Category: Blog

Most Common Reasons You’ve Failed To Reach Your Goals: Overcome and Succeed! At the beginning of the year, when we get a great revelation or after being unmotivated for too long, we get a great idea to make a list of goals we want to reach. Some goals are personal; some are professional; and some are things we have put off for years. Let’s take a quick look at that list. It’s okay, I’ll wait while you remember where you put it. Got it? Okay! Let’s take a look and see where you are. You may not have checked off as many things as you had hoped on that list as you look back on it now, weeks, months, or years after it was made. That’s because you didn’t set yourself up for real success in the first place. Those lists weren’t enough to get you really motivated. Continue reading to find out why you may not have been successful in reaching your goals and what you should try to do differently. Lights, Camera, Action… I said ACTION. Your list of goals shouldn’t just be a jumble of nouns – make sure to make them actionable! Doable. “Get closet organized” rather than just writing “organize” and set yourself attainable deadlines for each goal. For example, if you’re looking to organize your closet, make sure you spend some time sorting and purging, get storage containers and maybe labels, and organize your outfits by season will help you map out the goal and give you a clear list of tasks to complete it within the timeframe. You’re doing this.. Great.. but WHY? If you don’t feel motivated or even excited to reach your goals, then it is likely that you haven’t determined WHY you are striving for them. For instance, expressing the will to lose 15 pounds is one thing but WHY? At the end of the day, what are you hoping to acquire by losing that weight? Take into consideration what motivates and drives your goal. There will always be something that you wish to attain, avoid, or lose when attempting to accomplish it. Are you looking to enhance your self-confidence? Become healthier to prevent health problems down the road. Wear that two-piece bathing suit with extra confidence on your upcoming vacation. Take some real time to examine the reasons behind why you’re making a goal list and recognize the advantages of what you’re trying to achieve. Are you even close? How close? In order to determine how well you are doing, you need milestones or markers that track your progress. A lofty goal may take some time to accomplish. Work at a steady pace, and don’t try to do too much upfront. This is the fastest way to burn yourself out and run from your goals. Burnout is real, and you should try to avoid it. When you see you’ve accomplished part of your goal, you can celebrate your progress and encourage yourself to keep going. I believe in celebrating small wins. We all could use a little more motivation! Wait, it’s gonna cost me something? How much? Not all goals are centered around money, such as saving a certain amount each month, but there’s some kind of financial angle involved with all goals. Consider the example of owning a house – you need to save enough money, assess your budget and mortgage amount, and so on. On the other hand, if you want to find a new job, then it’s important to consider how much you’re looking for in terms of salary. Through my experience shopping at Ikea and Target, I can tell you that completely redecorating a closet doesn’t come cheap! Eating healthier also requires more expenditure – fresh fruits and veggies cost more than processed food. The bottom line is that hard figures give a much clearer insight into goals and should be taken into account when planning ahead. I know you can reach your goals if you follow these tips. If you haven’t made progress towards your goals this year, don’t give up. Give Rita or me a call, and we can help you see what barriers are holding you back. We will help you strategize and help hold you accountable. Join “The Vault” Do you need guidance, motivation, direction, and a strong shoulder to lean on? Under the coaching leadership of Spiritual and Mental Health Wellness Coach Angela Lightfoot, The Vault offers you the space to speak to other women similar in age, with similar experiences and challenges. Learn More!

