If you or a family member have suffered injuries or harm due to medical malpractice, you may be wondering what steps to take next. It can be a confusing and overwhelming experience but know that you don't have to go through it alone. A personal injury lawyer with experience in medical malpractice cases can provide the guidance and support you need to pursue justice and compensation for your damages. This article will explore how a personal injury or medical malpractice lawyer can help you navigate the complex legal system and fight for your rights. How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help in Medical Malpractice? A personal injury lawyer can be a valuable asset when navigating the complex world of medical malpractice claims. Below are some ways a personal injury lawyer can help you. Investigating Your Claim When you believe you have been a medical malpractice victim, a personal injury lawyer can help you investigate your claim and determine whether there is evidence to support your case. This process typically involves gathering and reviewing vital information to establish whether the healthcare professional or facility was negligent in their care. One of the critical steps in investigating a medical malpractice claim is reviewing medical records. Another aspect of investigating a medical malpractice claim is consulting with medical experts. Your personal injury lawyer will work with medical experts to review your medical records and determine whether there was a breach of the standard of care. Finally, your personal injury lawyer will gather other relevant information to support your claim. This data may include witness statements, photographs, and other documentation related to your medical care. Advising You on Your Legal Options Suppose you are in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and have suffered injuries due to medical malpractice. In that case, it is essential to seek the advice of a personal injury lawyer who can help you understand your legal options and guide you through the claims process. According to recent statistics, medical malpractice is a growing problem in South Carolina. The state has the 8th highest rate of medical malpractice payouts per capita in the country, with a total payout of $58.6 million in 2020 alone. This statistic highlights the importance of seeking legal advice if you believe you are a victim. A personal injury lawyer in Myrtle Beach can explain your legal options and advise you on the best course of action based on the specific details of your case. They can help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your claim and estimate the potential compensation you may be entitled to as a result. Representing You in Negotiations and Court When seeking compensation for medical malpractice, having an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side can be essential. A skilled attorney can represent you in negotiations with the responsible party or their insurance company and work to secure a settlement that fully covers your damages. By leveraging their expertise and knowledge of the legal system, a personal injury lawyer can help ensure that you receive a fair and just settlement. However, a personal injury lawyer can also represent you in court if negotiations fail to produce a satisfactory outcome. They will then work to build a strong case on your behalf, gathering evidence and presenting arguments that support your claim. A skilled attorney can help you navigate the complexities of the legal system and achieve a favorable outcome in court. Conclusion Medical malpractice is a pressing issue that affects many people in the United States. When medical professionals make mistakes that cause harm to their patients, it can have devastating consequences for the victims and their families. However, with the help of a personal injury lawyer, victims of medical malpractice can seek justice and compensation for their losses. By investigating the case, gathering evidence, and presenting a solid argument, a skilled attorney can help victims hold negligent medical professionals accountable and recover the necessary and deserved damages.

Written by: Mei Flynn, 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 may have experienced this in your life when something ends, and you feel lost, powerless and unsure of the way forward. Or you may have been through the experience of an ending in a relationship or job to realise that it was actually a new beginning that took you to a new and unexpected journey and caused your life to turn around in amazing ways. Painful endings are disguised as new beginnings – Pema Chodron In a previous article, I shared how the ending of my marriage led to an unplanned 3-month trip to Southeast Asia which ended up being 4 years and led to me creating a location free lifestyle as a digital nomad. Travelling is the most powerful way to self-healing Travelling has always been my passion and when I set off on my 3-month adventure to South East Asia I never imagined that I would stay on the road for the next 4 years. It is hard to imagine that anyone can go through life without a plan as often we are conditioned to have our 5 or 10 year plan, and there is nothing wrong with that. I love to embrace the unknown and see how life unfolds and this is when the magic happens as doors open all the time with new and exciting opportunities. This can be an uncomfortable space to be in to embrace the unknown, so I want to share some tips with you on what helped me embracing my free spirit side on this journey. Tip 1 When I travel, I usually have what I call a skeleton or a loose plan. I usually plan the first few days in a new country and once I get settled I sit and plan the next steps with destinations I would like to visit. This can also be influenced by time as it is common to get a 1-month tourist visa for most countries but this will vary depending on your passport. It also depends on whether you plan to fly around the country or take the slower and more interesting route by train which is my preference. Tip 2 Most people often wonder how I cope financially on the road. My divorce was the catalyst to embracing life as a digital nomad as, believe it or not, I hated working online before this, but I gradually stepped out of my comfort zone and 100% of my work is now online. This gives me the freedom and flexibility to work from anywhere and with people around the world. A good example of when we step out of our comfort zone the magic happens! Tip 3 It can also be confusing which route to take and where to go next and I often do research which I call putting the feelers out. The next step is to sit with it and meditate and I often get signs on the way forward. You might be wondering what the signs are, for me it could be a connection with a person on social media, holistic centres in the country or a strong feeling that it feels right. After all nothing is permanent, and I only need to stay there as long as I want to and have the choice to move on at any time. Tip 4 I usually choose to stay in a certain place for a few weeks as working online can be lonely and isolating so it is good to connect with local people in the community. I also love to stay in hostels as they are often more interesting than hotels and you meet like-minded people. The difference now as I approach 50 is my need for privacy and I prefer a private room than sharing a dormitory with a lot of other people. It is a win-win situation for me as it is cheaper plus I still get the hostel vibe and have met a lot of amazing people. Tip 5 When we trust our intuition, we meet people and the flexibility in embracing the unknown can mean that we can take detours on our journeys and there is a certain element of excitement when we do not know what is next. I am always open to all the wonderful possibilities in life as the Universe is unlimited, but we often limit ourselves with our thinking and what is possible. It goes back to those limiting beliefs and weeds in our minds I mentioned in a previous article (resistance article link). We are often in a hurry to have life worked out but try to relax and enjoy the journey. I meet a lot of people on my travels who do volunteering and it is a good way to keep costs down by working a few hours a day in exchange for a place to stay. When I arrived in Pai, Northern Thailand on the 2 day slow boat from Laos, I had planned to do a workaway assignment in exchange for food and a bed, but when I arrived the project had ended! As a result, I visited a beautiful meditation centre and ended up housesitting for a month as the owner was going away, perfect timing. This started as a month, but I ended up working at the centre running workshops and doing energy healing for 10 months. An example of painful ending beings disguised as new beginnings that I mentioned in my previous article about life being a rollercoaster. My goal with this article was to share how we often would like to become a digital nomads to combine travelling and working. However, the fear of how to get started, surviving on the road, coping financially, etc often holds us back. It does not have to be a permanent move, but maybe try it like I did for 3 months and embrace the unknown and be open to the unlimited possibilities of life. I would love to hear your tips on creating life as a digital nomad. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Mei! Mei Flynn, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Mei Flynn is a Holistic Confidence Coach who inspires and empowers women 40+ to tap into their inner confidence to live the life they really want. She's suffered from low self-esteem most of her life and using a range of different psycho-spiritual techniques she has transformed her life and is now passionate about helping clients to do the same. The key is to help others to let go of limiting beliefs and blocks that's stopping them from living a happy and fulfilled life. Her mission is to help women thrive and not just survive.

