Written by: Anael Ivon, 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. Everything we experience leaves an energetic and or emotional imprint that can last a lifetime. Experiences of a negative nature need to be lifted up and out of the person and transmuted! That is what I do to liberate clients from the trauma and the recurring thoughts that embed the traumatic experience even deeper. It isn’t enough to talk about it over and over again. These things need to be released and transmuted from the body, mind and energy field of the person…all levels of one’s being. In addition, there are ancient transmission lines and energy grids of our past that continue on to affect the lives we live today. Whether or not you want them, they just keep coming back as programs hidden deep within your unconscious mind (the place where negative beliefs & thought loops lie). On top of that, the average person spends the majority of their day in front of some form of screen. Whether it be the television, internet, or social media, our exposure to negative frequencies and energy waves is significantly higher than ever before. These frequencies and waves can have a negative impact on our mood, emotions, and overall well-being. One way that these negative frequencies and energy waves can enter our homes is through the TV. Television programming is often filled with violence, fear-mongering, and negativity. This can have a negative impact on our thoughts and emotions. The same is true for the internet. There are many websites and articles that are designed to invoke fear and anxiety. Social media can also be a source of negativity. We are constantly bombarded with images and posts that are intended to make us feel bad about ourselves. By letting go of limiting thoughts and clearing blocks, you make space to receive your good. This is why it's so powerful to release negative thought loops into the cosmos. Letting them go doesn't make you weak; it makes you even stronger than before! The more you give up resistance, the more energy you have to create what you want in your life. But…how do we give up and release resistance so that we are free to create what we want? There are quite a few modalities that give you temporary relief in our physical lives, however they keep looping through our consciousness from that which is unseen. My Spirit Teams of Incorruptible High Light and Love access these programs and frequencies through their advanced spiritual technology. They use their technologies providing relief from programming we come into the world with. They know how to access these programs and have the authority and jurisdiction to release them and rewire your consciousness with your approval and direction to support your choices in your life and help bring the changes about. Anael Ivon, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Anael Ivon is a Spiritual Mentor, Intuitive, and Channel who has walked the path of awakening for over two decades. Anael has worked for some of the world’s most prestigious companies as well as becoming Internationally Board Certified by the International Board of Coaches and Practitioners (IBCP), in different areas of human consciousness. Anael's life was changed by a series of events that led to her deeper understanding of the power we all hold within us. Anael now uses her unique blend of spirituality, psychology, and quantum physics in her work as a Spiritual Mentor, Coach and Channel, helping individuals heal themselves on a deeper level and tap into their power to create the life they desire.

Written by: Kosta Telegadas, 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. Tempo training is a valuable tool for strength and conditioning professionals to improve the performance of their athletes. This method involves manipulating the tempo, or speed, at which an exercise is performed to increase the intensity and difficulty of the movement. Utilizing tempo training can provide a variety of benefits, including improved muscle strength and endurance, increased muscle activation, and enhanced hypertrophy. Reason No.1 One key advantage of tempo training is its ability to increase muscle strength. By slowing down the tempo of an exercise, more time is spent under tension, which can lead to greater gains in strength. For example, performing a bench press with a tempo of 5 seconds on the eccentric (lowering) phase, a 2-second pause at the bottom, and a 1-second concentric (lifting) phase can challenge the muscles more than a traditional bench press at a faster tempo. Research has shown that a tempo of 2-3 seconds on the eccentric phase can lead to significant increases in strength compared to traditional lifting. Reason No.2 Another benefit of tempo training is its ability to increase muscle activation. By slowing down the tempo and performing each phase of an exercise with control, more muscle fibers are recruited, leading to greater muscle activation. This increased activation can lead to improved overall muscle endurance and hypertrophy. For example, performing a squat with a 3-second eccentric phase and a 1-second concentric phase can lead to increased muscle activation in the quadriceps and glutes, which are the primary muscles involved in the squat. Reason No.3 Tempo training can also be used to enhance hypertrophy or muscle growth. By increasing time under tension, the muscles are subjected to greater stress, which can lead to increased muscle fiber size and density. A common tempo for hypertrophy training is 4 seconds on the eccentric phase, a 1-2 second pause, and a 1-2 second concentric phase. By using this tempo, more metabolic stress is created, which can lead to greater muscle growth. How to Apply Volume & Intensity: When utilizing tempo training, it is important to consider the percentages of 1 rep max, sets, and reps. The appropriate percentage of 1 rep max will depend on the specific goal of the training. For strength training, a higher percentage of 1 rep max, such as 80-88%, may be used, while hypertrophy training may use a lower percentage, such as 60-70%. Sets and reps should also be adjusted based on the desired outcome. For example, lower reps (2-5) with longer rest periods are typically used for strength training, while higher reps (6-10) with shorter rest periods are typically used for hypertrophy. Example 1: Strength Gains (3 Week Wave – Lower Body Back Squat Example – Eccentric Only) Week 1: Back Squat – 4x3 (5 seconds down) @82.5% Week 2: Back Squat – 4x4 (5 seconds down) @82.5% Week 3: Back Squat – 5x2 (5 seconds down) @87.5% Example 2: Hypertrophy Gains (3 Week Wave – Upper Body Bench Press Example – Eccentric Only) Week 1: Bench – 3x8 (5 seconds down) @62.5% Week 2: Bench – 4x8 (5 seconds down) @62.5% Week 3: Bench – 4x6 (5 seconds down) @68.5% Special Considerations: As with any training program, there are always some special considerations: Consideration No.1 Total Time Under Tension The first consideration is the total time under tension. In my own personal experience, if the total time under tension per set exceeds 30 seconds, then strength gains will start to diminish. Now this applies only to higher-level intermediate, advanced & elite athletes. Beginner, novice & low/mid-level intermediate tenured athletes can still benefit from the total time under tension per set being slightly over 30 seconds. Consideration No.2 Recovery The second consideration is understanding recovery. For both strength and hypertrophy adaptations, the human body requires around 8 hours of sleep per night and a well-balanced diet to increase overall performance in both of these categories. Sleep allows the central nervous system to recover from the higher intensity or high-volume training sessions, while diet allows the body to repair the micro-tears on the muscle tissue at a faster rate. I am not a dietitian, so make sure to consulate a registered dietitian if you believe diet to be a real issue. Conclusion: In conclusion, utilizing tempo training is an effective strategy for strength and conditioning professionals to improve the performance of their athletes. This method can lead to increased muscle strength, activation, and hypertrophy. By manipulating the tempo, the muscles are subjected to greater stress, which can lead to greater gains in performance and adaptations. Proper percentages of 1 rep max, sets, and reps should be considered to achieve the desired outcomes of strength or hypertrophy. Make sure to take into consideration diet, sleep & overall recovery for the maximal effect of training to enhance overall adaptations. As always, please feel free to reach out to me directly on Instagram or through my coaching email. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Kosta! Kosta Telegadas, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Kosta Telegadas is a leader in the strength and conditioning for tactical athletes and martial artists all over the world. He found physical training as a necessity to grow up playing sports, help prevent injury & give back to the country that gave his family so much over the generations. Coach Telegadas has a Master's Degree from the University of Miami (FL) and over 7 years of coaching experience with both professional, college, high school & tactical athletes. He is currently the Head Coach/CEO of Telegadas Performance Training and dedicates his time to make physical training programs & remote coaching accessible to all. His mission: If you stay ready, you never have to get ready! References: Biagioli, B. (2015). Advanced Concepts of Strength and Conditioning Dietz, C. Petereson, B. (2012). Triphasic Training: A Systematic Approach to Elite Speed and Explosive Strength Performance Dietz, C. Van Dyke, M. (2016). Triphasic Training Tactical Manual Verkoshansky, Y. (2003). Supertraining

