Written by: Mel Stanley, Guest Writer Women leaders are switching jobs at the highest rates we’ve ever seen—much higher than men in leadership. To put that into perspective: For every female director who gets promoted, two other female directors choose to leave their company. (https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/women-in-the-workplace) This has serious implications for companies seeking to level up and demonstrate their commitment to gender equality and diversity as women are already under-represented at senior levels The percentage of key roles held by women remains stuck at 25% with the CEO job still dominated by men. The further uptick in C-suite roles can be explained by the increase in non-executive roles held by women. These are often non-paid and centred on board oversight rather than having any decision-making power But if you are a woman working in a corporate, this is not new, news. We have been hearing this for years And all the investment in unconscious bias, mindfulness training and DE&I governance hasn’t shifted the dial one iota So how can women build their leadership profile and make an impact when they don’t hold a position of influence? If you are not offered a seat at the table…create your own table In other words, seize the initiative. Create a Personal Leadership Brand that will showcase your Leadership potential, prove your strategic skills and present your vision Here’s 3 ways to do that: 1. Define your own agenda There’s an inherent danger in hiring in our own image. Yet corporate cultures often dictate that leaders need to be of a certain type (and I don’t mean white, male and over 50) to thrive and be successful. The cookie cutter profile of leadership in an organisation might tempt you to compromise who you are and what you stand for. Don't go there, it's the quickest road to stress, burnout and failure Instead, set your own agenda and stick to it: What do YOU want to achieve? How do YOU want to make a difference? What sort of Leader do YOU want to be, what values will YOU embody? The world accommodates you for fitting in but rewards you for standing out 2. Thought Leadership Becoming a respected authority in your industry is an excellent way to position yourself and your Personal Brand for leadership Start by Being clear on your chosen area of expertise Be consistent, do not deviate Share your thoughts and ideas at every opportunity Create content in relation to your expertise Put yourself out there, be visible Pretty soon you will be recognised for your insight and expertise 3. Build and leverage your own networks Women have outstanding relationship-building skills but their networks typify friends, allies, and confidantes rather than broader groups of associates. This makes leveraging the relationships more difficult as they are personal rather than professional But there are ways to overcome this without sacrificing your integrity. For example you can create and lead your own specialist group to showcase your leadership skills and ingenuity. Operational Networks. These might be in the form of an internal committee or working group. For example connecting a group of experts committed to solving a problem, promoting a product or service or hosting a special event Strategic Networks. External professional networks aligned to your own career goals: For example, membership organisations populated by like-minded individuals Personal Networks. The many varied industry-based women’s networks are excellent examples of this. These networks can become very influential in engendering change, training, and mentoring. You don’t need a title, a big team, or permission to be a leader; but you do need to adopt a leadership mindset, speak the language of leadership, and assume a leadership position to make it happen For more info follow me on LinkedIn, Facebook and visit my website! Mel Stanley, Brainz Magazine Guest Writer Mel Stanley is a Personal Brand specialist working exclusively with aspiring, professional women wanting to transition into leadership roles She has 25 years experience of Marketing and Brand building in large UK network agencies and blue-chip Corporates. She secured her first of 2 Advertising Agency Board positions aged 33, finishing as a non-Executive Director to Smart Energy GB (a UK Government Board) before leaving her corporate career behind in September 2019 to set up FirstWoman Mel is an ardent supporter of female talent and gender equality. She has a firm belief that we need more women leaders in a position of influence to make decisions related to gender balance otherwise there will only be incremental changes to current working practices Through FirstWoman Mel uses her many years of Brand and Marketing expertise and leadership experience to help other women overcome their barriers to progression by helping them to develop an authentic and consistent leadership brand that positions them for success MelStanley@FirstWoman.Rocks

Written by: Lisa David Olson, 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. Whether you are preparing to launch a book, your own podcast, or your new business of knitting skirts for dogs, podcast shows help your brand to be ‘seen’ online. Now that you are applying to be a guest, let’s ensure you have what it takes to be the one invited back for more! I’ve had a podcast nearly three years, and I also guest on other shows. I adore being interviewed because there are times I’ve heard myself say something in a new way. That’s why I keep paper and a pen nearby, to capture fresh thoughts. You never know when a host will lead you to respond with a thought that could be your next keynote or book! Let’s prepare you for the podcast that is in your future. If you aren’t sure how to find a show that is seeking new interviewees, check for groups on social media. I have had a lot of success through Facebook. There are other groups around that charge a fee, and I've tried those as well. Let your friends, family, and clients know you are seeking to be a guest. Cast the net wide. Once you land that interview, go through this checklist to prepare to be a stellar podcast guest: Ask the host or show’s assistant how long the interview goes and if it will be in audio only or also video. If video too, set up lights in front of you so you are not a dark silhouette on their screen. Also, ask if you are allowed to mention your products or services. Then get them links ahead of time, for their show notes, as well as your bio and professional headshot (photo of your shoulders and adorable face). Homework – listen to a few of the show’s episodes. This way you get a feel for the host’s style, and you can refer to an episode if it works in your conversation. This is great for the host’s listenership. Then make sure to leave a review. This is how shows are ‘seen’ online. It’s respectful to do your prework and leave a review in exchange for the exposure you may get from being their guest. Make sure you are in a quiet space. I always lock my office door to keep my dog out. She will try to get my attention or bark at something scary (like a baby bunny or a leaf in the wind) and ruin the audio. This goes for keeping out cats as well. Yes, kitties are not usually as noisy, but for some reason, cats jump up and then flash their parts to the webcam. No one wants to see Mr. Fluffy’s fanny. An external microphone is a great investment if you plan on continuing to guest on podcasts, and it’s also nice to have for the increase of zoom meetings. It doesn’t have to be a big mic that blocks your face on-screen. Mine is a small one that I clipped onto a cell phone stand and it sounds great and isn’t in view. If you don’t have an external mic, let the host know, and make sure to sit close to the mic source on your phone or laptop. That is not ideal, but it’s better than sitting far away and having that tunnel vibe going on. I once had a guest who used the built-in mic on her earbuds, and we had to start the recording over because that tiny mic picked up the sound of it brushing on her shirt. Why do people wear headphones? Is it to look totally, like, hip? Well, possibly, but the technical reason is to reduce any echo or feedback from the sound coming in through your device. When the other person speaks to you, it picks up on your mic and can affect the audio. Headphones for both the guest and the host is best to keep the audio clear. It’s important to keep your answers as if the show is audio only. This means if you hold up your book, instead of saying, “This is my book cover”, you will instead say, “I’m holding my book up and the cover design is red with an upside-down rainbow and the title