Written by: Joshua B. 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. One of the core tenants of our mission and personal philosophy here at StandOut Authority is making real, long-term, authentic human connections, not only for ourselves but for as many other people as we can in our community and with our clients. We firmly believe that we’re in the midst of a “Human Revolution” and this re-connection and re-establishment of our most basic impulses is what’s going to drive business, commerce and revenue well into the future. Here’s a fantastic quote from the Co-Founder of HubSpot: “Many companies have forgotten they sell to actual people. Humans care about the entire experience, not just the marketing or sales or service. To really win in the modern age, you must solve for humans.” ― Dharmesh Shah, CTO & Co-Founder, HubSpot” But to really get an idea of why we are where we are today, we need to look at our collective past. Truth is, we homo-sapiens have been seeking out real connections as long as we’ve been walking upright, but we only need to look at the more recent past to understand how and why we’ve seemingly lost this vital part of human nature. Before the advent of radio, in the latter part of the 1800’s and into the early 20th century human beings were still tied to one another much more directly. You still had to actually go to the grocery and place your order with the grocer, or the butcher or the milkman. Business interactions were all done in person, face to face, with a firm handshake. The adoption of radio as a means of mass communication began to change that dynamic. Family gathered around radio in the 1920's Radio transformed the way we got our information. It brought us all together in real-time around the family radio every night for news, entertainment and yes, it changed advertising and business along with it. Little did we know the very technology that seemed on the surface to be something uniting us would ultimately start to divide us. The golden age of radio took place from the 1920’s through the 1950’s. But a new player was waiting to upset radio’s reign. When television broke onto the landscape it provided even more opportunity to bring the things we craved into our lives. It also provided businesses the chance to revolutionize the way they marketed their wares to the public. Suddenly advertisers were driving their own narrative in full technicolor. This was the start of the polarization that was to come. TV ad from the 1950's The television juggernaut existed from the 1960’s into the 1990’s and early 2000’s. Television continues to evolve and shape our human experience, but the march of technology bows to no one. We thought the internet was going to be the great equalizer, and at first it seemed like it could be. But the more it evolved and the more data was collected, somewhere along the way we lost that most basic need - the need to actually interact and connect with actual human beings. Listen, I’m all about using technology and I don’t believe that any emerging technology is inherently bad. It’s the way it’s put to use that can be manipulated and aligned with a greater mission or mis-aligned to feed the baser instinct of greed. Group gathered in person Here’s the thing though. It’s now up to us. We have all of it at our fingertips and unlike ANY other time in history, the consumer journey is ripe to go back to the roots of our origins. We, as creators, producers, purveyors of products and services are in the unique position to transform every single interaction, every single transaction and put the HUMAN connection back into our businesses, brands and lives. But that’s just my take on it – let me know in the comments what you think and how you’re changing the way you do things in your business and life to elicit more authentic connections with your audience! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Joshua! Joshua B. Lee, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine They call me “The Dopamine Dealer of LinkedIn” and I’m proud of that nickname. I founded Standout Authority in 2014, so I can work with entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals like you to help you humanize your professional or company brand on LinkedIn.

Written by: Kim Wagner, 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. If you’ve ever had so many things you want to achieve that you don’t know how to fit it into your day, you’re not alone. For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a sense of urgency. Like I had to do, experience, achieve, learn so much in a small amount of time. For a while, I wondered if I knew on a soul level that my earthside time was limited and I needed to get this expansive list done before I left. Now I understand why I felt this way. For many, many years I held myself back. Kept in the shadows, not wanting to be noticed and trying to fit in. Once I started to shed that old version of myself, the entire world started to open up for me. Things that I’d never allowed myself to dream of were suddenly presenting themselves and it was so exciting. It’s strange to think that the version of myself I was clinging to was in fact holding me back. By protecting ourselves and not stepping through the fear (of being seen, heard, failure… whatever that looks like for you) we really limit our human experience. Once we shift perception, allow ourselves to really become authentic, our existence changes. There is no turning back. For many of us that have experienced this change, there really is a sense of urgency. We’ve wasted so much valuable time holding ourselves back and not doing the work we were here to do. So it’s almost like a catch up is starting to happen. One issue that I encountered was saying yes to too much. Where I had said no for a couple of decades, it did take some time to discern what was the right fit for me. Also there is the issue of being human and only having so much time in your day, week, life. For the first few years, I took on way too much. That led to stress, overwhelm and to be honest a bit of burnout. I was so busy being busy, taking on amazing opportunities that I really wasn’t able to connect with self and truly experience things. There is also an issue of taking on so much that nothing gets the attention it deserves. A little like the myth of multitasking where you are doing so many things at once that nothing is done well. That’s the realm that I was existing in and it really did feel horrible. I’d fought for all of those years to really love, accept and appreciate myself just to throw myself in a situation that was not nurturing to myself. Um, hello that was not my goal. There are so many things on my ‘to achieve’ list. And although we only get one life, there is in fact plenty of time. Which means it’s ok to take your foot off the accelerator and slow down. It’s like the myth that we can have or do everything. You can attempt to do it all but at what cost? The reality is that nothing gets done well, there is a massive guilt issue and we forget about the most important thing ‒ ourselves and our self care. The key to success is to have a goal and focus your attention on it. One goal. Yes you can have a few other little things simmering in the background, but if you want to achieve true success in an area you absolutely must have laser focus on that goal. True to nature, my list is long, varied and very optimistic. I have no doubt at all that I will achieve every single thing on that list. However, it wasn’t until I re-evaluated things that I was able to make big strides in areas of importance. As an example, one of my goals is to reach a certain financial level in my health and longevity business. Once I focussed on that specific area, growth was really quick. Instead of working towards a dozen big goals, by focusing entirely on one goal things really started to happen. “Where focus goes, energy flows” ‒ Tony Robbins It’s almost having to slow down to speed up. That sounds so bizarre but in fact, it’s so accurate. I slowed my brain down. Removed everything from my whiteboard except for this one main goal. My daily actions are now focussed on one end result. My thoughts, effort and manifesting is not clouded and muddled. There is now one goal. One focus. One thing on my ‘to-do’ list. Yes, I understand that sense of urgency. And particularly with those of us working on a side hustle that will take us from our existing career, it can be chaotic or even frantic. The struggle is real and I want you to know that I understand. Here is what happened to me once I slowed down and dropped my massive ‘to achieve’ list. My message became clear. I adjusted my self-image to be the Leader that I aspired to be I was showing up perfectly and walking my talk My team began to really grow ‒ now in 5 countries I can see the result of my laser focus paying off Every day I am closer to what I want to achieve Consistency is key ‒ working on the same goal each day is really making a difference Best of all? I’m happy! My life is much simpler, the overwhelm is gone and I really feel a deep sense of achievement. What I thought was my superpower ‒ being a multitasker ‒ was in fact my downfall. Now I know that my strength is to focus on one thing at a time and then move on to the next. It’s time to work out one ultimate end goal you’d like to achieve. You cannot have everything at once, so what will you choose to conquer first? For more info, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or visit my website! Read more from Kim! Kim Wagner, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Kim is a PSYCH-K® Facilitator, PER-K® Catalyst, Reiki Master, Intuitive Healer, Author, Speaker, and Educator. After losing her mother to cancer whilst pregnant with her second child, Kim started to research and training in the field of belief systems and trauma. The learnings and results have been astounding. Kim helps people to transform their lives. Her expertise is to heal trauma, replace negative and limiting belief systems and change the perception of stress. With a corporate background, Kim's unique ability to help clients allows her to transform lives across the globe. Kim is co-author of Upself Guidebook and an article contributor for multiple publications.