Written by: Stefan Peter, 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. In this article you will learn the great danger of goal setting and why so many, even the most successful athletes, risk falling into a mental hole when they rush from goal to goal. What can you expect from this article? I also show you 3 steps you should take before setting new goals to avoid falling into the same trap. This will not only make you more successful but more importantly, happier and more fulfilled. I call this „performance joy“ Why do most people make the same mistake? Let's go back to your childhood. Maybe you can still remember the moments when your parents took you for a walk. If not, it doesn't matter, and I'm sure you've seen these situations many times in the park. When a child is in nature, everything is interesting and examined closely. Every leaf is turned upside down, every flower is smelled and every grasshopper is followed. Children are completely fascinated by the little things in life. As moms and dads, we often don´t appreciate these moments anymore. Most of the time we have a thousand other thoughts in our heads or to-do lists to work off. So we signal the child to hurry up, because we still have an appointment at the hairdresser and then grandma has prepared food for us. That's just the way life is. Parents always want the best for their kids, but... We as parents never mean any harm and always want the best for our children. But in these moments we already learn as kids how setting goals works in our society. Subconsciously, we learn that the present moment is not as important and beautiful as the things that are waiting for us in the future. We are not even aware that we forget to enjoy the present moments ‒ we rush from goal to goal and we think this is a positive focus-driven way to live life. We can never get enough and many feel stuck at some point As one of the first words we learn is „more“, we constantly strive for more even as adults. Of course, this is not always bad. Especially high performers, whether in sports or not, need this "performance gene" to really perform at their best. Only because their daily ambition is to constantly achieve more, they make it to the top and increase the chance to stay there. Not everyone is a high performer and this is okay But it is also a fact that most people do not have this "gene" in them and therefore quickly suffer or collapse as a result of external pressure or their own self-expectations. Exactly in such moments I help athletes as a personal development coach to develop a different perspective and to clearly define their own vision in life. The goal is to transform learned behaviors and subconscious beliefs, that often block and lead to the fact that even successful people feel empty inside. Constant growth in the body produces cancer cells I often say that performance and constant growth have become „out“. Instead, evolution is back in. Our own development is what we should strive for and not constant growth. If cells would grow constantly, also our body would be full of cancer and therefore it is true that constant growth is not only unnatural but also harmful. Of course, we have all learned this socially quite differently and so the belief set sits deep with many that one must constantly grow, in order not to be considered a loser. But truth being told, everything we learn about success is a lie. You can never arrive in life The paradox is that we think once we reach the goal, we have arrived. When we have reached that milestone, bought that house, and risen to the next level, well then we are happy and satisfied. Even the most successful professional athletes fall into this trap In an interview with CNN in 2018, Michael Phelps admitted that he fell into a new depression after each Olympic Games and needed medication to control his suicidal thoughts. We are talking about Michael Phelps, the most successful Olympian in history with 28 medals. Serena Williams, one of the most successful tennis players in history also suffered from severe depression shortly after winning Wimbledon, one of the most important tennis tournaments in the world. "I cried all the time. I was miserable to be around," she said in a 2011 interview with The Telegraph. And also Dwayne "The Rock“ Johnson frequently talks openly about his mental health struggles in the past. Achieving goals means nothing... So apparently achieving goals doesn't automatically make you happy. I'm sure you've experienced this too. A goal is never the end. Compare it to a Japanese arched gate that stands in the lake. As soon as you row through the red gate, you continue on the same lake, the gate was again not the end and you have again arrived nowhere. You can't arrive anywhere in life. If you do not follow your life purpose which makes your heart shine you risk burning out. That is why it is more important on which lake you are in than how many gates you pass through. Your life is your lake and therefore you should choose a lake on which you feel happy. I would not recommend a crocodile-infested body of water to anyone. If you don't know your vision in life, and the title of your book is unknown, and you don't have a North Star to follow, then there is a good chance that reaching goals becomes meaningless after some time. What are 3 important steps you need to take BEFORE setting new goals in life? Step 1: Reality Check Ask yourself if your goal is really your goal. Only if your current goal makes your heart shine and you are full of joy and energy then it is a worthwhile goal. If not, then don't be afraid to adjust it. Once you set a goal, it doesn't have to stay forever. when you realize something has changed, be brave and stay open to change. Very often, if you also start to set goals correctly and follow these steps, your vision and your guiding value in life will arise from it. Step 2: Free yourself from guilt Guilt signals the universe's disharmony. This is incompatible with taking the next step in your life. If you feel guilty, you are blocking yourself. According to the Map of Consciousnesses by David Hawkins, guilt and shame are the lowest vibrating frequencies. Those energies make us contract, we feel humiliated and often blame others in these states of emotion. Blaming others or the circumstances is what losers do. The world seems miserable and everyone seems evil and that is why wrong goal setting is so dangerous because for some people this becomes a never-ending loop. Just like the bank that won't give you a loan if you have debt, life won't give you many chances if you feel guilt. What can you do in such a situation to dissolve your guilt? You have to address the situations openly and approach people when you have feelings of guilt inside you. Find the courage to apologize and own up to your mistakes. The important thing to understand about mistakes is that no one makes mistakes on purpose. Mistakes happen. There is a big difference between making and happening. Forgive others' mistakes and do not hold grudges against others. This means do not demand redemption from others yourself because these feelings are toxic to your soul and block you extremely. Likewise, repay your financial debts before you set new goals. Step 3: Stop and find clarity When you are caught up in the chaos of your life and can hardly breathe because you are so busy, it is impossible to hear your own voice and get clarity about your desires and dreams. Imagine a snow globe that you shake. Only when you put it down the snowstorm, calms down and you can see what is inside. Only when you stop for a moment, you can see the potential and desires within you. Take some time out, there are great meditation seminars or retreats that help you find peace, strength and clarity. Many athletes incorporate meditation into their daily routines and so should you. Then think about how your perfect day should look like and describe it in all colors and facets. Describe what makes you happy, what you dreamed of as a child and what would really fulfill you now as an adult. Write down every detail of this perfect day and how that would make you feel. Focus on the feeling that comes up inside of you. Adjust all your new goals to this vision and follow them step by step to find your "performance joy. “ Finding that vision and making your heart shine is a process anyone can learn. In my online courses and 1:1 coaching, I guide athletes step by step. Even the world's greatest achievers and best performers struggle sometimes. One extremely effective tool to experience more "performance-joy“ and fulfillment in success is to invest in personal development, just like many athletes do. If you are interested in improving like an athlete, click here to see what my online course includes, or book a free coaching here to perform and feel better asap. And don´t worry I also work with you if you are not an athlete as long as you have the same drive and motivation as one. I wish you lots of fun and best performance on your way. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Stefan! Stefan Peter, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Stefan Peter is an expert in personal development. He works mainly with international athletes and coaches in the fields of Soccer, Tennis, Basketball and American Football. His own experience with depression as a young athlete, after the death of his father, inspired him to become a coach and a mentor to athletes in similar situations. His major passion is to empower people to unlock their full performance potential and (re)discover inner fulfillment and performance joy. He is the creator of the 4 steps Emotionset-Method and holds a Masters Degree in Sports Health and Leadership.

