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. Confidence is a common topic and something we might feel we have in some areas of our lives e.g. our job but lack it in our personal lives e.g. relationships. Most people go through periods of feeling confident and occasionally suffering from bouts of low self-confidence. Often, we do not look beneath the confidence and question what is really going on and just accept it as a normal part of life. If it happens occasionally for short periods of time it is not a problem but if it continues it might lead us to feeling blocked and it can stop us from achieving our goals. Where do we start? The first thing we have to do is to look at what areas in our lives we would like to feel more confident in. We do not need to focus on all areas at once but start with the most important area for you. When we do this, it helps us gain clarity on areas where we would like to gradually build our confidence. It can be overwhelming to know where to begin and here are some questions to help you get started. What areas of my life do I lack confidence? (List as many as possible) What are the specific aspects of those areas where I lack confidence? How does it feel when I do not feel confident? What would it look and feel like if I felt confident? What would help me feel more confident? Am I ready to take action? Step 1: Be aware of your mindset We are aware of our conscious everyday thoughts but we have also stored a lot of limiting beliefs in our unconscious mind from a very young age. This can stem back to childhood and we are often unaware that they are still playing out in our lives. When we are more aware of our everyday thoughts, especially the limiting ones, e.g. ‘I cannot do it’ or ‘I will never be good enough’ it can help us to understand where the low self-confidence stems from. I invite you to be aware of your inner voice when you are not feeling confident and make a note of the messages you hear. Step 2: Overcoming self-doubt This is where we want to take action and make positive changes in our lives, but something is holding us back. It feels like we are taking one step forward and two steps back and end up feeling confused and doing nothing. It is common for self-doubt to creep in especially when we are stepping into something new such as a relationship or job. The key is to take the first little step and allow the feeling of doubt rather than allowing it to hold us back. I also love listening to podcasts and resonate a lot with Gabby Bernstein and click here to listen to her talking about self-confidence. Step 3: Feel the fear Fear can hold us back as we often feel scared of change and afraid to take action incase we fail. What often happens is that we take a leap that is too big the fear paralyzes us and it stops us from taking any action, look at taking a smaller step first. One of my favourite books is by Susan Jeffers called ‘Feel the Fear and do it anyway’ where she talks about the only way to overcome fear is to take action. In my experience it is also powerful to shift the perspective of fear being the enemy and allow it to be our mentor and guide to help give us a nudge to step outside our comfort zone. Step 4: Listen to your inner critic We all have that inner critic whether we try to push it away or not as we feel it should not be there. It is always questioning what we are doing, reminding us of past events and gets louder trying to get our attention. The key to starting to be more accepting of your inner critic by gently allowing it as it is only trying to protect us and believe it or not it is actually more scared than we are. When we embrace our inner critic it doesn’t attack in such a vicious way and can help us to gently feel more confident in taking steps to achieve our goals. Step 5: Get ready for action We do not need to work on all areas at once and choose an area that is the most important one for you now. The key is being willing to take a baby step to move outside of your comfort zone. Once we take the first step, next step and so on we start to cultivate confidence in anything we do. This is a process of staying as present as we can and embracing all that we are feeling in any given moment. Once you work on the most important area for you it can have a ripple effect on other areas in our lives too. I would love to hear your stories of overcoming confidence and steps you have taken or ready to take 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: Crystal Harrell, 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. Free project management software is designed specifically for planning and managing a project to achieve specific goals within the estimated time. The current article outlines the best free project management tools to help with effective task delegation, risk mitigation, budget management, and much more. Since working smarter is better than working harder, why not use these fantastic project management tools to improve things, as it is time-saving and cost-effective? For your ease, we have provided the top 10 free project management software tools, which are listed below. Trello The first free project management tool on our list is Trello. It is a straightforward collaboration tool that is best for medium-level projects. Trello is user-friendly, and this project management app helps boost personal productivity. With the help of this free project management software, you can organize unlimited projects and their relevant details and evaluate the progress of your ongoing projects. Main features: It helps in the allocation of tasks to multiple members and unlimited users. It reduces the number of monotonous tasks by controlling automation power. This free management tool can help you create subtasks with checklists. Via Trello card, you can assign tasks and deadlines. It also helps you in the addition of descriptions to certain tasks. It provides users with a data export service. An activity log feature is provided, which keeps the team members updated. Trello mobile app is also available on google play. Asana Asana is one of the most powerful free project management apps compared to other project management software. It is used for tracking various tasks and projects. Moreover, it has an offline feature that helps you update your tasks automatically once you are back online using its free version. Nevertheless, it does not have a built-in tracking system. Due to this lacking, users need to link time-tracking apps for project planning to Asana for time-tracking, which isn't always convenient for project managers. Main features: Asana includes a drag-and-drop interface feature in its free plan. This project management software provides users with a data export service. Team members can interact and collaborate effectively. Documents can be managed using Asana software. Some features are paid for. Like calendar view, Task analytics, Gantt, Dashboard, private teams, projects, etc. Personal projects can be saved as a template. One can reuse them while running the project and make sure not to miss a step. Project progress can be evaluated using this project management software. It allows project-related members to make task-related comments. It reduces the risk of accidental changes to the project. Jira Jira is a bug-tracking tool that allows its users to track, plan and work efficiently using its various project management features. Jira's free plan helps in project management and feature implementation for unlimited tasks. It also helps in organizing documentation tasks and keeping track of their progress. This online project management software mainly focuses on agile project management. Main features: It is possible to create multiple dashboards for managing projects with its collaboration features. Jira can help you locate errors in your previous projects. Project testing can be done using this free project management app. All projects are to go through the workflows. Workflows decide the status of the ongoing project. Jira scrum board allows a team to organize their tasks in a particular sprint. This free project management tool also helps to keep track of the project's progress. Kanban boards are the ways to represent the progress of your project. Tasks are represented like sticky notes on the board. It helps the user to get a birds-eye view of their ongoing projects The project roadmap allows the user to get a clear view of the product under development. Basecamp Basecamp is an efficient collaboration and project management tool used by many teams. It is a virtual space for organizing work projects, preparing schedules, and sharing work-related details. It helps in keeping track of projects and deadlines. Basecamp is a resource management tool suitable for small projects where communication and collaborations are primary. Main features: Team members can be added together to make work effective. It increases the project's pellucidity. It provides a simple single-page view that is easy to comprehend. Different Tasks can be assigned to various team members. They are informed about their tasks via basecamp emails. Documents can be created with basecamp. Moreover, team members can edit the document if they want to add information. Discussion topics can be created regarding the projects. Basecamp helps in tracking milestones. It allows users to design their 3rd party integrations. Monday.com Monday.com is a project dealing tool that helps manage complex projects and plans and track work progress. Moreover, it helps you in the automation of workflows and made collaborations. Main Features: The checklist feature helps in splitting bigger tasks into smaller sub-tasks. Monday.com board is where you can manage your tasks and sub-tasks. These boards can be shareable or private according to the users' priority. This management tool provides you with an automation feature. You can automate your tasks and streamline workflows using it. Monday.com has a build tracking system. It can help you in keeping a check on the team's progress. You can also add a time-tracking column to your board. It is possible to update your tasks directly from your timeline and present the information of your choice. Within the timeline, the Gantt chart feature is available. You can use it in the analysis of ongoing projects' progress. Airtable Airtable is a collaboration tool mainly designed for the food industry and small businesses like restaurants. This management tool allows you to create a database where they can gather work-related information. You can also build applications to support your teams' workflows. It is useful for businesses that require collaboration space. Main Features: Data can be stored and synced using Airtable's free plan. This free software makes your data actionable. Drag and drop tool makes it easy to arrange data. Users can present the data in rows and columns, making it easy to comprehend. It provides you with a simple-to-use interface. It provides an automatic backup feature and multiple templates to choose from. Social Media, Email, and 3rd party integration are possible using Airtable. This management tool can manage your work records, calendar, and communication. ClickUp ClickUp is a collaboration and management tool suitable for businesses of all sizes. It is a cloud-based collaboration tool. ClickUp platform allows users to compose an email and reply directly without going to the email app. Freelancers use it to manage their work and to add attachments to their tasks. Main Features: It provides its users with task automation features that make work efficient. Checklist templates help you organize your tasks and documents. ClickUp can integrate with other useful tools to make this platform more appealing to users. Time tracking and task management can be done using ClickUp. Workflow management is one of its main features. Issues and errors can be tracked by this management tool. It also helps with time tracking, managing