INTRODUCTION

“While you are busy taking care of everyone else, who is taking care of you?”

When you think of the words “Priority One” from a health and wellness perspective, what does it mean to you? How many of us routinely place the needs of others before our own? In a 24-hour period, how many times do we forego activities that could positively impact our lives and promote longevity? In Priority One, Mary Perara asks the pertinent question, “While you are busy taking care of everyone else, who is taking care of you?” Mary then provides a friendly, but no-nonsense guide to making your health, wellness and happiness “Priority One” in your life.

Covering topics to include: It’s Okay to Enjoy “Me” Time, Pushing the Help Button vs. the Resiliency Button, Declutter My Procrastination and Discipline When No One is Watching, Priority One is an excellent guide to self-care for today’s overworked and overcommitted society. In chapters that read like you’re talking with a good friend while walking on the beach, Mary outlines the significant steps to refrain from repeatedly putting yourself at the bottom of your list, guilt-free!

Preview

Encouragement Author, Mary Perara is a Certified Health and Wellness/Nutrition Coach and a Certified Priority One Life Coach. She is also President/CEO of 365iNfusion LLC, a Health and Wellness Company. Several decades ago in the military, she recognized the need for individuals to reprioritize their lives and secure a healthier mindset. In today’s fast-paced industry, Mary continues to connect with her clientele through her passion, to insure they carve out time to maximize their purpose and exceed their Priority One lifestyle commitments. She is a Maryland resident and enjoys reading, jazz and spa daytrips.

The Expectation and Structure of Priority One

The purpose of Priority One is to highlight the magnitude and urgency of caring for yourself, which is intensely drenched in this book. It is shifting the focus on you and your needs. That may be uncomfortable at first, but from a health and wellness perspective, it is long overdue and now must become center stage. I want to keep this area brief so you can jump right into the book at your leisure. What can you expect? The layout is provided below.

Priority One captures specific areas that may cause one to delay various measures to reach the vitality of a healthier lifestyle. This book is full of personal experiences I’ve endured, as well as moments that have been shared from the life journeys of others. All throughout Priority One, invitations are extended for everyone to utilize your own stories that connect and resonate in each section. Feel free to tailor them to work specifically for you. As you read these topics, hopefully you will find similarities and personalize the moments that are valuable in your life.

The Priority One Mindset listed in each section is designed to provide insight on alternate ways of thinking that are beneficial to us. Here is where we can balance a fresh perspective of looking at our current viewpoint through healthier lenses to determine the necessity to challenge ourselves.
The Reflection Format at the end of every section is a call to action with the intent of promoting engagement. These questions should allow you to pause for a moment and truly take in the total depth of what each section means to you.

Upon completion of this book, the ultimate goal is to reprioritize our mindset in core areas that may have been sacrificed and may be in need of a substantial boost. You will also be able to uniquely customize a solid life plan to implement necessary milestones to achieve a successful health and wellness program. How will all of this happen? What does Priority One look like? Let’s dive into the Introduction so we can get to the heart and significance of the book.

If you are reading this page, my thought is that you are expressing an interest to become Priority One in your life. What does that mean? It means that you are committing to taking care of yourself for an initial period of 365 days. It is my belief that “a life sentence of health and wellness begins with one year.” Your health and wellness matter. You matter! Someone is counting on you to live longer, fulfill your dreams, and walk in the purpose you have been called to. Your family and friends want to enjoy growing old with you, and obviously you have the same desire to be there for them. I sense you’re asking, “How do I make myself Priority One in my health with all the tasks I have on my plate? Mary, have you seen my list of action items for my job or family I have to complete today, this week or by the end of the month? How can I spend time taking care of myself when everyone else needs my support?” I love these questions because they confirm the truth that our lives are very important to us, yet we still habitually think of ourselves last.

Just a few additional questions here. If a “life-happened” moment stepped in suddenly and derailed your list of action items, would things that were on your plate still get accomplished? If you twisted your ankle and had to stay off it for a few days to begin the healing process, would someone else take care of buying groceries, running errands or picking up the children from school? If you had emergency surgery (e.g., appendix ruptured), would any of your life responsibilities permanently fall by the wayside? Or would there be a small delay that most certainly can be restored upon your recovery?

Recent generations have become so inundated with a vigorous lifestyle that somehow we have forgotten about ourselves. This moment is all about you; it’s all about how you see your life. Your window of opportunity to reprioritize and maximize your life is here; it is now. As you read this book, I truly hope you will wrap yourself up in a good comforter or throw, sit in your special chair, sip on a delicious cup of coffee, tea or your favorite beverage, and focus on you. Your mind and body are depending on it. Ready to be Priority One? Let’s get started, shall we?

A COLLECTION OF KEY PRIORITY ONE TOPICS:

When Is the Last Time I’ve Truly Committed to Focusing on Me?

Will You Push the Help Button or the Resiliency Button?

Who/What Is Stealing My Time or Am I Giving It Away?

Encouraging Others During Our Own Trials

It’s Okay to Enjoy “Me” Time

Accountability vs. Judgment

Stress + No Outlet = A Hot Mess!

What Keeps Derailing My Journey?

Is It Time to Consider a Trusted Advisor?

Carving Out Time With the Important People in My Life

Have You Picked Your Cheerleading Squad?

The blogs listed on this page will feature some of the actual sections that were shared in Priority One. This page will also provide new blogs supported by various chapters of the book.