Written by: Dr. Allen Lycka, 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. Forgiveness is one of the most powerful tools to heal ourselves and our relationships. It is the process of letting go of resentment, anger, and blame towards someone who has harmed us and choosing to extend compassion and understanding instead. The benefits of forgiveness are numerous. It can help us let go of the past and move on with our lives, free from negative emotions. It can also improve physical and mental health, reduce stress and anxiety, and even lower our risk of heart disease. The most crucial benefit of forgiveness is that it allows us to restore our relationships with others. We open the door to communication, understanding, and reconciliation when we forgive. We can reconnect with the people we care about and build stronger, more loving relationships. Forgiveness is not always easy, however. It can be challenging to let go of the hurt and anger we feel toward someone who has harmed us. And it can be even harder to forgive ourselves when we have made mistakes or hurt others. But the good news is that forgiveness is a skill that can be learned and practiced. Here are a few tips to help you on your journey to forgiveness: Acknowledge your feelings. It's important to recognize and acknowledge the hurt, anger, and other negative emotions towards the person or situation you want to forgive. This will help you to understand and process your feelings and to begin the process of letting go. Practice empathy. Try to understand the other person's perspective and feelings. This does not mean you have to excuse or justify their behavior, but it can help you understand why they may have acted the way they did. Let go of blame. Forgiveness is not about placing accountability or responsibility on anyone. It's about letting go of the need to assign blame and instead focusing on healing and moving forward. Practice self-compassion. Be kind and understanding with yourself as you work through the process of forgiveness. Remember that forgiving others and yourself takes time and patience. Take action. Forgiveness is not just a feeling; it's also an action. Take steps to restore the relationship or make amends, if possible. If not, do something positive for yourself or others as a way to move forward. Forgiveness is a journey, and it can take time and practice. Therefore, it's essential to be patient with yourself and remember that forgiveness is not a one-time event but a process that can be worked on daily. It's also important to remember that forgiveness is complex and may not always be possible. Sometimes, the person who harmed us may not be willing or able to make amends. And sometimes, the hurt may be too great to forgive. But even in those cases, it is still possible to let go of the anger and resentment we feel and focuses on healing and moving forward. And when forgiveness is possible, it can bring about a sense of peace, understanding, and reconciliation that is genuinely transformative. In the end, forgiveness is a powerful tool that can help us to heal ourselves and our relationships. It is the key to unlocking the door to a more fulfilling and meaningful life. So, I invite you to begin your journey toward forgiveness today and to experience the many benefits it has to offer. Dr. Allen Lycka is the host and executive director rector of the syndicated radio show How to Live a Fantastic Life on AmFM 24/7 with 4.3 million listeners a month. He is also a three 3x international best-selling author including the renowned "How to Live A Fantastic Life" with an intro by NYT's best-selling author Jack Canfield of Chicken Soup for the Soul fame. You can find more at DrAllenLycka.com and his community here. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Youtube, or visit my website for more info! Read more from Dr. Allen! Dr. Allen Lycka, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Dr. Allen Lycka is acknowledged as one of the leading cosmetic dermatologists in the world. In 2003, Dr. Lycka was diagnosed with ALS and given six months to live. After fighting the diagnosis, he is here today as a result of his courage and tenacity. Having been given a “golden ticket” Dr. Lycka used his experience to co-author the books The Secrets To Living A Fantastic Life with Harriet Tinka, Pillars of Success with 1 New York Times Best Selling Author Jack Canfield and bLU volume 1 with Corey Poirier. He is the host and executive director of How To Live a Fantastic Life show with 4 million listeners per episode. He is a sought-after speaker.

Written by: Jessica Carper, 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. There are many types of different personalities in the corporate world. It’s best to have a schedule for the day’s work if that is what fits your personality. So many tasks and not enough time is today’s reason for my scheduling. I am much more organized with less stress on that extensive list. Currently, my goal is to add the services of a Notary to my Corporation. Hiring has been a bit difficult in a lot of industries. I hear several business owners saying no one wants to work. Taking the right opportunity at the right time is important. I am bringing in more staff. Promotions are linked to the perception of their performance. The environment of the workplace is especially important. IRS has hired 4,000 more agents to help with the tax season. Seems now the extension for taxes is October 16, 2023 (please check if your area is included). Give us a call for a financial consultation! Click here. Exciting time in LA for Fashion! LA Fashion Week is March 26, 2023, and you are invited! Join us for the best fashion show in LA County! Instagram: @JImperial7 Beautiful flowers and sunny days ahead Having my daughter on St. Patrick’s Day of 2007 was one of my best memories. Sweet sixteen as of this year! St. Patrick’s Day is a wonderful way to celebrate all the achievements and how much the Irish have done for their country. Spring officially begins on March 20, 2023! It's time for all the hard work to pay off. Different beautiful destinations to visit. Runways in Miami, FL, Hawaii, and Paris! Photoshoots at the beach for publications in magazines. Kids are out of school soon. More time with my daughter is my favorite! Keeping them productive and healthy during the summer is extremely important. More exercise outside. Running for a cause will have warmer weather. My current title is Ms. Queen of Hearts 2023, Pilato Production is that business owner. It is great to be part of so many successful people! Till next month, stay healthy and safe. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Jessica! Jessica Carper, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine I am a born leader & public figure. Several titles; Mother, CFO, Owner at Universe Beauties, Owner at Bookkeeping & Payroll Services Inc., Ms. Top Model Nation Universe 2022, Professional Model, Actress. You have a full life why not enjoy it! I have several years of experience in all aspects of the financial industry. I own Bookkeeping & Payroll Services Inc. I have helped companies going bankrupt to success and millions within 3 months. I have helped several clients with tax problems and audits with the outcome of lower tax liability. I enjoy being the CFO. I am the Top Professional Model, Actress & Pageant Queen. I own Universe Beauties, we are all about world peace & acts of kindness!

