Written by: Remya Warrior, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. When we bought this property, many people thought I was out of my mind. I admit that for an investor & designer like me, this was a huge undertaking. Many seasoned investors told me it would be better to get rid of the property for a good profit. But I was adamant because somewhere, I felt I was meant to reimagine and create something beautiful here on this land. Here are some pictures of the property when we bought it. We planned to subdivide the property into many lots and build lovely homes on an acre lot. But Holmdel has specific requirements for each house to sit on a 2 ½ acre lot. So we changed our plan & decided to build 2 homes that could sell for at least 1.5-1.8 million. The sub-division has been going on for the past three years, and we still haven’t finished it because they keep asking for more paperwork. I will admit this renovation was challenging, and we were tested multiple times as Covid hit and the prices for all raw materials skyrocketed. The contractor who was supposed to build for us left with much of our money. There were days when we weren’t sure how we would finish this project. My husband and I stepped in and took over the entire renovation. While this was the most challenging period, it also taught me many life lessons. When the family stands together, no one can bring us down. We also found many ways to be more resourceful. And today we have more contacts with all the trades than before. The house that was standing there had to be reimagined. To make this house worth 1.5-1.8 million, I knew I would need 9’ ceilings. That meant pretty much re-doing the entire house. We were going to move the kitchen from the current location and move it to the back of the house. I had always imagined a grand foyer with extended ceilings and a large chandelier in my dream house. Since we were remodeling the entire house, we could make it into anything we wanted. In my mind, I always wanted a large porch. Back home, where I come from, we had a small verandah (which is what they are called in India & in America, we call them porch.) Everyone would gather there from the neighborhood and chat about life & the day’s happenings. So we decided to go with a modern farmhouse style house since all those houses have these large porches. I was clear about wanting a home that could entertain many people because I have always loved having people over. Even when we sell, this would be perfect for a large family or someone who loves entertaining her friends and family like me. I have always loved open floorplans where there is little division between rooms. I was sure I wanted a bedroom & bathroom on the main floor when my mom visited. And I also knew that I hated doing laundry in the basement. So the plan was to have a laundry space on the main floor and the 1st floor near the master suite. Once we knew everything we wanted, it was easier to work with the architect because I learned how to divide my space. Space planning is my jam and my superpower. Even upstairs, every bedroom has its walk-in closet to store everything. No matter how much closet space I have seen people have, there still needs to be more, right? We finally moved into the house, and I know we have the main things done. Now it’s time to design the exciting stuff, like getting the appropriate furniture and window treatments and making this into our home. We are doing that one room at a time. Follow me on my Instagram page – @kitchendesignersnj to see different DIY projects we are doing as we finish this house and tips on designing. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Remya! Remya Warrior, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Remya is a space planning expert with over 15 years of experience & a master's degree in design. She is the owner and lead designer of Kitchen Designers NJ, a brick-and-mortar store located in Red Bank, NJ. She believes in collaborations where everyone wins. She has specialized in kitchen design for over a decade & helped many homeowners think big and achieve their dream home. Recently she was included in the one of NYC Journal's 50 under 50 entrepreneurs making a difference in their respective fields.

Written by: Kosta Telegadas, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. To those thinking of starting a martial art, the task can be quite daunting. From getting put in a violently uncomfortable training environment to realizing how “good of shape” you are in will humble even the best of athletes. For those who need to get stronger, in better condition, or become more injury resilient; here are 5 main considerations to consider when training for Brazilin Jiu Jitsu. 1. Focus on Compound Movements: Compound movements such as squats, deadlifts, and presses are great for building strength and power in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. These movements generate high levels of force production from more muscle fibers being activated. Remember always prioritize form overload and chose the best variation of the squat, bench, and deadlift for your age, training tenure & BJJ practice schedule. 2. Train for Explosive Power: Explosive power is key in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, so focus on exercises that involve explosive movements such as Olympic lifts, plyometrics, jumps, and medicine ball throws. Traditional keep these movements between 1-5 reps for 1-5 sets max. These will help translate to more explosive changes in positions, more efficient takedowns, and faster submissions on the mat. 3. Increase Core Strength: Core strength is essential in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, so make sure to include exercises such as planks, Russian twists, and sit-ups in your strength training routine. On days when your compound movements will be at higher intensity/load, I recommend using core stability drills (planks, side planks, back extension iso holds). On days where you have higher volume and lower intensity within your training sessions, I would add drills that involve more flexion, extension, and rotation of the core muscles (Russian Twists, Sit-Ups). Due to the lower intensity, the spine is at less risk of injury. Therefore, it is better to add in these core drills due to the higher volume needs of the core muscles. For core stability: I recommend 2-4 sets of 20-40 sec holds For flexion, extension, or rotation: I recommend 3-5 sets of 10-20 reps each 4. Improve Grip Strength: Grip strength is important for controlling your opponent in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, so make sure to include exercises such as farmer carries, plate pinches & trap bar holds. 5. Low back prehab/rehab: Low back pain is very common in BJJ, especially for athletes who tend to play guard base style. Some of the common causes of back pain in BJJ are below with a solution for each to assist with the prevention and prehab of low back pain. A. Poor Form – Talk to your coach and discuss some regressions of certain movement patterns if need be B. Over-Training – This is one of the biggest culprits in any martial art community. Traditionally I try to do my lifting sessions for the day in the morning 2-3 days a week combined with my BJJ training in the evening. If your dojo has certain days of the week that are harder than others for training, try pairing your highest intensity/load days with the days where you are having the harder training C. Lack of Stretching/Mobility – You need to be mobile for a sport like Brazilian jiu-jitsu. This mobility and flexibility will allow your joints to go through better ranges of motion and not compensate on the mat or in the weight room. D. Prevention of Back Pain – the McGill Big 3 is one of the best videos and prevention series that I have used in the past for any martial artists that I have worked with. Please see the video below for reference on how to execute the drills with proper form. I highly recommend doing these on days when you are not training and taking full rest. Core Strengthening | McGill Big 3 Exercises - YouTube With the growth of martial arts, specifically Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the information on these considerations will help give you an upper hand on the mat, help prevent injury & allow for consistent training for a happier and healthier life. Please feel free to reach out and connect if you feel the need by giving my Instagram (@Coach_Telegadas) a follow and texting me a direct message. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Kosta! Kosta Telegadas, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Kosta Telegadas is a leader in the strength and conditioning for tactical athletes and martial artists all over the world. He found physical training as a necessity to grow up playing sports, help prevent injury & give back to the country that gave his family so much over the generations. Coach Telegadas has a Master's Degree from the Univeristy of Miami (FL) and over 7 years of coaching experience with both professional, college, high school & tactical athletes. He is currently the Head Coach/CEO of Telegadas Performance Training and dedicates his time to make physical training programs & remote coaching accessible to all. His mission: If you stay ready, you never have to get ready! References: Biagioli, B. (2015). Advanced Concepts of Strength and Conditioning Bondarchuk, A. (2007). Transfer of Training in Sports Michael Braccio. (2018, January 1). Core Strengthening | McGill Big 3 Exercises [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8VFbkSjCsQ Verkoshansky, Y. (2003). Supertraining Zatsiorsky, V. Kraemer, W. (2006). Science and Practice of Strength Training

