Dr. Helen Ofosu is an Organizational Psychologist, Executive and Career Coach, and HR Consultant. She is soon to be a published author when her book launches. How to Be Resilient in Your Career: Facing Up to Barriers at Work will be released by Routledge on February 23, 2023. Dr. Helen has helped individuals and organizations become more resilient for more than ten years through her private practice I/O Advisory Services Inc. Dr. Helen is the author of more than two hundred blog posts and is frequently contacted by journalists to comment on subjects related to the workplace, employment, entrepreneurship, and diversity. She is also one of five founding officers of a new section of the Canadian Psychological Association focused on Black Psychology, which aims to improve the representation of Black faculty, graduate students, and psychologists in Canada. Dr. Helen Ofosu, Psychologist, Author, Speaker, Coach & Consultant For readers who don’t know you yet, who is Dr. Helen Ofosu? I studied Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology, also known as Work and Business Psychology. My specialties include assessing and developing leadership skills, inclusive recruitment, corporate mentorship, and navigating the complex issues of workplace bullying, harassment, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Part of what sets me apart from many career and executive coaches is my experience on the inside, as an HR and professional development expert, within large corporate workplaces. I have intimate knowledge of typical HR processes and systems. In 2012, I left the safety and security of a job in the Canadian federal government to launch my own practice. I am proud that my practice reached the ten-year mark in 2022. I am also an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa, where I deliver occasional guest lectures and enjoy mentoring aspiring psychologists. Your tagline is “More than career coaching; it’s career psychology®.” What is Career Psychology? Is it the same as Therapy? Since I’m a psychologist, potential clients sometimes worry they’d be signing on for months of treatment or therapy. But unlike the patients of Clinical psychologists, most of my clients aren’t coming to me for help with deep-rooted personal problems that require months or years to work through. Most of my clients are professionals or recent graduates who need guidance to get ahead in their careers or navigate difficult work-related situations. Over the years, I’ve become a highly skilled Career Psychologist, so it is possible to achieve meaningful results quickly. I understand you wrote a book on many of the challenges of the modern workplace. Yes, I wrote, How to be Resilient in Your Career: Facing Up to Barriers at Work, which Routledge will publish in February 2023. Here’s a 30-second video overview. From what I’ve seen up close, the modern workplace is complicated and sometimes quite difficult – for employees, leaders, and HR professionals. I also appreciate how hectic life can get, so when I started planning this book, I wanted to make sure readers would get a concise, easy-to-read resource that covers ten of the most common challenges and setbacks that I regularly tackle with my private coaching clients (e.g., underemployment, harassment/bullying, being part of an underrepresented group, toxic workplaces, etc.) Who will benefit most from reading this book? This book will benefit employees who are skilled and competent at their jobs and want to avoid certain problematic situations at work. And if they find themselves dealing with these challenges, this book will be a helpful guide to help them bounce back more quickly and completely. When my clients suffer from some of the problems addressed in this book, I sometimes connect them with Clinical Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Counselors, or Social Workers. Many mental health professionals have limited experience working in typical corporate workplaces. These professionals will find this book to be an excellent resource. This book will also be a helpful guide for career coaches and executive coaches who are building awareness of the nuances I address for members of underrepresented groups and HR matters. Why were you the right person to write this book? I have a unique perspective based on my deep understanding of careers, leadership, the psychology of work and business, the modern workplace, and the realities and practicalities of equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and anti-racism. Most career and executive coaches do not have the HR experience I have. Likewise, most HR professionals don’t have the coaching experience I have. Adding my foundation in psychology to the mix creates a complete and compelling package. How is this book different from other books on career advice? I have never found a book written by someone with a background in work psychology, HR, coaching, EDI, and leadership that addresses the common problems high-performing professionals face. This book fills the gap left by most online searches too since certain problems are too big and high stakes to rely on online searches. I think I’d like to order your book. Where can I preview some of the content? Here’s a 30-second book trailer/video overview of How to be Resilient in Your Career: Facing Up to Barriers at Work. You can also look at the Table of Contents and some endorsements/testimonials. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and visit my website to find more ways to become more resilient in your career. Read more from Dr. Helen!

Jeffrey Fidelman manages a 40-person management consulting firm in parallel to being a freelance CFO himself, focusing on providing strategic services to early and mid-stage companies. As a consultant/freelancer, he has acted as an interim CFO/COO for 100+ companies and funds. A few highlights of Jeffrey's career outside of consulting include being a partner at a VC fund, banking with Morgan Stanley and HSBC as well as co-founding a real estate brokerage. Jeffrey graduated cum laude from Harvard University. Hi Jeff! Tell us a little bit about yourself! My name is Jeffrey Fidelman, and I am the CEO of Fidelman & Co., a management consulting firm specializing in strategy and finance for early and mid-stage companies. Before founding the firm, I spent time in banking between Morgan Stanley and HSBC, then as a partner in a family office venture fund. My experience has given me expertise in various industries, such as real estate, banking, and venture capital. I'm passionate about helping companies reach their potential and have a record of success with my clients. What kind of audience do you target your business towards? I primarily target early and mid-stage companies looking to grow their businesses through strategic planning, financial advice, and capital raising. I also work with larger organizations that need help understanding the complexities of running a business in a competitive environment. My clients come from all sectors, including technology, finance, healthcare, media,, etc. Companies engage my firm when they are looking to raise capital, sell their business, buy another business, or alleviate bandwidth issues. On a bell curve, my average client is usually a Series A company, but I have worked with everything from an idea on a napkin (pre-revenue and pre-product) to Fortune 1000 companies. What are your current goals for your business? We are in the process of launching a fundraiser for our fund early next year, which will exclusively invest in our former clients. Our goal is to generate revenue and serve as a trusted partner for these businesses throughout their growth journey. We have an edge in that all our clients come to us before they go to market for their transactions. Aside from having ample time to do diligence on them, we get the chance to know the management team and how they think, which allows us to make informed decisions about the companies we believe will continue to experience exponential growth. Who inspires you to be the best that you can be? I'm inspired by many successful entrepreneurs that I've had the privilege to work with. They have all shown me through their hard work, dedication, and creativity that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Additionally, these entrepreneurs continually challenge me with the nature of their growing businesses, often causing moments of imposter syndrome. I'm always encouraged by my family and friends, who continue to support me in my endeavors. What is your work inspired by? My work is inspired by the belief that everyone should have access to opportunities and resources to build a successful business. I want to use my experience,, knowledge, and the firm's resources to provide entrepreneurs with high-quality, affordable advisory services they can rely on. My goal is to equip them with the tools they need so they can grow their businesses efficiently and sustainably. We are a firm, not a single person or a few individuals so that we can offer expertise and cost efficiency. Through our service, we aim to make the journey of entrepreneurs easier and more successful. Tell us about your greatest career achievement so far. This year, Fidelman & Co earned recognition as a part of Inc's Fortune 5000 - ranking 452 amongst the most rapidly-growing private firms in America. This is a testament to our team's hard work and dedication, and I am incredibly proud of this accomplishment. We are also proud to be a part of helping hundreds of businesses develop successful strategies and reach their goals. If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? I think that management consulting often gets a bad reputation due to a lack of transparency and quality. Most consultants in the early-to-mid stage business consulting space are constantly just moving from one project to the next, unable to be candid with their clients and leading to hours billed with little or no value added. This hurts the entire industry, and I am out to change that by building a firm where we can say no to clients, challenge their ideas, and provide value every step. Our goal is always to put our clients' needs first and provide them with the strategies and insights they need for success. With this service-first approach, we hope to increase the value of management consulting and make it more accessible for businesses of all sizes. Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today. When I was starting as a young banker, I had the opportunity to work with some of the most talented entrepreneurs in the business world. Seeing their success and hearing their advice gave me the confidence to take a risk and launch my consulting firm. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and it's allowed me to pursue my passion for helping businesses reach their potential and achieve success.

