I Finished a Book, Here's What Happened

Author Page

The Motivation

I've always been a storyteller. I loved, even as a child to share stories. I loved both fiction and non-fiction. I didn't choose writing as a career however. I was more in the healing and business fields for many years, then after some injuries that left me disabled in many ways, I used art like singing and writing as therapy.

The writing took a serious turn when I realized some stories needed to be told. My stories and stories were shared with me by others via exploration and research. Some of these stories also included part of what makes me a bit unusual which is a ridiculous lucid dreaming empath. I dream the strangest things and they are so creative I felt the calling to share them systematically.

As an empath who counseled advised, researched and worked with thousands of people, I knew that creative expression was where I wanted to be. I wanted to ultimately inspire others by example to be creative in some way, shape or form. 

The Process

The first thing I did was begin to just jot down in a journal my real life experiences as well as my dreams. Then I began creating a column of sorts in a website I had. People really seemed to enjoy what I wrote and I then began officially blogging.

As you may know, there are millions of bloggers in the world covering every subject. It can be really challenging to have your work seen. At one time I had a lot of hits on blog entries and at other times, nothing. I tried all kinds of strategies to increase my visibility like videos, various links, images, creative blog titles, gifs, social media use, you name it, I tried it. All you can do is keep going.

You can try tons of strategies on having your work seen but it is literally a full time job. At the end of the day, it's something I do for short pieces like this, but then I turned to writing books. I took my jottings, journals, even past academic work and found ways of putting them together and a way that made sense. Especially with the non-fiction work. The fiction is another process altogether and each process evolves each time I write. The key for me, is to keep learning and improving.

Things have changed tremendously in the publishing world. Thanks to technology I can write my own books in a simple computer program. Then I can either have it done electronically or do a physical version. Of course, it's not that simple. There are one hundred steps to each process but that's when you do things one step at time. Once you do decide you will do this no matter what, all you need to do is take the time to actually do the work. The best part is that there are many resources available to help in the process.

Expectations and Feelings

There is nothing sadder than knowing no one is reading your work, no matter how much heart, soul and work you put into it. This was how I felt about the blogging. When I switched to book writing. I feared the same would happen. It was intimidating to think about writing a book. All these issues and doubts came into my mind. Was I good enough? Would anyone be interested? Could I handle it? Would I make a difference in the world? I wanted to take what was in my mind and get it out into the world for others to experience. By writing a book I could do this. I expected relief that I finished a book, even in draft form. I was indeed relieved I was able to complete this phase.

The next step was to move on to formatting, editing and packaging it so it can be ready to be published and ready to be seen. It was daunting but I decided to take things a bit at time and understand that this was not a linear process. I went back and forth between all these phases to the point of feeling dizzy, but I kept going. That is the absolutely only way I was able to complete the book. The truth is, it took me nine years to complete my first book on the paranormal and spiritual awakening. But it got done.

Results

The first result is as feeling of incredible accomplishment. It doesn't matter I haven't gotten on the bestseller list (yet). I am determined to share my vision with the world via words as well as in other ways because storytelling is multi-media and multidimensional.

When you first hit publish, there is a feeling of elation. "Wow, I did it!" Enjoy that moment. It really is a huge accomplishment.

My motto is: Better done than perfect, better late than never.

The other result was the feeling of motivation to keep writing. Now I could continue to express myself creatively by writing. It was a bit easier to write my next two books because I developed my own formula. However, once you move into a different genre, I realized I'm back on that very challenging learning curve. The fiction work requires a different process I am still working on. It is challenging and intimidating, but I am loving it. Perhaps my next blog on writing will be sharing the process in fiction writing.

However, as I'm working on the fiction I am also working on my fourth book, a memoir titled Oddball, My life as Ridiculous Abnormal. This is my most personal passion project yet. I finally get to share to a large audience how unusual I am and what makes me both an oddball but also able to understand others as an empath.

What About You?

Do you want to write? What do you want to write? Fiction, Non-fiction, long or short stories? Both? What is your plan? Have you written something already? What are your goals? Share your story, it's worth telling.

