Written by: Sherry Buckley-Brown, 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. Becoming a leader is one of the most rewarding yet challenging roles a person can set out to acquire. It requires a mix of skills, some of which you may already possess and some that you may need to develop further. Many of you may be natural-born leaders, and others may have to work a little harder to make it to a desired destination in a leadership role. But regardless of how many skills you have to learn or develop, three aspects remain constant: Successful leadership is acquired by leading from within, understanding people skills, and everyone is capable. Leading from within is a concept that has gained traction in the business world in recent years, and it can be an incredibly powerful, positive tool for achieving success. But what is leading from within all about? Well, it’s about leveraging the collective power of your employees or teammates to create a positive work environment that encourages collaboration and innovation. It involves tapping into your inner potential as a leader, developing a shared vision and setting goals that everyone can work towards while empowering your team to make decisions that are in everyone’s best interest. And leaders who practice this newborn technique understand a few things. First, they understand the importance of engagement and creating an environment of trust and mutual respect. And secondly, they go the extra mile to understand each individual’s strengths and weaknesses so they can better leverage the collective power of their team to create an incredibly positive and productive environment. To create this type of all-inclusive, positive environment, you have to do a couple of things, including getting to know people personally and understanding them immensely. This is not to say that you’re understanding and friendly (which are good traits to have), what we mean here is that you have to understand who your teammates are as individuals and know what motivates them to be the best version of themselves so that they have the opportunity to reach their unrecognized potential. This is where your people skills will come in handy. Of course, people skills include getting to know individuals on a personal level, but it also includes the ability to be open to feedback and to show respect to those individuals and their opinions. When it’s all said and done, you have to be just as good of a listener as you require your team to be. In addition, you have to be open to change and willing to consider new ideas or critiques, and mix things up if necessary. And the level of respect you give will encourage a comfortable, trustworthy environment so all can thrive. Simple as it may seem, treating people how you would like to be treated creates a growth potential that is unimaginable. So, how do the ability to lead from within and people skills come together? The combination of leadership ability and people skills is essential for successful teams and successful leaders. A leader must have the confidence, capacity to lead, and people skills to connect with and motivate their team. You can't have one without the other. People skills are necessary for effective communication and collaboration, and leadership ability is essential for providing direction and delegation. By understanding the importance of both qualities, leaders can better lead their teams to success. When you lead from within and have the people skills to warrant success, you also have the power to help people recognize and unlock their true potential. By understanding each individual's unique strengths and talents, leaders with these traits can create an environment where everyone feels empowered to fulfill their dreams. This can lead to increased creativity, productivity, and overall happiness. In addition, leaders should strive to motivate and inspire those around them to reach their highest potential by providing guidance and support. And to see people that you care about daily reach their potential is part of the rewards of being a successful leader. It may seem like a lot, and for some, it might be. However, everyone has the ability to discover their best self and be a guide for others. And if you're toying with the idea of a leadership role, here are some tips and tricks to help you get started. Practice your people skills As we’ve previously discussed, people skills are essential for a successful leadership role and having a good grasp on these skills can help you communicate, listen, empathize, motivate, and relate to people in ways that encourage them to work together. People skills involve building relationships, trust, and understanding with people, regardless of their background or experience. Leaders must be able to communicate effectively with and motivate their employees in order to foster an environment of collaboration and productivity. Effective people skills can distinguish between a successful team and one that fails. They are essential for building strong, lasting relationships and can help leaders to create an environment where employees feel supported and valued, allowing them to reach their highest potential. These abilities are a must for anyone in a leadership role, as they are critical for creating an environment of success and growth. Develop your vision Developing a vision as a leader is key to success, as it acts as a roadmap for their team, providing them with a clear direction and purpose. Having an idea helps to motivate and inspire people and allows them to work together to achieve common goals. A vision also provides leaders with a platform for communication, keeping everyone focused and on the same page. Having a clear vision creates a sense of trust and accountability, as everyone is working towards the same goal. Leaders can better anticipate organizational changes and stay ahead of the competition by utilizing this tool. And ultimately, having a clear and concise vision ensures that the team is successful and its goals are met. Tap into your potential Tapping into your potential as a leader helps maximize success in any endeavor. Being a leader is more than just having a title or position; it is about taking the initiative and inspiring others to reach their highest potential. As a leader, it is crucial to recognize your weaknesses and strengths and use them to your advantage. This means knowing your abilities and how to use them to motivate and guide others toward success. Also, taking the time to reflect on your potential and how you can use it to lead is essential to achieving your goals and positively impacting the lives of those you lead. Understand the needs and motivations of your individuals As a leader, it is vital to understand the needs and motivations of your individuals. It is important to empathize with them and respect their opinions. An effective leader should be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each individual and use that knowledge to create a productive and positive environment. Additionally, a leader should strive to create a sense of unity and purpose within the team by engaging in meaningful conversations and activities. By understanding the needs and motivations of each individual, a leader can better facilitate relationships and foster an environment of cooperation and effort. Ultimately, when leaders take the time to understand the needs and motivations of their individuals, they can create a productive and positive team environment. Develop a sense of trust As a leader, developing a sense of trust with your team and individuals is one of the main components of success. Building trust requires a leader to be honest, reliable, and consistent in their words and actions. It also requires creating a safe space for open, direct communication and feedback. You must work hard to show your team that you are approachable and genuinely care about their success. Encourage team members to take risks and be open to their ideas and perspectives. Most importantly, be trustworthy and follow through on your commitments. Creating a culture of trust will help your team feel more connected and motivated to work together to reach common goals. Lead by example Leaders need to lead by example, setting the standard for others to follow and reinforcing core values. For example, when an individual in a leadership role takes the initiative to show their commitment to the cause and actively participates in activities, it encourages others also to do their part. Additionally, leading by example shows respect for the team and demonstrates that the leader is just as invested in the organization's goals. Lastly, leading by example sets a positive tone for the workplace and motivates employees to strive to reach higher levels of performance. Encourage Creativity As a leader, it is important to encourage creativity to unlock potential and spark innovation. Creativity is an essential component of progress, and it helps to break down the traditional boundaries that halt progress. It can also bring fresh ideas, perspectives, and solutions to the table that may otherwise not have been considered. Creativity can foster a safe and productive environment where everyone feels empowered to think big and see what's possible. Ultimately, creativity is a crucial ingredient of success, so as a leader, it's essential to foster an environment where ideas can be discussed openly, and explored. Show appreciation Showing appreciation in leadership role is essential, and doing so sets an example of respect and encourages morale. Acknowledging good work and effort helps to create an environment of recognition and motivation, inspiring employees to do their best. S Showing appreciation also strengthens relationships and builds trust. When you take the time to recognize your team's efforts, they feel valued and appreciated, leading to greater loyalty and commitment. Not only does showing appreciation help build a strong work culture and successful team, but it also encourages employees to be proud of their work and strive to do their best. Clearly, there’s a lot to be considered when stepping into the world of leadership. There is an abundance of things to learn and an entirely different mindset to explore. And if there are any takeaways, it’s that you already possess the potential to do anything you set your mind to do. You can be a leader. You already possess the ability to tap into unexplored talents that you may not know exist, and during this process, you’ll gain confidence and the ability to help inspire those around you. And you’ll do it so flawlessly that thinking outside the box will become a typical train of thought for innovation and problem-solving in your work life and your personal life. The door is there, waiting to be opened. So, go on in! Follow me on Instagram, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Sherry! Sherry Buckley-Brown, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Sherry Buckley-Brown is a Life and Leadership Coach that empowers individuals to recognize their natural born talents and skills. She uses tools and techniques to help you do a deep dive and put a plan of action in place to help you lead your authentic life. Sherry has faced many tragedies in her life and she has dedicated her life to helping others identify what is holding them back and get beyond STUCK. Sherry's famous quotes- "If Not Now Then When" "Life is Short". "Sooner Rather Than Later" . If you are ready for your next level, Sherry awaits your call.