reads... “. This way if the host uses an audio clip, or only posts audio even though you were told it would be video, it’s better for listeners. And keep in mind, some audience members may be sight impaired, so you are being proactive with keeping the information more obtainable for the audience. Silence your cell phone and close out all other apps or devices that are open on your computer or cellphone. This will stop alerts from sounding during the interview (we’ve all heard this happen). It also seems to help the connection, too. I once had a guest from Germany (I’m in the United States – in Minnesota) whose connection was not working well. She suggested I check if I have other windows open on my device. And I did, so I closed them out and we were able to record the show. I am grateful that she knew that hack. I’ve been a performer and speaker for over two decades. This next tip is about your voice. Keep room temp or warm water nearby. Not soda or anything with sugar in it. Sugar will make you have to clear your throat because it creates a coating. Don’t have ice in your drink because of the sound and cold is not great on the throat for speaking. It’s nice to have a soft coaster to set your glass down to avoid the ‘clunk’ that can occur. K.I.S.S.: Keep It Short, Sweetie. Don’t have long answers when responding. Leave room for the host to interject questions and set the pace of the episode. At the same time, if you want certain information shared, be sure you are clear before the recording. Be careful not to speak when the host is talking, because that is an editing nightmare. You have the perfect sentence to pull out but then both of us talk together and it’s ruined. After the show is uploaded and live – share the heck out of it! Post on all your social media platforms and add it to the list of appearances on your website. Tag the host, tag the show, and share a fun or interesting quote if the host doesn’t do that. Guests who do this are seen as the elite people who do the work and help a show grow. Also, leave a review for their show if you didn’t do so before you were a guest. Let me know which tips resonated with you, and of course, tell me what I may have left out. I love to learn, and I appreciate the hundreds of podcasts I’ve been fortunate enough to guest on. If you know any genuine weirdos, send them my way for my podcast, called Stranger Connections with Lisa David Olson. Oh, and leave a review, won’t ya? Lisa David Olson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Lisa David Olson is a Business Humorist, speaker, author, podcaster, TEDx Speaker, speaker trainer and performer who shares how humor saved her life. Her interactive style and improvisation-for-real-life flair demonstrate how humor is a genuine connector. Olson’s two decades of improvisation and performing are pivotal to coaching workplace teams or play-shops for adults.

Written by: Patrick Batson, 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. Anyone who has managed a team, department, or entire business understands. Optimizing results and minimizing risk in an era of rapid change is a daunting task. Yesterday’s celebrated formula for success easily becomes tomorrow’s misstep. However, a reliable constant does exist—it’s just hidden in plain sight. Love vs. Fear At its core, a firm is a collection of individuals interacting with one another to accomplish shared objectives. Most of humanity learns the fundamental formula for successful human interaction before we can even speak coherently. Parents, caregivers, and children’s programming teach us first to be kind, honest, generous, compassionate, cooperative, and forgiving—all universal values based in love. However, when we enter the firm, we often allow fear-based emotions to take precedence. It's easy to see why. In the years between preschool and employment, we are taught that life is a competitive sport requiring constant action, tough choices, and no display of vulnerability. We witness successful people openly criticizing or ridiculing others. We are exposed to countless half-truths under the banners of "marketing" and "PR". Financial success is constantly modeled as the primary goal. And through the ubiquity of social media, we are trained to seek constant positive attention. Such fear-based values are embedded in the corporate cultures of many of the world's most admired firms. We must compete with colleagues for attention, opportunity, and resources. We embellish the truth or make unreasonable commitments to win the deal. We fail to speak our truth when directed to act against our personal integrity. We endure toxic of levels of stress because we are told that’s what it takes to get ahead. And we ignore the pangs of our hearts when they whisper, “This can’t be right.” In short, a fear of failure, retribution, or irrelevance keeps us from boldly practicing the one constant we have known all our lives. Rethink What’s Good for Business Is this good for the bottom line? That may depend on your own definition of “good." But common sense says that when a universal constant exists in the realm of human relations, it’s logical to apply that constant regardless of the relationship. That means talking about and modeling love, honesty, compassion, and forgiveness as core values in the workplace. In fact, ignoring the one thing we have always known would be folly in an uncertain world. Before dismissing that statement as Pollyanna or utopian, consider that only two years ago nobody would have believed productivity would actually go up if employees were allowed to work from home en masse. However, COVID-19 forced many companies around the world to do just that, and a number of recent studies on the impact or remote work to productivity have shown surprisingly positive results. As businesses grapple with the challenges of recruiting and retention in the post-COIVD world, one of the most impactful things they can do is reconcile core human values with core corporate values. A recent Gallup poll found that employee satisfaction and engagement have declined since late 2021. One of the primary reasons is the need to feel cared about at work—especially among millennials and Gen Zers. In a world where the desire for meaning is so strong, firms can help employees find more of it by bringing love out of the closet and into the center of our organizational cultures. In fact, a recent study by GreatPlace to Work found that feeling genuinely loved in the workplace is a primary characteristic of highly productive employees. Simply put, love is good business. Feed the Soul, Spur Motivation If a firm is a collection of individuals with souls working toward the fulfillment of a shared mission, then intentionally doing what is good for the soul will only benefit the firm in the long run. Encouraging success through the practice of love-based values, and modeling those values at the highest levels of management, even in the face of a challenging business climate, is what will motivate individuals to work passionately toward the firm’s goals in the coming years. As the human consciousness continues to evolve toward greater alignment between the head and the heart, customers and employees will expect nothing less than the truth they have known their entire lives. Firms that recognize this and take the bold step of building a culture centered around love-based values will have an advantage over those who cling to the fears of the past. For as we move further into this age of transparency, organizations that openly model love-based values will most easily capture the hearts and minds of all their stakeholders. If you want to learn more about how to live through love rather than fear, check out my latest book, Higher Choices and How to Make Them. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Youtube, or visit my website for more info! Read more from Patrick! Patrick Batson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Patrick assists people on their journey of awakening to higher consciousness. Drawing upon decades of study and practice of Spiritual wisdom, as well as executive-level management and modern family life, Patrick serves as a guide for bridging the physical and Spiritual worlds. He has authored two books and publishes a monthly blog of channeled content on topics common to the human experience, as observed from the perspective of the Higher Self. Through his healing practice, Patrick helps clients connect with their Higher Mind. By bringing unconscious, limiting beliefs into alignment with the Higher Mind's vision of wholeness and abundance, clients are able to amplify and accelerate positive life changes.

