follow button. You can share posts with others by clicking on a share button below. Join my mailing list to receive email updates (Join mailing list)

All the best,

Ruthann

Copyright © Ruthann M. Wilson. All Rights Reserved

Year-End Reflection Practices to Finish Strong

This year (2022), I’m revisiting the practice of finishing strong. In this short video, I provide suggestions to bring the year to a close in a way that sets you up for success in the year ahead.

  • Evaluate progress toward your goals.
  • Celebrate what you have accomplished to date.
  • Complete what needs to be completed.
  • Make room for something new.

To support your reflection, I’ve included a downloadable worksheet updated for 2022 so you can work through the exercises step by step. You can access the worksheet here .

You can receive notifications of new posts by clicking on the follow button. You can share posts with others by clicking on a share button below. Join my mailing list to receive email updates (Join mailing list)

All the best,

Ruthann

Copyright © Ruthann M. Wilson. All Rights Reserved

Boost Your Day with Positive ‘I Am’ Statements

Words are powerful! What you tell yourself on a daily basis influences the way you experience life. Positive “I am” statements are extremely powerful in building and maintaining your self-esteem. I offer three affirmations to begin and end each day as a part of your self-care practice.

☀️ I am worthy

☀️ I am loved

☀️ I am enough

Learn more about affirmations The Power of Affirmations (Video).

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Copyright © Ruthann M. Wilson. All Rights Reserved. 

In-Progress, LLC | Walk your path with intention, at your own pace 

Summer Reflections: Freedom, Growth, and Abundance

Each season brings gifts and opportunities for growth as we journey through the year.

June 21 marked the beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere. Enjoy the gifts of this radiant season.

Suggestion:

  • Create a few powerful affirmations to align with the themes of the season. Learn more about the power of affirmations here.

You can receive notifications of new posts by clicking the follow button. You can share posts with others by clicking a share button below. Join my mailing list to receive email updates (Join mailing list).

All the best,

Ruthann

Link to autumn

Copyright © Ruthann M. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.

Spring Reflections: Awakening, Clearing, and New Beginnings

Each season brings gifts and opportunities for growth as we journey through the year. Spring invites us to start fresh, be hopeful, joyful, creative, and open to possibility.

Spring rituals of cleaning and clearing out clutter are great ways to transition into the energy of the season and make room for new beginnings, new opportunities, and new blessings to come into your life.

Questions for reflection:

  • In what area of your life do you feel a desire to start fresh/begin anew?
  • What steps can you take to make room for something new?

You can receive notifications of new posts by clicking the follow button. You can share posts with others by clicking a share button below. Join my mailing list to receive email updates (Join mailing list).

All the best,

Ruthann

Copyright © Ruthann M. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.