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Tips for Feeling Zen at Work

Tips for Feeling Zen at Work

The last few years have been a rollercoaster for the world. Looking more specifically at the work landscape – so much changed almost overnight. 

 

Those who were used to being plugged into their laptops 24/7 at a desk become required to work from home. Companies closed and had to let staff go. Food services had to pivot, and that was just the start. 

 

Work for millions of people is something they have to do, not something they love – or want to do. 

 

That sparkled people to discover what they are passionate about and how they can make it happen. More people are switching to freelance or small business owners than ever. 

 

But that comes with its different stressors. 

tips for feeling zen at work hope zvara blog post

Photo by Boitumelo Phetla on Unsplash

 

So how can you, whether you are in the office or at home, find your zen?

Start Well

If your mornings are high-speed, messy, and rushed, then your day typically follows that path. It isn’t easy to switch to a different morning routine, but it will give you a huge benefit. 

 

Over the space of a few weeks, start to set your alarm a little bit earlier. Of course, you need to go to bed a little earlier too. 

 

Getting up earlier will give you more time to eat breakfast leisurely, drink tea or coffee, pack bags, or even check emails. 

 

The more relaxed you start the day, the less likely you will be on the back-foot all day. 

Gratitude 

It might seem impossible to be grateful for a job you dislike, but it is an essential part of feeling that zen. 

 

While the job itself might not bring you joy, the money you get paid probably covers some essential bills. 

 

In a time of uncertainty, having a job that appears secure and comfortable is a blessing. 

 

Think about the time that you have outside of work – what you can do with your time. 

 

Being grateful for what you have is a big deal and will give you a feeling of joy. 

Do fun stuff

Outside of work, make time to do some fun stuff. Putting love and energy into the time you spend outside of work will give you more calm and joy to add to your job too. 

 

Look for classes in the area that cover topics that you have always wanted to learn. Go bike riding in the local park—Master the art of illustration. 

 

The world is at your disposal, so begin to recognize and understand you can let loose when you aren’t at work. 

Fears

Much of being unhappy in work stems from anxiety and fear. Tackling those fears head-on can give you more control over how you approach your work life. 

 

If it is a manual job, you feel it isn’t safe enough or that the management doesn’t focus on your well-being. 

 

Just remember that you have the power to call a personal injury attorney, to join a union, or search for alternative work – you have options. 

 

It can be beneficial to talk more about any anxiety you have with work with a therapist, a life, or a work coach. 

Reframe the faces

If you resent your bosses, co-workers, and subordinates, that will reflect in your work, your demeanor and will likely lead to animosity. 

 

The faces of the people at work aren’t there to upset you or to attack you – they are all there to do a job too. 

 

Working collaboratively, setting the business or daily goals as your own, and work with people not against them will make the workday flow with ease. 

 

Reframe your current feelings for those you work with to people you share some things in common. 

Side project

Side projects can be so much fun! Take some time to think about what you want to achieve in life – general goals. It might be that you wish to publish a book, or perhaps you want to own a food truck eventually. 

 

Don’t hold yourself back – dream big. 

 

Then consider what you might need to do to reach those goals. Start small so that it doesn’t cut too much into having time to relax or impact your work. 

 

Doing a side project that makes you happy and gives you joy will make the jobs you don’t want to do so much easier. 

 

And finally, before and after work, even on the busiest of days, take time to take some slow breaths and shake the day off. 

 

The best way to get that calm moment? A Daily Dose of Hope, of course! 

12 Nuggets of Advice That Have Changed My Life

12 Nuggets of Advice That Have Changed My Life

We all have had those moments that were life-changing, those words of wisdom that just stuck and truly impacted us, and over the last several years or so I have had many, and I just want to share them with you. These words of advice, thoughts, and ideas have come in all forms and from all kinds, some from others, some from my own insights, but each of these have had a significant impact on me, not because of the power of the words but because of what I was able to do afterward. These are 12 nuggets of advice that have changed my life.

This is just one moment among many moments in your life right now.

I would get so caught up in the mistakes, things I did or didn’t do or the feelings I was having. Time never stops and all things pass, no matter where you are right now it will soon be over.

When something stinks, step back and make sure it’s not you who smells.

We all want to blame others for what we did or didn’t do ourselves; it takes a far bigger person to admit when they are wrong than it does to point the finger.

Kill em’ with kindness.