calendars, and team assignments. Notion Notion is a digital software that helps businesses of all sizes manage their tasks, documentation, and planning. It allows the team to collaborate effectively and increases work efficiency and productivity. Main Features: You can create a table database block in Notion. You can add checkboxes and select menus, files, and contact information directly without going through multiple menus. Notion provides a text editor with minimal but aesthetic features. You can save links to your pages and can create bookmarks. You can share information with others using public pages in Notion. Wrike Wrike is a user-friendly cloud-based management tool. It allows you to collaborate, organize and plan projects. It also helps you to evaluate the progress of your ongoing business. It promotes team collaboration. Main Features: Wrike can create custom versions. It will help you monitor details like tasks awaiting approvals etc. Gantt charts help you in tracking projects' progress. Wrike offers its users a report builder to help them create work-related reports in specific formats. Integration with DAMs platforms is possible using Wrike. It is possible to create resource utilization tools using Wrike. Todoist Todoist is a management software tool for creating to-do lists and task management. It allows you to keep track of your projects, make a list and collaborate with others. Main Features: It can be integrated with other useful tools, i.e., Google assistance It can help you in adding sub-tasks to your to-do lists. You can use Todoist to create a checklist that can be reused again. You can create task automation. You can make collaborations and keep track of your work progress. Conclusion Project management tools make your work easier and help you save time. Free project management software is also a cost-effective solution and increases your work efficiency, especially for individuals building a profitable online business. Finally, it is wise to use free task management software as they help you organize your work and make it easy for you. Thanks for the Read! Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Crystal! Crystal Harrell, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Crystal Harrell, MS, MPH is a Yale Ph.D. student, certified Academic Success Coach, motivational speaker, and bestselling author of Crystal Clear: A Journey of Self-Discovery (From Public Housing to Ivy League). As a high school senior, Crystal secured over $670,000 in scholarship awards, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Millennium Scholarship. She has dedicated her work to helping others achieve their academic goals. Through her books and education blog, Crystal’s story has impacted thousands of individuals worldwide and created a push for personal growth in academia. Crystal’s ultimate goal is to raise awareness of our human potential and show that it is possible to rise against all odds and live out your wildest dreams. Learn more about Crystal and her work at www.crystaltharrell.com

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. Leadership isn't just about having the right answers, it's about having the right emotional intelligence. Discover the art of emotional intelligence and how it can elevate your success as a business leader in both personal and professional life. Emotional intelligence is a term that has gained popularity in recent years, especially in the business world. Emotional intelligence refers to a person's ability to recognize and understand his or her own emotions and the emotions of others. It's an important skill for leaders because it enables them to communicate, lead, and manage their teams effectively. In this article, we'll go over the art of emotional intelligence and explain how it benefits leaders. One of the most important benefits of emotional intelligence is improved communication. Emotionally intelligent leaders can understand and respond to the emotions of others, resulting in more effective communication. This is especially important in business, where communication is key to success. Emotionally intelligent leaders can build trust with their team members, which leads to more open and honest communication. They're also able to understand and respond to the needs of their team members, which leads to better collaboration and teamwork. Another benefit of emotional intelligence is better leadership skills. Emotionally intelligent leaders can effectively motivate and inspire their teams. They understand what drives each individual on their team and can tailor their leadership style to meet the needs of each team member. This leads to a more engaged and motivated team, which leads to better results for the company. Emotionally intelligent leaders can also lead by example, set the tone for their team, and foster a positive work environment. Emotional intelligence is also beneficial for leaders in managing their teams. Emotionally intelligent leaders can understand the emotions and motivations of their team members, allowing them to make better decisions and resolve conflicts more effectively. They're able to address and manage difficult situations with empathy and understanding, leading to more positive outcomes for both the team and the company. Besides these benefits, emotional intelligence also has a positive impact on leaders' mental and emotional well-being. Emotionally intelligent leaders are better able to manage stress and control their own emotions, leading to a better work-life balance. This leads to a more focused and productive leader who can make better decisions and lead their team to success. One key to developing emotional intelligence is self-awareness. Leaders need to be aware of their own emotions and of how they influence their thoughts and actions. This will help them better understand their own emotional triggers and how to deal with them. Leaders also need to be aware of the emotions and motivations of their team members, which requires empathy and the ability to actively listen. Another key to developing emotional intelligence is emotion regulation. Leaders must be able to control their emotions, especially in stressful or difficult situations. This requires self-control and the ability to remain calm and focused in difficult situations. Emotionally intelligent leaders can regulate their emotions and keep a cool head so they can make better decisions and lead their teams effectively. Finally, emotional intelligence requires the ability to connect with others. Leaders must be able to understand and respond to the emotions of their team members, which requires empathy and active listening. This leads to better relationships and more effective communication, which are key to success in business. In summary, emotional intelligence is an important skill for leaders. It enables leaders to communicate effectively, lead and manage their teams, and make better decisions. By developing their emotional intelligence, leaders can improve their own well-being, foster a positive work environment, and lead their teams to success. To stay ahead in the business world, leaders must make the art of emotional intelligence an important part of their leadership strategy. 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.

Keylee Miracle is a pioneer in intuitive optimization, neurospecificity, and trauma recovery. As the creator of The Neurointuitive Method™, she leverages a neuropsych education, training in clinical hypnosis, and mastery of intuitive practice to facilitate lasting excellence for clients internationally. After a lengthy PTSD recovery process, Keylee came to understand that healing didn't need to be hard; it needed to be tailored. Keylee Miracle, The Neurointuitive™ Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better. I am Keylee Miracle. I’m an AuDHD master hypnotherapist and experienced intuitive practitioner. I successfully recovered from PTSD and a chronic pain disorder in my early 20s, and my journey as a seeker eventually led me to teach. I came by my name quite honestly, as I am a miracle baby. I’m a native New Yorker who’s been privileged to live on several continents and speak several languages. My family and my multi-ethnic Afro-Caribbean heritage inspire me and all I do. I am deeply informed by Unity and Kabbalistic tradition as well as my studies in neuropsychology, memory history, and hypnosis. I am passionate about live music, in particular Bruce Springsteen. I am also a huge Tolkien fan and the last off any dance floor. I am currently based in New York and Lisbon, and I serve clients on 6 continents. What is your business name and how do you help your clients? I am the mind behind The Neurointuitive LLC, which is a hub for neurospecific healing. I offer limited 1:1 services, intimate seminars, and a product suite for at-home hypnosis. I have a firm belief that healing does not need to be hard but it needs to be tailored. I take a neurointuitive™ approach to facilitating lasting change, so my clients bring me their problems and leave with solutions. I’ve developed The Neurointuitive Method™, which takes the brain + body + energy into account for integration. I approach all behaviors as evidence of beliefs and decisions one has either inherited, internalized, made, etc. This makes it easy to unhook unwanted behaviors from the root and reinforce desired behaviors. It also makes it easy to defang both personal and intergenerational trauma. Each behavior usually has a specific emotional signature along with associated thought patterns. Familiarity with the human psyche and learning style allows me to create great experiences for my clients. What kind of audience do you target your business towards? I say anyone with a nervous system can try the Method; however, I have a special knack for overachievers and the neurodivergent. My 1:1 clients tend to be elder millennials and Gen X, but I have worked with children and true elders on 6 continents. As someone neurodivergent who overidentified with external validation, I found healing to be quite difficult. It is not something you can think your way through. This can be daunting if you’re used to being rewarded for logic and your cerebral ability. Many overachievers try several paths to healing that simply do not work for them because they bypass direct nervous system intervention. Healing requires feeling. If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? I’m quite accidentally disruptive of what I call the “healing industrial complex.” There is a persistent, mostly unspoken belief that healing has to be hard, expensive, overcomplicated, in need of a middleman, and external. This can be painful and frustrating to a person at any point in their journey. People may be in need of qualified guides, but they must also be aware that healing always begins at home in the now. My work is always centered around honing everyone’s finest tool: themselves. I encourage people to return to this question before going down the modality rabbit hole: “Whom and what is the healing for?” The answer, while always able to encompass other things, should be you. Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today. I was a few years into my work when the way I was working stopped working for me. It was abrupt and it had the opportunity to become extremely painful. I realized what I was doing could not take me where I wanted to be. Instead, I used my own tools to navigate the situation from the perspective of a beginner. I had quietly developed a subconscious rapport with myself that allowed me to ask critical questions and receive answers quickly. I simply had to listen and practice what I had been teaching. I emerged from that place of consideration with a more inclusive approach to my work and a system I could teach. That changed my business profoundly and allowed me to work with a much broader assortment of people. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Keylee!