Kristi Peck creates a legacy of love. As an Intuitive Life Coach, a Spiritual Mentor, and an author, she works with adult children to heal the ancestral shadow and liberate the lineage of dysfunction. From conflict to connection, Kristi helps estranged daughters find a higher purpose and establish a new partnership paradigm in the family system. Kristi has been trained as a Master Life Coach in Jungian Psychology, Eastern Philosophy, and Social Neuroscience, as well as mediumship, energy, and channeling of the angelic realm. She has additional certification as a Jungian Relationship and Dreamwork Specialist through the ICF Accredited Creative Mind University. For over 30 years as an educator and coach, Kristi has helped people reclaim their sense of self and the power to make purpose-impacted choices. Kristi believes we are whole and our greatest superpower is believing in our own agency of strength and courage. She loves sharing stories that captivate and inspire people to take adventurous leaps of faith beyond old conditions and outdated influences. Kristi is the author of Coming Home – A Love Story, and the podcast host of Living the Liminal: Braving the Edge. She has a wealth of transformational life experiences and her warmth and vulnerability have been described as a “soft-toughness”. Kristi is fierce in her compassion to learn, opens her heart to courageous choice-making, and deeply understands the human dynamic. Her passion for living life consciously is a game-changer. Kristi Peck, Intuitive Life Coach, Spiritual Mentor and Author Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better. Hi there! I am Kristi Peck or rather I am a coffee drinker, lover of learning, and shopper who loves to hang with friends and her family while laughing hysterically at the joys of her life. I have been described as a walking encyclopedia and a red bull for the soul by those I have worked with as clients. My gift is to see others as their true light and support each person to create a legacy of love. I am passionate about healing the ancestral shadow and liberating our lineages from the generational trauma that exists. I want to educate a partnership paradigm as a means for our family systems to become more dynamic and harmonious. I am a mom to 4 children, now mostly adults, and have been married for 27 years. I decided to estrange from my family of origin many years ago which has elevated my work today. I am fierce in my compassion to learn, open my heart to courageous choice-making, and deeply understand the human dynamic. My passion for living life consciously is a game-changer. What kind of audience do you target your business towards? I work with women who are estranged from their families of origin. This does not necessarily mean they have no contact. It means there is a felt conflict and I help them make a self-connection. Going forward, decisions become aligned with that self-agency of personal power and authenticity. I wrote a book – Coming Home: A Love Story – that helps my clients witness the process of becoming aware which is the initial phase for determining your value and worth, in addition to learning to trust and feel safe in their environment and with their relationships. I host a podcast – Living the Liminal: Braving the Edge – where conversations are shared about what it means to be brave and courageous, as well as using our intuition and instinct to better our lives and that of others. I help women acquire the Archetypal Advantage – a new way of achieving success and leadership that uses dreamwork and archetypal synchronicity to release the chains of the shadow in the psychic imprint. What would you like to achieve for yourself and your business in the future? Me, I love exploring how to practice the work and learn more about myself. Witnessing ourselves and how we relate to our life is powerful. As my children are getting older (I have 2 adult children and 2 off to college in the fall), I am rediscovering all new aspects of who I am. My work is to inspire and educate the family system to become partnerships so that the relationships are more symbiotic, meaning parents and children learn from each other and there is an authentic relationship where both can evolve, thrive, and be nourished to become true to who they are. I want to help more people break free from the ancestral shadow and generational patterns that limit, isolate and separate from the truth of who people are at the heart. Who inspires you to be the best that you can be? My husband and children along with their friends inspire this work. My own story inspires this work. There is no other good feeling than to feel free, valued, and worthy to be who you are, to trust in all parts of life, and to feel safe in the environment and with those you love. We are meant to see and live beyond the physical limitations of the world so that we are orchestrating with a divine intelligence that supersedes the basic sensory system to a more advanced state of awareness. The here and now inspires me, as well as the infinite potential of possibility also inspires me. Tell us about your greatest career achievement so far. Watching my children break free of the generational limitations that I grew up with and seeing the freedom in their choices to become the best version of who they are is an incredible success. Also, for me, are those that include an AHA – a holy awakening – for a client or friend. When a person begins to see the truth of who they are is a profound moment like no other. It brings such pleasure, joy, and continued inspiration. Writing a book was super cool and I am planning to write another one. Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today. There have been many pivotal moments. My children have taught me and prompted me to go inward as a means to resolve a conflicted thought, idea, or belief. They will say something so profound and it will open me to explore where my own limited perception originated. They challenge me to be a better person and this helps me witness my own shadow and how I show up in relationships. My marriage of 27 years has led me to a deep understanding of how powerful love can be in helping us to become authentic. The inner dynamic of challenges and good times converge to elevate a more inspired relatability and a love that is conscious. The moment I used my own voice to say, “No more.” was profoundly life-altering. Pain can lead to purpose. Meaning can derive from hurtful actions and love is not only physical presence. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Kristi!