When in doubt, you can’t argue with kindness.

You have everything you need right now.

I used to hate this saying, but wherever you are right now you are fully equipped to tackle it, just check to make sure you are using all that is available to you.

You can’t change everyone else you can only change yourself.

If you want others to change, be the example first.

Always be willing to have the hard conversations.

Any time I have ever had to have a difficult conversation, and actually had the courage to have it without getting in the way, the outcome has always been for the better.

Never be afraid to be honest, you can’t control how others receive your truth.

We typically fear the truth because we worry about what will happen after, but cleaning up a lie is way more work, because you don’t have to clean up the truth.

One thing at a time.

We want it and want it now, except we first need to enjoy what we have right now.

Life gives you exactly what you need.

Because where you are is exactly where you need to be in order to get where you are going.

Never be afraid to be who you are, as long as you do it in an honest way.

It’s one thing to be you and do it with a thorn in your side, it’s another to do it in a way that encourages others.

Don’t take shit from anyone.

Those that give you shit probably don’t want to deal with their own, press on my friend.

You can change anything at any time, just be ready to deal with the consequences.

We can change anything and not all consequences are bad, many can and are good, but you won’t know any of that until you get up and do something.

 

As each year passes, I think to myself, how can I be better than I was before? Trying to live in my truth and live the life I want to rather than the life I think others need me to live.

The older I get and the more I experience life and speak my truth, the more I realize that I don’t have any time to waste living in a way that no longer serves me, and sometimes that means radical change, sometimes that means I can finally speak up in a way I never did before, sometimes that simply means that I live and act without fear.

I have watched far too many people, some very dear to my heart, live their lives in fear, and because of that they never went after what they desired or what they felt that life was asking them to. I have watched many make excuses as to why they made and are currently making the choices they are; but in the end, sadly, I dismay that they will not get where they are going because they simply won’t allow themselves the right to live boldly, in their own truth, because they fear what will happen to those around them and to themselves as they step into their own light.

I refuse to live that way and although I don’t know exactly where life will take me, I know where I am right now and have cultivated enough wisdom and honesty to step back and fully take advantage of the situations in front of me because although I do believe that life gives you exactly what you need, it’s your choice what you decide to do with it.

With that, I welcome the new year and hope that 2021 provides us with new hope and that we live our best lives and stay true to our true selves.

Deeply, Namaste.

How to Step Into Something New

How to Step Into Something New

How to step into something new…

I can’t believe it’s November already. 

>>This past year has been one of a kind. 
>>This past year has been one for the books. 
>>This past year has been a good one…for me. 

Last year I decided that no matter what I did, what I stepped into, what came my way, I was going to approach it with a good attitude and a never give up mentality. 

It’s November and I don’t think we say it enough… 
I’m proud of myself. 

*Proud of myself for doing new things. 
*Proud of myself for stepping into unknown territories. 
*Proud of myself for doing things even when I didn’t want to do them.



Here’s what I’ve learned…



Thinking about doing something new is only step one… Well, it’s more like a Pre-Step, like Pre-Kindergarten. 

And then it’s deciding to pull the trigger. But I’ve discovered that there cannot be ANY doubt in your mind that what you are about to do is wrong, not going to work, a bad idea. 

I’ve been working really hard this past year on catching myself immediately when I see ANY doubt creep And when it does I noticed one thing…

If your decision you are about to pull the trigger on is DIFFERENT IN ANY WAY get ready for doubts, a struggle, or an internal debate that it’s not going to work.

This realization was KEY in my pressing on. 

And I want to share that with all of you today. 

If you want things to change, get better, be different (call it what you want) you NEED it to be uncomfortable or at least have that feeling for a moment that’s your signal that you are stepping into uncharted territory.



AND THAT IS A GOOD THING.



I was nervous the night before I got married. I knew I wanted to marry my husband and had known I was going to marry him since the 8th grade. 
That night looking at myself in my bathroom mirror, I had a wave of doubt run through me if this was the right decision. 

But I knew that the doubt I was feeling was nerves from something new, the unknown. 
And because I pressed on, we’ve been married for 14 years, have 3 amazing kids, and built a life we love.



>>>>>When you get to the edge of what is familiar you have a choice. 
Go back into your typical patterns and stay exactly where you are…. Or press on.