Written by: Liu Liu, 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. As a manager, there are three scenarios in your work with a cross-cultural team. Scenario one, you manage a team in your home country and the group consists of people from different cultural backgrounds; scenario two, you are assigned to a different country to manage a team, and the team members are all from that foreign country; and scenario three, you manage a team in a foreign country and the team members are from different countries. Sound familiar? The first thing first, how do you get to know your team and build trust? Let me start with one of my experiences. I was given the job of managing projects in Cambodia in my early years as a young manager. On my first trip, I needed to meet with the heads of the partner organizations to start with. There are two types of organizations we work with in Cambodia, ones headed up by the local people, and the ones headed up by US and European ex-pats. My first meeting with the ex-pats is like a mini-interview. We met at the office, and they went straight into the various technical questions to find out if and how I am qualified for this managerial role. While the first meetings with the Cambodian managers happened very differently. They came to my hotel, we drank some tea, had meals together, asked about each other a personal journey into the job we are doing, asked after each others’ families, and we agreed to meet again in the office to talk about work the following days. This illustrates the ways people from different cultural backgrounds get to know each other and build trust. The US and European colleagues are from a cultural group called Cold Climate Culture. People from this culture tend to be task-oriented and individualistic, the trust is built based on how competent you are at your job. They don’t need to know your whole life story to work with you. Trust is built through logic or sometimes called cognitive trust. For Cambodians, they are the Hot Climate Culture, relationships are the most important for any interaction with each other, and one’s identity is linked with various social groups they belong to. The trust is built through getting to know you as a person, your life stories, and your social connections. When they feel they know you deeply enough, then they will trust you and work with you. Their trust is a feeling-based affective trust. Building trust in a cross-cultural team can be challenging, but it's essential for the success of the team. Here are some tips to help build trust in a cross-cultural team: Cultural awareness: Develop an understanding of the cultural backgrounds of your team members. Learn about their customs, beliefs, and values. This can help you avoid misunderstandings and build trust by showing that you respect and value their culture. Communication: Effective communication is essential in building trust. Ensure that communication is clear, concise, and respectful. Use language that is inclusive and avoids cultural assumptions or stereotypes. Active listening: Listen actively to your team members to understand their perspectives, needs, and concerns. This shows that you value their input and are committed to working together. Respect: Show respect for cultural differences and appreciate the unique strengths that each team member brings to the table. Avoid making assumptions or judgments based on cultural stereotypes. Transparency: Be transparent about your goals, expectations, and decisions. This can help to build trust by demonstrating that you are open and honest. Collaborate: Encourage collaboration and teamwork. Create opportunities for team members to work together and learn from each other. This can help to build trust by demonstrating that you value their contributions and are committed to working together towards shared goals. Celebrate diversity: Celebrate the diversity of your team and its members. Recognize and appreciate the different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that each team member brings. This can help to build trust by creating a positive and inclusive work environment. To find out more, read the article Hot vs Cold Climate Cultures by Timothy Harianja Also, check out these related Brainz articles here https://www.brainzmagazine.com/post/communicate-is-to-connect Written by: Haseena Shaheed-Jackson, Executive Contributor https://www.brainzmagazine.com/post/executive-leadership-how-to-build-trust-and-why-it-s-so-important Written by: Kris de Jong, Executive Contributor Follow me on LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Liu Liu! Liu Liu, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Liu Liu is a coach and manager with decades of experience, as a Cross-Cultural Intelligence Coach who specializes in helping international organizations and businesses to improve communications and cooperation among staff for better individual and team performance. He coaches managers and leaders working in a cross-cultural context to build trust, communicate effectively, and deliver results. He also coaches people on management, leadership, and career development. He is someone who helps you to imagine a greater possibility for yourself and supports you in achieving it. As a senior manager in an international relief and development organization, he has worked with people in over 30 countries over his two-decades-long career. He uses a coaching approach to manage cross-country teams and complex programs to deliver results and impacts. He is also an experienced trainer and facilitator who has delivered training on management-related and other subjects in over 30 countries. With a cross-country marriage, developing a career in a second country, and working in an organization that has a reach of 50 countries, Liu Liu understands the importance and pitfalls of working cross-culturally and developing a career in an unfamiliar environment. Liu Liu is an Associated Certified Coach(ACC), a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), and an Executive Contributor to Brainz Magazine. He holds a BA(Hon) in International Studies and an MSc in Development Management.

