The secrets we keep about our pain disrupt the ability to create strong connections. It keeps us returning to codependent relationships where self-sabotaging habits thrive. I became aware of the patterns/beliefs I created to keep me safe as a child. They were not strong enough to keep me safe as an adult. I outgrew them.

Written by: Sarah McNicol, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. “I wake up in the morning running and never stop till I go to bed” Do you relate to this quote from the brilliant and highly respected owner of a successful law firm? Hers is a common experience for driven achievers who, try as they might to work smarter not harder, and succeed as they do at securing results, often feel dissatisfied, inadequate and on the verge of burnout on the inside. Even if, from the outside look like they’ve got it all together. Until I burned out a decade ago, I knew this territory well. How about you? This, on the other hand, is the new version of me. I’m sporting what in my family we call McNicol chic. (i.e. the random combination of whatever's handy and comfortable thrown over PJs. Generally, in the morning before properly getting dressed, but also could be at other times of the day.) As you can see, I'm doing a headstand on the roof of a narrowboat. My partner Andy took the photo. We're in a peaceful location having spent a restful pitch-dark night, quiet, apart from the owls twit-twooing. This unusual scene is one of my favourite experiences from my first-ever canal holiday. Nature, stillness, simplicity, connection, time, freedom. Nothing we must do or be. Pure choice. It takes courage. Simple as it is, this scene is not achieved without clarity, effort and determination. These qualities are all required to resist the pull of comparison and consumerism. Also, to overcome the fantasy that cultivating mental and physical wellbeing as well as a healthy romantic relationship is easy or a quick job to be fitted in around other more “important” pursuits. It takes courage too. It takes courage to step off the busy treadmill long enough to remember what really delights you from the inside out, let alone create a life specifically designed to deliver it to you. It takes courage to heal outdated habits too. Healing is where the liberation to live life on your own terms begins. I often warn clients considering coaching with me that although we will have fun and move mountains this journey is not for the faint-hearted. It can be a scary path. To consciously claim what's uniquely right for you and live your most meaningful satisfying version of life, whatever that looks like for you, is demanding as well as rewarding. Unhooking from societal expectations, comparisons and beliefs about what life “should” look like and changing perspective can be a scary path. The day before this picture was taken, I walked from the narrow boat along the canal into Market Harborough town centre. Taking in the sparkly shops full of pre-Christmas gorgeousness and the palatial houses with huge gardens backing onto the canal, inspired a twinge of nostalgia. For a moment, I wished that I still believed in the fantasy that “stuff” and the comparative social status it bestows delivers happiness and meaning. It was such a straightforward equation, work hard – get stuff – be successful – be happy. But, as you may know from your own experience, it’s not so easy. In fact, very often the pursuit of achievement and stuff begins with excitement and opportunity and turns into resentment and bondage. Of course, there is nothing wrong with stuff in and of itself. Possessions and environments can and do enhance and satisfy daily experiences. However, being bombarded as we are with messages about all that we must have, do, and be to have value, provokes in many of us a constant level of dissatisfaction, anxiety, and striving that excludes the possibility of deep peace and perpetuates our exhausting scramble through the rat race. It prevents us from knowing who we really are and what truly lights us up. YOU are marvellously equipped to turn things around Being on that boat with Andy, off-grid, off work, flipping my body upside down with ease, is possible only because in the last decade I've become really clear about my priorities and the ingredients I want in my juicy feast of a life. And because I've made choices and decisions aligned with that, giving me time, space, and energy to cultivate a midlife relationship, practise yoga, and take regular holidays from my deeply satisfying work to which I arrive with energy, not collapsed in a little heap of exhaustion. If I was still hooked on achieving all those external jingle-jangles chances are I'd be too stressed, tired, and focused on the next goal, to truly enjoy the here and now. The good news is if you recognise yourself in my first paragraph, you may not like where you are right now, but I can guarantee you have the skills, strengths, and characteristics that, should you decide to do so, equip you marvellously to turn things around. Just like that narrow boat, turning is a little tricky, counterintuitive even (you steer right to go left) and slow. Just like the narrow boat it takes courage and strength of mind and gets easier with practice. And unlike life on the hedonic treadmill, you uncover a sustainable virtuous circle, not a recipe for repeating burnout. Your first steps If you think that sounds amazing your first steps are: Make a list of things that make you feel good. Think about experiences, activities, and conditions. E.g. Being in nature, having fun, connexion, time freedom, and wellbeing. Start off with as many as possible. Refine, group, and prioritise until you have a handful of the most important. Simple is good. Think of these as ingredients for your joyful life. Decide how to regularly include them in your days, weeks, and months. Are you serious about re-finding the joy and meaning in your life, making the impact you want and still having time and energy for yourself? Yes? Then let’s have a chat. Book a free no-obligation call with me to explore what it might look like to create a life specifically designed to light you up. Follow me on LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Sarah! Sarah McNicol, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Sarah McNicol helps purpose-driven high achievers who are over-committed and feel like they are constantly running and burning out. Sarah helps them re-find the joy and meaning in life, so they can get what matters done and make the impact they want, whilst still having time and energy for themselves. Sarah is a healer and change agent. Her sensitive deep approach is underpinned by 30 years of people development expertise, working with thousands of individuals and teams in a wide variety of contexts.