If you get injured at your workplace, you should file a worker's compensation claim to receive worker's compensation. However, the insurance company will consider several factors before you can receive the payment. In this regard, we reviewed several law firms, and Reinartz Law Firm stood out as one of the best, with competent lawyers and professional legal guidance on the compensation process of work related injuries. Here are the factors that can affect your worker’s compensation claim. 1. The Severity of Your Injury You will likely receive higher benefits if you suffer an injury requiring extensive medical treatment. However, you may receive lower benefits if you suffer a minor injury that only requires a short recovery period. Some injuries need ongoing treatment. In case of such an injury, the insurance company will evaluate your compensation at a higher offer. These injuries include those that require surgery. Some injuries may leave you immobile. With such an injury, your benefits will include compensation for lost wages. 2. Cause of the Injury Your negligence could have caused the injury. This may be by failing to follow safety protocols or misusing equipment. If your negligence caused the damage, you might have more difficulty receiving benefits. However, you ought to receive benefits if your employer caused the injury by failing to provide a safe working environment. Thorough investigations will establish the cause of the damage before payment. 3. Duties of Your Job When you sustain an injury while performing your regular job duties, you are more likely to receive worker's compensation benefits. However, if you sustained the injury while engaging in activities outside the scope of your job duties, you may have a more challenging time receiving benefits. In some instances, you may sustain an injury outside your workplace and decide to claim benefits. You will receive no compensation when investigations establish that the damage was not from your workplace. With some employers, you can be sued for attempted fraud. 4. Did You Receive Reliable Medical Treatment? If you seek timely and appropriate medical treatment, it can support your claim and increase your chances of compensation. However, if you delay seeking treatment, you will reduce your chances of receiving benefits. Also, failing to follow through with prescribed treatment can weaken your compensation claim. So, seeking medical attention for injuries sustained at a workplace will increase the chances of getting paid for damages. No matter how minimal an injury is, it would be best if you got it checked out. 5. Your Cooperation With the Compensation Process Your cooperation with the workers’ compensation process can also affect your claim. If you are responsive to requests for information and follow through with necessary paperwork, it can help to support your claim. On the other hand, being uncooperative or failing to follow through with the necessary steps will only weaken your claim. 6. Your Work History Your work history can be a factor in a worker's compensation claim. If you have a history of frequent workplace injury claims, you may need help to receive payment. However, if you have a clean work history with no prior compensation claims, it may be easier for you to enjoy your compensation. 7. Attorney Representation Your representation can affect the outcome of your worker's compensation claim. If an experienced attorney represents you, they may have a better chance of receiving the benefits you deserve. You may receive a smaller compensation benefit if you decide to handle the negotiation independently. Getting a lawyer will ease your time as they take everything on your behalf. Final Thoughts Some factors may affect the outcome of your worker's compensation claim. But, with a factual claim, you will receive compensation despite the formalities. You should follow the code of conduct to ensure a smooth compensation process. By understanding these factors and working with an experienced attorney, you can protect your rights while increasing your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.

Written by: Lakota Summer, 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. This is dedicated to my sisters who have gone through the pain of a miscarriage. I see you, you are not alone... Within the last few months, the topic of miscarriage has been at the social media forefront, mainly due to Chrissy Teigen and Meghan Markle's experience with losing their unborn due to miscarriage. I believe that if these two high-profile celebrity figures didn't reveal their experience, the topic of miscarriage would not be necessary when the fact of the matter is women, especially black women, are experiencing miscarriages at an alarming rate. I have had the unfortunate experience of having two miscarriages; one moment, I have a life growing inside of me, then the next, without warning, that life is gone. It is a pain that I cannot describe, giving way to feelings of guilt (what could I have done differently) and inadequacy (what is physically wrong with me). Some claim that, for the most part, a miscarriage is a mystery; with my second miscarriage, my then OB/GYN told me, "this was mother nature's way of saying your body wasn't ready for a baby" I wanted to choke the bitch-WTF??? This is the response I get from a medical professional. I quickly ended that relationship. Mother nature??? Not good enough. There is validating research confirming that Black women experience all forms of pregnancy loss more often than white women. This includes miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, and infant death. There is validating research, confirming that black The reasons why have baffled scientists for decades. We understand that Black women are at higher risk factors connected with miscarriage, such as diabetes, tobacco use, obesity, and low socioeconomic status. But even studies that control for these variables find higher rates of pregnancy loss among African Americans. The reasons why Black women are more susceptible to these risk factors are complicated and related to various issues of racism and systemic inequality in healthcare. However, pinpointing the exact reasoning behind higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, and many other chronic illnesses is not clear-cut. Preterm Labor One of the significant contributors to the higher rate of infant death is an increased rate of preterm labor in African American women and premature birth for their babies. Because prematurity and low birth weight are leading causes of infant death, it's logical to conclude that more babies born early will ultimately equate to more infants dying from those factors. However, these facts don't explain why African American women are so much more likely to go into early labor than white women. One study out of Virginia Commonwealth University identified a slight variation in the gene SERPINH1 in Black women. This gene is essential in producing collagen, which is one of the components of the amniotic sac (bag of water). This collagen defect is three times more prevalent in Black women than in white women, which may account for some of the incidents of preterm labor among Black women. Because the gene was only found in 12% of the population studied, the collagen defect can't be the only contributing factor to pregnancy loss in Black women. Late Pregnancy Loss Another study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health found African Americans were more than twice as likely to experience late pregnancy loss, including stillbirth. That study attributed the difference to the higher rates of pregnancy complications like diabetes, high blood pressure, premature rupture of membranes, uterine bleeding, placental abnormalities, and problems with the umbilical cord in labor. Structural Racism in Healthcare While our instinct might be to point to socioeconomic factors, several studies have found that the risk of pregnancy loss is the same, even among educated, affluent Black women. This discovery reveals an uncomfortable truth about structural racism in healthcare and how prenatal care is administered differently to white vs. Black mothers. In other words, there is a much higher likelihood that white women will receive more effective medical care and social service assistance than Black women. Black women have limited access to prenatal education, which can affect how they eat and behave during pregnancy. Ultimately, it has become broadly accepted that the continuous, low-grade stress caused by racism and inequality is a key factor contributing to disparities in infant and maternal deaths. What Can Be Done? Programs like Life Course aim to tackle the problem holistically, offering everything from job assistance to transportation to prenatal care visits, which have shown some success. Those programs aim primarily to alleviate the socioeconomic factors contributing to perinatal mortality. Still, they can't completely close the gap until we understand what causes the health disparities, even among women who aren't economically disadvantaged. In the meantime, there are things African American women can do to improve their chances of having a healthy pregnancy. The following are some steps they can take: Tackle the risk factors you can control: Don't smoke Don't drink alcohol while you're pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Practice safe sex with new partners, and get tested for sexually transmitted infections Be as healthy as possible. Strive for an ideal weight through a healthy diet and active lifestyle Get regular medical care, and follow your doctor's instructions about any chronic health problems you have Get prenatal care Learn the warning signs of pregnancy loss Call your physician if you experience any signs of miscarriage, preterm labor, or decreased fetal movement. Follow me on Instagram, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Lakota! Lakota Summer, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Lakota Summer is a Social Emotional Learning Educator, Mental Health Coach and Mindfulness Movement Practitioner, based in Brooklyn, New York. Her practice focuses on Social emotional learning and the whole person. With over 40 years of experience as a dancer, she has expanded her practice to mindful movement; which explores our relationship with trauma through body movement.

