Written by: Carolina Gonzalez, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. In my work as a spiritual counsellor, one of the questions I get more often is I feel like I am stuck in my spiritual growth. How do I reach a higher level, how do I step up my power, my clarity, my relationship with Spirit Guides/Deities? Our view of ourselves, and of our relationship with the world, is made of a corpus of beliefs that we have put together from all our past experiences. Just as in any other area of our life, these beliefs can be twisted and obscured by trauma, keeping us from believing in the true miracle that having a thriving spiritual life can bring to us. This view of ourselves, and of the world, needs to be deeply revised and transformed. Every new life starts with identifying each old pattern that is hindering us, changing it for a new one, and persisting until it has substituted the old one, becoming a new part of our identity. Without fail, as this new identity emerges, a new life emerges with it; as you change yourself, the whole Universe changes. The simplest way to move forward is to ask yourself – what do you think has kept you away from your spiritual growth? Do you find it difficult to follow routines when it comes to prayer, meditation or study? Then work on implementing more creativity and joyful flow into your spiritual work. Stop thinking that you are failing, and start teaching yourself to be flexible, to follow your intuition, to listen to what you are being guided to. Do you find it difficult to develop a strong relationship with Spirits, Deities, and Spirit Guides? Then work on self-love and positive thoughts about yourself. Stop thinking that you are being unloved or unheard, and stop seeing yourself through their eyes; bursting with the divine Light that lives inside you. Do you find it difficult to see manifestations of your magical work? Then focus on your personal power, understand what it truly is, and start removing from your life anything that takes your power away. Stop thinking that you'll never get what you want, and start working on achieving an unbreakable, unstoppable faith. And remember ‒ every moment is filled with all spiritual power, for its ability to be transformed is endless. There is no wrong day to start changing, to start moving forward, to completely renew your spiritual practise. Every single second is in your hands, completely full of possibility, ready to become the first second of your new life. Believe me, dear reader ‒ your spiritual power is one good choice away. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Carolina! Carolina Gonzalez, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Carolina Gonzalez is a Spiritual Counsellor, Spiritual Worker, Master Herbalist, and Holistic Health Counsellor, with over three decades of experience. For the past fifteen, she has offered her services online, mostly doing custom spiritual work, and guiding people to a deeper and more authentic relationship with their spiritual heritage and personal power. Through her social media and blogs, Carolina actively educates on all these topics, to a loyal and self-aware worldwide community of customers.

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. Can we go back to our childhood for a moment?! Can we remember our curiosity, happiness, eagerness, and playfulness? I know...even though childhood is supposed to be full of happiness and a carefree part of our life, we all carry on some bad experiences, traumas, and other negative baggage. We couldn't understand that as a child and lots of these things it's hard to understand as an adult or we don't want to dig deeper to discover all that dark shadow. Even children who get so much love from their parents still have some shadows to work on. Is not possible to keep a child so safe from all negative experiences. However, if we don't have a bad experience we couldn't know when and for what to be grateful, and we couldn't know how much we appreciate our life, people, and other things that we have. Let’s back to our childhood! What do you think about your parents? Do you think they gave you enough love? Do you think that you are similar to them? Do you think they give the best of themselves to you? All these questions and more are different for all of us, but what I would like you to pay attention to is how much you know about your parents?! If you feel anger or resentment, or you never feel enough love from them, have you ever tried to understand why they behave that way? Maybe they tried their best and didn’t know how to show love, but they love/loved you unconditionally. Maybe some of their decisions weren’t the best, but they made those decisions according to their knowledge, capability, and freedom of choice. We are changing from generation to generation and seeing things differently but understanding your parents and trying to get a bigger picture of their behaviour is going to be easier for you to let go of some anger that you could have. And now, let back to you, you as a child. Remember at least one situation when you were so happy, curious, and excited. It could be your best family holiday, when you receive the present you wanted at that time more than anything, when you first time fell in love, or just one ordinary day with your friends, siblings, or pet. While you are thinking about this be aware of your emotions. When you feel those emotions keep them for a little bit. How do you feel now?! Do you want more of this feeling, do you want more of this freedom, do you want more of this happiness?! If your answer is Yes, then forgive, replace anger with love, nourish your inner child, open your heart, go and meet new people, explore, play, make more happy memories and enjoy this beautiful life that was given to you! Bad things happen to everyone but also all these beautiful and still unknown opportunities waiting for us to explore. And it’s about us, what we decided to draw attention to. 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.

Written by: Mari Grande, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. In life, we may find ourselves interacting with others in particular patterns. The awareness of these patterns is more common now than ever, as we have better language and understanding that explains why and how these attachments occur. We call these patterns “Styles”. This concept became popularized more recently from the book Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller, which focuses on how we attach to romantic partners, but it also points to how our “picker” may be skewed. Honestly, there are a gazillion books out now about attachment. However, I’d like to talk about the connection between your FIRST relationship and how that has or is impacting your style of attachment to others. Think Daniel Stern’s The First Relationship and the result of such complexities on developmental psychology. But one quick thing before we dive in– if you are a reader who did not grow up with a mother, you may consider this information as it relates to a significant caretaker that took on the role of “mother” in your life. Let’s start with answering this question: How would you describe your relationship with your mother? Is it warm and open? Are conversations tense or tender? Does this relationship bring emotions of comfort and trust or are your interactions met with friction and a sense of repulsion? These are not always easy questions to answer. It can be because they are just plain difficult to reflect on or because your relationship looks and feels very different than it did when you were younger. Which brings us to the next question: Is your relationship with your mother the same as it was when you were a child? How is it different? Both can be a source of strain. If you feel your mother still sees you as the person you were as a child, you may be frustrated. Or if your mother relied on you for emotional support and now you’ve set boundaries with her, this can result in friction or even resentment if those boundaries aren’t respected. If possible, be as objective as you can. Working through the ambivalence we feel towards those we care about shows our determination to keep some sort of relationship. Or if you need more insight, discuss this with a trusted friend, family member, or professional health worker. Afterall, what we don’t know can’t cure us. Are you ready to make that great leap? How The Maternal Experience Guides Each Attachment Style I mentioned Daniel Stern, he researches and writes about attachment and I highly recommend him as a resource. However, for everyday knowledge you may be most familiar with Mary Main (previously Ainsworth) and John Bowlby’s work on naming attachment styles. Their work highlighted how our first interactions defined our connections with others throughout the rest of our life. As you read through these categories and think about where you fit in, you may find yourself identifying clearly with one experience over another. Although, it is quite normal to find yourself connecting with a combination of a few. So let’s talk about how the experiences with your mother have influenced your style of attachment. Think of a Fashion Show Runway, and you are wearing your “Style”: Secure ‒ You got enough consistency, validation, and care from the beginning and throughout the lifespan– first in the family and later with peers and the public. You have a sense of self-worth, a strong connection to an inner voice, able to express needs and feelings without obliterating others. If you are Secure Style, chances are you will wear your favorite outfit that suits the weather, your mood, and it makes you look and feel fabulous. If it doesn’t, you’ll reflect on what happened and see if you want to do anything differently going forward. Anxious/Ambivalent ‒ You were not usually considered as a separate person. You may have been tasked with things beyond your ability in years, or had everything done for you, chosen for you, and not given a chance to explore your own existence or needs. If you're Anxious Style you’ll be constantly adjusting your falling straps, tightening and loosening your belt, stumbling in your heels (even though you practiced many times over in rehearsal). Your eye contact is quick, fleeting, and searching. Avoidant ‒ This experience is one of neglect or abuse. Instead of providing support for your thoughts and feelings, you may have been punished, dismissed, or shamed for having them. The Avoidant Style does not want to leave the dressing room. Reluctantly she pulls a modern hoodie covering much of her face and slouches along the runway. She looks cool and mysterious to others but inside she is sweating and wants to jump out of her skin with so many critical eyes on her. Disorganized ‒ This is when there is lack of clarity and consistency on who is who and which roles belong to whom. For instance, the caretaker may be a source of calm one day and a source of terror the next. Finally the Disorganized Style begins the catwalk. The crowds fade in her mind. She is wearing a multi-color neon sweater top, with a pinstripe flared skirt, toe socks, and flip flops. She is pushing a stroller filled with snacks she wants to give to the judges as a thank you for sitting so quietly during the show. This