We can’t keep this going for long, it’s time to take a break, and we slowly get back to where we started So how can you keep your motivation when you feel like giving up? If keeping or becoming healthy was a life-threatening problem, you would keep it your 1 priority. So how can you keep your motivation when giving up seems so convenient? 1. Do what you like doing. It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you enjoy that, and it keeps your health in check.

By keeping your startup focused on a single, well-defined target customer, and working to solve one problem

Written by Kellie Sheldon, Trauma and Sex Counsellor Kellie Sheldon specialises in helping clients overcome Read more from Kellie Sheldon Kellie Sheldon, Trauma and Sex Counsellor Kellie Sheldon specilises in Her university education, as well as practice-based evidence, has led Kellie on a mission to work with

Written by: Janifer Wheeler, Senior Level Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. You don't have to go at it alone! A productivity coach can help guide and support you so that you are tackling tasks smarter, not harder. It's time for a more efficient approach – one that eliminates distractions and helps prioritize goals without adding extra stress or burnout. Reach out today and put yourself on the path towards success - make sure every move counts by unlocking strategies from an experienced professional who understands how best maximize progress in all areas of life! Benefits of working with a productivity coach You deserve to get the most out of your days! Productivity coaching can help you do just that. It’s about giving you the tools and strategies to increase your focus, manage your energy, and stay organized to make the most out of each day. With productivity coaching, you’ll learn how to prioritize tasks, delegate when necessary, hold yourself accountable, and overcome procrastination and other obstacles to being productive. Plus, it helps with reducing stress levels and boosting creativity. Working with a productivity coach can incredibly positively affect your personal and professional life, making it easier to reach both short-term and long-term goals. Productivity coaching works best for those who want to identify what’s preventing them from being JoyFull Productive and learn how to overcome those barriers. If lack of productivity is a symptom of something deeper such as depression or anxiety, working with a coach can also be beneficial for uncovering underlying issues and finding solutions. With The JoyFull BadApp, you’ll have an experienced Productivity Coach right in your pocket! What does a productivity coach Do? A productivity coach helps you identify and work through barriers to reaching your goals. Coaching focuses on developing: Strategies and Tools for Developing Self-Awareness Systems for Improving Time and Resource Management Positive habits that add up to maximum efficiency A plan for avoiding distractions or breaking tasks down into smaller, more manageable chunks Techniques for overcoming Procrastination, Imposter Syndrome & Limiting Beliefs Practices to help you focus on the task at hand while remaining motivated and committed The goal of coaching is to add a much higher level of accountability so that transformation can happen. Most people want to be productive and have the best version of themselves, but they need help getting there. That’s where a productivity coach comes in! To make you do what you wouldn’t do on your own. Now that you know a bit more about who can benefit from productivity coaching, let’s dive into the self-guided session. How to use the self-guided productivity coaching session: Make a list of all the areas that are impacting your productivity This can be anything from time management, to how you spend your days, to distractions that pull you away from your work. The calls you’re getting. The productivity gadgets you’ve bought but you’re not using. The way you’re planning your days. The levels of stress and anxiety. Make that list! Don’t just think about it. Set up micro goals. Micro goals are small, attainable goals that you can work on each day to help improve productivity. For example, if your goal is to spend less time on social media, then commit to reducing your time each day by 5 minutes. You can also review your list and focus on the easiest tasks first. Commit to taking a tiny step for 5 days & TRACK IT! Once you have your written list and your micro goal (remember, the easiest one), commit to taking a tiny step for 5 days to work on that goal. This is important! By committing & tracking, you’re holding yourself accountable. That’s it! 5 days doing something tiny but consistently, it’s all you need to make those bigger changes. Consider joining a productivity APP Connecting with people who are also working on their productivity