FINDING YOUR PURPOSE What is your unique purpose? How do you determine your purpose? Is it possible to fulfill your purpose? I always want you to take away something from reading my blogs. This particular topic has five steps. It’s going to take you a while to get through it. It’s going to challenge you like no other blog I’ve written. But you have to complete the assignments. Take as much time as you need with each step, and think through the question before responding. Read till the end because I have an offer for you. STEP ONE: Ask yourself, what is it you really want to do tomorrow, and the next day, and the next?   What would you enjoy spending your days doing?  What would bring you joy and peace and allow you to feel fulfilled and purposeful? Hold tight to these three questions and speak to them every day. Ponder these questions in your silence. Allow the thoughts and ideas to flow thru your head. Don’t stop to judge or critique, just allow them to flow. If you get off course, re-focus on any or all three questions. Record in your journal, what you experience while in the silence. STEP TWO: What thoughts and/or ideas have been in your head for years?  Which ones are pulling on you? Which ones make you smile? Is it really what you want to do?  Do you feel led to spend your days manifesting that idea to fruition? Do you think this is the purpose you were sent here to fulfill? Do NOT, spend time, right now, on HOW you will make this happen. Right now, take your time to sift through the ideas/thoughts. Picture yourself doing exactly what it is you think you want to do. How does it feel? STEP THREE: You may be wondering, “WHY – is it so critical that I fulfill my purpose?” And my answer to you is that Your Creator brought you from Eternity and placed you in this time and space for you to do your part to grow His Kingdom. Each day you spend not fulfilling your purpose is another day the World is without all that you have to offer.  Let me Be very clear, you are fully equipped TODAY – to fulfill your assignment. Because Where God guides, He provides. I want you to Ponder the effect your purpose has on the planet. Your purpose is not about you – it’s about how it will benefit the rest of us. STEP FOUR: HOW do you manifest your purpose?  The first step is to Create a plan. The second step is to follow the plan.  The plan begins with completing the following two sentences: Sentence 1 – My purpose is_______________ Sentence 2 – I’m living my purpose when______________  Rewrite your answers until they feel good! STEP FIVE: Your purpose is your assignment, it is your journey. No one else can do this but you. Continue to remind yourself why you must do this as well as the value you will bring to yourself and to the planet. Celebrate every accomplishment and enjoy the ride. This is what Living life is all about…it’s about loving what you do.           It’s your purpose and ONLY you can fulfill it. JOIN ME, FOR A FREE WEBINAR entitled, THE 4 PS OF PERSEVERANCE!! The PURPOSE nourishes the PLAN THE PLAN nourishes the PASSION THE PROMISE is a manifestation of THE PURPOSE I am Rita…speaking to your Spirit Save the Date THE 4 PS OF PERSEVERANCE Join me virtually, at 7:00 EST on May 3rd, to celebrate you and your PERSEVERANCE. There is no cost to this workshop. I believe as we move to midway 2023, it’s ok to alter our course. Learn More!

How to Love Yourself Unconditionally During Difficult Times While it is difficult to find the strength to love yourself unconditionally during difficult times, it is crucial to remember that you deserve self-love and acceptance no matter what life throws at you. In this blog post, we will focus on the benefits of loving yourself unconditionally and how to deal with your emotions when things get challenging. Recently Rita and I experienced the heartache of losing a close friend. Anyone who has suffered loss can relate to all the feelings and emotions associated with it, and I am no exception. Crying was inevitable, and I had many conversations with God. Despite this difficult situation, I remained committed to my own self-love, knowing that our departed loved one showed me nothing but love before departing. Why would I do her memory any wrong by not loving myself just as much? Nurturing a genuine love for yourself can be one of the most challenging tasks. It’s natural to find it easy to love yourself during times of joy, but what about in difficult or challenging times? Staying positive and showing yourself compassion when facing adversity is no easy task. However, it’s during these moments that loving yourself unconditionally is all the more vital and important. Unconditional self-love entails embracing your true self no matter the circumstance. It means acknowledging your worth even on days when you feel like you’re just not enough. Remember that cultivating unconditional self-love is an ongoing journey, requiring both time and effort. What other things in life do you dedicate all your time and energy to that does not better you or your current situation? Nevertheless, if you can learn to accept yourself completely, there will be nothing life throws at you that you cannot handle. Loving yourself unconditionally has many benefits. No matter what you are going through, you deserve love and respect. Here are some benefits of loving yourself unconditionally: It is easier to forgive yourself when things go wrong if you accept that you are imperfect and make mistakes. This will lead to less anxiety and stress. I was raised to believe there is only one standard of perfection and that is God. So, take the pressure off of you. If you love yourself unconditionally, you open yourself up to receiving love from others, which can strengthen your relationships. People naturally want to give and receive love, but make sure the love you are giving others is healthy and true. We have no room for toxic relationships. It is also possible to increase your self-esteem and confidence by learning to love yourself. When you know that you are worthy of love no matter what, it makes it easier for you to believe in yourself and mean it. Finally, loving yourself unconditionally can help improve your overall well-being. When you have a positive view of yourself, it can lead to better physical health and mental well-being. When I am feeling down, I often go for a long walk in my