Written by: Gayle Terzis, 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 found yourself stuck in a job that you hate? Have you always wondered why can't you find happiness at work despite your best efforts? As an executive and career coach, I have seen this story repeat itself many times. A lot of my clients report feelings of dissatisfaction and frustration, with a high percentage of them considering a career change. And they are not alone. According to the survey done by Workplace, 67% of employees are unhappy at work with only 33% thriving in their overall well-being. ¹ What are the reasons for this unhappiness in the workplace and how can you solve it? Maybe happiness is not the answer: The average person spends around 90,000 hours ² at work during their lifetime, which means that having positive feelings towards your job is crucial to leading a balanced life. But what if I told you that looking for happiness at work is not the answer? Rather, finding meaning in your job is what you should actually thrive for. Why? Because happiness is a fleeting emotion that comes and goes depending on the circumstances you are facing and the situation you are in. Meaning on the other hand, is a powerful motivator that can keep you going even when things get tough. So, what can you do to find meaning in your job and eventually feel satisfied? 4 steps to find meaning in your job: 1. Don’t focus on the paycheck only: There is a misconception about the fact that more money equals more happiness. But a lot of employees find themselves dissatisfied with their jobs, despite having bigger paychecks. When I was working in banking and finance, I had a high-earning position, but I was not happy because I felt that my work lacked meaning. This is one of the main reasons that made me quit and become an executive and career coach, a job that fulfills me and brings me joy. During my career as an executive coach, I have encountered a lot of people like me, who decided to switch careers and follow a path that is meaningful to them. Many employees are even ready to take a pay cut to do more meaningful work and increase their satisfaction levels. ³ When looking for a job, consider the options that are available to you. Keep in mind that taking a job that provides you joy, on top of the other benefits you are looking for, should be a key element in your job search. 2. Know yourself, your values, and what motivates you: Knowing what activities you enjoy and which ones you don’t, can help you know what to focus on, but also what to delegate. Do you like preparing reports but hate oral presentations? Then, try swapping the tasks you don’t like with a colleague who is willing to take on the presentation part in exchange for you working on the reports. Do you like to strategize but do not like to work manually on time-consuming tasks? Find out which software you can use that can do the tasks for you. Knowing yourself and the activities you enjoy can help you better manage your time thus maximizing the hours you spend working on something that you love and minimizing the activities you don’t. This could also be helpful to you when you are searching for a job: it will help you find work that suits your personality. 3. Work on achieving work-life balance: This is key to feeling fulfilled. Regardless of how satisfied you are at your job, not having a proper work-life balance is bound to take its toll on you. Therefore, creating a life outside of work that brings you happiness and fulfillment is crucial in helping you maintain healthy boundaries within your work environment. It could also be helpful to have something to lean on during tough times at work. Exercising, going out with friends, and spending time with your family are also important parts of our lives that can bring us happiness and make us feel grounded outside of our working hours. Feeling like we are not spending our lives working is an important component of feeling satisfied. 4. Don’t be afraid of change: So, despite your best efforts and all of the advices that you have applied, you are still feeling dissatisfied at work? Then, maybe it is time for a change. First of all, you should consider what is bothering you: are you feeling bored in your current position and would like to take on new challenges? Then, talking to your boss about working on new responsibilities could be the answer. Do you feel like it is time for you to seek a position in another company that will better fulfill your needs? Update your resume, and start job hunting. Do you feel like you need a career change and do not know where to start? Then, turn to an executive and career coach who can help you figure out your next steps. Conclusion: We all want to be happy in life, and being happy at work is a big part of it. But happiness is a fleeting sensation that will leave us feeling dissatisfied if we are constantly chasing it. Therefore, changing our mindsets to focus on a job that we enjoy that brings us a sense of purpose is more stable and can go a long way. Ironically, it can also contribute to us feeling happier at work. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Gayle! Gayle Terzis, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Gayle Terzis is an Executive & Career Coach and the Founder of Boost Up. With a background in banking, Gayle spent over ten years in the corporate world working on diverse missions, including the development of the first program dedicated to the financial empowerment of women in the Middle East. However, she started feeling that her job was lacking meaning and purpose, and she was automatically less happy at work. She found coaching to be her calling. She quit her job and got certified by the ICF Executive & Leadership Coaching program. Today, Gayle helps ambitious career-focused people connect with their better selves in order to reach their full potential and achieve meaningful goals faster; while having a balanced, healthy, happy, and productive life. References: [1] https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx [2] https://www.gettysburg.edu/news/stories [3] https://hbr.org/2018/11/9-out-of-10-people-are-willing-to-earn-less-money-to-do-more-meaningful-work

Written by: Arthur Gluzman , Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Let’s assume you’ve come across a fantastic job opportunity. You update and polish your resume, create a fantastic cover letter, and list your references. Everything is going great; you have everything ready except for one aspect. So, what makes you stand out among the rest? You may have an excellent resume, an extraordinary cover letter, and some solid references. Good for you – but who’s to say that the other candidate’s credentials aren’t the same as yours? If you really want to seize that opportunity, you’d have to prove to the employers your worth. It would be best if you went beyond the standard and the norm and provided them with something they wanted. It all comes down to convincing the company that you are what they need. Here’s how: 1. Submit a Pain Letter Instead of having a standard cover letter, be bold and submit a pain letter instead. Usually, the contents of a pain letter are the problems and issues the company faces, and how, if employed, you can provide a solution to these problems. This demonstrates the level of commitment you have for the company and your drive to contribute – which is what most companies look for. 2. Utilize an Insider This is considered an underhanded move for some, but for others – it’s a wise and resourceful move. Don’t rely on the recruiter to get an interview; instead, if you know someone within the company, create a connection with the person and ask for a referral. Then, let that inside person refer you, as this always yields a higher success rate in getting employed. 3. Showcase Your Skills A resume can only take you so much. Why not add a portfolio where you can support your claims within your resume by showcasing your skills and achievements? For example, if you’ve done tons of writing for your past employer; when you submit your application, insert a few samples of your past work. You can bring the portfolio if you get called for an interview, but that’s a huge IF. So, to increase your chances of showcasing your work, why not build an online portfolio that is accessible by your potential employers, therefore allowing them to view the portfolio when reviewing your application. 4. Demonstrate Your Value Online portfolios are a great addition to your application, but you can go even further than that. Demonstrate your value to the company by submitting additional documents. Think of what the company needs and develop a unique idea around that – then propose that idea to the company. Doing so will demonstrate your deep knowledge of the company and show your eagerness to contribute. 5. Be Bold in Asking Questions If you finally land an interview, congrats! You are one step away. Preparation is key but remember that an interview isn’t one-sided. It’s a conversation, and it goes both ways. Hence, have questions prepared for your interviewers. Questions that would help you determine whether the position is right for you, as well as show the interviewer your dedication to pursuing the opportunity. Get That Job! As cliché as it may be, everyone is unique. It’s just how you carry and communicate that fact to your employer. There’s no better way of standing out than being yourself. Most importantly, if you need help getting your dream job in just 90 days, kindly check out Arthur Gluzman’s Free book titled ‘How to Get Your Dream Job in Any Economy.’ This book chronicles a proven step-by-step plan that has been designed to help professionals get their dream job or position in any economy. The Free Book Can Be Downloaded Here. Follow me on LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Read more from Arthur! Arthur Gluzman, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Arthur Gluzman, the founder is the CEO of a million-dollar recruitment company and a career coach. For more than 20 years, Arthur has coached and helped various individuals to get their dream jobs within 30 days. He has also helped top reputable companies recruit the best talent in their organizations. Using his 20 years of recruiting experience, he has helped CEO’s, CFO’s, VP’s, and Talent Acquisition Pros who are looking to hire and retain the best professionals and executives in the known Universe. "I encourage you to take your career to the next level. I believe it’s time for you to receive expert assistance in pinpointing your hidden strengths and passions while building unshakable confidence. Build your brand as an expert in your industry, just like any other leading expert. You will never feel stuck, undervalued, unappreciated, unrecognized, or underpaid ‒ Ever again in your lifetime. So…"