Written by: McKing Lee, 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. Is it important to be authentic? Yes, of course. But do we do it? Not a lot of people have authenticity. You probably met some sleazy salesperson who oversells their product or service, and you know that whatever they were saying it's all overhyped or fake. Or you recall that one person you met at some networking event that was so fake you couldn't stand it! But here's the big question, what about you? Have you been authentic, at least to yourself? You don’t have to answer in a comment or post, you just need to know it yourself. I get it, with so many fake people around, it is tough to be authentic and get hurt by them. So it does beg the question…Why be authentic in this world? It is definitely easier to put up a shield, to be fake, to protect yourself. I totally get it! Yet for me, in spite of meeting so many fake people, I still choose to be authentic. I still choose to be truthful and real and even be vulnerable with people around me. Do you know the funny thing that happened? I stopped hurting. Somehow, being authentic became a reflection for others so they can open up and be real too. In fact, people around me have said that my genuineness was refreshing and real, and rare. And because of this, it made people want to connect more, and they appreciate me more. 3 things changed for me: a. True connection Because we are being authentic and true to each other, there are no more masks, no false pretenses. This opens us up to truly connecting with each other as human beings. Whether you are talking about the home environment or the working environment. Such an ability to establish a real and true connection means you become a natural people magnet. People will naturally gravitate towards you in order to connect b. Respect Because of such a true connection, people start to look up to you. They start to respect you more. Your friends (and clients) will value your opinion because they know you speak from the heart. That you want the best for them. You get respect which you deserve. You might even become an influential leader (if you so desire) c. Productivity It might seem funny that being authentic can get more work done but it’s true! Imagine expending energy to keep up false pretenses, the mask that you had to wear when you are being fake, and it does take a lot of energy to hold it up the entire day! How are you going to be truly productive if you are holding up such masks throughout the day? That’s why when you are authentic, and no longer holding any masks, you can now spend that energy on actual work! So much so that you might become more efficient and produce more work, or you have more rest time and can take breaks. Just imagine for a moment you being the real authentic you. Without any masks, truly connecting with people, getting their respect and love, and achieving what you always wanted. It’s an amazing feeling, isn’t it? And if you really want that in your life starting today... Here are 6 ways to be authentic: 1. Accept you for you Who you are today is made of a bunch of things, character, personality, strengths and weaknesses and so on. The first step is accepting yourself for being you, all the good and all the bad. Now, this doesn’t mean you don’t attempt to change and improve on your weaknesses! Recognizing that you have a “bad trait” is the first step towards change and becoming a better individual. Whereas denying you have such a “bad trait” doesn’t help anyone, and that is in fact a mask to show people a different you. So accept you for being you! 2. Write your list of strengths and weaknesses Once you accept that you do have such strengths and weaknesses, write down a list of all of them. Why? This is for you to recognize and remember that you do have strengths! At the same time, as you start to work on your weaknesses, you can cross them off the list once you found that you have resolved those weaknesses or issues. Some people might have forgotten they have certain strengths within, and this makes them lose themselves in this world As an add-on, you can even keep a gratitude journal. Besides writing down things you are grateful for today, you can also write things you are grateful for in your childhood or your past. 3. Heal your wounds Honestly, you will probably spend the most time doing this and it’s ok. Healing your wounds, your issues, and your past will take time, and it will have the best results. Because when you release your baggage, you will no longer be chained down and held back. There is no reason to pretend to be strong because when you have healed your soul, you are strong. You are free! In some cases, it might involve forgiving someone who has hurt you before. I know it isn’t easy for this bit and you don’t have to do any forgiveness now. Just keep it in mind and remember this: Forgiveness is never about the other party, it is about you healing and releasing the negative chains that they put upon you. If you need some help, you can contact me for this bit 4. Respect other’s opinion Everyone is entitled to their own view, whether it is right or wrong. In particular, this is for your protection. If someone wants to say anything (whether intentional or unintentional) which might hurt you, respect their opinion. Just let it be. This is to protect yourself from being influenced by them and also not to engage in pointless arguments with such people (especially if you realize they are negative people) Such people might not like that you are healing and might attempt to hurt you too, just let it go and don’t engage. Be aware of this and trust yourself! 5. Be present To be present for yourself is to live in the moment. This teaches you to enjoy life as it happens, and even if something bad happens, because you are present, you can solve it sooner! At the same time, be present for others. Oftentimes people are physically present but mentally not present and this breaks the connection To be present for others is to engage and connect with them. And guess what? If you recognize you are getting tired through the engagement (I’m an introvert too), you can politely request to leave. It’s perfectly fine! You can be present for them and yet, be present for yourself and recognize when you need a break 6. Understand that it can take time Rome wasn’t built in a day! And it is perfectly fine to take your time to implement and adapt. Especially if you do realize maybe you have been fake for quite a while now. It’s good that you decided that you want to make some positive changes to your life. If you want to read more inspirational content, be sure to check out my website and social media! Read hypnotic case studies on my blog. Here are my TikTok videos. Thank you! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Mcking! McKing Lee, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine McKing Lee is a conversational hypnotist, NLP Practitioner, and a student of life. After nearly dying in his sleep when his lung burst for no reason, McKing develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and fell into depression. He subsequently sought his own recovery through learning NLP and hypnosis. Having a unique understanding of how the mind works, he has helped many people with mental and psychological issues, relationship and emotional issues, and interestingly enough, sometimes physical ailments too. McKing was recognized and won APAC SEA Business Awards Hypnotist of the Year 2020, and has been featured in local and overseas media over the years. He aims to help people as effectively as possible, through sharing of knowledge and with the right application of skills.