Written by: Tanja Bogataj, M.Sc., 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 have 3 questions for you. How impactful are you on your average day? How impactful are you while being in your best state, and giving your best? How impactful are you when you are resisting change? Now imagine your most powerful version of yourself and one almost impossible dream/wish/vision/goal that you have or can imagine for yourself. Now think how you could make this vision a reality. Just give yourself a few moments. While imagining, you tap into your inner power. You first tap into your power for change, and then you tap into the power of leadership. Now see the magic revealing in front of your eyes. In this article, I guide and accompany you into your world of change to explore how you can create the momentum for change, use leadership, and use 3 x 3 ways to lift up and level up to increase impact. If you choose to get equipped and guided for your changes in a faster and impactful way, feel free to connect for your LIFT UP and/ or to find the powerforchange.world. 1. Creating momentum for change and growth Our increased awareness and knowledge about new challenges, and our obligation to think and act globally and locally, are demanding new approaches, especially in leadership, participation, and collaboration. This offers a new possibility, and an opportunity for all of us to make a change, and to be actively engaged in change-making process/-es. If we look at our power or potential powerlessness from this perspective, we can realize a huge potential in each one of us individually, and in all of us together as a collective, personally and professionally. We just need to unlock this potential and know how to use it. This means change, and for change to happen in the desired way we need leadership. For the purpose of this article I’m choosing the definition of a leader by Brené Brown from her book Dare to Lead (2018:4). She defines a ‘leader’ to be anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes, and who has the courage to develop that potential. Patti Johnson in her book Make waves (2014:18) identifies five common obstacles that keep us from being the one who starts the change at work and in life): fear of being wrong, being inadequate, or hurting our standing; lack of accountability ‒ the unspoken belief that someone else will do it; assumptions about what!s important and what will work; procrastination, which delays action; and perfectionism, which makes us feel we are never ready. According to John C. Maxwell (2011:260), change occurs in people’s lives when they hurt enough that they have to, learn enough that they want to, and/or receive enough that they are able to. For further inspiration, empowerment, and daily practice to find and develop the potential for change and growth, feel free I share in the following an open invitation to (re)visit a set of Mind-stretching sessions I've co-created for self-leadership and leadership with invited guests on selected topics: Change, Changing and Leadership ThroughChange video (duration 23:23); Confidence and Scalingup video (duration 50:57); Confidence, Communication and Performance video (duration 54:57); Happiness at work video (duration 49:17); Staying driven and reaching your potential video (duration 36:33). “Momentum provides the energy for needed change.” ‒ John C. Maxwell 2. Leading the process of creating the change and directing the growth As John C. Maxwell says, change is inevitable, growth is an option. It’s a leadership challenge how to create change and how to direct growth. This, in turn, requires movement that is integrated into moving from one to another level of leadership. Within each level, and moving up to the next level, there’s a potential for a change and growth. Let us shortly go through the 5 levels of leadership according to Maxwell (2011): First level “Position” - This level is characterized by people following the leader because they have to, and follow only within the framework of the authority that such leader has. People only do what they are told. This level of leadership operates on the leader's right to demand. The only influence a positional leader has, is that which pertains to the title. Maxwell says that people who operate only at this level can only be bosses, but they are not leaders. He also says that this is the only level that does not require the ability and some effort from the leader to achieve the result. Second level “Permission” - This level is where people follow the leader because they want to, and where leadership is based on relationships. A leader wants to get to know his people and find out how he can get along well with them, thereby developing influence and trust. At this level, Maxwell says, it turns out that you can love people without leading them, but you can't lead people well without loving them. Third level “Production” - People at this level follow the leader based on what the leader has done for the organization. The difference between second and third-level leadership is that good leaders not only want to create a good work environment, they also want to get the job done. The key element at this level is result. At this level, leaders can become agents of change. Fourth level “People Development” -This level is where you expand your influence and impact by helping other individual leaders advance. At this level, people follow the leader based on what the leader has done for them. Leaders at this level use their position, relationships, and productivity to invest in their followers and develop them into leaders. At this level, leaders develop themselves. Fifth level “Pinnacle” - It is believed that the greatest achievement of leadership is developing other leaders to become leaders at the fourth level. This level requires not only adequate effort, skill and intention, but also a high level of talent. Maxwell says that only naturally talented leaders reach this highest level, and that level-five leaders develop level-five organizations. These leaders create opportunities that leaders at other levels don’t. They create a legacy in and with what they do. It’s a self-leadership and leadership challenge how to navigate and move within, and from one to another leadership level. However, you don’t move through these levels alone. Every time you lead different people you start this process again from Level 1. The good thing is that, if you’ve already led for example on Level 3 or Level 4, you know how to move up these levels much quickly than the previous time. Let’s take this further, and link it to how you can actively create the conditions for a change, lead the change, and expand the impact. “The world hates change, yet it is the only thing that has brought progress.” ‒ Charles Kettering 3. 3 x 3 Way to life up & level up to increase impact To lift up and level up by using the power for change effectively we need to work with our assumptions and other obstacles which limit our power for change, and leadership through the change. As Bob Proctor said, “Either you are increasing or decreasing.” It’s your choice which way you’re going. Let’s do it in upwards, a 3 x 3 way: Prepare a strategy and action plan using these 3 ‘How’ questions as a framework: How are you identifying and using the potential for change and growth? How are you taking the responsibility to find a potential in people and processes to change and grow? How are you expressing the courage to develop the potential for change and growth? Use these 3 clarity guidelines: Get clear on ‘why’ you want to make/be a part of a change. Know your why, and why not. Find your idea partners to co-create together. Equip and empower yourself and your tribe to sustain the journey. Get clear on how you can best lead yourself/others through the change. Keep it simple to act, engage, and improve. Get clear on ‘where’, ‘how’ and ‘in what way’ you’ll best use your power for change. Choose from 3 roles and ways to best serve the process of change as needed to increase impact: Game-Changer - This role and way is referring to an idea, event, or procedure that effects a significant change/shift in the current way of thinking or doing something. As a game-changer you question/disrupt a thought, belief, feeling, behaviour, attitude, and action pattern/-s; you challenge a choice and decision-making procedures and processes; you use your power of imagination, creativity, and action to make a change. Catalyst for Change - For a change to happen, we need a catalyst ‒ something that spurs the change. This role and way refers to someone who asks a question that challenges the status quo; who offers a different perspective and reframing on things/doing things in a certain way; who provides and/or guides people through an experience of change by trying out something new or different; who conducts and/or creates a new conversation that breaks the old patterns, and creates an opportunity for a new knowledge or development. It demands the courage to step into the unknown, use the catalyst- voice/power/idea, etc. to create the possibility, and engage others into this possibility to make it a reality. Change Leader (or ‘Wave Maker’ by Johnson, ‘Agent of Change’ by Maxwell, etc.) - This role and way refer to someone who has the courage to develop the potential for change and growth; who starts and leads the change and others through the change; who takes responsibility for making decisions and initiating changes needed for the team/organization to succeed. It’s the one who’s always on the lookout for ways to improve leadership, team, initiative, and process itself. Ready to use your power for change and leadership to LIFT UP? Feel free to connect if you’re curious and want to expand your impact. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Tanja! Tanja Bogataj, M.Sc., Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Tanja Bogataj, M.Sc. (www.tanjabogataj.com | tanjabogatajcoaching@gmail.com) is a Leadership Coach and Consultant, Founder of the be powerful and free® approach, Host of be powerful and free Platform, Founder and CEO of the Power for Change Institute. Tanja’s motto “In the world where you can be anything, choose to be powerful and free while making a difference”. Sources and References: Brené Brown, Dare to lead, Penguin Random House UK, 2018; John C. Maxwell,5 Levels of Leadership, Center Street New York, Boston, Nashville, 2013; Patti Johnson, Make waves, Be the One to Start Change at Work and in Life, Bibliomotion, 2014; Tanja Bogataj, Leadership in the light of power and service, published article (in Slovenian) on Tax-Fin-Lex portal, 2018; Tanja Bogataj, How to lead yourself in challenging times, published article in BusinessFit Magazine, May 2022; Tanja Bogataj Mind-stretching session “Change & Grow or not to?”, TBC be powerful and free YouTube Channel, 2022; “Confidence to Scale UP" Mind-stretching session with Tineke Rensen, TBC be powerful and free YouTube Channel, 2022; “Confidence & Tool-kit to Shine on Stage” Mind-stretching session with HarrietBratt, TBC be powerful and free YouTube Channel, 2022; “How to Be Happy at Work by Choice" Mind-stretching session with Loubna Zarrou, TBC be powerful and free YouTube Channel, 2022; “Secrets to staying driven and reaching your potential” Mind-stretching session with Divya Mittal, TBC be powerful and free YouTube Channel, 2023;