Written by: Jutta and Ricardo dos Santos Miquelino, 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. $320k a minute: that’s how much money flowed through mobile app stores in 2021. In the same year, mobile ad spend was $295b; the estimate for 2022 is $350b. Digital, mobile-first customer journeys are well and truly here ‒ so how do we help companies choose the right tools for a flawless user experience? The shift toward digitisation has accelerated in the wake of the pandemic and companies across the world are racing to create safer, more efficient experiences for customers and workers alike. Such changes require support through reliable and accessible digital tools – but which ones? The first product that springs to mind is the native app. Yet the odds are stacked: app development costs now range from $20,000 to $300,000, in a market of over 4.8m apps (around 32,000 are released every month for iOS alone). ¹ Meanwhile, websites are adapting to mobile operating systems, and doing a good job of it, too. Is building an app even worth it anymore? In our work at and dos Santos, we addressed these questions from our clients in the travel industry by researching the cost and efficiency of available digital tools, while observing general user behaviour as well as customer interaction with their existing digital services. In this way, we created an accurate picture of what tools are the most popular, what level of investment they require, and which features render them useful for specific business needs. What are audiences using? The numbers are in, and they surprise no one: mobile phones are owned by 5 billion people currently and probably around 7.3 billion by 2025. ² There’s a general upward trend in the proportion of web traffic on mobile as opposed to desktop use, ³ while the World Advertising Research Centre (WARC) predicts that by 2025, at least 72% of internet users across the globe will exclusively use smartphones to go online. ⁴ The question for businesses is not whether to adapt their websites and products to mobile use, but how quickly and effectively to do this. Beyond the ‘competition’ between mobile and desktop use lies an internal battle of native apps vs responsive websites. In a nutshell, native apps are downloaded to (and store data on) a mobile device, while the latter are desktop websites adapted for mobile use. Researching either option’s specific features and technical requirements is the first crucial step in determining which tool will best serve a company’s goals. What do native apps offer? Native apps are designed and developed to run on specific mobile operating systems (OS). For example, apps for Apple devices (which use iOS) are created in Swift language and built according to Apple guidelines; each app undergoes an App Store review process before becoming available for users. As highlighted in Exhibit 1, the clearest advantages of native apps are better performance and design, while high development cost remains the main factor that holds companies back from investing. Exhibit 1: Highlights and drawbacks of native apps. Taking airports as a case study, we can make a further distinction between dedicated and shared native apps. Dedicated apps are developed by a single airport, giving it full ownership – but also full risk of investment. While offering complete control of design, branding and data management, dedicated apps cater to a smaller market and hold lower value to users due to highly specific and often short-lived benefits. On the other hand, shared apps have a naturally greater reach the more airports are involved. Creating an app for multiple destinations may increase user retention and lower marketing spend. Sharing development costs between companies also lessens the individual risk of investment. These benefits, however, might still not outweigh the burden of slower, complex decision-making and reduced branding potential that comes with shared apps. What about responsive websites? Have you ever tried to buy something on a website from your phone, clumsily pinch-zooming, tapping, and scrolling to make sure you got all the right details in? That’s the unfortunate reality of using websites that haven’t been adapted to mobile use – and this is where responsive websites come in. By developing content that fits within any screen shape and size, companies can provide a smoother user experience while still reaping the benefits offered by a browser website as detailed in Exhibit 2. Exhibit 2: Benefits and limitations of responsive websites So what are audiences using? We’re back to customer behaviour: understanding how users prefer to engage with companies, and whether this depends on the products or services being offered, is the key for businesses to choose wisely before committing to a development path. Let’s look at some basic numbers: The average smartphone user had 40 apps installed on their mobile as of 2020. On average, apps are deleted in 5.8 days after last use (10.8 days for travel apps). ⁵ Smartphone users spent 4 hours a day online in 2020; 88% of this was on apps. ⁶ Users spent around 201.8 minutes/month shopping on apps in 2021, compared to 10.9 minutes on websites. ⁷ Overall conversion rates on apps are 120% higher than on mobile websites; retailers report 90% higher add-to-basket rates on apps compared to mobile browsers. ⁸ When skimming through these reports, it’s easy to jump to the conclusion that a native app is an obvious choice for any business to invest in. However, data from the actual investor can reveal information that might surprise you. A study of user behaviour at a European airport showed that the mobile app was only favoured for impulsive, short-term requests, while desktop website use accounted for almost the entirety of parking reservations (99%). During the pandemic, the decrease in passenger traffic (72%) was almost perfectly parallel to the decrease in mobile app use (74%), suggesting a direct proportionality between mobile device sessions and the number of passengers visiting the airport. As many companies learnt the hard way, steady passenger traffic is no longer a guarantee for the future; dependence on the mobile app seems to carry a high risk from this perspective. The customer journey also has a significant impact: most users discover and start to interact with businesses on a website, only switching to the more efficient native app once they’ve reached a certain level of engagement with the company. ⁹ How does this apply to airports? Well, 80% of our client’s customers visit less than 4 times a year, and 92% search online only for flight-related information – which can be found on the airport website in a much shorter time than it takes to download and sign into an app. So what level of engagement can we expect with interactions that are so few and far between? In such cases, apps need to offer much higher incentives and advantages to acquire and retain users – like selling app-exclusive deals or personalised offers. Companies need to understand not just which tools to develop, but how to adapt these tools for the greatest ROI. Developing a higher-cost app targeted on specific revenue channels might reap more benefits than spending the same investment on a lower-cost website across the board. Why not choose both? Sure, developing both an app and a responsive website – like Instagram and Uber did - does give you the best of both worlds. Still, resources are often limited and a choice needs to be made. The decision ultimately depends on your user journey: are individuals interacting with the company frequently enough to justify the cost of an app? And if not, as is the case with most airports, what additional benefits or rewards could an app offer to users, and how does this fit in with your business goals? Whichever route is decided on, taking the time and effort to understand where revenue potential lies and analyse customer behaviour in those areas will enable companies to develop tools that add lasting value to their user journey. Key Takeaways A rapidly increasing proportion of online traffic occurs via mobile devices, and the success of digital products has become highly dependent on their adaptability to mobile use. Native apps are easier to use, offer more personalisation, and generally perform better than websites on mobile devices; but high development costs and lengthy approval processes often deter businesses from investing. With companies like airports where most users only visit a few times a year, a website would likely cater for most needs, and an app would become redundant unless it offers considerable advantages or rewards. The ideal situation involves the use of an equally efficient native app and website reflecting the same products and services; however, either option can be deemed preferable depending on the specific needs of each business and its user journey. When deciding on which digital tools to develop, companies compare the key features of each option and analyse user behaviour across the relevant aspects, aiming for a targeted investment with the highest possible ROI. Follow me on LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Jutta and Ricardo! Jutta and Ricardo dos Santos Miquelino, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jutta and Ricardo share 50 years of experience leading business transformation projects in both the corporate and startup worlds. With their work, they have a strong focus on creating positive and inspiring environments where leaders and employees are excited about change and create freedom and awareness for innovation excellence in organizations. References: [1] Ceci, L. (2022) Number of active apps from the Apple App Store 2008-2022. www.stastista.com [2] www.stastista.com (2022) Number of smartphone subscriptions worldwide from 2016 to 2021, with forecasts from 2022 to 2027 [3] www.cleveroad.com (2022) Mobile apps vs mobile website: what is the best option for your business? [4] www.leftronic.com (2022) 29+ Smartphone Usage Statistics: Around the World in 2022 [5] L. Ceci (2021) Average time period for deletion of mobile apps worldwide in 2018. www.stasista.com [6] www.mobiloud.com (2022) Mobile Apps vs Mobile Websites [7] www.sensortower.com (2021) [8] www.criteo.com (2022) It’s a Cross-Device World: Criteo’s Q4 Mobile Commerce Report Reveals Top Companies Bet Big on Mobile Consumers [9] Simret Samra (2021) Web vs. Native: Which Is The Best App For Your Business?www.business.virtuagym.com