Written by: Charlotte Elizabeth Scott-Terrell, 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 know it has been a pretty tumultuous time in the workplace. This is likely not going to get better any time soon. Let’s face it, people have found a way to survive without a 9 to 5. They have moved in with family and pooled resources, otherwise downsized, found work-from-home gigs, gotten government assistance, or started their own businesses. People feel as though they no longer have to be slaves to jobs where they are mistreated or where they feel unfulfilled. Since the pandemic people have also determined “it’s cheaper for me to work from home”… no need for child care, lunch expenses, gas, parking, business attire, etc. So, that being said the small and decreasing percentage of employees who opt to stay in what many call the “rat race” is because of the stability it offers in a volatile economy. However, even with that people are quitting their day jobs for 5 top reasons. Here they are. Read carefully: 1. There is no clear vision they feel they are doing the work of 2 or 3 people and it’s not worth the stress. The workload is too heavy. 2. People don’t feel safe in the workplace There is no one they can trust, too much “back biting" and blatant abuse, even from superiors. Employers are not providing a safe, fair workplace. 3. Employees are not properly trained They are either given no grace or room for human error or they are drowning because no one taught them to swim (how to be successful in their position) 4. Employees don’t feel valued and respected No amenities! A paycheck and benefits are not enough! If people don’t feel valued and respected, they will leave. Examples of amenities are: provisions for child care, half workdays or flexible work schedules, hybrid work model (home and office), lunch on-site, acknowledgment & incentives for doing a good job (this is a big one) if there are no amenities and employees feel overwhelmed, overworked, undervalued, and under-appreciated, you will lose them! 5. Finally, employees feel unheard Finally, employees who feel unheard or as if what’s important to them means nothing to you. This is epic! For example, an employee loses a loved one or they become ill themselves. If you only care about your bottom line and not your staff as humans, and not robots, you’re doing your company a grave disservice! They will leave and drag your company and reputation threw the mud. Can you afford that? Maybe from one or two former employees but certainly not from a team of disgruntled former employees. Here's where your bottom line is impacted. We’ve already talked about the company and your reputation being negatively spoken of. In the age of social media, one person can reach thousands! Remember those popular companies you grew up hearing about and doing business with, and now they’re gone? You may be thinking well no one is indispensable but, do the math. It costs you money to recruit and retrain, and you then have to wait for the employee to learn the job. During the learning curve, you may have to pay for fatal human mistakes until the new employees get acclimated. It’s cheaper to adequately train, nurture, and retain the employees you have. Especially those who have been loyal to you for years. If good employees are treated well they will see the vision, follow the mission, and take your business to the highest levels of earnings you could ever imagine! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, or visit my website. Read more from Charlotte! Charlotte Elizabeth Scott-Terrell, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Charlotte Terrell is a Transformational Life Coach, Speaker, and Author. She has worked as a Clinical Therapist, Trainer and Educator. Charlotte has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling, and a second Master’s degree in Education. Today, she personifies what it means to ascend above adversity while inspiring countless others to do the same. A highly driven woman who was born to break barriers, she proves that when powered by purpose, women are unstoppable. She inspires. She empowers. She unleashes. Extraordinary at walking others through a radical transformation, she is as relentless about her client's success as she is about her own.

Brainz Magazine Exclusive Interview LeNae and Trip Goolsby, MD are the founders of Infinite Health Integrative Medicine Center, a precision-medicine practice with a niche focus on health optimization, age-reversal, and regenerative medicine, with patient-partners from across the nation. LeNae and Dr. Goolsby are also best-selling authors having written a few books, including, “Think and Live Longer,” which is also their mind-body connection coaching program. “Think and Live Longer,” in connection with their progressive peer-reviewed and evidence-based medical modalities has been instrumental in helping thousands of women and men transform, not just their health, but their lives. As authors and speakers, LeNae and Dr. Goolsby work to empower people across the globe to reclaim their health power, create and attain their personalized successful health image. In 2013, you transitioned your community oncology and hematology practice into your company Infinite Health Integrative Medicine Center, how did you come to choose this path and how did your journey begin? At the end of 2012, we were hit with a cataclysm that shook the foundation of our practice, and that is a story in and of itself. Suffice it to say this event set our path in motion Likewise, shifts in the local and federal political/healthcare arena made it no longer tenable for us to provide cancer care in the private practice setting. We were seeing other oncology providers being forced out of their practices and either choosing to retire early to accept employment with hospitals. Neither of which were viable options for us. During this unsettling time, I [LeNae] was going through a spiritual journey, delving into works by Wayne Dyer, Louise Hay, Teal Swan, etc. As my perceptions of the world evolved, Trip came along for the ride, and we began incorporating what we were learning into the cancer practice as handouts for the patients. Because Trip refused to accept employment offers in cancer institutions, and because I was no longer willing to subsidize care to the financial detriment of my family, we made a very conscious, methodical transition out of cancer care and into the first comprehensive integrative practice in our community. We successfully completed this transition over the course of 2013, and by 2016 we were beginning to see profitability, both financially and in the amazing transformational results our patient-partners were realizing in taking an ownership interest in their health. "Our only regret at this juncture is not having done so sooner" How do we live a healthier, longer, and happier life? In health, as in business, the first step to a healthier, longer, and happier life is to get very clear on what it is that we want - what is our "happy end result?" We have to know what optimal health looks like for us, what it feels like, and what activities and experiences we would be having that we are not having at the moment. Once we know what it is we want, we need to delve into our why. What is our driving motivation for improving our health? Finally, we must ask ourselves what we are willing to give or give up, to receive our successful health outcome. We must be willing to take inspired action when we set out on this empowered journey to claim our best health, longevity, and happiness. So, to recap, the first questions to consider are: What do I want? Why do I want it? What am I willing to give (or give up) to receive it? You have a 4 Pillars approach to health optimization and age reversal, can you tell us more about this? At Infinite Health Integrative Medicine Center, our core health optimization program consists of 4 Pillars. These pillars include a comprehensive evaluation and optimization of: Nutrition Physical Fitness / Exercise (or the lack thereof) Hormones and Metabolics The Mind-Body Connection, in which we implement our proprietary "Think and Live Longer" coaching program. The latter of which is designed to shift the patient's thought processes and perspectives in order to align them to support the success in health goals the patient desires to achieve. What we have discovered, over the past decade, is that our patient-partners get