helps us to see how the attachment style is expressed, yet those aren’t the only words we have to discuss the impact of your Mother Experience. And like attachment styles, our mother wounds aren’t necessarily limited to only one. Before we move on, it’s time for a quick check in: Take a deep breath. Acknowledge how well you are doing while taking in this heavy information. Allow yourself to continue to review it objectively. Types of Mother Wounds and Their Overlap with Attachment Styles In my work on Overcoming the Mother Wound, and in prior blogs, I discuss the correlation between Attachment Styles and the types of Mother Wounds. If your experience of your mother has been authentic, open, expressive, and responsive, chances are you have a secure attachment. You feel seen, heard, and accepted with your entire roster of emotions from elated and energized, to sad and angry. On the other hand if your mother was missing, ill, drugged-up, not available, or not communicative, your attachment may be anxious and your wound is one of the Absent Mother Wound. This is a wound that did not have a chance to heal, repair, reflect. You may struggle to feel connected or lack the skills to connect to others and if you do, it feels foreign at first. The anxious style may also have an Attacking Mother Wound where you were not allowed to be who you are, or the Overbearing Mother Wound that leaves no space for anyone else but the mother’s needs. Let’s take a look at the avoidant attachment style, this style develops most often with an Attacking Mother Wound. Here, the child is left to feel that whatever they do or say will not be accepted or okay, resulting in her being vulnerable to pain and shame. She quickly learns to turn inward and avoid others, for self-perseverance. The avoidant may also be coping with an Overbearing Mother Wound that gave her no space to breath. That little one was no match for this mother so she quickly learned to take shelter. Then we have our disorganized attachment style. She most likely had a little of each, never knowing whether the Attacking Mother or the Absent Mother or the Overbearing Mother would show up. Carrying all three wounds meant a heavy load for this little one. She had to work very hard to navigate and survive her early landscape. More nuanced mother wounds also exist. For instance, if there is an Enmeshed Wound where the “closeness” is such that your own identity is usurped and you don’t even realize it, except for a gnawing sense that your mother must have the last say (whether you listen or not). This is similar to the Overbearing Mother but more subtle, clearly marked by lack of boundaries between mother and daughter– a stage meant to be grown out of early in the child’s life– where the mother’s own wound and unmet needs are forced unwittingly on her daughter. This is a very covert and difficult wound to identify as well as difficult to let go of. As tough as it may be hearing about the Mother Wounds, please know this is not the end. Not only do we need forgiveness in order to heal, but understanding, love, and connection. These wounds can be healed. We have the capacity and neuroplasticity in our brains and nervous systems to change, update, and recover from early attachment wounds. We heal through what is called “Corrective Experiences”. This means we have new experiences of relating, responding, and being responded to that are genuine, caring, and honest. However, it does take work, time, and an investment in your well-being as these experiences need to be repeated over time. Conclusion Our Mothers are the reason we are here. I love mothers, they are beautiful life giving, life affirming humans. Many symbols and myths represent the Great Mother: Earth, Moon, Ocean, Gaia, Kali… the ethereal examples are endless. By learning how we were impacted, we can change our relationships with our own daughters. When we do that, we see our mothers as more than just a figure who raised us, but as a woman with her own wounds, trying to navigate her relationships with herself and others. We need Mothers, just as we need daughters, sons, and babies. My focus has been on the Mother/Daughter relationship, but that does not mean boys do not struggle with a mother wound. Theirs is similar but more complicated and less easy to access, mostly because boys learn early to protect and take charge, causing the wound to become very ego-syntonic. Meaning to them, it just feels like a part of them, their duty, and their role. Our relationship with our mother is bound to transform as we move through life, as we are not stagnant beings. This means we have the ability to take a strained relationship and reconstruct one that is built on compassion and understanding. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Mari! Mari Grande, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Mari Grande is a New York City-based licensed Creative Arts Therapist, Clinical Social Worker, Thought Leader, Educator, and Coach with more than 20 years of experience in trauma healing and recovery. By working closely with the mind/body connection, attachment theory, and the power of creativity, she draws upon her integrative background to alleviate the impacts of relational and generational trauma. Mari is passionate about working with women who have experienced a Mother Wound and offers various online courses that provide guidance, support, and insight through the Overcoming the Mother Wound program. Sources: Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help YouFind– and Keep– Love, Amir Levine, M.D. and Rachel S.F. Heller, M.A. (2012) The First Relationship: Infant and Mother, Daniel N. Stern (2004) Bowlby, J., Ainsworth, M., Boston, M., & Rosenbluth, D., The Effects of Mother-Child Separation: A Follow-up Study. 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Written by: Dr. Phillip Hearn, 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. The journey to success often entails many different strategies. One such strategy is business expansion. Not just growth and development, there are so many more goals that can be fulfilled when we embark on this adventure into the unknown world of entrepreneurship ‒ including your own personal brand advancement or mental well-being because let's face it: being an entrepreneur isn't always easy. A lot goes through our minds before even starting up a company but at least one thing should never change regardless if things get tough. Growing and expanding your business is a crucial part of running an effective, long-lasting company. It can mean opening up new locations or adding more products for sale in order to reach out further with what you do offer; it could also involve switching focus onto different markets so that customers who would otherwise go elsewhere will come to visit instead! However, this works best for each individual person ‒ there's no one size fits all solution when developing better strategies within their own organization. But one thing is sure, the benefits are huge because not only does expansion improve profitability by raising revenue margins, but also generates a better return on investment. Here is why business expansion is so important to focus on: Increase customer base Any new business is responsible for customer retention, but expanding on the existing business will also require you to bring in new customers. Well, it so happens that customers are automatically attracted to a store that has multiple physical stores. The reasons being there is a brand value to it, experience, and many more factors. You will be able to attract new customers here, and because a fresh customer base is formed and your only job is to retain them. But also keep on adding to the list. These customers future-proof your business. Financial Center can provide you with the necessary tools to accomplish this! Chance to reposition and rebrand You can do so much more when you open a store in a new location. You can have the privileges of starting new, rebuilding your image, and rebranding your product. Opening up for a newer and bigger customer base can help you in repositioning and rebranding as it is. You can renew your marketing strategies to do a better job at it. You can also update your website and social pages to let people know about these new stores or product lines. Digital marketing campaigns can be very helpful in such cases, they make the neighborhood aware of the store and attract new customers. Supports growing demand Expanding allows you to meet the growing demand for your services or products. As an entrepreneur who experiences an overwhelming demand for your product, if you aren’t able to manage it well, the expansion will help you divide the load of customers and will also increase your percentage of profit as well as customers in a new location. Sales volume and profit increase When you have a business, profit is extremely important but almost always the last known goal. You need profitability in the company to reinvest in your business and incur more on the given profit. Increasing profitability is the cause of a steady and sustained increase in profit. Increasing the physical selling points of a business will allow you to do so. Say you have a normal 10% profit margin on any given product line or a selling place, if you increase them, you will have 10% on each line or place. This is the ultimate goal a business owner should have and expansion helps achieve it. Risk distribution Business and its risks go hand-in-hand. There is no saying ‘no’ to risks in any kind of business. But what you can do is be ready for it and have repair measures at your hand at any given time. Having one place of operation can only increase the risk of business because we never know what external or internal factors might affect the business. Having a single physical presence can harm in many ways than one if this is the case, but having two or multiple physical points will save you from this destruction. Business expansion saves you by distributing the risk. Bottom line: You can find many more reasons for business expansions like improved services, motivation, increasing investment appeal, improved ability, and also increasing employment. An excellent resource to fund your expansion is Financial Center. Growth is a very important goal to achieve and is also that much more difficult. Expansion being a strategy for growth will only help you! Follow me on LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dr. Philip! Dr. Phillip Hearn, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Dr. Phillip Hearn is a master in entrepreneurship, real estate investing, and motivational inspiration. Despite setbacks from a problematic childhood, Hearn learned the value of investing in himself and capitalizing on his strengths. He has since specialized in helping others discover their full potential, personally and professionally. He founded Mid American Capital Holdings, LLC, an acquisition focused company. Current subsidiaries include Phillip Speaks, specializing in public speaking and coaching; Financial Center, operating as a capital broker to help businesses grow their operations, and other subsidiaries which continues to expand. His mission: to collaborate as a problem solver to today’s challenges.