~Diana Navarro, M.S.

Photo Credit: Asa Williams

Links for you to check

For Coaching Services with me check here

To get  your copy of my books please check here

#bitesizehealing

A Vision Statement for Business Owners and Anyone With Their Own Venture

The Importance of a Vision Statement for Entrepreneurs 

(and anyone with a special project)

If you are someone who wants your own business venture, whether it be a traditional brick or mortar business, or as an artist, this post is for you.

If you go into any large, successful company and look at their employee materials, somewhere you’ll probably find a vision statement, or some similar form of guidance or goals for the company.  That’s because a vision statement is one of the most important things a company can have.

When you think about a long race or long project, which part do you think is the hardest?  Which part do you think is the easiest part to just give up?  Logically, you would think it was the end, but if you think harder, the end is actually pretty easy.  That’s because, even though you’re drained you can still see your goal in sight, which pushes you to keep going.

The purpose of a vision statement is to keep yourself going when you’re tired, but not even close to achieving your goals.  A vision statement reminds you that there is a point, there is an end in sight, and if you keep pushing you’ll get there.  Vision is what keeps us from giving up on our dreams.

So how do you make your businesses vision statement? 
Basically you just have to sit down and figure out what you want.  Sounds pretty simple, but if you’re ever actually tried to accomplish this, you know it’s a bit more difficult than it sounds.  

To write your statement, think about what you want - from your life, from your business, and for your family.  If it helps, you might want to write separate statements for your personal life and your business.

While having a vision statement is great, the simple act of writing one is a benefit in itself.  It causes you to sit down and think about what you REALLY want out of your business, and out of your life.  This is something many of us have never actually done.  

While it is beneficial to have an all-encompassing vision statement, it also helps for it to be fairly short and concise.  This may take a while to do, but is worth it in the long run.

Once you have your vision statement, be sure to keep it in mind.  It doesn’t work to push or motivate yourself if you forget about it completely.  Make sure to put your vision statement in some form, whether it be the whole statement or just key words and pictures, where you’ll see it on a regular basis.  This way it will keep you motivated and pushing for your dreams.

If you have a business with employees or where customers and business partners come to your office, it could be beneficial to post your vision statement somewhere that everyone can see it. This will help motivate your employees and let your customers know what it is you’re about and what you’re committed to.

It may take some time and some thought, but a well thought out vision statement can be a fantastic tool for your business or any project you may be working on.

If you would like more information on me and my quest please do contact me. I am of course on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, Google+, Pinterest, Blogger, and BlogTalkRadio and all can be accessed via my website: www.thisisdiana.com and http://ow.ly/AGmlA 

~Always with Love, Light and Common Sense Manners~

Diana Navarro, M.S.
On a Quest to Bring Common Sense Manners Back!

My Quest To Bring Common Sense Manners Back Because Rudeness Sucks

The Quest to Bring Manners Back Because Rudeness Sucks!

Used with permission from Howard McWilliam / Town & Country Magazine

*Like my Facebook page and stay in touch with me on Facebook 

This is Diana is Available for: Commentary, Interviews, and Interactive Storytelling

Who would’ve thought that someone born and raised in the South Bronx would have the life purpose of being on a quest to bring common sense manners back? No? Well, how rude of them!

I’ve always dreamt of a harmonious world where everyone is happy, friendly, courteous and vibrant. Clearly this isn’t the world we actually live it. It’s a big world with lots of people and many don’t have manners which can lead to all kinds of everyday societal problems. These can range from small irritations to full blown violence.

I’m an Intuitive Empath who has worked with thousands of people as a crisis counselor, college advisor, business/relationship consultant, spiritual coach, commentator, and writer.

My most passionate project is the completion of a book and project (one-woman storytelling performance) called “Oh No You Didn’t- A Quest to Bring Common Sense Manners Back, Part 1 I See Dumb People and Part 2 Stand Clear of the Loco Trains©”.