Written by: Tajana Velikinac, 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. Overall thinking is a bad habit. When we think too much about something, we start losing productivity and we can lose our opinion and don't know what we want and what is good for us. Some big, important life decisions take time, but not too much. Also, if the decision has already been made, sometimes people also have that second guess, Did I make the right decision, could it be different, what would happen if I chose another option, etc.? Of course, each decision carries a different course of events and sometimes changes destiny and is always that different option. We always have a choice. Analysing some situations or cases in some period of time is fine, but when we focus on something and are not decisive longer period may negatively affect mental health. We all overthink sometimes, but it is important to prevent it, to avoid making behaviour of it. Some of the signs of overthinking are; Anxiety, Having the worst scenario in your head, Having lots of negative thoughts, Feeling mentally tired, Second-guesting your decision, etc. Overthinking is not focusing on the solution; you are rather stuck in some problem with negative thoughts and questions like why is this happening to me? I can’t handle this anymore! Instead of focusing on the solution, all energy is in a negative state. When we try to make some decision and analyse from all angles, taking too much time, and looking for a second opinion, it’s more likely that we are wasting our time. How to prevent overthinking Practice mindfulness Mindfulness is mean being present and aware of where you are and what you do without overreacting. Try to concentrate on what you are doing at that given moment. If you are having a meal then focus on your food, on taste, and how you eat, sometimes is good to count bites and focus on chowing. Meditate Meditation is not clearing your mind from all negative thoughts it’s focusing on breathing and being calm. Focusing on breathing and not giving any negative thoughts attention, let them come and go. Change negative thoughts When we trying to make some decision or go somewhere, have a meeting, call your partner, etc., we can have this worst scenario in our head. Next time when you are stuck in this negativity ask yourself, is this real? Is this my imagination that I manifest? Do I want that to happen? How can I focus more on positive things? Similar to when you meditate even if some negative thoughts come to you, find something else more positive to focus on. Imagine beautiful flowers, sun and sea, or anything else that make you calm and happy. Gratitude Being grateful in everyday life can bring only more things to be grateful for. It makes us stay more positive, focusing on all goods. When some bad situation happens even if is not that important we usually share it with others and concentrate on that, but what if you do the same when something positive happens to you, it could be exchanging smiles with strangers, giving some lovely feedback to some workers in the shop, praise yourself, etc... options are endless. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Tajana! Tajana Velikinac, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Tajana is an international Empowerment Coach and motivational teacher. Teaches people about awareness and supports them in their life challenges. To be aware of yourself means to know yourself, not what others have taught you. It is a process of rewriting your unconscious mind. Love yourself means to accept yourself as you are.

Dr. Lara Zibarras is the food freedom psychologist. Her 20s and 30s were riddled with food anxieties and disordered eating, so finding food freedom was truly life changing. Using her background in psychology, nutrition and intuitive eating, she is now on a mission to help women eat dessert without guilt, find “healthy” without the obsession, and the freedom and joy in eating again. Lara Zibarras, Food Freedom Psychologist Can you tell us a little about your background story and how you came to be doing what you are today? I am a registered psychologist with a PhD and throughout my career I have worked both as an academic and a freelance practitioner. During my training as a psychologist, I had a very negative relationship with food and suffered from an eating disorder. In recovery, I was working with a nutritional therapist and this sparked my interest in nutrition, so years later I decided to train as a nutrition and wellness coach. Alongside my day job, I started coaching a handful of clients to “get healthy”, yet found that so many women were trapped inside the dieting cycle of restricting and then bingeing. They felt helpless and out of control around food – much like I had previously. It was learning about intuitive eating that helped me refine my approach as a coach where, instead of focusing on food restriction (as in many diets), I focused more on helping clients create a healthier and happier relationship with food. This meant that all foods could fit in a healthful and wholesome diet, and that “health” was attained through focusing on health promoting behaviours. I now use a combination of psychology, mindset and intuitive eating to help people feel at peace with food and find their “true health” but without obsession. You call yourself a food freedom psychologist ‒ what exactly is “food freedom”? At the heart of the food freedom concept is the idea that we don’t need restrictive rules around food. When we have rigid rules, food will always hold some power over us (which is exactly why food restriction often leads to binges which make us feel out of control). Food freedom allows us to say goodbye to diets, rules and the idea of “good vs. bad” food (think spinach versus chocolate). Food freedom allows us to have a “normal” relationship with food without controlling it, or food controlling you. Food freedom is about ditching diet culture, it’s where “all foods fit” in a healthy approach to eating. We learn to neutralise food and stop labelling food as either good or bad – this takes the emotions out of eating where an apple is just and apple and ice cream is just ice cream (neither is good/bad, healthy/unhealthy). This perspective allows us to eat for nourishment and enjoyment, without guilt. Now you may be wondering where “health” comes into this – a question I am asked regularly is: how can I be healthy and care about my health goals whilst pursuing food freedom? It’s a great question! Well, the research shows categorically that dieting is bad for you in the long-run. In fact, researchers such as Traci Mann have shown that if you track dieters over time (between 2-5 years) you find that most of them have put on the weight they originally lost, and in ⅔ of cases end up heavier than when they started. So when you understand the science, it’s clear that a different approach is needed rather than focusing on restricting food. What I help my clients focus on is “health promoting behaviours” to help them feel good in the long-run. These are behaviours like getting more movement into your day, eating more fruit, vegetables and fibre, getting more sleep and working on mindset and habits. It’s certainly no “quick fix” like many of the diets and healthy eating plans promise, but if you are after long-term health, then this type of approach is best. You talk a lot about diet culture ‒ what is it, and why is it so toxic? Diet culture refers to a set of beliefs that values thinness and shape above everything else, including mental health. It therefore shapes our perceptions about weight, health and appearance. The diet culture lens warps our view of beauty and our own bodies and impacts how we treat ourselves and others. Since diet culture idolises thinness, there’s an assumption that health has a perfect look – which is lean and toned, with abs. It has us believing that our bodies must be changed, that the only way to be worthy is to fit certain diet culture standards. And unfortunately this standard of perfection is one that most people can’t attain, reinforcing the constant disappointment with your body. Diet culture is particularly toxic because it perpetuates a disordered relationship with both food and exercise. The rhetoric within diet culture is focused on restricting food (whether calories or food groups), labelling foods as either good or bad and normalises speaking badly about ourselves and our bodies. It also sees exercise as a form of punishment to atone for our eating sins, which misses the other health benefits of exercise (such as for your mental health). We’re exposed to diet culture everywhere – images on social media, in advertising and on TV, all reinforcing the idea that in order to be healthy and happy we must look a certain way and be a certain size. I see diet culture as having a very clear influence on the rise in eating disorders, including in children. I think it’s a powerful and counter-cultural thing to start to accept your body. When I work with people to release body shame, we focus on body acceptance. It’s hard to focus on improving your health if you come at it from a place of hate. If you have negative self-talk and you are always berating your body, then it’s hard to change. We are better able to focus on positive growth if we at least accept the body that we are currently in, and say positive things to ourselves. What are your top 3 tips for someone wanting to move towards food freedom and heal their relationship with food? Top 3? Hmmm, well if you are just getting started on your journey to food freedom, then I would probably say… 1 Ditch dieting and diet culture. This is one of the very first things that I work on with clients to help them free themselves from restriction and stop categorising food as either “good” or “bad”. By neutralising food in this way, it becomes less alluring which leads to less binges, emotional and over-eating. It’s important to relax food rules. Somewhere along the line we got the message that in order to be healthy, we need to eat perfectly all the time. This isn’t the case – in fact, stressing over the sugar in a cookie is way worse for you than eating the sugar in the first place. My approach is about helping clients eat in a way that’s both nutritious and enjoyable, but without guilt, stress or shame. 