We recently had the chance to connect with Ann Ranson and have shared our conversation below.
Ann, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
This is at the core of all my recent changes. First, I’m learning to speak my truth – with civility, grace, and thoughtfulness. And secondly, I am doing work now that I’ve wanted to do for 20 years, but was afraid or insecure about doing. That longing is to be coach and speaker who shares the lessons I’ve learned by studying and practicing spiritual principles while helping others discover what matters most to them, so that they can live it. I’ve created a process from my lived experience on how to have the life we want filled with meaning and purpose.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
In a sentence, I help professionals figure out what’s missing so that we can create strategies to get it. I created a process, the What Matters Most Method that guides those who are interested in more meaning and purpose in their lives. There are three basic buckets: Know Yourself, Reimagining Success, and Connect Within. And, they don’t have to go in that order, nor does someone have to work in all three. Some people are only interested in Redefining Success to meet their current values and situation. The old ways of defining success no longer work for most of us. And, for most of my clientele, they already have those ‘outward’ boxes checked: title, income, etc.
I think what makes me different than many coaches and speakers is that I have a successful track record as a business leader and strategist combined with decades of spiritual study and practice. This combination allows me to help executives live to the standards and values that are important to them, while still performing at high levels.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
Two messages I received as a child no longer serve me. 1 – be quiet! Don’t speak unless spoken to or asked to speak. I clearly remember visiting one of my grandmothers who I’m sure was a fine person, but who made us sit quietly and in stillness – both tough for a child of 5 or 10 years old. 2- Somehow I got the message that to be angry wasn’t ‘lady-like or proper.’ Only in recent years have I been able to feel or express anger as simply one more feeling in a full range of acceptable emotions. And, only this year have I allowed myself to use the ‘angry’ emoji. Kind of silly for a grown woman, but that’s how strongly I felt the need to hold it in. Not a healthy strategy, and one I’m glad to release!
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’ve thought about this question a lot. And I have always gotten a clear answer! I’d say, “It’s all going to be ok”. I never felt that as a child. Though I grew up in a loving home, my father died when I was quite young and his absence sent each of us into a different kind of reaction. Mine was to do everything I could to be sure everyone else was ok. Somehow I thought that would make me feel ok, and in many ways it did. But deep down, I longed for someone else to reassure me.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
My spiritual beliefs. I am a very dedicated person to my faith, though it is an unusual path. While I was raised a Southern Baptist, my mother moved us to the Unity Church when I was a teenager. Those years at Unity planted a seed about a loving and compassionate God, a truth that I picked up in the years after my mother passed away, now four decades ago. After going through the grieving process and a period of extreme anger with God for ‘taking her’, I began my journey back to my spiritual path. I met a teacher who loved God like no one I had ever known. She talked of His/Her goodness and Divine Order, concepts that were pretty foreign to me.
With her guidance I began to study and practice spiritual principles laid out by many spiritual masters from the early 20th century: Ernest Holmes, Emmet Fox, the Fillmores, Joel Goldsmith, Venus Bloodworth, and so many more.
To this day I study them, and have a daily spiritual practice that guides my life.
When I share the joy I feel from my beliefs, some wonder whether they’re true. Can I prove it? No, but that’s what faith is – believing in something you can’t prove.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
My true essence.
There was a time, early in my radio career when my title and status were my identity.
Now I know better.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://annranson.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annranson/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annranson/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/annranson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnRanson
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@aranson15