Written by: Andrew Cowie, 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. MILLIONS of tourists descended on the most romantic city in the world last month to celebrate the annual Venice Carnival – one of the biggest and most colourful displays of pageantry on earth. Crowds packed the banks of the Grand Canal to enjoy the spectacular parades of floats and Venetian vessels, led by a 22-foot-long papier-mâché rat known as Pantegana. Many revellers wore harlequin costumes or plague doctor masks with elongated noses, while others were clad in elaborate gowns and powdered wigs in a nod to the city’s rich heritage. Venice Carnival is believed to have originated in 1162 when the citizens of the Republic gathered in St Mark’s Square for music and dancing to celebrate their victory over the neighbouring coastal town of Aquileia. Since then the festival has evolved into an annual Christian celebration involving street parties, parades, masquerade balls and historical re-enactments. It’s an opportunity for people to let their hair down and indulge in a period of feasting, excess and joyous revelry before the onset of Lent. The carnival is particularly famous for its colourful costumes and magnificent masks. While 18th Century dress remains the most popular choice, recent years have increasingly seen participants don a wide variety of attire and even superhero costumes. One of the highlights of the carnival is the contest for “the most beautiful mask”, judged by a panel of international costume and fashion designers. The Venetian custom of mask-wearing dates back centuries to when locals would participate in all sorts of mischievous revelry during carnival, including wild parties, gambling and illicit liaisons. They were able to indulge in these activities with confidence because their identities were safely concealed behind their masks. The anonymity gave them free rein to act without fear of persecution. In the words of the brilliant Masquerade from Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s hit musical Phantom of the Opera: “Hide your face, so the world will never find you!” It's a concept which is sure to appeal to anyone who’s ever felt the need to conceal some aspect of their identity, whatever that may be. We all have parts of ourselves that we hide away from the outside world for fear of judgement or ridicule. The temporary anonymity afforded by fancy dress can allow us to indulge those playful aspects of our inner nature which are normally suppressed by the restraints of society's expectations. We can release our inhibitions and express ourselves openly. I had direct personal experience of this a few years ago when I attended a Festival of the Dead celebration at which I donned full death-mask make-up and black top hat to join other revellers for a night of glittering raucous fun at the ATIK nightclub in Edinburgh. My abiding memory from that experience was the sense of fantastic liberation I experienced due to being completely unrecognisable. Concealed behind face paint, I could be whoever I wanted to be that night. I could allow my true self to flourish, cast off all the usual anxieties and inhibitions which come with worrying what other people might think and instead embrace the glorious anonymity of the character I was playing. My experiences as a therapist have taught me that suppression and repression are seldom healthy. If we bottle things up, they turn toxic. Our hidden sides are yearning for acknowledgement and recognition and the more we try to deny and stifle them, the more strongly they will fight back. What we resist persists. I'm not suggesting we indulge in bad or immoral behaviour such as our ancestors might have engaged in at Venice Carnival in centuries gone by. And certainly no-one wants to see our streets overtaken by the kind of masked lawlessness depicted in The Purge movie franchise. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t occasionally allow free artistic expression to the concealed aspects of our nature through safe outlets such as role-playing and theatre. Whether it’s going to a Halloween party or a Comicon, or joining a local drama or re-enactment group, there are plenty of ways you can experiment with your identity without it harming either yourself or anybody else. And it doesn’t have to involve dressing up. Writing, composing music or producing pieces of artwork are all healthy ways in which we can give free rein to our inner thoughts and emotions. Over the years I’ve worked with a number of troubled musicians, helping them to transmute their inner turmoil into song lyrics to create art out of inner pain and confusion. If we don’t let these emotions out, they become trapped like a volcano waiting to blow its lid. We are all unique, magnificent individuals with our own talents and passions, but often that individuality becomes stifled by the pressure to conform to a conceived “norm”. This concept is highlighted quite brilliantly in the popular movie High School Musical in which Zac Efron’s character, Troy Bolton, attempts to hide the fact that he’s auditioned for the school musical for fear of facing ridicule from his colleagues on the school basketball team. At first his fears appear well justified. When the truth gets out, his teammates are far from happy and initially go to great lengths to sabotage his chances of securing a role in the musical production. Only when they realise that the suppression of Troy’s musical passion is having an adverse effect on his form on the basketball court do they appreciate the harm they’ve done by trying to prevent him from being his true self. It also transpires that Troy isn’t the only one who’s been hiding secret talents – Zeke likes to bake (crème brulee no less!), science geek Martha has a secret love of hip-hop and one of the skateboarders plays the cello. The message is clear. Everyone has some secret side of themselves which they feel the need to hide from their peer group, and all are much happier when they’re eventually allowed to embrace that side of their personality and display it openly and publicly. Carnival, like Halloween, provides a perfect opportunity to do so. These are occasions when you can dress up outlandishly, don make-up, role-play and walk brazenly down your local high street in costume without anybody batting an eyelid. The narrow parameters of society's expectations are temporarily dissolved and you can allow your inner child to sing freely without fear of judgement. As kids we dress up and play roles all the time, whether that be superheroes or doctors and nurses, but sadly as adults we're not expected to behave that way. Instead we're forced to play another type of role – one which conforms to society's expectations. This is extremely limiting and denies us the chance to explore and indulge all the multifarious aspects of our glorious personalities. We lose that connection with our inner child and much of the joy of life along with it. There is much that we can learn from the Venetian custom of Carnival – an occasion when the normal rules of society are suspended and we can release our inhibitions and be whoever or whatever we want – whether that be harlequin, plague doctor, witch, wizard, vampire, superhero or Jedi. At Phoenix Coaching & Therapy we actively encourage clients to explore those aspects of their personality which have previously been denied expression. It doesn't matter whether you choose to express it through song, artwork, theatre or writing, so long as you let it out and give it a voice. In the words of the old pagan mantra "Do as thou wilt, as long as it harms no-one". If you’d like to know more about the services we offer, you can contact us at Phoenix Coaching & Therapy for details. For more info, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and visit my website! Read more from Andrew! Andrew Cowie, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Andrew Cowie is a transformational life coach, psychotherapist, and author dedicated to helping people overcome adversity and achieve their full potential. He came to the world of therapy after a 20-year career in newspaper journalism was brought to an abrupt end by severe burnout. In the course of his own recovery, he was introduced to meditation, mindfulness, hypnotherapy, yoga, martial arts, and NLP. He went on to retrain some of the world's leading spiritual and personal development teachers to become an expert in these fields. Andrew has since dedicated his life to passing on this knowledge, synthesizing the various disciplines into one overarching system blending ancient spiritual practices with the latest cutting-edge techniques from the field of modern psychology. He is the owner of Phoenix Coaching & Therapy and the founder of its associated 'magical training school' The Ancient and Mystical Hermetic Order of the Phoenix (AMHOP). His debut book Rise Like a Phoenix was published in 2021 and is described as a manual for personal regeneration. Andrew works with clients worldwide and is passionate about mental health and exploring the latent potential of the human mind.