Written by: Marguerite Thibodeaux, 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. Many new managers get inundated with a wave of new meeting requests along with their new titles. Some of these meetings feel productive, some don't. Some of the ones that should be critically productive don’t turn out to be (like one-on-ones) and suffer deprioritization for it. In this article, I want to share with you the five meetings every manager needs and how to set them up in a way that will save you hours every week rather than drain precious time. Ultimately, your purpose as a manager is to help your team to succeed. One of the core ways any leader does that is by getting the right information to the right people at the right time. That means you need regular, reliable channels to get the information you need and then share that information back out to the right people. If you set up these five meetings correctly and stick with them, you'll have recurring high-ROI time investments each week to set yourself and your team up for success. 1. Stand-Ups A stand-up is a short, 15-20 minute meeting for project and backlog status updates. There should be a tool that helps you visually organize things quickly and easily. Each person’s update should be no longer than, “Here's where I'm at. Here’s a challenge I'm having (if any).”If that challenge can be resolved in a quick 1-2 minute discussion, tackle it. If it's going to be a longer discussion, then add that to an ad hoc, offline conversation or your following one-on-one. Within minutes, you know what is going on which each deliverable on your team and have a plan to tackle any obstacles currently blocking progress. Another added benefit of the stand-up is not just for you to get the information you need but also an opportunity for everybody else on the team to hear, too. In case there's an emergency, everybody is generally up-to-date and can jump in to help. It also provides you an opportunity to build trust with your team. You also need to give status updates. This provides a crucial ingredient for trust: a window into how you spend your time. Often, teams mistrust their managers, because they don’t understand what their leaders spend all day doing behind closed doors in meetings. Share the projects you are working on and the work you are doing to advocate for and support them. 2. Team Meeting Team meetings provide a place for your team to come together as a whole, celebrate wins, share new learnings, and get team-wide updates together. I recommend a weekly cadence, especially for remote teams who rarely, if ever, otherwise get the chance to all connect at the same time. Create a standing agenda to keep preparation to a minimum, reinforce key team culture norms, and ensure a high return on time invested. For a previous team that I intentionally cultivated a highly collaborative, highly iterative, highly inclusive culture, I set the following team meeting agenda. Feel free to adapt to fit your own target tea culture. Sample Team Meeting Agenda Welcome: About 5 minutes for social chatting at the top of the hour Shout Outs: 5-10 minutes for teammates to share recognition and appreciation for each other or partner teams, elevating each other and providing implicit feedback on how best to engage each other and partner teams successfully. As a leader, I consciously tried to shout out to each team member at least once a month to lead by example and ensure each teammate knew they were appreciated. Coming Soon: 5 minutes for coming key dates such as project milestones, organizational deadlines like annual reviews, and birthdays, and heads up about coming out-of-office time for teammates to flag that they’ll be unavailable. Team-Wide Updates: About 15-30 minutes to share any news that impacts the entire team. This could be system updates, process reminders, organizational updates, announcements, or a monthly review of time priorities and highlight any recent changes, which I highly recommend. Learning/Connecting: 15-30 minutes to share learnings or connect. Teammates can request others share insights about key projects they’re working on or unique expertise they have. Teammates can demo new tools they’ve found helpful or share learnings from recently attended conferences. You could also do a quick team-building activity like Guess Who or a quick trivia game. After leading the team meeting yourself for several weeks, delegate by rotating who owns the meeting and have the meeting owner prepare the materials. 3. One-on-Ones Invest in one-on-one time with each teammate every week. Hold this space sacred and you will both learn to rely on it as a thoughtful touchpoint to build trust and minimize ad hoc Slack and email requests throughout the week that interrupt the flow and reduce both your productivity. The intention is to provide your undivided attention for discussion, not rehashing the project updates you already shared in stand-up. This is dedicated time for the two of you, so as long as the meeting focuses on discussion, topicscan span projects, office politics, and professional development to personal updates and concerns. To facilitate these conversations, I recommend having a single source of truth, running notes document both of you can add to and access at any time. This should include a Professional Development Plan that gets referenced at least once a quarter to support your teammate’s development. Here’s a sample template to get you started. 4. Connection Point with Your Leadership Part of getting the right information to the right people is sharing information up the ladder. In these meetings, you're giving status updates on your team’s projects, the impact of those projects, and any help needed to address challenges in delivering those projects. Ideally, you get this face time with senior leaders weekly. If not, at least touch base with your own direct manager in a weekly one-on-one or email update. It's very easy for any leader - your leaders included - to accidentally take teams for granted if things are running smoothly. Out of sight, out of mind. Staying top of mind keeps both your team and you appreciated, appropriately resourced, and more likely to receive the promotions they deserve. 5. Connection Point with Your Peers You also need to carve time to talk to your peers, and the leaders of other teams that your team works with regularly. Being up-to-date with what's going on in their world, their priorities, their projects, and their systems provide you context to help your team get work done. Friction between groups is often about processes or team priorities that don't align. Whether it's a regular one-on-one with each peer or a bi-weekly group check-in, invest the time to build those relationships and context outside specific deliverables before something difficult happens. Ask, “How can I help you and your team succeed?” and share how they can do the same for your team. Even with a team of five direct reports, holding all of these meetings every week takes less than 20% of a 40-hour work week. That 20% investment unlocks the other 80% for truly meaningful work, rather than feeling like you have to wait until after hours to do your “real job”. Want to start using your time more effectively but not sure where to start? Click here to snag a free 30-minute session with the author. Every leader deserves support. About the Author: Marguerite Thibodeaux is an executive coach and talent management consultant dedicated to changing our relationship with work. Work should be a place where each of us gets to enjoy the challenge of contributing to something bigger than oneself. She focuses on helping leaders at all levels create habits, skills, and environments that empower teams to thrive. Every leader deserves support. Follow her on LinkedIn for leadership tips and discussions. Check out her website for free leadership resources like a Professional Development Roadmapping Worksheet and Attrition Risk Matrix. Want one-on-one adapting these strategies to your team? Book a complimentary call with Marguerite. Every leader deserves support Follow me on LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Marguerite! Marguerite Thibodeaux, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Marguerite Thibodeaux, a leadership coach, and talent management consultant, helps leaders and organizations bring the best out of people with courage, compassion, and clarity. After building development programs and leading a talent transformation at a Fortune 100, she became increasingly aware that not all leaders had access to a Fortune 100 Learning & Development team. To do something about that, she started Magnanimous Leadership, a leadership coaching and consulting firm that's on a mission to make resources and support available to every leader.