Written by: Kamini Wood, 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. Since the beginning of civilization, people have been trying to find how to overcome fear. What exactly is fear and how can we control it instead of being controlled by it? Like any other primary emotion, fear serves a purpose and has two main functions: to adapt and communicate. Fear provokes “the fight or flight” response and keeps us alive. It helps us communicate and express our feelings. Therefore, fear isn’t a generally unhealthy emotion. However, when fear gets out of control, it can easily consume you, until you become paralyzed. The Difference Between Healthy and Paralyzing Fear The intensity and quality of fear depend on our cognitive perception of the situation. If you assess the fear-provoking situation and decide that you can escape or avoid it, the response will be a healthy fear and the fight or flight response. If, on the other hand, you believe that there is no escape from the threatening situation, you will most likely become overwhelmed by panic or paralyzing fear. Your response will most likely involve reactions such as a panic attack, paralysis, and a blackout. Also, unhealthy fear is a reaction to a perceived or imagined danger. Healthy fear arises as a reaction to real danger and recedes after the danger is no longer present. Unhealthy fear tends to persist, causing you to feel paralyzed by it. How to Manage Fear? Whether you have experienced trauma or you are suffering from overwhelming chronic fear and anxiety, try to always keep one thing in mind: a strong feeling of fear that you are experiencing is just that, a feeling. An awareness that you can separate from that feeling is the first step in overcoming your fear. So, here are 4 simple ways to overcome fear. Acknowledge Your Fear Trying to suppress fear will only make it stronger. Recognize that fear is there and face it. Keep in mind that fear is just a feeling. Acknowledge this with an awareness that your fear doesn’t define who you are. Then simply let it go. Practice Stress Reduction Techniques or Exercise Practice mindful relaxation techniques, which are an effective way to boost resilience and manage stress. Mindfulness can help you recognize your fear and observe how it feels in your mind and body. Simply observe your fear as it is, without trying to get rid of it as soon as possible. Remind yourself again that what you are experiencing is a feeling, not who you are. Other stress-relieving strategies that can help you manage fear include breathing techniques, visualization (guided imagery), progressive muscle relaxation, body scan, biofeedback, and physical exercise. Overcome Fear By Connecting with Nature Spending time in nature brings about positive feelings of calmness, happiness, peace, optimism, and beauty. Studies show that being connected to nature reduces anxiety and fear, and increases mood, making us feel better emotionally. Spending time in nature reduces the production of Cortisol, Adrenaline, and Norepinephrine (stress hormones), muscle tension, heart rate, and blood pressure, all of which are signs of fear and tension. Seek Support If you have suffered trauma, it is important that you seek professional mental health counseling to find out how to overcome fear. A skilled therapist will help you to work through your memories and face your fear in a safe environment. Coaching might be a good option if your fear stems from a lack of confidence or sometimes fear of making a mistake. Identifying the ways to create a sense of control in your life is vital to managing fear. Remember that you have control over your fear, not vice versa. If you need support, feel free to reach out and we can discuss what fears you are facing and how best you can move forward. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or visit my website for more info! Read more from Kamini! Kamini Wood, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Kamini Wood is the founder and CEO of Live Joy Your Way and the AuthenticMe® RiseUp program. An international best-selling author Kamini is driven to support people of all ages to heal their relationship with themselves and to stop outsourcing their self-worth. As a result, her clients become their own confident, resilient self-leader with healthier relationships. Kamini is a certified life coach, board-certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, holds specialty certifications in Calling in the One®, Conscious Uncoupling®, NewMoney Story®, and teen life coaching. Also trained in conscious parenting, Kamini aims to meet her clients where they are, supporting and guiding them on their journey to where they want to be, both personally and professionally. Her mission: create space for each person to see the unique gifts they bring to this world.

A sensory room undoubtedly has a role in helping people with sensory overload, but a Cubbie is likely to be a better choice in most situations. Cubbie helps thousands of neurodivergent, autistic, and anxious people have a better day. Autistic people face significant challenges daily; in many cases, their challenges are not visible to those around them. Even the people that make up the support network of somebody with Autism cannot truly experience how it feels to be autistic. Autistic people are more sensitive to noise, light, and the environment than neurotypical people. This leads to a feeling of dysregulation. Dysregulation displays itself as stress and anxiety, leading to aggression or sleepiness. Many places, such as schools and public buildings, can be overwhelming. We all experience stress and anxiety at some point. It is just more acute for an autistic or neurosensitive person. In attempting to deal with stress, most of us let the pressure build or seek a safe space to collect ourselves and regulate our sensory needs before returning to what we were doing. However, our busy world has very few suitable safe spaces. This is a particular problem for autistic people. Without such a space, they find it hard to participate fully in education and society and their undoubted talents are suppressed or missed. Some places have a traditional sensory room. Ideally, an occupational therapist should manage them. Plus, outcomes are variable, unpredictable, and can be very time-consuming. They are also space hungry. There is a significant problem in schools that feel enormous societal pressure to be more inclusive of neurodivergent people. Few schools have access to an occupational therapist and instead rely on one-to-one interventions from hard to recruit and retain support staff. Many schools also lack any safe space for these students to regulate their sensory needs. Consequently, classes are disrupted, and stretched teachers have added stress. Often dysregulated students wander corridors, lock themselves in toilet cubicles or feign illness to go home. This absorbs lots of valuable school resources. In the most severe cases, students can face exclusion. All this forms the inspiration for the innovative digital solution introduced by David McIntyre, whose real-life family experiences inspired him to create what is known as Cubbie. David explains: "I am the inventor and managing director of Cubbie. I have four wonderful children and a lovely wife. Two of our children are autistic. Until we noticed their sensory sensitivity, we had no idea about Autism. Their school tried to help, but they, too, struggled for knowledge and resources. Like the teachers, we found this frustrating. I quickly decided I wanted to help solve the problem rather than fight the system. I am an engineer by trade and used this skill (plus an incredible amount of my spare time!) to build the first Cubbie in my garage. I wanted to help my children initially. It worked amazingly well. My family loved it. Since then, Cubbie has become a successful business helping thousands of autistic, stressed and anxious people participate more fully in education and society.” So, what is a Cubbie? It is an easy-to-use, immersive, safe, personal space of sound and vision free of disruptions, driven by software, and wheelchair friendly. Most users have their own unique Cubbie Profile created by the Cubbie occupational therapist in combination with their software. A session is called a Cubbie Sprint and lasts for between 5 and 15 minutes. David explains, "We want the student to have maximum time in the classroom, not the Cubbie". The advantage of a personalised Cubbie Profile is the software helps schedule Cubbie Sprints to prevent dysregulation keeping disruption to a minimum. It also means that users can pick up where they left off at their last session and progress is monitored. A Cubbie is for one student at a time and must be used with the student's consent. Nobody should ever be forced to use a Cubbie. It deliberately has lock-free transparent doors. Inside, the student is safe, self-sufficient, visible, and free to leave anytime. Sensory Sprint users can regulate their sensory needs predictably and reliably within five to fifteen minutes. This gives the autistic student sufficient time to benefit from the experience while also being able to return to their daily school routine very quickly, maximising not just inclusion but participation too. It also reduces disruption to the teacher