2 Decouple “health” and “weight”. Like I mentioned earlier, we receive the message from diet culture that health has a certain size or look. It’s important to know that it’s possible to pursue health without dieting or intentionally trying to lose weight. You are much better off focusing on health promoting behaviours, which is how I support my clients. Also when we examine the research we see that things like cardiovascular fitness is way more important for long-term health than weight or BMI, so more reason to focus on behaviours and not weight. 3 Build trust between you and your body. Through diets we receive the message that we cannot trust our own bodies and instead, we must rely on healthy eating plans to tell us when to eat and in what quantities. I remember when I was constantly dieting that I didn’t trust my own hunger. It was something to be dismissed or ignored, especially if it was outside my “eating window”. In healing your relationship with food, it’s important to start tuning into your body’s hunger signals so that you can build trust in your body again. Your body has an incredible inbuilt ability to eat intuitively – in a way that is nourishing to your body. But over years of dieting, we ignore these cues over and over again, so often people start on their journey of food freedom by learning to re-feed their body. Eventually, this leads to the point where you think about food less and less because you are better able to tune into hunger and fullness. Can you tell us more about your signature program ‒ Food Freedom Matters? Over the last 5 years I’ve spent thousands of hours reading research papers, books, attending courses and seminars. I wanted to really understand why diets don’t seem to work in the long-run and exactly why people resort to binges, emotional and over-eating. When I started coaching as a food freedom psychologist, I was finding that I was working through the same issues with most of my 1:1 clients – getting behind the why of binges and emotional eating, working through body image issues, helping them tune into their bodies and then learning how to eat in a way that isn’t restrictive, but promotes health in the long-term. It made sense to create an online course that included all these elements so that people can go through the program in their own time. So my signature program – Food Freedom Matters – is designed to help women feel in charge and confident around food, to eat dessert without guilt, and to find “healthy” without the obsession or constant monitoring of calories, grams of sugar and labels. It’s for anyone who is feeling frustrated with feeling out of control around food to help them find the freedom and joy in eating again in a health-promoting way. They never have to start over again on a Monday! You mentioned a (free) masterclass for readers ‒ could you tell us a bit more about it and where to find it online? This is for anyone who is curious to find out more about food freedom. Perhaps you’re currently feeling out of control around food, or you want to heal your relationship with food. It’s a 35 min training to help you Understand why you've struggled with binges, emotional eating, and feeling guilty when you eat something "naughty" Discover the mistakes you're probably making that have you feeling out of control around food. Identify how to fix these mistakes now so you can stop feeling guilty each time you fall off the "healthy eating" wagon Finally feel in charge & confident around food You can sign up here. Thank you for your time today, Lara. If people want to find you online, where should they go? I hang out on instagram here, I release weekly videos on YouTube here, and my website is here. Feel free to reach out to me, I always reply to my messages! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Lara!

Written by: Chrysanthi Vazitari, 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. Guilt is described as a self-conscious emotion that involves negative evaluations of the self, feelings of distress, and feelings of failure. We are often experiencing guilt in our day-to-day life but have you ever wondered, why do we allow guilt to creep in? Feeling guilty when we say no and want to set some boundaries. Guilty when we do not go to that party because we are too tired. Guilty of feeling exhausted, emotionally drained or stressed… When on holiday, we don’t expect to feel guilty of anything. We expect to feel relaxed and free of worries. Unfortunately, there is this thing called “guilt of being on holiday”. It might not feel as guilt at first but rather as anxiety and discomfort. Discomfort of seeing all these emails arriving and their number increasing. Discomfort of getting our of your routine and how you will come back. Discomfort for this unresolved issue that bugs your brain here and there. The thinking of all this work (being undone) and the piles of dossiers waiting for you when you come back, is starting to occupy your mind. A lot! And that’s when the moment is gone… Instead of being in it, you are now in the “back to work” moment. This moment is very common, especially in today’s world where people wear “busy” as a badge of honor. Where our packed schedules are what make us feel valued. Have you ever heard of the term “leaveism”? The term has been coined by Dr Ian Hesketh in 2013 to describe the annual leave habits of employees. ‘Leaveism’ refers to workers taking annual leave not only because they are unwell to go to work, but also because they want to catch up on their workload or work outside of their office hours. This means that a significant part of employees is experiencing a workload overload. This workload overload can lead to a quiet quitting period, a burnout increasing phase. But something needs to change besides being aware of the situation. “Knowing” is not enough, acknowledging is not enough. What would be enough is to take an action. A pivot, a re-evaluation of things. That would be enough! I always say to my clients “What would you do if you were in the middle of nowhere and you had 4% of battery? Do you scroll social media or do you call, or text someone?” So now you can replace the battery with your energy, what you do in your day with the energy left in your body is very important! You either take an action that can recharge you or drain you. Find below 5 ways to save your “battery”. 1. Be intentional Having an intention and not indulging in every feeling or thought is crucial. Try being intentional with your behavior, your thoughts and actions. This way you become more present and achieve bigger and better goals. While being on vacation, set an intention to enjoy, relax, have fun, and connect. 2. Let go of worries Easier said than done, I know. But letting go is a choice that we make, the choice to let go of our stressful and discomforting thoughts. You can start by confronting these thoughts and then try to rationalize them. 3. Be present As said before, when worries start occupying your mind, you are not able to be in the moment. In order to be in the moment, you can smell, see, hear, touch and taste things around you. Acknowledge the moment and enjoy where you are RIGHT NOW. 4. Breath Pretty simple and basic, but when used intentionally, it can be pretty therapeutic as well. Breathing helps our nervous system to calm down, decreases stress, relieves pain and detoxifies our body. Breathe deeply in through your nose and then out through your mouth. Repeat three times. 5. Replace guilt with gratitude Instead of feeling guilty of the work that’s piling up or the pending emails that keep increasing, BE GRATEFUL for the things that YOU CAN DO! You can start by keeping a gratitude journal. You don’t have to write a lot of things. Pick 1-2 things you are grateful for and write them down every day. You have earned your vacation so ENJOY IT! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Chrysanthi! Chrysanthi Vazitari, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Chrysanthi is a certified transformational coach working with multi-passionate and highly energetic professionals, who try to get career satisfaction, advancement or who want to completely pivot their careers. Chrysa has successfully pivoted her career three times already, from an educator to communications advisor in big corporations and is now an entrepreneur/coach. She is the founder of Career Grow & Glow and the co-founder of GrowthUP coaching. Her coaching method is the ACC: Awareness ‒ Clarity ‒ Choice (by CMA) in combination with somatic/embodied and cognitive-behavioral elements. Of course, there is constant change, as she doesn't rest and keep incorporating new methods along the way!