Written by: Dr Lynda Ince-Greenaway, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Writing a Book Means Taking the Bull by the Horns. When I decided that I wanted to write my memoir, it appeared like a herculean task. It was different from writing an essay or a report or even a thesis all of which I had done before, but I had to heal before I could tell the story of my ‘Hard Truth and how I grew out of adversity. Becoming motivated and taking the bull by the horns is what I needed to do. This article describes the first steps I took to tackle writing my memoir. I began with flip chart paper and lots of colouring pens. Although there was the urge to use the computer, I resisted it initially until I was clear about the focus for my book. Memoirs required considerable reflection and deep thinking. The process of reflection will spark ideas and allow you to see what is most important. This process will eventually help you to make links that might come in handy at a later stage. Getting rid of the Fear I first had to overcome the fear that others would not want to read what I had to say, but that was far from the truth, if anything it was quite the opposite. People genuinely wanted to hear about my journey and the lessons they could take away from it. They wanted to be inspired. Fear can paralyse and give a sense of overwhelm. I also had to deal with the emotions I had hidden for many years and find a way to communicate them with others. Decide on your Strategy Begin with a mapping exercise which is your GPS system. Your map will take your book from one stage to another and will keep you on track, but it will change over time. Some people like to begin by setting out the contents but my strategy was to think about the topic from different angles and use my journal and flip chart paper to begin identifying related links and connections. The next strategy was to think of a title that would truly express my memoir. Nothing is New Under the Sun Start by doing a Google or library search. Researching similar topics to what you want to write about is essential. You will discover that nothing is new under the sun. Published memoirs will give you an indication of how to set out themes and develop a storyline. https://www.worcester.ac.uk/about/news/academic-blog/Memoir.aspx Do not allow the fact that others have published on the topic throw you off course. During your research be on the lookout for gaps in the literature that will make your book unique and keep readers hooked. For example, when I decided to write my memoir, I knew that there were many books from different perspectives on death, separation and loss. However, I knew that the trauma I had experienced was a unique and personal story but I felt that it had the potential to be inspirational. www.connectedlifecoaching.co.uk Planning for What is to Come It is impossible to write a book without planning. During this initial phase think about your audience, and who will be interested in your reading your book. It was Stephen Covey who said: ‘Begin with the end in mind’ Knowing your audience will help you to pitch the topic and save time wasting. Goal setting is also important when you are planning, therefore establish your writing goals from the start and include them on your map. An important goal is to establish themes and a word count for each chapter. Creativity, and Consistency Leads to Productivity Create time, space and a place to write and be consistent. Simply by creating time and space you will be telling your brain that you want to create order and that you want to be creative. If you find it difficult to write with noise in the background, it would make no sense to write while your family is watching the television. Creativity does not necessarily come when you are sitting at your computer, it can come in quietness and stillness. It is better to write a little than nothing at all, this means applying a pattern that you will decide to follow regularly. An hour’s quiet time when you are productive is better than two hours when you cannot concentrate. Change Your Thinking. Writing a book is like climbing a mountain and the only way to climb it is to make a start. If you are consistent in taking small steps your brain will release creative powers. We can appreciate mountains, but mountains are difficult to climb, therefore, it will mean changing the way you think to get to the top of your mountain. It will mean challenging what has been said to you in the past that is creating a block in your mind. Don't be afraid to throw out what does not appear to be consistent with your topic unless you can see a link. Many successful writers did it by giving themselves permission to throw out what was unnecessary. Keep a designated folder on your computer where you can file unwanted material. No one writes a perfect first draft, in fact there will be many drafts before your reach a stage where you will feel confident with what you have written. Seek and Accept Critical Feedback Do not be afraid to enlist the support of others. Once you have written something, ask someone you trust and respect to read it. There is nothing worse than writing several chapters and discovering that critical feedback could have helped you to clarify your ideas. That light bulb moment is what you are looking for. That is what critical feedback can do. An important part of your journey is finding the people you can tell that you are writing a book and who can give you the support you need. By the way don't forget to show your gratitude after you have received feedback. You will be surprised how kind people are and how they will follow you on your journey. Believe in Yourself Most people do not write a book because they think that it is a pipe dream or they believe the stories they have heard all of their lives, namely you cannot do it! Believe in yourself. The day I held my book in my hands was the day I knew that I had conquered my mountain. Connect with me at www.connectedlifecoaching.co.uk Purchase a copy of Hard Truth: Growing out of Adversity from WordPress.com or contact me directly at Lyndalifecoaching@gmail.com Register for my Masterclass beginning on Thursday 20th April 2023 and get a 10% discount for early registration. Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dr Lynda! Dr Lynda Ince-Greenaway, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Dr Lynda Ince-Greenaway began her career in 1982 when she qualified as a social worker. After making child-care her specialism, she became a team leader and a manager. She has worked for forty years in the public and private social care sectors making a significant contribution to the development and learning of others. In her role as a manager, she developed leadership skills which she has used to teach and influence others. She became an educationalist working as a lecturer for many years. As a life coach, keynote speaker and author Dr Ince-Greenaway is known for her enthusiasm and passion concerning such issues as leadership, social justice, social inclusion, empowerment, personal development as well as the development of others.

Written by: Mandy Nicholson, 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 creative entrepreneur, you will be watching people around you set goals and talk about their plans for the new year. Meanwhile, your brain is firing ideas and plans around like a pinball machine fires a silver ball. This can leave you feeling overwhelmed as you compare yourself, unrealistically, to others. If you are feeling like you are already lagging when you wanted to be on point this year, here are some tips to help you manage the shiny objects and stay on track: 1. Align yourself with the way you work. Accept that your brain is wired differently. Gain clarity in what you want your business to look like and how you operate it. Have an end goal. Where is your business heading? Which social media platform do you enjoy most? Which marketing strategies do you feel comfortable with? Jordan Peterson shares an insight into the Curse of Creativity. 2. Assess the potential of the next shiny thing. Will this idea work? Ask questions. What impact will this have? How much will it cost? What is the income potential? What else would I need to make it happen? What knowledge do I need to make it happen? By pausing to assess you are giving your brain time to see the shiny and figure out if it is a need or a want. 3. Focus on limited projects. Creatives tend to think they can do all the things, leaving a plethora of unfinished projects in their wake. You need variety so that you don’t get bored but set boundaries. No more than three projects at any one time and park new ideas until one project has been finished. Ask questions if you feel you are being pulled. What is it I am feeling? How grounded do I feel? Where am I being pulled? Am I comparing myself to someone? Does this idea require research? 4. Set better goals. Without a clear vision or goal to map out where you are going, how will you get there? You will be wandering aimlessly, and this is when the shiny objects pop up. Nailing an overall business strategy which includes the systems and tools you need will give you clarity. You can change the tools and systems as your business evolves based on research and objectivity. Take time. Do it right. Review it. Change it. 5. Learn from your previous successes. Take the time to look at what went well. Plan. Do. Review. Celebrate your success, make a checklist of the positives, and know that you have what it takes. You don’t need to chase every shiny object out there. The latest shiny may not be what you need. We can all become distracted by shiny object syndrome. It is how we align, assess, and get clear on our vision that makes the biggest difference. Don’t try and fix your business with a new shiny thing, focus on starting with you. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and visit my website for more info! Read more from Mandy! Mandy Nicholson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Mandy Nicholson, is a Creative Genius Consultant, Artist and Author who helps creative women to launch, grow and scale their businesses and make more money. Like a huge % of creative women, Mandy ended up in a 'proper job' after she completed her BA in Art and Design, and spent decades forging a successful career in retail. It was only after a life-altering series of unfortunate events, which saw her end up at rock bottom, that the pull of creativity called her to launch her creative business in 2019. Mandy now has multiple income streams connecting her creative business, serving and educating women. Her mission: Painting the future for creative business, one woman at a time.