can be a great way to stay accountable and get support. It can help you to stay motivated and on track. Finding the right group may feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, which is NOT efficient or JOYFull. Save time and energy by downloading The JOYFull BadApp! In addition to tools and resources, you can join BadAss Nation, an inclusive group of women who have your back! The JOYFull BadApp is designed to provide DIY coaching that helps you reach your goals faster. We work with you to: Identify personal values and vision Create short-term and long-term goals Develop action plans for reaching those goals Set up accountability structures to ensure you stay on track Identify areas of opportunity for growth and development Monitor progress and celebrate accomplishments By leveraging our experience, customized tools and resources, and personal coaching, you can maintain motivation and progress toward achieving your goals. This helps build resilience and inspire greater self-belief to realize bigger goals. We don’t just provide tools; we offer a comprehensive approach that includes guidance, support, and accountability for creating the life you want. What’s in the JoyFull badApp? Introvert-specific tips, training, and resources E-Books: The JOYFull BadApp E-Books are full of articles, infographics, and action steps for JoyFull Productivity Micro Lessons: The JOYFull BadApp Micro Lessons are short and sweet yet filled with juicy content that teaches you how to use the app’s courses to your Introverted advantage. Community: The JOYFull BadApp community is a great place to connect with other Introverts and get support and advice. No Zoom calls or FB lives! Support: The JOYFull BadApp team is dedicated to supporting Introverts in their quest for productive bliss. We offer email support and have an extensive FAQ section on the app. NO: Zoom Calls, Q&A’s, Group Coaching, Webinars, pushy sales tactics, or high ticket offers. A productivity coach is an important asset to anyone who wants to achieve their goals and be more efficient. A good productivity coach will help you set intentions, manage your time & energy, and improve your work habits. She will empower you to handle your own shit and ensure that your tools are aligned with YOU! If you are looking to increase your productivity, use the tips from this article for a self-guided session or download The JOYFull BadAPP where we offer BadAss Nation as part of our many resources available to members. This app is designed to help you map out your goals, establish a plan for reaching those goals, and track your progress along the way. Join us today and see how much more productive you can become! The JOYFull BadApp is available for FREE via download on the App Store, Google Play, and World Wide Web! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Janifer! Janifer Wheeler, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Janifer Wheeler is a rule-breaking entrepreneur on fire. After 25 years of assisting schools and small businesses with process design, internal structure, education, and workplace culture, she founded The JOYFully BadAss Business App™ to help side hustlers & solopreneurs break away from society's BS so they can be more effective in their DO LESS BE MORE productivity mindset. Her international speaking gigs focus on advocacy, empowerment, AND joy ‒ making it easier for introverted entrepreneurs to succeed! JoyFull Productivity The JoyFull BadApp is available for FREE via download on the App Store, Google Play, and World Wide Web!

That hesitation keeps them stuck in the very pain they’re trying to escape.” Yet that very avoidance is what keeps their wounds unhealed. to wait For women with low self-esteem, hesitation feels protective, but it’s the very barrier that keeps

Keep a journal: Writing down your experiences can help you track your progress and identify patterns

Uncomfortable is how you grow and keep moving forward.

Written by Kelly Greenslade, Sports Nutritionist & Physique Coach Kelly Greenslade is an elite coach Read more from Kelly Greenslade Kelly Greenslade, Sports Nutritionist & Physique Coach Kelly Greenslade Kelly runs a successful coaching business from the Sunshine Coast and online, empowering women to reclaim

Written by Kelly Kearley, Psychotherapist and Rare Disease Advocate Kelly is a Psychotherapist, Charity Read more from Kelly Kearley Kelly Kearley, Psychotherapist and Rare Disease Advocate Kelly is a psychotherapist Kelly's mission reaches beyond the rare disease community, she seeks to help the wider world understand

It also has the tendency to keep us stuck in our comfort zone. Your fears keep you stuck in your walls of where you are and how you perceive yourself. Coach, she helps her clients reach their higher potential by rewriting the persistent life stories that keep