and their class since the autistic student is only absent for a short time. The results have been incredible. With Cubbie, schools can do more with less. Schools report that they can currently manage a maximum of four students a day, but with a Cubbie, this is more than twenty students, which frees up precious teaching support time. They're manufactured in Birmingham for UK customers and its home nation of Ireland, with the company itself being based out of County Mayo. All of this sounds exciting, but there's more to it. Although those with sensory overload autism benefit the most from using a Cubbie, these experiences are also extremely valuable to anyone with ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia. Not to mention neurotypical students who use a Cubbie Sprint to ease their stress and anxiety, even teachers use Cubbie for mindfulness, especially before or after school. Schools aren't the only location where you could benefit from using a Cubbie. Over the past few years, many places have invested in Cubbies to aid those with sensory needs. These include libraries, universities, hospitals, and respite care. Even the Aviva Stadium in Dublin has a Cubbie! There are plans for workplaces, shops, and many more public spaces. Cubbies are connected to the cloud, so anyone with a Cubbie Profile can go to any Cubbie, be recognised, and pick up where they left off. Libraries are starting to install Cubbies to provide support when schools are closed. As the widespread usage of Cubbies demonstrates, there has been significant positive feedback for these fantastic immersive experiences. Here are just some of the comments that users and their carers have made about Cubbies so far: "Initially, we investigated buying a Cubbie to support our autistic students. However, it quickly became obvious that Cubbie is not just for autistic people as we can all suffer from sensory overload." "The Cubbie is loved by our students. There is no stigma attached to its use, and it allows our students to be more participative as (the software) helps pre-empt and prevent sensory (overload) issues." "Children, parents, and staff report calmer, happier, and more settled children. The children return to their class ready to participate in their work." Many Schools want a Cubbie but are facing a funding crisis and risk being unable to solve a real problem. Step in businesses that want to give back to society. They partly or fully fund Cubbies for schools. Recent support has come from Walls Construction, AWS, and Aviva. They do it as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the fact that the Cubbie software can produce data on impact is a huge benefit when it comes to reporting. As word spreads, David is expecting more businesses to come forward and fund Cubbies. Cubbie has received numerous awards for its life-changing technology, such as the Innovation Award at the National Enterprise Awards 2022, an honour at the Diversity In Tech Awards, and winning The Charles Darwin award at the BITA awards. No doubt, further awards will come Cubbie's way as more and more businesses and people understand what it is all about. But to David, the true triumph comes not from plaques, trophies, and nominations but from the ability to positively impact those who may require support. David concludes: "Society is rapidly changing to be more inclusive. There is more understanding and desire to include people in wheelchairs than ever. You install ramps, lifts, wide entrances, and exits, plus low door handles. Similarly, a Cubbie helps autistic people participate in and benefit from a full education and become active members of Society." If you want to learn more about Cubbie's incredible work, you can visit their website by going to https://cubbie.ie/ . It could just prove to have a tremendous impact upon the lives of those that are closest to you, if not your own life too.

Written by: Debra Whitson , 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. January has long been dubbed “Divorce Month” and you might be one of the individuals who decided to file for divorce in the New Year. But what is the main contributing factor to most couples divorcing in January? According to Claire Nowak, in her article “ This Is Why January Is the Biggest Month for Divorce ”, “If couples, especially those with children, have started to consider divorce before the holidays, they make a point of staying married through the end of the year so their family can have one last holiday season together before they split.” Additional circumstances that may arise is the added financial stress experienced during the holiday season, the burden of dealing with in-laws, and resentment that may have built up during the relationship due to communication problems between you and your spouse. So, once you have made the decision to divorce, how exactly do you prepare? Here are five ways to ensure the process proceeds as peacefully and smoothly as possible. 1. Consider your options Did you know that when it comes to divorce, there are multiple options available to you? In my book “Divorce Like A Pro: A Better Way To Break Up” I explain these multiple options in great detail ‒ starting with the Kitchen Table approach, and ending with litigation, which should never be considered your first approach. However, sometimes spouses have exhausted all their options and end up in court, whereas I also explain how to proceed to avoid a long, bitter battle where your kids end up becoming collateral damage. At WhitsonLaw, PLLC . and our sister company, Mediated Online Solutions, LLC . we actively encourage alternative methods to litigating, such as mediation ‒ saving you time, money and providing you with a peaceful resolution to your conflict. 2. Begin gathering your financial information As you prepare for divorce, it is important that you are informed and knowledgeable when it comes to your finances. You will need to be aware of all the assets and debts you acquired during your marriage, your financial obligations, joint debt, and an inventory of all that you own. Examples of financial documents you should be gathering are records of property you own, vehicle documents, account statements, current mortgage, car or credit card debt information, and any other loans. You could also be asked to provide information on your income, which can affect the division of assets process and how child support or spousal support is calculated. This could include your salary, severance pay, Social Security benefits, rental income, capital gains or pay-outs of retirement accounts. 3. Change your account passwords During your marriage, you might have shared computers, social media accounts, bank accounts, and passwords with your spouse. Being accessible to your family might have come in handy, but your soon-to-be ex could easily use these to digitally spy on you. Apps that once might have been used to track your children’s whereabouts, could easily be used to establish your location and your habits. A good start would be to ensure that all your passwords are changed, including those on cloud-based sharing accounts. Consider opening your own accounts and creating a new email account, with a unique password and on a personal device, which only you have access to. 4. Consider talking to your children before proceeding with divorce Telling your kids that you plan on separating might not be easy but ensuring that their needs are met during your divorce process is crucial and will help them feel supported. Let them know that it is not their fault, present a united front, and encourage your kids to say how they feel. Explain that this change is best for the whole family, and give simple, factual, explanations. 5. Find the right attorney that will focus on your family’s needs Finding a qualified lawyer that can represent you in your county is the most crucial part of the process. An excellent way to start your search is to look at the firm’s reviews, ask for referrals from friends and family, and to consider the attorney’s credentials. A collaborative divorce attorney or an attorney trained in mediation, is more likely to help you resolve your divorce process amicably, without resorting to the courts. At WhitsonLaw, PLLC . all our team is Certified Divorce Specialists – from the Client Support Specialists to our paralegals and attorneys, all our staff has received the necessary training to ensure we combine empathy and compassion with our legal expertise, to best assist with your family law matters. Be sure to check out all the information and resources on our law firm website, and the website of our sister company, Mediated Online Solutions, LLC. www.whitsonlawfirm.com www.mediatedonlinesolutions.com Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Debra! Debra Whitson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine For the first half of her career, Debra Whitson was a prosecutor, and she spent the latter half specializing in Matrimonial and Family Law. She is an experienced mediator and collaborative divorce practitioner as well as a recognized expert in working with victims of domestic violence. Debra believes that legal battles are more harmful to families than helpful, and is passionate about helping people find ways to make their own decisions for their families, rather than leaving their outcomes in the hands of a stranger in a black robe. When court is unavoidable, Debra aims to educate and support people to make the legal process less costly, scary, uncertain, and stressful.