Written by: Mindy Schrager, 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. Ever notice that certain things are easier to let go of than others? I recently shared a post about donating a pair of ballroom dance shoes. I had donated others so one might ask what was different about this specific pair. Consider they were the shoes I wore to my wedding and they connected to different facets of my life story. Think about your own life and look at situations, people, objects, and other items that you are holding onto: Relationships from important times in your life (classmates, childhood friends, office colleagues) Regret at ending relationships too soon, of not taking advantage of an opportunity Anger at a betrayal, resentment at having been bullied Items in your closet that remind you of important events Finished work projects and awards that celebrate your successes Mementos from travel, your ancestors, and special moments in your life Photographs, diplomas, voice mails, emails, and many more While there is nothing wrong with holding onto special items, is it possible that letting go would open the space for something different or better? The same for toxic emotions that keep you going in circles in your mind. If you are open to letting go, I would suggest there are three key steps: Understand the reason you are holding on; what is the attachment. Here are some questions to consider when looking to gain understanding. What is the value of the relationship to you currently? Are you afraid to end it or missing a sense of closure? Does it connect you to a happier time in your life? What does the negative emotion do for you (i.e., what is the benefit to you)? If you are holding onto items, ask yourself what about the item is special or significant to you. Accept that it is okay to move on. Once you understand why you are holding on, what would you need to make peace with letting it go? If you are ending a relationship, maybe you need to accept that there is no longer reciprocity or that newer connections are more meaningful. In letting go of an emotion, what would happen if you accepted that what you felt was appropriate in the moment but is no longer serving you now? In the case of an item, what if you accepted that the item is no longer useful or that it can be transformed into something different? Transform and let go – There are different ways you can let go of things, not all of which mean throwing something out. In relationships, you could write a letter to say thank you and goodbye, or you could shift the way you connect with the person (i.e., connect only via social media). To transform your emotions, there are many different approaches (NLP, belief work, shadow, etc.) and it is important to choose one that resonates for you. For objects, you can donate, consign, trash, or change the item into something different. For changing items, I like to make shadow boxes and collages, creating a different way of holding them. If you have understood the reason for holding on, accepted it is time to do something different, and found a new way to hold the situation, relationship, or object, you can let it go. In doing so you can change your life story and watch and see what new relationships, feelings, space, and opportunities appear in your life. If you need assistance in letting go of something connected to your life story, consider Meeting the Shadow. More details about this program are here. © 2023, Systems of Change, LLC Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Mindy! Mindy Schrager, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Mindy Schrager is an ICF PCC credentialed coach, Systemic Facilitator, Aura-Soma practitioner and founder of Systems of Change, LLC. Mindy’s focus on and passion for transformational work is built on years of experience creating strong, well-balanced teams, combined with a powerful personal discovery journey. Her experience and training have been focused on creating positive change in life and business experiences working with individuals and groups. Mindy loves to shine a light on hidden patterns and the root cause of dysfunction and then help create new pathways to growth.

Written by: Beth Rohani, 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. Among the characteristics a successful entrepreneur must possess is confidence. It provides the foundation for building your venture and making critical decisions. You need to gain self-confidence to communicate your vision, lead your team, and make tough calls necessary to grow and succeed. Launching a business is risky, and it takes guts. You need confidence in yourself, instill it in your team, and make your clients feel confident in purchasing your service or product. The entrepreneurial journey is a challenging one. I speak from experience. There will be setbacks and failures along the way. However, self-confidence will help you move beyond those setbacks and not dwell on your mistakes. Why women need to be confident As a female leader, self-confidence is one of the keys to success. Unfortunately, women, in general, are faced with intense pressure and the need to conform to society's expectations of how we carry ourselves, what we say, and how we look. When I was 18, I competed in the Miss Texas USA Pageant. The experience was pivotal in my growth and taught me why we need to be confident in ourselves – especially as women. For an entire year, I trained how to talk, how to walk, and how to best answer the judges’ questions. Then, I was put on stage next to contestants bred to be pageant queens from infancy, and I felt way out of place. I could have easily run the other way and bailed. But instead, I held my head high and gathered the confidence to compete. And while I was not crowned the overall winner, I was given the title of Miss Congeniality, which was so much more meaningful, because this title was chosen by the delegates who got to see me and chose me for me. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate and one I could have missed out on because I "thought I was not experienced enough" or "doubted myself." Building self-confidence, especially as a female entrepreneur, will help you achieve what you never thought was possible. Believing in myself has catapulted me to success as president and CEO of Ameritex Movers, one of the top moving companies in Houston. But I wouldn't be where I am today without the various experiences that challenged me to have self-confidence. Women, in particular, need to be confident because it can significantly impact not only their careers but their professional lives as well. Here are a few reasons why: Self-acceptance: I can't emphasize this point enough. It's so important to accept yourself for who you are. Doing so can lead to better mental health and improved self-esteem. Positive relationships: When you are confident, it's easier to build positive relationships, and you are more likely to attract people who respect you and value you for who you are. Assertiveness: When you are confident in yourself, you might find it easier to stand up for yourself when necessary. This is equally important in the workplace and personal relationships. Empowerment: Having confidence is empowering. It enables you to take control of your life and pursue your goals with passion and determination. When you're not feeling confident Inevitably, we won't feel confident all of the time. I know that I don't. We will be confronted with some challenging situation or person and question our abilities. It's OK not to feel confident 100% of the time. No matter how we appear on the outside or on our social media feeds, we all suffer from imposter syndrome at one time or another. When you are not feeling confident, here are some suggestions that you might find helpful: Pinpoint the reason: Try to figure out what triggered your feeling of self-doubt. Once you identify the cause, it may become easier to address and overcome. Give yourself a pep talk: This is one way I overcome my insecurities – I look in the mirror and give myself a pep talk. I switch my mindset, look at the situation from a different perspective, and then am ready to face the challenge ahead of me. Practice self-care: When you are constantly busy taking care of business or others, putting your needs on the back burner is easy. Eating well, exercising, getting plenty of exercise, and engaging in your favorite hobbies can improve your self-confidence. Shut down negative talk: Negative self-talk can undermine your confidence. Reminding yourself of your strengths and all you have accomplished is the best way to counteract "Downer Debbie." Learn a new skill: When you open your mind to learning a new skill or taking on a new challenge, it can boost your confidence and a tremendous sense of accomplishment. Confidence doesn't happen overnight Building self-confidence is not something you can necessarily do overnight. And once you have it, there will be moments of doubt and wondering if you have what it takes to achieve your dream or overcome an obstacle. When you are faced with these moments, take a moment and remind yourself how far you have come and regain the dominance. As entrepreneurs, it's important to remember that confidence is contagious. When you are confident, it inspires others to become more confident, which leads to a better work environment, collaboration, and overall success through your life’s journeys. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Youtube, or visit my website for more info! Read more from Beth! Beth Rohani, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Beth Rohani leads the 1 moving company serving the Houston Multi-Family Industry and her company is considered one of Top 3 Best Rated Moving Companies in Houston. As a first generation Iranian-American, former TV news assignments editor and CEO of a transportation and logistics based business in a male-dominated industry, Beth embraces the stereotypes while inspiring and mentoring others to build a successful business with a balance to live their best life.

