Written by: Dr. Stephanie Bathurst , 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. Remember those first few dates? Perhaps walking around a festival, hand-in-hand, feeling excited and enjoying being in the moment? The connection flowed so naturally. If energetic states started so balanced and unified at the beginning of your relationship, how did they go sour? Better yet, how do we resolve the imbalance to get back to a place of synergy and connection? Energy Theory & Relationships Energy exchange in relationships can be highly variable and unique to each dynamic. The health of any relationship (not just romantic) is defined by the presence of reciprocity, equality, and a continuous flow of energy within the system. Ultimately, energy is energy. It can be molded and reformed into healthy or unhealthy expression, depending on our actions, inactions, intentions, or situational context of energy expression. Satisfying relationships that last tend to have continuous contributions of positive energy from all parties. When we think of energy exchange in a romantic dyad, having a concrete image in mind can be helpful. My clients often respond well to this analogy: Energy is like a medicine ball that we pass back and forth in a fun game with our partner(s). It takes effort and intention to throw the ball, but that effort is worth it when it comes back to us from our partner's effort to engage in the game. What happens when we throw the ball and either it doesn't reach our partner, but falls to the ground, or our partner steps aside and doesn't catch the ball? We have to exert extra energy to pick up the medicine ball and throw it again without having received any energy back between exertions. This is why non-reciprocal energy contributions are not sustainable. Eventually, the ball sender will stop throwing because they feel they gain nothing from the experience or are simply too drained to continue. As a clinical therapist and sexologist who specializes in guiding partner fulfillment across all 8 forms of intimacy, I see love expression and contribution as a gift of energy that fuels the relationship. Partners reach out to me when they feel an imbalance or depletion of energy within the system but don't quite understand how to reset it. Couples therapy is about identifying those blockages that create uneven flow states and reforming unhealthy expressions of energy into healthy manifestations for sustainable energetic dynamics. Energy Blocks & Flows What exactly does it look like to experience a blockage of energy in your relationship versus an abundance of reciprocal energetic flow between yourself and your partner(s)? Let's map it out in layman's terms. Decades of research in the field of marriage and family therapy show that the variables in relationships that block intimacy are: negative thinking or thinking that focuses on bad moments of the past, negative assumptions about your partner when the context of a situation isn’t fully disclosed, or failed repair attempts that compound overtime and build resentment and emotional dysregulation. States of anxiety or emotional dysregulation redirect the energy of our brain and make it more difficult for us to access the areas responsible for productive dialogue, emotional articulation, future-oriented thinking, and clear decision-making. Other intimacy blocks include: toxic communication expressions, such as Gottman’s Four Horseman, or gaslighting, untreated mood and/or personality disorders, imposition of self and others' goals, secrecy, living out of integrity, financial distress, irrational thoughts, mental health struggles, inauthenticity, nutrient deficiency, pain, trauma, addiction, abuse, neglect, ego, stagnancy, and disconnect of self. Research in marriage and family therapy shows that the variables in relationships that encourage the flow of intimacy are the 4 S's of attachment (Safe, Seen, Soothed, Secure), trust, and engaging in the forgiveness of past pain to prevent future suffering. Self-verification encourages the flow of intimacy because by knowing and accepting oneself, you are then able to feel truly seen by your partner(s) at a level of depth that is deeply connective. Other flow variables in relationships include flexibility or agreeableness, emotional attunement, support towards others and self, personal growth, alignment with integrity, positive bias, intuition, connection with nature or a higher being, physical touch, mindfulness, creative expression, sunlight, intention, love, and excitement. Healing Energy Insufficiency First, I ask these 3 questions to gather the right information about where energy is going and what might be draining it. Next, we identify the energy type of each partner. Then, we begin to modify the types and frequencies of contribution. The 3 filtering questions that I ask to better understand energy dynamics are: How much energy is being created and offered by each partner? Is the amount of energy contributed by each partner fair and equitable to make the recirculation sustainable long-term? What are the observable expressions of that energy and is this congruent with what’s really energizing for the receiving partner? The 6 Energy Types Within Relationships and What They Mean In working with complex relationship systems in the clinical field for well over a decade, I've discovered 6 unique patterns of energy flow that manifest in romantic relationships. Sympathy Type - Absorbs very little positive energy, gives back a lot These partners tend to live in a state of significant imbalance, being in a state of energetic depletion most of the time. I often find that these partners struggle to assert healthy boundaries for themselves and advocate for fairness in their personal relationships, sometimes rationalizing this imbalance that their life purpose is to provide for others. Supporting the health of Sympathy Types often includes building self-esteem, disrupting self-sabotage cycles, and healing attachment wounds from the past. Surge Type - Absorbs energy consistently, gives back through infrequent bursts When healthy, these partners can present as quiet with bursts of unexpected spontaneity. When unhealthy, these partners can present as reactive and unpredictable. Often, their self-protective nature is to stonewall or placate. Surges build energy over time until their threshold is met, at which point their energy cannot be contained any longer, and it floods toward their partner. Self-generating Type - Creates independent energy flow Self-sustaining energy flow is developed using strategies that indirectly connect them with other energetic beings. Energetic fulfillment sources for Sponge Types can look like compersion (the joy from seeing others experience joy) gift giving as the giver, self-care and nature-based re-energy tools like Earthing. These partners can also receive energy from others so they often feel fulfilled. Their partner(s) can sometimes feel unwanted, unseen or uncertain about the purpose of their relationship due to the high independence of Self generating Types . Sponge Type - Absorbs copious amounts of energy, gives back very little These partner types tend to be the "life of the party" or "class-clown", as they need high amounts of energy to sustain fulfillment. Due to the high energetic demand, there are limits to what 1 partner can provide so Sponge Types naturally adapt to their needs by becoming sociable. This offers multiple energy streams. Their partners tend to compliment them, often presenting as Stream or Sympathy Types as a way for the system to secure balance. Stream Type - Absorbs energy consistently, gives a lot away These partners have a tendency to over-function in their relationships and take on excessive amounts of responsibility in various life domains. They tend to be life achievers, but with sacrifice to health due to stress and deprioritized self-care. In healthy presentations, Stream Types can manifest a Synergy -like energetic flow in their romantic relationships while expressing additional energy lines toward outside systems that are aligned with their values or life purpose (like volunteerism or passionate hobbies). Synergy Type - Balance in the flow of giving and receiving energy This is the healthiest of the 6 types and most opportunistic for partner experiences of balance and fairness within the romantic relationship. Although the observable expression, or contribution, of energy from each partner may look different, the amount of energy and frequency of contribution remains consistently equitable between all partners. This ensures that no partner experiences periods of energetic emptiness that might prohibit connection, hinder mental and physical health or create resentment down the road. Discover What energy type do YOU exchange in romantic relationships? Take your free QUIZ or share MyFlowTypes.com with your friends for some fun! In addition to 1-1 client sessions, Dr. Bathurst offers 90-day online Relationship Coaching Programs and in person Hawaiian Couples Retreats . Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , Li nkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dr. Stephanie! Dr. Stephanie Bathurst, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Dr. Stephanie Bathurst is an expert Clinical Sexologist, Relationship Therapist, and Holistic Healer who applies evidence-based techniques that blend holistic and traditional therapies. As a provider, she aims to energize relationships, unblock barriers in the 8 forms of intimacy, and treat the whole system for clients to see long-lasting effects. Acknowledging the heaviness in our world, Dr. Bathurst strives to lead unhappy partners toward better sex, effective communication, and release of resentment so that together we can create a more loving, more stable connection. With her primary office in Oahu, HI, Dr. Bathurst offers coaching to clients across the globe, couples retreats, and hybrid relationship programs for immersive healing. Dr. Bathurst is the CEO of Bathurst Family Therapy, LLC., and has won numerous awards of excellence in her fields. Her integration of degrees in counseling and sexology combined with certifications as an Integrative Medicine Specialist for Mental Health and Pelvic Floor PFilates instructor makes Dr. Bathurst a truly unparalleled provider. References: Farooqi, S. R. (2014). The Construct of Relationship Quality. Journal of Relationships Research , 5 . https://doi.org/10.1017/jrr.2014.2 Gillette, H. (2022, October 26). What are the 4 s's of secure attachment? Psych Central. Retrieved February 24, 2023, from https://psychcentral.com/relationships/the-4-ss-secure-attachment Gottman, J. (2021, February 3). The 6 things that predict divorce . The Gottman Institute. Retrieved February 24, 2023, from https://www.gottman.com/blog/the-6-things-that-predict-divorce/ Nye, F. I., & MacDougall, E. (1959). The Dependent Variable in Marital Research. Pacific Sociological Review, 2(2), 67–70. https://doi.org/10.2307/1388371

Written by: Fatimah Behagg Becoming a business owner or sole trader can be one of the most empowering and exhilarating things you can do. When you finally experience the "I made it!" moment, you may wonder what took you so long and regret not having done it sooner. You may have a multitude of reasons for wanting to take the plunge and launch your own business. Autonomy, freedom, control, money, tired of working for somebody else, sitting on a gem of a business idea you feel compelled to launch before anybody else does, change of circumstances professionally (made redundant or you do not like your boss anymore) or feel so passionate about a hobby or project that you decide you want to get paid to do it. Whatever the reason(s) do not forget your 'why' along the way. Let it drive you forward when you face a low or uncertain point, or when times get tough. Which they will. It is inevitable. You may do something unplanned which annoys a bunch of customers you have worked hard to find. You might make a poor business decision which leads to increased costs and expenses. You may run out of money and be forced to pull the plug altogether. Hopefully not, but it is possible. Before launching my fitness coaching business, I worked as a Marketing Director in the corporate world. My professional experience up until the point of going solo was focused predominantly on building corporate business brands in the advertising, technology, and business services sectors. My main responsibilities were tied to making these corporations successful. I was tasked with building brands internationally, designing global advertising campaigns, generating leads and business opportunities, and delivering stellar customer experience campaigns and events. It was intense. It was fast-paced and there was always a last-minute deadline you had to drop everything for. Despite years of experience in this type of environment, I was still unprepared for life as a business owner. Once you come up with the concept, create the business plan, do the research into your audience, industry, and competition, and plan your launch strategy, there will be a lot of things to consider that you may not have factored in. Here are my top 10 tips to get started and be successful: 1. Just because you decide to go solo, does not mean you have to work solo. When you get started, there seems to be this overwhelming pressure that you should know how to do everything, and that you must do it all by yourself. This form of thinking will hinder your ability to grow and be successful. It is important to ask for help along the way. So many people are willing to help or point you in the right direction. Ask other business owners how to get started or build a brand or client base. Join social media groups and ask questions. Ask friends and family members for help. Reach out to an ex-colleague you worked with well in the past and run an idea past them. If you feel stuck, ask for help. Do not be too proud to admit if you do not know how to do something. If you need help building your website, or getting a marketing plan together, ask for help. You do not need to be an expert in all areas of the business to be successful. 