Written by: Sara Sheehan , 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, you can advance your career by setting brilliant goals in 2023. When an organization sees you as a potential candidate for promotion, you will typically have a set period of time to prepare and demonstrate your readiness for the new role. During this time, taking action and creating a list of initiatives and goals you hope to achieve in your next position is essential. When an organization identifies you as a leader they want to promote, there is a general timeline for the transition. Ideally, you will have at least six months to a year from being identified until the promotion takes effect. This period allows you to prepare, plan, and take action to be ready for the career level which you are pursuing. Take Action by Setting Goals Taking action by setting goals is crucial in advancing your career as a leader. Setting goals involves identifying the initiatives and objectives you want to achieve in your next position and creating a plan. By setting clear, measurable goals, you can focus your efforts and track your progress toward achieving your objectives. It is critical to take action during the interim period; taking action creates an excellent case for the next ample opportunity. During this period, one of your top priorities is to develop goals or the platform of initiatives you would like to implement in the next position. As you create your list, it is good to have short-term and long-term goals to deliver real long-term results. Three to five goals are enough to show impact and results. Be focused, as your results will mirror your focus. Your goals must have a mutual agreement to provide value to the business. Your Passion Leads to Success Choosing goals that align with your passions can be crucial to your success. When you are passionate about your work, you are more likely to put in the extra effort needed to achieve your goals. Additionally, your passion can be contagious and help to inspire and motivate others to support your efforts. When creating goals, a few criteria make a big difference in your follow-through. One of the most important rules of thumb is to set goals you are passionate about. Not only will you be more likely to put effort toward achievement, but you will also have more significant influence when recruiting others to support your work. Your efforts and a strong team of supporters will increase your likelihood of success. Reign It In It is essential to be concise and focused when setting goals. Eliminating unnecessary words and being as specific as possible can make your goals more achievable and accessible for others to understand and support. Make sure your goals are concise and brief. Your written goals are not a time to be verbose. Eliminate unnecessary words. Reading a straightforward goal makes it easier for our brain to visualize achieving it. That doesn't mean you should choose an easily attainable goal. Stretch goals can be brief and impactful. Use Key Performance Indicators Setting key performance indicators (KPIs) for your goals can help to make them more measurable and trackable. By defining clear targets for success, you can plan for and manage your efforts effectively and track your progress toward achieving your goals. Another criterion for success is crafting measurable goals. These will help you plan your efforts leading up to the achievement or completion of the goal. It may take some extra time, but you are setting your goals for fruition. Make the Most of Time Making the most of your time is critical in advancing your career as a leader. Maximizing your time might involve taking on new challenges and responsibilities, seeking additional training or education, or networking with other professionals in your field. By staying current and expanding your knowledge and expertise, you will be well-positioned to take on new opportunities as they arise and continue to advance in your career. In large companies, many leadership roles have a 24 – 36 month tenure without being overtly prescriptive that the role is time-based. It's an expectation that leaders need to move into new opportunities to expand their experience and develop more skills. Organizational development in a corporate environment generally requires that key leaders have new opportunities as a strategy to retain talent. Maybe you have a little time before your next promotion. Don't wait until the last minute to show you are ready for a new challenge. Start taking action now to prepare, plan, and act. If you are an executive interested in moving your career forward or are actively working on a promotion plan, please connect with me to learn more about how I can help with your preparation or transition in the new year. Follow me on LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Sara! Sara Sheehan, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Sara Sheehan, PCC, is a consultant and Executive Coach who works with C-Level executive leaders designing organizations, developing business strategies, managing change, optimizing talent and leadership development, and solving complex human performance problems. Through executive coaching, Sara helps leaders sprint their way up the corporate ladder and increase their performance.

A car accident can leave you in utter confusion and shock, preventing you from thinking clearly. Dealing with your physical injuries and the trauma takes a massive toll on your physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. Accordingly, it is common to commit some costly errors related to initiating legal action while you go through such an overwhelming experience, compromising your chances of securing fair compensation. Following a car accident, you must take some measures to build a convincing car accident claim. You may visit this website to learn more about what to do after a car crash to protect your legal rights. The following are some critical mistakes to avoid that might severely jeopardize the actual value of your auto accident claim: Not Visiting a Doctor If you have not been hurt in the accident, it might seem peculiar to make a trip to your primary care physician after the crash. However, seeking immediate medical attention regardless of your minor injuries is indispensable to strengthening your claim and increasing your probability of receiving a fair compensation payout. It is essential to know that the adrenaline rush following the accident can mask symptoms of severe injuries that might occur several days or perhaps weeks later. Even a minor scrape or a bruise can indicate a serious underlying injury which can go undiagnosed if you do not make a trip to your doctor's office. A medical evaluation will detect and document any injuries. Not only will this ensure you get timely treatment, but you can seek compensation for them. It will also prevent the opposing party from downplaying your claim by arguing about the severity of the injuries or that some other event caused them Admitting Fault Taking advantage of the stress and confusion after an accident, insurance companies can use deceiving tactics to devalue settlement claims by obtaining recorded statements from victims. It is an attempt to trick them into inadvertently admitting guilt for the accident. You must avoid giving any recorded statements to the insurance adjuster on a recorded line, as they might twist your words and use them against you during the claims process. Your lawyer should be the first and only point of contact for anyone wanting to talk about the accident. Failing to Gather Evidence Collecting crucial evidence following your car wreck is at the core of building a solid car accident claim. Assuming you are not seriously hurt, try gathering vital evidence at the crash site. That includes taking photographs of the damage to the vehicles involved, your injuries, and a copy of the police report. It is also vital to keep records of your medical bills, like prescription medications and treatments, reinforcing the importance of seeking medical attention after the crash. Exchange contact information from any witnesses to the accident who might be able to testify about how the crash occurred and if it was due to the other driver’s negligence. All these can significantly enhance your chances of securing a successful settlement. Accepting a Quick Settlement Offer As profit-making businesses, insurance companies will go to lengths to minimize your payout. Following the accident, you can expect to receive early settlement offers from the insurance company that will seek to avoid paying for potential costs that may arise down the road, like medical costs due to injuries. No matter how lucrative and tempting they might seem, these premature offers are most likely lesser than the actual worth of your claim. Signing an early settlement will close the doors for you to seek additional compensation, giving up your right to the deserving settlement. Not Contacting An Auto Accident Lawyer Having a trusted personal injury attorney on your side when filing a car accident claim is paramount to obtaining a favorable outcome from your case. Dealing with the complex legal proceedings on your own can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with the shock and distress of a car accident. An experienced car accident lawyer will possess the skills and knowledge to navigate the daunting legal system on your behalf. They will provide a level playing field by negotiating with the insurance companies, who will use several manipulative tactics to trick you into accepting quick, lowball settlement offers. The right attorney will also provide you with a broader range of legal options to secure the compensation you deserve, such as taking the matter to the court of law for a trial if necessary. Final Words A car accident is a traumatic event. Making some crucial mistakes on your part following the crash could significantly decrease the value of your claim. That could result in insufficient compensation – an amount below what you deserve. Knowing what to do can help build a strong claim and recover the losses by maximizing the compensation you receive.

