 Focusing on today is important. It keeps us from being overwhelmed, helps us to live in the present and allows us to win. Think of all the hours we've spent (or for some, spend) contemplating things that are happening days, weeks or months from now. Or the conversations we've had when we've pretended to listen but were really previewing future events. I've committed to stop doing such. And I admit that's a challenge for me because my brain moves quickly and I'm always planning ahead. Take this very post, for example. I'm writing it well in advance during an hour of my day that's scheduled for rest. There's nothing wrong with planning, everyone should plan parts of life. But you can't and shouldn't plan everything, and note to self: when you've planned to rest, rest. Your mind and body will thank you for it. Let's take a closer look at the above reasons to focus on today:
Simple but not easy - like most things that create champions. Just keep at it. That's my plan. I'm going to practice 1 and 2 in an area at a time and let the wins stack up. Every biography of an extraordinary individual has a line that tells us they repeated a process too many times to count, and then it eventually paid off. The same can happen for you if you want it to be so. If you need help focusing on today, read the book I Say So: Speaking My Way to Success. If you need one-on-one help, an accountability partner or strategy specific to your situation, book a mentoring package or schedule a call today.    Are Americans still concerned with being pc? It's a valid question to ask in 2017. Riots aren't pc. Peaceful protests are ... riots are not. Ever. It's not politically correct to destroy someone else's property. Nor is it pc to murder or to admit you have murderous tendencies - in most cases, that is. From my observations, I've discerned we're only politically correct until the moment we feel we can't get what we want. Then ... all bets are off. I've never been a fan of pc nonsense and I seriously doubt I'd ever be accused of trying to be politically correct. I subscribe to a policy of honor, integrity and speaking the truth in love. My messages aren't always popular because the truth sometimes hurts. But on the flip side, it also sets us free. Therein lies the reality of political correctness - when the truth hurts so badly that we don't want to receive it, be pc instead or risk public shunning. We are a society of ever-decreasing morals which is the truth. But because that truth is uncomfortable, anyone who states that openly is called intolerant and worse. Political correctness is a lie. It's a facade. It's manipulation. Sugarcoating and denying the truth for popularity or bribery to gain something always leaves one party in a deficit. I say if what we're doing and speaking isn't improving and adding to the lives that'll be affected, we have a responsibility to choose differently. I desire for the people I mentor and impact to be free to live their authentic selves and truly be who they are in every situation. I want them to be confident enough to speak their hearts without fear of rejection or retaliation. I'm working on that one client at a time. I say political correctness is trash and I'm throwing it out with a bunch of other junk this year. Care to join me?  It's Spring and new things are happening all around me! Yep ... 2016 has truly turned into a true Jubilee season. I shared previously that I'm in my 20th year as a road runner and I've used this milestone as inspiration to change my game. Consequently, as I've accomplished more in my running realm that confidence has spilled over into other areas of my life. This is a normal occurrence - often once we hit success in one area, the hunger to be successful in other realms ignites and we go for it. Here are some of the firsts I've achieved already in 2016:
I enjoyed the first virtual race I did very much so I'm doing another this month. I welcome you to join me. Sometime between April 15 and 30 I'm going to run a regular 10k for The Incredible Virtual Run and collect a sweet finisher's medal in the process. You may ask why anyone would bother signing up for a virtual run when they already run anyway. Lots of reasons. My mains are I like the bling without the crowd, early race time and competition. As I mentioned above I run as my chosen form of exercise and I've been doing it alone for two decades. I've never enjoyed fraternizing when working out - which is one of the reasons I don't like gyms. With virtual races, I have all the spoils of being a runner on my own terms and schedule; and being a teacher I appreciate that Level Up Runs donates to schools' sports programs. I hope you're breaking through old mindsets and limitations in this season and making your own list of firsts. I hope this post inspired you to try something new. I'm telling you ... the right inspiration is contagious. If you find it, you'll be unstoppable. I'm a witness. I'd love to help you locate the motivation you need to