Written by: Charlotte Pineda, 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 surrender! A lot of negativity surrounds this declaration. "Failure!" and "Defeat!" come to mind. Descriptors no one I’ve met aspires to. I’m no exception and spent much of my youth and early adulthood avoiding the shame of surrender. The youngest of seven children, I grew up in a competitive environment, and I hate to lose. I spent much of my life with a smile and clenched fists. Prepared for the fight but hoping for the best. I saw myself as an island of impenetrable solid rock amid choppy waters. Mistakes meant failure. The only measure of strength was never giving in and fighting to overcome adversity. These traits have served me well. I’m tenacious and resourceful and am quick to take on new challenges. All attributes I’m proud of and would not change. However, being constantly on guard is physically and mentally exhausting. It drains your power. Luckily, through life experience and reflection, there’s another definition of surrender that I’ve learned to embrace: Let go. It’s been a process. In my youth, I wore my inability to relax like a badge of honor. Until years later, when a tennis coach remarked, “Who are you attacking with your racket?” Looking at my hands, blood-drained knuckles in a vice-grip around the handle glared back at me. No wonder every ball I hit slammed out of bounds, like a rocket. If I were being measured by the force and distance of my hit, I’d be at the top of my game. Sadly, that was not the case. My saving grace was despite my clenched fists, somewhere along the way, I learned to use humor to make the most of a bad situation, and I could laugh at myself. I’d like to say my coach’s comment led to a Zen epiphany. It did not. At least not at first. I refused to let the game get the best of me. I vowed to master my game and trained myself to ease up—to flow like water, as my coach said. At first, the change was mechanical. But as I got into the flow, something unexpected happened. When I eased up; an overwhelming sense of peace and power came over me. My pounding heartbeat was no longer echoing in my ears—until its absence, I didn’t realize its pervasive reverberation. I experienced clarity, and a voice inside said, “Enough. I surrender.” This experience was the catalyst for me becoming a coach. I’m a professional development/executive coach, but the fundamentals of athletic coaching are similar. Reflect the truth to help others uncover what’s already within themselves so they can get better. My tennis coach used lighthearted humor to reflect the truth back at me—with compassion, sparking a change in me. A lesson I’ve carried over to my coaching. If a habit or goal is not serving you well, it’s best to let it go—surrender. Be flexible; flow like water and ride the choppy waves—they will subside. You never know, you might ride them to the top, where a new and brighter horizon awaits you. As Lau Tzu so wisely said, “Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful.” To learn more about how coaching can help you or your team find the power in surrender, or if you would like more content like this, please connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and my website. Read more from Charlotte! Charlotte Pineda, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Charlotte Pineda, CPC, CEC helps busy professionals and executives create life-career synergy. Her mission is to help others craft meaningful lives and careers that allow them to live their values. If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, Charlotte can help you gain perspective and set realistic boundaries so you can get ahead and stay ahead in your life and career.

Written by: Dr. Shahram Maralani, 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. Whenever the business environment across the world is not in its best shape, the questions on how to improve business performance, are asked more often by entrepreneurs as well as business leaders. As the Political scene, Economic outlook, Business trends, and Consumer trends show signs of strain in the society and the market, ways to improve business growth, sales, and profitability become more sought after. In this article, I will share some strategies on how to improve business during such gloomy times. The Bad Times Will Come If one thing is for sure, is that bad economic times will come. If there are no signs already around, be even more concerned, as troubled times can come out of the blue. The COVID outbreak and the consequences it had on businesses during the years 2020-2021 were for decades unheard of. Before businesses that were strong enough not to disappear, and survived those two years, could take a deep breath, the long-term market shifts of the post covid pandemic era hit them hard. The war in Ukraine and its impact on the global economy contributed and added to this hardship. Then the escalated tensions between Taiwan and China showed their impact across the globe, and when everyone was speculating what to expect next, the unrest in China resulted in more strain on the global supply chains and hence on a lot of businesses, small or large. Today, you can be Apple with more than USD 2.27 trillion market capitalization, or a tiny shop selling a couple of hundreds of dollars clothing, or other goods, you will feel the impact of the above situation on your skin. These developments are the major sociopolitical situations impacting millions of businesses across the globe, irrespective of their size and sector. Moreover, the pressure on these businesses as employers of billions of people, impacts consumer spending, putting these businesses in a double squeeze. The data of the modern era shows that the economy goes in cycles. But irrespective of these cycles the long-term trend is always positive. The below graph shows the world GDP since 1960. Despite all the adversaries, the world has not only seen GDP growth, but also an increase in its share per person. That is why, there is a general belief among economic analysts that the long-term trend of the economy – as far as relevant for business planning ‒ will always be positive. The question yet remains, how to navigate economic hardship as a business, and how to protect and improve business performance during such challenging times such as during the years 2009 and 2020 (see third graph below). How Not to Improve Business Performance It is crucial to address how not to improve business performance during tough times, before investigating ways to improve business, or looking into innovative ideas to improve sales, growth, or profitability. The key point in this regard is to not use your intuition or business experience as the only tool in deciding your business actions. Challenging times can result in permanent shifts in the market and unforeseen market dynamics replacing the old ones. As a result, being simplistic about your strategic and tactical measures is the worst thing you can do to your business and to yourself. Multi-dimensional analysis on the world around you, the market and its permanent changes, persistent trends, but also transient situations, are some of the key analyses you need, to create enough breadth and depth in your insights about your current situation. In addition, improvement of your business through adjusting and improving your business processes despite seeming natural thing to do, is another mistake you can do. Improving processes before necessary adjustments or even transformations that might be necessary, can result in suboptimal outcomes. In addition, bringing technology into the picture before a necessary transformation, may bring automation to an ineffective process. Only after the above considerations, should a business think of digitalization and re-organization of its business and its components. How to Improve Business Performance There are five ways you can improve business performance strategically, especially during challenging times. These strategies are not only useful during such times, but they become more relevant when the economy and market conditions are not favorable. Business Process Transformation The subjects of Business Process Re-Engineering (BPR) or Business Process Optimization (BPO), are not new. Both these concepts have decades old histories as business management strategies. Business Process Transformation (BPT) on the other hand can be claimed as a newer concept using state-of-the-art digital tools, what they enable, and the concepts they introduce, in rethinking business processes and decide on their elimination, automation, improvement, or adjustment. Business Process Transformation is usually a response to external pressure impacting the core conditions of the business, often demanding radical changes. Business Process Transformation can even result in changes in the business itself, resulting in Business Transformation (BT). Some of the examples of BPT are online banking, online shopping, and ride-hailing, which in these three cases have resulted in business transformation as well. BT can be utilized to transform an existing business (e.g., digitizing a traditional bank), establishing a new business using the transformed business as a template (e.g., born-online banks), or creation of new businesses who make the former businesses’ value proposition and offerings irrelevant (e.g., peer-to-peer online banking using blockchain technology). It is crucial to start your business improvement mission, by assessing the necessity for Business Process Transformation, before going into the next steps, to prevent investment in an obsolete business model. Enterprise Application Landscape Analysis To the corporate world is known. But to smaller companies and some non-IT professionals and entrepreneurs, Enterprise Application Landscape can sound scary. But do not worry. In its simplest definition, Enterprise Application Landscape is a list of all software you use across your organization. Being a multi-billion-dollar business, or a little shop, all businesses use one or more applications to be able to operate, and to deliver their products and services to their customers. Accounting and finance software as well as Microsoft 365 (former Microsoft Office) or a similar software suite from other providers, are usually among the first ones. But this list in today’s