Through my work, I share many stories I have experienced or witnessed that show examples of lack of manners and rudeness along with its possible consequences. I do it however with a mix of seriousness and humor to get the various points across.

Consider these everyday instances:

• Someone who sneezes or coughs all over you and a week later you're sick
• A smoker who puffs the smoke right at your direction
• Your on a date and the person picks up their ringing mobile phone, three times!
• You are walking on a busy street and someone bangs really hard into you and just keeps on walking leaving you bruised and stunned. 
• You open the door for someone and they just glide right in without saying thank you or acknowledging your presence.
• You are with your romantic partner in a restaurant, you go to the restroom and a woman waits for you to leave to hit on him/her
• You need to use the 1 person restroom but can't go in because someone is in there on a phone call.

This is for those who are dealing with rude people know they are not alone in their frustration and have the desire for a better way. This is also for those who are being rude to know, what they are doing is not welcomed, acceptable and will no longer be tolerated without some consequence (e.g. exposure, reprimand, even legal action for what leads to violence).

Take a 1 question survey and get a FREE ebook with email sign-up
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There are other works and books out there but I find them a bit dry and the attempts at humor forced because the authors limited connection with a more diverse audience. They also leave out the very important examples of what can go very wrong if we don’t heed manners. This misses a huge market of everyday people. I talk to people from all walks of life who constantly share their desire for more manners. My book and through my social media and promotion will reach this wider audience with real life examples, humor, and stories that happen all the time.

I want others to join my quest and via common sense manners create harmony and decrease violent incidents exploring one Oh No Moment at a time.

If you would like more information on me and my quest please do contact me. I am of course on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, Google+, Pinterest, Blogger, and BlogTalkRadio and all can be accessed via my website: www.thisisdiana.com and http://ow.ly/AGmlA 

~Always with Love, Light and Common Sense Manners~

Diana Navarro, M.S.
On a Quest to Bring Common Sense Manners Back!

Social Media Technology Love it or Hate it, It's Here to Stay

Social Media Technology: Love or Hate it

I’ve made this as a very simple, quick and easy way to get familiar or re-familiarize yourself with Social Media Technology (SMT). I have also included some links for some of the main sites should you wish to explore or try some of these.

Much of this is what I have personally discovered. continue to learn using SMT, and as someone who has a love/hate relationship with it. However, I have found that it is necessary to make an effort to at least have an idea of what's going on out there since we are all being affected in one way or another. Just look around you now, from your watch, phone, television, even appliances. SMT is part of our lives.

Due to its nature, it is impossible to include all that is related to social media technology. But ideally everyone can use this to have confirmation, learn something new, and food for thought and engage more fully their journey through the social media world. I also would like to save you the time and frustration I have gone through navigating through this new world of ours.

Social Media Technology, What is this?

What is social media?Social Media is a type of technology (SMT). One that creates very strong feelings in many of us. Many of us either hate it or love it . I personally have a love/hate relationship with it. It is my contention that for every pro there is a con. And if you are undecided on how to use it, I believe considering both sides is crucial. At minimum we should know what SMT is because it is literally everywhere and can’t be ignored, for too long anyway.

Some researchers are studying the effects social media has on us. SMT however, is constantly evolving and at an ever-increasing rate. The effect of on us is still undetermined and unfolding. It is unlikely we will come up with any definitive conclusion because of its dynamic nature. So the bad news is, resistance is truly futile when it comes to social media in our lives. Good news, there is something for everyone at any level that we can make use of.

This is what we do know thus far. More people are using SMT than ever in our known history. People are spending more time per day on one type of social media or another.

It used to be that teens and those in their twenties were the main users for SMT. Now people of all ages are using it and those 65 and older are using it at an unexpectedly high rate.

My experience,  feelings and why I use SMT

Many people don’t know this about me because they may know me as an entertainer, speaker, event lover, but I actually did my Master’s Thesis on the woes and fears of the use of evolving technology. That is because of my own fear associated with its use. Unlike many young people today, I wasn’t born with computers and other technologies being ubiquitous. In fact, we took basic typewriting courses during my high school days, on a typewriter not computer. If there was a computer it had that awful black screen with green fonts and DOS (Disk Operating System) was the main way of using it. We didn't have "window", swiping or systems the way we easily use them today.