Jules Francis is the go-to expert for career-driven women who are looking to transform their relationship with food. She has helped hundreds of people from all walks of life to help them understand the underlying causes of why they have unhealthy eating behaviours. With three decades of experience, Jules has the insight and experience to see what truly underpins low confidence and how people often choose to compensate behaviors for dealing with it. Jules is a multi-award-winning health coach, co-author of 2 best-selling books, and creator of 2 online courses, The Food Breakthrough Academy and The Reset Button. Jules Francis, Food Breakthrough Coach Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better. I’m Jules Francis, a Brighton based mother of 2 amazing daughters, a Brazilian dancing enthusiast, lover of house plants, world traveller, and overall advocate for all things that bring joy and nourishment to ones’ body, mind, and soul. I’ve travelled the world, jumped out of a helicopter, and worked on many an exciting film set (including Star Wars) in my previous role as a makeup artist and body painter. What is your business name and how do you help your clients? My business, Eat Better, Look Better, Feel Better came to life nearly a decade ago and I have since supported numerous clients through a vast array of lifestyle and wellbeing challenges ever since. Most people come to me after years of having an unhealthy relationship with food. Through various unsuccessful diets, they are now looking for the deeper reasons that lie behind their food and lifestyle choices. I am passionate about helping my clients to find the root cause of their food and eating patterns…and to let you into a little secret… it’s never really about food. The first step to working with someone is to look at all areas of their lives outside of food and to build up a picture of what has led them to this stage. It’s from here that I can then spot the patterns, connect dots and if appropriate invite them into a personalised bespoke programme. On a handful of occasions, I have been told that my ‘superpower’ is realising patterns in peoples’ behaviours. Some clients have said I have a crystal ball into their lives, others that I must have magic powers, and a few describe me as their special healing fairy! For me, I simply notice things outside the box. Things that most people wouldn’t realise are connected. I then guide people down these paths to resolve whatever is keeping them stuck or held back so they can reach the solutions and the outcomes that they have been searching for. I tend to work with people who are ready to make significant and long-term changes as those are the results I strive for with my clients. I’m not a fan of quick fixes, short-term gains or brushing over things that matter. Instead, I aim for results that are transformative and where people get to drop the baggage that is weighing them down, see themselves for the amazing force of nature that they truly are and are then able to feel so much lighter. What kind of audience do you target your business towards? Typically, my clients are career-driven women who tend to over-indulge in the food they know is bad for them and do it anyway. However, I also see many clients who have no issues with food at all and are coming to me because their current lifestyle, career or relationships are affecting their health and wellbeing in some way. I worked with one client whose lack of boundaries at work was affecting their sleep and the lack of sleep was affecting their relationship with their spouse and children. When we understood the root of the issue, which was they didn’t like to say no to people, we were able to work backwards and change this. The result of course is that their work-life balance is now in place, their night-time routine is less chaotic, and their body is now able to relax into a deep sleep. Their spouse is particularly grateful to have their partner back! What are your current goals for your business? My goals for this year are very exciting. I am crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s on an incredible 12-month programme that has been simmering for quite a while now. It will support and nurture people through all kinds of wellbeing and food challenges so that they not only learn but also get to implement the best ways to nourish themselves whilst in a safe and supportive community. I am a great enthusiast of wellness retreats and recognise the incredible benefits of these immersive experiences. My other plan this year, is to organise and facilitate my own retreats in the UK and abroad. Whilst some people say everyone has a book inside them waiting to be written, I feel I have always had wellness retreats within me just bursting to be realised. 2023 is the year for that, and I am so excited. If you are interested in being kept in the loop with retreats, my 12-month programme, or a private coaching programme, please do email me at support@julesfrancis.com Tell us about your greatest career achievement so far. My greatest career achievements so far are creating 2 courses that have helped to improve the lives of many, being awarded for my role as a health coach and co-authoring two best-selling books. Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today. I’ve always been drawn to following a healthy lifestyle, ever since I was a teenager. Tuning into my body and giving it what it needs comes naturally to me. It wasn’t until later life that I realise this isn’t the case for most people. I did however have a battle with eczema for many years which caused my own journey of self-discovery through alternative medicine to find the solution. I’m pleased to say that through years of pain, bandages and many a sleepless night, I did eventually find the solution and I have been eczema free now for almost a decade. My mindset was the thing that changed it all in the end and now being able to help others with their mindset truly feels like a gift that I am meant to offer. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Jules!

Written by: Sue Plumtree, 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 was recently thinking about love. Actually, I’m always thinking about love, except when I’m planning what to cook for my beloved. Ok, so that’s a bit of an exaggeration. Still, we did meet when I decided to start a new u3a group (University of the Third Age) I called ‘Come Lunch With Me’. He was one of the people who called. So food is a particular enjoyment for us. Planning it, preparing it, sharing it, savouring it. Sometimes we like to try something new. But back to my thoughts about love. After all, loving relationships, relationships that are satisfactory, fulfilling and productive are my business, and I pride myself on walking the talk. But it’s more than that. I’m curious about relationships, all kinds of relationships – romantic, family, and social. I want to understand what makes us tick, what works and what doesn’t work for us. I like to figure out what we’re really thinking, what we’re really feeling and how this affects us and our relationships. And I’m particularly curious about my husband Dave ‒ what makes him tick, what matters to him, why he thinks as he does, what is fundamentally important to him, what makes him feel great (apart from me!) And I’m, particularly keen to figure out what it is about us that makes me feel safe and cared for and loved. Lately, I’ve become intrigued about how our childhood experiences influence our attitudes and beliefs about how relationships work ‒even today, irrespective of gender and age. Here’s a personal example: My parents have been married for 50 years and they absolutely adored each other. My Mum always wore lipstick and drummed it into me that a woman should always make herself look attractive for her husband. She also insisted it’s important to play a little ‘hard to get’ to make sure her husband would never take her for granted. There was always a lot of affection between them, appreciation and respect. They valued each other. My Mum regarded my Dad as her hero and he saw her as a loyal and a firm companion however challenging the times – and, believe me, in Argentina, in those days, times were seriously challenging. One of the things my Dad would do that stayed with me was leave my Mum little love notes for no reason at all. She stuck them all on a board in the kitchen and would look at them every single day. She knew them all by heart long after my Dad died and long after the ink had run and made the words illegible. My Mum knew she was loved. I don’t think much has changed since then, not fundamentally, not when it comes to our needs around love. We still need to feel valued, cared for, appreciated. We still need to feel loved, we still need to feel we matter to our beloved. But I worry that many of the skills, actions, thoughts and behaviours that make the other person feel loved have largely been forgotten. Far too many of us start knowing exactly what it takes to feel that wonderful feeling of love only to gradually start focusing on the things that irritate us about each other, including me in my first marriage. We start to take each other for granted and allow life’s challenges to take the focus away from each other. But here’s the thing: Actions do speak louder than words – even clichés have some truth in them. Tender touching, hugging, kissing (the routine and unthinking peck on the cheek when you leave home or come back doesn’t count), doing fun things together, planning fun things for the future, having interesting conversations that can, sometimes, become heated but never judgemental, where different opinions generate curiosity rather than defensiveness. I just read an article that shows that simply holding hands can stimulate feelings of love. Holding hands, the article goes on to explain, not only decreases the stress hormone, cortisol, it also increases the love hormone, oxytocin. First, holding hands decreases cortisol by making the other person feel content and connected. Then it releases serotonin and dopamine, both known to affect anxiety and depression. This was a huge ‘Aha!’ for me because, when Dave arrives on Fridays, we first hold each other as if we’d been apart for years. Then we go and sit down, hold hands and share with each other what happened during the week. In case you’re wondering, Dave and I are a ‘live apart together’ couple. And here’s the thing: After a few minutes we both feel the stresses from the week falling away and being replaced by a sense of calm and contentment. That article started me thinking that a huge failing in our education system is that nobody teaches us love skills or even the skills we need to foster positive relationships. And yet the research is inarguable. We need good relationships to be happy. The most influential one is the study carried out by Harvard’s Grant and Gluck which, for over 75 years has tracked the physical and emotional well-being of two populations: 456 poor men growing up in Boston from 1939 to 2014 (the Grant Study), and 268 male graduates from Harvard's classes of 1939-1944 (the Glueck study). Due to the length of the research period, this has required multiple generations of researchers. The conclusion? According to Robert Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, one thing surpasses all the rest in terms of importance: "The clearest message that we get from this 75-year study is this: Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period." Isn’t it time we all learn the skills that enable us to build loving and positive relationships? Here’s a summary of the skills that can transform a flagging romantic relationship: Touch non-sexually – hold hands, give hugs, put your hand on your partner’s cheek to show affection. In one of his articles, Prof. John Gottman, the American psychological researcher and clinician who did extensive work over four decades on divorce prediction and marital stability says that kissing is a lost art. He recommends the six-second kiss where you’re fully present, not when you’re rushing out of the door. Do fun things together. Plan new and enjoyable activities together. Talk to each other – not just about your children or work. Talk about what matters to both of you. Make sure you keep to positive subjects instead of constant complaints about work, your boss or other people. Politics can be interesting or a hot potato so may not be suitable. Talk about why you like or don’t like – a film, a book, a video, some event you went to, something you discovered, your views and opinions. By definition, talking requires listening – real listening, not just waiting for your turn to speak or worse, interrupting and defending your point of view. Listening without judging, listening with curiosity is a powerful skill. You might learn something new about your partner however long you’ve been together. And that’s just the start. Plus, you know what they say, practice makes perfect. So, start practising! It’s not always easy to rekindle the love in your relationship, especially when the big challenge is how to change your habits, the ones that damaged your relationship in the first place but the good news is you don’t have to struggle all by yourself. Would you like a coffee/tea/hot chocolate virtual chat where you can share where you’re now and where you’d like to be instead. If you do, choose a date from my calendar here. I look forward to hearing from you. Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Sue! Sue Plumtree, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Sue’s passion is to enable people to build strong and loving relationships. Her third book, ‘Open Your Heart: The 7 Secrets Of Strong And Loving Relationships’, is getting 5* reviews on Amazon. Sue was unhappily married for 37 years when she finally left aged 60. Over the following 10 years, she built a successful coaching practice working with people over 50, wrote her autobiography, and built solid friendships. In December 2015, aged 70, she met Dave, her best friend, lover, soulmate, and now her husband. As a prolific writer and regular blogger, Sue shares her painfully acquired wisdom about what works and doesn’t work in a relationship, as well as how it affects our emotional, and mental health and wellbeing. She also loves writing about how to build strong, loving, and long-lasting relationships both from personal experience as well as research articles and longitudinal studies. Sue is a personal relationship coach, trainer, facilitator, and published author.