Written by: Diane Garzon , 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. Mental resets are necessary, especially when we are feeling defeated by to-do lists and the stressors that come our way. Compacting pressure from our internal dialogue can cause a snowball effect of overwhelm and increased fatigue. However, we have the power to control some of our outcomes and lower our stress levels, and it can start with a few easy tips that you can incorporate each day. 1. Sleep hygiene is crucial to our well-being, and implementing a nightly calming ritual can help increase the quality of our sleep. A few examples include listening to calming music, trying a guided meditation, or reading. Stimulating our senses with calming scents such as lavender can help to regulate our nervous system. Try lighting a candle or investing in essential oils! 2. Intentional movement and acknowledging our stressors help to release negative emotions from our bodies and increase feel-good energy. An example of implementing activity during a busy work day is finding an accountability partner to go on a short walk with during your lunch break, or an after-dinner walk gives us time to decompress from the day. 3. Lastly, deep breathing exercises throughout the day help to calm our nervous systems. Stress can cause our nervous systems to become dysregulated and increase anxiety. Therefore, causing our breathing to turn shallow, and becoming aware of changing breathing patterns works wonders. Take a deep breath in for five seconds and take a full breath out for five seconds, several times increases internal calm. 4. Lastly, letting go of perfectionism and accepting that we do not need to accomplish everything we had planned is ok. Life happens, and giving ourselves grace and adjusting when possible is essential. A mental reset can occur when we become proactive at problem-solving through our stressors one small step at a time, implementing positive self-talk, and seeing the fruits of our labor flourish. Follow me on Facebook , Insta gram , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Diane! Diane Garzon, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Diane Garzon, is a Wellness Coach specializing in Emotional Intelligence. After becoming a young mother at 24, being a first-generation college graduate, and deciding to dedicate her life to her family, Diane didn't allow herself the opportunity to determine who she was as an independent and autonomous individual. But, through many challenges, a divorce, and 4 kids later, Diane found her voice and discovered you can find true fulfillment by incorporating emotional intelligence in your everyday life. As a single mother who found her purpose, her mission is to dedicate her life to educating others on essential life skills to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle using an emotional intelligence focused approach.

Written by: Michael Ede, 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. Sports are an important part of the lives of billions. Nevertheless, we don’t often consider the role of money in how our favourite teams operate. For most people who follow a team, watch the stars, and continuously relive the latest wins and losses, the astronomical amount of money in sports remains an abstract idea. But exciting questions abound. For example, where does the money come from? Is it all ticket and jersey sales? And where does it go? Is it just huge salaries, or is there more to it? This article will provide an overview of how money flows in the sports world, bringing profit in return for entertainment and sustaining a considerable segment of the international economy. The Size of the Global Sports Market In 2020, the global sports market was estimated to be worth roughly $388 billion. As significant a figure as that is, it was down from $459 billion the previous year because of COVID’s disruptive effects. Nevertheless, people’s thirst for the competition is insatiable, and this market is expected to be worth $600 billion by 2025 and then $826 billion five years later. These figures alone illustrate the economic effects of sports as an institution. But where does the money come from? Sources of Revenue for Our Favorite Clubs As of 2018, there were 106 worldwide sports franchises valued at more than $1 billion apiece, each earning millions of dollars annually. The income is divided into three basic categories: fan-based revenue, licensing and merchandising, and advertisement. Fan-Based Revenue Fan-based revenue is exactly what it sounds like ‒ money earned by fans who watch and listen to games in-person, on TV, and on the radio. Specific revenue streams include ticket sales, concessions, parking fees, and broadcast/streaming rights. ABC (ESPN), NBC, CBS, FOX, SKY, Amazon, and other companies pay large sums to sports clubs for the right to stream their events. The average NFL football stadium seats 70,000 people, and tickets typically sell for roughly $150 apiece. To gain extra money, teams may opt to organize non-football-related events such as concerts in their stadiums, or they may rebuild their stadiums to add additional seats or concessions. While food and drinks do not generate as much money as other revenue sources, their margins are very high. Merchandising and Licensing Agreements Professional sports teams also generate money by putting their logos, club colours, and player likenesses on items. This allows fans to purchase team clothing, equipment, and other merchandise to express their support for their favourite club(s). In addition, clubs, leagues, and associations will license their branding. One example of licensing is the 10-year agreement announced by Nike and the NFL with sports store Fanatics in 2018. While we don't know how much Fanatics paid for this privilege, it was most certainly a sizable sum considering that Fanatics now has the exclusive authority to produce and market Nike-branded NFL adult products. Advertising and Corporate Sponsorship Corporate marketers understand how profitable and important the sports business is and are always searching for ways to capitalize on it. As a result, sports advertising and corporate sponsorships have high price tags. For example, advertisers may collaborate with one of the sports leagues or work with a prominent player to become a spokesperson for their brand. Corporate sponsors will also pay professional sports teams to include their brand on their products and jerseys or to rename their stadium after their firm. A famous example is the carrier Emirates buying the naming right Arsenal FC's Ashburton Grove in London. The Huge Expenses of Running a Sports Team The many revenue streams of a professional sports team (some of them very large!) fund equally large expenditures. For instance, the NFL’s GreenBay Packer spent$410 million on operating expenses in 2021. This was used to pay the players' salaries, maintain the stadium, cover team and administrative expenses, and fund an aggressive marketing campaign. Many professional sports teams also operate their youth academies. For example, while the costs vary, many of the biggest European soccer clubs spend over $5 million annually on youth operations to ensure a steady influx of rising talent. When money comes in, regardless of the sport, it is divided among the team's players and owners. However, each sport has its own set of rules. As of 2021, for example, the NFL agreed to pay its players around48% of the revenue, but the NBA and MLB typically retain that amount a little higher at approximately 49-51%. It's a 50/50 split in the NHL, while EPL teams often dedicate more than 60% of their revenue to player salaries. The Bottom Line: A Sports Team Is Big Business and Must Operate Like One We all know sports are big money, but we tend to think only of hefty transfer fees and yearly salaries for superstars. However, the operation of a large sports club is complex, and there are many revenue streams to match the plethora of expenses. Essentially, they need to operate under similar constraints to any other multi-million (or billion!) dollar business. So, the next time you buy a ticket to a live sports event, put on your favourite player’s jersey, or tune in to Monday Night Football, consider the part you play in this complex economic and entertainment powerhouse. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Michael Ede, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Michael is a business polymath, writer, entrepreneur, football agent, project manager, mentor and investor. He’s the MD/CEO of Uplift11 Sports ‒ one of UK’s fastest-growing sports management agencies and Maigmike Consulting, an IT service management and consulting firm built for the modern age.