Written by: Phan Thi Quynh Trang, 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. Vietnamese people have a long tradition of studiousness. Throughout history, learning and acquiring knowledge have been encouraged according to "village rules" and "country rules". This tradition of studiousness also refers to the belief that learning is a top priority. This is because learning is continuously accumulating, learning, and overcoming difficulties in order to acquire knowledge over the course of many generations. Additionally, this promotes self-study: gaining knowledge from books and from life in accordance with the principle of "learning by doing". It is clear that a person who is eager to learn will always strive to apply the theories he has studied in school, in books, to real life, or be willing to experience new things so as to learn more practical knowledge that cannot be found in books. Vietnamese people in modern times always strive to preserve and promote the studious tradition of their forefathers. As a result, they are always trying to expand their knowledge, moving forward, and absorbing the new to improve the old. They have won major academic and cultural awards, as well as international recognition and appreciation for their inventions and research. In today's article, we will meet with educator Trang Phan ‒ a small Vietnamese who is honored to receive the award of 10 most influential edupreneur of 2023 voted by The Education View US magazine. Her passion for ESL teaching and training has always driven her to share it with her colleagues across the country. It is always Ms. Trang's goal to provide quality lectures and to care for her students. Besides being enthusiastic, Trang is dedicated to her job, imaginative, creative, and compassionate. Theoretical and practical skills are both strengths of hers. As a descendant of the Nguyen family of the 2nd, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd sects, Hoang Loc, Hoang Hoa, and Thanh Hoa ‒ descendants of Thai Bao and Su Lo, Trang Phan is very proud of his heritage. As descendants of Nguyen Toc who were born and raised in Hoang Loc commune, Thanh district, they have carried on the religious tradition, achieved the rank of mandarin, and preserved historical documents. More than one hundred years ago, the Great Ton NGUYEN THAI BAO ancestral church, belonging to the second, first, second, and third sects, was founded. Mr. Huan Dao's student, Nong Tuong, was the 13th generation of the Nguyen family to build the old monument of this church. Through many generations of ups and downs, the descendants restored and embellished until the 17th generation. During the Dong Son cultural period, Hoang Loc commune (formerly known as Ke Vut) was formed and developed. According to legend, this area resembles a square commune, so some people believe that the road from Nguyet Vien (Hoang Quang commune) to the village looks like a pen dipping in ink. As a result, this place has become a prestigious "study land". Throughout the history of Hoang Loc commune, the Sinology department has produced 12 doctoral candidates, seven of whom are etched on the Doctor's stele at the Temple of Literature (Hanoi). There are about 200 peacocks and bachelors. About 137 students passed the test, baccalaureate and equivalent. In addition, Hoang Loc commune also has a large contingent of Confucian students. This is an influential force contributing to the development of education and culture in the homeland and the country. Like Nguyen Trung Luong, the first generation, he was conferred the title of Thai Bao by King Le; Mr. Nguyen Khue Don Man (7th generation) is famous for being an honest Mandarin; Nguyen Cuong Nghi (in his generation, was trusted and loved by the people, respected by the king and mandarins... Special: Nguyen Van Dat / Nguyen Su Lo (second generation), Mr. Nguyen Van Nguyen/Nguyen Thu (3rd generation ‒ the son of Mr. Su Lo), The name of Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Huyen's father, a Confucian scholar Minh Do, and the names of his grandfathers, Dinh Nguyen Hoang and Nguyen Thu, appear on the epitaph of Doctor ‒ Temple of Literature Quoc Tu Giam (Thang Long/Hanoi) . Turns out are the epitaphs: Epitaph No. 15 - Khoa Giap Dan year 1554. Epitaph No. 23 - Khoa Mau Tuat in 1598. Epitaph No. 62 - Khoa Tan Suu in 1721. (Excerpt from Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities Van Mieu, Quoc Tu Giam) Among the doctors whose stone stele is preserved in the Temple of Literature, Mr. Su Lo is the second great-grandfather, who is also the one from whom many memorable anecdotes have been handed down. In the sixteenth century, in Hoang Loc commune, Hoang Hoa district, Thanh Hoa province, there was a very special "classroom". A stone slab sits there with a teacher ready to answer all questions for those who are studious, love words, and like to discuss culture and politics with Confucianists. That is Nguyen Su Lo ‒ whose name is engraved on the Doctor's epitaph at Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam (Thang Long ‒ Hanoi). That anecdote was passed down from generation to generation. At that time, Nguyen Su Lo used to bring books to read by the roadside. Whenever anyone asked questions, he would respond and explain. As the old man sat on the stone, he drew words on the ground with a stick. Morning, noon, afternoon, evening, always crowded with people listening and loving him. Gradually, it becomes a custom. He calmly said, "Students must attend school and follow the method." How many people in the world can't get to school, don't have classes? And there's also a lot to learn outside of school. The classroom in the middle of the road is also a classroom.” From then on, folks called him Grandpa Su Lo (the teacher who taught letters by the roadside). In honor of the teacher's contribution to home education, the stone he used to teach is still kept on the campus of Bang Mon Dinh to this day. The Thanh Hoa magazine reported: "Through a brief biography and anecdotes that still circulate among many people, Nguyen Su Lo has become a unique cultural icon. Similar people and things have not been found in the whole country, so this case is rare in history." Indeed, he has combined teaching between theory and practice, between books and everyday life, between traditional classrooms and outdoor classes to teach students. He used his initiative as an educational tool. Through this method he passed on to the people the tradition of studiousness. He hoped that all the poor would be able to get an education, take exams, and contribute their talents to help the king rule the country. His precious heart and talent deserve to be remembered for all eternity. The stone slab and Nguyen Su Lo's name have become a symbol of learning in Hoang Loc. They are now kept in Ban Mon Dinh, the community house of Thanh Hoang village. Hoang Loc. The ancestral church of the Great Venerable Nguyen Thai Bao, belonging to the second, third, and fourth sects, has been restored and embellished as a place for descendants to pay homage and remember their ancestors. By following the rich tradition of the family's studious tradition, taking Taoism as a way of life, cultivating oneself, maintaining the family home and making peace with the world, children and grandchildren add pride to their family and homeland so they can follow the example of their ancestors. As ancestors, we should self-consciously rise up, cultivate patriotism, love the people, and take responsibility by studying, training, establishing ourselves, and establishing a career worthy of the family we come from. Trang Phan has continued to learn and improve his knowledge and skills in the tradition of his father. Additionally, she is a pioneering educator in the field of technology education. From May 2021, she has provided solutions, product advice, as well as practical experience on various technology teaching platforms to large domestic and foreign edtech enterprises. The major edtech units that Trang participates in consulting and community building can be referred to as Twinkl (British Educational Materials Publishing House); ClassIn (Top 50 best teaching platforms in the world); Elsa Speak (English learning software); Flyer.vn (International certification exam preparation platform); Easy Class (K-12 English learning app); Babilala (English learning software). She is also a pioneer in introducing the concept of entrepreneurship to the Vietnamese teacher community. A new challenge worth tackling is motivating educators to realize their value, stay current, and broaden their horizons for the sustainable development of educational technology. With his expertise on products and the next 5 years of education vision, Page has made significant contributions to the community, and