Written by: Melissa Pas Blake, 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 health involves cultivating positive emotions rather than just downplaying negative emotions. It's helpful to embrace positive emotions and put yourself in situations that are likely to bring more positive ones. Keep reading to help you find simple ways to feel more positive. Little mind hacks are helpful; saying these little things to yourself can change your whole perspective and your day. Try~ "Good things are coming my way," "things always work out for me," or "I am lucky." One of my favorites is "I get to do it." This is a much better mindset than "I have to do ."I get to go to the gym and drive my kids to school. I get to make dinner and go to the office today. Bring in positive vibes and shift the mindset to positive. Noticingsimple joys and reveling in others' successes can also increase positivity. People often think of mental health as minimizing negative emotions, like reducing anxiety, anger, loneliness, and sadness. However, your skills for cultivating positive emotions can matter just as much regarding your overall happiness. Here is an abundance of simple tools to help you feel more positive If you master these skills to make them habits, they'll go a long way to helping you feel happier overall. Notice and appreciate simple joys. There's comfort and delight all around us, but some people are better at noticing it than others. Do you pay attention to your child's smile? Do you see other people excelling in their roles, like the barista who makes your cappuccino so pretty? Do you notice the cozy feeling when you get into bed at night? Do you appreciate other people's creativity? Appreciate what you get to experience. Be thankful for what you do have, not for what you don't have. I have a small house. When everyone is home or I have company, I say, "love grows better in small places." Put yourself in situations that lead you to feel positive emotions Do you put yourself in situations likely to bring about positive emotions? Do you take long walks on a beautiful day? Do you turn off the news and listen to music? Do you make plans with your favorite people? Are you spontaneous? Target the full spectrum of positive emotions. We talk about mental health, and we focus our attention on feeling calm. In reality, there are many positive emotions beyond relaxation and the absence of stress. To be happy, you'll want to experience positive emotions like joy, surprise, excitement, delight, calm, satisfaction, amazement, love, connection, curiosity, pride, awe, and energy. Being content is positive as well. Pay attention to the little happy moments and try not to sweat the small stuff. Gain insight and enjoy others' successes How do you feel seeing other people succeed and enjoy their lives? Do you feel envious, or do you feel joy and excitement on their behalf? Suppose you only rely on your own experiences to provide positive emotions. In that case, that's limiting compared to other people's experiences, are also a source of positive emotions for you. Elicit positive emotions in others How good are you at making other people smile, laugh or beam with pride. Do you make people feel loved, relaxed, joyful, or excited? Emotions can be socially contagious. Engage with happy people and positive people. Limit your time being around unhappy, irritated, negative people. It feels great to bring out positive emotions in others. It allows you to enjoy those emotions too. Be generous with your compliments. If you think something is nice about someone, tell them. Give someone the praise they didn't know they were craving. There are hundreds of ways to compliment someone that is not about their looks. "You always go above and beyond." You always make me laugh and smile." "Your hard work has paid off." You are so creative" See how it boosts them. We can't always control negative triggers, yet we can control what positive emotions we put effort into experiencing. Practice these simple skills, and watch them become a positive habit, and then it becomes who you are. Allow yourself to be the best, happiest version of yourself. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Melissa! Melissa Pas Blake, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Melissa Pas Blake is a Changemaker, healer and a mindset coach helping people to make positive and powerful life changes fast, so they can reach their goals to be their best selves. Melissa brings positive energy,comfort and healing to all aspects of a client's life. Her goal is to help people live to their potential, teach them the power of the mind and support them to cultivate a healthier relationship with themselves. Melissa holds in her heart it is never too late to make a positive change and if you get help you get respect.

Written by: Juan C. Olmedo, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Have you ever wondered how some people achieve such great things in their lives? It’s not because they are smarter than the rest of us, but rather, it’s because they have a systematic method for approaching challenges. This systematic approach can be learned and replicated if we work on it consistently. In this article, I’ll discuss some ways that you can systematically learn from experts to build a million-dollar company. As an entrepreneur with multiple previous successful and some not so success ventures under my belt, I have learned from great mentors, experts, coaches, and inspirational leaders countless lessons across many businesses. The experience has been invaluable and through those experience, I have come up with these 5 Mastery tips on how to systematically learn from experts to build a successful venture. 1. Build a Product People Need An entrepreneur has many different definitions, depending on who you ask. Basically, it is a person who has the ability to see local and global problems as an opportunity to capitalize on. A person who creatively analyzes these problems and visualizes a solution that maybe no one even understands and be considered a “Crazy Person”. As these crazy ideas become a reality, societies start to progress, and communities flourish because of these solutions. To put it straight an Entrepreneur is a resourceful problem solver. People want to buy products that solve problems. So, before starting a company, it is important that you identify the problem your company will solve. In order to make your product sellable, you need to understand the customer’s needs within their context and then create a solution. This will help you build a product people want to buy. “To be an entrepreneur, be ready to work like crazy, sleepless nights with no end in sight, and most important be passionate about what you are building” – Juan C. Olmedo 2. Become an Absolute Sales Machine Before your title of CEO or President is emotionally official, we are CSO’s (Chief Sales Officer). It is very easy to file a corporation, setup your business bank account, and draft up your corporate minutes stating you are the CEO/President. None of that matters if you are not on-boarding clients. Even with the title in the books, we are truly Sales Officers, and until you have built a decent book of clients, you will continue to focus on sales. “Sales is a science we must master in order to earn the title of CEO” – Juan C. Olmedo Sales Mastery is the key to success when starting a business. As an entrepreneur, it can be difficult to know how to kick-start your startup and ensure that you are reaching new clients. Mastering the art of sales involves taking a focused and systematic approach to selling which allows you to maximize opportunities with potential clients. Utilizing this method will help create more leads, close deals faster, and nurture current relationships. Additionally, having a strong understanding of sales strategies helps improve customer service experience which can lead to higher customer retention rates and word-of-mouth recommendations from existing clients. Mastering Sales doesn’t mean reading a couple of books about sales mindset hacks. Consider sales training for startups, one-on-one coaching from experts, or online sales training courses. Remember that Sales is a science that requires methods, processes, and systems. Without it, any clients you have you