2. Get organised early on. There will always be a lot of things to do, and you can quickly become overwhelmed or stressed out trying to manage everything. Being organised is not my strong point, so this is one area I struggle with. To combat it, I try to keep it simple. I have a daily to-do list which I write in my journal each night, or in the morning before I start work. It helps to keep me focused. I write 3 'must-do' items on the list and 1-2 'nice to have' items. This way, I can hold myself accountable to complete the must-do items of each day, and if there is additional time, I will aim to complete the non-priority items. Writing goals has been a game-changer for me in terms of productivity and efficiency, and it means I avoid getting overwhelmed convincing myself I must do everything all at once. Set yourself daily tasks and focus your energy and efforts on achieving those goals. Goal setting will keep you on track and help you to get through your to-do list. Also, it feels incredibly satisfying as you tick things off the list, so make sure to set daily goals, not just high-level business goals. Consider sites such as Monday.com to help you set goals and track tasks. 3. Take advantage of free business tools, technologies, and templates. There are a lot of useful marketing guides and advertising templates out there to build your brand and promote your offerings. I tend to use Canva for a lot of my online resources and social media posts. It means I save time making things from scratch each time, and it provides me with inspiration design-wise. The good thing about Canva is that it offers templates pre-made for different social media posts. For example, you can select templates depending on whether you are posting to a Facebook page, an Instagram story, or a LinkedIn post. You can avoid wasting time trying to crop and create images and posts from scratch each time. If you are looking to build a brand, and do not have the money to pay a freelancer or hire an agency, keep it basic. Consider using online tools and technologies to better track your client relationships or prepare your newsletters. If email marketing is an important tool for you, consider Mailchimp to communicate with your audience or subscribe list. Take advantage of these free tools to build your brand and market your offerings. 4. Change up your work environment. As much as I love working from the comfort of my home sometimes, it is a good idea to switch things up. Try working in coffee shops, or flexible workspaces. If you are lacking inspiration or creativity, or perhaps find yourself getting easily distracted at home, consider working somewhere new for the day. I also enjoy the buzz that comes with this. Being around other people can provide that team or social element that you can sometimes miss when you become the boss. It also provides you with structure. It is very easy to fall into bad working habits when working from home. I found I was getting up late, then getting distracted with house chores or admin, and found it hard to focus. Getting outside can provide you with that structure and help to separate work from home life. 5. Assign yourself a mentor. Having a mentor can help to hold you accountable to move things forward and get things done. Like most people, I can fall into a cycle of saying I will do something and then three months down the line still not doing anything toward making it happen, due to other commitments, not making it a priority, or procrastination. Having a mentor keeps me accountable, pushes me out of my comfort zone, and ensures I do something toward achieving my goals each week. You are more likely to get something done if someone is checking in on you and making sure you are progressing, versus procrastinating. Another reason I assign myself mentors is to discuss things when my motivation level drops from time to time. Even if you have a solid business plan, and a strong client base and things are going well, your motivation levels will not always stay high. You may also need guidance on areas of the business or market you are not comfortable with. For example, in the beginning, you might need help to register your business or get set up with a website and payment systems. Down the line, it might be looking at strategies for how to win more clients or retain those you have. You may face challenges with business finances or run into situations where you simply do not have the knowledge or experience to manage something that might arise. 6. Get comfortable with social media. You do not have to like social media, but the reality is that your potential customers are on there looking for a solution to a problem. Having a presence online is important. It provides you with a channel to find new customers, engage with existing and new ones, and allows you to build your brand and community organically or via paid ads. If you are unsure how to get started, it might be worth hiring someone to help you for a few hours each week or look at 'how-to' video demos shared online to get set up with the basics. Social media has allowed me to build a brand in the fitness industry and a presence online. It provides me with a medium to interact with people who may want to work with me and allows me to ask questions or share polls to get helpful feedback on a specific topic or idea I might have. It is an excellent way to share more information and build trust online. Most social media tools also offer free analytic tools or insights so you can understand who is consuming your content so that you can better tailor messaging and promotions to suit their needs. Whether you like it or not, social media is a key channel to create brand awareness and drive long-lasting engagement, and advocacy. You do not need to have an account or profile on all social media sites either. Choose those that are suitable for your business and most likely to have your target audience on. Once you get set up, be as present as you can. Post daily if possible and be as responsive as you can. Showcase client successes, promote offers, ask for feedback, and share updates and valuable content with your audience in mind. 7. Get on top of your accounting early on. It can be scary to start running your books, especially if numbers are not your thing. There are quite a few digital banking apps out there such as Monzo, and accounting management sites such as QuickBooks. Most of the apps out there are free to download and offer dedicated services teams to help you if you get stuck or have questions. I also recommend hiring an accountant to help you with taxes each year to make sure you are on top of everything. It can be daunting to do these things by yourself, so although there is a cost associated with having someone do your tax returns each year, it removes the element of stress associated with running your books and worrying if the tax man is going to come after you. You may also need or want to consider a side hustle as you grow your business. You may find it difficult to manage outgoings as you get started, so to offset any low revenue months or periods, it might be helpful to have another revenue stream. If you worked in a different industry before going solo, you may want to keep this going regardless, especially if your new business is only going to be part-time. 8. Network often. It is important to keep your skillset fresh and to build a community of peers or connections in your industry. Sometimes you can fall into a rut of doing everything for the business by yourself and being 'too busy' to network. I push myself to network and build new connections 1-2 times each month. I sign up to free industry talks and events across the city and keep an eye on local sites for any opportunity to showcase my business or build my brand. For example, try signing up for your local newspaper or social media group to stay up to date on upcoming events in the area and advertise your events or promotions. Speak to as many people as possible each week, not always with the intent to sell, speak to share more information, and educate audiences. It will also contribute to building more brand awareness and increase your chances of converting leads to opportunities and sales. Contact event organisers and see if there is an opportunity for you to speak or get involved in some way. Follow online groups and discussions and try sharing topical content and ask others to contribute or share feedback. Network as much as you can. Build your reputation in the industry and collaborate with others as much as possible. It can spark fresh ideas, help you to connect with a larger community of people, and increase your reach online through shared connections. 9. Ask clients for feedback and referrals. Client experience must be a top priority for your business to be successful. Ultimately the experiences people have with you will start to shape your brand. Ask for feedback often. Check in with clients and customers regularly. Ask if they are enjoying the process or product. Find out if there are other ways you can support them. It might feel uncomfortable to ask for feedback as you may receive some negative responses, however, loyal customers will appreciate being asked and it will allow you to review and revise your brand, offerings, and customer experiences. This can also lead to referrals, which can open new revenue streams. Do not underestimate the power of client advocacy when it comes to building a brand. Focus on designing and delivering exceptional client experiences from the very first interaction. Build trust and do what you can to keep that client satisfied. It costs less to retain a client than it does to source a new one. Make customer experience a priority and plan your strategies around them. It will help to differentiate you from the competition and build a reliable brand that customers can trust. Repeatedly. 10. Review and revise often. Just because you start down one path does not mean you have to stay on that path. Do regular check-ins with yourself, with clients, and with your mentor(s) to identify areas you can improve. Each month I reflect on what went well and what did not. This includes all areas of the business, from online interactions, client results and satisfaction, business revenue, content and messaging, and anything else that may pop up. When I worked in corporate marketing, we would hold regular team meetings to discuss updates and analyse how well things were working. It is still something that I do now to stay ahead. Sometimes you will spend a long time working on something that you think will resonate with clients, and drive high engagement online, and then unfortunately it tanks. Be prepared for this, and do not take it to heart. Review everything often. Do not be afraid to change things up. People, time, and circumstances will evolve. Be agile. Bottom Line Launching a business or becoming a sole trader can be a very daunting prospect and requires patience and perseverance. Do not let fear stop you from making it happen. Do your research and stay focused on your goals. Be prepared for things not to always go to plan. Stay consistent with what you are doing and keep pushing through and ask for help along the way. You may not always feel motivated to keep going and may consider pulling the plug many times along the way. It is not easy to get started. However, it is so worth it once you are finally in a position where your brand is growing, and you have a client base happy to work with you. It takes time, effort, and a lot of energy. If you are willing to put in the work required to get your business off the ground, then it can be successful. Concentrate on delivering a superior experience at every interaction to keep clients happy and differentiate your brand and business from the competition. Paying attention to client experiences will build a brand that attracts and retains a loyal base of clients that are happy, satisfied, and more likely to advocate for you. Ultimately it is client experiences that will set you apart from the competition as you build and grow your brand. If you would like my help getting started as a business owner or would like to connect and discuss marketing plans and customer experience strategies, please get in touch About the author: Fatimah Behagg is a business owner, brand & growth marketer and certified fitness coach. She has over 14 years of experience as a marketing leader responsible for global advertising campaigns. She partners with start-ups as a consultant to build brands, and currently heads up customer experience for one client. Her mission when launching ‘Flex with Fatz’ was to combine her extensive professional experience and passion for fitness to improve the lives of others. She regularly hosts talks on the importance of mindset & motivation, and blogs frequently on all things health and wellbeing. Her long-term goal being to dedicate her marketing, leadership and fitness experience to inspire on a global scale.