Dr. Allen Lycka is acknowledged as one of the leading cosmetic dermatologists in the world. In 2003, Dr. Lycka was diagnosed with ALS and given six months to live. After fighting the diagnosis, he is here today as a result of his courage and tenacity. Having been given a “golden ticket” Dr. Lycka used his experience to co-author the books The Secrets To Living A Fantastic Life with Harriet Tinka, Pillars of Success with 1 New York Times Best Selling Author Jack Canfield and bLU volume 1 with Corey Poirier. He is the host and executive director of How To Live a Fantastic Life show with 4 million listeners per episode. He is a sought-after speaker. Dr. Allen Lycka, Author, Speaker & Mentor What is your business name, and how do you help your clients? Dr. Allen Lycka is recognized as one of the leading cosmetic dermatologists in the world. A pioneer in cosmetic surgery, he helped develop several new technologies and has spoken at podiums worldwide. In 2003, Dr. Lycka was diagnosed with ALS and given six months to live. After fighting the diagnosis, he is here today due to his courage, tenacity, and grit. Having been given a "golden ticket," Dr. Lycka used his experience to co-author the books The Secrets To Living A Fantastic Life and The Pillars of Success with 1 New York Times Best Selling Author Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul and The Success Principles. In addition, he speaks to business groups worldwide about "Transforming disenfranchised employees into empowered advocates" using the Lykke FactorTM. He is also the host and the executive producer of "How to Live A Fantastic Life," "Driving Biz," and "Doc Fix That" syndicated radio shows, with over 6 million listeners a month on the AMFM 24/7 network. What kind of audience do you target your business towards? In 2023, I am targeting businesses with an income of greater than 1.5 million who want to retain employees, conquering the Great Resignation and Quiet Quitting. For my syndicated radio show, How To Live A Fantastic Life," I am targeting individuals with incomes higher than 150,000 who want to transform their lives. What are your current goals for your business? Launch Doc Fix That for businesses, Launch my speaking career for corporations. What would you like to achieve for yourself and your business? Sustainable growth and dominance. Who inspires you to be the best that you can be? Having been told I had six months to live in 2003, I am living on borrowed time. As a result, I live each day to a maximum. In 2020, when the Covid pandemic hit, I learned to pivot, and I am still redirecting my energies now. What is your work inspired by? I take inspiration from great leaders and the guests on my shows. Tony Robbins, Brendon Burchard, Jack Canfield, Harriet Tinka, Patty Aubry, Ivy Slater, and Ellie Shefi are just a few. Tell us about your most significant career achievement so far. Even though I have been highly successful, my most significant achievements are my wife Lucie Bernier-Lycka, whom I have had the pleasure of being married to for 41 years, my four daughters, and eight grandchildren. If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? The fact you never do enough or know enough Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today. In 2003, I was walking with my wife and youngest daughter in Disneyland, ironically the happiest place on earth. I suddenly and mysteriously developed a right foot drop at the end of a hot, steamy day. My wife insisted that I get investigated. I saw hundreds of doctors who found absolutely nothing to account for the problem. Finally, I was referred to a world-leading neurologist who destroyed my world by saying, "Get your affairs in order. You have six months to live. You have Lou Gherig's Disease (ALS)." I am here because of my grit, tenacity, and determination. I hope to pass that on to my listeners and followers. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Youtube, or visit my website for more info! Read more from Dr. Allen!

Written by: Tracey Lee Cook, 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. Podcast launches happen all the time. Some manage to ‘wow’ their audiences from the get-go, while most end up not getting any attention at all (apart from family and friends). So, how exactly do you launch a successful podcast? That’s what you’re going to learn in this article today! 1. Pick the right niche Some people may say niche selection isn’t important, it’s your podcast and you’re free to talk about anything you like. However, if you want your podcast to be successful, and you want the right people tuning in, then you need to settle on a niche. People trust experts. If your podcast deals with everything under the sun, you’re not really positioning yourself as an expert, you’re just another jack-of-all-trades. So, if you want to make the most of your podcast, then you better pick a niche you’re an ‘expert’ in or at least something you’re deeply interested in! 2. Prepare a draft or outline of your first few episodes Use a content calendar to organize your podcast episodes. Plan out what your episodes are going to cover so you stick to a theme, and your audience knows what to expect. 3. Have a visually attractive artwork and catchy intro for your podcast This probably sounds minor, but the reality is, people who aren’t already following you are going to judge you based on how your podcast artwork looks like, your podcast show title, your description, etc. Your intro also matters, don’t make it too long. Make it short and sweet and ensure it does the job of letting people know what your show is all about. 4. Record and upload a few episodes Before you launch your podcast, you need to have a few episodes under your belt. This is so you don’t leave people hanging. People often binge-listen to new podcasts, so make sure you have content that will keep them busy for a few hours. 5. Submit to podcast directories It’s highly recommended you upload your podcast to a dedicated podcast hosting service. Most of these companies offer benefits that website hosting services just can’t match. One of those benefits is they make it easy for you to submit your show to the top podcast directories. 6. Promote your podcast everywhere Your podcast is up and just waiting for people to start tuning in. Promote your podcast on your blog, email your subscribers, post about it on your social media channels. Consider paid ads as well just to get the ball rolling! If you are ready to share your story, the time is now! Take action and take on that driver's seat to catch that expressway to healing and being the leader and achiever that you are. To know more about me and my podcasts, catch me on my website or check out my socials on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Read more from Tracey! Tracey Lee Cook, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Tracey Cook is a leader in Brand Storytelling & Podcast Creation. She has unique expertise in helping free-driven entrepreneurs from old beliefs & success blockers by implementing her unique framework of storytelling, speaking, social media & strategy. Tracey has seen her clients increase followers, subscribers, and revenue, to brand their stories & get booked on global podcasts & virtual stages with confidence and authenticity. Working only with people who genuinely want to create a positive impact in the world. Tracey's message is powerful, "Wear your story like a superhero cape & not an anchor!". Tracey's podcast Victim to Victory is a testimony to leveraging your story for passion, purpose & profit.

Written by: Emi Olausson Fourounjieva, 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. I meet many leaders and business owners, and I see the same trend, globally, over and over again. The leadership’s purpose, style and methods are changing. The pressure of navigating through challenging times is overwhelming. The changed rules of game, lack of clarity, the weight of responsibility, the constant need for quick decision-making, and the pressure of staying ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape can all take their toll. However, there is a solution! Transformational Coaching can support you through challenging times and help you to take the Leap and enable your Exponential Growth. It is an essential investment for Leaders and Business Owners, as it provides a supportive environment for personal and professional growth, and helps develop the skills and strategies needed to lead business through challenging times without burning out and losing motivation. Transformational Coaching is a holistic approach to personal and professional development that focuses on helping individuals reach their Full Potential. It's about creating a safe and supportive environment where Leaders can tap into their Inner Power, reflect on their Beliefs, Values, and Behaviors, and identify areas for Growth and Improvement. Transformational Coaching helps develop needed Skills and Capabilities, in order to lead with Confidence and Resilience, even in the most challenging times. In today's rapidly changing world, the importance of Transformational Coaching cannot be overrated. With so many disruptions and uncertainties, it's more critical than ever for Leaders and Business Owners to be able to Adapt and Evolve, to manage Change and Uncertainty, and to lead the organization through difficult times. When I work with my clients, I focus on helping them develop a Clear Vision and Self-Awareness, set achievable Goals and prioritize right, develop an efficient Strategy and an actionable Roadmap on their way to Success. Along the way, we also cultivate the Winning Mindset, which is defining the major part of the results, as well as skills and behaviors needed to get more Fulfillment and Balance - the personalized combo enabling one to lead by example, with Inspiration, Authenticity and Confidence. I provide Leaders and Business Owners with the Support, Guidance, Tools and Solutions they need to navigate through disruptive times and achieve their Goals and Dreams in Alignment with their Values and Preferences. I help them turn challenges into Opportunities and stay ahead of the competition. Are you looking to navigate these uncertain times with Clarity, Confidence and Resilience? Is it time for you to take the Leap, break through the glass ceiling, take your next big, bold step to enable your Full Potential with ease and joy? An investment in yourself is always the wisest investment! Any successful person has a Coach, a person who can support one and help develop the skills and capabilities needed to emerge Stronger, more adaptable, and more powerful than ever before. The best time for you to transform, enable your Growth and redefine your Life is Now! Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Read more from Emi! Emi Olausson Fourounjieva, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Emi Olausson Fourounjieva is a Transformational Coach, Digital Transformation Leader with extensive experience in Digital Analytics and Marketing, Visionaire, Educator and Global Speaker, Advisor on the Advisory Board of two global professional networks. Her strength is to create synergy effects using resources and technologies to get optimal business results in a data-driven, customer-centric way. Emi's initiative "Digital Transformation for Humans" reflects her passion for the intersection of Technology, Business and Human Factors. Her professional experience has led her to the conclusion that Digital Transformation must be boosted not only by the power of data, research, algorithms and technologies but also by human intuition, creativity and adaptability, in order to obtain harmonious and sustainable development. Through her coaching, Emi empowers Leaders to combine their Intelligence and Competence with Soft Skills, helping them become more confident and self-aware, feel positive, have more impact, and achieve goals with ease and joy. Emi sees Mindset as a critical part of any successful Leader's toolbox, which is why she has developed her signature coaching program, "The Winning Mindset for Leaders in Digital".