good results when they comply with the first three of the pillars, but they get health and life-changing transformations when they embrace the mind-body coaching pillar. It is truly exciting to the transformation in action. How can we age in reverse? Chronologically, we are incapable of age reversal. We cannot alter the date on which we exited the womb and inspired our first breath. We are however now capable, within the confines of molecular biological science, and using an algorithm created by artificial intelligence computer science, able to estimate our biological age. This age is quite accurate and creates the platform from which we may implement programs that can reverse our biological clock. At the present time, there are a number of clinical approaches that have demonstrated interesting results for age reversal within a year of implementation. Anecdotally, we at Infinite Health Integrative Medicine Center have demonstrated the reversal of biological aging in numerous patients - sometimes up to almost twenty years by just using our “Four Pillars” health optimization approach. You offer to mitigate and sometimes eliminate pain and inflammation via various regenerative medicine modalities, such as stem cells and exosomes. Can you elaborate on this? Without going into complex medical detail, these processes stimulate the body’s natural ability to heal itself. The results our patients realize after a few short weeks of their initial treatment are oftentimes pretty amazing. One married couple that we had were on the verge of losing their farm, which was their livelihood, because he could barely get off of the couch from his debilitating pain, and his wife could no longer assist him due to her pain. She had gotten to the point where she was sitting and backing herself up on the steps to their porch just to get in the house. They both underwent a series of treatments and now, not only have they decided to keep their farm, but they decided to renovate their house, doing most of the work themselves. That’s just one transformation of many. The amazing thing about our regenerative medicine procedures is that 90%+ of our patients realize a 40%-80% reduction in pain after the first treatment. This minimally invasive procedure is done in-office, in less than an hour, no harmful pharmaceuticals are required, and there is no need for extended periods of missed work. If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? The current healthcare industry is fraught with opportunities for improvement. That being said, the power of health is and has always been in the hands of the patients. When they take a proactive ownership interest in their health, as opposed to abdicating their health to pharma, to the doctor, to the insurance companies, this is when the healthcare industry will be changed for the better. Do you have any new goals or projects, and how can someone get in contact with you? We are always evolving and expanding to bring the best in peer-reviewed and evidence-based modalities to better serve our patient-partners. Most recently we started providing qEEG scans and regenerative therapies to those who are suffering from traumatic brain injuries. We also offer live Think and Live Longer classes, available for free to our patient-partners, but these are also available for a nominal investment to anyone anywhere. The best way to learn more about us, and/or to schedule a complimentary discovery call is to visit our website at www.YourInfiniteHealth.com. For more info, follow LeNae and Trip Goolsby on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube!

Written by: Monica Yates One of the common reasons that relationships suffer is a lack of polarity. I’m going to make an assumption for the sake of simplicity, that you’re the feminine in the relationship. Deep down, you love to let go and know that your partner is in control, you enjoy being looked after and just being able to relax and surrender after a big day. You love when your partner makes date plans and tells you what time to be ready and so forth. You just love when everything is easy and flowing. Ugh, yes I feel you. So, you have a feminine core. You’re a girl-boss, aren’t you? (Disclaimer: I don’t support this terminology, but it gets the message across, so bear with me.) This is where the problem can start. You’re killing it at work all day, however, you don’t have a routine that allows you to separate work from home, so you bring that masculine energy into your home life causing you to never get out of your masculine. Your nervous system is hanging on by a thread because you are stressed consciously (or subconsciously) and your hormones are going haywire. The balance between home and work needs recalibration. Does this sound familiar? As a result, you feel like you and your partner butt heads and you’re often a bit bitter toward them. This is the classic case of you not knowing how to get back into your feminine after a work day. Here are my top 5 reasons why you should get into your feminine after a workday: So your nervous system is more relaxed and in balance so your body and hormones are happier You are more likely to feel sensual and turned on around your partner because they can take the lead as the masculine and you’re not butting heads You feel like you can ‘reset’ each day and you’re not running on empty Your soul, body, and spirit feel nourished so that you are no longer needing constant hits of adrenaline that make you feel good, but rather you get emotional nourishment from yourself. You are in a state of receivership and can embrace emotional nourishment from your partner. This practice of getting into your feminine doesn’t need to be long or lengthy. I’m not suggesting you add another thing to your to-do list. It can be short and sweet as long as the intention is there! Do a ritual that feels the most nourishing and sensual for you. To inspire you, here are my favorite rituals that I’ve gathered from myself and my clients: Putting music on the way home from work Choose music instead of a podcast at the end of the day (stop overloading your brain with more information) Lie on your bed or sofa and stare at the ceiling for 5 minutes Make a cup of tea and just stare out of the window Put on some music and dance around the house Have a bath or a shower and let the water wash away the energy from the day ● Change your outfit to change your vibe! Meditate to bring your energy back home to you Do some journaling to release negative thoughts/vibes from the day Slowly light some candles around the house to set the mood It’s also important, that you tune into what feels good for you that day. Some days you may want a bath, other days you may want to dance around the house naked. Part of being embodied in your femininity is allowing your practices and rituals to change every day based on your mood, where you are in your cycle, and the environment around you. Honor this as this is what will allow this routine to become sustainable. The masculine loves doing the same thing day in and day out...however that doesn’t stick three months down the road for women. We get bored and resentful of the routine as we need to change and flow each day. It’s part of the beauty of being in your feminine flow. By shifting your energy, you will notice that you can leave more of that masculine working energy away from your relationship. It will mean that you are more present with yourself and your lover when you come home and it will improve your health, well-being, and overall happiness. Honestly, nothing feels better than shedding the masculine and coming home to your feminine core. It’s grounding, and nourishing- you’ll be more in your magic. For more info, follow me on Instagram, visit my podcast or website! Written by: Monica Yates Monica Yates is a somatic trauma healer, feminine & masculine embodiment coach, period whisperer and podcast host. After struggling with her own health issues, multiple traumatic surgeries and a terrible relationship with men, she finally had to face the issues that she was blissfully unaware of. Her modalities that now help thousands of women and men around the world be free of their big and small trauma. She works with people from all walks of life that are determined to no longer be held back by beliefs, bad habits, health issues, inner child wounds, anxiety, fears etc. She is the CEO of Monica Yates Health and the host of the podcast, Feminine as F*ck.