Written by: Kate Partridge It was with absolute conviction that corporate lawyer Kate Partridge set out to found her own legal consultancy. She knew it was time to do something disruptive that would give her the career she needed and her clients the service that they deserved. As a full time corporate lawyer, I was desperately unhappy. The hours and lifestyle were relentless and I couldn’t understand how I could ever have a young family without hugely compromising my hard fought-for career. Early on, I was surrounded by successful women in law: the managing partner of my office; partners in my corporate environment, my supervisors and my wonderful cohort of trainees. Even before this, at school, we were told that women could achieve anything they wanted to. As I became more senior, the prevalent presenteeism saw lawyers with families either doing less hours - and seeing their career ambitions slide as a result - or leaving altogether. The figures in the UK are narrowing but stark - 61% of solicitors are female compared to 35% of partners. This is an issue for men though too - anyone for whom work is not life. A need for flexibility is penalised in workplaces where overwork is the standard and worn like a badge of honour. The traditional model was also failing our clients who were often charged vast amounts and given the most junior of staff. I wanted to work but I needed a new way of working that would allow me to thrive as a legal mind and as a parent. I became an entrepreneur. It took myself and my business partner, Michelle, three months to launch our legal consultancy. At the time, it seemed to take an age but looking back, I now appreciate how fast we moved. There was a vast amount of preparation involved and this is key in the legal world in which you are working within a framework. We spent a lot of time considering not just what we needed to do - our law firm application with the regulator etc - but how we would get things done. Like any start-up, we also had to think about IT; accounting software; website and insurance. We were driven not just by a desire to succeed but to deliver something special. The legal consultancy model isn’t new. It is, however, gaining traction. In April 2022, a report suggested that legal services firms operating a consultancy model are growing at three times the rate of mid-market law firms as a whole. Let’s add to this the statement made by stockbroker Arden Partners, that a third of all lawyers in the UK could be working under this model within the next five years. This model is based around flexibility, empowering highly trained lawyers to work hours that suit whilst remaining dedicated to their clients. It is agile working for the legal profession. One of our lawyers led a multi-million-pound reverse takeover, during the Pandemic, with three children at home. She did such a terrific job that the whole deal team was impressed. We now have thirty lawyers working for us and have won Female Founded Law Firm of the Year two years in a row. Do I feel validated by our decision to step off the well-worn track? Completely - not least because we are carving a path for other lawyers. Not only that but we are helping other female entrepreneurs striving to make their dream a reality. We understand our commercial clients in a far more powerful way now having been on this entrepreneurial journey. For these reasons, and more, neither of us were scared about the decision to found a startup. We wondered whether our clients would come with us and whether we would attract talented senior lawyers; but the conviction was always there. A key decision, looking back, was to fund ourselves. This meant we kept our plans to ourselves but also never had to go to market and be turned down. For those reading this piece who need external support, however, it will be tough but keep dusting yourself down and focus on the vision of what you want to achieve. Being solely reliant on ourselves absolutely fitted our personalities. I am not sure either of us has ever felt like we needed to ask permission to do anything in life! As we've grown, we have had a few people treat us with an air of condescension but that has only made us more relieved that we are our own bosses. It has also made us steer clear of those outfits and networks. You can’t be a disrupter without ruffling a few feathers! I am also so very glad that I have my business partner, Michelle, to support me. The life of a business owner or entrepreneur can be a lonely one and a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows so look after yourself - and your co-founder. Take breaks once in a while to gain perspective and also to celebrate your wins. I remember the exact moment when we were granted our licence by the SRA - the regulating body for lawyers. It was wonderful. The decision to become an entrepreneur was quickly taken and the actual creation of our venture happened fast; but this is a change that will now set the course for the rest of my legal career. I only hope that another female lawyer, perhaps exhausted from stress and doubting her future, may read this and see there is a parallel path - one offering vast possibilities - she can step onto.

Written by: Tuesday P. Brooks, 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. We all want our businesses to be profitable. But what if something is preventing your company from becoming exceedingly profitable and it’s within your control? Would you make the changes necessary to overcome it? Chances are you would. So let’s dive in and talk about your ego, an invisible and unnoticeable potential roadblock on your company’s journey to reaching profitability. Learn how to combat it so your business gets the opportunity to thrive and attract unlimited sales What Exactly is Ego? You’ve probably called someone egotistical before. You know, full of themselves, arrogant, overly proud. It’s great to have a healthy sense of self-esteem. But ego takes that sense of self-importance and carries it too far. Let’s discuss how this can negatively impact your business and what you can do about it. 1. According to Your Ego, Delegating Makes You Appear Incapable If you want your business to be profitable, you must be willing to delegate tasks. It’s just not feasible to do everything yourself. If your ego is inflated, you might think that delegating makes you appear incapable, but that’s not the case at all. Business owners don’t delegate because they can’t perform the tasks themselves; they delegate to give themselves time to focus on the bigger, money-producing activities and projects. So be open to delegating certain tasks to others who can do them quicker and potentially even better than you. 2. According to Your Ego, Asking Questions Makes You Look Dumb The only way to learn is to ask questions from people who know more than you do. Your ego might tell you that this makes you seem dumb. Nothing is further from the truth! If you don’t keep questioning things and learning, your business will stagnate. There are professionals out there who can teach you a lot and help your company become more profitable. Allow yourself to be vulnerable and open to revealing that you don’t know something. After all, no one is expected to know everything (and neither are you!) 3. According to Your Ego, It’s Bad to Make Mistakes If your ego is too big, you might be afraid of making any mistakes because you don’t want others to realize that you’re imperfect (like everyone – we’re all human!) When someone is fearful of failure, they get stuck in a box because they’re afraid to break out of their comfort zone. This is the perfect recipe for staying the same and never progressing. Remind your ego that mistakes are simply learning opportunities that will push you and your company toward greatness. 4. According to Your Ego, You Should Worry About What Others Think Your ego can also get in the way of making good decisions, which is a serious problem – especially for small business owners. If your ego makes you too concerned about what others think or expect of you, this will, without a doubt, stifle good decision-making. You’ll be so scared of making the “wrong” or unexpected move that you won’t do anything at all (or you’ll stick with what is expected instead of what is best for the business). Forget about appearances. Tell your ego to shove it, and stop letting it get in the way of you making the right decisions for yourself and your company. 5. According to Your Ego, It Doesn’t Matter How Others Feel Typically, when someone has a big ego, they lack empathy for others. This isn’t a great trait to have (being apathetic or callous), especially if you’re a business owner (in other words, someone who is trying to sell a product or service). Why? Because if you lack empathy, you won’t understand your customer’s pain points or feelings. As a result, you won’t appear helpful or understanding, and they’ll be less inclined to buy from you. Ultimately, this will translate into fewer sales and less profit ‒ and in a way that you don’t even realize. 6. According to Your Ego, It Doesn’t Matter if People Like You or Not Finally, ask yourself – how often do you truly like someone when they’re egotistical and arrogant? Not frequently, right? Self-absorption generally rubs people the wrong way. Customers naturally want to interact with a business owner who is warm, friendly, and kind – someone who cares about them. If you let your ego get in the way, you’ll likely give customers a bad impression, which will hinder the success and profitability of your business. If you’re like most of us, you probably don’t spend much time at all thinking about your ego. But if you identify with any of the scenarios mentioned above, it’s very possible that your ego is impacting the profitability of your business. Fortunately, it’s not terribly hard to overcome this tendency (well, maybe therapy will be helpful), and once you do, there’s literally nothing that can limit the success of you and your company! So do you want a profitable business? Because I want that for you. Check your ego at the door and grow! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Tuesday! Tuesday P. Brooks, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Tuesday P. Brooks, MBA is a business owner, educator, trusted tax & accounting advisor, and fierce champion of small business. Unwaveringly devoted to financial fluency Tuesday’s mission is to accelerate the profitability of financially-sound, women-led companies that employ across the U.S. As such, she works tirelessly helping women founders gain the confidence to take a leap of faith towards growth so they can tap further into their joy of business ownership more easily.