to educational technology businesses. Follow me on Facebook, YouTube, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Phan! Phan Thi Quynh Trang, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Teaching and training ESL has always been my passion, and I am dedicated to contributing to the success of others. I am enthusiastic, creative and caring, proficient in theory and practical application, and always strive to provide quality lectures and provide quality care to my students. During the Covid 19 pandemic, I realized I needed to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. The only option I had at that time was to either lose everything or to continue on the educational career path that I had chosen. However, I had to continue in a completely different direction. And I realized that Technology has made it possible for educators to connect with audiences and share their expertise in seemingly unlimited ways. Since I have expertise in teaching, I can apply products to teaching and point out the weaknesses of manufacturers. Through my contribution to educational technology units in the country, I discovered that the educational entrepreneur creates positive value change using economic resources named "studying". A new challenge worth taking on is motivating educators to realize their value, stay current, and broaden their horizons for the sustainable development of the educational technology industry. "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

Written by: Jason 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. Unlock the full potential of your business with diversity and inclusion. From better decision-making to increased innovation and financial performance, discover how embracing diversity and inclusion can drive success in leadership and the workplace. Join the movement towards a more inclusive and innovative business world. Diversity and inclusion have become critical components of modern business success. With the rapidly changing landscape of the global economy, companies recognize the importance of creating a diverse and inclusive workplace culture that values and respects differences among employees. This shift in thinking is being driven by a growing body of research that shows the positive impact of diversity and inclusion on leadership and business success. Leadership is a critical factor in a company's success. Leaders set the tone for the organization and influence employee behavior. A diverse and inclusive leadership team brings different perspectives, experiences, and ideas, which can lead to more innovative and effective decision-making. Diverse leaders can challenge the status quo, ask different questions, and bring unique solutions to the table, leading to better outcomes for the organization. Shelby Jo Long, my senior vice president at the Strategic Advisor Board, has helped us grow tremendously in this area. In addition, a diverse and inclusive leadership team can help companies better understand and address the needs of a diverse customer base. In today's global economy, companies need to engage with customers from diverse backgrounds. A leadership team that reflects the diversity of the customer base can better understand customer needs and tailor products and services accordingly. This can lead to higher customer loyalty and a better brand reputation. However, achieving diversity and inclusion in leadership positions isn't always easy. In the business world, certain groups, such as women and people of color, are underrepresented in leadership positions. To redress this imbalance, companies must proactively recruit and promote diverse candidates. This can include diversity and inclusion initiatives, mentorship programs, and unconscious bias training for executives and managers. Diversity and inclusion impact, not only leadership, but also the overall success of an organization. Research has shown that diverse and inclusive teams are more likely to innovate and succeed than homogeneous teams. This is because diverse teams bring a wider range of perspectives, experiences and ideas to problem-solving, resulting in more creative and effective solutions. Diverse teams can provide a competitive advantage, leading to increased market share and improved financial performance. In addition, diverse and inclusive teams are more likely to be engaged and motivated, leading to higher productivity and employee satisfaction. A positive workplace culture that values and respects diversity can also improve employee morale and lead to lower turnover and absenteeism. This can lead to cost savings for the company and better financial performance. However, to reap the benefits of diversity and inclusion, companies mustn't only hire a diverse workforce. They also need to create a workplace culture that values and respects differences, encourages employee development and growth, and provides equal opportunities for all employees. This can include implementing flexible work arrangements, promoting diversity and inclusion training, and establishing employee groups. Employee groups can provide a supportive network for employees from underrepresented groups to interact with others who share similar experiences and perspectives. Diversity and inclusion can also have a positive impact on the bottom line. Companies with diverse and inclusive cultures are more likely to attract and keep top talent, leading to better financial performance. In addition, companies with diverse and inclusive cultures are more likely to be seen as responsible citizens, which improves their reputation and attracts more customers. Diversity and inclusion are critical components of leadership and business success. A diverse and inclusive leadership team can bring new perspectives, experiences, and ideas to decision-making, leading to more innovative and effective solutions. In addition, a diverse and inclusive workplace culture can improve employee morale, engagement, and productivity, which leads to better financial performance. Companies that embrace diversity and inclusion are well positioned to succeed in today's global economy. However, achieving diversity and inclusion isn't a one-time event. It requires ongoing effort and commitment from leaders and employees alike. Companies must continually review their diversity and inclusion efforts and make changes as needed to ensure they're creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all employees. This may include challenging long-held assumptions and biases and encouraging open and honest discussions about diversity and inclusion. Companies must also be willing to invest in diversity and inclusion initiatives and training programs and provide resources for employee groups. This includes giving employees from underrepresented groups the opportunity to network, attend conferences and workshops, and take advantage of mentoring and leadership development programs. Finally, companies must hold themselves accountable for their diversity and inclusion efforts. This includes setting diversity and inclusion goals, measuring progress regularly, and making data and results public. Companies can also seek external support from consultants, organizations, and experts to develop and implement effective diversity and inclusion strategies. In today's rapidly changing business environment, companies must constantly adapt and develop to remain competitive. Promoting diversity and inclusion is one way companies can stay ahead of the curve and position themselves for long-term success. By valuing and respecting differences, companies can create a positive and inclusive workplace culture that attracts and keeps top talent, improves customer relationships, and drives business success. In summary, the impact of diversity and inclusion on leadership and business success cannot be overstated. Companies that embrace diversity and inclusion are better positioned to succeed in today's global economy and can create a workplace culture that is supportive, inclusive and values differences among employees. By continually assessing and improving their diversity and inclusion efforts, companies can stay ahead of the curve and position themselves for long-term success. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Jason Miller!   Jason Miller, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jason is a seasoned CEO with overwhelming passion to help other business owners and CEO’s succeed. He was nicknamed Jason “The Bull” Miller because he takes no BS and no excuses from the people he serves. He has mentored thousands of people over 2+ decades. Jason major strengths are in Project Management, Hyper Company Growth, Scaling and Strategic & Operational implementation. Jason has built several companies of his own from the ground up since 2001.