got by luck. 3. Hire, Inspire, and Build Great People The best way to build something is by inspiring people to see your vision and bring out the best of each person in your team. This is especially true in your early stages of a company. In fact, if you don't have a good team, it's difficult to be successful. I remember when I first started my first business, I hired someone who was not only experienced but had a similar personality and mindset as me. It was this hire that allowed me to learn from him as we worked together over time on our respective ventures. As an entrepreneur, you are often times expected to solve problems on your own without the help of others. To build a million-dollar company, it’s critical that you have a team that can solve problems and pushes you forward on your journey. Hiring the right people for your venture needs will allow you to trust them and work together with them towards success. Another important aspect of hiring for your venture is building a culture around how they work together as well as attracting other people with the same values into your organization. The culture will ensure that people in the organization work smoothly towards achieving their objectives while still maintaining all aspects of their lives outside of work, such as family or friends. “A great reward to entrepreneurship, is inspiring and building great people by drawing out the best in them” – Juan C. Olmedo 4. Change is permanent The first step in learning from experts No matter what your experience, you will see a change. Whether it’s a change in a business or personal life, some people don’t like change. They prefer the status quo and want to keep things as they are. This is not necessarily healthy for your mental and physical health. In order to learn from experts, we have to accept that change is permanent. We can still try our best to fight the changes but if we do so, we will only be prolonging the pain of getting used to those changes. If we embrace the change, then it will be easier for us to become better at implementing them in our lives and businesses and decrease stress levels substantially. As an Entrepreneur we must have a target to aim and shoot at our target. During the journey towards our target, things may happen, the economy might slow down, family matters, or even setbacks with our product development. This requires pivots and adaptation. These changes are good, but our target stays the same. Change is good in business, it helps you gain new perspectives, you are always learning, and these challenges help you level up. Always look towards others who have been on the road longer than you, see how they pivoted and adapted. If you are able to gain insights from them, learn from their mistakes. 5. Stay flexible and agile Since starting my first business at 22, I have always been focused on remaining flexible and agile. I think a big part of this is maintaining an open mind to new ideas, opportunities, and people. In any business venture, there are bound to be highs and lows. You should always stay in tune with what’s happening in your industry and take the valuable information from it. For example, when I started my first company as a young adult, most people scoffed that I looked like a teenager and being a teenage entrepreneur would ever lead to success. In hindsight, they were right. However, I made it work because I was willing to adapt and pivot as needed during the course of my venture. By staying flexible and agile, you will have the ability to respond quickly while still moving forward. Another way that you can maintain flexibility is by taking calculated risks where necessary but staying cautious with those risks when it comes to money or time commitments. For example, if you want to grow your business but don’t want to put too much money into it just yet then you might consider investing in advertising instead of spending all of your hard-earned cash upfront on advertising channels that may not pan out for you in the future. Conclusion Whether you are looking to start a new business or build on an existing one, I hope you find these tips to be helpful in your journey. A local Small Business Consulting firm Nexera Business Advisors led by Juan C. Olmedo, High-Performance Coach, offers mentoring, coaching, sales mastery training, and overall insight on how you may start, plan, and scale your next venture. Juan C. Olmedo brings 18 years of entrepreneurship experience and has found that sharing knowledge is key to helping move society forward. As a High-Performance Coach his goal is to help build your mindset to meet your Pinnacle Abilities. Currently offers Advisory, Coaching, Sales training through Pinnacle School of Business. Nexera Business Advisors is a Southern California-based firm and may be found here, 855.707.4505. Juan C. Olmedo may be found at here or at Pinnacle School of Business. FAQs What is the systematic approach to learning from experts? There is no silver bullet for learning from experts. However, there are some principles that can guide you to more effectively learn from experts. The key is to start with a clear process for learning from experts. First of all, find a person who you would like to learn from. Make sure that it is someone that you respect and trust. Get in touch with them and set up a time to learn from them. Find out what they know, what they don’t know, their work process, and the books, articles, or other resources they use. Transform your curiosity into action by reading their books or listening to their podcasts. Connect with them on social media if possible (LinkedIn is ideal). Ask questions and interact with them as much as possible. At the same time, keep notes and capture any insights you get by yourself or from your coworkers or peers. Make this a regular occurrence. Do this once per week for at least 1 year and you will have learned more than you could have imagined about how to build a billion-dollar company from scratch. How can you apply the systematic approach to learning from experts? One of the biggest takeaways for me from both my own and other's experiences is that a lack of great mentors and advisors is one of the greatest barriers to success. Learning from the best in the world is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so we all have to work extremely hard to ensure we're building up the right relationships with people who are both respected and willing to help. I started by networking with fellow serial entrepreneurs. I created a deep relationship with mentors, advisors and co-founders in new ventures. It's important to have thick skin and learn how to politely turn down invitations for dinner or drinks when you don't want to be bothered. The worst thing that can happen is that you'll end up meeting someone who you feel like you have nothing in common with (and no one wants that!). *Personal experience* What are some tips for systematically learning from experts? The best way to learn from experts is to engage with them. Find people you admire and reach out to them for advice, help, and/or guidance. Only after, do you feel comfortable asking for what you need. Be open and willing to learn from everyone. Don’t assume that you are smarter than everyone else in the world. We all start learning the same way! Mentors are incredibly valuable and you should seek them out. Help them grow, help them achieve their dreams, and don’t forget to say thanks in return! Follow me on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Juan! Juan C. Olmedo, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Juan C. Olmedo, is a Latino Tech Entrepreneur, High Performance Coach, & CEO of Nevtis Companies. Entrepreneur-minded since the age of 15, started first official business at 22 years of age and grew it to a $2 Million dollar a year company with 20 employees. Started subsequent business tech business at 25 and sold it just 5 years later. Have since started or invested in 6 other companies ranging from tech, telecom, construction, insurance, and digital marketing with a combined employment of 80 full time staff. Currently CEO at Nevtis Corp, a UCaaS Software provider. Being through virtually every stage of starting, and scaling million dollar companies, Mr. Olmedo uses his acquired knowledge of almost 20 years.