Written by: Juliette Marhofer-Dugger, 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. A few months ago I paused in my day to listen to a podcast. The guest shared how he and his wife had a conversation around doing less. He shifted his focus to this new mantra, “To do less and become obsessed with that.” It resonated with me on many levels. "Oh yes, less sounds inviting," I thought to myself. But can we still live with ourselves if we let go of what seemingly keeps us happy or preoccupied? Frequently I'm asked, “ Juliette, what do you do to bring order to chaos?” Seasons change and change ushers in seasons. External and internal. Ebb and flow. Redefining pain in our lives to fit a new narrative or restructuring our existence to accommodate the unexpected, maybe even the uninvited, is hard work. Can we make our little house a homebody, soul, and spirit? Can we have pieces lying around us and be at peace even when the ash heaps, the remnants of what could've been, are a terrifying reminder of what we feared most? So, there or here we sit in the aftermath of the fire. Did this fire keep everyone else around you warm while you suffered? In case you don't like what you see, consider the possibilities of another side this story desires to tell you. Releasing and reconciling the pieces, the people, and the pain, doesn't leave us powerless. It positions us for power! I believe inside of you is unwavering perseverance to rewrite your story. Is the pain in your life a signal to pursue all that is meant for you? What seems to grip our will also feels that it defines us. In my book, Watershed Warrior, I share, “Trauma shapes us — it’s our choice if it defines us.” Choosing to live with intention equips us to sift through the desperation in our souls and seek what supports our journey to wholeness. Personally, I find my way back to peace by redefining the pieces of pain left in the wake of suffering and then, new rhythms surface. Each of us attack problems from unique perspectives, different angles, and at times, fierce angst. Rhythms have become my obsession. No one can give them to me or feel it for me, yet when it’s developing, I know it. I love to dance! I discovered my rhythm when I was very young. I feel myself moving to music even when I'm standing still. I write to music, run to music, and relax with music. As simple as this sounds, it’s essential to me and I feel my atmosphere shift as the music pulls me out of darkness into light. It fills me with joy, my friends, pure joy. This is the love rhythms offer our soul. Routines keep us sane and support us while rhythms captivate our souls, inspire our creativity, and sustain us! Consider rhythms of grace found in sacred spaces we choose to embrace. Eventually, as we seek rhythms full of faith, the rhythms find us. Just like I can feel the music whether I'm sitting still or moving, I fully feel connected to God, myself, and others when I step into a sacred space of living an intentional life. An example of a sacred space in my life is solitude. I let the unrequited stillness pull me out of pain as I journal about areas that need to be redefined to create my new narrative. This practice gently opens my hands and then, traveling light in my soul becomes a sweet companion. When we seek connection over perfection and choose release over holding out in fear, refreshing arrives. Pause here, grab a journal, and use these four prompts to consider the possibilities of another side this story desires to tell you: What areas of my soul need pieces released in order for me to travel lighter in my daily life? What are painful places in my story I know it's time to redefine? What are the rhythms I practice now which I desire to deepen? What routines have me going through the motions I desire to exchange for rhythms of grace? After journaling, pause in reflection and ask yourself, “How did that feel to release, redefine, and deepen what I needed most?” Rhythms of grace and relentless love are calling your name. You got this ‒ it's time to see yourself for who you really are. Your instincts might be to tighten your grip on reality, on all that feels tangible. Faith isn't denying our reality. It is an invitation to embrace all that is meant for us and take a leap into our new narrative! Chin up warrior, there's more to us than all the scars and pain. We have a story to tell of all we have overcome! Those war tattoos we call scars become our transformation story to encourage another weary traveler to rise triumphantly! Let’s go get ‘em tiger! Until next time, cheers friend! Follow me on Instagram, and visit my website for more information! Read more from Juliette! Juliette Marhofer-Dugger, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Juliette Dugger is a Life Coach, Speaker, Entrepreneur, and Thought Leader, whose obsession with Soul Care points others to rewrite their story and not to relive history. After childhood and adulthood trauma caused a collision of abandonment and a longing for intimate belonging in her soul, she created dialogue to radically transform her narrative. Juliette has committed her life to helping others recover their breath in the middle of the war in their soul, not after it ends! She is the founder of WildWell Company—a movement of freeing the mind and healing the body through Soul Care for females affected by systemic cycles and patterns of mental, emotional, and spiritual abuse and betrayal trauma. Juliette is passionate about reframing soul hygiene to disrupt the view of how we connect to faith, ourselves, and others to create a life of wonder!

Written by: Tricia Brouk, 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. Being able to support speakers in using their voices for impact is a privilege and I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Meghna Dassani to talk about the importance of getting enough sleep. Dr. Meghna Dassani is passionate about helping adult and pediatric patients with sleep-disordered breathing get the treatment they need to live healthier, happier lives. Throughout her career, she has gained invaluable insight into what it takes to implement those services into the practice and currently shares her knowledge and experience in her role as a speaker. She is an international speaker that strives to leave audiences with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver sleep apnea treatments. Before attending the Goldman School of Dental Medicine at Boston University, Dr. Dassani operated a successful dental practice in Mumbai. For the past 18 years, she has been practicing in Houston, Texas where she continues to share and enhance her knowledge of obstructive sleep apnea treatments. Meghna, you run a robust practice, you speak all over the world and you have a family. How does getting enough sleep play into your productivity? Getting enough sleep is essential for both productivity and a healthy personal life. We all know that sleep plays a critical role in restoring and rejuvenating our bodies and minds, which allows us to function at our best during the day. In terms of productivity, getting enough sleep, healthy sleep, improves cognitive function, memory, and concentration, all of which are critical for performing well at work and how we show up as leaders. With proper rest, we are able to approach tasks with a clear mind and improved decision-making abilities, making us more efficient and effective. Lack of sleep can cause irritability, mood swings, and decreased energy levels, which can negatively impact our relationships and overall well-being. I know I show up as a much better mom to my girls when I am rested. Healthy, restful and good quality sleep can improve our mood, reduce stress levels, and increase our ability to cope with daily challenges, leading to more fulfilling personal relationships and a better quality of life. Truly, getting enough sleep allows us to perform at our best and enjoy our daily lives with energy and enthusiasm. What are the biggest challenges people have with getting enough sleep? There are several challenges people face when it comes to getting enough sleep. Some of the biggest challenges I see are: Busy schedules: Most people lead busy lives, whether it is with work, family, or even social obligations. All of these take up a significant amount of time and can make it difficult to find enough time for sleep, especially if they prioritize other activities over rest. Technology: The use of electronic devices, such as smartphones and laptops, later in the day can interfere with our sleep patterns. The blue light emitted from these devices upsets our sleep cycles by stimulating our brains and suppressing the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. This can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. Stress and anxiety: Stressful situations and feelings of anxiety are known to cause racing thoughts and make it difficult to relax and fall asleep. In turn, lack of sleep can exacerbate stress and anxiety, creating a vicious cycle. Poor sleep habits: Poor sleep habits, such as irregular sleep schedules, consuming caffeine or alcohol before bed, or eating heavy meals late at night, can disrupt our sleep patterns and make it harder to get a good night's rest. Sleep disorders: Some people may suffer from sleep disorders, such as insomnia or sleep apnea, which can make it difficult to get enough quality sleep despite their efforts to do so. Overcoming these challenges and prioritizing rest can lead to better health, productivity, and overall well-being. What are your thoughts on naps in the middle of the day? And how long is the perfect nap time? I’m a huge fan of naps. Napping can be a helpful tool for boosting productivity and improving overall well-being, but the ideal length and timing of a nap will vary depending on an individual's needs and preferences. Napping in the middle of the day can be beneficial for some people, especially those who struggle with getting enough sleep at night or experience a midday slump in energy levels. A well-timed nap can help boost cognitive function, improve mood, and increase alertness, while leading to improved productivity and overall well-being. Let's talk about how long that nap needs to be. Generally, naps between 20-30 minutes are considered optimal, as they provide enough rest to boost energy levels without causing sleep inertia, a feeling of grogginess or disorientation upon waking up. Longer naps, between 60-90 minutes, can be beneficial for some individuals as they allow for a full sleep cycle, including deep sleep and REM sleep, leading to improved memory consolidation and creativity. However, napping for too long or too late in the day can interfere with nighttime sleep, making it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep throughout the night. I truly believe it's important to experiment and find a nap routine that works best for each person while prioritizing nighttime sleep as well. Lots of people fall asleep, but they don’t stay asleep. Can you speak to this? There are more reasons for why people may fall asleep but struggle to stay asleep throughout the night than we might think. Some of the more common reasons include: Stress and anxiety: Stress can make it difficult to relax and fall asleep. Additionally, stressful situations or worries may wake people up during the night and prevent them from falling back asleep. Poor sleep habits: Poor sleep habits, such as irregular sleep schedules, consuming caffeine or alcohol before bed, or eating heavy meals late at night, can disrupt our sleep patterns and make it harder to stay asleep throughout the night. Sleep disorders: Some people may suffer from sleep disorders, such as insomnia or sleep apnea, which can cause them to wake up frequently during the night. Medications: Certain medications can interfere with sleep and cause people to wake up during the night. For example, some antidepressants or medications for high blood pressure may cause nighttime awakenings. Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as chronic pain or restless leg syndrome, can interfere with sleep and cause people to wake up frequently during the night as well. What I have found is that identifying the underlying cause and addressing it through lifestyle changes or medical treatment can help improve nighttime sleep and overall well-being. What is the leading cause of constant fatigue and sleepiness? Constant fatigue and sleepiness can be caused by a variety of factors: Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, insomnia, or restless leg syndrome, can interfere with the quality and quantity of sleep, leading to constant fatigue and sleepiness during the day. Certain medical conditions, such as anemia, hypothyroidism, or chronic fatigue syndrome, can have fatigue and sleepiness as symptoms. Poor sleep habits, such as irregular sleep schedules, consuming caffeine or alcohol before bed, or eating heavy meals late at night, can also disrupt our sleep patterns and lead to feelings of fatigue and sleepiness during the day. Certain medications, such as antidepressants or antihistamines are known to cause drowsiness as a side effect, leading to constant fatigue and sleepiness. And then there is lifestyle. Lifestyle factors, such as lack of physical activity, poor diet, or excessive stress, can also contribute to feelings of constant fatigue and sleepiness. I truly cannot stress enough how essential it is to identify the underlying cause and address it through lifestyle changes or medical treatment to improve overall well-being. Who is the biggest risk for sleep deprivation right now? The biggest risk for sleep deprivation right now is, in my opinion, shift workers, such as healthcare workers, emergency responders, and transportation workers, who may have irregular or overnight schedules. This population is at a higher risk for sleep deprivation due to the disruption of their natural circadian rhythm, the internal biological clock that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Additionally, students and young adults may also be at risk for sleep deprivation due to the demands of school, work, and social obligations, as well as the increased use of electronic devices that are known to interfere with sleep patterns. Finally, individuals experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety, or those with medical conditions that interfere with sleep, such as insomnia or sleep apnea, may also be at risk for sleep deprivation. What are treatment options and who can help? Treatment options for sleep deprivation depend on the underlying cause and will vary from person to person. Some treatment options include: Lifestyle changes: Improving sleep hygiene, establishing a regular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, and creating a relaxing sleep environment, go a long way in helping improve sleep quality and quantity. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of therapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that may be contributing to sleep deprivation. Medications: In some cases, medications may be prescribed to help treat underlying sleep disorders or to help manage symptoms of sleep deprivation. However, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before taking any sleep medications. Medical treatment: If sleep deprivation is caused by an underlying medical condition, such as sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome, medical treatment may be necessary to improve sleep quality. Healthcare professionals who can help with sleep deprivation include: Primary care physicians, Sleep specialists to help diagnose and treat underlying conditions that may be contributing to sleep deprivation. Mental health professionals, such as psychologists or licensed therapists, can provide cognitive-behavioral therapy and other therapies to help manage stress and anxiety related to sleep deprivation. Dentists can play a role in helping patients with sleep deprivation if the cause of their sleep deprivation is related to a dental issue, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated episodes of partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway during sleep, which can lead to loud snoring, gasping, or choking. One common cause of OSA is a narrow airway or misaligned jaw, which can be addressed by a dental professional. Dentists can work with sleep physicians to provide oral appliances, such as mandibular advancement devices, to help treat OSA. These appliances work by repositioning the lower jaw and tongue to keep the airway open during sleep, reducing the severity of symptoms and improving sleep quality. Additionally, dentists can help identify other dental issues that may be contributing to sleep deprivation, such as teeth grinding or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). Treatment for these conditions can improve sleep quality and reduce symptoms of fatigue and sleepiness during the day. For more info, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website! Read more from Tricia! Tricia Brouk, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Tricia Brouk is an international award-winning director. She has worked in theater, film, and television for three decades. Tricia founded The Big Talk Academy where she certifies speakers in the art of public speaking. She was the executive producer of Speakers Who Dare and TEDxLincolnSquare and now The Big Talk Live. She is currently being featured in a new documentary called Big Stages, which highlights the transformation of her speakers. Tricia’s commitment and devotion to inclusion are a priority as all of her shows, events, and communities are diverse. She curates and hosts the Speaker Salon in NYC, The Big Talk, an award-winning podcast on iTunes and YouTube. The Influential Voice: Saying What You Mean for Lasting Legacy was a 1 New Release on Amazon in December 2020. She was awarded Top Director of 2019 by the International Association of Top Professionals and Top Ten Speaker Coaches in Yahoo Finance in 2021. Her documentaries have received critical acclaim—winning Best Documentary Short at The Olympus Film Festival and Los Angeles Movie Awards. Tricia has spoken at Forbes, Pride Global, New York Public Library, I Heart My Life Live, and The National Organization for Rare Disorders.

Written by: Victoria Rader, 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 human history tactics have changed, but narrative has remained. One narrative, as ancient as time itself: change happens, and as it does, you either process it through fear, experiencing complete collapse, or through faith, leaning and optimizing the opportunity. In economic terms, humanity has undergone six revolutions. In spiritual terms, each time, we as humanity, have been invited to human species evolution. Each changing period has triggered an either fear-based or faith-based response in our ancestors. Let’s take a quick peek at each economic revolution with the possible deep hidden subconscious impact it has had on you and me! As you read a quick summary for each of the time periods described and the spiritual insights into the patterns formed deep within our psyche, notice: which one of the two subconscious patterns do you have a greater reaction to? And what kind of reaction? Are you smiling, seeing your faith-based patters? Or are you feeling a little stressed about fear-based ones? Simply observe with no judgement, knowing that it is not only possible to shift the deep-hidden fears, but is easier and more joyful than you could ever imagine… And 3-2-1, let’s gooooooo! Agricultural Revolution (10,000 BCE – 5,000 BCE) Now, Now… Settle Down… Economically: Domestication of plants and animals Development of settled societies Growth of agriculture Subconscious programming: as our nomadic ancestors were shifting, they were forming two deep patterns of thinking. FEAR: I am losing my space, my place in life. I am being replaced. I must protect my space. FAITH: I am free to grow things. I am innovative. Industrial Revolution (1760-1840) Ouch! Growing Pains Are Real. Economically: Mass production of goods Development of factories, machines, and manufacturing Growth of mechanization Subconscious programming: FEAR: I am losing my time. I cannot keep up. I am being replaced. I must struggle. FAITH: I am free to create. I am productive. Transportation Revolution (early 1800s – late 1800s) On the Move! Economically: More efficient movement of goods and people Development and innovation of transportation: steam engine, canals, railroads Growth of trade and commerce Subconscious programming: FEAR: I am losing control. I am being replaced. I must compete. FAITH: I am free to collaborate. I am benefitting from others. Electrical Revolution (late 1800s – early 1900s). Turn On the Power! Economically: Adoption of electricity as a source of power Development of new technologies like the light bulb, radio, telephone Growth of power plants Subconscious programming: FEAR: I am losing power. I am being replaced. I am powerless. I must survive. FAITH: I am free to be empowered. Information Revolution (mid-20th century – present) We Are Global, Baby! Economically: Rapid transmission and sharing of information Development of computers and the internet Growth of social media, software development, e-commerce Subconscious programming: FEAR: I am losing privacy. I am being replaced. I must hide. FAITH: I am free to be me. I know who I am. I love who I am. AI Revolution (present – future) Ask … And You Shall Receive. Economically: Increasing speed in assimilation, processing, and analysis of global data Development of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies Growth of productivity and efficiency Subconscious programming: FEAR: I am losing it all. I am being replaced. I have no options left. FAITH: I am free to expand my infinite potential. I am no longer limited by menial mechanical tasks. AI is driven by our questions and requests. Indeed, the more specific a question you form using ChatGPT, the better the answer you receive. Fascinating, truly, as it is this very capacity to answer the best question to receive the best answer that we are here to master spiritually! Our subconscious mind is wired to answer exactly what we ask! What color are you thinking of right now?... As you think of a color, you get the point. We are wired to answer what we are asked. Let’s recap the economic revolutions through the prism of the fear-based questions. Which ones might have crossed your mind in the past? Agricultural: Dude, who took over my space? Industrial: Dude, who took over my time? Transportation: Dude, who took over my control? Electrical: Dude, who took over my power? Information: Dude, who took over my privacy? AI: Dude, who took over…? So, if you ask, oh, no… how will AI hurt my business and replace me… fully and completely? You will receive an answer, created through the filter of fear, that will be later reflected to you through the challenging reality of your daily life. However, if you ask, in what way can I lean into the power of AI to magnify my purpose at this time? Guess what, as you quiet your fear and lean into believing that you will receive the best answer, you will indeed receive it. “Ask, and you shall receive” (Matthew 7:7) is indeed an ancient true principle that is being polished via a brand-new tactic of AI revolution. As you amplify your capacity to formulate the best questions to interface with AI to create a virtual reality, your capacity to form the best questions to address GOD, Great Overall Designer, will also expand to co-create your spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical reality. Take a deep breath in. And out – a bit slower. You are free to be you. Every day, you are becoming more and more free to be you. If … you choose to do so. You were created for greatness. You were crafted to be a miracle. Now, your fear, your scared part might be screaming that you are being replaced, that you have been taken from, that you have lost your space, your time, your control, your power, your privacy, and even your identity. While this is true for your fear-based reality of the scared part of you, today, you can make a choice to shift to a faith-based reality, from scared to sacred. Because it is also true, that through centuries of humanity, you have been given an opportunity to grow, to create, to collaborate, to be empowered, to discover and be you, and now to step into expanding your infinite potential to serve all of humanity! The choice is yours. It has always been yours. It will always be yours. In your freedom of choice between fear and faith, lies all of your freedom. What will you choose? What questions will you ask? Will you choose to remember that you are a miracle, crafted by your Creator? Will you choose to unlock your spirit and let is soar free? Will you choose to manifest a life full of miracles? If so, check out free Manifest Miracles Masterclass HERE. Once and for all, release the fear of being replaced and tap into your full hidden potential. Learn how to ask questions that will deepen your peace, expand your purpose, and increase your prosperity. What will it be? Fear of revolution? Or excitement for evolution? For more info, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website! Read more from Victoria! Victoria Rader, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Victoria Rader, Ph.D. in Metaphysics, is a Possibility Coach and founder of YU2SHINE. Through thousands of client sessions and seminars, Victoria has witnessed that the cap to one's fulfillment is defined by their subconscious programming. As a result, she created products and services with a unique success formula of healing one’s heart, freeing one’s mind, and expanding one’s skills to see, create and live a life of limitless possibilities. The host of All About the Voice podcast, internationally best-selling author of Until You Win, Until You Shine, and Manifest mE journal, creator of mE apps, and founder of the Quantum Freedom movement, Victoria is excited to launch her newest book Prosper mE: 35 Universal Laws to Make Money Work for You. Her mission is to both awaken and empower you to your life of limitless possibilities.