digital world is usually much longer, including sales and customer relationship management (CRM) software, marketing, and communication tools, and more. For larger enterprises, the overall list can be in hundreds and be shaped into visually comprehensible structures. Understanding your application landscape by visualizing it against your core business processes is the next step in improving business and its processes. It is crucial to take Enterprise Application Landscape review exercise, as your second step after evaluating and deciding on potential necessity for Business Process Transformation. This review should give you an understanding of what digital tools you use across your business, and why you use them, with the aim to eliminate, adjust, or upgrade them, as necessary. Delaying this process or doing it in the wrong order can cost your business a lot of money and time. Technical Debt Analysis and Technology Review It is not about technology, bullocks! Do not buy into this claim. This is the expression used by executives, managers, and entrepreneurs who do not have the knowledge or affinity with technologies of today. Every organization can benefit from looking into these two things: first, what are the digital technologies it uses to operate its business, and how these technologies have been utilized, with the aim of finding the areas needing upgrades or adjustments, due to bad decisions, or shortcuts taken earlier (technical debt), or due to not upgrading the software solutions in use as their newer editions have been released by their producer. This can be done, by reviewing your enterprise application landscape using an enterprise architect and the domain experts. In addition to the review on your existing technologies you have employed across your business, it is also important to go into this second review. Look into the modern technologies available in the market, and how other businesses are using them to create value (technology review). This value creation can be through enhancing their customer experience (CX), generating new revenue streams, or improving the efficiency of their existing business processes (through BPT). Machine learning (ML) and other Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions for example, are bringing a lot of new capabilities to the market including Contextual Analysis of text, audio and video, Recognition of people and objects in images and videos, Identification of patterns in data, and more. Only one of these new capabilities may be enough to revolutionize one of your core business processes (BPT), or your overall business (BT). Lack of awareness about AI and other new technologies, is like living in a remote forest or mountain area for generations not knowing there are phones, navigation systems, solar panels, and batteries which can make your life easier while not necessarily leaving your homeland. To me, it is unacceptable to talk about any business improvement, without learning and evaluating what the new technologies can do for your business. Technology may remove a problem altogether or give exponentially more effective ways in solving it. Business Model and Value Chain Analysis A Business Model Analysis can be mistaken assuming it is some form of business process review. But business model analysis is a much more strategic and high-level look at the business as a whole, before digging into various business processes who may have significant potential for improvement. While business process review studies will usually keep its hands off the business’s objective, value proposition, and market, business model analysis on the other hand can touch every component of the business to even the very existence of it, asking why this business should be the way it is, serve the customer it serves, use the enablers it uses, and generate the revenues it does. Business model analysis can provide an insight which can make business process review and transformation necessary, or go beyond and suggest the need to reposition the company to another part of the value chains in which it operates, or to leave some of them completely. Business model analysis together with value chain analysis are two powerful tools, when addressing a business’s potential future, especially when the economic and market conditions demand adjustments. Use Innovative Ideas to Improve Business Not claiming that innovation is always the last step in improving a business and its performance. What I am advocating is that in the digital world we live in today, Business Process Transformation, Enterprise Application Landscape Analysis, Technology Review, and Business Model and Value Chain Analysis should be part of your main strategic management toolbox, before embarking on innovation as the way forward. Use of innovative ideas to improve business is important and even the bloodline for the businesses, especially those whose success is dependent on their product and service differentiation. But it is important to understand the role of innovation properly preventing two mistakes. First, allocating budget to pointless innovation projects while not fixing the core of the business model, its processes, and systems. Second, using innovation as a buzzword or even worse as a scapegoat, to blame the lack of business performance to its nature, sector, or unfavorable market conditions, before doing the core analysis necessary using the first four steps above. Innovation can play a significant role in shaping a business improvement strategy, if applied properly, and after ensuring the first four steps above are completed. Conclusion Business improvement is a continuous business management practice which becomes even more important during challenging business and economic times. As the Political, Economic, Market, and Consumer trends show signs of strain, ways to improve business growth, sales, and profitability become more sought after. Given the current world around us it is necessary to have a structured approach to business improvement to ensure proper return on investments done on such improvement initiatives. The five steps and their sequence described above, are crucial in this regard, considering a digital business world we live in today. Business Process Transformation, investigates answers to the questions about the robustness of the business processes and how they are shaped, looking for opportunity to fundamentally adjust them by elimination, automation, improvement, or adjustment. Enterprise Application Landscape Analysis investigates the overall digital components used to enable the business, looking for opportunities for elimination, adjustment, or upgrading them, as necessary. Technical debt analysis and technology review, investigates the currently used as well as other potential digital technologies which may be used to support the business process transformation or even business transformation, with the aim to enhance customer experience (CX), generate new revenue streams, or improve the efficiency of existing business processes. While the three above steps focus on opportunities for improving the business in the domain it operates, business model and value chain analysis takes a much more strategic look at the business, its objective, value proposition, and the market. Business model and value chain analysis can potentially touch the very existence of the business, looking into why the business should be the way it is, serve the customer it serves, use the same enablers it uses, and generate the revenues it does, with the aim to evaluate the need for repositioning the company to another part of the value chains in which it operates, or to leave some of them completely. Innovation is a powerful business improvement tool and can play a significant role in shaping a business improvement strategy, if applied properly. In the digital world we live in today, Business Process Transformation, Enterprise Application Landscape Analysis, Technology Review, and Business Model and Value Chain Analysis should be among main strategic management tools, capable of creating necessary and intended business improvements, with higher chances of success, and often less investments. Use of innovative ideas to improve business is important. But it is crucial to ensure innovation strategies are applied correctly, and not as a way to ignore core business improvement opportunities. Each of these steps prepares the organization for the next one. Going into them in the above sequence is key, to increase chances of success, and to prevent investments with low returns. Online Business Builders Club Online Business Builders Club (OBB Club) is a membership program for people with passion to ideate, build, and transform businesses using digital technologies. Our mission is to enable consultants and advisors, as well as founders and owners of small businesses to build successful and thriving businesses. We help them understand the possibilities they have in creating digital businesses or digitalizing their existing businesses using available solutions and tools in the market. We educate certified business builders who can make an impact on their lives and the lives of their customers. The Founder of Online Business Builders Club is Dr. Shahram Maralani who has more than two decades of experience as a Corporate Leader. He is also an Author, Public Speaker, and Business Mentor, helping entrepreneurs establish & digitalize their businesses. His mission is “To help thousands of entrepreneurs shape, and operate online businesses", as part of their portfolio career, or as their main occupation. To learn more about OBB Club, visit our website here. To contact the author, you can send him a message on his LinkedIn profile. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more From Dr. Shahram! Dr. Shahram Maralani, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Dr. Shahram Maralani is a Corporate Leader with more than twenty-five years of experience in a wide range of disciplines and across multiple industries and geographies. He is also an Author, a Business Mentor, and a Professional Speaker. Shahram is currently senior vice president and chief digital officer in Nemko Group A/S. In addition, he helps entrepreneurs to establish and develop Online Businesses. He is the author of the book “Build an online business in 24 hours”.