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. What is luck all about? A lot of people think that luck is this intangible magical thing that might come as fairy dust or some mythical energy source. Of course, most people associate luck with gambling as well. But is it really? Today we will be exploring what is luck all about and how you too might get a bit lucky. There Is No Such Thing As Luck Hold on! Before you close this article or flip the table, hear me out first will ya? Let’s look at luck objectively What is luck? What does being lucky mean to you? Usually people associate being lucky with something good happening right? And the opposite is being unlucky, which is something bad happening or nothing happening Now if we look at it objectively, looking at good, neutral and bad events happening to a person Then what do we see luck as? Probability! Yes, to me, luck is the probability The probability of a good event happening, a neutral or normal event, or even a bad event happening Let’s say we are playing a game, and if you get 3 heads in a row you win, while I will win if 3 tails appear in a row, and anything else just means we keep flipping coins The probability of 3 heads or 3 tails in a row is pretty small and seems the same isn’t it? A 1 in 2 chance 3 times in a row sounds the same So if you win, you are lucky! If you lose, you are unlucky! Let’s use another example of a seemingly random event – getting hit by bird droppings What are the chances of someone getting hit by bird droppings in a given place on a given day? However, because we tend to see getting hit by bird droppings as bad, it is seen as unlucky (generally speaking) There are of course, people who think that since the chances are so slim, you are lucky instead if you get hit by bird droppings! Naturally it also depends on whether you leave the house often, do you stay or frequent a place with a lot of birds, etc But I think you are beginning to understand why I say luck is a probability, of course, there is another factor PS I myself lost count after getting hit 13 times by bird droppings at all sorts of places It’s All About The Attitude Ok now that you understand that luck is really about probability then what’s next? It’s about the attitude Generally when we have a negative attitude or perspective to things, we mostly see it turning bad Whereas if we have a positive attitude or perspective, then we mostly see how we managed to avoid a crisis, or how this might teach us something new It’s like the bird-dropping scenario earlier, some people see it as bad luck to get hit by it, while some people see it as good luck! There was an experiment done by Richard Wiseman, where he did an experiment to people on the streets where they were to count how many photographs were in this newspaper People with a negative mindset took 2 minutes on average to count the number of photos, while people with a positive mindset took a few seconds!! The reason being, on the 2nd page or so, there was a huge text with the answer! People with positive mindsets are generally more open-minded, able to spot opportunities when it presents itself, and of course, read the answer so they will stop counting! However, people with negative mindsets tend to be close-minded, see problems or even too hyper-focused which meant they do not spot opportunities as much So yes, that is one of the first steps towards changing your luck and becoming luckier!! Adopting a positive mindset towards daily living might be a gradual process but the long-term results will speak for itself!! Increasing Your Luck So we have come to the important bit! How to increase your luck? Now that you understand its more about probability and that having a certain positive perspective will mean something is lucky or not Then it is for you to begin to change the way you think, to change your perspective You can start with taking different routes to work because doing so can start to allow your brain to think of new perspectives, new actions On top of that, if something happens, instead of thinking, oh something bad just happened or I’m unlucky, you can attempt to see the positive from it For example, sometimes I do get clients who book me and at the last minute, cancel the appointment For the record, I do not collect any deposit nor charge for the appointment booking And if you are an entrepreneur like me, you probably had that experience too! However, my view is that the last-minute cancellation gives me time to relax and rest (which is one positive aspect of a cancellation!) The funny thing is… sometimes I will get another client who will book me for that same timeslot at the last minute! Talk about being lucky! 🤣 If you want to read more weird things about the mind, be sure to share this article so you will be reminded about coming back to read more! Or you can just check out my blog. Watch my Tiktok videos too. Thank you for reading and I’ll see you next time! :D 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.

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. Oh, 2022... what another year it was. It showed us that no matter what we plan for or even expect that new challenges continue to arise and try to get in the way of our progress. But knowing that, how can we prepare and be ready for just about anything in 2023? I have some thoughts on that and what we might expect this year, from the workplace to home and all points in between, keep reading to find out some of my new predictions! 1. We'll Find Ways to Make Remote Work More Human: Make Remote Work More Human By 2024, we're going to see brand new models of work, especially hybrid work. Business leaders had to scramble during the pandemic to figure out how to keep business moving while employees were scattered. But now we've had time to start to completely refine how that hybrid work model treats employees. Business leaders will continue to figure out how to nurture relationships between employees who are physically distant while also ensuring they feel connected. With new technology and creative retreats that bring entire teams together, the level of collaboration will become more precise and more fulfilling for the entire workforce. 2. We'll Be More Mindful of Our Well-Being: 2023 Wellbeing One thing the pandemic did was make us all take a step back and rethink our priorities. People are looking for ways to reduce stress and burnout and stay healthy at home and at work. Employers are stepping up to the plate to rethink things too. Options like flexible work hours and other virtual ideas to keep employees and teams in touch and working toward the common goals of better work and home life will come much more into focus. 3. Increased Focus on Mental Health: Mental Health Speaking of well-being, we've become much more aware of our organizations mental health and it's high time that we as entrepreneurs have the right policies in place to help support employees facing increased stress and burnout and even depression. By giving employees the space to heal not just their bodies but their minds without fear of reprisal or other consequences related to mental health. Combine that with more (and better) access to benefits, resources, therapy sessions and self-care tools will make a huge difference in the new year. 4. Pursuit of Environmental Sustainability: Environmental Sustainability We're now clearly seeing some of the results of a changing climate. Proactive companies are putting new policies in place to help manage the threat. Reducing carbon footprints, investing in renewable energy sources, reducing waste by recycling and participating in carbon offsetting programs is a big step forward. In addition give your employees the incentives they need to reduce their own consumption of resources at work and at home. Heading into 2023, there will be increasing pressure on businesses to commit to ambitious sustainability goals. 5. Adaptation of AI Technology: AI Technology As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly advanced, employers must make sure they understand the implications of this new tech for their businesses — both in terms of potential benefits as well as ethical considerations. AI can help to automate mundane tasks, make decisions faster and enhance customer experience, but there's a need for clear guidelines on how these algorithms are used and how it affects workplace productivity and morale. 2023 is here and it's up to us to be able to tackle whatever new challenges we might face and continue to navigate the effects of the pandemic at home and at work. As always, it’s important that we stay agile and remain open-minded so that we can take advantage of opportunities for growth and development. With the right attitude and strategy, I believe this could be the year where we find solutions to some of our most pressing problems. Here’s to making 2023 count!🎉 Mark Your Calendars 🚨 Are you ready to inspire your workplaces every day instead of burnout? Now is the time to inspire our workplaces. Yes, we’ve been in the thick of massive change for almost 3 years now, but we've also become a more CONNECTED and PRODUCTIVE workforce. Now is the time to create a workplace culture filled with meaningful and transformational experiences. How do we get there? Join Rachel B. Lee and I for our upcoming LIVE Fireside Chat with the amazing and knowledgeable Zachary Bosin, Vice President of Product and Growth Marketing at BlueJeans by Verizon We’re so excited to sit down with Zach on January 25th at 10 am CST to talk about leading hybrid workplace teams and how we can use technology to transform our workplaces. Register NOW ⬇️ 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: Hanna Herbst, 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 still motivated by the novelty of the new year and eager to make it "your" year? Or are you already at a point where you "should" yourself into your new year's resolutions or have already dropped them? I will share with you 3 tips to make your goals stick. I adore a fresh start. It is a moment full of aspirations when we take a look in the mirror and get a glimpse of what could be…of who we could be! This might happen at the beginning of a new year and result in an exciting new year’s resolution. Typical resolutions are getting back in shape, working extra hard to get promoted, or reading one or two books per month. How’s it been going for you so far? Are you still highly motivated and on track to meet your new year’s resolution? If so, congratulations! If not, let me share some of my key learnings to help you reach your goals. 