Written by: Nicole Lucas, 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. Feedback is an art form, one that many dabble in, but may never master. In this article, we’ll explore the art of giving and receiving feedback, so that you can approach these conversations with confidence. Have you ever looked up the definition of feedback? It is defined as: Information about reactions to a product, a person’s performance of a task, etc. which is used as a basis for improvement. This definition makes the concept of feedback seem harmless, doesn’t it? However, it’s interesting how often feedback registers in people’s minds as: "I'm not doing a good job.” When that happens, feedback doesn’t feel harmless or helpful, it can feel like a personal attack. Why do people often feel this way when they’re on the receiving end of feedback? Many would say this because they rarely hear feedback unless something goes wrong or could have gone better; hence the need for improvement, as the definition stated. What this usually means is that while people are hearing feedback in the form of critique: “Next time, I’ll need you to do these things better.” They’re not hearing the other side–feedback in the form of encouragement: “You did this so well. I’m proud of you for XYZ.” The truth about feedback is that it's so necessary for our development in life and work and yet it's the one thing most of us don't want to hear. Unless it's good feedback, of course. Then we want to hear it; we need to hear it, and we get frustrated when people withhold it. Both forms of feedback–critique and encouragement–are necessary and have the ability to help us immensely, so long as the feedback giver and receiver know how to utilize the information for good. So while we all get frustrated by feedback now and then, at the end of the day, we have to let feedback move us to positive action. 1. Don’t withhold feedback When was the last time you looked someone in the eyes, leaned forward, and told them they were doing a great job? I hope you can recall a recent interaction that resembles what I described. When was the last time your manager did this with you? If so, can you recall how that moment made you feel? What thoughts flooded your mind? Did it put wind in your sails? Did it make you feel seen and appreciated and motivated to keep doing purposeful work? Did it give you the confidence to step into something new? Feedback can do all of those things—when it’s given. This kind of feedback comes in the form of encouragement, appreciation, and recognition. How often do you take the time to notice the work that your team does and then specifically point out the goodness and intentionality that they put into it? This kind of feedback leads to positive action because it is said with heartfelt appreciation and specificity. When this happens, your people can then harness your encouragement and filter it back into their work and back into the culture of the organization. Feedback in the form of critique, without the nutrients that comes from feedback in the form of encouragement, creates a malnourished person. Don’t withhold encouragement from your people. 2. Give feedback with truth and kindness When it comes to feedback in the form of critique, remember this: Speak the truth in love. In other words, do tell people the truth–tell them the ways they need to improve–but do so with kindness. Truth and kindness can and should coexist together, and when you combine the two, it leads people to positive action–inspiring them to see opportunity instead of failure. 3. Seek to understand When you’re on the receiving end of feedback, resist the urge to immediately give the other person a reason for why a certain thing happened or why something wasn’t your fault. Defense is the usual immediate response–when people do this they’re trying to prevent being blamed or critiqued for something that went wrong or could have gone better. I’d like to propose instead that when you are on the receiving end of feedback you take an offensive approach–try to take that feedback and work to make something good out of it. Seeking to understand means taking feedback and investigating more about what someone saw or heard and then figuring out how to take what you discovered and apply it to your life or work. 4. Be open-minded and open-handed The idea of accepting and applying feedback can be easier said than done, especially when you don't agree. When you find yourself in these situations, I encourage you to remember this: when feedback about the same thing keeps popping up, then it is wise to ask, "What if I’m missing something?" This is the idea of being open-minded and open-handed. It has to do with understanding that no matter how skilled we are at our jobs, sometimes we miss things, and sometimes we get tunnel vision and need someone with fresh eyes or ears to hear and then speak up about the things that we’re missing. A humble leader asks, “What if I’m missing something?” Then they do the work of investigating and discerning if/how to apply the feedback accordingly. Recap Feedback givers, don’t withhold appreciation, encouragement, and recognition from your team. Speak the truth and be kind–the two can and should coexist together. Give feedback in such a way that it leads people to positive action. Inspire them to see opportunity, not failure. Feedback receivers, seek to understand the feedback given to you. Don’t play defense, play offense. Be open-minded and open-handed. If you get feedback that you don’t agree with, remember that it never hurts to ask, “What if I’m missing something?” Then do the work of discerning your next steps. Lastly, if you want help developing your leadership skills, visit my website to learn more about the ways I can help you take your life and leadership to the next level. You don’t need a formal education to lead a team or to navigate situations confidently, you just need a leadership coach that can teach you how to become an influential leader that people will love to follow. I can help. Let’s get started! Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Listen every Monday to The Coffee and Creative Leadership Podcast for more insights on leadership and team culture development. Read more from Nicole! Nicole Lucas, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Nicole Lucas, is the Founder and CEO of The Creative Level, a leadership coaching and consulting agency with the mission of helping individuals and teams reach the next level in their life and leadership. She is also the creator and host of the Coffee and Creative Leadership Podcast. With a Bachelor of Science in Leadership and over a decade of experience in leading individuals and teams, Nicole finds great joy in providing people with the essential and practical tools to become healthy and skilled influential leaders.