Written by: Patrick Smith, 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. Why don’t we hear about the real breakthroughs in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease treatments? For the past thirty years, the research and scientific community has been searching with no success to find a treatment that can help retain or improve cognitive decline. The headlines state: “we are getting closer”, “we have a major breakthrough in development”, “the cure is just around the corner”, and “we just need more money”. This is primarily because our modern system of healthcare has been structured to treat illness. Insurance protection is designed for procedures, surgeries, testing, MRIs, and office visits. The entire healthcare empire is economically centered on how to get paid, and we have all been brainwashed to believe this is normal. What’s the first question you get when appearing in the healthcare system? “What insurance do you have?”, and the quality of your insurance determines your reaction from the provider. Many people may not know, but the amount of service and quality is solely based on how billable you are. In the past few years, data and proof is emerging that show early intervention in dementia is making tremendous strides in slowing, preventing, and even reversing the scourge of cognitive deficits. Published studies are clearly defining that prevention is possible. These facts are astonishing scientifically and point to the right approach to preventing dementia and other chronic diseases. Yet the general public has no idea because it doesn’t fit the narrative our healthcare system depends upon, money! The empire of insurance, pharmaceutical companies, massive food conglomerates, hospital systems, and the medical community relies on keeping you sick. Take about ten steps back and rethink your approach to health. Finding ways to empower yourself and understanding how you eat, sleep, move throughout the day, and keep yourself active and engaged with a purpose is the right way. The data is really clear on this, and the proof is pouring out for all to see. However, it does take consciousness and self-education. The mission of Brain Love Health is to help you understand the ways to stay healthy, in body, mind, and spirit. Don’t keep drinking the kool-aid that is being forced on you, day, after day, after day. We have entered a new era and it looks promising for all of us, but it does take a mindset adjustment. There is a vast network of practitioners, physicians, and support that can help you on your path. It is not complicated and will save your life, your memories, your happiness, and your pocketbook. Cheers to your health! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn visit my website for more info! Read more from Patrick! Patrick Smith, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Patrick S. Smith is an innovative entrepreneur who has worked for over 40 years in the Health Care, pharmaceutical, and medical nutrition arena. His accomplishments span many decades and have been recognized by major healthcare institutions, and he has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree for his pioneering contributions to providing complex patient care in the home setting. He has spoken at over 100 Health Care Conferences and was voted as one of the top Health Care Service CEO’s in the USA by the Wall Street Transcript. His lifelong passion has been to provide game-changing creative solutions to some of society’s most pressing medical problems.

Written by: Daniel Van der Pluym, 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. People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often experience difficulty regulating their emotions. This can lead to problems in many areas of life, including school, work, and relationships. Executive functioning skills are essential for emotion regulation, and people with ADHD tend to struggle with these skills. In this article, we will discuss the relationship between emotion regulation and executive functioning for people with ADHD. We will also provide tools and strategies to help people with ADHD to better regulate their emotions and improve engagement in goal-directed behaviors. The challenges in dealing with negative emotions in ADHD People with ADHD can commonly be misdiagnosed as having a borderline personality disorder (BPD). There are several reasons for this, attributed to emotional dysregulation which is usually associated with BPD. For people with ADHD, difficulties with self-control also extend to challenges with emotional control and being unable to manage difficult emotions. These challenges often result in strong emotional outbursts. A 2014 review of research undertaken by Wolfgang Retz and colleagues, found that difficulty with emotional control and regulation is commonly related to the inability to engage in executive functioning for people with ADHD. Further, the review also attributed emotion dysregulation to a range of difficulties across different life areas, including interpersonal relationships. What is meant by executive functioning? Executive functions are the skills necessary to manage behavior, attention, planning, and problem-solving. They are often referred to as "the CEO" of the brain. People with ADHD commonly struggle with executive functioning skills due to a range of factors, including difficulty with inhibition and attention. The comprehensive executive function inventory The comprehensive executive function inventory is a scale that measures executive function strengths and weaknesses. It is used to determine executive function ability and is comprised of 9 categories related to specific areas often associated with ADHD. The inventory is normally administered to children and adolescents and has a specific category to measure emotion regulation ability. This can be used to determine the degree of difficulty with executive functioning, which also indicates the level of emotion dysregulation. Signs of executive function difficulties One of the major signs of executive function difficulties is poor decision-making, difficulty being able to follow directions, and inability to engage in goal-directed behavior. There are often signs of this in early childhood, as people with ADHD have differences in brain development that impact attention, the ability to sit still, and self-control. The inability to exert control over behaviors also relates to difficulties with regulating emotions. Difficulties with executive function and emotional control The connection between emotion regulation and executive function deficits has been broadly researched. A study conducted this year by Groves and colleagues found that in a sample of children with ADHD, working memory was the executive function most strongly linked with emotion regulation skills. In the study, working memory was found to have a direct effect on emotion regulation and an indirect effect through its impact on inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity in children. The impacts of emotional dysregulation in adulthood If these emotional difficulties remain unaddressed or untreated for children in earlier life, they will likely continue to impact people with ADHD during adulthood. In adults with ADHD, emotional dysregulation can often result in not being able to form or maintain stable relationships with friends or romantic partners. Often, adults with ADHD may find social interaction difficult. Also, romantic relationships may be difficult due to difficulties with self-regulation and the inability to control emotional reactions. Understanding the impact of working memory on emotion regulation Working memory is important for people with ADHD to be able to focus and attend to the tasks at hand. It involves the ability to hold information in mind. Working memory is necessary to be able to process information and form strategies for engaging in goal-directed behavior. The ability to process information effectively is an important part of emotion regulation, as it allows for managing negative thoughts associated with emotional difficulties. Also, the ability to manage emotions is vital for engaging in goal-directed behaviors because it reduces the likelihood of impulsive responses, which can be damaging. Regions of the brain and neurotransmitters responsible for emotion regulation Research has shown that the prefrontal cortex is a major region of the brain responsible for executive functioning and emotion regulation. This area of the brain plays a key role in controlling one's behavior, making decisions, and regulating emotions. The prefrontal cortex helps to regulate impulsivity and attention which are important components of ADHD. In ADHD, a lower concentration of dopamine and noradrenaline in the prefrontal cortex may also be related to difficulty in employing regulation strategies. Dopamine is often associated with pleasure, reward, and motivation. Low levels of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex may mean that people with ADHD experience little reward and pleasure. This can have an impact on mood, resulting in difficulty with emotion regulation. Further, norepinephrine/noradrenaline plays a role in working memory arousal and cognitive control required for emotion regulation. The importance of emotion regulation strategies For people with ADHD, emotion regulation strategies are vitally important. To help regulate emotions, it is important to build emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify, understand and manage emotions. People can build their emotional intelligence by learning how to recognize and label emotions, understanding the causes of different emotions, and developing coping strategies for managing difficult emotions. To build emotional intelligence, it is essential for people with ADHD to work on their executive functioning ability. How to improve executive functioning for emotion regulation An important area to focus on with emotion regulation in ADHD is working memory development. There are techniques to help improve working memory. Many recent studies have reported gains in emotion-regulation strategies following working memory training. Research conducted in 2020 by Emma Barkus found that working memory training had a positive impact on anxiety, rumination, positive appraisal, decreasing maladaptive emotion-regulation strategies, and decreasing intrusive thoughts. It is believed