Development Digest - August 2025
“Your life does not get better by chance. It gets better by change.”
– Jim Rohn
A New Chapter for Our Academy for Personal Development
August was an extremely busy month for us! After many meaningful years in what we affectionately called our Yellow Room, we decided to relocate our office, and we found what seems to be the perfect new space. It is located a block off Main Street in downtown Grand Junction and is situated in a great little office building at 600 Rood Avenue. We have started holding our sessions in our new office, and it feels as though we are stepping into a new chapter for our coaching practice.
The Yellow Room holds countless memories for us. It was a place of deep conversations, quiet breakthroughs, shared laughter, and healing tears. Within those yellow walls, many of you have explored your challenges, discovered your strengths, and committed to becoming the best version of yourselves. We will always hold gratitude for the role that space played in our work together.
At the same time, change is a natural part of life. Just as you’ve embraced growth and transformation in your own journeys, we, too, are embracing this move with excitement and hope. Our new office represents fresh beginnings, new possibilities, and the continued expansion of the work we are honored to share with you. We’ve designed our new space to reflect the same attributes that guided us in the Yellow Room, including comfort, safety, openness, inspiration, creativity, and connection.
This move is also about continuing to walk beside you, our clients, with the same commitment and care. Every time you’ve shown up for your sessions, whether in joy or in struggle, you’ve taken meaningful steps toward creating a better life. That courage, that willingness to do the hard work of self-reflection and growth, is what makes our work together so special.
We want to pause and express our gratitude to you personally:
Thank you for trusting us to support you on your personal development journey.
Thank you for showing up not only for yourself, but for all the people around you. As you grow, heal, and find new ways of being, the ripple of change expands outward. Your efforts truly make the world a better place - for you, your loved ones, and everyone whose lives you touch.
Moving forward, we are filled with anticipation for all that lies ahead and to welcoming you into our new space! Whether you are taking your first step with us or have been with us for many years, we are grateful for our connection with you.
Here’s to honoring where we’ve been, embracing where we are going, and celebrating the courage it takes to grow!
With love and gratitude,
Annette and Ada
The Hero’s Journey: September on our Morning Intentions Podcast
Every great story has a hero. But the hero isn’t always someone else in a faraway land; the hero can also be you.
This September on Morning Intentions, we’re diving into one of the most enduring and powerful frameworks for personal development and personal growth: The Hero’s Journey.
Initially identified by mythologist Joseph Campbell, the Hero’s Journey is a pattern found in stories across cultures and throughout history. It begins with a call to adventure, moves through trials and transformations, and returns with wisdom to share.
We believe this journey isn’t limited to myths and legends. Each of us walks our own version of the Hero’s Journey as we face life’s challenges, step into the unknown, and emerge with new strength and insight.
Whether you are navigating a life change, building healthier relationships, or simply seeking more meaning in your everyday life, the Hero’s Journey can help you see your experiences in a new light.
Throughout the month, we’ll explore the stages of the journey and connect them to your own path of growth. Our goal is to inspire you to view your own challenges not as setbacks, but as opportunities to step more fully into the life you’re meant to live.
We invite you to join us this September for our Morning Intentions podcast. Let’s walk this timeless path together and discover the hero within us all!
Ugh! Personal Growth is SO Slow!
I’ve been working on my personal growth for a while, but sometimes I get discouraged because progress feels so slow. How can I stay motivated when I can’t see big results right away?
Thank you for submitting such a thoughtful and honest question!
The truth is that real and lasting personal growth rarely happens all at once. It’s more like planting a seed: you water, tend, and nurture it long before you see green shoots pushing through the soil. Just because you can’t always see the growth doesn’t mean it isn’t happening beneath the surface.
Here are a few ways to stay encouraged:
Celebrate small wins: Did you respond with more patience today than yesterday? Did you take a pause in order to respond with intention? These seemingly small choices add up to significant transformation over time.
Track your journey by keeping a Win Journal: Journaling or simply noting your progress (your “wins”) gives you a record to celebrate! Often, we forget where we started. Looking back helps you realize just how far you’ve already come.
Trust the process. Growth is not a straight line because life is full of ups, downs, and plateaus. Those plateaus aren’t wasted time; they are when your new habits and insights are settling in, preparing you for your next step forward.