In a fairly short time, things have evolved and changed to the point where using a basic computer seems like childsplay for most people. Just slide here, touch there, click other there and boom, you get things done.

What SMT is in a nutshell
Types of SMT range from huge to small websites, programs, applications (apps), and other technology.

Some examples SMT is used for are connecting people to each other via writing, photos, texting, work projects, video chatting, vlogs (videoblogs) networking, gaming, dating, dining, social bookmarking certain sites and general entertainment (streaming movies and shows online).

There are more and more devices using SMT. We have the traditional computer,  mobile smart phones, tablets, cameras, shopping registers, and emerging technology devices like Google glasses with a computer attached. Anywhere you go, even at home, these are there. And they are somehow becoming interconnected with each other. Did you notice that many websites now allow you to sign in not just through themselves but through other sites like Facebook and Twitter?

The Human Factor

We as humans have to find a way to adapt to this in one way or another. Some refuse to engage and go live in a technology-less sub-cultural systems. But that is quite rare and very challenging. So more of us are using SMT as said above. That means we will come in contact with all kinds of characters through this virtual world. These include, regular everyday folks, friends, family, business owners, huge business entities, artists, entertainers, the vain, people with political agendas, those who want to do good for the world, bullies...the list goes on. We have to learn how to use common sense manners and caution to get through our days avoiding the bad seeds out there.

Benefits and Transformation

SMT has changed from simply sharing information in a virtual environment, to a way of creating and establishing a presence and reputation in both the virtual and real world. This includes making money, career, health, social engagement and many other facets of our lives. It is literally changing the way we as humans communicate, process about share information.

Our brains have something Neuro-scientists call Neuroplasticity. That is, are brains our much more flexible in its neural connection that we ever thought possible. We can learn new things in amazing, previously unknown ways. With social media and current technology our brains are literally processing information/data differently.

Why Love SMT
It can make life easier in many ways if used properly. From paying bills, finding information fast. to sending out instant messages. The days of the carrier pigeons are gone. In addition, the below is also possible:

• Anyone can be a “star”
• Connections with things you care about (niche interests)
• Money can potentially be made (e-commerce) and other goods and services can be exchanged
• There is a global reach. At no other time, have we been able to reach anyone, anywhere in the world about anything. As long as they have access to the technology, we can reach out to each other. So when we say the world wide web or interconnection, it is quite literal. 
• It has become one of the best for hearing about breaking news anywhere in the world.
• It can help create romantic relationships, business liaisons, and humane causes
• Can have a positive impact psychologically by being in the know on so many issues and information that otherwise be inaccessible 
• Used for teaching and working better

Why Hate SMT

The reasons to hate SMT are the opposite of the reasons to love it.

• It’s complexity--it can be extremely hard to use and understand
• Bombardment of info--too much too fast
• Feeling disconnected
• Relationships can be destroyed (all kinds)
• One can be bullied, staked by predators including sexual predators from anywhere, at anytime
• A target by spammers, scammers and all kinds cyber criminals
• Our privacy is decreasing exponentially (cameras everywhere) we can even be seen by our monitors and home cameras in our own home
• We can be left behind by society if we are not caught up with this virtual world movement

Despite Loving or Hating, What to do with it?

Although the feelings toward SMT are all over the place, there are benefits to using any of these platforms. It all depends on what your goals are. The tricky issue is that much of this technology is moving so fast it's hard to figure out if your goals are in tune with the technology itself. Either way, you have to start somewhere and probably already have. So consider:

~If you just like to watch, read, learn and observe any of these will be fun to try.

~If you want to participate, communicate actively, write, add photos, videos, or any content, each of these has different ways you can do this and it depends on what is your favorite style.

~If you want to avoid it as much as possible, at least know what any particular SMT is being used for and if one day it will affect you directly or indirectly.