that working memory training helps increase the availability of cognitive resources when emotion regulation strategies are required. Working memory training includes activities such as word recall, pattern or sequence recognition, and problem-solving tasks. Other science-based Emotion Regulation Strategies Many literature resources exist on the topic of emotional regulation, yet it can be difficult to find the most effective solution. Most research on emotional regulation focuses on a specific age group or situation, making it difficult to know how scientific methods can help control emotions. Recent research provides some clarity about these aspects. James Gross's process model of emotion regulation posits that individuals can take steps to control their emotions before (antecedent-focused) and after (response-focused) they start to feel them. Pre-regulation strategies include self-talk and distraction, while post-regulation strategies involve reappraisal, problem-solving, and acceptance. Emotion regulation techniques for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder In ADHD, emotion regulation skills are similarly applied to those utilized in Treating Borderline Personality Disorder. These approaches include behavior management strategies including mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal skills, and emotion regulation. Mindfulness for emotion regulation People with ADHD can also benefit from practicing mindfulness exercises, such as meditation and progressive muscle relaxation, which can be used to regulate physiological arousal associated with heightened emotional states. Mindfulness-based regulation strategies include techniques such as emotional awareness, which involves recognizing the emotion, attending to the experience, and allowing it to pass. Emotional acceptance Emotional acceptance is important to learn how not to judge emotions as good or bad feelings but that all emotional experience is valid and important. By paying attention to your emotions, it becomes easier to observe with a non-judgmental, curious approach. This allows for effective decision-making in response to challenges that trigger difficult emotions. Breathing exercises for distress tolerance Breathing exercises can be particularly helpful for people with ADHD because they help to regulate the physiological arousal associated with emotionally invoking stimuli. Some breathing techniques to help with emotion regulation include: 4-2-4 breathing: in for 4 seconds, hold for 2 seconds, out for 4 seconds. Abdominal breathing: deep breaths that focus on the abdomen rather than the chest. Another breathing technique that can help with emotion regulation for people with ADHD is alternate nostril breathing. This involves breathing in through one nostril and out the other, then switching to the other nostril and repeating. Alternate nostril breathing is thought to help by balancing the two hemispheres of the brain. Interpersonal skills as part of managing emotions Interpersonal skills are important for managing emotions. ADHD can often lead to difficulties with emotion regulation, and practicing interpersonal skills can help to improve this. Interpersonal skills involve understanding and communicating with others effectively. They include things such as effective communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. Interpersonal skills can help to improve communication and problem-solving in relationships. They can also help to resolve conflicts in a more positive way. When relationships are positive and supportive, it can be easier for someone with ADHD to regulate their emotions. ADHD Coaching ADHD coaching is an important part of developing emotion regulation strategies. ADHD coaching is a form of therapy which helps people with ADHD to identify their strengths and weaknesses and build strategies to focus on their goals. ADHD coaches are trained in understanding ADHD, the different ADHD challenges people face, and how to create sustainable behavior change and lasting changes in emotion regulation. Deeper Potential provides ADHD Attention Coaching to help clients to better understand and manage their emotions, allowing them to focus on the things they need to succeed. ADHD Programs and Courses ADHD programs and courses can help people with ADHD manage their emotions through interpersonal skill building exercises. ADHD Ambition is one particular course which features modules on how to manage interpersonal challenges, through setting effective boundaries, and learning how to manage difficult conversations. Conclusion If you are living with ADHD and find that emotions often get the best of you, know that you are not alone. Several strategies can be used to help improve executive functiong and in turn, emotion regulation skills. These include working memory training, mindfulness exercises, breathing exercises, interpersonal skill building, and ADHD coaching. When these strategies are put into practice, people with ADHD can better manage their emotions and focus on achieving their goals. If you are struggling with emotion regulation, seek help through ADHD coaching and courses. These resources can provide you with the tools you need to successfully regulate your emotions and achieve your goals. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Daniel! Daniel Van der Pluym, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Daniel Van der Pluym is the founder of Deeper Potential Coaching and part founder of ADHD Ambition. He is a psychotherapist, certified Life Coach and mindfulness teacher. Through his work, he focuses on helping people overcome their life challenges to create a new story of meaning and fulfilment. His work as a psychotherapist coach and part developer of ADHD Ambition is geared towards helping people overcome uncertainty and rumination, so they can live with more clarity and fulfillment.

Written by: Brian Wood, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. For someone who embraces solitude (at a shocking level), there is an element of hypocrisy baked into the following words. It's a proven fact (at least according to me) that the following are two of the all-time greatest inventions Coffee ‒ self-explanatory. If you don't like coffee or dogs, we probably can't be friends. The garage door opener ‒ Are you telling me that I don't have to communicate with any neighbors? I can just press a magic button to open and close the garage door enabling me to practically become invisible? I can even protect myself for being trapped in a small talk conversation surrounded by thoughts of "I wonder if I can fake a hamstring injury and escape." Yes please! Obviously, there is no downside to coffee, but the garage door opener can contribute to problems beneath the initial joy. People can be surrounded by others and yet feel alone. Your neighbor who once experienced the company and love of a spouse is now broken-hearted and isolated. For whatever reason, the house across the street that was once filled with laughter, hugs and family memories now feel empty. You never know what someone is going through. You never know what pain may live behind the masks we wear on their faces daily. We all have stuff that we’re fighting through and things that we’re dealing with. Think of the last time you experienced darkness in your life. Maybe during this challenging chapter in your life, you received a random act of kindness. What did you experience that meant so much to you? It could have been person a few apartments away from you who shared a smile and a brief but authentic conversation at the mailbox. You couldn’t even remember her name, but that interaction showed up for at just the right time. Perhaps it was the guy who you always see walking around your neighborhood. Apparently, his daughter ordered too many girl scout cookies and during his walk he gives you a box of thin mints (a fan favorite) and says, “This one is on me – I’d rather give these calories to you then eat them myself!” Or maybe you can’t recall receiving a random act of kindness when you desperately needed something – anything! What would you have appreciated most in that moment? Whatever it is that would have meant the world to you, is something you can probably do for others to pay it forward. Let’s imagine that when you were struggling, you head to a drive-through coffee shop to take your mind off things. After placing your order for a medium hot black coffee and everything bagel with butter, you proceed to the cashier to make payment. At that point the cashier cheerfully advises you that the previous customer randomly paid for your order. It was not an expensive act, but the gesture was powerful and appreciated beyond words. Regardless of the specific deed, a random act of kindness is undefeated and benefits the giver and receiver. It’s not a “nice thing to do” but it is our responsibility to lift others up and help those who may be straining to lift themselves up. It’s our obligation to help people understand they are not alone, even though it may feel like that’s the case. This holds true in both our personal and professional worlds. When reflecting on the best leaders we’ve experienced throughout our journey, we usually remember the ones that helped us get to a better place. We recall the leader who believed in us, the neighbor who was unconditionally in our corner or the manager you didn’t report to but offered you career advice. Don't run from an opportunity to connect with someone, lead with humanity and show up to serve others. And don’t be afraid to give that garage door opener an occasional break! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Brian! Brian Wood, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Brian Wood combines 30 years of corporate experience with his background as an athlete, certified player agent (NBA, WNBA, and FIBA), and a certified professional success coach to provide clients with a unique perspective and guidance toward the next level of achievement. Wood is passionate about continuous personal and professional growth including organizational development, training, and gamification. He is enthusiastic about helping leaders leverage their gifts to drive impact and success. Wood supports major corporations, professional sports organizations, and municipalities. He provides confidential, professional, and executive coaching, speaking engagements, virtual and in-person facilitation.