*Press on even when it’s hard. 
*Press on even when you don’t want to. 
*Press on even when your decisions don’t fit into the status quo.

You guys I created my own pain relief cream. Not a cream I’m filling in my garage. 

Like my own REAL product. (Find out about STIFF Mother Trucker Pain Relief Cream)
How did this happen?
I made a decision I wanted to do this and every step after that decision was made I did not like my old thinking or learned feelings and responses derail me from the goal.

Stepping into something new blog post hope zvara

To step into something new:


I took risk. 
​A lot of risk. 
I invested my own money. 
And now have to pick up the phone and call people. 
Ask others for support and help and put me out there every single day with the chance others may not like me. 

But I know and choose to never let doubt and negativity loom in my mind for longer than it takes to think that thought even for a second. 

It’s exhausting to be on yourself like a bloodhound hunting in the woods. Constantly calling yourself out on thoughts, beliefs, and actions most don’t even see happening. 

But now almost a year later of this diligent practice. I’m bearing fruit (I had a lot of internal negative self-talk to work through).

I see those periods of discomfort as markers I’m moving in the right direction and mentally stop and breathe, think, and feel the positive outcome. Where before things not working out always loomed in my mind. 

THAT WAS MY ISSUE. 

I was doing all the right things but when I got to the edges of my familiarity I was canceling out all my efforts with my internal dialogue, thoughts, and intentions. 

I created a pain-relief cream!
I created the BEST online program I have ever built!
I coach business clients who want to hear what I have to say!
I get to work with people I never thought possible!

I share this not to brag, but to hopefully inspire you. I did this.

To step into something new:


*I allowed myself the right to think bigger than what I was. 
*I allowed myself to dream bigger than I thought I was allowed to. 
*I allowed myself to be bold despite the negativity would come up against. 

You can do this. 
You can step out. 
You can get there. 

Stop saying 2020 is horrible. 
It’s not. 

It’s different and that’s that. 

Who cares. 

Figure out a way. 

Stop using 2020 as a reason to stay where you are. 

I know this might not be what you want to hear. But it’s the truth. 

I saw 2020 as the best time to step up my game and reach for more. Even when most of the signs around me said it was a bad idea. ​​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​What can you do today? 

I’d love to hear about it. ​​

4 Habits of Determined People

4 Habits of Determined People

4 Habits of Determined People

I am a very determined person. But there is a part of me that still holds onto this “learned behavior” of freezing when things get hard.

It’s not that I would “give up,” but rather, I would freeze.

I wouldn’t know what to do next. The fear of failure or worst making the wrong decision and others being disappointed would paralyze me. Others being “unhappy.”

Last week I was talking to my mentor and telling him about a decision I need to make. And he immediately looked at me and said:

“Hope…you are not responsible for other people’s happiness”.

No, follow up statement. No nothing. I felt the irony of that statement: when he said it, he wasn’t worried if it would make me happy or not. He said it because it was the truth.

For years I had it ? ALL WRONG. ?

I put so much of my energy into ensuring others would be happy. In return, I was killing myself, exhausting myself, to the point I was becoming bitter.

I would be temporarily happy because of my doings… But it never lasted. I would soon need another fix. I could never win.

See, I had being kind and helping others mixed up with making others happy

I use to think that the only way to make others happy was to put them as a priority over myself. To give them everything they ask for. To self-sacrifice, put me at the bottom. Do the “poor me” dance.

This learned behavior was slowly killing me just as fast as my eating disorder was.

Over the last several years, I have been working diligently on cutting the cord of this person’s pleasing disease.

Determined Blog Post Hope Zvara

Here is what I know to be true…

❣️I believe we are all put here on this Earth for a God-given reason.

❣️We all have gifts, talents, and paths.

❣️We all are meant to shine, no one brighter than the next.

❣️But it is up to us as to how we choose to shine-dim our light or turn it up super bright.

My people-pleasing disease was strangling my natural determination superpower. I was driven, focused, and always wanting to do my best. But every time I would get the car running to accomplish BIG things, my people-pleasing disease would step in and sabotage my success. Over the years, I have learned how to effectively harness the skill sets and mindset to drive to my destination with less distraction.