Written by: Ashley Hussain Okorafor, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. As the healthcare industry evolves, healthcare administrators must stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices. In 2023, there will be several critical skills that healthcare administrators should focus on developing to succeed in their roles. These skills include data analysis and interpretation, leadership, communication, adaptability, and collaboration. By developing these skills, healthcare administrators can position themselves for success in the ever-changing world of healthcare. Data Analysis and Interpretation: With the increasing amount of data available in the healthcare industry, healthcare administrators need to understand and analyze data to make informed decisions. This may include analyzing patient data, financial data, and operational data. Leadership: Healthcare administrators often lead teams of medical professionals and support staff. In 2023, it will be necessary for healthcare administrators to have strong leadership skills to manage and motivate their teams effectively. Communication: Effective communication is essential in healthcare, where miscommunication can have serious consequences. Healthcare administrators should be able to clearly and effectively communicate with patients, staff, and other stakeholders to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Adaptability: The healthcare industry is constantly changing , and healthcare administrators must adapt to new situations and challenges. This may include being able to pivot plans or implement new policies and procedures. Collaboration: Healthcare administrators often work with various teams and stakeholders, including doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, as well as insurance companies and regulatory agencies. In 2023, it will be necessary for healthcare administrators to be able to collaborate effectively with these groups to achieve common goals. Healthcare administrators play a crucial role in the smooth operation of healthcare organizations. In 2023, it will be necessary for healthcare administrators to have a range of skills to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the industry effectively. By focusing on developing skills in data analysis and interpretation, leadership, communication, adaptability, and collaboration, healthcare administrators can set themselves up for success in the coming year and beyond. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Ashley! Ashley Hussain Okorafor, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Professor Ashley Hussain Okorafor is an accomplished academic and has over 6 years of teaching healthcare administration. She has taught at various universities including California State University, San Bernardino, and Charisma University. Prior to her journey as an academic, she had risen up the corporate ladder working in Health Information Management. Currently, she is using her skills and expertise to educate new and prospective healthcare professionals. Professor Ashley believes that if healthcare is going to evolve we need new innovative minds and great leaders in healthcare to build for a better, healthier future. Check out Professor Ashley's YouTube Channel for information on Healthcare Administration and how to strategically build a career in healthcare. For coaching sessions on building your career in Healthcare Administration and for CE courses in Healthcare Administration, go to www.professorashley.com

Written by: Vivien Hudson, 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 most important leadership traits is high self-awareness. A 2014 study cited that 95% of leaders thought they were highly self-aware and exposed less than 15% really were. Alarming statistics! This means most leaders are walking around thinking they are totally in tune with their emotions and thought processes. They also think they understand the impact they have on the people around them when they have little to no idea at all. Some common signs you may be lacking self-awareness are: You use blaming and shaming as part of your modus operandum. Who did this!? What were you thinking?? You never share how you feel about things and find it hard to describe emotions beyond happy, upset, or angry. You spend too much time with your thoughts wandering to the past or future, instead of in the here and now. You are critical or judgmental of others. You fail to own up when you mess up. You think your decisions are the best decisions. You don’t have the time or patience to listen to other people’s ideas, feelings, or thoughts. After reading this, given that over 85% of people are NOT self-aware, how honest are you about your answers to these questions? Try scaling yourself on a rating of 1 to 10 for each question, and if you’re brave, ask the people around you to rate you. That’s the real test, and it can be an uncomfortable one. Also, consider your work relationships compared to your personal ones. Sometimes we can better share how we feel at home but not at work or vice versa. If there is a difference, why is that so? Getting to know ourselves is a study of the human psyche. Believe me, it is a process and one that can result in a high level of overthinking. The biggest in roads I had into developing self-awareness was through being coached and becoming a coach. It is confronting when you realize that you are the author of your own story and how ugly you can be inside when you are completely honest with yourself. The good news is once you spend time doing the work, it gives you a greater understanding of yourself and others, and an improved ability to connect and see the world as it really is. Furthermore, it becomes easier to acknowledge your own limitations, your motivations, and be more in tune with your intuition and values. You come to realize that most everyone is struggling with their own conflicts which are similar and different to yours. All people simply want to be recognized, heard, and validated in their own way, no matter their role or responsibility. Everyone has past experiences or wounds that have shaped who they are today. You may remain unaware of the impact of your experiences and how they continue to impact your life or relationships. Sometimes you are aware of them and use them as a reason not to be a better version of yourself. If this is not you, I am pretty sure you already can think of someone like this. So how do you get better at self-awareness? Behavioral Assessments There is a wealth of them out there! A behavioral assessment (BA) gives you clarity on both strengths and blind spots. My BA clearly highlights that a high attention to detail is not one of my core strengths, something I noticed as I was unpacking the dishwasher this morning and wondered why putting away the silverware is the least favorite part of the job. What a BA defines is not that you cannot do something, it’s more that certain tasks or activities bring you less energy than others. Ever noticed how some people geek out over spreadsheets and others run far far away from them? Behavioral Assessments can also give you confidence, one of the reasons I stepped into public speaking. My profile gave me the confidence to know this is something I could be good at. So, I got out of my own way and found a safe way to learn and experiment before I got on a big stage. My BA helped me challenge myself and be confident to do something I probably would have been too fearful to even try otherwise. Blind spots are things we all have. Your BA may highlight you could tend to be overbearing in meetings or conversations, a blind spot that may be hidden from you if you are a senior leader. Who is going to tell the boss they talk too much or railroad discussions? A blind spot could be you aren’t likely to listen well, ask too many questions, come across as distrusting or too reserved, too chatty or domineering. Once we have an awareness, we can course correct or gain a better understanding of why some situations make you feel a certain way. If you are curious about your BA you can use this link to do a free assessment. Know Your Biases We all have them. A bias I have, and I know others have – is if I let my hair go gray, will people think I am old and past it? How is it so respectable for men to go gray yet women less so? And so … I pull out yet another box of hair dye. Biases are a normal part of our brain development. Biases are formed from our past experiences, family or cultural influences, media, and educational systems. They aren’t always right, and this is why it is important to know what they are. We can be biased against certain personality types, race, gender, tattoos, age, political party, the last thing someone did well or did badly, what school someone went to, or what they are wearing. You get the idea. The trouble is, if we get too generalist and dump everyone in the same bucket, what are we missing? What idea, sale, or opportunity could you lose? The whole diversity and inclusion movement is making some inroads but there is still a lot of work to be done here. An interesting snippet I read just this week is that transgender