Written by: Brooke Summer Adams, Senior Level Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Being an entrepreneur has many ups. It is incredibly rewarding to spend your time pursuing the vision that you hold and creating the life you dream of. However, it also has its down. When your life becomes all about creating this vision, paired up with the vision being incredibly important and meaningful to you ‒ it can become near impossible to switch off. Brooke Summer Adams - an Internationally Accredited Transformation Coach, NLP Master Practitioner, International Speaker, Trainer and Writer and Yahoo Finances’ Top 10 Female Life Coach of 2021, is here today to share the top-tips she uses with her 1-2-1 clients to help them switch off as entrepreneurs. 1. Understand that sometimes, not being productive is the most productive thing you can do More often than not the inability to switch off comes from the guilt we experience when doing so. But here’s the thing, switching off is not something to feel guilty for… The better you feel. The better you can do. Understand that as an entrepreneur, your energy is your money maker. It’s your energy that will build the business. If you’re a service provider (eg, coach, consultant, mentor) it’s literally your energy that you sell. Being an entrepreneur and not protecting or managing your energy is the equivalent of opening up a shop and never restocking the shelves. It’s just not going to work. You need to recharge in order to keep going. Success comes from consistent action. This requires sustainability. In order to sustain consistent action, you need consistent energy ‒ this is where switching off and resting comes in. You cannot build your vision from a place of burnout. You may be managing right now, but you will not be able to sustain it. Not taking time to switch off will inevitably lead to you either quitting or your body forcing you to stop from exhaustion. Switching off isn’t a luxury ‒ it’s a priority. If you don’t take the time to regularly switch off, chances are you won’t be able to see it through. Therefore, switching off is an essential part of business maintenance ‒ not something to feel guilty for. 2. Schedule in time for switching off Sometimes we run out of time to be able to properly take care of ourselves, rest and fully switch off. Scheduling it in ahead of time prevents this from happening. If you schedule in regular time to simply live life and switch off from business, you’ll make everything else fit around it ‒ and not the other way round. Time management is your friend here. Get on top of what needs to be done and when and you’ll make space for resting without feeling like there’s other stuff you should be doing. 3. Remember why you started Did you become an entrepreneur to work every hour of every day? Or did you do it to enjoy life on your terms, leave a legacy and make impact? Remember why you started. If time freedom was why you did this, align yourself with this intention by freeing up some time to take care of yourself. You have that choice. When you align yourself with the kind of life you want to create, you move towards it faster. You may think that hustling is the fastest way to freedom, but it’s not ‒ freedom is. 4. Get a coach Sometimes, our inability to switch off and rest comes from deep underlying beliefs rooted within childhood and past experience. In these instances, a coach will be able to help you re-write this narrative and begin to identify as someone who is capable of, and does, switch off regularly. Brooke specifically works with first-time coaches on their journeys of becoming the coach they want to be and creating the vision they hold. You can connect with Brooke using any of the links below. People can connect with me via Email, Facebook, Instagram, or my Website. Wherever you go, you’ll find helpful training and info on all things transformation. Read more from Brooke! Brooke Summer Adams, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Brooke Summer Adams is internationally accredited in Transformational Coaching, certified to a master-level in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), a graduate of Psychology with a 1st Class Honors Degree (BS.c), a Yahoo Finance Top 10 Female Life-Coach of 2021, a Brainz 500 Global Award Winner of 2021, a Workshop Facilitator at the worlds 1 Coaching Academy and an international Speaker, Trainer, and Writer. After overcoming chronic stress, low self-esteem and body dysmorphia, Brooke was inspired to take to University to study Psychology, become an Internationally Accredited Transformation Coach and NLP Master Practitioner and set up her own online coaching business. After several successful years in business transforming over 100 women into the best versions of themselves, being recognised as a Yahoo Finance Top 10 Female Life Coach and becoming an International Speaker and Trainer, Brooke then moved into the field of transforming first time coaches ‒ so they feel ready to transform others. This experience, on top her qualifications, allows her to transform first time coaches into the version of them who has what it takes to create their vision, by helping them build unshakeable self belief and confidence, overcome fear and take aligned action.

Written by: Juan C. Olmedo, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Everyone has that one person they can always rely on. The person they know will be there for them through thick and thin. This is the person you want to build your company with. To do this, you need to inspire them. But how do you inspire someone who’s already dreaming of their future in business? The answer lies in building a team together and creating a culture where everyone is committed to helping each other succeed in business. A local Southern California Tech Company, Nevtis Corp, has been breaking through barriers to gain market share in business-to-business telecommunications, a very competitive industry. Led by Juan Olmedo, a local business leader and high-performance coach. Mr. Olmedo’s almost 20 years’ of experience in starting and building self-sustaining businesses, gives him insight knowledge on what it takes to build a thriving team. FAQ: “My goal is to create jobs, inspire my team, and offer growth opportunity for anyone no matter their background or where they come from.” Under Mr. Olmedo’s leadership, Nevtis Corp employs 20 full-time staff, with Head Quarters in Orange County, CA and district offices in San Diego, CA Silicon Valley, CA and Scottsdale, AZ. Every single person of Nevtis Corp’s 20 employee team has a purpose, responsibility, and ultimately a crucial factor for the company’s continued success. Juan Olmedo known as a Latino Tech Entrepreneur and High-Performance Coach, works with local non-profits to offer no cost business advisory, startup assistance, coaching, and mentoring. Here are 6 tips Mr. Olmedo offers to help you inspire your team to build something amazing together, including how an outside perspective can help you see the bigger picture. Create a unity habit. As a leader, you must create a culture where your team is committed to doing what it takes to be successful. This means everyone must unite for the good of the company, which includes not just yourself but your entire team. To do this, you need to make sure that there are some habits that everyone follows. For example, if someone always arrives on time for work and gets their job done in a timely manner, they should be rewarded with a day off. Or if someone gives up some personal time or sacrifices something they like so that someone else can have time off, they should be rewarded with time off themselves. You can create any type of unity habit you want if it's beneficial for the company and followed consistently by everyone. Be crystal clear about your mission. First, you need to make sure that everyone in your team knows exactly what the company is about and what it stands for. You don’t want people joining the team because they think you’re going to be a huge success, only for them to find out later that you’re not actually doing anything with the business. By being clear about your mission and what it means for your company and its values, your team will want to be involved because they know this is something they believe in. Your company will begin to take shape from the very beginning as all members of your team support each other in their endeavors. Show your team how you’ll achieve your mission. The first step to inspiring your team is showing them how you plan on achieving your mission. This not only sets the groundwork for the future, but it also allows your team to envision their job in the bigger picture. If you’re thinking about launching a new product and need help with marketing, for example, then show them how this will help the company reach its goals. Don’t micromanage — trust your team to make the right decisions. It’s hard to trust someone when they make mistakes, but you can avoid micromanaging your team by giving them a chance to make their own decisions. This also helps build trust and helps your team learn how to work independently. You don’t want to be the boss who is always telling them how to do something or potentially taking credit for their success. Help everyone learn and grow. To inspire your team, you need to make sure that everyone is learning and growing. By starting an outside perspective