Written by: Carlo Mahfouz, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. In a world full of distractions from every direction, our ability to stay present diminishes by the minute. It is not because we do not try to but because we are up against powerful rivals. Companies across the globe are bidding, selling, and buying the most expensive pillar for being present, and that is attention. Thus, we are positioned to fail even if we try, and the worst part is that we are most of the time oblivious to it. When our attention is dispersed, it becomes easy to fall into the cycle of indecision, feeling a lack of time, and eventually being overwhelmed. Yet that does not have to be the case. Hi, my name is Carlo Mahfouz. I am the author of "Reality Check: In Pursuit of the Right Questions," and I am here to help you escape being overwhelmed in 7 steps. It might sound like a daunting task or a "mission impossible" amidst everything happening in your world today, yet I would love for you to allow me to try. What you will gain is the clarity to recognize what is boxing you into feeling the pressure of too many things to deal with. You will discover a way to escape the current patterns that lock you in place. After going through the steps below, you can easily recognize, understand and accept the reality that overwhelms you so you can escape it. Let’s get started by defining the rules of the game: You can stop at any point. You can stay at one step as long as you need. You can skim through quickly. Some of the steps might sound random, and you would like to know the "Why" behind them. The "why" question itself is sometimes distracting, and thus not to pollute the experience each step intends to introduce, I will defer to answering the why till the end. You can always re-run through the stages after reading the conclusion. Step 1. Stop Focusing. It is counterintuitive, yet it is the most crucial step. For the following steps to be effective, I need you to stop trying to focus. You have my permission to wander in thought, quit reading, or do anything else at any stage. Do not feel the need to reflect, analyze or think even. Whatever focus means to you, let it go and simply read. So, for example, when I ask you a question, all the following are valid: No answer Zero answers 1 answer 2 or more answers The difference between a no answer and a zero answer is that for the "No" answer, you have no clue what to say or think, whereas with the "Zero" answer, you have many answers, yet you can't pick any. All and any answers are valid. Step 2. Breathe You are alive, so you must be breathing, and what a simple request I am asking of you. Yet indulge me. Do not meditate or focus on your breath. Instead, no matter how you understand the following sentence or whatever those words mean to you, do the following: Take one slow, single, deep, and long breath. And then release it. Done. Thank you. It felt good or felt nothing. More thoughts might be coming. Please allow them all to come and go as they please. Judge, criticize, or don't. It is all a normal and accepted reaction. Step 3. Empathize A Big Word. By definition, it means to understand and share the feelings of another. Yet, in this case, I was hoping you could do that by being empathetic to yourself. In other words, be kind to you. Please give yourself a pat on the back, whether you think you deserve it or not. You do deserve it. If you struggle to accept it from you, accept it from me for free—Pat yourself on the back. It is tough to see ourselves in a good light when constantly trying to improve—trying to be better or paying attention to everything in our lives, including ourselves. We made so many mistakes that we want to fix. We had so many accomplishments that were not enough. Yet, it is vital to recognize that we are here and worthy. Step 4: Who are you? Jot down or say as many labels as you see fit that you can identify with. They can be professional, personal, or any other. It can be your title, nationality, hobby, favorite soccer/football team, or even generic labels. List as many as you can. Examples include a student, engineer, photographer, Real Madrid soccer team fan, etc. No right or wrong answer. Be as specific or generic as you need. This is not a test, so you cannot fail. Step 5. No, thank you. At this step, forget about the previous question, and in fact, for every question starting to pop up in your head right now, answer it with “No, Thank you.” No matter what the question is. Any assumptions or conclusions you arrive at, cut them short, and say no, thank you. Keep saying it till no questions are left. It is easier said than done but do it nonetheless —even if the questions are not for you to answer. For now, answer them with "No, thank you!" When left with no questions, move to the next step. Step 6. Are you losing or winning? Failure and success are strong markers in our lives, so let us unpack them. Are you losing or winning? I specifically did not indicate "in what" because I wanted it to be part of the answer. For example, I am winning at my job as I just got a promotion. Or I am losing in my love life since I didn't find a partner yet. List as many wins or losses that come to mind. Or list none as well, and that is fine. Step 7. Ask a question The previous step will make it challenging to think about one but try. The question should be one you do not have the answer for. It could be for anyone or anything as long you genuinely do not have the answer. Please write it down. For example: Will this [anything] work? How can I become more successful? Where the heck is this going? That’s it; you made it. You can rinse. And repeat as necessary the steps above. Now, The Why? Everything distracting you today relies on your existing behavior or experience. To break out of the distraction, surprise it with something unexpected, and suddenly, you are outside the loop of distraction and present. And by being present, the cycle of being overwhelmed disappears. Each step was designed to do precisely that. When overwhelmed, we tend to focus more or try harder, yet it often results in the opposite. It is like swimming against the current. The more we fight it, the more it pulls us in. Breathing helps break that pattern further because it is an action we can take at any time and does not cost anything or require too much effort. It is powerful because we can accomplish it, which is important when everything else feels out of control. After gaining control and remembering we are worthy, we turn to our identity. Many, if not all, of our reasons for being stuck revolve around some boundaries our identities define. And when that is not the case, it is our accomplishments and failures. Recognizing the latter puts us on the right path to acknowledge the limitations both constructs impose. Last, leaving with a question we cannot answer allows us to be comfortable with the unknown, thus less constrained by the limitation the knowing forces us to be in. If you like this article and want to learn more about how I could help you view problems with new eyes, hone your attention and identify possibilities, follow me on Facebook LinkedIn, Instagram, or visit my website for more info. Carlo Mahfouz, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Carlo Mahfouz is an intrapreneur and product development executive in the healthcare ed-tech space with a deep understanding of technology; he works developing products to help improve patients’ outcomes and driving change in organizations, teams, and individuals. Always curious, Carlo is a firm believer in tech’s power to create positive global change, a novice opera singer who heads innovation at a classical music non-profit company, and a published author. His book, Reality Check: In Pursuit of the Right Questions, explores different tactics, mental models, and mindsets that improve our ability to identify ourselves and ask the right questions to solve complex problems. It empowers us to address the issues that matter.

Written by: Ryan Daniels, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. We all have life experiences, unique skill sets, and a desire to feel like we are in control of life. However, we always have something new we can learn no matter how seasoned we are in a particular topic. This is why even professional athletes at the peak of their careers have coaches to help continue to refine their skills and bring awareness to the small details that will elevate them to the next level. Stay Open-Minded I recently took my oldest daughter to an event to learn about orienteering and how to use a compass. As an Eagle Scout and Army Veteran, I have 25+ years of land navigation experience and feel confident in my abilities. I could have easily taught her how to use a compass but participating in these types of events provides an opportunity to learn from others. I believe the class was taught well and most importantly she had fun. However, not everyone seemed to approach the class as open-minded. Collaboration As our group set off into the woods to put into practice the skills taught in the class, personalities were quickly revealed. A few of the parents admitted they were pretty much clueless and engaged in the group discussion to plan the route to the first point. Another parent, however, wasn’t as willing to collaborate and instead was posturing to lead – but not necessarily in the right direction. While it would have been easy to compare credentials and lead the group through the course, experience is one of the best teachers. As we continued to collaborate and use what we learned in the class, the overzealous mom and kids dressed in coordinated flannel outfits and furry Ugg boots set off ahead insisting they were on the correct bearing to the first point. Life Exposes Lack After we found the first point, the coordinated Carter’s clad mom and kids pushed ahead but always were a little off course. Visibly frustrated that her navigation was like a confused GPS continuing to re-route, her pace quickened. Given the terrain was rocky and wet from the previous day’s rain, her furry Uggs eventually surrendered and the soul busted loose from the boot. I couldn’t help but think of how that was a great metaphor for the day. Throughout life, if you don’t stay humble and look for opportunities to learn along the way, eventually you’ll be busted like the boot and exposed to what you’re lacking – experience, skill, knowledge, etc. When it comes to finances, everyone has varying degrees of experience, knowledge and confidence. They also can continue to learn and grow. If you feel your stuck financially or the path seems a little rocky, learn how to get on a path to success with “3 Steps to Unlock Your Financial Blocks” The Road to Success You don’t have to be like Warren Buffet and read financial reports for hours a day or be a professional financial advisor to make a plan for financial success. The key is to stay open-minded to information and as your experience and knowledge grow you will have more confidence in financial decisions. So, whether you are navigating your way through the woods or trying to plot the points along the way to retirement, stay receptive to information that can help you find your way. Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Ryan! Ryan Daniels, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Ryan Daniels is a licensed financial advisor and owner of RFinances. As a U.S. Army Veteran, Ryan and his team continue to serve by partnering with businesses, churches, and community groups to host workshops to teach people the basics of money. They also provide 1 on 1 financial coaching to help people build a simple-to-follow financial plan that fits their life. Ryan is the author of "Money Basics and Fundamentals (Build A Plan That Fits Your Life!)" and host of the "Say Hi to Money" podcast.

