NaNoWriMo Starts Tomorrow

NaNoWriMo Starts Tomorrow, November 1, 2012

 

This is my third year participating in NaNoWriMo, the National Novel Writing Month that is held every November where people from all over the world decide to get together in supporting each other to write novels. We take the challenge to write 50,000 words in 30 days. That would be a novel about the length of The Great Gatsby.

What makes NaNo so special is that all types of writers get together in this month of frenzied writing to support each other. You will find word wars, write-ins, kick-off parties, we did it parties, all nighters, and muse building. All with people who are interested in writing a novel, along with the rebels who are writing something else, in one month.

I have actually won NaNo twice and plan on winning again this year. Winning entails writing your 50,000 words and is done on your honor, no one is checking on you to make sure you did it in the month of November, but you are expected to upload and verify your 50,000 words and it is a wonderful sense of satisfaction.

Throughout the month, I will be posting about NaNo, my journey, my novels, my muses, my vision board, and my experience. So join me as you discover more about NaNo, and who knows, maybe next year you will want to join in as well.

For now, check out my NaNo website for information on my novel and my website for my handy, dandy, inspirational Character Guides.  I hope you find both useful and inspirational.

Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria

"Hacer es la mejor manera de decir." José Martí

Doing is better than saying

Personal, Professional, and Creative Growth II

Personal, Professional, and Creative Growth II

While You are There...

Take responsibility for your own learning. Yes, there will be a trainer. Yes, they will be "in charge" of the workshop. But you are responsible for your own learning, so do what you need to be successful. Know beforehand what you want and come prepared with computer, paper, pen and a great attitude. Stop for your favorite coffee if you know that you need that special java or bring your own tea bag if nothing works as well as your favorite Chai to get your day going. Once your comfort needs are met, set your mind for learning and creating.

This can be as easy as coming prepared with questions for yourself:

• How can I use this?
• How will this advance my work? My business?
• Who can I connect with?
• Who can I add to my network?
• Who seems to connect with me?

Ultimately, you are responsible for your own learning-so take that responsibility con gusto y con ganas.

During the session, keep your heart, mind, and soul open and for how you can apply what you are learning to your personal, professional, and creative life. And remember to write those ideas down so you can make them happen!!!

Engage in the process. Learning is an active process, so be an active participant. That doesn't mean you have to answer every question or be the most talkative person in the group – it just means to actively engage in what is going on as you get in the groove of learning. It is all about attitude.

Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria

Haz Lo Que Te Gusta, No Lo Que Creas Que Le Gustará A Otros
Do what you love, not what you believe others would love you to do.

Personal, Professional, and Creative Growth I

Personal, Professional, and Creative Growth

Antes del evento...

How to get the most from your personal, professional, and creative development!!!

 

Are you signed up to go to a workshop, training, conference, or networking meeting soon? Have you attended these in the past and come home overwhelmed, excited, full of ideas, and changes you were going to make only to find out that in two days it was business as usual and the glow was gone?

Well, here are a few tips to make sure that you get the best value for the precious time and money you are investing in yourself.

Antes del evento...

First of all, come with an attitude of gratitude and be appreciative of the gifts you are about to receive, dar gracias a Dios for this opportunity you have been given to receive whatever is in store for you. Come with an attitude that you will learn something great for you, your business, or your community. Be open to new ideas and keep an open mind. And, most importantly, sonriete, and SMILE big.

Look over the workshop materials and become aware of the topic and the presenter. Do a web search, read blogs, and get immersed in the experience before you even go, this will help prepare your mind for the information that is coming. It is like preparing the ground for a garden before you even plant the seeds.

Go with an idea of what you like to learn. Go with a prepared plan of three things that you want to come away with, it can be three new ideas to promote your business, three great ideas for keeping your creativity fresh, or three new contactts you are coming away with, all with the

Think about what you would like to learn. This is the most important thing you can do before the workshop begins. Think about (and write down) what you would like to learn from the session. Then take your answers to the training with you, reviewing them before the workshop begins (the trainer may ask for some info like this, and if they do, you are already prepared – no last minute pressure!) Ask yourself questions like:

• What would make this worth my time? 

• What is my fondest wish for this training?

• What do I expect from this training?

• What is the best possible outcome that could arise from this training?

• What is the biggest question I'd like answered?

Stay tuned for tips of what to do while you are there and what to do after the event.

Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria

El que tiene fe en sí mismo no necesita que los demás crean en él.
He who has faith in himself, does not need others to believe in him.

Releasing your Inner Diva

Releasing your Inner Diva

BELIEVE…

Deep inside each of us there is an inner diva waiting to be unleashed into the world. This incredibly, wonderful, fantastic, fun loving, beautiful diva is waiting to be introduced into the world with style, purpose, and intention. And, all is takes for you to release this magnificent being of the best you possible is for you to BELIEVE!!!

BELIEVE in yourself

BELIEVE in your greatness

BELIEVE in your dreams

BELIEVE in your vision

BELIEVE in your hopes

BELIEVE in your purpose

As you believe and act with purpose, your actions will align with your thoughts and you will walk a little lighter, hold your head a little higher, and speak with more confidence. You will proceed with integrity, treat others with respect and compassion, and engage in cooperative experiences. Your attitude will be positive; you will embrace difference, and pursue high levels of achievement. 

As you believe in the power of you, you will exude an air of confidence, motivation, inspiration, and insight. Just by believing in your inner greatness, you will be contributing to the well-being of your family, our community, and our society. So start believing and releasing…TODAY!!!

Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria

Sólo las personas tiernas son realmente fuertes

Only those who are soft, are truly strong

Persistence...makes a difference

Persistent thought is your ticket.
Persistent gratitude makes it easy.
And persistent action makes it happen.

Mike Dooley

As we move toward our dreams and desires, it is important to remember that persistence is the key. Thinking, feeling, appreciating, and enjoying our journey will lead us to abundance in thought and deed. And with abundance, we can make it happen for our families, ourselves, and our communities.

I find that as I show up and take action, all that is wonderful and beautiful in this world is at my disposal and the serendipitous happenings, the people that I meet, the opportunities that are presented, leave me feeling heady, enjoying life and enjoying the journey. And Mike Dooley is not the only one saying, how many of you have heard,

Pray
Let go
Let God

It is the same idea, once we pray, we have to let go and let God into our lives to work the magic of our dreams. We think we are in control, but we really only live when we let God and say to God, I am ready, thy will be done.

So move with persistence towards that which you want, no stressed persistence, but fun, lighthearted, you know your prayers are being answered persistence.

And in case you still need convincing, Andy Dooley says it this way,

Dream your dream
let go
and let it happen

Andy dooley

Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria


Quien siembra vientos recoge tempestades
You reap what you sow

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine

Harry Dixon Loes

There are so many gurus out there talking about living your dreams and finding your purpose. I have been listening and reading these gurus for many years and feel that the message is consistent and loving — see your light shining from your inner core and you are where you want to be.

When you are living the life of your dreams and living your purpose, you literally glow all day long and you know those people when you meet them. They are happy, they are heady and it feels good to be around them. They exude positive energy, their light is shining bright and they glow with the alignment of purposeful living and dreaming the life of their dreams.

Your inner light comes with clarity, wonder, playfulness, and hope. Esperanza, not just for yourself, but for a better world, a renewed sense of being, and a release of energy that is filled with compassion and inspiration.

So go forth into the world and set your light free and let your energy glow…with love, serenity, and joy.


Con un pan y cafecito,
Seguimos adelante,
Zulmara Maria


En la unión está la fuerza
In unity there’s strength