Four Attributes of Determined People:

  1. Most successful people are great at delaying gratification. In the words of Beluga from Willy Wonka, “Daddy, please, I want it now.” And we all know what happened to Beluga. Part of my recovery was learning to sit with ill feelings and emotions. And learning they will pass. Right now, my parents are selling their house, and for my father, this is a roller coaster of emotions because when things don’t happen immediately, he just wants to make rash decisions. Dropping the price dramatically, thinks no one wants it… on and on. He just wants it over. But remember those feelings you are feeling are just feelings, and they will pass. Breathe my friends, and if you can delay that gratification for a bit longer, you may be surprised what you get in the end. 
  2. Most successful people are great at withstanding temptationI see this as several things. Are you trying to lose weight? That chip looks so good at 9:30 pm, doesn’t it? You have a deadline that would skyrocket your business, but you are organizing your office. You want a new job but have yet to do anything that would push you towards that goal outside of Netflix and Chill. My point is this; the temptation is just that-temptation. It’s enhancing immediate gratification for having it later. There is a form of resilience being cultivated when you say no so you can say yes then. You can do it!
  3. Most successful people are great at overcoming fear to do what they need to do. Most of my life, I have had a fear of rejection. Small, large, it doesn’t matter. And overcoming this has been a lot like going to the gym. If you want to develop a specific muscle or muscle group, your best work it and do things that are hard to strengthen that muscle then and, as a result, get better at them. So in my business, I have learned just to do it (thanks Nike). And if I lay out who I need to call the next day and put it in my calendar like an appointment and then just do it before I can overthink and my emotions wiggle their way in, success is within arms reach for me. The result, I’m less anxious around this and have taught myself that rejection is made up and that no’s only lead me to the yes’s waiting for me on the other side. 
  4. Most successful people don’t set priorities; they do the things they decide are most important. What is important to you? It’s hard to figure this out without setting goals. Where do you want to go? What do you want to do? Where do you want to be? When we see the destination (no matter how crazy it might sound), knowing this will help you figure out what is essential. I see these things as choices. We all can make choices. What are you choosing to do? Are those choices aligned with what you say you want? 

 

Remember this: Do not ever feel bad for how bright your light is.

And if it makes someone else unhappy, that is for them to fix—not you. But equally as much, learn to be happy when others have a win. In the end, this simple practice will almost always return to you as a win as well. Determined is not just to reach your goal. It’s also to support others when they reach theirs. 

Let me ask you this: Who do you know that is doing amazing things? Who do you do that worked hard for something and got it? Who do you know that has achieved a win, goal, or accomplishment. Now it may be something you have been working your butt off to achieve, and they got there first. Remember that you do not know their past details for detail and do not know their future. But you can choose to be a part of that win by celebrating it with them. Who knows maybe they will inspire or share what they did to get there with you simply because you supported them. 

Full disclosure, I did not grow up in a home where this was a regular practice. When others achieved things around us, there were not supportive cheers; there were usually negativity and sarcasm: jealousy and an unwillingness to step up and be a part of the celebration. Now things change, I’ve changed and refuse to be a part of that type of mindset. And have also come to realize that we only know what we know, and how we behave is sometimes a protection mechanism from pain or rejection. (PS I love all my family, but this is a reality that I think we all can learn from).  

It occurred to me a few years ago that when I try to “make others happy,” I am taking away from them the opportunity to cultivate the necessary skills, talents, and pathways they need to find happiness on their own and keep it.

That it is not for me to judge if they have to go through discomfort, challenge, even rejection to get there, that is their path.

?That conversation reminded me that even though I have come so far, I still have some work.

?That conversation reminded me that I could spend my time trying to make others happy or find myself and be a light showing others how to cultivate it.

?That conversation reminded me that happiness is not something you can “give” people; it is something you can lead others to find themselves.

Today I want to encourage you to take a moment and ask yourself, “what makes YOU happy”?

And before any lame excuses pop into that conversation, ask yourself, “what is the reason you aren’t doing that”?

Reaching your goals hope zvara blog post

In keeping my focus and staying determined in my life, I try to do two things daily:

1. Set goals. Long term goals and short term goals. This helps me stay on track and also evaluate time suck activities-like jealousy and envy, scrolling Facebook to no end, and “organizing.”

2. Staying Grateful. Every night before my kids go to bed, our entire family (me, my husband, and our three kids) pray together, and after we say prayers, we go around and say a prayer for someone and what we can be grateful for. Doing this as a family has brought us closer together, and being able to get a glimpse of what my kids see and then share is impressive. When you go to bed at night, what you are thinking about is what your subconscious meditates on. So if it’s hate, jealousy, lack, and frustration, then that is what you are embedding, not your brain, body, and beliefs—such a simple act with such a powerful result. 