neighborhood or at one of my favorite parks. It allows me to get some fresh air, move my body, get quiet, gain a few extra steps, and most importantly, it helps me clear my head. Negative emotions and how to deal with them. It’s normal to feel negative emotions from time to time, but you don’t have to let them control you. Here are some tips for dealing with negative emotions in a healthy way: It’s okay to feel angry, sad, or afraid. Denying your emotions will only make them worse. Embrace the feeling, let them out, and figure out a healthy way to process them. Consider journaling. By now you should know how Rita and I feel about Journaling. It is a daily practice for us! I know for some, journaling can seem like an added task that takes time. but it is a healthy way to process your emotions and feelings. Journaling allows people who process things outwardly to see the struggle on paper so they can better discern what needs to be done and how to deal with how they feel. If you are concerned that someone will find your journal, you can burn or trash your thoughts once completed. Another way to positively express yourself is by talking it out with a friend instead of lashing out at others. Avoid trying to numb or hide your emotions. If you try to avoid feeling negative emotions by turning to alcohol, drugs, food, or sex, you will only cause yourself more problems in the future. Keep a list of activities you can do when you are experiencing challenges or turmoil. In the event you struggle to cope with negative emotions regularly, it may be time to seek professional assistance from a trained coach. I know 2 really great ones that are available. All in all, practicing self-love unconditionally during difficult periods is essential. Such an approach fosters resilience and grants us a more hopeful outlook that can facilitate problem resolution. Accepting our true selves encourages powerful personal investigation and development that translates into winning choices. As we navigate life’s challenging moments, we should keep in mind the progress made and be proud of ourselves. Save the Date Createing Light In The Darkness During this power-packed session, you will participate in interactive “Real Self” exercises, receive guided handouts, and gain clarity on the woman you want to be! REGISTER TODAY! Learn More!

Being Present Being Present is about NOW – THIS MOMENT in time – Right This MOMENT!! In fact, NOW is all you have…NOW it’s gone… Studies show you lose 60% of your daily precious gift of time by focusing on what happened in the past – either to you or because of you – AND YET, you cannot change your past. These same studies show that you lose 25% of your daily precious gift of time by arranging and living your life based on what the future might bring…AND YET, you cannot see the future. So that leaves only 15% of your daily precious gift of time to make a difference… in this space…in this moment. Take about 5 minutes envisioning your average day. Where do you focus most of your thoughts?… Thinking about the past? Thinking about the future? Or thinking about right now? Beginning today, when your mind starts to wander, gracefully bring yourself back to the PRESENT and see what you can gain and how you can grow from whatever you’re doing in that moment. You are NOT in control. Your Creator chose you from eternity and placed you in THIS moment for His purpose. He knows exactly what your purpose is and how He wants you to use it to benefit mankind. But if you’re all over the map, being busy -ALL the time – when are you able to hear directions about what and where you’re supposed to be? We are human Beings, not human doings, and to truly know what to do, you must first BE silent. When you choose to align your spirit with God’s purpose for your day, you are following HIS will, rather than your own. Consider scheduling 20 minutes of daily LISTENING time. Completely shut down. The solution is in the Silence. Staying in the NOW is something you must consistently be conscious of. Actually, I encourage you to become more conscious of and responsible for your thoughts and words because THEY create your reality. You are where you are right now based on how you think, what you say, and the choices you make. Your Creator knows what is best for you but gives you free reign in which to choose. Trust me, in any given moment, you experience subtle signs, God winks, and aha moments which clearly give you direction. But if you are spending this moment reliving yesterday or planning tomorrow -you missed it – AGAIN! Expect and celebrate those subtle signs that flow in and out of your day. Write them down as a reminder. When you arrive at the point where you live the majority of your time Being Present – in the moment – you experience an unbelievable freedom. You are truly aware of what is happening right NOW. You and your Creator are connected. He is guiding you, and all you have to do is follow. You will see that the sky looks bluer, you enjoy the EXPERIENCE of a good meal – the words to an old song bring new meaning into your life, you meet new people who belong in your life, you feel peace and joy in your heart, you stop worrying, and you start living. You only have THIS moment, RIGHT NOW! The more time you spend in the present, the more grateful you are for having that moment. There are so many gifts inside of you, that you have yet to use. It is such a Blessing to cut the chains of perceived control. It is such a Blessing when your day begins with expectation and excitement of the possibilities and opportunities. It is such a Blessing to feel joy throughout your day. I’m excited about all you’re about to experience. When you live in the present, time never ends. I am Rita…speaking to your Spirit Save the Date LITTLE BLACK DRESS DAY AFFAIR We want to gift you Early Bird Tickets for LITTLE BLCK DRESS DAY AFFAIR 2023 at last year’s price of $75.00. The regular price is $99.00 REGISTER TODAY! Learn More! Save the Date Republic of Ghana 2023 Rita Ricks is going INTERNATIONAL and we want you to come along! Register today for our information meeting on February 28th at 7 pm EST via Zoom. Learn More! OUR Services Transformation Tribe Transformation Tribe – the only online community designed specifically for women, offering a safe and inspiring space to share your goals, experiences, and journeys. Learn More!

