Anita Hodges - Impact Coaching Community

I'm a little tired in my body, I'm a LOT tired in my soul.
"Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30.
Leaning into this deeply today.

This Monday morning I consider my plans for the week, what will I choose to focus on and how will I win? It's important to walk with purpose and do one's best to curate a life that has impact, yet once again the idea of "winning" and focusing on "my plans" has me conflicted.
I'm going to be candid and admit I've been frustrated lately as I feel a shift, but I don't see the path yet. It's a time of waiting for me and I'm not good at that.
As a child of God, I must wait on God's direction because where His hand moves is where I'm supposed to be. Walking outside of His purpose is at best, futile. And at worst, destructive.
So here's what you do (here's what I will do) when the path is unclear. You continue forward with the last instruction God impressed upon you. For me, that means continue coaching the people God has placed in my world. It means prepare for Friday's Group Coaching session on - ironically but not accidentally - finding and seizing new opportunities. It means to coach using the tools I've learned and the elasticity of intuition that's guided me for years. AND it means for me - maybe for you too - two things God's been impressing upon me during this time of waiting.
1. Get out of my office more, interface beyond the Zoom screen that dominates my day.
2. Broaden my observations, watch for opportunities where God is working and move in that direction.
I've spiritualized my career my whole life - IMPERFECTLY - but consistently. I will continue to do so. This is my life's trajectory, of that I'm certain.
And tonight as I bookend my day, I will ask where did I win? (As a servant of the Most High) What obstacles did I face? And How can I do better tomorrow?
Love to you, my friends. Hinen.

Stay curious and keep asking questions until the problem is solved.

When teams collaborate to find better solutions, the entire company becomes more innovative, efficient, and resilient.

What’s one question you’ve asked recently that helped solve a problem at work?

You don’t need extraordinary talents to make a difference—just a burning curiosity. Einstein’s words remind us that passionate curiosity alone can ignite innovation, deepen understanding, and transform the world around us. Let your questions lead the way!

“Your vision is a promise to your future. Rise with courage, grow with purpose, and become the unstoppable force you were meant to be.”

📢 Impact Coaching Community March 2025 Newsletter is Here!

I wanted to share my very first Impact Coaching Community Insights with you in case you missed it.

My newsletter includes expert tips, featured career-focused articles, lifestyle insights, course information, free digital resources, and more.

Click the link in bio or story to view my March newsletter, and subscribe to my.

We believe we envy them—but do we? Life isn’t always kind to highly intelligent people. Shaped by their unique way of seeing things, their elevated IQ can lead to profound insights. Yet, some of the most brilliant minds face significant challenges navigating a world that values conformity over curiosity. You’ve seen it—people with super high IQs are sometimes socially awkward. Their neurodivergence, while clearly a gift, can also bring pain because it doesn’t align with the practicalities of “street smarts” or social norms. Ironically, people with high IQs are often scoffed at, misunderstood, and undervalued.

They’re smart, not blind. Many know they don’t fit in. They offer the world thoughtfulness and innovation, yet they receive rejection and dismissal simply because they’re different. How awful is that?

It is vital that we learn to respect the unique perspectives of all humans, especially those who possess the rare ability to foster new discoveries. For those of us with common intelligence, it requires a willingness to step beyond surface judgments—an ever-diminishing quality in this polarized society. But when we make space for them, we not only enrich our understanding of the world but also affirm the inherent value of seeing and thinking differently. Look past the surface. See the gift.

Years ago, I inherited my mom’s charm bracelet after she passed. She wore it constantly, and while I don’t know if she truly loved it or just wore it because we kept giving her charms, it held deep sentimental value. Around the same time, my son gave me a new charm bracelet with a single charm. It was bittersweet—his gift juxtaposed with my mom’s old, familiar piece. I decided to merge the two, creating a legacy piece that could grow over the years.

On my birthday, I asked my then-husband for a charm—something meaningful to represent his view of me. His response? “I don’t think they make charms of anvils.” We laughed, but it stung. Instead of addressing the hurt, I looked for an anvil charm to turn his dig into a joke. But when I showed him, he dismissed it. No charm, no shared joke—just another opportunity for him to be cruel.

Looking back, it wasn’t about the charm. It was about me ignoring red flags and tolerating cruelty because I wanted so badly to believe in the relationship. For years, I thought I could fix it if I tried hard enough, but the truth is, cruelty isn’t healed by love alone. Words, actions, even silence can cut deeply.

If you’re in a situation like that, I urge you:

Check yourself. Reflect on your role, not to assign blame but to grow.

Address it. Don’t allow cruelty to persist—set boundaries and take action.

I’m not a victim in my story. I’ve made mistakes, and I’ve been the villain at times too. But as a child of God, I’ve learned to reflect, repent, and reform. Now, with a kind and loving husband, I live a peaceful life filled with love and growth—a chance to work on my shortcomings and honor God.

Be good to yourself, friends. Don’t accept harm, and strive to do better.

You Deserve to See Yourself Clearly

I recently had a conversation with a new employee at a company where I coach. My goal was to understand their strengths and help them discover their most impactful role. As we spoke, I reflected on what I heard and asked, “Does this sound like you?”

Their response was unforgettable: “Wow, I love what you just said about me. I want to cherish, nurture, and enrich that version of myself. I want to aspire to be that every day.”

I smiled and said, “That is who you are—you just told me so.”

How often do we forget the best parts of ourselves? Everyone needs a moment to see who they are at their finest. When we remember, it gives us something powerful to strive toward each day.

We need to see ourselves clearly, and we get to aspire to our best.

Have you ever encountered someone who pauses for what feels like an eternity after you ask them a question?

They may gaze at you—or into the ether—leaving you suspended in the midst of an oh-so-awkward silence. But fear not! These individuals are Thinkers. While they might not always shine as the most dynamic conversationalists, they are worth the wait.

As a society, we’ve conditioned ourselves to dread silence. The constant hum of TV, radio, and the internet fills every corner of our lives, subtly teaching us that silence is something to avoid. But is that really the case? Far from it. Silence is a gift—a haven for thought and reflection.

So when you encounter someone who takes their time to respond, remember: they are honoring your question with deep consideration. Be patient. Savor the stillness. The answers a thinker gives are often thoughtful, meaningful, and well worth the pause.

Letting go of the pain from broken relationships is never easy, but it’s a powerful step toward healing. Watch today’s video about Relinquishing the Pain of Broken Relationships on my YouTube channel. Love to see you there! Visit the link in my bio.

“Relinquish it, set it down. This is a burden that you are not meant to carry alone.”