Written by: Dr Lynda Ince-Greenaway, 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 wonder if you think that leaders are born or developed. This is a vexed question because it is similar to the nature/nurture debate. How do we know which comes first and which is most important? Is it the environment that shapes a person’s abilities or is it how they are nurtured? While it is true that some leaders may inherit the genes of their parents there is also a good argument for the leader who grows by being nurtured. Even if a person has leadership genes they still need to cultivate and hone down the skills that are synonymous with leadership. This begs the question of how leaders become exceptional and how they make a lasting impression on others. It may be that some people are born leaders, but it is equally true that learning how to lead has a central role to play in one’s eventual success. This article proposes that it is possible to master the art of leadership by focusing on and promoting five key skills. Aligning your values with your Leadership Style A person’s values are bound up in their worldview, in other words how they see life through their prism which is based on their upbringing. Their core belief system represents the principles they stand for and subscribe to. It is our values that allow us to priorities what is more or less important. Values are for the most part hidden because they are personal. Others may not necessarily know what we are thinking until we demonstrate a value through our verbal and non-verbal communication. Values define a leader and his/her scope of influence beyond the office. Values are about the relationships a leader develops with staff, whether or not they are able to work collaboratively with others and how fair and equitable they are. There will doubtless be many differences within the staff group you are leading, but if you develop the skill of examining your values and make adjustments where this is necessary, if you outwardly demonstrate commitment to honesty, integrity, teamwork, efficiency, loyalty, compassion, motivation, passion and respect, staff will be drawn to your style of leadership. In order to master the art of leadership a leader must be on the lookout for behaviours that are oppressive and discriminatory both in themselves and others. There is no doubt that what is beneath the surface can be more powerful than what is above. This is similar to an iceberg where we see only the tip of the iceberg but do not see the 90 percent mass that is beneath the sea. Before you think of becoming a leader, think of your values and how they might influence those you are attempting to lead. If you are already leading in some capacity, evaluate your practice and examine your intentions. Consider your attitude towards others and ask if it promotes collaborative working and teamwork. Here are three tips for aspiring leaders. Grow in self-awareness Mastering the art of leadership requires self-awareness which is linked to the development of emotional intelligence. There is much danger in thinking that the title of leader gives the permission for others to blindly follow, but this is not a realistic way to think. Although a title may be prestigious, it is far more important to be respected for your awareness of other people’s feelings and emotions. Self-awareness is an internal process where a leader takes time to go through a process of self-inquiry asking critical questions about their level of consciousness. The most important questions that will help you to develop self-awareness are: who am I as a leader? Am I a leader because I founded the company? Am I a leader because it is a family-owned business and I have an entitlement to lead? Is it because I was successful in my job application? Is it because I got good grades at university and have a first-class degree? Am I a reflective listener? Am I approachable and can I build trusting relationships? A critical question to ponder is how emotionally intelligent you are? Daniel Goleman stated that “emotional intelligence is your ability to recognise and understand emotions in yourself and others and your ability to use this awareness to manage your behaviours and relationships” Further, he argued that it is not intellectual intelligence that guarantees business success but it is emotional intelligence. He proposed that people who possess emotional intelligence demonstrate four types of awareness (a) self-awareness (b)self-management (c) social awareness (d) awareness of other people’s emotions. The leaders who possess these four qualities are far more likely to become successful in mastering the art of leadership. Case example I coached a managing director who had a photographic memory. He could read a book or documents and memorise information in a rote fashion. He was conditioned to look at a page and take in the words without actually struggling to interpret meaning. It was helpful a skill to develop when it came to presentations. However, he admitted to lacking patience and used words such as ‘stupid’ and ‘moronic’ to describe people who were not in his opinion up to the mark. He had no difficulty in recruiting staff because he purposefully looked for, and quickly sifted out and interviewed applicants that met with his notion of intelligence. He could easily tell the applicants who would quickly fit into the job and perform well. However, his ability to connect with people and lead them in a way that was compassionate, engaging and encouraging was almost non-existent. He judged members of his staff harshly; he was highly critical when they were unable to quickly grasp an idea or show intellectual ability. Sooner or later team members felt harassed and adopted a victim stance. As a leader, he lacked three of the qualities Goleman identified, namely self-awareness, social awareness and awareness of other people’s emotions. Understanding how you think “As a man thinks so is he.” The best leaders understand that the way they think is who they are. They will examine their thoughts when there is a misunderstanding realising that their thinking might be skewed at times. It is equally important to consider one’s actions because our actions are intricately linked to what we think. They will seek to challenge misguided and erroneous ideas based on early learning and values that do not belong in the workplace. The thoughts we have are not obvious to others until we express them through our verbal and non-verbal communication, through decision-making, problem-solving and situations that result in conflict. Therefore, learning how to express one’s self in ways that takes account of other people’s feelings no matter what position they occupy within an organisation is an essential skill for a leader. If a leader thinks that the doorman or the cleaner is less valued than the CEO it gives a clue to what they think about another person’s worth and thus, what they are contributing to the organisation. If some people are consistently passed over for promotion it gives the message that the leader is denying or failing to acknowledge a person’s right to be given the opportunity to grow and develop. A good leader will be open to the ideas of every person in the organisation by giving them the opportunity to grow. He/she will create a culture of safety, and belonging. Understanding how you behave One of the most valuable skills a leader can possess is understanding the multiple ways in which their behaviour impacts on others making efforts to change behavioural patterns that are unhealthy. Behaviours such as shouting, reprimanding staff in open and public spaces, demoralising, discouraging and showing disrespect are unacceptable behaviours. The better behaviours are to create a safe space to talk to a member of staff, give support by setting clear deadlines and targets. Make supervision a dedicated activity to give and receive feedback. Let staff know that you have an open-door policy so that they can approach you when necessary but indicate when you are not to be interrupted. Be explicit about time-keeping, rules, procedures and give guidance about your expectations. Open communication is imperative because it improves work relationships and hence productivity. Understanding how you act Actions speak louder than words, therefore the best leaders will understand that their actions can be positive or negative depending on their values and worldview as well as their personality. We are all different, therefore there must be willingness to work with people from diverse backgrounds and encourage inclusivity within the organisation. It is the courage to change actions that are harmful to others that helps a leader to make their mark and shine out above others. In the work environment a leader wants to achieve good outcomes for his/her company but this is only possible when each member of the organisation is rewarded for their commitment and when they are encouraged to explore their potential and to perform as strong contributors to the company. If a leader acts in a way that is discriminatory it will destroy goodwill and team spirit. Power-sharing Leaders have considerable power and at times may feel that they do not want to share it with others, perhaps thinking that others cannot do the job as good as them. I have heard a director say this business in my baby. To master the art of leadership, you must be willing to share power through a process of mentoring. It means giving people the opportunity to grow. A good leader is intentionally innovative and sees the potential in others. He/she does not set people up to fail, but after appointment to a post they are given support through training, supervision and personal development programs to make them eligible to perform tasks that may not be within their job description. It may mean giving guidance so that an employee develops a new skill and grasp certain concepts and requirements of the job. It means empowering people to walk in your footsteps. One of the most important skills a leader can develop is the confidence to reduce their personal level of stress by dividing the work, assigning tasks and setting systems in place to accomplish personal and organisational goals. Here is a tool that you can use to assess your leadership style Do you frequently assess your ability to lead others? What is your capacity for listening to others in a reflective way? Do you see others through your prism or do you assess them on the basis of who they really are? Are your values in alignment with your role as a leader? Do you habitually help others to grow? Do you give and receive feedback in relation to performance? Do you design systems to measure equality of opportunity? How effective is your communication with those below and above you? Do you need to improve your leadership style? How could a coach help you to achieve your objectives? To learn more about Lynda’s conceptual framework of leadership contact her for an initial forty-five minutes free sessions: Lyndalifecoaching.co.uk www.connectedlifecoaching.co.uk 0750 8020 778 Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dr Lynda! Dr Lynda Ince-Greenaway, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Dr Lynda Ince-Greenaway began her career in 1982 when she qualified as a social worker. After making child-care her specialism, she became a team leader and a manager. She has worked for forty years in the public and private social care sectors making a significant contribution to the development and learning of others. In her role as a manager, she developed leadership skills which she has used to teach and influence others. She became an educationalist working as a lecturer for many years. As a life coach, keynote speaker and author Dr Ince-Greenaway is known for her enthusiasm and passion concerning such issues as leadership, social justice, social inclusion, empowerment, personal development as well as the development of others.

