IWS Interview – Noha Zahra

Inspiring Women Series are to showcase some of the successful modest women out there, who succeed not inspite of their hijab but because of it.

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Noha Zahra is a 36 year old Relationship Coach and Writer.  A devoted mother of 2 and most famous for her two books; اقفشي عقلك في ثلاثين يوم & انت الحياه 

How did the idea of your first book come about?

Having had the privilege to be a World History teacher for 8 years, I’ve always focused on the concept of learning and re-teaching all information and methodology I come across.  8 years into teaching, I decided along with my husband, to start our own school. As managerial roles became overwhelming for me, I started seeking meditation and interest in the Human Sciences.

I first heard of the concept of Meditation in 2013.  After researching, learning about the power of the brain and taking the courses, I re-taught them as sessions in our school. Later on, I collected all what I learned and based my book, “اقفشي عقلك في ثلاثين يوم”, on the study of Neuroplasticity.  I was an easily aggravated and angry person, after applying and practicing meditation, I became a calmer person.  It was an important trigger for me how a change on the inside/in your mindset can reflect on the outside.

The book has helped many, how else are you re-teaching what you’ve learned?

After I left my managerial roles, I focused on coaching and benefiting people from the realizations I’ve reached by preparing courses that help women change for the better in their different domains.

“Super She” is a course that focuses on helping mothers become better at time management and providing their children with a more stable life.    “The Wealthy Teacher” is a course helping teachers with the basics of teaching, creating impact while staying sane.  Then there’s the book “اقفشي عقلك في ثلاثين يوم”.  The book is targeting women in general to help them manage how they change.  Change is inevitable, but it’s within our hands whether this change is to the better or worse.

What else do you have in plan?

Every year, I come up with content and goals that decrease a gap that exists in our society.  For example, in 2019, I will be focusing on raising female awareness when it comes to relationships.  I started conducting courses and following these courses, I conducted meetings to follow up and keep tabs on the changes & results.  My long term goal is eventually to write a book in culmination of all what I’ve learned.

What obstacles faced you when you decided to become a Coach & Independent Writer and leave behind your stable job, your comfort zone?

Many obstacles, I left behind a managerial role.  I was afraid what if the school becomes less stable? What if parents decide to take their kids out of the school or teachers decide to leave?  I wondered whether my mind was set in the right direction or I was shooting for the stars.  For that reason, I always referred back to a life coach that is more aware than I am.

Did you have faith that your first book would be a great success?

Like everything else in my life, I have to learn first before applying. I became part of a community of writers.  The best thing in the book is that it’s based on life experience and written deep from the heart.  I didn’t know if people were willing to buy a book by a first time writer so I went for self-publishing, to my surprise, the book sold out in 20 days!

You’re a mother of two, how are you managing all of this?

Rather than wasting our quality time in a negative way where I sit studying for them for 5 hours straight, I decided to teach my children concepts like “self-learning” and “self-development” so that our time becomes purely ours.

Advice to future writers?

Write from the deepest part of your heart, your writings are your brand, they should represent you.

Your motto in life?

Give what you want.

Best advice given to you by someone?

Failure is part of the process.

Advice to those who are struggling to wear hijab?

Know more about hijab, read the EMMA blog, read something that enriches your mind and touches your heart, search for ideas that compliment yours, it will help you in reaching your decision. Lastly, don’t let anyone’s actions influence you, be in control of your mindset and what has the power to influence you.