So my reminder today is simple: you are not responsible for another’s happiness.

Instead…

❣️Be a mentor and show others how to cultivate happiness.

❣️Be a mentor and assist others in creating the skills to discover happiness.

❣️Be a mentor, and do the things that make you happy.

Because what good is another’s happiness if you can’t enjoy it with them???

Your happiness has nothing to do with them… and everything to do with Y.O.U

 

Check out some of Hope’s other blogs that focus on goals and the art of being determined:

5 Steps to Take Ownership Back Over Your Life

Sources:

https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/8-habits-of-people-with-exceptional-determination-and-willpower.html

Dear Driven Woman: Keep Going

Dear Driven Woman: Keep Going

Dear Driven Woman,

Keep going. I get you–I see you–I am you. Even though you may feel alone at times, you are not. To get where you want to go isn’t easy. It will take every ounce of you but I know you can do this. I believe in you.

I AM DIFFERENT

It is said that adversity reveals one’s true character. For me, this couldn’t have been truer. 

I never really put much thought into the “type” of person I was. Growing up, I realized at an early age that others didn’t think like me.  They just weren’t motivated like I was. However, as I struggled with an eating disorder and an endless list of additional “problems”, it wasn’t until then that I truly saw the depths of my own character. I WAS different. 

CHOOSING TO THRIVE

As I was working through my recovery, not one but THREE doctors all told me the same thing–“Best case scenario, Hope, is that you need to learn how to ‘function’ in this world, on medication.” I KNEW that wasn’t my destiny and I wasn’t going to be satisfied with simply surviving in life. My destiny was to thrive and I was going to do it my way–because I was different. 

Driven Woman Hope Zvara Mother Trucker Yoga Blog Post

Hope Zvara of Mother Trucker Yoga

We are all different and have different values. There are certain things that drive us, motivate us, and push us over the edge. For me–I love working and enjoy contributing. Idle downtime is the devil for me. My idea of “downtime” is yoga, going for a walk, working out at the gym, or playing with my kids. Working and contributing allows me to thrive in life rather than simply surviving. To be honest, working and contributing helped me recover and continues to help me stay the path. That’s me. For you–you might be the complete opposite and that’s okay. It’s what makes the world go round. 

NEVER APOLOGIZE FOR BEING YOU

Continually over the last 15 years, countless onlookers have said to me:

  • “You are so busy.”
  • “Hope, you do way too much.”
  • “How do you have time to do ______?”
  • “You should slow down and take a breath.”
  • “Hope–you just never stop, do you?”
  • “Listen, you should slow down and take a breath.”

Well, guess what–this is just HOW I AM! I never see working or contributing in life as “doing so much” or “being busy.” I have goals, dreams, and the determination to get there. I am driven and recognize that no one will build the life I want except for me. My purpose surrounds my family and my job. Both enable me to stay healthy. I built a successful business and my family continues to thrive. I will not apologize for this–ever. I’ll never apologize for being me. 

So, what you may view as “busy,” is me being me. When you say, “Hope, your plate is too full”, well that is me filling my cup with great things. When you suggest that I “need to slow down”, it’s me actually being driven and focused. Furthermore, you should never judge a book by its cover. 

never apologize for being a powerful woman blog post

BUSY VS. PRODUCTIVE

I learned a long time ago–there is a difference between busy work and doing things that build something great. No matter who you are that may be worth reflecting on.

Being busy just for the sake of being active is a waste of time, energy and will eventually break you. But entering into tasks, ideas, and projects that build what you want and where you want to go, is a smart and effective use of your time and talents.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

I’ll leave you with this: To all those out there who are highly motivated, go-getters, and dream seekers–keep doing you I see you, I get you, I’m cheering for you.

For those people that have time to judge the actions of others, I urge you to consider that maybe you could be a bit more motivated, driven, or purposeful. And, please, consider what comes out of your mouth and how it may affect the person you are saying it to. Words hurt.

Blessings,

Hope

Hope Zvara Square image

 

#dailydoseofhope

PS. I am confident that someone will read this post and take offense. To those people, I urge you to dig a bit deeper and ask yourself why. You may be surprised as to what you find.

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