people often exhibit a high level of resilience due to the societal challenges they continually work to overcome. This gave me a newfound respect for many minorities who face not being seen, heard or validated on a daily basis. If you are curious to learn about exploring implicit biases you have this website has a range of assessments you can do for free. Be Open to Other Ideas It is easy to think you have the best idea, or process, and nothing else is better. But what if you are not right? What is the cost? Can you think back to a time when you were not as right as you thought you were? Did you apologize, acknowledge the other person, or push ahead with your idea regardless? What was the real cost of that behavior – distrust, a severed relationship, disconnection in the team, resignations, added costs? In the workplace, senior leaders are often far removed from what is going on at the front lines, or even the customer experience. As a result, decisions are made that are disconnected from the people most impacted by them. Do you, as a senior leader, regularly ask others what they think, and if so, how do you respond? If you find yourself instantly dismissing their thoughts, challenge yourself to ask a question instead. Apply curiosity! Remember people are looking to feel heard, seen, and validated, just like you are. Get a Coach Or a therapist. Self-awareness is a journey of self-exploration and one that can be partnered well by a good sounding board. One that is willing to challenge your thinking in a supportive manner. There is something to be said for saying things out loud. When you speak your thoughts out loud, they feel real and less imagined. Finding a friend or partner that will objectively listen and reply how you truly need them to is difficult. How many times have you gone home to vent to your partner, only to have them either get annoyed with you or try to fix the problem for you – that is not what you want! Coaches are gaining credibility for the value they bring, especially for personal learning and development. A coach is objective, can help you shift perspectives, and help you see what you may not be seeing. They can also help you build clarity, confidence and improve your communication and relationships. They help validate your thinking or challenge those limiting beliefs you may be holding on to. A coach or a good sounding board will ask you questions and provide the time and space for you to go deeper. Most of us don’t take the time to work on ourselves in this way. When we fail to truly connect with ourselves, we lose the ability to deepen the relationship we have with ourselves and others. I call self-awareness looking in the mirror. Just like when I first get up in the morning and look in my bathroom mirror, I don’t always like what I see. I will guess many of you don’t either. Self-awareness can be a bit like that too but it’s not all bad. Most all of us feel like we are masking something and the more real and raw we can get, the better your work, life, relationships, and happiness will get too. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Vivien! Vivien Hudson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Vivien Hudson is a reformed pharmacist who went through her own journey of discovery when she trained as a life coach, moved hemispheres, and achieved her Masters in Business Adversity. This training enlightened her to how much change we can affect in our lives by understanding stress, the stories we tell ourselves, and how we show up in our bodies. Self-awareness, finding purpose, and living authentically are at the heart of effective change and leadership. Vivien combines her experience in health and wellbeing, business ownership, and the challenges she has faced in her own life to bring depth and diversity to her work She is trained as a life and performance ontological coach, brain fitness practitioner, on purpose presenter, speaker, and corporate trainer. Her purpose is instilling courage to help those she touches live a life well-lived.

Written by: Abigail Stason, 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 my clients said it best: “I don’t know what it is, but I want more of this consciousness stuff.” What is Conscious Leadership? Conscious Leadership is the intersection in our behavior between awareness and impact. This constant investigation is what sparks growth and learning. The Conscious Leader has extraordinary self-awareness and the agility to act congruently with what’s happening. They are present to meet situations. In this paradigm, there is a recognition of the importance of individual and collective conscious behavior along with the impact on others and our environment. Why is Conscious Leadership relevant today? Why does it matter? With 8 billion people on the planet, this modern world is much different. A long time ago, someone spent all day milking cows – growing food to survive. As time marched on, while working in factories, we had our place on the assembly line. People spent all day creating widgets. Even when working at desks, accounting was manual. In previous times, people each had their independent tasks. Today, in this global economy, and modern world, we work with each other in teams. We interact across cultural and societal norms as well as time zones. The sharing of information, knowledge, and wisdom is a commodity. Relating and collaborating are THE skills of our times. Human development and constant learning are required in the modern world. Here are a few of the skills associated with Conscious Leadership: Presence Emotional Intelligence Masterful Listening Speaking from Presence Healthy self-esteem Resilience Inclusion And many more… As you can see, the skills I’ve listed here are relevant in our complex world. Do you want more of this “consciousness stuff”? Visit my website for more information. Dive into your learning and development with my online course. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Abigail! Abigail Stason, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine More Master Teacher than coach, Abigail “Abby” Stason is a social activist and skill builder with 20+ years of professional experience as a leader, organizational consultant, and group facilitator. As a disrupter, Abby is committed to a new social awareness in favor of exposing outdated structures that are no longer of service, giving way to the experience of peace, freedom, and truth in the world. She is a catalyst for societal evolution. In short, she helps human beings, leaders, teams, and organizations wake up by equipping them with behavioral skills for a modern world. Abby created a conscious leadership curriculum, a series of practices that are easily accessible to everyone.

Written by: Christine Luken , Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. I’m amazed that so many couples avoid money talks before getting married. With financial issues being listed as the first or second cause of almost 75% of divorces, this is a conversation that has to take place. Please don’t wait until you’re engaged or moving in together to start having money conversations with your boyfriend or girlfriend! If you’re getting physically naked, it’s probably also time to get financially naked with each other. Here are the money talks you should be having at every relationship stage. Money Talks for Every Relationship Stage Casually Dating When you first start dating someone, just observe how they talk about and handle money. Do they allude to the fact they have a ton of bills, credit card debt, or big student loan payments? Do they always insist on paying for dates, or insist on you paying? Or are they “even-steven” when it comes to going out? Do they admire financially successful individuals or refer to them as “greedy rich people”? These casual observations will give you clues as to how they handle and think about money. It’s wise to be cautious at this relationship stage, and not overshare about your finances. Why? Because things like identity theft and financial deception do occur in dating relationships. If a new partner is asking to borrow money, be added to your bank or credit card accounts, or is requesting sensitive financial information, the red flags should go up! Exclusively Dating When you begin to get more serious with your significant other, now’s the time to start having more in-depth conversations as money topics come up. You don’t necessarily have to set up a formal meeting and say, “Now we’re going to have a serious talk about money!” Start asking open-ended questions like these: How did your parents handle money when you were a kid? Do you agree with their approach? What financial goals are you working on right now? Would you say you’re more aggressive or conservative when it comes to investing? Remember, just because your significant other does something different from you with their money doesn’t necessarily mean it’s wrong. Our past experiences and what our parents taught us (or didn’t teach us) about money can influence our behavior today. Engaged Once you’re officially engaged, I highly recommend you take a personal finance course with your honey. At the very least, read