Written by: Louise Parker, 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 be honest for a moment. Being vulnerable, showing ‘weakness’ or admitting that perfect is not in existence, can be utterly terrifying for anyone, let alone a leader! In fact, it can be so scary that only a minute proportion of leaders are willing even to admit that their organisation/company have challenges!! But is there really an organisation/company out there that is not facing challenges currently? The organisations that willingly and openly share challenges are statistically proven to foster better relationships with their staff and therefore the staff are increasingly inspired to give their best efforts. And this open sharing depends on the ability of the organisation/companies’ leaders to be vulnerable. There is a huge misconception with vulnerability, particularly within the workplace. Vulnerability is not about sharing the full intricacies of your entire life; you do not need to discuss the detail of your relationship struggles with everyone. It’s not about the big meltdown in the office, or the emotional outburst at the board meeting and becoming known as the emotional employee! Vulnerability is about connecting with others and seeking support and advice with something you are struggling with, opening up as an ally with your staff when organisation direction is dictated in a way that is not in line with your values but providing opportunity and hope for influencing the intricacies of the new direction It's being connected to yourself, to your emotions and allowing those emotions to be seen. This doesn’t mean all the big, showy expressions such as crying, or anger. It is the quiet observer who is in touch with the emotional pulse of the environment they are in. Being connected not only to your emotion, but to the emotions of your team and peers, inspiring vulnerability across the organisation Vulnerability is going to maximise your relationships and trust with your colleagues and in turn drive performance. It is a must have skill for all leaders in organisations that are focussed on a compassionate culture that truly values its employees 5 Top Tips for embracing vulnerability 1. Be connected with yourself In order to build your soft skills of vulnerability, you must have a deep connection with yourself. Understand who you are, what your values are and how they drive your behaviours in your authentic being. Once you are connected with yourself, only then can you understand your emotions and be able to understand what you are comfortable in sharing and where your vulnerability boundary can be set! 2. Know the Boundaries Without boundaries, vulnerability is simply not a vulnerability! Setting clear boundaries with yourself around the level of detail that you want to share around your emotions, but also being clear on what is appropriate. It is absolutely acceptable to share with your team the personal challenges you are facing that have been impacting on you at work, but it is not ok to keep complaining about it and using it as an excuse for poor behaviours. 3. Listen to understand It's not always about sharing. Vulnerability is also stepping back, listening, and letting go of control. Remember that sometimes the most powerful vulnerability is taking a step back in a conversation, listening not speaking and absorbing information. Particularly important when you are used to being the loudest voice in the room! 4. Get comfortable asking for help Let go of perfection, stop people pleasing and avoiding delegation. Embrace asking for help when you need it and show that asking for help is not a demonstration of weakness. It is in collaboration that we can be truly courageous and show our authentic selves. A leader that actively demonstrates that there is no ‘I’ in team, will effectively build the trust and respect needed to foster positive working relationships. 5. Truly care about others Vulnerability is not only a skill of sharing your emotion, you also need to truly empathise with others’ emotions. You are not going to build the trust in your team that will truly drive team cohesion and performance if you are all about sharing your ‘troubles’ but have no interest in supporting others with theirs. It's one thing to know what others are experiencing, but it is another to understand! Your authenticity comes from your ability to be vulnerable. Having the courage to be vulnerable will make you a better leader, colleague, and employee. It isn’t simply about getting something off your chest, it's connection, engagement, and support that will maximise your relationships and level up your leadership. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Louise! Louise Parker, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Louise Parker, is an Internationally Accredited Transformational Leadership coach, NLP Practitioner and Practitioner in TimeLine Therapy. She provides coaching on a 1-1 and group basis following her Leaders Ignited process with a focus on leader mindset, alongside the provision of training across online platforms. Louise has always had a deep desire to help others, and this led her to an 18 year career as a registered nurse, clinical leader and Director in the NHS. Following her own transformation journey, Louise added to her First Class Honours Degree in Nursing, to become an Internationally accredited coach to fully understand the transformation journey in order to empower her clients to level up their leadership and master their leader mindset.