achieve your next milestone. Schedule a call or book a package today. The newness of Spring is waiting for you to take hold. Do it now. #IWill   I started running last night. For 15 minutes. I have to start somewhere since I hibernate during the cold months. I always begin my re-acclimation with walking first and then I get so bored with the slow pace that I have to run. So I walked three days and on the fourth I was ready for my first run of the year. Congrats, Me! I'm using the MapMyRunTrainer app that has a couch-to-5K training plan. It starts with one day running every four days with 15 minutes of 3/2 run walks. I didn't follow that, of course. I wouldn't be Zari if I didn't adapt everything to fit me. I ran the whole 15 minutes and didn't rest the next day as the program suggested. I ran again today. And it felt so good. After the first 10 anyway. But I know myself, what I can handle and how to listen to my body. I know I can run (jog) 15 minutes without stopping even though I haven't run in four months. I'm taking this as extreme encouragement for a wonderful running season ahead. I started earlier this year than ever since moving from a hot desert to a cold desert. Which either means I've adapted to 55 degrees being tolerable weather or spring is coming three months earlier this year. I'm hoping for the latter. Call me cutie, but I love 100 degrees. Back to adapting things to fit me. That's what life is all about, right? We have to collect information, resources and strategies and then adapt them so they fit our lifestyles for maximum effectiveness. There are times when following instructions to a T matter. I've learned this ... the hard way. But as individuals, we have the right and necessity to mold things to what we need to be successful. This excludes being mean and nasty and breaking the law, claro que si. For example, look below at the feedback I received from a client. I gave her an assessment and plan with strategies and it was up to her to implement in a way that worked for her need and family. I provided the outline for her just as the running app did for me, but she did the work to get the results she wanted and so do I. I want to get up to my normal run of 60 minutes 3-4 times a week, and while their plan is good it's slower than what I want as a 19-year runner. If you need a plan for communication breakthrough, or anything else, schedule a call or book a package. I'll provide an outline and then you will get the results you want. 
You will rise to the level of your expectation. Get in the habit of setting your expectations for excellence and win. Mentors are excellent accountability partners as you travel the road to success. What you say to yourself about yourself is and will always be the life you live. It's up to you to speak your way to success!      Hey there, wisdom seekers! I want to encourage you to celebrate YOU. Often. Whenever you need to. I made the executive decision today that - since I always work at home - I'd work from bed. That's a little treat I give myself every now and then. I don't know why I get such a kick out of it, but I do. Working from bed today is one of the gifts I'm giving myself for my birthday (July 26). Last night for dinner I treated myself to Zip's which is my favorite local hamburger spot, and was my first non-family job at 15 years old. The food is so greasy and so good, made when you order not microwaved and thrown together. I'm also treating myself to a professional house cleaning. Mind you, I did start cleaning like a maniac yesterday so when the service company arrives they won't realize I put off deep cleaning until the very last minute possible. I know that's ridiculous, but that's how it is. I've learned that being a single I have to celebrate myself. I have to do special things for myself so that I don't plant seeds of lack, loneliness, discouragement, etc. in my soul. It's very easy to overlook my birthday as a single adult and even more so as a single mom. You have to learn to do the same for yourself. Even if you are in a covenant relationship, the other person cannot be expected to fulfill your every need and desire. You have to celebrate you. I'm not suggesting in any way that you become selfish and prideful, claro que si. Simply put you know what you want better than most others, and if it's something you can provide for yourself without putting you in debt, danger or despair go for it. Additionally, it's been my experience that being able to celebrate yourself makes it easy to celebrate others because you're confident and secure in who you are. And that ... is attractive. Happy & Abundantly Blessed Birthday to my fellow Julyers!!  Saturday, June 20, 2015 - I attended the book launch and signing event in support of another local author. I've known Mrs. Re'Gena since I was a child, and she and my mother attended high school together. I hope you enjoy these pics.        |
Zari Banks, M.EdLife-Hack Strategist 
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