or listen to a book on money management together. Going through the material as a couple will spur in-depth conversations between you and your fiancé regarding personal finance. It might also be helpful to work with a financial coach to help you navigate combining your finances. This is especially true if one of you has been married previously, there are stepchildren involved, or one of you is coming into the relationship with a disproportionate amount of either debt or assets. Important Note: Do not formally combine your finances until after the marriage is official. Some weddings never happen, and it can be a difficult process to get the other person removed from your accounts. Don’t wait until after you’re married to get financially naked with your significant other. No hidden purchases, debt, or savings. Talk about how you will handle your house's day-to-day financial transactions. Who is going to be responsible for making bill payments, buying groceries, and purchasing items for the house? Is all of your money going to be in one joint account, or will you keep some spending money separate? If you have these conversations before getting married and work out the issues, you’ll likely have a strong, loving marriage that lasts. However, you could discover there are deal-breaker issues. Isn’t it better you find this out now rather than after the wedding? Married Already married? We like to tease about hiding our purchases from our husbands or wives so we don’t “get in trouble;” however keeping money secrets from your spouse is no joke. At this relationship stage, we need to prioritize honest communication about money. It doesn’t matter if you are hiding purchases, credit cards, or even savings accounts from your significant other, “financial infidelity” can wreak havoc on a relationship, and potentially lead to divorce. The first question to ask is this: “ Why do I feel the need to hide this from my spouse ? ” Maybe you know you shouldn’t be buying more clothes, toys for the kids, electronics, etc. on a credit card. Maybe you’re squirreling away money in a separate savings account because you’re afraid your husband or wife will find a way to spend it. When you dig down to the real reason for financial secret-keeping, you’ll find the issue usually isn’t money; it’s trust . You need to talk to your partner and get these concerns out in the open. If you’ve tried this in the past and had a less-than-stellar outcome, enlist the help of a marriage counselor or financial therapist, if necessary. Money can be a problem in your relationship or an opportunity for growing closer as a couple. If you communicate regularly with your spouse or partner about money, you’ll increase the odds of having a rock-solid relationship. Communicate early and often! I highly recommend weekly 15-minute “money dates” to discuss your spending plan and other financial matters. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Christine! Christine Luken, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Ready for money to support your happiness, rather than stress you out? Then you need Christine Luken, Financial Dignity® Coach in your corner! As the Founder of the Financial Dignity® Movement, Christine has coached hundreds of high-earning professionals, business owners, and divorcing women to pay off staggering amounts of debt and massively increase their net worth. The author of several books, including Money is Emotional and Financial Dignity® After Divorce, Christine blends wise money management with emotional intelligence.

Written by: Chelsea Haines, 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. There is little as exhilarating as a new start, and no time more indicative of a new start than a new year (especially for my fellow self-growth junkies). As 2023 rolls in, it feels like the world is buzzing with the kind of energy that we've been missing in the last few years. It feels like we are finally emerging on the other side of COVID, fresh and full of possibility. January 1st brings an almost universal desire to grow and improve in the new year. We arm ourselves with our pens and begin to set a long and lofty list of what the New Year will bring. So where do the will and excitement escape to by February 1st? Why are most of us giving up in four weeks what we were sure we wanted? I’m suggesting a new system, one that starts with discovering your North Star, your life’s guiding purpose. Why ditch New Year Resolutions 23% quit in the first week, and only 36% make it past the first month. 9% successfully keep their New Year’s resolutions. 35% of people attribute losing motivation as the top reason for giving up, followed by being too busy (19%)and changing their goals and priorities (18%) These statistics show almost everyone is failing to reach these resolutions. This is further evidence that maybe the problem was never a lack of willpower or determination but an ineffective and outdated system. Finding your NorthStar Your North Star is your guiding light. The values, vision, and truth that ultimately guides you. Having a clear vision of where you're going helps you decipher what goals are even worth pursuing in the first place. It allows us to walk down paths aligned with what we ultimately want. It's worth taking some time to figure out your NorthStar. This could be your mission or what you truly value and want in this short life we're leading. Effective ways to do this are through journaling, meditation, or being guided by a professional. Choose a way that works for you because having a personal mission statement is an invaluable tool that'll guide you for the rest of your life. Martha Beck says, “Identifying your own North Star is a deep psychological and spiritual art. Actually getting there is more like following a recipe.” If you, like many others, are struggling to discover your North Star - start with the end in mind. Work Backwards Think of the saying: "The days are long, but the years are short." Or the Bill Gates Quote: “Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.” Rather than overestimating what we can do in one year, why not allow our imaginations to play with the life we want in 5-10 years and work backward from there? Set out some time on a Sunday morning to dream. There's nothing off-limits. Dream of where you'd like to live, what you'd like to be doing with your time, and who you would like to be with. Dream it in as much detail as possible and bring that dream to life by writing it down or finding images to represent it. You've now got a good idea of where you want to be; now try to identify why this is important. Who is it serving? What is the big overarching ultimate goal? North Star Words Your North Star is fixed, but every year is a different path and journey on our way there. Once you have taken the time to create and refine your personal mission statement, we get to summarize that mission statement into what I call: North Star Words. This is not the entire statement but your guiding words for this leg of your journey. These are words that remind us of our deeply personal and vital mission.It could be a mantra that encapsulates it or a few words to keep you aligned. If I’m choosing some words, I like to make sure I include these 4 elements: A skill I’ll need to become while on my journey to my North Star. Words like: Dedicated, motivated, and resilient have come up for me in previous years. The personality trait that'll most serve me this year. Words like: Confident, creative, or positive might spark some ideas. The "why" reminder: a word that'll remind me why I’m doing what I’m doing, especially on those tough days. Words like: Freedom, loving relationships, or belonging might resonate with you. Lastly, a clear reminder about the dream and/or passion that underlies my mission. Words like: Service, peace, or legacy might inspire you. This might look like just repeating the words you've chosen: Dedicated. Confident. Freedom. Service. Or you can string them together as a 2023 motto: Motivated and creative to form loving relationships and inspire peace. Once you've got them, make sure they're visible as a screen saver, an alarm name on your phone, or written on your vision board. The Pareto Principle The Pareto Principle is something I learned about from James Clear in his book Atomic Habits. You might know it as the 80/20 rule. The adaption of the principle as it applies to this scenario is that 20% of our effort produces 80% of our desired outcomes. That means 80% of our time and effort is dedicated to the stuff and fluff that's producing minimal impact. This essentially means we're focusing on the wrong things. We need to focus on the correct 20% to help produce the 80% we are after. When making New Year's Resolutions like "eat healthier" or "lose weight," we're focusing on the 80% rather than the 20%. Twenty percent would instead be the tiny habits we take toward sustainably eating healthier or finally releasing that weight for good. What to do instead Instead of being overwhelmed by the mountain ahead of us ‒ we are going to focus on the very next step. Rather than seeing the person we want to be in 10 years, we are going to lovingly