The Big and Popular ones ones...I have either put the general link (if it's available) or a link to a page I use for you to see how I'm using some of these.

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Youtube
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest
• Foursquare
• Google+
• BlogTalk and other podcasts
• Instagram
• Itunes or Reverbnation (you can do an online search for these)
• Blogger and Wordpress

Niche Social Media and applications for reviews, discounts and more

• Yelp
• Groupon
• Living Social
• Virtual reality/world with avatars etc (you can do an online search for these)
• LiveDeal.com
• Retailmenot

Other niche, evolving apps

• QR code
• Goto Meeting- virtual business meetings, webinars and conferences (online search)

Sites and Apps For Dating

• OkCupid
• Plenty of Fish
• Match.com
• Hot or Not
• Tinder

There are sites for travel discounts, service and product reviews, you name it. All you have to do is do a search and try not to get overwhelmed. The more popular ones will likely appear first but some gems can appear later on in the search pages so take a look at what's there too.

As the title states, SMT is here to stay. You can hate it, love it but will eventually use it so why not get to know it.  

Want to know more? Schedule a coaching session on this and other issues at This is Diana.

~Always with Love, Light and Common Sense Manners~

Diana Navarro, M.S.
On a Quest to Bring Common Sense Manners Back!

www.Thisisdiana.com

And get my new book by clicking here

News on Diana Navarro's Radio Show and NY Spotlight on Success

Dearest Friends and Colleagues,

I've had the most amazing few years doing The Working Things Out Radio Show at Centanni Broadcasting Network. The shows I've done with many, many wonderful guests and co-hosts are still available for you to enjoy and share. Much of the topic matter is classic and relevant. You can still enjoy them anytime here: workingthingsout.com/radio.html. 

As the natural cycles of life dictate I am now working on my intuitive abilities, hosting, singing, interviewing, event creation and fundraising projects which many of you know as NY Spotlight on Success with venture partner Joe Corbalis.

The mission of NY Spotlight on Success is to "Inspire, Educate and Inform While Mixing Business with Pleasure."

As many of you know, I am a lover of people, animals, and our planet. I also love the idea of playing, laughing and community. We have diverse events with ONE purpose; to do what one loves in this lifetime. You can see from the picture collage above and from our page on Facebook the smiles on our faces which show the joy we have working with NY Spotlight on Success. We are planning much more so we fully expect individuals who want to something that matters, create business partnerships and connect meaningfully to join us on this journey. Will YOU?

A sweet reminder that NY Spotlight on Success offers:

• Carefully selected people to interview in front of an audience and then posts the event to be viewed everywhere  (videos are being processed as I write this on our Youtube channel "NY Spotlight on Success" ) .
• A receptive audience eager to hear relevant information on various and important topics.
• An opportunity for vendors and sponsors to join in a mutually supportive working relationship. 
• Networking in unique ways where the right people are connected with each other by your cordial event hosts.
• Pre and post promotion of venues, products and services of specially selected persons and businesses.
• Support of causes with meaning like animal rescue and other charities with transparent information that truly serve their mission.
• A wide array of entertainment including music, humor, dancing, acting, art by talented and passionate people who may never otherwise have a way to express it, be seen, heard, felt by the world.
• A weekly radio show on Blog Talk Radio, every Wednesday at 6:30. Simply check here for live or archived shows anytime http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ny-spotlight-on-success

We welcome and review recommendations for: 

~Special interview guests

~Entertainment

~Businesses and persons who want to Sponsor and be vendors at our events

~Ideas for future events

Contact us, follow and "Like" us by clicking on the links below......

Inspire, Educate and Inform While Mixing Business with Pleasure!

NY Spotlight On Success and The Paranormal

             Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/NySpotlightOnSuccess

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NySpotlightOnSuccessAndTheParanormal

Email: NYspotlightonsuccess@gmail.com

Twitter: @nyspotlightpara   

                                                           Twitter: @nyspotlight 

Diana 1-347-563-2135 or

Joe 1- 914.943.7006