Written by: Rebecca Helps, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. You are a terrible person if you are angry. Right? Most of us are taught that anger is wrong. The truth is feeling angry isn't good or bad. Anger is information. It tells us there is a problem. When we assume there is no reason for the anger, it prevents us from identifying the problem. There are six main reasons why we get angry. When we understand how these reasons apply to us, we can then work on resolving the cause of the problem, the reason we are mad. The reasons we get angry involve physical safety, love, respect, control, self-acceptance and fairness. Are you safe? Where I live, outside of Vancouver, BC, we have cougars (aka mountain lions). They aren't common, and I have never seen one when hiking, but I know what to do if I see one. Get big. Get angry. Tap into my anger and scare off the cougar. The problem is that we tap into anger when we think there is a threat to our physical safety. Often, we unconsciously perceive a physical threat because we have been triggered. On pages 66-67 of Transforming the Living Legacy of Trauma, Dr. Janina Fisher, Ph.D., tells the story of a client who was angry about her husband's and son's behaviour at dinner. As Dr. Fisher investigates why her client is angry, she asks what would have happened to the client if she had acted like her husband and son when she was young. The client responds, "We would have been beaten within an inch of our lives – it would have been stupid and dangerous!" In other words, there was no current danger. We can work through our reactions when we recognize that we are being triggered and there is no physical threat to our safety. Do you feel loved? Often, we are told by others that they love us. We might even tell ourselves that we love ourselves. There is a big difference between hearing it and feeling it. We feel loved when we experience kindness, patience, acceptance, understanding, connection and inclusion. A parent may say they love us, but it is hard to feel loved when they are disapproving. When we don't feel loved, or rather when we feel hurt or rejected, we often become angry. We want to be accepted, and it hurts when we are not. We must remember that someone else's inability to love us is not a reflection of us. It reflects that person's limitations and, ultimately, the hurt they are suffering. That applies to parents, partners, or ourselves. When we feel hurt, we must remind ourselves that we are loved and lovable. Even if other people, including ourselves, do not show that love. And check to see if the emotional hurt is from the past or the present. Are you being triggered by a lack of felt love in the past, perhaps when you were growing up. Are you being disrespected? To be disrespected, you must first believe that someone else's actions or thoughts dictate your value and significance. If our value or importance is not acknowledged, it is easy to become angry. You can also believe the opposite. That your worth and significance are intrinsic. You are born with it, and no one can give it to you or take it away. This is self-respect. In believing other people dictate our worth, we often want to fight and defend ourselves to ensure our worth is acknowledged. However, if our value is intrinsic, what does it matter what others think of us? Many historical examples demonstrate one group trying to dictate the value of another person or a group. One example is the suffragettes' movement. It is easy to see that women were not respected and not seen as valued members of society. That doesn't take away a woman's value, nor does it take away from the value of the group or movement. Next time you feel angry because of what another person says or does, ask if that person's judgement impacts who you are and your value? It must be perfect! Control! It must be done the right way! It must be done my way! The need for control is a common reason for anger. The question is, why does it matter how it gets done. What does it mean if you participate in an activity or task that doesn't get done perfectly? Often, we want things to be done perfectly to ensure we are not blamed or shamed for anything that doesn't go right. We are protecting ourselves from getting in trouble. The question is, who are we getting in trouble with? Are we protecting ourselves from a current threat, or are we protecting ourselves from a past threat? Did you grow up with a parent or parents who were critical and had high expectations? Did you get 98% on a math test, and instead of being congratulated, you were asked why didn't you get 100%. When angry because things are not going as you think they should, it is essential to ask why it matters. See if you can come up with a good reason that doesn't involve circular logic. Are you critical of yourself? The need for self-acceptance is often at the root of anger. We get mad at ourselves for the choices we have made. We think we are not good enough, smart enough or capable enough. We are angry at ourselves and fear other people will think less of us, which adds to our anger. Increasing self-acceptance will decrease anger. Self-acceptance is different than self-esteem. Self-esteem means believing you are great and awesome. Self-esteem pumps us up and helps us face our fears and take on new challenges. Self-acceptance means accepting where you are at and being ok with it. For example, I accept that I am in my mid-forties and overweight and have yet to achieve the level of physical fitness that I want. I am still trying to lose weight and build more muscle. I'm just not beating myself up for not being there yet. How are you being hard on yourself? Can you accept yourself for where you are right now? It doesn't mean you have to stay there. It just means you can be kind to yourself while working through whatever challenge you face. It's not fair! The need for justice and fairness is behind a lot of anger. This type of anger has changed the world when directed towards righting injustices. Here are two simple truths: Life isn't fair. That doesn't mean we should settle for unfairness and unequal treatment. Focus your anger on working to create better circumstances for yourself and others. What we perceive as unfair may not be. It is essential to work on taking a step back and being open to seeing a situation from different perspectives than your own Accepting that the world and our lives are not fair means we can move forward to action instead of getting stuck in anger and inaction. It can feel good to have righteous anger and point out inequalities. But focusing on what you don't have doesn't change anything. We should keep sight of systemic injustices. By acknowledging that life is not fair, we can focus on changing what we can and accepting what we can't change (at least for the moment). With focused effort, anything can be changed over time. In other words, use anger to identify the problem and then move on to solving the problem. Here is an anger de-escalation checklist to help with your anger: Ask: Am I in physical danger (in the present moment)? If the car that cut you off is blocks away, you are no longer in danger. If you are in physical danger, work on removing yourself from the situation. Ask: Am I being triggered. If yes, remind yourself that by saying, "I am being triggered." Keep repeating that. Remember, you can ask your anger to not overwhelm you. You can't solve the problem if you are overwhelmed with anger. Be kind to yourself. Beating yourself up wastes energy and delays problem-solving. Respect yourself. If other people are harming or mistreating you, find a way to remove yourself from that situation. Remember that your worth is intrinsic. It doesn't matter what other people think of you. You know your worth. Let go of control. Accept that things will not and can't always be done to your standards, and that is ok. Ask yourself why you are angry? Does the current situation warrant your level of anger, or are you being influenced by the past? Ask for help. You can not solve a problem that involves other people on your own. They need to be part of the solution. Remember, life isn't fair. So you can either be angry or accept that and get on with living your life. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Rebecca Helps, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Rebecca Helps grew up thinking she was fundamentally flawed and believed people didn't like or want her around. This left her alone, exhausted, anxious, depressed and afraid. Rebecca's anxieties and fears impacted both her personal and professional life. She knew she needed to do something to get her life back on track. Rebecca took action, signing up for a personal growth course, which was also the start of a 3-year counsellor training program. As a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor, Rebecca uses her counselling skills to help individuals and organizations heal, grow, and be the best version of themselves. Rebecca believes that because we spend most of our day at work, it is essential to foster mental health by bringing psychotherapy directly into our places of work.