Written by: Megan Miller, 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 someone who works in the communication field in the translation and language coaching spaces, there’s a lot to be said for those communication breakdowns: whether that question is how to facilitate the group back to the topic at hand if someone says something out of the blue, when someone blurts out a response from a topic for 5 minutes ago, how to best translate a piece of software or technology using the right connotation, tone, and concision, or even how to give nonverbal feedback when a coaching client says something that I can somewhat understand, but there might be a more precise way to say the same sentence. For a world that loves how quickly and easily it communicates, these communication breakdowns happen pretty frequently. We’ve all felt the pit in our stomachs with the dreaded words “misunderstanding” or “miscommunication”. It’s how we might think one thing will happen, and on a video call, in a meeting, or through a dreaded email chain, find that someone else entirely is at play. It’s how I thought I was going to a meeting to talk about teaching Spanish, and instead got pitched a healthcare sales job. What’s needed for the best communication? From years of studying how best to communicate, it comes down to three things: the purpose, intent, and expectations around words and sentences. This is how we can have communication across language barriers, and this is where those barriers put up the most fight: on the purpose, intent, and expectations. There also needs to be a fair amount of trust: you trust yourself to act within certain social constructs, to say what you mean in a socially appropriate way, and you trust the person with whom you’re doing business with to act within those same social constructs. This could mean demanding a phone call at 1 am or keeping inappropriate comments at bay during a meeting. When hiring translators: As a translator, intent and trust are two of the most important pieces of communication. Once they’re disturbed, they’re also the hardest to build back up. There’s a boatload of trust that goes into translation and getting it just right, and to build that trust, I offer samples under a certain word limit for free, and study Spanish every day so that I understand that purpose in the native language as best as I can. However, it can be hard to distinguish someone’s intent when they ask me to translate thousands of words for free, or when they re-translate something I’ve already translated and edited. This shows that the trust is not there, and immediately leads to a communication breakdown. Though we have the same intent (get the best possible translated text), the expectations are not the same. The language does not matter at this point, but the trust and that relationship does. When looking to learn a language: As a coach, my clients trust me for that real-time feedback to improve their Spanish. In some ways, language is wonderful because there are many different ways to say one thing, but while learning that language, it can be really difficult to learn and go through all of the possibilities of saying that singular sentence or intent. Consistency builds up that trust and relationship, because we all have shared goals and intents: to communicate the best we can in Spanish. How to Recover from Miscommunication Communication breakdowns will happen, but when they do, we need to review the intent, purpose, and expectations. The stronger the relationship, the easier breakdowns are to overcome. It’s one thing to apologize (we’ve all heard the empty apologies at work, home, and in politics). It’s another to make a real effort to change behavior in how and why we communicate. Showing effort helps build trust. The more we build our trust, shared purpose, and intent, the quicker we can trust ourselves to get through a communication breakdown. Communication is a lot more than just words on a page: it’s a skill, and as with all skills, it simply takes practice to improve. If you’re serious about bringing bilingual Spanish / English culture and language to your team, apply HERE for an opportunity to work with me. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for 60-second clips, playlists, and 2-Minute Tips to improve your Spanish. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn and visit my website for additional motivation and education tips. Reach out to let me know you’ve read my article; I’d love to hear from you! Read more from Megan! Megan Miller, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Megan Miller is a leader in Spanish <> English teaching and bespoke habit-based language learning. Ever since discovering the worlds beyond words as a child, Megan has dedicated her efforts to mastering Spanish, English, and how to create lasting habits to improve and maintain language skills. She is the CEO of Aprovechar Language Solutions whose mission is to empower those in need of a bilingual voice.

Written by: Jamie Caroccio, 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. Are you tired of wasting time and energy figuring out what content to create for your audience? Or, maybe you know you need to create assets like articles, lead magnets and e-books, but you don’t know where to start. You want to build trust and authority in an authentic way, not sleazy or spammy. If that's you, you're in the right place. In this article, we'll dive into how you can: Win the goodwill of your readers honestly and authentically. Pick content topics that attract prospects and build your audience, even if you don't have a massive email list or following. Specific copy tips to avoid adding more "fluff" to the internet and create instead must-read, highly valuable content that builds instant trust and authority. We'll start by defining educational content, also known as informative or long-form content. This content style provides value, educates your audience in-depth on a specific topic, and nurtures your relationship to build the know, like, and trust factor so they'll be more likely to buy from you. There are two main types of content: long-form and short-time. Long-Form Vs. Short-Form Content You can think of long-form content like a meal. It's typically 700 to 1800 words long. It's intended to be a more in-depth read and is sometimes gated (requires an email to access, like a free download). Moving forward in this article, I'll refer to long-form content as educational content. On the other hand, short-form is more like a snack, typically 400-600 words long, is intended to be skimmed and is usually free. Additional perks of educational content include the opportunity to: Share your insights and know-how Win the goodwill of your readers Create and share evergreen pieces Improve your rankings in search engine results Examples of educational content: White paper Case study Newsletter (email or LinkedIn) Articles (LinkedIn or blog) E-books Guides Youtube videos (scripts) Podcasts (scripts) The go-to basic structure for your content Whether you're new to the content writing game or have been writing for years, this go-to structure will serve you every time you need to upgrade or create something new: Hook headline Engaging introduction Value (lesson/myths/tips/etc.) Introduce yourself and what you do Call to action Let's dive a little deeper into each section of the structure above… Hook the reader with your headline. Nothing else matters if you don't grab the reader's attention with your headline. No matter how good the rest of the copy is, they won't read on. You don't have to reinvent the wheel or spend ten hours crafting the perfect headline. There are millions of tried and true templates you can work from. Here are my favorite 61 High-Converting Hook Headline Templates for you to steal. Create an engaging introduction. Start your content piece by meeting the reader where they're at. Highlight their specific challenges (or pains) related to your topic. Let them know they're not alone and that you have a solution for them. Share a high-level overview of what you will cover in the copy and how it will benefit them. This will keep them engaged and motivate them to read on. Share Value This is where we get into the educational part and where you get to show off your expertise on a topic. This can be in the form of the following: Myths Mistakes Strategies Guide Lessons Story Examples: Top 5 [myths/mistakes] that [ideal client] makes that holds them back from [what they want to achieve] 5 strategies to achieve [what they want] Introduce yourself and your work. After you share value and educate, tie it back to who you are, who you help and how you help them. This will position you as the authority and can be as simple as "Hi, I'm [name plus your role] and who you help and how you help them." Example: Hi, I'm Jamie Caroccio. I'm a Copy Coach and Copywriter. For the past 7+ years, I've enjoyed working with hundreds of coaches (business, executive, leadership, life, and more.) I've helped write copy for six and seven-figure campaigns at one of the top marketing agencies in the personal and professional development space. I help you take your ideas, truth bombs and decades of wisdom and translate them to copy on the page. Through my Copy Trainings and Copy Critiques, I help you make copywriting simple, fun and profitable. Close with a Strong Call to Action What is the specific action you want someone to take after reading? Avoid generic "contact us today" language. Be clear and precise. Examples: Training - Discover how to get [what they want]. Check out our free training on [topic]. Call - Want help with [what they want]? Apply for a complimentary Discovery Call now. Podcast - Check out our latest podcast episode on [topic] to [how it will benefit them]. Listen here now. Article - Want to learn more about [topic]? Check out this article. Download - Tired of [pain/challenge]? Get our free report on [topic]. Download your copy here. Examples of Long-Form Content Here's the headline and subheadline from a whitepaper I created for one of my clients, a career coach: 5 Biggest Mistakes That Will Sabotage Your Career & How to Avoid Them Plus, 4 proven game-changing strategies to become more influential at work Here are a couple of examples I would use for articles for an Executive & Leadership Coach: 5 Proven Strategies for Mid to Late Executive Leaders to Stay Relevant in the Ever-changing Business Climate 5 Steps to Build a Career that's Wildly Successful and Deeply Satisfying Tips for Writing Educational Content 1. Pick evergreen topics. What kind of questions is your ideal audience Googling (or are you getting over and over again on sales or client calls)? For example, a career coach might frequently get asked: How to negotiate a pay raise with my boss How to navigate office politics How to have a challenging conversation with an employee 2. Use "power words" in your headline AND body copy. There is a direct link between the number of emotional words used in a headline and the likelihood that it will be shared more than 1,000 times. This shouldn't be surprising ‒ human brains are hard-wired to respond to emotions. In copywriting, power words or "trigger words" are emotion-rich words that evoke emotions. They're usually words we don't use every day, like "devastating" or "mind-numbing," which is why they grab readers' attention. I found an excellent resource of 401+ Ridiculously Useful Power Words To Increase Conversions. 3. Make your content scannable. Readers don't read online; they scan. Eye-tracking studies by NNGroup prove this. Readers follow an 'F-shaped' pattern when looking at web pages, scanning down the page quickly. Therefore, no matter how good your content is, only 20% of your content will be read on average. This is why you need to make your content concise and scannable to ensure readers get all the essential information without having to read the entire thing. This means Short paragraphs Short sentences Bullet points Items in bold Let's recap ‒ everything you need to know to create educational content in 5 bullet points. Lead with an attention-grabbing headline Meet the reader where they're at in the introduction Share value and educate (lesson/myths/tips/etc.) Introduce yourself and what you do Include a specific call to action Use this structure for your next content piece to write better copy faster. To learn how to write better copy in just 5 minutes a day, sign up for my free "Coffee & Copy Tips ☕📝" and get one new insider tip every week to transform boring, bland copy into tasty treats your audience craves—only for subscribers! Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my Website for more info! Read more from Jamie! Jamie Caroccio, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jamie Caroccio is a Copy Coach & Copywriter. She helps coaches attract more high-end clients online with copywriting that is simple, fun, and profitable. Over the past 7+ years, she’s worked with hundreds of coaches across industries (business, executive, health, leadership, and more.) She’s helped write copy for six and seven-figure campaigns at one of the top marketing agencies in the personal and professional development space. She was a guest speaker for the Be Social Change Future of Social Impact Marketing panel. She’s also the Founder of “Coffee & Copy Tips,” a free newsletter that teaches you how to write better copy in just 5 minutes a day.