Written by: Cedrick Webb, 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. Success can look different for all of us. Paul J. Meyer once said, “Success is the progressive realization of worthwhile predetermined goals.” This suggests that the destination is different for each of us. If it is different for each of us then success is more about the journey than the destination. Perhaps the key to success is going about the journey in the right manner. When all is said and done, we alone are responsible for whom we choose to become. Success is not just a destination, but a continuous journey of growth, determination, and resilience, leading to a fulfilling and purposeful life. We all have the potential to do great things. Here are ten tips that are timeless across all areas of life (work, self, relationships) and through the centuries. They have always been true, and will forever hold true. 1. Don’t Lie Whatever you do, don’t lie. Lying is the fastest way to lose trust. Once trust is lost, all hope in your character is out the window. Without confidence in your character, you have nothing tangible: no meaningful relationships, and no genuine commitment from others. Your word is your bond. You will not be taken seriously if your word cannot be taken seriously. As Friedrich Nietzsche said, “I’m not upset that you lied to me; I’m upset that from now on, I can’t believe you.” 2. Don’t Take Shortcuts Life is about the journey, not the destination. A shortcut mentality is dangerous and must be avoided at all costs. Shortcuts are deceptive and lead us to believe we are further along than we are. Taking shortcuts robs us of the experience and knowledge we can draw from for future encounters and endeavors. Those who take shortcuts may soon enough plateau out on their journey. We are all on our own unique journey. Taking shortcuts to get ahead of others is our most foolish mistake. When we take shortcuts, we are only shortcutting ourselves and our futures. There are no shortcuts to success. Never cut yourself short. 3. Do What You Love The days are long, and the years are short. When it comes to a profession, don’t waste your years on something you hate. Invest your time into doing what you love. Your ultimate mission is to become the best version of yourself. I’ve yet to meet someone who became their best by doing what they hate. It’s quite the opposite; they become miserable, bitter, and regretful. Doing what you love is not selfish; it’s self-love. If you want to become more fulfilled, do what you love. Fulfilled people are the most loving people. They are the healthiest people, and healthy people help others. 4. Don’t harbor bitterness This point is the most difficult because it forces us to engage our hearts and deal with reality. Bitterness is incredibly deceptive and remarkably crippling. If left undealt with bitterness can rob us of everything good. It can rob us of love and joy and leave us with pain, bondage, and resentment. Life is hard, people can be mean, and circumstances can be unfair, yet we have a choice. Letting go of bitterness and choosing forgiveness and healing is the ultimate flex. The strongest, kindest, and most impactful people decided to become these things even after the world tore them apart. 5. Treat Others As You Want To Be Treated Treating others as yourself may be one of life’s most incredible hacks. There’s a reason why it is called the ‘Golden Rule”. Choosing to put yourself in someone else’s shoes develops empathy in yourself and allows the other person to feel heard and valued, thus establishing trust and reciprocity. When we give and treat others how we would want to be treated, it tends to find its way back. It may not always come back to us immediately, but it always finds its way back. If we want a better world, we must create one that starts with treating others as we wish to be treated. 6. Give More Than You Get The old saying, “It is better to give than to receive,” could not be more valid today than ever. This timeless principle always comes back to you in all aspects of life. Everything that we give to the world, we get back tenfold. Give more and share with a pure heart: the more sincere the giving, the more sincere the rewards. Giving is the key to greatness. The most outstanding leaders in history are those who gave everything and asked for nothing. Servanthood is the ultimate form of leadership. We make believers out of others when we offer more than we get. Our followers will follow more closely and sincerely. 7. Work Smarter And Harder There’s a very dangerous lie out there that tells people to “work smarter, not harder.” That is often the lazy person’s way out of working hard. Hard work is essential to growth and success in everything you do. To diminish hard work would be to devalue our journey, thus shortcutting ourselves. As we established in tip 2, there are no shortcuts to success. Working smart is of the mind; working hard is of the body. When you bring the best of your mind and body together, we discover how to maximize efficiency to become better. Maximizing efficiency increases capacity, thus allowing for more room to grow. We have now found a growth accelerator and position ourselves never to stop growing. 8. Show Up On Time Actions speak louder than words. Committing to a time requires our words, and showing up on time requires our efforts. Showing up on time displays a healthy relationship between your words and actions. It conveys to others that you are reliable and can be trusted. Showing up on time also displays a level of respect for others. It demonstrates that we value their time and commitment to us and that we want to be there. Showing up early can convey an even greater level of commitment from us. Always speak greater with your actions than your words. 9. Be A Self Learner Life is all about learning. We should always be learning, but more than just learning, we should be self-learning. You alone are responsible for your learning and growing. There’s a robust correlation between learning and growing. As Albert Einstein famously said, “The day you stop learning is the day you start dying.” Teaching ourselves transforms us from knowing what to think to understanding how to think. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and expand your understanding. Question the norm, be curious, and ask why. 10. Admit When You Are Wrong Nobody is perfect; own it. We all make mistakes; we are all human. Admitting you made a mistake does not make you weak; it makes you powerful. There’s great freedom in being able to admit the truth. The truth will set you free; free to be yourself, free to learn, free to grow. It also provides great freedom for others involved. They are now free to be honest, learn, grow, and value their true self. Admitting your mistakes can be difficult. Do it sooner than later. The more you try to cover your mistakes, the less free you are. And the longer you wait, the harder it is to establish or rebuild trust. Be you. Be real. Admit when you are wrong. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and visit my website for more info! Read more from Cedrick! Cedrick Webb, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Cedrick Webb, is a leader in digital marketing industry. He is CEO of Smart Digital, a leading company in digital marketing for small businesses. Smart Digital specializes in website design, search engine optimization, search engine marketing, social media management and more. Smart Digital offers its services with the utmost integrity and aims to simplify digital marketing for small businesses.