1. Make it meaningful How motivating does “I need to work harder to get promoted” or “I need to work out every day” sound? I already feel put off just hearing it. No wonder it’s nearly impossible to stick to such a goal! My most important advice is to give your goals meaning in line with your purpose and values. Why do you want to get promoted? Assume your purpose is to empower others to have a positive impact. If a promotion translates to having a bigger team, then you'd be able to empower more people to have a positive impact. This would be in line with your purpose and gives you the why. Similarly, imagine you have two little kids at home and are too unfit to play with them. Getting back into shape will allow you to be the parent you want to be. Can you see yourself running around with your kids? That kind of motivation will allow you to stick to your goals! 2. Set realistic goals Rome wasn’t built in a day… it does take time to go from 0 to 100! You can’t just skip the learning curve and become an expert in whatever you envision. For example, if you can only run for 2 minutes, running a marathon in 2 months seems unrealistic. Instead, split it into more realistic goals. Your next target could be running 10 minutes, then 20 minutes, and then even 5k! Which approach is more likely to result in success? Achieving one goal will motivate you to go after the next one. It’s like splitting up the hike to get to the top of a mountain in smaller iterations and suddenly you are on top! 3 Be kind to yourself What happens if you don’t manage to meet your goal one day? Maybe, you didn’t sleep well and left work early instead of going the extra mile. Chances are that you won’t be pleased with yourself and feel rather disappointed that you can’t stick to your goals. If it was your best friend instead who felt exhausted and just wanted to rest. What would you tell them? I assume it’d be something compassionate like “don’t you worry, tomorrow is another day. Take good care of yourself!” Words matter! Talk to yourself as if you were your best friend! What truly matters is what you do 80% of the time. If you take it easy one day, so what? Just get up the next day and go after your goals again. This kindness will help you to stick to your goals and a day off will be nothing more than a tiny bump in the road. You got this! If you feel inspired to get more clarity on your purpose and values or need support to reach your professional goals, we should talk! You can reach me at hanna@delygate.com. And if you enjoy podcasts, please tune in to my new show "Reaching your Goals" on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Hanna! Hanna Herbst, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Hanna Herbst is a leading leadership & career coach and management consultant with 15+ years of international experience in coaching, management consulting, entrepreneurship, and corporate finance. She holds an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business and is trained as a certified coach. Hanna's superpower is making things happen with lots of energy, compassion and a smile. As the CEO and founder of Delygate, she works with individuals and organizations offering them leadership & career coaching and management consulting services. Her mission is to move organizations and individuals forward by creating the conditions for reaching their goals. With Hanna's help, her clients transform towards confidence, focus, and fulfillment which allows them to be the best version of themselves and have impact in the world. Hanna is also the host of the “Reaching your Goals” podcast. Reaching your Goals is a career-focused podcast where Hanna sits down with inspiring individuals to find out what it takes to reach your goals. You can expect lots of energy, compassion, and candid discussions with everyone from business leaders, academics, coaches, or entrepreneurs on what it really takes to get one step closer to living a fulfilled professional life. Hanna is based in Zurich, Switzerland, and is fluent in English and German. Contact Hanna for: Leadership Coaching | Career Coaching | Leadership Trainings | Project Management | Workshop Facilitation | Moderation | Motivational Speaking

Written by: Eric Yaillen, 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. Recently, I’ve started doing business with many expat coaches and influencers who have relocated to Bali where they regularly engage in daily tea ceremonies. It’s something that is quite common in many Asian cultures whether it be in India, China, Japan, or Indonesia. The purpose of these ritualistic ceremonies, especially when it comes to business, is practicing presence, respect, consideration for others and receptivity without judgment. While these principles can be a reminder of how to best establish the foundation for any business brand, similar principles embodied in three words can also best describe what is essential for today’s marketers to grow their audience. These are the three pillars that prop up the presence, respect, and consideration – or should I say, the credibility of your brand. Trustworthiness, Expertise and Authority – or T-E-A. You’ve probably heard the expression that consumers today want to do business with those they “Know, Like and Trust.” This has become incredibly important. As of late, each year marks a further devolution in trust according to Edelmann’s annual Trust Barometer. It’s further evidence why consumers flock to those that establish and reinforce trust with their customers. In order to build trust into your brand, you need content and websites that help build or reinforce your reputation and that deliver outstanding value. In fact, it’s become so important that T-E-A today also signals what Google and prospects are looking for - expert-level content that answers all the right questions. T-E-A first showed up in Google’s Search QualityGuidelines in 2014 and has progressively become one of the most important aspects of SEO. It became especially critical after the August 2018 GoogleMedic update. Having stellar SEO content to support T-E-A can improve your chances of ending up near the top of Search Engine results and outlasting the test of future Google algorithm updates. It is essential for any successful endeavor. It can also play a role, due to AI being used in email deliverability, having your emails end up in the Inbox rather than in the Spam or Promotions folder. The basics of T-E-A In its Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines, Google explains that T-E-A content has a “high level of Trustworthiness, Expertise, and Authoritativeness,” therefore it can easily be construed that placing high-level content on a web page or in an email can result in the following benefits: Higher search engine rankings: Google’s algorithm loves content that promotes your site’s T-E-A. Increased behavioral metrics such as time on page and click-throughs to other pages on your site. Increased social shares and backlinks: People are more likely to share valuable T-E-A information. More featured snippets at the top of Google’s search results can command attention over even the first paid ads. Email has a better chance of ending up in the Inbox rather than Spam or Promotions folders. Still unsure of the meaning of the concept of T-E-A when it comes to marketing? Let’s break it down further. Trust (or Trustworthiness) I put building trust at the top because it is the most important foundational element of your business, and it should be the end result of everything and every interaction you have with your audience. Being trusted by Google and being elevated to a trusted space is quite an honor. You simply won’t rank very high on Google if your content lacks credibility. Trustworthy, quality content that is timely, up-to-date and accurate should be reflected in everything from the title to the copy. An equally important consideration (for Google’s algorithm) is user-friendly organization and quick load times. Here are four additional tips to ensure trustworthy communications: Https to ensure data security on your domain. Cite sources and link to other authoritative websites. Note site ownership and contact information. Be compliant with GDPR, CCPA and FTC rules including readily accessible PrivacyPolicy, Terms and Conditions and other applicable Disclaimers. Trust doesn’t come overnight. It is generated over time and is constantly reinforced by how you, your company and those who work for and with you interact with your stakeholders, whether they be investors, employees, vendors, customers, or prospects. When it comes to your communication efforts, the underlying elements to build trust are based on your expertise and how you are judged for your authority on a subject. Expertise Show your audience what you know by creating expert-level content. Content should be relevant to your area of expertise. For example, if you are in real estate, content could be based on what red flags to watch for when buying a