Remember, personal development isn’t about achieving a “perfect” endpoint. It’s about becoming more aware, more compassionate, and more aligned with who you really are. If you keep showing up, even on the days it feels slow, you are succeeding.
Every step you take, even the smallest one, is proof of your courage and commitment. Trust that the effort you’re making today is shaping the brighter, stronger, more peaceful version of yourself that’s already on the horizon.
With encouragement,
Annette and Ada
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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.
How Are You Doing With . . .
Click here to download YOUR Challenge!
Remember, our Challenge ends on Monday, September 22, 2025
If you’d like to share about your experience, please email us at yourcoaches@annetteandad.com
August’s Recommendation:
Decorating for the Seasons
It can be extremely soothing to celebrate the seasons at home, as our living spaces influence how we feel each day. When we decorate in harmony with the seasons, we create an environment that feels both comforting and celebratory, while also providing a gentle reminder to pause, notice, and appreciate the beauty of the moment.
Seasonal decorating doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as changing a table centerpiece, adding a seasonal wreath, or swapping out throw pillows and blankets. These little touches bring warmth and freshness to our homes, while also marking the natural rhythms of life.
As we enter autumn in just a few weeks, this practice becomes especially meaningful. Fall is a season of gathering, gratitude, and cozy comfort. Decorating with seasonal accents invites us to slow down and enjoy the richness of this time of year.
Here are a few simple autumn touches you might start thinking about:
Bring nature indoors: Create a centerpiece for your kitchen table using a collection of dried autumn leaves you’ve gathered from your yard. Including pinecones, acorns, or other outdoor treasures will add to the spirit of the season.
Add warmth: Use plaid or earth-toned throw blankets, candles in scents like cinnamon or apple, or soft amber lighting to make your indoor spaces feel cozy and inviting.
Celebrate the harvest: Display pumpkins, gourds, and seasonal flowers, like mums, on your porch, dining table, or mantel. One year, our family made harvest placemats out of grocery store paper bags. We cut the sides and fringed the edges. Then, we used crayons to create a special harvest scene. These were our placemats for a week or so. It was lots of fun to do, and they seemed to make our food taste better! 😋
Create cozy nooks: Arrange a reading chair with a fall-colored pillow or a basket of blankets to bring warmth as the days start to grow shorter.
These small, intentional changes make your space beautiful and celebrate the season. Autumn décor, especially, reminds us to savor the simple comforts: a mug of tea, a glowing candle, and the joy of a home that feels warm and welcoming.
Self-Care Tip of the Month:
A Mindful Walk
One of the simplest yet most powerful self-care practices is to step outside and truly notice the world around you. As summer comes to a close and autumn begins, nature itself invites us to slow down and pay attention.
Last year on our podcast, when we explored Gretchen Rubin’s Life in Five Senses, we talked about how much richer life becomes when we fully engage with our senses. A mindful walk is the perfect way to bring that practice into the new season.
As you walk, start by noticing the subtle signs of change: Are the leaves beginning to shift color? Is the breeze cooler against your skin? Does the light look different in the morning or evening? Listen for the quieting of summer insects. Breathe deeply and catch the scent of the season.
The goal is to be present!
This gentle attentiveness calms the mind, lifts the spirit, and reconnects you with the rhythm of life.
Let your mindful walk be a reminder:
Change is constant, beauty is everywhere, and taking the time to notice it nourishes both body and soul.
Gaia Herbs Golden Milk
As summer draws to a close and the air begins to cool, there’s something comforting about sipping a warm, nourishing drink that feels both grounding and uplifting. One of our favorites, which we actually enjoy all through the year, is Gaia Herbs Golden Milk.
Golden Milk is a traditional Ayurvedic blend that features turmeric, a spice renowned for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Gaia Herbs has created a ready-to-mix powder that combines organic turmeric with other soothing ingredients like ashwagandha, dates, cardamom, and vanilla. When blended with your favorite warm milk, dairy or non-dairy, it becomes a creamy, lightly spiced beverage that tastes delicious and supports your body’s natural well-being.
We love how simple it is to prepare. It is as easy as making a cup of tea. Just stir into warm milk and enjoy! The flavor is comforting and slightly sweet, with a hint of spice that makes it perfect for winding down in the evening or for starting your day with intention.