Written by: Susan Francis, 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. The best ideas, the most explosive growth, or the one decision that will completely transform your business trajectory and income won’t come from logic. Knowledge of what has worked in the past, common sense and statistics can help us in business up to a point, but it’s your intuition that is your true superpower. There is a famous quote by Albert Einstein I love “ No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it” When you’re focused on the problem, trying to figure out what to do next, wondering what you're doing wrong, or what needs to shift for next level growth, you are operating in the consciousness of the problem, not the solution. Instead, when you learn how to align your energy with the end goal, to tap into the feeling of it already being done, when you can access a new level of consciousness; then you activate your superpower… your intuition. We are always being guided. Whether you think of it as your higher self, your inner being, your soul, your consciousness or god; there is a power beyond your logical mind that you have access to. This power has the direct guidance to take you rapidly into your most abundant expansion, no matter what is happening right now. Things can shift so quickly it will blow your mind. Your logical mind is limited. It only knows what it has learnt up until this point, or what has happened in the past. It can’t see its true potential. It can’t see your true limitless nature. If you truly desire to create magic in your business and scale rapidly, then it's time to unlock your intuition. When you unlock your intuitive guidance you receive downloads, ideas, nudges that lead you forward in the most powerful way. The thing with intuition is that it often doesn't make sense, it can be scary, and if you’re not open to receiving and trusting the guidance, then you’ll ignore what it tells you. When I started my business I did what seemed logical, what made sense, and had little to no results. I signed up for high end programs to help me grow my business, and yet I was stuck. It all felt hard. I desired ease, I desired it to feel aligned, I resisted being told that I had to follow someone else’s cookie cutter strategy. I just knew there had to be a better way. I started this entrepreneurial journey for freedom, not to be tied to running a business in a way that felt heavy and draining. When I finally trusted the pull to sign up with a manifestation coach, just a few weeks after just investing $10K in a business program, it didn’t make sense. It was so freaking scary. I was running out of money. It wasn’t logical at all. But it felt right. Something inside me just knew. After struggling for 9 months with no more than $500 a month income in my business, once I signed up with a manifestation coach I had a $5K month, then a $15K month, and the rest is history. That was 3 years ago now. Since then I have developed the muscle of listening to my soul's true desires, aligning energy, and tapping into the intuitive guidance. Even when it’s scary, even when it doesn't make sense. Magic lies in listening to your intuition, in allowing it to guide you, in taking bold crazy actions that you feel pulled to do, even when you can’t see where they are leading. Your intuition is connected directly to your higher self, or your higher consciousness, it is connected to all things. It can see the way, even when your logical brain can’t. It knows the fastest, most joyous way to your most abundant timeline. The truth is, the future is unknown. You are never going to know how your greatest expansion will happen. If you knew how the results were going to come then you'd be repeating the past, because your knowledge and logic only know what you've done before. This is fine if you’re happy to keep repeating more of the same, but if you’re here for magic, for incredible expansion, if you're ready to defy logic, then your intuition knows the way. If you're ready to tap into your most abundant timeline and access your super power you can download my free Quantum Manifestation Guide here. Or listen to my podcast episode No.16 ‒ Trusting your intuition on the Soul Aligned Business Babes Podcast To follow Susan you can find her on Facebook, Instagram, learn more on the website, or listen to the Soul Aligned Business Babes podcast. Read more from Susan! Susan Francis, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Susan Francis is a leading Mindset, Manifestation, and Business Mentor and Coach empowering female entrepreneurs to create more income and impact their soul-aligned businesses. She helps women unlock the truth of who they are, helps them to step into their full power, and teaches them the secrets to taking quantum leaps in their success. She believes life was meant to be easy, to feel good, to flow, and you can create anything you damn well want! With a background in senior management in the fashion industry, she escaped the 9 to 5 hustle after her daughter's birth to follow her passion for helping other women create epic time and financial freedom. Trained in NLP and Time Line Therapy and obsessed with the Law of Attraction, she knows at a very deep level that everything is an inside job, and as she helps clients make shifts in their mindset, and energy they become magnetic to their dream lives and business success.

Written by: Mei Flynn, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. A holistic coach is a qualified professional who uses a combination of psychology and a spiritual approach to assist clients on their journey of personal and spiritual growth. This can be applied to any area of life such as relationships, careers, health, money, etc. A holistic coach can help people identify what is holding them back to find inner peace, joy, and fulfilment in their lives. Benefits of working with a Holistic Coach A holistic coach knows that everyone is unique and that the same approach may not work for everyone. It is, therefore, important to connect initially to see how we can work together and to understand how this style of coaching works. Working with a holistic coach can be beneficial in different ways: By creating a safe space of trust where you feel safe to open up and share By allowing you to be fully heard and acknowledge how you are feeling By helping you identify where you are feeling stuck By understanding how you feel and being non-judgemental By ensuring confidentiality is maintained at all times By helping you gain clarity on areas you would like to work on By identifying the root cause of the issue i.e. when did something start By empowering you and teach you different tools and techniques to handle challenges experienced in life By helping you understand that change is possible By helping you develop inner confidence, self-love and happiness How does Holistic Coaching work? Holistic Coaching is not just about setting goals, being positive and looking forward, although we do eventually get to that. When a client would like to work with a holistic coach, they may be experiencing frustration in a relationship, for example. When we work from a spiritual perspective, we gather some information and look at the root cause i.e., when did something start. The relationships we had in our past, including childhood, can affect current day issues so establishing a link and identifying repeated patterns can help to heal deeper issues. Once the deeper issues are identified the holistic coach will then be intuitively guided to use a range of tools and techniques to clear any stuck energy around current issues. This approach works by clearing any obstacles to enable the client to work on their goals and gain clarity on the way forward. A unique programme is created for each client based on their level of awareness and the intuitive approach implemented by the coach. Who would benefit from working with a Holistic Coach? This is not for everyone as some people are not ready to look at healing past events even if they know they are holding them back. It is important as a coach to acknowledge where a client currently is and where they would like to be and gently help bridge that gap. Even though people are successful at working through different issues we can often get blocked and miss our blind spots. This is when a coach can help you gain a different perspective on things. Here are some signs that might help you decide if it would benefit you by working with a life coach. When you have lost motivation in life When you keep attracting the same patterns When you feel lost and unsure of the way forward When you stop trying to achieve your goals When you find it hard to handle challenges that you face When you find it hard to be consistent When the same kind of people always push your buttons My goal with this article was to share how the holistic approach to coaching combining psychology and spirituality can approach issues from the roots to bring about powerful transformations in different areas of our lives. Holistic coaching goes beyond the mind level and when we heal at the right depth, we can experience positive changes in our lives. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Mei! Mei Flynn, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Mei Flynn is a Holistic Confidence Coach who inspires and empowers women 40+ to tap into their inner confidence to live the life they really want. She's suffered from low self-esteem most of her life and using a range of different psycho-spiritual techniques she has transformed her life and is now passionate about helping clients to do the same. The key is to help others to let go of limiting beliefs and blocks that's stopping them from living a happy and fulfilled life. Her mission is to help women thrive and not just survive.