Brainz Magazine Exclusive Interview Angie Wyatt is the Managing Director of Business Show Media, who organizes some of the biggest business events in Europe. Coming from a marketing background, Angie now manages the day-to-day operations of the Bristol-based company, whilst also running the marketing department. Please start by Introducing yourself! Can you give us a brief insight into who Angie Wyatt is and how you got to where you are today? I am the Managing Director for The Business Show, which is Europe’s biggest business event. I’ve worked in marketing for the last nine years and have worked in the events industry for the last five. I’ve always had an interest in marketing and started my first marketing role after finishing my degree in Biological Sciences and realising that wasn’t the career path for me. What is the best part about your job as Managing Director for The Business Show & The Franchise Show.? The best thing about my job is how busy and varied it is! In the last two years, we have expanded rapidly, launched lots of new events, and are currently opening overseas operations. Every day, I am doing something different and it makes the days interesting and fun! The thrill of attending an event and seeing all your hard work in person is really incomparable. Have you encountered any major challenges during your journey and how have these affected you? As an events company, 2020 was a challenging year for us, as it was for everyone! We had to postpone all of our shows which were already fully booked and marketed to our audience. As many other companies, we pivoted and launched online products including an e-magazine and a monthly webinar series, which went really well but can’t compare to in person events. The business show of 2022, which will take place in London on the 16th and 17th of November this year, is Europe's largest annual business event. What kind of audience does this event target? The Business Show is for anyone looking to start or grow a business and attracts entrepreneurs and business owners from all sectors. We are expecting 30,000 visitors this year, which is our biggest ever event and we can’t wait! Why, in your opinion, should someone working in this field attend this event? Anyone who needs advice or guidance on how to run a successful business would benefit from attending the event! We have interactive and educational masterclasses, keynote seminars for business experts such as former Dragon, Piers Linney and the winner of The Apprentice 2022, Harpreet Kaur, as well as hundreds of exhibitors who are showcasing all the latest products and services that can enhance your business. There really is something for everyone. Why is it, as a business professional, so important to network? You never know who you’re going to meet or the opportunities that could arise from professional networking! You could meet people who could benefit your business in ways you’d never thought of before and it’s always good to get advice and help from people who have been in your shoes before. If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? The only thing I would do is slow down time! I love how fast paced the exhibitions industry is, but there are always thousands of things to be done and not enough time! What would you like to achieve for yourself and your company in the future? I want the company to continue growing and launching new events. We have out first American shows next year, so I want them to run successfully and to help thousands of business owners in the US. Personally, I want to continue in this role and continue learning and growing professionally. For mor information, please check out The Business Show Media! Learn more about The Business Show via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

Written by: Lisa Charles , 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. 99% of the human body has only six elements: oxygen being one of them . The saying is that you can go months without food and days without water but only minutes without oxygen. Every cell in our body needs oxygen to survive; the key to that survival is our ability to breathe. Not only does breathing influence multiple bodily systems , including the autonomic nervous system, circulatory system, chemical regulation, and metabolism. It also influences our posture stability and motor control, and psychological state. The power of breath is undeniable, but how we breathe can represent the difference between health and sickness. What is Diaphragmatic Breathing? Diaphragmatic breathing is taking slow, deep breaths from our diaphragm in the lower abdomen area ‒ ideally six breaths per minute . With each breath, you take in oxygen and release the waste product, carbon dioxide. This method activates our parasympathetic nervous system—the "rest and digest" response and helps us relax and focus. Research has shown that diaphragmatic breathing can help decrease heart rat e and blood pressure and influence heart rate variability while promoting calmness and well-being. Increased heart rate variability enhances parasympathetic activity, thereby increasing the relaxed state. At a time when the World Health Organization (“WHO”) has classified stress as “the health epidemic for the 21st century”, learning how to breathe diaphragmatically can be a health "game changer." Why Breathe Diaphragmatically? The simple act of breathing can profoundly impact your overall health and well-being. Diaphragmatic breathing has incredible benefits, including improved mental and physical health, increased energy, and better sleep. Though diaphragmatic breathing provides a wide range of benefits, an estimated 85% of the World's population breathes shallowly. As we go about our busy lives, it's easy to forget to take a few deep breaths and relax. But diaphragmatic breathing, or deep belly breathing, is a powerful way to improve your well-being. Focusing on your breath and diaphragmatically breathing can reduce stress , improve your mood, and even boost your immune system. When we breathe shallowly from our chests, our bodies go into fight-or-flight mode, characterized by increased heart rate and blood pressure. This sympathetic nervous system response is designed to be temporary and should only be activated when we are in danger. However, chronic stress can keep our bodies in this state of hyperarousal, leading to long-term health problems. Our bodies are hardwired for happiness, and endorphins are hormones that promote a sense of joy. Research shows that shallow breathing deprives the body of essential oxygen and can lead to rapid deoxygenation. Therefore, breathe slow and deep to experience cellular rejuvenation, the release of cellular waste and toxins, and the release of endorphins that can bring feelings of happiness. Endorphins are released when you exercise, meet someone you love or indulge in an activity you enjoy. But you can also trigger endorphins by simply breathing deeply . How to Breathe Diaphragmatically? Lay on your back on the floor or in the bed. Keep your legs straight and arms relaxed by your side. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your lower abdomen. Breathe through your nose, filling your lower abdomen and lungs like a balloon. Imagine the breath going all the way down beyond your lower belly. Once your diaphragm and lungs are full of oxygen, slowly breathe out through your mouth, keeping your mouth and jaw very relaxed. Repeat this process until you feel calm. When feeling stressed or anxious, remember to take a few minutes to focus on your breath and engage in some deep breathing for better productivity and energy renewal. Take five slow breaths to increase your focus before any important meeting or phone call so you can show up as the best of you. The practice of controlled breathing can help with self-regulation and the restoration of mental and emotional balance. Additional Benefits of Diaphragmatic Breathing Improves the Ability to be Present When we take deep breaths, we bring more oxygen into our lungs and, later, into our bloodstream. This oxygenated blood then flows to our brain, where it increases our alertness and helps us be more present. We become calmer and more composed, able to think clearly and make decisions more efficiently. When stressed, our bodies produce cortisol, which interferes with decision-making. By taking deep breaths and slowing down our heart rate, we reduce the cortisol levels in our bodies, helping the brain to find a more peaceful state. Reduces Tiredness and Pain Shallow breathing can lead to feelings of fatigue and pain because your body does not get sufficient oxygen to function correctly. However, deep breathing allows your body to receive the oxygen it needs to perform at its best and reduces muscular tension. As mentioned earlier, when you breathe deeply, it gives your brain a signal that you are relaxed and calm. As a result, the muscles in your body can let go of any tension they may be holding, eliciting a relaxation response. Additionally, deep breathing can reduce pain and renew energy by decreasing muscle tension and allowing cellular rejuvenation. Enhances Sleep Quality Poor sleep quality can have adverse effects on our physical health, mental health, and overall well-being. One way to improve sleep quality is by practicing deep/diaphragmatic breathing before bedtime to trigger full-body relaxation. This relaxation technique can increase slow-wave sleep—the deepest stage of sleep—and decrease blood pressure. As a result, those who practice diaphragmatic breathing before bed tend to fall asleep faster and feel more rested. With better sleep, people can experience reductions in daytime dysfunction and sleep disturbances while increasing