Written by: Laura Di Franco, 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 was more afraid of refusing to walk than I was to actually walk over the hot coals during our firewalk ceremony, even when my colleague came across them with the tender sole of her foot blistered. The fear of what others would think sat on my heart like that bully big brother. It was an anxious reminder that I still wasn’t living on my own terms. The fear of what others would think was the real fear in my life—not the risk of pain, injury, or death. “I’ve done this before,” was one way I pushed off a curious comrade. And when I became annoyed with the second inquiry, it was, “I’m good,” as I avoided their curious gaze by staring at my shoes. Why couldn’t I say ‘no thank you’ without the feeling of not-good-enough and fear of letting others down? A lifetime of people-pleasing, maybe. I suppose I was taught (from those modeling it around me) that when everyone else is doing something and you’re part of that group, you have to do it, too, like it’s the right, respectful thing to do. It was part of the definition of a ‘good girl.' "Be a good girl and go and... for me.” “Be a good girl and make sure you...’ If one person jumps off the bridge, does that mean. . . Ugh, I know. Shut up! I’m annoyed at the wise voice, too. She spoke very gently to me throughout this defining moment at the fire, like she knew she was on fragile ground. She helped me feel okay for not running with the herd. I listened. I triumphed. I don’t feel less than for not partaking in the event. That is definitely a win. I didn’t wake the next morning tortured with regret. But it got me thinking: What else am I too afraid to say no to? In what other ways am I living according to what I was told I should do instead of what is truly right and aligned for me? What am I not saying to people when I’m afraid of their reaction? FOMO will also get you good, though. I think the fear of regret wants its spot in the stew of fears more than the fear of what others think. I don’t know; it might be a tie. The consequences weigh in and differ for people. Even as I type this, there’s a boxing match in my head. I can hear the announcer. “In corner one, the heavyweight champion of the world, they’re-not-going-to-like you! And stepping into the ring in corner two is a newcomer, what-if-you-miss-something-good?” I wonder who you think wins this match? I’m always rooting for the reining heavyweight champion. She’s got my number good. Plus, I’m a Rocky fan. After spending the last three decades on a spiritual path and living my purpose, I’m not afraid of death. While I’m not a skydiver or bungee jumper, I’ve raced my car on the quarter-mile track and sparred opponents in Tae Kwon Do a couple of feet taller than me. I’ve walked across the hot coals. And I jumped off a 35-foot cliff. Those adrenaline rushes were just resume check marks. Saying no when everyone else was doing it and being okay with myself afterward? That’s the real fear-busting I’m doing these days. It’s scarier to me. The bully big brother is heavier on my chest. I said no that night at the fire, and nobody said anything. I was with a group of non-judgmental people who loved me. And even if they had thoughts or judgments of my decision, they didn’t push. They let me be me, and that was a gift. The only thing I regret is that I felt the need to justify my decision to the whole group the next morning. And we do that, don’t we? We apologize for following our soul’s calling. Fuck, why do we still do that? Same reason we jump off the bridge—it was modeled for us repeatedly. I felt the need to tell them the story I’m sharing today about my fears over the years and the ‘why’ of my decision. I love them and respect them, and I felt good about sharing. But I didn’t need to do it out of defense or apology. I realize today that it wasn’t that I wanted to defend myself, but more wanted to model something different, one possible response, in case others were faced with those kinds of fears like I was. That’s what being a brave healer means to me. We trailblaze it. Do you struggle with not living life on your own terms? Do you constantly say and do things that feel awful (or slightly constricting) that aren’t aligned with your soul’s path or desires to fit in or not rock the boat? Do you move with the crowd to ensure people like you? Or are you carving your own path by making decisions that align with your truth? Have you ever explored your truth? This takes a ninja level of awareness to live your most authentic life. Here are the steps I’ve practiced to get to a ninja level with my body awareness and mindset so that every single decision I make aligns with the desires, dreams, goals, and vision I have for my life. It’s a practice. Check-in with your body Know your habitual thinking patterns Become a master at flipping the switch when you’re off course Body Awareness—the key to everything My practice stems from my training in alternative, holistic physical therapy. The first step is easy but still a lifelong practice. First, you must learn to feel, notice, and observe the sensations you’re having. You have to learn how to get back into your body and feel. Because we’re typically taught, from a really young age, not to feel, learning this skill can be challenging. Start with five minutes of breath meditation and build your practice from there. I check in with my body as the barometer for almost everything now to ensure I’m on track. If you’ve experienced any kind of trauma, getting back into your body will require experienced guidance. Get some. Mindset practice to break bad habits Watch your thoughts like a hawk and get good at it. If you know and understand your typical, habitual negative thinking patterns, you’re way more likely to be able to change them and align with your desires. You must be able to notice them and stop the cycle. I started with a journaling practice and wrote down every old tape, self-sabotaging message, and negative self-talk BS I could think of that limited me in the past. I put those on paper and read them to myself, so I could understand what was going on every time I made a decision that went against my soul's purpose (brought me further from joy). Mindset for manifesting When you become a master at noticing the thought or pattern and flipping it to something healthier or more aligned, things will change in a good way because of what you think you attract more of. I don’t know about you, but I, for sure, am not in this game to attract more fear-producing moments or proof I’m not good enough. But that’s what we become so good at. We’ve been training in the gym our whole lives building body-builder-level muscles around negative thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. My biggest aha moment came when I realized most of my time was being spent making shit up about my situation. My mind was in control and on zombie autopilot. Thank you very much, but I’ll take the wheel from now on. Taking back the wheel took training, too. I had to unlearn everything, a whole life’s worth of patterns, and adopt new healthier ones. Now I can feel into a situation, know immediately if it’s aligned, and then make a better choice with that awareness. This isn’t always easy (like saying no when you risk disappointing someone), but it’s worth it. It takes a warrior to live life on her own terms. Most of us never had those kinds of mentors, masters, or teachers growing up. We didn’t learn to become warriors; we learned to behave according to the rules, follow others, not get in trouble, and do everything possible to make people love us. Now it’s time to become the warrior you were meant to be and watch as your life unfolds in ways you only dreamed of. For some powerful writing prompts to aid your journey of awareness, join us in the Brave Healer Writer’s Circle here. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube or visit my website for more info! Read more from Laura! Laura Di Franco, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Laura Di Franco, CEO of Brave Healer Productions, an award-winning publisher for holistic health and wellness professionals. She has 30 years of expertise in holistic physical therapy, 14 years of training in the martial arts, and her company has published over 50 Amazon bestselling books. She's a spoken-word poet, lover of dark chocolate, and has a contagious passion for helping you share brave words that build your business. BraveHealer.com

Written by: Klaude Furlong, Guest Writer You're standing in front of the mirror, getting ready for your big presentation. You've rehearsed your speech, you've done your research, and you know your topic inside and out. But as you take one last look at yourself, those confidence killers start to creep in. "Do I look professional enough?" "Will people take me seriously?" "What if I forget my lines?" I’m sure you’ve been there. We all have at some point in time. That little voice in your head that tells you that you’re not good enough, smart enough, or capable enough. It's the voice of your inner critic, and it's one of the biggest confidence killers out there. I call it the “chattering monkeys” and within literal seconds, they can completely destroy your self-confidence with their toxic gibberish on auto-replay. Negative self-talk is just one of the many habits and mindsets that can undermine your self-confidence. Perfectionism, imposter syndrome, comparisonitis – all of these can chip away at your belief in yourself and your abilities. But the good news is, these confidence killers are not insurmountable. With some self-awareness and a few practical strategies, you can learn to identify and address these habits and create a more confident, positive mindset. So, let's dive in and explore some of the most common confidence killers, and how to overcome them. Negative self-talk As I've already mentioned, negative self-talk is one of the biggest confidence killers out there. It's that little voice inside your mind that keeps telling you that you're not good enough, smart enough, or capable enough. And it can be incredibly powerful and difficult to stop. The first step in overcoming negative self-talk is to become aware of it. Pay attention to the thoughts that run through your head when you're feeling insecure or unsure of yourself. Are they helpful or harmful? Would you say those things to a friend or loved one? Probably not. Once you've identified your negative self-talk, it's time to challenge it. Ask yourself, "Is this thought true?" "What evidence do I have to support it?" "What evidence do I have to refute it?" By challenging your negative self-talk, you can start to reframe those thoughts and create a more positive, self-affirming mindset. Perfectionism Perfectionism is another confidence killer that can be hard to overcome. It's the belief that everything has to be perfect, and anything less than perfect is a failure. But the truth is, perfectionism is not only unrealistic, it's also unproductive. To overcome perfectionism, it's important to set realistic goals and expectations for yourself. Focus on progress, not perfection. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem. And remember that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process. See everything as an experiment, not a result. This way, the result won’t seem to matter as much as the actual experience you’re having. One of my favorite entrepreneurs and content creators of all time, Gary Vaynerchuck, AKA @Garyvee, always says “done is better than perfect”. There is a lot of depth in that statement. It doesn’t mean that you don’t want things to be done as best as they can be, it’s about not being paralyzed by your perfectionism and getting things moving forward. You can always grow your wings on the way down as you take that leap of faith. Remember also that life is a dynamic experience, ever evolving, ever changing and it’s more valuable for you to absorb the experience than to try and control its outcome. Imposter syndrome Imposter syndrome is the belief that you're a fraud, that you don't deserve your success, and that at any moment, you'll be exposed as a fraud. It's a common confidence killer, particularly among high achievers. To overcome imposter syndrome, it's important to recognize that everyone experiences self-doubt from time to time. You're not alone. It's also important to acknowledge your accomplishments and give yourself credit for your hard work and achievements. And remember, no one knows everything. It's okay to ask for help or admit when you don't know something. Comparisonitis Comparisonitis is the habit of constantly comparing yourself to others, usually unfavorably. It's a confidence killer because it can make you feel inadequate and inferior to those around you. To overcome comparisonitis, it's important to focus on your own journey, not someone else's. Set your own goals and measure your progress against yourself, not others. And remember that everyone has their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Instead of comparing yourself to others, celebrate your own strengths and work on improving your life on your own terms. Confidence killers can be sneaky, and they can hold you back from achieving your full potential. But with some self-awareness and practical strategies, you can overcome them and create a more positive, self-affirming mindset. Remember, negative self-talk, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and comparisonitis are just a few of the many confidence killers out there. But by identifying these habits and mindsets and taking steps to address them, you can start to build a stronger, more resilient sense of self-confidence. So, take some time to reflect on how you've been dealing with your confidence killers. Are there any patterns or habits that are holding you back? What steps can you take to overcome them? And if you want to learn more about building self-confidence, there are plenty of resources out there to help you on your journey. Whether it's self-help books, therapy, podcasts or online courses, there are many ways to gain the tools and support you need to become the confident, self-assured person you were meant to be. So, go out there and tackle your confidence killers head-on. You've got this! Join my community! For more info follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Tiktok, Twitter, and visit my YouTube! Klaude Furlong, Brainz Magazine Guest Writer Klaude Furlong is a self-help author with a unique perspective on life that inspires and motivates her readers to create their own authentic path. Through her insightful and grounded approach, Klaude has become a trusted voice in personal development, with two powerful books currently in the works, "Powerless to Powerful" and "Monetize Your Inner Gold", teaching readers to tap into their inner strength and unlock their full potential. With unwavering dedication to helping others live their best lives, Klaude's words will continue to resonate with readers long after they’ve finished reading her books.

Oksana Matviichuk has spent over 15 years as a marketing strategy executive at top global advertising agencies, with the last six years of dedication to building B2B Brands. Oksana Matviichuk has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a sharp strategic mind. She is known for her ability to identify opportunities, anticipate challenges, and develop innovative solutions to intricate problems. Her success in these areas has earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor and mentor. Strategy had always been her passion, and her extensive experience led her to work with Fortune 500 companies, advising C-Suite decision-makers on strategic marketing. Oksana Matviichuk is the USA ‒ Today bestselling author and was recognized as one of the Top Women Leaders of New York by Women We Admire. She talks about business and marketing strategy, leadership, and women's leadership. For the last five years, she has consistently been featured in Forbes as a contributing expert panelist. Oksana worked with 10+ enterprises, 20+ mid-size companies, and 100+ small businesses and entrepreneurs. In December 2022, she started practicing her pre-patent transformational methodology, "OM Strategy as a Service," for start-ups and midsized companies. In December 2022, Oksana joined OxUA Incubator, supported by the Oxford Ukrainian Society and Oxford University Innovation to empower Ukrainian businesses to flourish in the UK. Oksana Matviichuk, Strategic Forecaster, USA-Today Bestselling Author What inspired you to start your own consulting practice, OM Strategic Forecasting, after a successful career at top advertising agencies? Strategy in today's environment acquires new dimensions and characteristics that require fundamentally new approaches to lead businesses to success. We experienced several severe disruptions over the last several years, and those disruptions have challenged businesses of all sizes to transform as fast as we have never seen before. If in 2019, digital transformation used to be a five-year long-term strategic initiative, COVID-19 demonstrated that two to three weeks is a feasible timeframe. Then, we saw new categories develop and fall. Most rely too heavily on anticipating the future to be much more home-centric. OM Strategic Forecaster offers a new transformational approach, which tightly connects a company's business and marketing strategies and creates resilience and momentum to succeed through the transformation. We believe that the key to success is a dynamic and forward-thinking approach to strategy. We work closely with our clients to understand their unique challenges and goals and then develop customized strategies that are tailored to their specific needs. Our goal is to help businesses achieve long-term success by staying ahead of the curve and adapting quickly to changing market conditions. What sets OM Strategic Forecasting apart from other consulting firms? "OM Strategy as a Service " is a cohesive methodology that takes into account business performance, product, and services portfolio, identifies disruptions of tomorrow, and finds market opportunities to ensure business resilience and sustainability in a time of transformation. We offer flexibility and go beyond strategy development to overseeing successful execution. AI is one of the fundamental transformations the companies have experienced, initiating new quality requirements for the strategy and new dimensions of resilience and sustainability. Our "OM Strategy as a Service" methodology is not just about developing a strategy but also about overseeing the successful execution of that strategy. We take into account various factors such as business performance, product, and services portfolio, and identify potential disruptions that may arise in the future. By doing so, we can help our clients prepare for the challenges ahead and find market opportunities to ensure business resilience and sustainability in a time of transformation. What do you consider the biggest challenge of selling in the B2B environment? Counter-intuitively, I consider leads to be the biggest challenge for B2B. Often, marketers are so preoccupied with the immediate need to get as many leads as possible that they overlook more systemic flaws of the existing business model. For instance, lengthening the sales cycle can be an early indicator of the product's irrelevance or demand and audience change. Finding lead delivery efficiencies should be a low priority if this is the case. What do you think about the impact of AI on today and the future state of the business? I believe that AI will have an impact similar to the effect that production lines had in the past, the only difference being that the transformation will be almost immediate. Many leading companies now incorporate AI in their business processes, and those not on this journey today might face severe challenges in the future. The AI-based transformation also portrays an information poverty gap of the future: unequal access to AI. The impact of AI on businesses is already being felt, and I believe this trend will only accelerate in the future. We need to be proactive in mitigating the negative effects of AI while also embracing the potential benefits it offers. As with any major technological change, there will be winners and losers, and it's up to us to ensure we're on the right side of this transformation. How is AI going to change leadership? Leaders have been playing in the AI field for decades, striving to make well-informed decisions to the best of their ability. Today we have more than enough data for our decision-making processes, and AI is a powerful ally in analyzing different scenarios among the growing amount of data. Today our priorities should evolve. As leaders, we are responsible for ensuring that our decisions adhere to the values of diversity and inclusion, sustainability, integrity, compassion, creativity, acceptance, and equal opportunities. The impact of AI on leadership will depend on how it is used and integrated into our decision-making processes. As leaders, we are responsible for ensuring that AI is leveraged to align with our values and benefit our organizations and society. Follow me on LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Oksana!