Written by: 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. This year is different. It’s not like all the others. This is THE YEAR you’re finally going to commit to practicing Spanish. Because if you do anything, you commit to it, 100%… right? …But do you find yourself ever over-committing and having to drop something? …Find that your identity is wrapped up more in what you DO than who you ARE? …Are you constantly stressed and worried that you aren’t doing enough? You, my dear, have an all-or-nothing mindset. And here’s just four ways it’s holding you back: You don’t reach your goals… because you can’t. Listen, I’m right there with you in that you should dream big. However, there’s a pretty big caveat to that… dreams are not goals. A lot of times, I hear the goal of becoming fluent. That’s a good dream to have! But fluency means a lot of different things to different people: everything from dreaming in Spanish, having the vocabulary for any sort of conversation, being able to flirt with that new guy at work… the definition and the timeline for fluency is fluid; it can completely change given on the person, their habits, and how much effort they’re putting into their language practice. I’d invite you to rethink your fluency goals to be around vocabulary, ease of speaking, confidence levels, and enjoyment. You’re either all in… or all out. When we start something new, of course we’re excited! We want to continue to focus on that one thing… forever. When we lose interest or when things start to get más difícil… we’re out. We can’t stay motivated. And thus begins our screw-it spiral. In order for me to reach my goal, I have to practice for 45 minutes a day… but Ronald has his soccer game. I missed one day; screw it, I’m not cut out for this. I missed my Sunday AND Monday practice; I’m too busy. I can’t do it all! Something’s gotta give. I just don’t have enough time. Demasiado Compare and Despair Maybe you’ve sought out Duolingo forums, Facebook groups, and Meetups… you’re trying to get yourself out there! But then you start having thoughts like… I’m never going to have as good of an accent as Carla… I might as well stop now. Raul practices for 2 hours a day; I don’t have that kind of time; I’m going to hold him back. Oh, I thought of a response! But the conversation moved past that, ugh, I’m dumb. And you sit back and watch as your confidence erodes, your motivation waves goodbye, and the cycle starts all over… If we don’t feel good about doing something, we won’t do it. All of a sudden, all the time and energy you were going to spend on your goal is now spent ruminating on the bad feelings you have about your goal. You fall out of love with the language As a coach and someone who obviously loves language, this is the most heartbreaking way an all-or-nothing mindset is holding you back… but it’s absolutely realistic if steps 2 and 3 repeat themselves enough. In order for us to do anything, we have to have a reason of why we’re doing it. But if we’re causing enough mental drama for ourselves around the what or the how, we can forget why we started… and all of a sudden, when you wake up one day, you have no idea why you’re working so hard towards something that you don’t even want. When your confidence and motivation start crumbling, it’s time to get some help. Working with a coach is a wonderful way to start to see the gray areas… instead of all that is black and white. I can help you stay motivated, guide you through making new routines and creating new habits, and give you that personalized boost of confidence. Maybe having an all-or-nothing mindset isn’t news to you. Maybe you’ve known it for a while. Maybe you LIKE to watch your black and white flag fly. But it’s keeping you small. It’s holding you back in your Spanish practice… and I know this from personal experience. Before I used to hold myself accountable to practice what I preached in regular Spanish coaching, I’d do just what you do: Practice for 25 minutes one day… not touch Spanish for three more days. Watch a movie in Spanish, go to sleep with a book of cuentos in my hand, start thinking and dreaming in Spanish… and not touch it for 10 days. We’re all affected by our black-or-white, all-or-nothing, in-or-out mindset. I’m here to tell you there’s room for the gray area… if you’re open to it. Contact me to learn more about how we can work together. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for 60-second clips, playlists, and 2-Minute Tips to improve your Spanish. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn for additional motivation and education tips. Reach out to let me know you’ve read my article; I’d love to hear from you! And visit my website for more info! 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: Santarvis Brown, 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. Leadership is all about getting people to come together, communicate, and work in harmony towards common goals. It is a process of connecting with people, inspiring them, and motivating them to take ownership of their work. While there are many elements to effective leadership, one key component is the ability to love and genuinely care for the people you are leading. Set Your Boundaries Love, as a form of leadership, is not to be confused with being friends with those you are leading. The love and care involved in effective leadership is a professional kind that transcends the boundaries of friendship. Instead, it is a real, heartfelt investment in the well-being of those you lead and an authentic enthusiasm for their success. When you truly love those you are leading, you are able to motivate them to succeed, push them to do their best, and show them kindness in times of struggle. It enables a leader to act as a mentor, coach, and supporter to their team, working together to reach their desired goal. Invest in Your Success As a leader, having the capacity to love and care for the people you manage is essential to the success of the business and the development of the people who work in it. If a leader is truly invested in the success and growth of their people, it sets an example for others to be inspired by – demonstrating a genuine care for each individual. Furthermore, loving leadership also involves effective communication, both in what is said and how it is said. As a leader, it is important to be open and understanding about any issues that may arise and to take an active role in resolving the situation. It is also essential to be both a good listener and a decisive leader and to respond to the needs of your team with compassion. The people you lead will respond to the way they are treated by you. If they feel cared for and appreciated, they will be more inspired and have a greater desire to perform. A leader who works with love and care can bring out the best in their team, as it creates an environment of trust, respect, and support. Accept that Everyone is Flawed Each and every single person has their flaws. Yes, even you. Leading with love those who are openly flawed requires patience and compassion like no other. Show your mentees and subordinates your sincerity before you ever begin to make demands of them. Be patient and offer unconditional support. Don’t be judgmental. It is not your responsibility, authority, or moral servitude to do so. Be willing to forgive mistakes by understanding someone’s flaws, empathizing with them and working to build solutions that work for both of you, and, most importantly, the company. Focus on building strong, trusting relationships, so that mutual respect is felt, earned, and given. In conclusion, effective leadership involves loving your people and genuinely caring for the team you are leading. When a leader is able to approach the job with compassion and patience, it sends a strong message to their team that they feel valued and respected. Ultimately, this creates a culture of success and helps to move the business forward. Visit Santarvis on his LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more information. Read more from Santarvis! Santarvis Brown, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Dr. Santarvis Brown has spent 15+ years serving as a leader, innovator, and changemaker in education, showcasing in-depth insight as an administrator, educator, and program director. A noted speaker, researcher, and full professor, he has lent his speaking talent to many community and educational forums, serving as a keynote speaker. He has also penned several publications tackling issues in civic service, faith, leadership, and education.