Cori Wamsley, CEO of Aurora Corialis Publishing, works with business owners who have a transformational story to share. She helps them quickly and easily write and publish a book for their brand that helps them create a legacy and be seen as an expert while building a relationship with the reader. Cori has 17 years of experience as a professional writer and editor, including 10 years with the Departments of Energy and Justice and 4 years as the executive editor of Inspiring Lives Magazine. She also wrote eight fiction books and one nonfiction book, The SPARK Method: How to Write a Book for Your Business Fast, and contributed to two anthologies. Her newest book, Braving the Shore, was released in June 2022. Cori Wamsley, CEO, Writing Coach, Author What was your career path to becoming a publisher? It definitely wasn’t a direct path! I started out as a biology major and then picked up a major in English, too, when I realized that I only needed to stay one more year and take eight English classes. My fifth year of college, I basically read books constantly, which I loved! I went on to get a master’s in English with a focus on Victorian literature. My goal with my degree was to become a science writer, and I did that for a while. I worked for the government as a scientific and technical writer and editor for a couple of different agencies, totaling 10 years, and then I started my own business as a freelance writer. Things took a turn at that point! In my spare time, I had been writing novels, and when I started my business, people were more interested in how to write a book than in hiring me to write press releases and web copy. I started editing books for other business owners pretty soon after I started my business, and that morphed into a combination of book coaching and editing services because I realized that I could help circumvent some of the problems I saw in the editing process if I helped people with their book structure, storytelling, and writing from the beginning. After a few years, I started Aurora Corialis Publishing because I knew the process for book writing and publishing inside and out … but my clients were busy in their zone of genius and didn’t want to take on that huge amount of work themselves. Nor should they have to! It was a way to ease the burden and help them get their work out faster. You mentioned that you are also an author. Are your books the same genre as the ones your authors write? I actually write fiction and mostly coach nonfiction. However, we have a couple of fiction authors we work with, including children’s books with big messages. I don’t have any big stories in my personal life, but I’m constantly inspired to write fiction about people overcoming big challenges, especially mindset stuff so they can live the life they want to live. It’s a theme in many of my clients’ books, so there are some similarities. What type of people do you like to work with? I love helping people who have a really inspiring story, things that you hear and say, “Wow, that’s so amazing!” or “I can’t believe that happened and here you are today!” These people have been through a transformation of some sort, simple or complex, personal or business, and they want to tell the story to help others get through their challenges easier too. You can always tell when someone is really ignited by their story because you hear it when you start talking to them about it. I love to ask, “Who is it you really want to help with this book?” That’s when you know. If I hear that spark and feel their energy, that’s someone I want to sign. I know they are inspired to get out there and make change. Fiction and nonfiction writing seem like they would be really different. Is that true? There are obvious differences, but a story is a story. Unless you’re giving a lot of very technical information (and that’s fine is that’s what your audience needs), then you’ll likely want to include storytelling techniques to illustrate your points. You can tell stories from your own life or your clients’ or friends’ lives in a similar way to telling stories about a made up character. There is still a flow to the story that works for both types. You still want to hook the reader, show them that you understand their journey, and let them know that you got through ok. When your goal is to make an impact, help people through their challenges, etc., then you need to brush up your storytelling skills to connect, sell books, and give the reader a win. Your business, Aurora Corialis Publishing, is considered a “hybrid publisher.” What is that, and how is it different from what people refer to as “vanity publishing”? I get this question a lot! So, a hybrid publisher is a blend between traditional publishing (like the big houses in New York) and self-publishing. Hybrids offer the convenience of a group of professionals who work together on your book, just like a traditional house, but it caters more to the author’s timeline and gives them more control over the look and feel of their book than a traditional house. It’s a nice option for those who want to do self-publishing but don’t want to actually do it all themselves because they would have to hunt down all the professionals and hope that the end product meets the quality that they want. Leaders and change-makers usually have a standard for their brands. They want to make sure that the interior is clean and as free of error as possible and that the cover is beautiful, well designed, and fits into the marketplace. You don’t want to go to all the trouble of creating something that looks like chick lit when it’s a business book or has the pages numbered wrong. Yes, I’ve seen those things happen. If you’re working with a hybrid, in many cases, you have someone at the helm who shares your vision for the book and helps you get there. As for “vanity publishing,” this is very different. The vanity publishers of the past would accept payment to simply print whatever book you gave them. Often they didn’t edit, do any quality control, or have a professional designer who worked on the cover. (There are always exceptions, but this is the general idea.) It was considered “vanity” because literally anyone could put anything together and pay to make it into a book. The standards for hybrid publishers today are generally much higher and create a more professional product. So do you ever turn authors away? I do. Sometimes I receive a pitch for a book that doesn’t fit with the standard that I’ve developed for Aurora Corialis. I want to work with people who are caring storytellers who want to help others. If a book feels like fluff or doesn’t have much substance or has a negative or disempowering slant, then I respectfully decline working with the author. Just like the authors we work with, we have brand standards that I want to maintain. What is one element you look for in a book when talking to an author? Hope. Plain and simple. If a story drags you down into the trenches and doesn’t let the sun come out, then that’s not something that I want to work on. You want your readers to feel better, to have hope, when they read a story, so you need to show them that, yes, there is a messy middle, but there is definitely a brighter day ahead. Sometimes, depending on the purpose of the book, I’ve actually talked to authors about lightening up on the talk about the challenges they went through. There is a super fine line between sharing your story and triggering others who have been through trauma, so that’s something that I like to watch. It’s not all rainbows, but you definitely don’t want people reliving their struggles through your story. The structure is important to help people through their journey. When you’re reading a book about something that you’ve been through, you want to see that the author gets you and has been through it too. So the challenges are important. But as the author, you don’t want pity. It’s like the change in the atmosphere of a room when a speaker starts crying on stage. You no longer see them as a powerful person who has been through huge challenges and come out on top. Your immediate response is to want to hug them and tell them it will be ok. You don’t want that from your reader. You have to maintain an educated perspective on your story. You’re looking back and talking about it in an empowered way. And that makes all the difference because it lets you give that reader hope. What piece of advice would you leave new authors with? Get out of your head and get your story on paper. You can’t work with anything that is stuck in your head, and “someday I’ll write my book” doesn’t become today unless you purposely make it happen. You don’t have to write perfectly, but you do need to get it out so you can start the editing process. Take out less effective stories; add in ones that connect better. Tweak your perspective or your tone. You don’t know what you have until you can see it in front of you and start working with others to get closer and closer to publication. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Cori!