acknowledge where we are now and identify how to just be slightly better. Because little by little, a little makes a lot. Realize that incremental steps forward will get you to your goal far quicker than massive leaps. The thought of those massive leaps often overwhelms us with their sheer enormity. Most of the time, that high shot leaves us sprinting the marathon and exhausting ourselves too soon OR scaring us out of never taking that first step. You’re letting the space between where you are and where you want to be paralyze you instead of inspire you. Now we know where we are going, and all this year is about is intentionally taking the first steps in the right direction. The 1% Promise: The 1% promise is committing to 1% incremental improvements every day. You don't need to achieve it all today or even this year. You just need to be 1% better than you were yesterday or even last week. This idea will hopefully help release that pressure to transform and allow the idea of simultaneously being a masterpiece AND a work of art to come through. Here is how these 1% promises might look: I ate really poorly yesterday; today, I will focus on getting in just one healthy meal or snack. I'd like to get fitter; I'm going to start walking once per week. I'd like to read more, but I don't really have the time; I'll commit to listening to an audiobook on my way to work on Mondays. Tips to keep your 1% promises 1% promises are only effective if you keep track of where you're growing from. Here's how I keep those 1% promises to myself and keep continually moving closer and closer to my North Star. Write down the habits you're working on. This will help you remember all the areas you're making those incremental improvements in. Keep Track: Having a daily journal or check-in helps remind me what my 1% for that day is while preventing stagnation in any areas of my life. Clients at the Gut Health Agency have an easy app for daily goal tracking. Keep what works and discard the rest: There will be habits that don't work for you no matter what you try. Nothing works for everyone! Celebrate uncovering this truth about yourself and move on by letting go of that habit. BONUS: Have an accountability buddy. This could be a friend, a colleague, a team member, or a coach. Set regular meet-ups that can become a fun time to keep each other accountable and update each other on your wins en route to your North Star. An important reminder: Remember that no one can tell you what's truly important to you. YOU get to choose your NorthStar, and you decide who you want to become on this journey. That means absolute freedom to cocreate, adapt, and redirect as you become clearer and clearer on your life's mission. Sometimes there are factors beyond our control hindering our progress. Ego, inner children, or trauma stored in the body can make it nearly impossible to move forward. Our traumas often whisper until they scream. These are powerful enough to come up in the form of illness and dis-ease. Subconscious Healing Subconscious healing involves practices coaches and healers harness to release these traumas. If you’d like to get started on your own, I suggest using tools like meditations, affirmations, and other subconscious tools like Orpheus Mind Technologies to begin working inside out. I truly hope this year will be everything you've dreamed of. If you're not willing to leave that up to chance, our signature program is the right place for you. Happy New Year! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Chelsea! Chelsea Haines, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Recently featured "The Gut Health Coach" by Yahoo!, Chelsea Haines has a unique way of helping high-performers heal. She doesn't claim to know best. Her mission: to remind you that YOU are the expert on your body, only you know precisely what you need, and you are not "crazy" for feeling how you feel. Her expertise stems from personally healing autoimmune disease paired with formal degrees in psychology, gut health, and mindfulness. She’s the Founder of The Gut Health Agency, where a team of health coaches & Registered Dietitians merge health coaching with clinical testing for increased patient compliance and lasting habit change ‒ a needle-moving combination not otherwise seen in the gut health space.

Written by: Emi Olausson Fourounjieva, Senior Level Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. As a Leader or Business owner, it can be tempting to believe that the key to Success lies in constantly doing more – more meetings, more projects, more tasks. I have seen this false belief in action time after time – different people, different cultures, different companies – the trend is typical. However, the opposite is often true: by doing less, you can achieve much more. It might sound illogical, but the number of factors defining our Productivity and Success is much larger than we are used to taking into consideration. High Performance is not only about the tools and techniques you use, but rather the Winning Mindset you adopt. Lately, I met many prominent Business Leaders, who have achieved great Business Success by focusing on simplicity and experience, rather than constantly adding new heavy features and functions. To optimize your Performance it is crucial to set clear, measurable goals and focus on them relentlessly. This means saying “no” to things that don't align with your goals, and being willing to let go of projects or initiatives that are not delivering results. You might need some external support in the beginning of your Transformation, to get a broader perspective and develop your Self-Awareness. Once you unclutter your prioritization list, get help with revealing your blind spots and get more Clarity around your Vision and Goals ‒ the old way of operating will not be possible for you anymore ‒ I see it when working with my clients to help them adopt the Winning Mindset. Here I’d love to refer to my favorite Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20rule, which is valuable in various fields, such as business and personal development. It states that 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes, and suggests that a small number of factors are responsible for the majority of results. This principle can be applied in many ways, such as identifying the 20% of customers who generate 80% of a company's sales, or the 20% of one's effort that results in 80% of the Productivity and Efficiency. Another important strategy is to prioritize and automate repetitive tasks, freeing up time and energy for more important, strategic work. This can be achieved through the use of technology, such as project management software and automation tools. Additionally, it's essential to be mindful of your own energy levels and make sure you are taking care of yourself mentally and physically. This includes getting enough sleep, exercise, and taking regular breaks to recharge. Furthermore, surrounding yourself with a team of people who share your values and goals is crucial. This means hiring and promoting individuals who are committed to achieving the same results as you and who are willing to work together to make it happen. Clear and efficient Communication is a must. In conclusion, as a Senior Leader or Business Owner, you should put your efforts to prioritize right, doing less and focusing on what is truly important. This way you can achieve high Performance and impressive Business results in a more sustainable way, while keeping balance and high levels of Engagement in your Life and Business. I helped many Leaders and can help you to tap into your Inner Power and boost your Performance. This is the perfect time to activate the Winning Mindset so that you can achieve your ambitious Business Goals and take the Leap with ease. Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Read more from Emi! Emi Olausson Fourounjieva, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Emi Olausson Fourounjieva is a Transformational Coach, Digital Transformation Leader with extensive experience in Digital Analytics and Marketing, Visionaire, Educator and Global Speaker, Advisor on the Advisory Board of two global professional networks. Her strength is to create synergy effects using resources and technologies to get optimal business results in a data-driven, customer-centric way. Emi's initiative "Digital Transformation for Humans" reflects her passion for the intersection of Technology, Business and Human Factors. Her professional experience has led her to the conclusion that Digital Transformation must be boosted not only by the power of data, research, algorithms and technologies but also by human intuition, creativity and adaptability, in order to obtain harmonious and sustainable development. Through her coaching, Emi empowers Leaders to combine their Intelligence and Competence with Soft Skills, helping them become more confident and self-aware, feel positive, have more impact, and achieve goals with ease and joy. Emi sees Mindset as a critical part of any successful Leader's toolbox, which is why she has developed her signature coaching program, "The Winning Mindset for Leaders in Digital".