Written by: Michele Lee Occhipinti, 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. Did you know that 95% of New Year Resolutions are deserted by the 2nd week of January? Yes, you heard that right, the second week. Will this be you? Not with the right strategy. Understanding what drives a person to assure they stay on target with their resolution. Understanding your values that will control your behavior. Your beliefs of who you are and what you tell yourself. If you believe you will not lose the weight, are unhealthy, lazy, unfit, well that is what you are focusing on, and it will control the outcome of your resolution. Instead, tell yourself a story that will empower you. What you tell yourself is what you will become. Your identity is a choice that you make every day. You can choose to be the person you are, or you can choose to be better. The decision is all up to you. So, to be successful in first change your narrative. It can change your life. Resolve your resolution. Determine the goal. Then outline your strategy. If you do not have a concrete goal, you cannot determine the strategy to meet the goal. When you determine the goal that is right for you, you then can determine the strategy to make it happen. Without a strategy it is unlikely the goal will be met the way you envisioned. Working with so many individuals throughout the world I often hear new clients come into our first session with many goals to achieve some believing and coming into the session with excuses of why they cannot and will not achieve their goals based on past experiences. When I walk them through the right strategy, they instantly change their perspective and belief that it can be achieved. When a leader enters a meeting with doubt and brings that to their staff it is likely their staff is going be challenged in believing they can achieve the goal. Make the right strategy for you. My top regime for achieving outcomes in the goals you seek in the new year are: Make the Intention Decide on the Goal Outline the Strategy Determine the Outcome Set a Deadline Make it Happen Don’t focus on why you cannot achieve it, instead focus on achieving it. Whatever it takes. Be resilient. Simple rules to follow when seeking to establish the best resolution for you: Don’t give up when it does not go exactly as planned. So you ate a twinkie the second week of January after you decided to loose 20 lbs by March. Well, ask yourself why you ate the twinkie. Dig deeper, was the twinkie really what you needed or were you filling a void for something else. Consider what you will do to get back on track to meet the deadline. Remember you haven’t failed at anything until you stop trying and walk away so keep going. With all the chaos in today’s world don’t let it take over you, who you are, as a leader, as an entrepreneur, as an individual, a mother, a father, son, daughter, spouse, or friend we all will face challenges in our life without it, we will be bored. Think about it if every day was just like Groundhog day where would that lead you. Instead, when something does not go as planned ask yourself what you will do even better tomorrow towards the goal to make it happen. It’s all about the power of your self-narrative. The tale you tell yourself about you the narrative will make all the difference in your life. The good news is you can change your self-narrative at any moment. Here are some great ways to get started so you can achieve your New Year’s resolutions successfully: 1. Change the self-narrative: Build your narrative based on what the self-beliefs that will empower not disempower you to achieve the goal. 2. Write out the Goal. Determine the Strategy Build credibility with yourself by achieving each of the small micro-goals within the goal that are meaningful towards your end goal. They’re the areas you obtain prior to achieving the goal. Each step you achieve is part of the goal so give yourself credit by writing them down in a journal each evening. When you are committing to go to the gym 5 days a week to loose 20 lbs well each day you achieve going to the gym write it down and take the time to feel good about the areas you achieve each day writing them in your journal. If you arrive to the gym one day and don’t feel up to completing the entire workout but you decided to stay pay attention to what it was that you did, thought or believed in yourself, the action you took to stay and make it happen. If you go and don’t feel like working out, then leave. Determine what you will do next time when the situation arises even better using what worked for you in the past. 3. Set Goals that are part of Your Greater Self vs New Year Resolutions When determining a goal with a strategy you want to assure they are SMART Specific- Measurable- Attainable – Realistic and Time Defined. In the instance of losing weight, the thought of losing 10 or 20 pounds isn’t always exciting. But the thought of being in really good shape is and being more healthier being my best self is. Health is important to me, and I am constantly looking for healthier alternatives in life. Not that I am thin I have never been super thin even after running the Boston Marathon but when I am feeling good about myself it reflects on how I stand out as my authentic self in my personality, in my confidence in my ability to believe I can, I will, it must be done. Even when it appears impossible. Being resilient. Including the next level to achieve the success. Remember when outlining the best strategy, it’s a marathon and not a sprint. What works best for one person may not work well for another. Be strategic to get through the finish line making it happen. Believe in yourself this New Year and you will achieve your New Year’s goals. Outline the strategy that is best for you. Looking for more ways to achieve the goals you set out for 2023 and outline the strategy that is right for you. Making it your best year. Connect with a peak performance strategist that understands what you need to succeed. Be the best version of YOU! Michele Lee Occhipinti, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Founder of Ack Professional, Michele Lee Occhipinti is a world class peak performance leadership & life strategist, on a mission to empower individuals to preserve their integrity, raise their performance to become the best version of themselves. Michele brings decades of experience alongside executives, some at the most prestigious of Fortune 500 companies. As one of the worlds top 1% worldwide.Following her integrity, from a place that inspired her, Nantucket, passionate to empower and transform the lives and leadership to maximize full potential for ultimate success in today’s world.

Written by: Zuleka Kaysan, 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. Get ahead by planning and preparing for the business transformation trends in 2023. How could implementing these innovative ideas accelerate the growth of your business? A business’ success is shaped by how efficiently it works (the internal dimension) and how well it meets customers’ needs (the external dimension). No matter the industry or size, leadership teams will have to focus on these key areas in 2023 as a digital advantage, through data analytics and enhanced customer experience, takes centre stage. These two dimensions complement each other and foster growth at the company and industry levels. Maximising the use of data analytics ensures businesses continue to thrive despite the economic volatility and political uncertainty expected in the upcoming year. This, in turn, creates an undeniable competitive advantage – customer experience is a deciding factor for 73% of consumers. So, how can business leaders leverage data analytics and enhance the customer experience in the coming year? Data analytics trends in 2023 Data-driven companies are driving out non-data-driven companies due to the entirely new value proposition they can offer. For example, the deep learning models of ChatGPT and Dall-E use AI to automate conversational chatbots and digital image generation, respectively. These advancements start with strategic action to become data-driven and maximise analytics. Data-driven companies are investing in the following transformations. Broadening data collection beyond the obvious Data analytics will change as consumer privacy and consent are prioritised to prevent data exploitation. By mid-2024, two significant changes will be implemented: Google will no longer support third-party cookies on Chrome, and the EU will extend its GDPR legislation. This will essentially ban third-party cookies and require conscious consent. Companies will implement an advanced technology stack to collect strategy-informing customer data. They will also explore tools that broaden the way they collect data, allowing them to generate a rounded and in-depth picture of their customers. For example, using motion and time signals to track the use of apps and websites to show the user’s journey. This gives insights into how content is consumed and, more importantly, where consumption stops. Leaders will benefit from data analytics products that already exist in the market; these products make data analytics accessible, not just to experts, enabling widespread adoption. Using data analytics to weather uncertainty There has been no lack of uncertainty in the past few years, and this is unlikely to stabilise. Hence, businesses need the agility to adapt to disruptive changes. To enable this, companies will transform the way they use data analytics. Building on the collection and analysis of past data to measure previous success, data analytics can now be used to expect the unexpected. Leaders will consciously move to: Leverage predictive analytics to generate insights into future events, and Implement prescriptive analytics – to develop solutions to minimise the disruption caused by those events before they happen. With data-driven predictions of the challenges that need to be navigated and data-driven decisions on how to weather them, businesses are much more likely to survive and thrive during uncertain times. Increased use of AI and Machine Learning With technological advancements, much of the data analytics process can be done for us. This accessibility is driven by the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Advanced tools that leverage analytics are becoming mainstream. Dall-E, for example, has over 1.5 million users generating 2 million digital images a day using its AI and machine learning capabilities. Another example is ChatGPT which had over 1 million users days after its launch asking the chatbot questions and receiving informed and conversational responses. While new tools aren’t perfect and will continue to go through stages of development, companies that use them move faster than those that don’t. Early adopters reap the most benefits from cutting-edge technology. Customer experience trends in 2023 Technological developments are impacting customer experience too. Globalisation and digitalisation mean consumers have more options to choose from. Compounding this competitive environment is the economic and financial instability causing consumers to be cautious about where they spend their money. To achieve a competitive advantage, businesses must deliver a high-quality customer experience. How can companies create a stand-out customer experience? Amplifying the customer experience Optimising the purchasing experience will be prioritised because immersive, omnichannel and self-service experiences are in demand. Companies will focus their efforts on using digitalisation to enhance the customer experience. 6th Street’s phygital store is one current example; they offer interactive digital selection and virtual try-on capabilities alongside a physical test and try-on of products. This digital experience complements the in-person purchasing process by removing typical sticking points, such as long queues and limited inventory, while providing the ease and accessibility of digital shopping. Behaviour-led marketing Behaviour-led marketing will overtake demographic-based marketing. This is because broad-brush demographic categories with pre-defined assumptions can be, at best, limiting and, worse, entirely inaccurate. Leaders will leverage the data analytics already available to the business to optimise and personalise the customer experience. Data about prospects’ behaviour will be interpreted to understand buying signals and the messaging that will resonate with them at a given point in time. Their behaviour gives businesses much greater insight into their wants and needs. Holistic human-centricity The fact that 82% of consumers want more human interaction suggests prospects prefer personalised experiences. Customers are frustrated with over-automation and the proliferation of chatbots, leading to a disappointed customer base. In fact, 72% of people find chatbots a waste of time. Companies will transition to the humanisation of digital touchpoints through a purpose-built AI solution where avatars talk customers through their issues. This will be built on a constantly evolving knowledge base of common questions and sticking points. In the interim, leaders will employ a balanced mix of automated and human customer service that responds to queries in real-time and re-directs to a person for more complex queries. In 2023, innovation will be focused on two key areas ‒ data analytics and customer experience. Data analytics unlocks opportunities for improving trust through transparency, predicting and preparing for changes in advance, and getting the entire company focused on achieving business goals. Customer experience is a competitive advantage when digital is leveraged; marketing is led by behavioural signals, and people are treated as humans, not numbers. How will you use these trends to elevate your business? Follow me on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Zuleka! Zuleka Kaysan, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Spurred by her 18-year career delivering business transformation and change in fast-moving corporations with ambitious mandates, Zuleka Kaysan founded The Cornerstone Advisory - to empower tech and service-based businesses at each stage of their growth. She helps visionary leaders elevate their performance through an integrated approach; enhanced customer experience, innovative service design, and a fit-for-purpose culture. Her mission: to bring ideas to life.