for your company, you can show the bigger picture of what your organization is capable of. For example, if you want your team to create something amazing together, you’ll need them to be able to work in a collaborative environment. When everyone feels like they are a part of a larger whole, they are more likely to take risks in order to reach their goals. Stay flexible and constantly develop yourself. It’s easy for employees to get bored in a company that doesn’t offer change. Diversifying your skills and interests is a great way to keep your team inspired and engaged. This means you should be constantly learning new skills and challenging yourself, rather than staying in one job or industry. If you want your team to really grow, they need the opportunity to do so themselves. For example, if you are an accountant, don't just keep doing accounting work; learn how to become an expert on something else as well. If you work in HR, don't just focus on HR tasks; focus on developing yourself as a leader who can help oversee the process of hiring new staff members as well. Another great way to inspire your team is by giving them more responsibility. This gives them the opportunity for growth and teaches them how managing their own workload can lead to greater productivity and success. Wrapping up Building a company with a great team is a rewarding experience that you can't find anywhere else. You'll learn how to work together and be able to rely on each other when times are tough. You'll also create the perfect team culture that inspires everyone to work hard, think big, and achieve greatness. And all of this will help you grow from a small business into something bigger. Consider getting High-Performance coaching from professionals who may use their extent experience and knowledge to help you gain an edge, avoid major setbacks, and offer mentorship. High-Performance coaching is an invaluable tool that can help individuals reach unparalleled heights of success. There are local non-profits such as Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), Cielo Community (Community for Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and Opportunity) that may assist at no-cost advisory or even step-by-step guidance. Mr. Olmedo offers through his advisory firm Nexera Business Advisors, one-on-one coaching, start-up assistance, sales mindset training, team building, and high-performance coaching. Mr. Olmedo is also business instructor at Pinnacle School of Business, may be found at https://pinnaclemastery.io, https://nexeraadvisors.com (855) 707-4505 or https://juanolmedo.io Follow me on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Juan! Juan C. Olmedo, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Juan C. Olmedo, is a Latino Tech Entrepreneur, High Performance Coach, & CEO of Nevtis Companies. Entrepreneur-minded since the age of 15, started first official business at 22 years of age and grew it to a $2 Million dollar a year company with 20 employees. Started subsequent business tech business at 25 and sold it just 5 years later. Have since started or invested in 6 other companies ranging from tech, telecom, construction, insurance, and digital marketing with a combined employment of 80 full time staff. Currently CEO at Nevtis Corp, a UCaaS Software provider. Being through virtually every stage of starting, and scaling million dollar companies, Mr. Olmedo uses his acquired knowledge of almost 20 years.

Written by: Casimiro da Silva Santos, 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. Nowadays, it is all about the triple P (3P) bottom line approach – People, Planet, and Profit. It's often said that a company is only as good as its people. This applies to not only hiring the right employees while ensuring that they stay engaged in their work throughout their tenure. After all, the more motivated employees are, the more likely they will stay and reach their fullest potential within the company. "Work gives you meaning and purpose, and life is empty without it." ‒ Stephen Hawking You believe in your company wholeheartedly. An entrepreneurial fire burning strong inside motivates you to work harder each day. Unfortunately, the same can only sometimes be said about your employees. In an SHRM Employee Job Satisfaction and Engagement survey of 600 employees from 2011 to 2015, only 69% felt they consistently put all their effort into their work. To improve the performance of your team and your company, you've hired some stellar people. Now you need to make sure they stick around. While money and benefits are necessary, a study found that they don't top the list of motivating factors. Instead, some essential elements tended to be peer motivation (20%) and feeling encouraged and recognised (13%). If you've tried a variety of incentives and are still seeing the adverse side effects of low motivation, you're not alone. Sometimes even the best managers must think outside the box to find creative and reliable ways to motivate their employees. Motivating and inspiring your employees is not just about giving them a paycheck. It's about creating an environment where they are excited to come to work each day and feel fulfilled by their work. Motivation And Inspiration, What Is The Difference? All of us need motivation and inspiration at some point in life. We tend to mix both words, and more importantly, we need to clarify the role of leaders in these two. Many of us might think these two disciplines are the same. However, they're entirely different concepts. "Don't let the noise of other people's opinions drown out your inner voice." ‒ Steve Jobs While motivation is always from an external source in an external environment, inspiration comes from within. So, to make it more transparent, motivation is self-imposed or societal expectations, obligations and peer pressure that pushes us to do something. At the same time, inspiration is a natural calling that comes deep inside us. How Exactly Can Company Leaders Boost Motivation? We constantly hear that leaders are responsible for inspiring their teams to do better and to be motivated by what they do. But how exactly can company leaders boost this motivation? This can be a difficult task, but it is possible. Here are some tips for how to motivate and inspire people in your company: Make sure that the goal you are setting is attainable. If it’s not, it’s not motivating—it’s frustrating. Set realistic expectations for yourself and others so that they know where they stand about their performance. Reward people who perform well with praise (publicly or privately) and bonuses or other perks like free lunches or days off, health benefits, stock options, and daycare and schooling support. Don’t punish those who perform poorly. More importantly, do not humiliate them. Instead, find out why they could be performing better so that you can help them improve their skills or abilities and get back on track again! Create a culture of trust and collaboration. People who feel they can be themselves at work will be more engaged and motivated. Give them autonomy over their work tasks and goals. This will help them feel more responsible for their success and motivate them to succeed! Don’t micromanage! Give employees enough space to operate independently, hold them accountable for their performance and results (and give feedback when necessary). Be transparent with your goals as an organisation so everyone knows what’s expected from them—and why it matters! Inspire them by creating a compelling vision for the team by distilling the company vision into your reality. Be aspirational. Dream big. Be bold. Focus on the positive. Instead of the negative, focus on what you’re grateful for and what you must look forward to. This will help keep you optimistic about your future! Closing "Where there is a will, there is a way" is an old saying that motivates and inspires us to work and stay committed to our life goals. There are many ways to motivate and inspire people. One of the best ways is to tell them what they're working towards and why by creating a compelling vision and mission. A culture of authenticity, trust, and collaboration so that people can feel they matter and belong. Another way is to show them that they are not alone in their efforts and have the support of their team and the company. The most important thing to remember is that it's about more than just motivating your employees. It's also about inspiring them. People want to be inspired and feel like they're doing something meaningful with their lives, so make sure you allow them to do so! Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Casimiro! Casimiro da Silva Santos, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Casimiro da Silva Santos, better known as Cas, uses pronouns he/his. He is a dad, a business and climate action leader, a coach, and a speaker. His mission is to create a perspective of abundance, alleviating scarcity so that we can live a brighter future. After a transformational coaching experience with Simon Sinek Inc., Cas decided to create Bring the Best®, a coaching and consulting firm for personal development and business growth. Through individual, career, and executive coaching, Bring the Best transforms lives so that each person can live the life they want and dream about. His coaching style is authentic and empathetic, with a special focus on the LGBTQIA+ community.