Written by: Rachael Davies , 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. When chronic pain becomes too much. Chronic pain is a significant problem that affects millions of people worldwide. Defined as pain that lasts for more than three months, it can be caused by various conditions, including injury, illness, and disease. The pain can be mild or severe and often interferes with daily activities, causing a reduction in quality of life. Conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia and diabetes can all result in chronic pain. Traditional treatments for chronic pain, such as medications, physical therapy, and surgery, can be effective for some people; for others, these treatments can be ineffective or even cause additional symptoms. This is where hypnotherapy can be a helpful alternative. You can read more about how to cope with pain here . What is Hypnotherapy? Hypnotherapy is a form of therapy that uses the power of suggestion to help people manage a range of conditions. It involves the use of hypnotic induction, followed by targeted suggestion. It consists of the hypnotherapist guiding you into a state of deep relaxation, often referred to as a trance, in which the person is more receptive to suggestions. You might be wondering how this kind of "treatment" can help you with anything. In fact, the mind is powerful enough to control the body 24/7, which is why hypnotherapy works so well. It helps your mind focus on what it needs to do in a targeted way. Research by Dr. David Spiegel suggests hypnotherapy is effective for pain as it acts on brain regions linked to pain perception and regulation. (See this article in Time Magazine her e . ) How Hypnotherapy Helps With Pain One of the ways hypnotherapy can help with chronic pain is by changing the person's perception of the pain. The therapist can suggest that the pain is decreasing in intensity and that the person is becoming more able to manage it. By changing the way the person thinks about the pain, they can reduce the suffering they experience. This can also help the client feel more in control of their pain. The second way hypnotherapy can help is by reducing the person's stress levels. Chronic pain can be a source of stress, and stress can make the pain worse. Hypnotherapy can help the person relax and feel calmer, which can help reduce the stress they experience and, in turn, their pain levels. Thirdly, hypnotherapy can also help the person to develop new coping skills and to feel more positive about their condition. The therapist can make suggestions that the person is becoming more resilient and more able to manage their pain and that they are learning to live with it positively. By developing a positive attitude, the person can reduce the suffering they experience and improve their quality of life. Does hypnotherapy work? There is a growing body of research that suggests hypnotherapy can be effective in treating chronic pain. Several studies have found that hypnotherapy can help to reduce pain levels and improve the quality of life for sufferers. One study, published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, found that hypnotherapy effectively reduced pain in patients with chronic lower back pain. The study participants who received hypnotherapy reported significant reductions in pain intensity and improvements in quality of life compared to those who did not. Another study, published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, found that hypnotherapy effectively reduced pain and improved function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The study participants who received hypnotherapy reported significant reductions in pain, swelling, and stiffness, as well as improvements in function and quality of life. A systematic review and meta-analysis of hypnotherapy for chronic pain, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, found that hypnotherapy effectively reduced pain levels for a range of chronic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The study authors concluded that hypnotherapy should be considered a viable alternative treatment option for chronic pain. The research suggests that hypnotherapy can effectively treat chronic pain, particularly when combined with other treatments. However, it is important to note that the results of these studies should be interpreted with caution. Further high-quality studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of hypnotherapy for chronic pain. Is Hypnotherapy Safe? Hypnotherapy is generally considered safe for most people. However, like any therapy or medical treatment, some risks and potential side effects should be considered before deciding whether to go ahead. People with certain medical conditions, such as a history of mental illness or epilepsy, may not be suitable candidates for hypnotherapy. It is important to discuss your medical history and any concerns you may have with a qualified hypnotherapist before undergoing hypnotherapy. It is also important to note that hypnotherapy should not be used as a substitute for traditional medical treatment or as a cure for serious medical conditions. It is, therefore, essential to discuss your treatment options with your doctor. Hypnotherapy can be an effective alternative treatment for chronic pain. If you are suffering from chronic pain, consider talking to your doctor or a hypnotherapist to see if hypnotherapy might be right for you. You can find answers to common questions about hypnotherapy in this ar ticle . Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Rachel! Rachael Davies, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Rachael Davies, is the owner of InsideOut Wellness, the leading natural wellbeing clinic in North Wales and InsideOut Wellness Academy, a home for personal and professional development. As an NLP Master Coach, Clinical Hypnotherapist & Energy Healer Rachael has created a unique method to supporting clients to mental, emotional and spiritual wellness.

Written by: Betsy Kudlinski, 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. Let me help you understand what I see as the goal of Somatic Experiencing®️, how SE works, who does SE, and what my style of an SE session looks like. What SE can do for you My aim is to make you feel more comfortable in your own skin and able to handle the average ups and downs in your life. People I work with have frustrations, problems, and patterns that they notice and want to change. Like wanting to be able to feel joy. Or needing to downshift their constant state of anxiety. Or being plagued by intrusive thoughts. Or they have past traumas that they are aware of, and feel are affecting their quality of life. Somatic Experiencing is first and foremost a trauma-healing modality. Here at Brainz, there are lots of people and articles talking about trauma, like here, it’s real and it’s finally becoming part of the zeitgeist. And through that lens, it’s possible that all the discomforts people come to me with are based on trauma that took root and took over. What SE does is help us to resolve and ease the stuck places in our brains and bodies. For more technical information check out the Somatic Experiencing website. How SE works Somatic means “relating to the body,” in case you were wondering. Specifically referring to the body, not the brain. We do plenty of talking, though. Talking does three things for us: the client and the practitioner. It brings “stuff” up in the body for us to work with. It also brings us back into connection, soothing the nervous system after time spent reflecting. Finally, we talk about the nervous system as it relates to keeping us safe; what it does, how it works on a basic level and establishing a shared vocabulary. We learn about your nervous system, and the coping mechanisms it has developed over a lifetime of stress, socialization, and trauma. We find out what your system is comfortable with, which is often at odds with what we think we can handle. In SE, we almost always work more slowly than you would imagine, making the changes subtle and lasting. We are learning a new language, that of your body. Chances are, neither of us knows more than a few words of that language, like pain or hunger ‒ mostly negative sensations. Some of us only recognize pain, while others feel well-versed in our physical signals. What we do together is explore; we get curious and pay attention to all sorts of sensations. Sometimes that does include thoughts. But many of us are culturally so biased toward thoughts and thinking that this way of working feels foreign. It takes a lot of guided practice to realize that these other senses and sensations are at least as valuable as the thoughts. We note physical sensations (both internal and external, using all our senses,) visual cues and images, physical motions and behaviors, emotions, and a little bit of the meaning piece. Who Practices SE Somatic Experiencing practitioners are healers, one and all. But we come from all walks of life. The only prerequisite is that you work with people. There are psychotherapists of every type, manual therapists or bodyworkers, medical doctors, teachers, life coaches, and any other caring soul you can imagine. There are even others here on Brainz, like Farah. Each of us adopts SE into our unique way of working with people, singly and in groups. What an SE session is like This is what a session with me looks like. We talk. We get comfortable with each other, our space, and our bodies. This is important, and not something to be rushed. Then we might bring up some charged topic that's either on the top of your mind or has been festering. We will almost immediately stop talking about the “thing.” Instead, we get curious and watch what happens in the body. We will talk about the sensations and what it all brings up- in terms of images or emotions. But we don't need to talk about that charged topic much to do the work of resolving what the body is holding on to. That doesn't mean any of it is fast or easy. It's hard because it's new and uncomfortable, and we aren't immediately good at it. And the more uncomfortable it is, the slower we take it. Rushing through this and bulling through can do more harm than anything else. We take it at exactly the pace that your nervous system needs- not the pace your mind wants to set. Finally, we make sure that there is the time at the end of the session to come back to a relaxed state- whatever that means to your body at that moment. Then, organically, to a normal “here-and-now state.” This is a partnership; I'm not healing you. You must meet me and do the work for yourself. But there's not really any homework, things will start to naturally occur to you and shift in between sessions, after a while. That's the point. This work isn't intellectual, it's somatic. What’s the process? Truly, this work can be anything from one session to years of consistent work. It depends on your nervous system, your goals, and what you want to do with what comes up! See my website to read more about me and my work in Renaturing. Follow me on Facebook, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Betsy! Betsy Kudlinski, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine As a Freedom Guide, the nature Betsy explores is yours: someone who is living with trauma, stress, and overwhelm as together you work your way toward personal freedom. After a lifetime of being everything to everyone, the way she was taught to be, she was diagnosed with multiple chronic illnesses and turned the lens on herself. She found herself renaturing, becoming who she always was, and who she feels she was meant to be. By bringing that same healing to others, she finds peace and purpose. The final piece of the puzzle has been training to become a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner, where everything, the nature and animals she loves, trauma-induced illness, and healing, clicks into place.