Written by: Ketan Kulkarni Money and success are among the most frequently used words across the globe. Majority of people want to experience both money and success in abundance. However, in the pursuit of money and success, majority of the people live in a consistent state of some degree of anxiety, discontent, busy-ness, overwhelm, stress or heightened alertness. They often do not recognize this or accept this as a “normal” life struggle. Some even consider this as necessary for wealth and success. While the wealth and success are universal pursuits, current data suggests an extremely high levels of personal and professional burnout, stress, exhaustion, mental illness epidemic. A lot of people do not accrue wealth regardless of what they achieve, and how hard or smart they work!! Success and fulfilment often appear to be fleeting and temporary!! Problems seem to be plenty and never seem to go away!! There is always something or someone that’s wrong!! Let’s consider a few examples. KN is a 58-year-old real estate agent working 25 to 30 hours per week and answers weekend calls as needed. Her house is paid off. She has 1 million in savings that are hard earned. She has a boat and enjoys water time. She tries to take 2-3 short vacations per year. She really wants to retire in 5 years. YL is a 43-year-old investment banker. He works 60 hours per week and 6 to 8 weekends a year for last 6 years. He bought a 1.5 million house in the A+ neighborhood. He owes 300K in lines of credit that are high interest. He is planning on buying a small cottage in 2-3 years. JM is a 39-year-old accountant. He has been keen on understand finances. He has been saving 15 to 20% of his gross income consistently. He plans on launching a teaching course and a start-up soon. He has no plans to increase his expenses. He wants to be financially independent at 50. It seems on the surface that KN is doing OK, YL is wealthy and JM is just starting out. But we cannot conclude who is wealthy among the 3 with this information. What if we were told… KN really doesn’t like her work. She always found it hard to talk to people and show properties. She really hates people buying fancy and high-end properties since she doesn’t own one, she always wished to. She is pushing herself to work another 5 years to make sure she has enough for her retirement. She is currently single and has relationship problems. Her only kid sees her a couple of times a year. He isn’t sure what she is going to do after retirement. She hopes to kindle her passions again soon. YL has a high income. However, his expenses always catch up and often exceed. He is in deep debt and plans on working more to make more income and buy more possessions. He is in a relationship and expects to start a family over the next few years. He anticipates his expenses going up. His work schedule is demanding and is unlikely to slow down. He doesn’t have too much in savings. He can no longer pursue his hobbies. He has become irritable over the years and has taken up smoking. JM is an optimistic young person who is grounded in purpose. He is looking forward to his career and plans on several entrepreneurial interests. He is well connected to his friends and community. He has a good nest egg already for his retirement. He has grand plans for his future and aspires to buy a waterfront house in the future. He plans on working hard and smart and build assets along the way. He is in a stable relationship and has a small family. With this additional information our notion as to who is wealthy, financially healthy, and successful changes dramatically. Let us examine some common myths related to money and finances Money is equal to happiness A lot of people pursue money as their primary end goal. Abundant data exists that this pursuit of monetary end goals and possessions will inevitably lead to unhappiness and disillusionment. When we are after money, we are truly after the feeling that we think we will experience when we achieve our monetary goal. This is what KN thought too. In reality, money is a means goal to achieve your end goals of purpose and meaning, fulfilment, contribution, your chosen lifestyle and life-choices. Money is bad Money isn’t good or bad. Money is a tool that allows us to exercise our choices and provides a mode of transaction. What often makes money good or bad in our eyes is our attitudes and emotions towards money and how we perceive wealth. KN often hated people based on their high net worth. In reality, she believed that money was intrinsically bad. Income and wealth correlate Data suggests that for most people, their income and expenses often directly correlate. Thus, once the income increases, expenses often catch up, similar to the case of YL. Unchecked, many high income or ultra-high income people have very low net worth or wealth. Wealth requires conscious management of one’s income and expenses to build a surplus. Rich acquire money by unfair means While majority of people want to be wealthy, so many hate the rich. Many firmly believe that all rich acquired money by unfair means. In our experience, there are innumerable wonderful rich people who worked hard and smart, lived by design, built their fortune, are grateful for it and are more than willing to share their journey to educate others. JM met a few such mentors early in his life that set him on the path of wealth. In contrast KN often thought that high net worth individuals somehow acquired money using unfair means. Making money is extremely hard A lot of people believe that making money is hard, it takes a long time and extraordinary effort. A long work hour culture to enhance productivity is deeply engrained in our modern capitalistic economy. However, abundant data suggests that none of this is necessarily true. Many examples in the world of technology, start-ups, entertainment, and literature suggest that people can achieve breakthroughs in relatively short period of times. In addition, when success happens it can escalate extremely rapidly. YL truly believes in long work hour culture and thinks that he must burn the midnight oil to somehow justify and create his income. He must re-evaluate. Only lucky few can be wealthy We frequently hear the comment: Oh well, that person was in the right place at the right time. They just got lucky. More often than not, this is a justification that an individual offers to himself/herself or others to explain why they are not wealthy or famous or something else that they don’t possess, similar to KN. In fact, this represents a scarcity mindset rather than a growth mindset. You need to be cutthroat and competitive to become rich Similarly, like YL, a lot of people believe that one needs to be extremely competitive and driven to achieve success. Moreover, you need to step over many heads to climb the ladder. In our experience, extremely successful and wealthy individuals are often very humble, purpose-driven, open-minded, sharing and eager to teach and learn. They believe in success and opportunity for all. I can’t change my wealth and money mindset. Nothing could be further from truth. Each of us has emotions, thoughts, and beliefs about money. A range of factors including culture, peer, family, media, internet, geopolitical factors and lived experience influence this. Furthermore, more often than not people have a distorted relationship with money. Each and every one of us can evaluate our money mindset and heal it. We can examine our beliefs, attitudes and emotions about money and mend them. Yes it does require work and introspection but it is possible to develop an abundance mindset regarding wealth. In our work, we have developed money blueprints that you can immediately apply to do the same (https://www.brainzmagazine.com/post/marred-in-endless-multitasking-follow-me). Thus, money and wealth mindset are a choice! It's not about making money every minute of a day, it's about adding value every minute of the day. And wealth will follow! For more information you can visit www.thelegendaryquest.pro. You can subscribe to receive a free life satisfaction questionnaire. About the author Ketan Kulkarni: Ketan Kulkarni is an international award-winning physician, entrepreneur, a clinician researcher (>125 published papers), a finance coach, author, an avid learner and networker, a traveler, an art enthusiast and antique collector and a music buff. https://www.brainzmagazine.com/post/meet-dr-ketan-kulkarni-a-multiple-international-award-winning-physician-author-entrepreneur www.savvyphysician.ca The Legendary Quest: https://www.amazon.com/Legendary-Quest-Professionals-Excellence-Fulfillment/dp/B09TWPHFFR/ref=sr_1_1?crid=25K7XCWQWPD6I&keywords=the+legendary+quest&qid=1669732777&sprefix=legendary+quest%2Caps%2C117&sr=8-1