Written by: Rachel Shieff, 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. Have you ever been so scared of failing at something that you froze and took no action at all? Or has a fear of failure paralyzed you or caused you to be aggressive? If we’re honest, most of us have experienced this at one time or another. The fear of failing can stop us in our tracks – and with inaction, there’s no growth and plenty of missed opportunities. To remove the fear of failure it’s important to be able to understand the cause of it and try to move through it. What is fear of failure? In our minds, we believe that what we’re afraid of is dangerous, and that’s because it’s the closest thing to danger we will experience, but actually, it isn’t dangerous at all. People can be as scared of standing up and giving a speech as stepping in front of a bus, which is REALLY dangerous. Is it the speech that’s causing the fear? No, if it was, everyone would be scared of giving a speech. It’s how we see the speech in our minds that is causing the fear. It’s nothing but our imagination causing the fear, and when we uncover the evidence that it’s not real, we aren’t scared anymore. Where does the fear of failure come from? Fear is often rooted in events that happened in our childhood. As an example, let me share my son’s experience of ‘fear of failure’ that stemmed from an experience he had in primary school… His teacher ridiculed him by showing his messy work to the rest of the class, saying “Look at this as an example of what NOT to do!” He felt overwhelming embarrassment and shame and wanted to hide under the table. He carried those feelings of embarrassment and shame through to other areas of his life, right into adulthood. It wasn’t until I asked him powerful questions to uncover new evidence, that he was able to prove the belief wasn’t real. Holding onto fear as an adult can lead to procrastination, reluctance to try new things, lack of confidence, missed opportunities and failure to follow through on goals. Understand your fear of failure To understand your fear of failure, you must write down specifically what you’re scared of and in what situation it occurs. Consider what else is involved with the fear: the location you experience it, what happens and what part you play. By diving into the fear you’ll be able to pinpoint exactly what you’re afraid of, and that is very often a belief that isn’t even true. Move through the fear To move through the fear of failure you have to embrace it and realize it’s just an emotional reaction to something unfamiliar. If you want to get ahead, allow yourself to feel fear. Ask yourself, what is the worst thing that could happen? And then ask, what is likely to happen? In reality, probably something quite insignificant. Asking yourself, what can I learn from facing my fear? And how can facing my fear help me to grow? Will make you realize that embracing your fear will make you stronger and more confident. Take action and review Now you understand your fear of failure, you know where it comes from and you’ve realized what is likely to happen if you fail, it’s time to take action – Face your fear! Write down what you learned from taking action and how the experience made you feel. Was it worth being scared this whole time? What will you tell yourself next time you feel fear? You’ll realize the fear you once felt has reduced significantly, and the more you talk about it, the more the fear will break down. I hope this article helps you to realize that fear of failure is just an illusion stemming from beliefs. You can remove the fear to a great extent by working through this process, but working with a trained coach will eliminate your fear of failure for good. I’d love to know how this process works for you and if you want to push through your fear and Be Unstoppable, click here. Rachel Shieff, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Rachel Shieff is a leading Mindset Coach. Through her individualized approach, she explores a client’s personal history to gain a thorough understanding of the challenges and self-limiting thoughts that are holding them back. She then evaluates their situation and prescribes a coaching journey with clearly defined objectives, and action steps to take them from where they are now to exactly where they want to be. Rachel’s magnetic energy brings out the best in people, and that’s probably why people naturally go to her for help and advice, and to share their problems in confidence. This has happened to her throughout her life.

Written by: Yves Preissler, 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. Establishing and managing a business can be challenging, but that's partly what makes it so rewarding. Realizing you've successfully set something up from scratch ‒ whether a product, service, or venue ‒ is advantageous and a reminder that hard work pays off. However, when starting at the beginning of your business journey, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and lost – which, with intervention, can often lead to better decision-making and things going wrong. This is especially true in the health and fitness industry, which has its own financial and practical challenges. In addition to being a costly market to enter, it's also highly saturated. So it's essential to identify a core client base and establish a strong USP to distinguish your business and stand out from the crowd. Consultancy is Key While it's tempting to go it alone and establish your business without help from anyone else ‒ it's only sometimes the most sensible decision. People rarely set up successful organizations alone or without any help. As someone with decades of experience in the industry, I can't emphasize how important it is to utilize all the resources, people, and advice at your disposal to build a firm knowledge base. This will give you a good insight into the industry and help you make better decisions conducive to a thriving business. This includes investing in an experienced consultant. It's advantageous to chat with someone in the industry who has done it all before and knows what kind of challenges you will encounter and the best solutions and ideas to overcome them. They can provide expertise and an objective, neutral perspective to help guide you through your business by offering insight on everything from strategy and management to operations, finances, funding opportunities, sales, and marketing. They can provide more general advice from their experiences, which may help you minimize mistakes. For example, at YP Business Consulting, we use the knowledge and experience gained from over 20+ years of working in the industry to advise our clients on all aspects of starting and running a business. Our services can include market research & real data collection, as the sharing of project libraries for drawings and layouts to inspire your project. After establishing your brand, including name, logo, and look/feel, we go as far as procurement planning and recruiting your team. Our services collectively help to build a solid foundation for new businesses, where it helps to transform concepts and ideas into a tangible reality that aligns with our client's budgets, expectations, and long-term strategies. Patience before Prosperity Although consultancy offers immeasurable value to a new business, it is essential to remember that it is not a magical solution that will transform your business or guarantee success. Establishing an established, profitable, and scalable business will take time. It will instead be a long process requiring complete dedication and the desire to keep learning in a continually changing industry. A good company usually takes ten years to build – meaning all business owners should exercise patience. The Value of Experience A robust and thriving organization takes dedication and hard work. It will also likely experience some mistakes and lessons learned along the way. The way to thrive in an uncertain and continuously evolving environment is to allow trials in an experimental area. It's not, after all, the trials that make a business fail ‒ but avoiding problems and errors and hoping they will disappear. The best asset of Yves Preissler Business Consulting, which offers our customers the most significant value, is the accumulated number of mistakes of fitness club owners, investors, operators, suppliers, and employees. This is earned experience that no competitor can buy and is an integral part of what makes our consultancy services so successful. Our experience has given us crucial insight into the challenges and opportunities in the health and fitness industry – and we're passionate about helping other organizations whenever and wherever we can. About YP Business Consulting YP is a privately owned business consultancy company with its Head Quarter in Kuwait, operating globally ‒ focusing on the Middle East, East Africa & Asia. The company primarily provides complete solutions for fitness, leisure, sport, and spa projects. Its services include, but are not limited to: turnkey solutions, fitness & sports concept development & execution, architectural & interior design, feasibility & strategic planning, market analysis/ research, fitness equipment/procurement planning, management coaching, recruitment services, digital services, and industry networking events. Follow me on LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Yves! Yves Preissler, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Yves Preissler is the founder of YP Business Consulting. Yves is leading a team of professionals bringing a wealth of global expertise in providing fitness turn key solutions for commercial, residential, hotel and large scale home gyms. The YP team guides investors, developers and business owners through all the stages required in a successful project: Market / competitive studies, feasibility analysis, detailed financials, location sourcing, concept design, design/ project development, project management, recruitment, sales, marketing and operations.