Who does resolutions anymore? Not I! As much as I enjoy the concept of New Year resolutions, they usually have a 14 day expiration for me, just like they do for most of you. But setting attainable and achievable goals have always felt more tangible and realistic to me because I understand that my goals allow me to be a better me. My drive to accomplish my goals is more intentional. While I want to keep this post brief and sweet, I hope My 2023 Goals inspire you to create your own customized and personalized goals for 2023. GOAL 1- Tune into My EmotionsI am an empathic person and have always been sensitive to the feelings of others. I embrace this quality as there is nothing wrong with feeling deeply. As a coach who works with individuals who are managing and often struggling with their mental wellness, it is an ongoing journey to ensure that I keep my emotions under control. Growing up, I always hated that it was easy for me to feel hurt by and for others. But as I grew older, I found that by understanding the reasons behind these feelings and finding healthy ways to release the stress, anxiety, and emotions I was able to free myself. So far, bowling, volleyball, and painting have been added to my list of healthy activities to help me release and allow me to tune into my emotions. If you need help getting in tune, consider hiring a coach- Call me! Goal 2- Explore and Embrace my Creative Side I’m constantly looking for new and different ways to unleash my creativity. I’ve been all over the map, doing things like painting and refinishing furniture. I also work on my she-shed (I just finished the drywall, hardwood floors, and beautiful palm leaf ceiling fan). This year I want to explore more unusual ways to use my creativity. Have you had a chance to listen to my guided meditation on YouTube? Check it out here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-QZWDYuXxY&t=43s. I have also noticed that helping myself is just as important as helping others! With all these experiences, I plan to take new approaches with creativity that will enable me to connect with God (or Spirit) in new ways. I really enjoy using my creativity to explore new possibilities for creative self-expression, so I’m looking forward to what new possibilities await next! Goal 3- Create Good Habits While Removing the Bad HabitsThe bad and the good are always a pairing, in my opinion, since I need to remove the bad and replace it with the good. I want to get rid of some habits that aren’t so great and create new ones that will help me grow as a person. This includes regular workouts (no more sitting on the floor watching tv), cleaning out my closet by donating/selling things I don’t wear anymore, connecting more to God by reading my bible more regularly, and committing myself to daily devotions. Goal 4- Become a Budget-nistaDid you know that 75% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck? That’s an alarming statistic. Like many people my age, I have student debt and it sometimes consumes my thoughts. This year, I want to budget in a way that allows me to do more fun things while still taking care of my student loan debt and other financial obligations. In our November webinar, The Naughty List 2.0 Combating Holiday Stress, Celia Powell, CPA recommended the following: “Write your vision and make it plan.” She reminded us to manage our finances responsibly and ensure that they align with other goals we have for our futures.” Goal 5- Create a Space Where I can Love Myself More We all claim to love ourselves or parts of ourselves. But what does it really mean to love ourselves in our fullness; the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly? To truly and unapologetically love ourselves, I believe we need to create space for our true and authentic selves to strive, let loose and simply be. By offering support to our body, mind, and spirit, we can develop this space within ourselves to really love the people we are. Join me on January 28th at 3 pm at the Women’s Business Center RVA in Willow Lawn for a workshop, Creating Space to Love Yourself! Register here: https://ritaricks.com/product/creating-space-to-love-yourself/ I pray your 2023 is prosperous and filled with health, wealth (I mean, who doesn’t want more money?) and overall positive vibes. It is a pleasure to have your support and know that Rita and I are always here to help you achieve your goals and dreams while aligning you with your purpose. Save the Date Creating Space to Love Yourself Join me for a powerful and transformational workshop as we “Create Space” to learn to love ourselves! REGISTER TODAY! Learn More!