An award-winning Wellness Consultant & Spa Designer with a successful track record in designing, developing and launching unforgettable wellness concepts, Retreats, treatments and products, for emerging and established brands in the hospitality sector. Patrizia Bortolin is a Life Coach, Transformational Wellness Pioneer, Wellbeing researcher and World Food Travel Association Ambassador, with extensive experience in transformational tourism, wellness sales & marketing, healing wellness hospitality, sustainability, beauty & natural remedies. Industry leaders, high profile clientele and travel specialists recognised Bortolin’s unique ability to design and manage memorable Spa Concepts in remarkable locations. She incorporates world-class healing, beauty, and contemporary wellness principles to create world-renowned spas for which she has been honoured with the most prestigious international Spa Awards. A love of learning and passion for healing continually guides Bortolin in building a meaningful career in international Spa Management and her pioneering mental wellbeing approaches, awareness and body-mind-spirit integrated wellness tools. Bortolin has extensive experience leading Medical Spas, Spa Destinations and luxury Spa Hotels which gives her a profound and very concrete knowledge and understanding of wellness hospitality. She has also previously travelled widely as an Executive for Tour Operators and Travel Agencies. Patrizia Bortolin, Hospitality Wellness/Spa Designer & Researcher Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better. I am a creative Spa Designer and Holistic Coach and I am the co-founder of the award-winning company Glowing Flow Wellness Specialists. My innovative approach incorporates world-class healing, beauty and contemporary wellness principles to create world-renowned Spas, which I've been honored with all the most prestigious international Spa awards for. I have a deep and authentic passion for the Spa world, nature, psychology and it is key for me to keep spirituality and development of the human potential as priority. Holistic healing is my personal and professional world, and throughout my career I have been lucky to enrich my journey with so many meaningful experiences, becoming a Mindfulness teacher and Transformational Travel Specialist, a leading expert in psycho-aromatherapy and a Color Coach and specializing in psychosomatic and creative approaches to wellness, getting also the certification as Happiness Coach and Laughter Yoga and Yoga Nidra leader. Originally driven by a personal desire to overcome psycho-emotional stress, I work with a range of holistic techniques designed to make life more meaningful and joyful. As wellness consultant I’m dedicated to create signature masterpieces, sharing a successful preventative attitude towards life that helps avoid sadness, loneliness, insomnia, stress, lifestyle disorders and psychosomatic manifestations not only for guests but also and first for the team members. I love silence, cats, I feel at home by the Mediterranean charming. My favorite place on earth is India, I love participating in Vipassana and Yoga Nidra retreats there and visiting my favorite, little Ashram in West Bengal. This has been my yearly appointment for many years. I’m passionate about personality tests and I’m always extremely optimist. What is your business name and how do you help your clients? I founded the company Glowing Flow with Stefano Battaglia, an extraordinary and experienced Visiting Master, Spa Trainer and Retreat Leader, named by the Tatler Spa Guide among the ‘Five Best Healers in the World’: as award-winning and internationally renowned Wellbeing Specialists, we create sartorial and innovative Wellness Concepts and design projects for new Spa Destinations. Glowing Flow also helps Hotels to refresh & re-look their existing Spas, as well as design unforgettable spa Menus, treatments and life-changing retreats. We support with 360° Wellness Project Management, Wellness Sales & Marketing Strategies and Team Coaching, ensuring that authentic new ideas come to life through meaningful brainstorming. “May your Wellness Experiences find their Glowing Flow: touch the heart, body and mind of your Guests, and achieve true sustainability in your business while inspiring your Team Members and ensuring they are motivated and fulfilled”. This is the worldwide “Wellbeing Style” delivered by Italy’s finest. What kind of audience do you target your business towards? We target investors, Spa Consultants, Heads of Wellness and Architects, to create a new and clear Wellness Identity for their guests and clients, to add the healing touch to the design and to create unforgettable Spa & Wellness Guest experiences. We support Hotel Owners to create sustainable and innovative wellness offerings, integrating stellar customer service to meet the current industry trends. We help Spa Directors to add depth to their projects, to improve sales performances and boost efficiency in daily operations; we teach them how to create and develop the team building talent and how to design unforgettable guest experiences. We can consult them on how to revamp an existing concept and how to develop strategies to promote and maintain happiness in the workplace. We also target Hotel Groups, to infuse their luxury hospitality offerings with meaningful and contemporary wellness. We work with Wellness Companies, Cosmetic Brands and Therapists, to improve and refine effectiveness and success in their desire to improve people’s lifestyles. What is your work inspired by? Creativity is my gift and spirituality my fuel. The spiritual search permeates my life and gives me the ability to think in a deeper way, be mindful of and receptive to the environment I live in and people I get in touch with. This personal research allows me to develop my social intelligence and get in touch with my true talents. I’ve learned to live in the flow, connecting the inside and outside world; I see things in perspective and when I forget it, there’s someone near me reminding to keep a vertical vision. This kind of lifestyle has healed my life and has helped me unlock my professional potential. When I feel I can’t express my daily creative flow in my work, I focus on cooking, playing, drawing, dreaming or coaching friends and colleagues to recover my balance: being aligned and flowing with life is the most powerful state of mind and attitude we can dream of. I also believe in the power of doing nothing, being joyfully lazy: in Italian we have a nice way to say that, “ il dolce far niente”, and it is a precious tool to reconnect with your deep self and be in the best position for your business as well. I enjoy meeting new people who inspire my mind and fill my soul, as well as observing guests and talking to them, which also gives me valuable information. I’m blessed by being surrounded by a circle of senior healers and amazing human beings who add a sensational depth and variety to my contemplative and creative approach to life. I’m also inspired by the multi-generational working environment I’m working in today. I’m obsessed with the experiential side of life and never stop studying, so I’m developing a rich background of knowledge that pops up unexpectedly when new connections and ideas are coming on my way. After many years as pioneers and wellness warriors we now see that guests and investors are asking this unique approach we’ve been researching and preparing for the last 10 years. If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? People are the most important resource in a project, always and especially when we are speaking about wellbeing. Having a great team or not can determine the success or the failure of a business and that means that wellness hospitality has to be a wellbeing experience both for guests and therapists in order to have extraordinary results. I would love that every wellness property and spa, every business really, took good care of the team, investing in the working place atmosphere, in their educational journey, giving attention to what they eat and where they live to make their professional journey a nurturing business and personal experience. Being engaged in meaningful and beautiful working projects brings to true commitment and that is the nourishing part that every job should offer. Now more than ever, the more a company can deliver that, the more can create the wonder and magic atmosphere and flow of events that bring to success. What could your dream project look like? I would love to be involved in the opening of a seaside Spa Hotel inspired by the Italian Riviera lifestyle of the 50ies/60ies. Or designing the concept for a Wellness Hotel for solo wellness travelers and spiritual seekers. I’m dreaming of immersive, alluring wellbeing hotels with a sustainable soul, based on a beautiful people culture and driven by clear vision and true intention; places with a timeless charm reminding the beauty of being alive and able to make you feel the transformational power of a hotel stay, and not only for guests. I am grateful to be actually involved, as creative Director, in some exciting projects that already met my previous desire to be part of a women only healing project and the development of an independent group of amazing Spa Hotels in one of the most dreamed regions of the world. See here below some articles and interviews about Patrizia Bortolin and some details about the Glowing Flow retreats: https://medium.com/authority-magazine/patrizia-bortolin-of-preidlhof-on-how-to-create-a-travel-experience-that-keeps-people-coming-back-a0a5328a4508?source=rss----f772c66cd492--business https://www.otherness.co/post/self-healing-is-self-investment-the-future-of-wellbeing-at-preidlhof-italy https://www.spabusiness.com/spa-business-magazine/Q-A-Patrizia-Bortolin/35583 https://youtu.be/QGFaNwAvn_E https://hotelsmag.com/news/qa-independent-lifestyle-operator-patrizia-bortolin/ https://www.thrivemagazine.com/single-post/a-no-nonsense-guide-to-the-best-wellness-resort-spa-in-europe-preidlhof-wellness-resort https://www.cntraveller.com/article/wellness-trends-to-know-about https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/best-spas-europe https://www.tatler.com/article/how-this-sprawling-5-star-retreat-cured-my-long-covid?utm_source=onsite-share&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=onsite-share&utm_brand=tatler https://www.brummellmagazine.co.uk/travel/ready-steady-reset-the-preidlhof-way/ https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-spa-at-hotel-preidlhof-in-south-tyrol-review-mountain-high-crzpjp5hr Follow me on LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Patrizia!