Written by: Breanne Burke, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Confidence isn’t taught, it’s learned. To truly embody the skill of confidence it needs to be refined, practiced, consistently tested, and ingrained. Confidence is not something humans are born with; instead, it is something that we build, strengthen, and develop over time. Confidence is one of those traits that is universally desired. We seek to feel it in ourselves, in our relationships, in our jobs, and our purpose in life. However, despite this universal desire, the gaining of confidence remains elusive for many of us, it doesn’t just randomly appear on our doorstep after we’ve put in a magic number of hardworking years. It is something that needs to be practiced. In this article, I will be giving you an evidence-based step-by-step guide on how to effectively build and strengthen your confidence from the inside out. 1. Understanding the Basics of Self-Trust Similar to confidence, self-trust does not come easy. When you have a strong foundation of self-trust, you will feel confident in making decisions. On the other hand, when you lack trust in yourself, you will struggle to be confident in your decision-making. Therefore, if you are struggling with confidence there is a high likelihood that you also do not trust yourself. So how do you know if you’re lacking self-trust? Do you catch yourself constantly looking for reassurance and/or validation? Do you ask for other people's opinions and advice over and over again? Do you have a difficult time trusting your gut/intuition? Do you overanalyze conversations and interactions you have with other people? If this sounds like you, you might need to start working on trusting yourself, but don’t worry this is more common than you think. When you continue to break trust in yourself, you continue to lower your confidence. Your subconscious mind is always wanting to take the path of least resistance. Therefore, if you keep telling yourself you are going to do something and you don’t follow through on these intentions, your subconscious mind will believe that you do not truly want that goal/dream/desire so you stay in the same cycle of breaking trust with yourself. The first step is to start looking for evidence that you can trust yourself. The way you gather evidence and proof is by following through on your word and listening to your intuition. For example, when making your next decision, before creating a pros and cons list and before asking everyone else for advice, instead, turn to your gut and ask ‘what would feel good right now?’. Then, make a decision based on that feeling and trust that it will unfold how it is meant to. Building a trusting relationship with yourself is a key contributor to creating sustainable, deep-rooted confidence. The more you trust yourself the more you will trust your ability to make decisions. 2. Releasing What No Longer Serves You Before fully embodying this new version of you that is confident and taking action towards the fulfilling life you want, we need to create space for what is to come. The way to do this is by releasing what no longer serves you, which will result in you living a more authentic life. This second step requires you to zoom in on the blueprint of your life and identify where your unhealthy attachments exist and who you rely on for external validation. Although additional support and compliments are welcomed at times, it is when you become dependent on these external factors that you risk holding onto them too tightly. Let’s get real about what no longer serves you (examples below): Relationships Food Habits Finances Career/job Then ask yourself what you would like to change about these areas in your life. Upon gaining clarity on the above, this will automatically lead to living a more authentic life. Not living authentically can be draining, am I right? Constantly changing how you show up based on who you interact with, questioning if you are good enough, wondering if you fit in, and ultimately not living a life truly being yourself (it is exhausting and not a way to live). Step two is all about creating space and the way to do this is by auditing your attachments that no longer serve you and gaining clarity on how you can show up more authentically. 3. Rewiring Your Subconscious Thoughts Rewiring your subconscious mind is the fun part! Are you familiar with the concepts of manifestation, higher self, and living in abundance? If not, you are about to be! I want you to envision your higher self; your absolute dream life, what it looks like, what it feels like. What would your highest self be doing? How would your highest self be acting? What type of action would your higher self be taking in your life? Upon gaining clarity of your highest self you then can work with the subconscious mind to reprogram your thoughts to better serve you. The human conscious mind takes up 10% of our thought processes and its purpose is to analyze, think, plan and store short-term memory. Whereas our subconscious is 90% of our thinking minds and stores all the long-term memory, emotions, feelings, habit patterns, relationship patterns and addictions, development stages, spiritual connection, and intuition. It should be clear to you now, why the rewiring needs to occur in the subconscious mind, as this is where our belief system is stored. There are various NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) techniques that Tony Robbins speaks to, however I find the most effective modality to be EFT (Emotional-Freedom Technique) and affirmations. You can learn about EFT on Episode 41 of my podcast The Goal Digger Guide and affirmations as they are the perfect way for people to start dipping their toes into their self-development journey. Affirmation Tip: write out a minimum of twenty positive affirmations, record them on your phone and play them out loud to yourself either first thing in the morning or at the end of the day, these are the times when our minds are most impressionable in the alpha brain wave state. 4. Receive in Abundance Now that we have gained clarity on how to strengthen our self-trust, released what no longer serves us, and started to visualize our absolute dream life; we are now in a position to receive in abundance. The way to do this is by focusing on three main areas: productivity, looking at life in seasons, and embodying the feeling of gratitude. When you are confident in who you are, what you are capable of, and what you bring to the table you gain a feeling of certainty. You feel certain that life is unfolding exactly how it is supposed to, trusting yourself to take messy action and actively look for the lesson. This step requires a few things for you to action: Productivity This comes from discipline, not motivation. Now that you spend your time in a way that feels good and supportive of your dream life, start to action things accordingly. Every morning outline three things you must complete to move towards your goals and start first with the thing you don’t want to do. Seasons Start looking at your life in seasons. It is sometimes a busy season, a student season, or a slow season. No matter what season you are in, you attract who you are, not what you want. Therefore, if you continue to simply practice confidence in the present moment, your confidence will continue to grow. Gratitude Confident people feel grateful for where they are and where they are going. It is not always about being positive and/or happy. It is about understanding human beings have a wide range of emotions for a reason and that nothing will last forever. Start taking accountability for your life and implement these three practices to encourage yourself to be in an energetic state of abundance. 5. Living in True Alignment Living in alignment is the ultimate goal to build and sustain true confidence. When you are living out of alignment you often feel insecure, stuck, confused, and uncertain of where you are going in life. Although you will rarely have all the answers (where is the fun in that) when you live in alignment you are confident with the direction you are headed. Confidence is not easy however if it is intentionally practiced day in and day out, it is achievable. When you are living in alignment you intentionally look for the lessons and understand that if you do not get what you want, it is because you are getting what you need. To live in alignment you must be clear on your values. A great way to figure this out is going to Brené Brown’s value list, identifying your top five values, these may change based on the season you are in, and ask yourself if you are living in alignment with those values. This is similar to your goals/dreams/vision for your life. The more you live in alignment and take messy action to be one percent better every day, the more confident you will feel. This alignment has a ripple effect and it will start to show up in all areas of your life as you will feel more purpose and fulfillment even on the hardest of days. You will implement boundaries around your new priorities, embodying more self-respect which will undoubtedly strengthen your overall confidence. My goal with this article was to be real, raw, and insightful. Of course, self-care, getting to the gym, eating healthy and many more factors contribute to you feeling confident. However, these five steps when taken in this order will truly turn your life around if you are committed to up-leveling your confidence! If you are looking for further support on your self-development journey here is my FREE ‘Your Internal Glow Up Guide’ 5-module self-paced course. Also, my podcast ‘The Goal Digger Guide’ has all the goods for building confidence from the inside and out! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Breanne! Breanne Burke, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Breanne is a mindset and confidence coach. Her mission is to help women heal their internal struggles through self-development and self-love. She is a certified Yoga Teacher for both adults & children. Her empathic ability led her to care for others and provide them with the light to see their untapped potential. This is the foundation of her podcast 'The Goal Digger Guide' focusing on mindset, happiness and confidence. She is also certified in NLP, EFT, Hypnosis and Life & Success Coaching to further equip her in supporting her clients to receive their ultimate transformation in becoming the most confident version of themselves.