sleep duration and efficiency. Reduced daytime napping and lowered fatigue will result in better sleep continuity. Improves Physical Endurance Diaphragmatic breathing also helps improve your overall endurance. While shallow breathing leads to faster heartbeats and an erratic supply of oxygen to your cells, deep breathing provides a steady stream of oxygen to your body and slows down your heart rate. This process enables your body to use oxygen more efficiently, improving stamina and reducing fatigue. Enhances the Immune System Deep breathing benefits your physical health and results in an enhanced immune system. When you breathe deeply, it forces the downward movement of lymph—a colorless fluid containing white blood cells that boosts immunity to fight off infection. It stimulates the lymph system 's cleansing by creating a vacuum effect that pulls the lymph through the bloodstream. This process helps drain toxins and waste products from your cells, which helps prevent illness. Thus, incorporating deep breathing into your daily routine may help ward off these health issues and leave you with an enhanced immune system. In Conclusion The benefits of diaphragmatic breathing are plentiful. Taking deep breaths increases oxygen intake, improves lung function, and reduces stress levels; deep breathing can promote lifelong health and healing. Given its impact on every system within the body, it is essential to incorporate focused deep breathing into your daily life routine. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Lisa! Lisa Charles, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Lisa Charles is an Author Health and Life Transformational Trainer, Age Alignment Specialist, and Executive at Plant Based Science International (PBSI). Lisa helps corporate employees experience the brain-body connection by equipping them with the innovative tools to age gracefully, release stress, renew energy, restore sleep, and gain the mental clarity to live the life of their dreams. She is the CEO of Embrace Your Fitness, LLC and the Author of Yes! Commit. Do. Live. Reference: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9445-diaphragmatic-breathing https://www.healthline.com/health/diaphragmatic-breathing#benefits https://www.uofmhealth.org/conditions-treatments/digestive-and-liver-health/diaphragmatic-breathing-gi-patients https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7724962/ https://www.insider.com/guides/health/mental-health/diaphragmatic-breathing https://www.healthline.com/health/4-7-8-breathing https://www.thebreathingdiabetic.com/science-library/mason-et-al-2013 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1746068909000455 https://lymphaticyoga.net/deep-breathing-and-the-lymphatic-system/

Written by: Joanna Ingram, 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 talented coaches struggle to sign high-value clients, leaving them exhausted and uninspired. Yet, the pressure is on as inflation rises, and consumers are becoming more discerning in spending. The key is to focus on brand messaging strategy to stand out in the industry and create leverage for all marketing activities. Read on to learn the three vital messaging strategies to develop a business that attracts aligned and profitable clients. With more than one in six workers reporting stress caused by their jobs (Source: The Times), it's no wonder that many seek a haven in being their own boss, infusing their work with purpose and coaching others to success. However, the coaching industry does not live up to its hype when the same two drivers most ex-corporate coaches experienced in their previous careers cause frustration: annoying colleagues and insufficient pay. Most post-pandemic coaches work primarily online and spend significant time in their week interacting with clients. Although clients are not strictly defined as 'colleagues,' how a coach feels energetically after these interactions will determine how happy they feel in their business overall. The overarching desire is to create a profitable business without burnout (Brainz Article, Sept '21). The good news is that although employees may find themselves stuck with their coworkers, as business owners, coaches can choose to uplevel their client relationships ‒ by changing the clients they work with. I initially worked with entrepreneurs struggling to organize their time, hit deadlines, and achieve their goals. They were happy to sign up to be held accountable but only sometimes rose to the occasion. As a result, I became increasingly depleted by clients who did not do the work or respect boundaries. So I became curious about how to elevate my messaging from attracting struggling clients to those ready and willing to create success. The most profitable and joyful coaching comes from signing dream clients who are not just 'heck yes' to the price tag but are hellbent on embracing the process, doing the work, and getting the results. These are the genuine 'dream' clients that savvy coaches market to. The best way to attract them ‒ and lean into increasing income and impact ‒ is to elevate brand messaging to thought-leader positioning that stands out in a crowded niche. The most critical part of marketing is messaging. Without messaging that cuts through and resonates with your ideal clients, all other marketing strategies will have to work that much harder ‒ or not work at all. Think about how to grow a social media following, which, as outlined in Forbes, requires commitment and consistency, and it's clear to see how indistinct or inauthentic messaging can hinder success. It's more important than ever to create genuinely authentic messaging, a personal connection with your audience, and increase their trust in your service, delivery, and results. There are three core tenets of the Messaging Edge™️ framework, the step-by-step method to create aligned, authentic brand messaging, that are key to attracting energized, high-value clients: 1. Differentiate, Resonate & Attract As humans, we have a strong desire to blend in with the crowd, and while that subconscious strategy existed to keep us safe in tribal times, the exact opposite is true in the modern-day online coaching industry. "You need to stand out in the crowd and be unique. This is the only way that can lead you to success." ― Pooja Agnihotri, 17 Reasons Why Businesses Fail: Unscrew Yourself From Business Failure In a sea of similar coaches, having a specific message and approach creates a distinctive stand-out brand. Creating unique positioning within the industry requires self-awareness and reflection about aspects of your experience, pain points, interests, character, and skills (Brand EPICS®️) rather than looking to others to influence and inspire the brand direction. 2. Courageous Expectations The courage to stand up for your mission and position yourself as a true thought leader requires an audacity many are reluctant to express. However, the online coaching industry relies heavily on visible marketing to develop leads and sales, often via social media. Therefore, overcoming imposter syndrome or fear of judgment is key to creating up-leveled confidence to express your brand message unapologetically. It's also vital to have courageous expectations for your clients ‒ holding them accountable to their vision with a certainty they may not initially feel themselves. Bold expectations elevate both coach and client, creating an energetic alignment that promotes results ‒ and attracts new sales. It's no coincidence that the industry's most successful and profitable coaches cite a commitment to their inner work as the key. As Leadership Coach to Billionaires, Lolly Daskal told CNBC, "The secret of the true billionaire is what's going on on the inside." From a messaging perspective, when you embody courageous expectations, you call to your client's desires, not their struggles. This attracts those energized clients who are ready for change rather than those who identify with the pain points and may be stuck in that way of thinking long term. 3. Thought-Leader Frameworks Clients desire solutions. They don't seek out coaching packages or programs specifically but rather trusted methods to create the outcomes and results they want. Coaches must demonstrate their ability to create transformation and earn clients' trust in their delivery. This requirement is magnified for high-value clients and high-ticket programs. Presenting a unique method, process, or framework, often trademarked, appeals to prospective buyers' logical minds, maximizing authority and credibility. In addition, a thought-leader framework bolsters a coach's confidence to convert clients on sales calls, show up on social media and put themselves forward as speakers, podcast guests, and other high-profile marketing opportunities. Why you need to act now The current rise in inflation is forcing consumers to streamline their budgets and become increasingly selective in how they allocate their spending [Source: USA Today]. Unfortunately, this trend appears set to affect the coaching industry, with experts reporting a drop in conversion rates as they are met with increasing postponement to purchase. The Harvard Business Review reported that 'reassuring messages that reinforce an emotional connection with the brand and demonstrate empathy are vital.' Now is the time to ensure that brand messaging is on point and speaks to potential clients' hearts. It is more critical than ever to maximize client trust and attraction with the above methods and implement the full Messaging Edge™️ framework of brand message alignment, bold expression of brand mission, and activation of thought-leader frameworks and magnetic content. Are you interested in exploring how to elevate your brand messaging position and increase client attraction? Click here to apply for your FREE Messaging Consultation. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Joanna! Joanna Ingram, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Joanna Ingram is a former Advertising Agency Director turned Brand Messaging Activator and Business Coach from London, host of the leading podcast, Goals With Soul, and mum to 3 spirited girls. She helps visionary coaches find their true voice, embrace their unique brilliance and clarify their authentic messaging so they can sign soul clients, raise their prices and stand out from the crowd in their industry. Joanna's the trusted leader in activating unique messaging and blends proven brand strategy with energetics (she's a Breathwork Facilitator & Pranic Healer). As the creator of The Messaging Edge™️ Method, Joanna elevates messaging to magnetize your soul clients. This industry-defining program has been called "Business Therapy" and "Heart-Articulation" by clients who have overcome their fear of judgment and perfectionism to express their truth, increase their visibility and accelerate their impact and income growth. Joanna's group program, Time To Rise®️, supports female coaches to go from unseen to fully expressed messaging (and making money doing what they love!) within 30-90 days. Having helped over 200 coaches this year, Joanna is celebrating the joy of sharing her message, and Goals With Soul is now ranked in the top 3% of global podcasts, with listeners from over 55 countries! Her mission is to champion bold women to break the mold with their individuality and express their uniqueness in business. Joanna's here to guide and inspire you to join the dots between your unique brilliance, content, and offers so you can be paid for being yourself. Right now, Joanna is enjoying the freedom to choose how she spends her days (forest walks and creating TikToks with her twins), frequent travel and retreats in Portugal, supercharging her impact, speaking her truth, and coaching her high-vibe clients. Meet Joanna on Instagram here. Check out Joanna's Free Messaging Checklist For Coaches here. Listen To Goals With Soul here. Sources: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/why-the-stress-of-work-is-killing-you-and-what-to-do-about-it-wbxzdqbzl?gclid=CjwKCAjw8JKbBhBYEiwAs3sxN0czSSoihSDwUoKcju-M_IP8xHynukmCEVSwHrrqzO8qetzgLqYx6hoC8I0QAvD_BwE https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/2022/06/30/recession-near-consumer-spending-declines/7782691001/

Written by: Juanita Viale, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Ever present are the narratives about implementing positive and healthy company cultures for improving employee productivity and loyalty as new trends like quiet quitting and The Great Resignation rise to the surface. Concepts of well-being, mindfulness, and spirituality have seemingly been cracking the glass ceilings in companies post-Covid as mental health has dramatically shifted to the forefront of headline news. Companies like Google and LuLuLemon have adopted conscious-based employee-centric programs encouraging well-being through personal goal-based tools and management that promote self-empowerment to foster meaning and purpose in their employees. Apps like Calm and Aura are increasingly becoming part of employee benefit packages. Spirituality too woo-woo or the new skill? Spirituality is about embracing the perspective that we are all connected to a higher creative source and each other as a universal concept. One collective. One source. One energy. One God (or whatever name you call it). Spirituality is about mindfully choosing to live with a state of mind that is aligned and open to the divine energy in us and around us. It doesn't matter what religion you believe in or the name/symbol you give it. This is the universal energy from where we entered into this human experience and one to which we will return. This commonality is sometimes difficult to comprehend or to remember as our attention is usually focused on the experiences, environments, people, family, and the feelings and emotions that come with the busyness of daily living. We tend to forget the unifying feeling of connection because our brains are naturally wired for survival through our amygdala and sympathetic nervous system, our fight-or-flight response. Our attention to fear and negative thinking is the mind's way to keep us safe. Fear makes the loudest noise in our minds! A historic systematic study in spirituality was recently published in the Journal of American Medicine, "Spirituality in Serious Illness and Health" July 12, 2002, and found that spirituality is linked to greater longevity, decreased depression, suicide, and substance abuse. "This study represents the most rigorous and comprehensive systematic analysis of the modern-day literature regarding health and spirituality to date," said Tracy Balboni, lead author and professor at Harvard Medical School "Our findings indicate that attention to spirituality in serious illness and health should be a vital part of future whole person-centered care." A Spiritual Skillset So why not broaden this application of spirituality to all areas of our life including business, by viewing it as a skillset just as we would for focused work/ flow, or high-performance hacks? Everyone typically goes to work with some sort of mental load in their head from their personal lives. As we work, stress and pressure add more to the mental load. Where is the release? In your body. Negative laden energy manifests within you through Illness, depression, anxiety, negative behaviors such as not showing up to work, substance abuse, isolating tendencies such as not wanting to participate or be seen, and less motivation all of which result in less productivity. So where can we create that mental release? Spiritual practices offer a pathway for the gentle shifting of our stress into well-being. And the sheer beauty of it, it is available to us freely and at all times. Developing a spiritual practice requires some level of discipline. Spiritual practices like meditation, prayer, intention setting, acts of lovingkindness and compassion, and gratitude are ways to cultivate our spirituality. The spiritual skillset is the ability and ease with which we can get into that place of higher connected divine energy and be fully present in the experience. With practice, spirituality eventually grows into a part of our personality and state of being. When we are spiritually connected to this creative good feeling energy our perspective is shifted open to a greater field of possibility. We are open. And we feel good! Discovery happens here. You see new things or perhaps see normal things differently. This is where good ideas and inspiration come from. The place where feelings of motivation prompt and excite you. And if this energy is strong enough within you, some type of action will naturally follow, a choice, a decision, a lighter mood, a movement in the direction of your new intention and attention. The Broaden and Build Theory of positive emotion (Fredrickson, 1998, 2001) links itself to spirituality in the sense that self-transcending emotions like awe, love, peace, and gratitude can increase through spiritual practices. Two pathways are identified for the role that spirituality plays in our well-being, social and cognitive resources that provide a greater sense of well-being. (Cappellen, Toth-Gauthier, Sarouglou, Fredricksonm 2014) Life is difficult. We get angry at others, hearts broken, dreams shattered, emotions piqued, and bear witness to unthinkable experiences of pain and trauma. The mental, emotional, physical, and psychological stress has nowhere to go, and no avenue to leave. Spiritual practices such as meditation, active and passive prayer, and daily gratitude renew our sense of connectedness to each other and our divine nature. They are mindful transformative practices that calm and quiet our minds, deepen the sense of our higher self, open our hearts and allow for true connection with others and in our relationships. Think of a football huddle right before the game starts, they often pray, just like a theater group does before the performance begins. You can shift your negative mental energy to a higher level of awareness because it is no longer stuck in the lower energetic frequency that drains life energy from you. Life-giving energy helps you feel stronger when the demands of your experiences are challenging. You derive mental strength, personal agency, and resilience with a magnetic presence that inspires others to do the same. Growth happens when negative thoughts, feelings, and emotions are released and we can see them for what they were, spiritual lessons in our human evolution. Developing a spiritual skillset will help you along this journey. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Juanita! Juanita Viale, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Juanita Viale guides and coaches motivated entrepreneurs and companies to Consciously boost their brand and effectively share their unique stories. Based on the French Riviera, she provides personal Conscious marketing, positive leadership, and mindfulness coaching services. Juanita's "Conscious Boosting" approach is based on a mindful framework of intention, connection, and authenticity. These elements serve as the foundations for delivering messages that resonate and inspire people to identify and engage with You and your Brand. ​As a certified Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher, she gently guides You to reconnect with your truest authentic self and help you get aligned with your intentions.