house. You can determine exactly what your audience needs and wants to know by analyzing search intent using free sites such as AnswerthePublic.com which scans all search engines for relevant questions. Story-telling pulled from personal experience on a topic can also show expertise. The goal is for your audience to see you as a trusted expert in your field and therefore want to rely on you and your product or service. It all comes down to becoming the go-to in your niche by providing users with the accurate, high-quality content they’re seeking. Authority Don’t stop at expertise. That’s only the beginning. You’re also the authority. You establish authoritativeness when your work receives mentions within your niche on niche topics. What you want is related websites with established authority in your industry promoting your content. Other experts linking to your content demonstrate how polished and trusted your work is. This shows that your content delivers what the headlines and title tags promise. The more your content is able to regularly earn mentions or backlinks on other sites, the more your content and therefore you or your brand will be perceived as authoritative. You can’t have SEO success without authority which in turn increases your domain authority ranking. That’s T-E-A marketing in action. Why Is T-E-A important? Aside from Google saying it’s important, T-E-A marketing is a good way to hold your content accountable, too. So, what’s the big deal? It’s a pages’ value within a site that impacts where the site lands in Search Engine Results. T-E-A, in essence, defines a website’s value. Google’s Quality Rater Guidelines (QRG)do not directly influence page ranking, but Quality raters do keep T-E-A in mind when determining how effectively a site or page meets users’ needs because they assess whether information fits a users’ expectations. A site receives higher T-E-A signals if raters believe visitors might share or recommend the information In other words, get on Google’s good side. T-E-A and YMYL sites YMYL (“Your Money or Your Life”)pages are topics that impact visitors’ legal, financial, medical, and safety. These are the types of topics that can seriously affect a person’s health, well-being, or finances and therefore it is easy to understand that T-E-A is extremely important to Google’s YMYL pages. As high-stakes topics, content must be exemplary in its trustworthiness and is reflected in rich expertise and authority, so it’s understandable why Google should hold these types of sites to high T-E-A SEO standards. Just think of the consequences of YMYL that misses the mark. That’s why I find it so disheartening those big tech players from Twitter to Google made subjective decisions based on pressure from government officials to suppress valid information that went against a desired narrative when it came to Covid response. Public health officials led efforts to have big tech censor and shadow-ban research-supported medical advice that criticized policies resulting in severe health consequences to users who relied on or were conditioned to believe the information they were provided. It’s one of the main current examples of why Trust has continued to devolve. Credible, high-quality YMYL content that matches search queries and is high in T-E-A value puts users at ease. Sites that genuinely provide helpful information or a solution to a problem are more likely to meet these demands. The pages and sites doing T-E-A justice help people make tough decisions, that’s why Google and other content providers should not be subjectively suppressing free speech. Ultimately, users must be the decision-makers as to what is most accurate and trustworthy. T-E-A is critical to creating genuinely helpful YMYL content. Do it right, and you’ll be positioned as a credible resource, and people will trust your research-based advice. Best practices for T-E-A in your content Now that you know that the T-E-A we have here is not about something you drink but is really about Google’s algorithm, you should hopefully understand why it matters to your email communication and web pages. When you emphasize trust, expertise, authority, you’re adopting a comprehensive approach to SEO and content marketing. Let these three pillars prop up the credibility of your content. If you want your pages to rank high on Google for the most relevant and searched for terms in your niche, you will want your content to be as helpful and accurate as possible. Apply these T-E-A best practices to make your website more authoritative and trustworthy: Create an About page to let your audience know who you are. Collaborate with fellow experts. Regularly review your content and refresh it as needed so that it does not appear outdated. There are no shortcuts to developing trust, expertise, and authority. Your goal is to maintain an organically growing brand with a positive online presence. Put these tips into action to elevate your brand, increase your SERP and enhance your revenue potential. Play the game as best as you can, regardless of big tech’s recent missteps simply because, like it or not, Google analyzes everything. Always strive to ensure every aspect of your digital communication aims to hit high T-E-A standards. By doing so, you give your business the best chance of getting to the top of Google’sranks. Are you taking appropriate steps to ensure high T-E-A content? Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Eric! Eric Yaillen, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Known as a Marketing Technology Wizard, Eric helps his clients save countless hours and expense by streamlining their processes and eliminating unnecessary systems for managing customer information and marketing programs. As the creator of The MegaFluence Method, he applies his extensive knowledge and decades of experience coaching businesses on becoming market leaders in their niche. Email him at eric@cognilogicfx.com or go to https://www.megafluence.net/eric to get a free 30-minute introductory business analysis.

Written by: Lyn-Genet Recitas , 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. Healthy foods may not always be so healthy, especially when consumed too often. The reason? Every food has its health benefits and every food, even the healthiest, has its potential health risks. Foods contain many compounds that can start to interfere with your individual chemistry. For instance, the nightshade family which includes tomatoes, peppers and eggplant are well known to exacerbate joint pain, eczema and arthritis. If you eat food too often that compound can start to overwhelm your body causing food sensitivities, and health and weight issues. Your reaction could range from simple bloating after a meal to weight gain, depression, constipation, joint pain or headaches. One group of foods can cause many issues because they contain a compound known as goitrogens. Ironically, some of the healthiest foods you are eating can fall into that category – raw kale, strawberries, cauliflower, arugula, bok choy and even spinach! Goitrogens are compounds that disrupt the synthesis of thyroid hormones and inhibit the uptake of iodine, a necessary nutrient for thyroid health. Your thyroid is an organ that is directly responsible for your metabolism, digestion and mood. In addition, your thyroid is a major player when it comes to hormonal health since it stimulates and synchronizes the metabolic & cellular functions in every tissue throughout your body. 750 million people worldwide have thyroid dysfunction. Signs of thyroid dysfunction includes: Weight gain Depression Anxiety Hair loss Low sex drive Feeling cold Hormonal Imbalance Sleep issues Digestive issues Low energy Foggy thinking Carb and sugar cravings Sleep issues So what should you do? Should you avoid these foods forever? Absolutely not. These goitrogenic foods have so many health benefits. The key is to rotate these foods in your diet and limit them to once a week. You can replace these goitrogens with other foods that have many of the same health benefits. You will be paid off with better health, energy and weight. In addition, you will have optimal nutrition without the potential health risks associated with low thyroid function, known as hypothyroidism. Here are some common everyday goitrogens that you are most likely including in your diet to be healthy, and here’s how to rotate them out. You will get all of the benefits with none of the potential risk to your thyroid . All of the food substitutes are also low inflammatory providing you with optimal health and weight! Certain foods like broccoli and kale are goitrogens in their raw form, but cooking deactivates these compounds making them great substitutes. Goitrogen Low Inflammatory Substitute Cauliflower ​ Cooked Broccoli Spinach Cooked Kale Strawberries Blueberries Arugula Red or green leaf lettuce Peanut Butter Raw Almond Butter Sweet Potato White Potato Horseradish/Wasabi Sriracha Peaches Apricot ​ Pine Nuts Sunflower seeds Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Lyn-Genet! Lyn-Genet Recitas, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Lyn-Genet Recitas, Sports Nutritionist, HHP NMT, is the NY Times and International Bestselling author of The Plan and The Metabolism Plan a groundbreaking anti-inflammatory nutritional protocol which has been published in over 15 countries. She’s been featured on Dr. Oz, Huffington Post, CBS, NBC, Fox News, Women’s Running, Fitness, Vogue, Marie Claire, Elle, and Prevention. Lyn-Genet and her staff of doctors and nutritionists have helped hundreds of thousands of men and women reach their best health by finding their chemical responses to food, not counting calories. The Plan is an effective way to lose weight, improve health and reverse the aging process.