Written by: Pamella Pritchard, 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 don't know about you, but I hate to-do lists. I can't stick to them if they're longer than 3 bullet points, and while they are filled with urgent, high-priority essential items, the tasks are often monotonous and bring little to no joy. So the real question is, when will you make time for the things that really matter? Busy-ness isn't good for business It's easy to create busy-ness in your business and not focus on what will really move the needle. soul clientsWhat if I told you the very thing you have been putting off, that soul desire to do something that will really light you up is the thing you need to stop procrastinating on and start prioritising? Maybe you want to start an email list so you can really speak to your soul-clients but the tech side keeps getting in your way. Perhaps you have an idea for a program that really excites you but you're secretly procrastinating on actually sharing it because it also feels kinda scary. Maybe you really want to go part time in your 9to5 so it will give you more time and energy freedom in your business and life, but you're totally avoiding putting a meeting in with your boss. The Twin Powers: Pain vs Pleasure This is the pain for pleasure paradox. You want something, a lot, and you know it's the right thing to do, but right now, you are avoiding, procrastinating and putting it off. If you're reading this far, then you know there is something you need to address. So right here, right now let's get to work, coach. This simple Tony Robbins exercise is a fast favourite of mine. He shares everything we do is driven by two things: Pain or Pleasure. He refers to them as the twin powers (it rhymes with Twin Towers and I'm a huge LOTR fan so I was immediately on board! Hit reply and let me know if you're a LOTR fan too!). He shares the reason we don't do things we think we want, is because right now, the pain of doing it feels greater than the pleasure of staying the same. After all, it's more comfortable in the comfort zone, right? Let's say for example you've been thinking about hiring me as your coach. You're ready to stop treating your business like a hobby and you want to start making some real money in your biz. But you're worried about making an investment or really, actually telling your partner you are actually going to start taking this seriously... The fear of claiming your desires and actually putting some money on the line, because it's easier to play small and just post once in a while is stronger than your desire to make it work. You haven't yet realised the willingness to feel that temporary discomfort in making an investment and claiming it to your partner and more importantly to yourself will actually create far greater pleasure for you (both) in the long run. Tony refers to this avoidance as: 'trying to eliminate pain by solving a problem while nurturing the cause'. This sentence blew my mind. Every time I keep myself small, and stay safe in the avoidance of my own discomfort to put myself out there and go for what I really want, I am also nurturing the cause. Ouch. Short-term pain vs long-term gain Another way I like to think about this is long-term vs short-term. Here are some other examples of this. My recent ventures back into the gym and weightlifting have been a true pain for pleasure paradox. My first tattoo ‒ painful as hell, but also, damn, I loved the high afterwards. The first obstacle course race I ran ‒ hard training, lots of mental and physical challenge, but the feeling afterwards of achievement and success? Put it this way, I did 6 mud runs in one year once! Even in business, the fear of starting, daring to leave my corporate career and travel... Each example had short-term pain and long-term gain. Every single time. Want to know the wild part? The more I lean into this, and find evidence of how leaning into my pain and choosing to focus on the long-term pleasure, the more I do it and... the more I like it. They say tattoos are addictive right. I'm onto my third. I've ran over 12 mud runs in my time. At the gym it's a few weeks in and I'm nearing my personal best already. I started this business and continue to put myself out there. Over and over again. Serving more people, making more impact and living my dream life along the way. The pain? A friend in disguise. The pleasure. Even sweeter when I've had to overcome something to earn it. Every pain is just a shadow longing to be seen and brought into the light. An invitation into desire and what you really want for life. Reflect now. When have you seen this already pan out in your life? Take a moment. You're not here to stay small, to keep doing the same things and getting the same outcomes. You found coaching because you wanted more. Now you know how and you want to help others achieve the same. The world doesn't just need more coaches, it needs you to share your unique story and transformation. Beat procrastination It's time to level up and step out. Claim what you want and face the pain-for-pleasure paradox again, on your terms in your business and 9 to 5. Are you ready? Give yourself 15 minutes max. Answer the simple 6 journaling prompts below. List 4 actions in your business or 9to5 that you are putting off. Under each action, write why you haven't been taking action and then, what pain you are linking to taking this action? Write down all the pleasure you have had in the past by indulging in this pattern for each. Write down what it will cost you if you don't change now (literal financial impact and personal impact). Go through each cost and identify how that makes you feel (one word emotion). Finally, what pleasure will you receive by taking each of these actions? You've done the hard part. You've taken what you're avoiding and looked it lovingly in the face. What happens next is entirely up to you. Will you take charge and go implement? Or will you do all of this and still choose to stay the same? You've got this, coach. Go after it. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Pamella! Pamella Pritchard, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Pamella Pritchard, is a certified business mindset and life coach to coaches who are building their soul-led coaching business around their 9to5. Bridging the gap between corporate and purpose-driven entrepreneurship, Pamella helps professionals navigate the transition from employee to CEO in mindset, energetics and strategy. Her signature program THRIVE helps coaches make this transition with simplicity, confidence and clarity, you can schedule a free consult here. Pamella has now left her own corporate London career to travel, and is currently based in tropical North Queensland in Australia. Reference: Tony Robbins, Awaken the Giant Within.