Written by: Kate Greunk, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Are you stressed out because your business isn’t getting new clients from social media? As entrepreneurs, we’ve been told constantly that social media is a non-negotiable marketing tool and that we’ll miss out on revenue if we don’t post every day, create reels, or film ourselves doing weird dances. What if I told you that social media, like any other marketing tool, wasn’t the golden ticket to your success as a business and that your business could thrive without it? More importantly, what if I proved it to you? Buckle up. The Social Media Marketing Myth I admit, my marketing philosophy is a little weird…and so is my marketing agency. I believe social media is overrated and highly ineffective for gaining custom or luxury clients in the service-based industries (think interior design, builders, etc). It would have been in my marketing agency’s best interest to preach that social media is completely necessary and that you should outsource it to us if you can't keep up with it. However, I instead suggest that you try googling the data around how well services are sold on social media. That data doesn’t exist, which tells us something key about where we should and shouldn’t expect to gain clients. Instagram, for example, helps 80% of its users decide whether to purchase retail products, not custom services. Here's what you need to understand as a luxury service provider: Clients who intend to hire you and make a significant investment are not generally heavy social media users, nor do they make large buying decisions based on social media posts or digital ads. Social Media Age & Income Demographics Before you can determine whether social media marketing is a worthwhile investment for your service-based business, you first need to figure out whether your ideal clients are even on the platforms in question. Compare your customer avatar to the user demographics of Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, or whatever platform you are considering. If the demographic describes your client, you definitely should include social media as part of your strategy. If your client is not included in the demographic, you would be ill led to continue spending time, money, or stress on social media. Case in point: the two primary age groups of users on Instagram and Facebook are 18-24-year-olds (Gen Z) and 25-34-year-olds (Millennials). The income demographics are... $30,000: 35% $30,000-$74,999: 39% $75,000+: 42% Instagram users have specific interests and reasons for using the platform. Users have named their primary interests as travel (45%), music (44%), and food and drink (43%). Should you use social media to market your business? If your client is 20-40 years old and makes a median income of less than $80K and you are selling services around music, travel, or food, then yes. However, if your preferred clientele are older or in a higher income bracket, your revenue goals will be best met with marketing tools other than social media. The question isn’t merely, “Does my ideal client use social media?” but also, “If yes, how are they using it?” Should You Keep or Delete Your Business Social Media? Posting on Facebook and Instagram is often the most stressful part of marketing for service-based professionals. I've had interior designers tell me that consistency is the hardest thing. I've had home stagers tell me that they aren't even sure what to say. I've had window treatment specialists tell me that they wouldn't even be on social media if they didn't run a business. I've had professional organizers tell me that they secretly hate social media and wish it didn't exist. Does any of this resonate with you? If so, you aren't broken, and you aren't making some colossal marketing mistake if you’re considering pulling the plug on social. However, you might feel obligated to be on social media for branding purposes. If that is the case, simply adjust your expectations. Rather than posting frequently and expecting to gain new clients, your goals for social media should be… to indicate that you are open for business, to share photos of your work, and most importantly, to share the story of your brand. This can be done by sharing photos of yourself, your family, your team, and behind-the-scenes shots or videos. You don't need to post more than once per week, and you don't need to worry about reels, stories, or live videos unless you enjoy doing those things. Why Some Business Do Get Clients from Social Media If your colleagues seem to be getting great clients from social media, they are likely selling retail or digital products. If that isn’t the case, consider this: Your colleagues might actually be connecting with leads in other ways (referrals, events, etc.), after which those people choose to follow them on social media and slide into their DMs. This is a prime example of FINDING your community versus BUILDING your community. If you are like most entrepreneurs in the service industry, your community is built elsewhere — through referrals and events and past clients — and is reflected on social media when those same people track you down and hit "follow." There is a massive difference between this situation and the one we are all told we should be experiencing: The situation where you set up an Instagram profile, post some photos of your work, and strangers from the internet automatically start hiring you. That statistically just isn't happening for the home industry, nor should we set those types of expectations for other service-based businesses. A Marketing Alternative to Social Media Ask anyone who has been running a successful business for the last decade and they'll tell you, "Our best clients come from referrals." Referral-based business is a great sign of health and longevity for any brand. Rather than throwing money at boosted posts and digital ads, invest in a long-term relationship with a PR firm, while also pursuing referral partnerships with other professionals who serve your ideal client as well. Increase your SEO by blogging at least twice per month on topics that relate to your client avatar and the services you offer. Grow your mailing list by offering a lead magnet on your website with email opt-in to capture that blog traffic Stay top-of-mind with leads and past clients by sending a monthly newsletter that inspires, educates or entertains your readers on a singular topic Pursue referral partnerships with other businesses who also serve your ideal client without creating competition The Truth About Social Media for Business Social media is just one tool in the tool box, not a magic wand that you can use to bippity-bop your business into a success. Keep your marketing simple by defining who your client is and going to where they already are. Show up in the places they are already consuming media, be it a magazine article, a blog post, a podcast, or a video. But don’t stop at just simplifying your marketing; make it clear who your client is. Go so far as to state on your website that you specialize in working with “ABC” type of people or businesses. Ensure that every piece of your written and visual content speaks directly to that person. Specificity sells; generalities do not. Need More Marketing Advice? Listen to The Kate Show, a marketing podcast for service-based businesses. Stream the latest episode wherever you get your podcasts or click here now. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and visit my website for more info! Kate Greunke, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Kate Greunke founded Socialite in 2014 as a virtual agency of professional marketing specialists exclusively for the home industry. Kate hosts a marketing podcast, The Kate Show, which is ranked in the top 1.5% of all podcasts globally and available on all podcasting apps. In 2021, Kate was named 20 Under 40 by Window Fashion Vision Magazine. She currently resides in Wisconsin with her husband and two children while managing an international team and extensive client roster. Sources: https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2021/01/28/instagram-demographics-2021 https://blog.hootsuite.com/instagram-demographics/