Written by: Tugce Ozdeger, 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. Entrepreneurship means being creative to make either existing solutions better with a different angle or building something completely scratch to make this planet a better place to live in. In either way, the aim is to find a cure to the pain points that someone is struggling with which will naturally bring a business opportunity. We all have a tendency to complain about the things that are not working and expect to be fixed and entrepreneurs are those people who fall in love with the problem because it triggers the hell of creativity out of them to find a solution. In other words, entrepreneurship is literally seeing challenges, struggles, and problems as opportunities to solve through creativity and innovation. Building an idea from ground zero and diving deep into unknowingness with the intention to get the clarity that will make very much sense one day when you see that people who had the struggle have already queued up to buy the solution that is created. Isn’t that a good feeling to be in service and make a fortune out of it? Yes, it is, if you are up for the entrepreneurial roller coaster ride filled with highs and lows, stretches, getting more and more comfortable with uncomfortable day-by-day. The 3 top ingredients in the entrepreneurial roller coaster journey that will bring you success are as follows; 1. Team: All co-founders, advisors, investors, first adopters of your venture are undoubtedly the key ingredients of this journey, and the relationship you as an entrepreneur is gonna build with them will shape the future of the venture. In my personal opinion, finding the right co-founder(s) where you are on the common grounds in terms of values and vision but have different skill sets is far more important than the business idea and the problem you are gonna tackle in the venture. 2. Leadership: Those who cannot lead themselves potentially cannot lead others. As an entrepreneur, you are a leader and role model for your upcoming hires, despite the challenges and conflicts in the team, especially self-leadership where you start to lead yourself first to lead others' mentality will definitely make this journey smoother and also very rewarding. 3. Risk-tolerance: Risk will always be present no matter at what stage you are on the entrepreneurial journey. Creating something brand new has definitely risks in itself no matter how cool it sounds from the beginning. That's the whole point of why you shall be on the entrepreneurial journey and take the challenge and accept the risks to make a difference for the greater good. The beauty of being on this journey is not only making something extraordinary for the people and the world but also growing as a person and a professional exponentially which will naturally bring more exciting creative ideas to the table on the later stage. No matter what you do for a living now, this journey is something we all need to experience at some point to be aware of what we are capable of and what is on our way to succeed. For more info, follow me on Faceboo k , Instagram , LinkedIn and visit my websit e ! Read more from Tu gce ! Tugce Ozdeger, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Tugce Ozdeger is a Senior Software Engineer and a Career Acceleration Mentor for Women in Tech. After a long corporate career, Tugce created strategies to level up her tech career on her own terms. She has since dedicated her life to helping women to unleash their full potential by defining a lucrative career that allows them to experience the life of their dreams in tech. She is the founder of Heart-Centric Tech Mentoring, an online tech career mentoring academy with students from many different countries. Tugce was featured in various digital publications and podcasts. She was a speaker at SweTugg, which is one of the prestigious tech conferences in Stockholm. Tugce was also the project leader for one of the most appreciated IT-Conferences for Women in Tech in Sweden, which was arranged completely digital. Her mission: More women in tech.

Written by: Mahara Wayman , 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. Do you love your career but feel anything but love in the midst of it? I have coined this unfortunate occurrence the "Career Contradiction Trap," and I've noticed that it's showing up more and more these days. Women who find themselves in this dreaded trap admit that being unhappy in a career they love came as a surprise and left them bewildered and disheartened. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a trap as "something by which one is caught or stopped unawares, also: a position or situation from which it is difficult or impossible to escape." Let me state at the outset, it's bad enough to find yourself in this predicament, but it's even worse to assume there is nothing that can be done about it. It may feel like a situation from which you can't escape, but the truth is you can. The sad reality is that women are working longer and harder both at their job and in their homes every year, and the number of unhappy professionals continues to grow exponentially. I was one of them, putting on a brave face, reminding myself that I was fortunate to have a job doing what I loved. I was one of the lucky ones because I was successful and earned a good living. So, what exactly was I complaining about? Good question. I recall being in a meeting and, at the start, was feeling happy to be there and excited to contribute. I was, after all, a very creative and driven team member, wholly focused on the company's goals. However, this feeling gradually subsided, and by the end of the meeting, I was annoyed, and all I wanted was chocolate with a side of chardonnay. After much reflection, by asking myself tough questions, I had an epiphany; I was unhappy with my dream job. During that particular meeting, I struggled to share my thoughts confidently, and I neglected to show my worth as a team member. I kept my opinions to myself and spent more time talking in my head than out loud with the others in the room. This retreat into myself quickly spiralled into questioning my worth and my career choice. I silently questioned myself; why am I doing this job? The absolute horror of that moment was that I realized that I didn't have a good answer, which left me depressed and concerned. Have you ever felt this way? Have you ever spent oodles of time in your head, getting in your own way, tripping and becoming completely discombobulated? What were your reasons for landing there? My reasons became apparent after some reflection. I worked for years with blinders, choosing to focus only on what was asked of me without the checks and balances of ensuring I was in alignment with my core values. When things felt a little off and my intuition kicked in, I chose to ignore it. For example, when asked to work longer hours, I agreed without considering how that affected my family or my current state in that moment. When I received emails late at night, I chose to answer them without considering the message I was sending, neither to the person who emailed nor my kids watching me as I turned away from them and focused on my laptop instead. When I was presented with opportunities that took me away from the work I loved, I blindly ran with them, determined I would come out on top and feel amazing. Surprisingly, in the end, all I felt was exhaustion and deep disappointment. You see, I was afraid to look closely at why I felt the way I did. I decided instead to march on and do whatever it took to progress in my career and capture those feelings of accomplishment. Now, please don't think I was ever asked to do anything untoward, but there were times that I didn't feel good about my work. Instead of voicing my concerns or even asking for clarification, I grumbled, acquiesced and just did whatever task was at hand. In my determination to be a good employee with a positive attitude, I put on a megawatt smile every day and forced it to remain for hours on end. I believed that going with the flow coupled with a cheerful demeanour would carry me through to the next promotion. Well, I did move up, but it was without true happiness or an aligned purpose. It was hollow and shaky and, thankfully, didn't withstand honest introspection. Today, I am very grateful that my foundation for my last career toppled because it led me to where I am today. My work today feels honest and aligned, filled with purpose. I am in the habit now of double-checking with myself whenever my intuition suggests it. I have courageous conversations with myself and my peers daily. What a gift that is! Truth: Regardless of where you are today in your career, if you are not as happy as you want to be, you can do something about it, and you should do something. If you think you may be in the dreaded Career Contradiction Trap and would like to break out of it, here are six focuses to get started: A willingness to ask yourself tough questions. The desire for powerful self-talk. A clear vision of what you want out of your career. The chutzpah to go after it. A bold & creative mentor. A community of like-minded, ferocious women that have your back. If this article resonated with you or would like to connect with me directly, please do so via my social media links: Instag ram , Facebook, Website, and Linkedin. If you found yourself nodding your head thinking, "I can relate." then book a complimentary empowerment breakthrough session with me. I would love to help you harness your voice and declare your worth so you can flourish in your career. Read more from Mahara! Mahara Wayman, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Mahara began her coaching career working for a global health and wellness company, helping thousands transform their lives. Recently she decided to pursue her passion for helping women and started her company, Mindfulness With Mahara. She couples her years of experience with powerful techniques and her innate curiosity to help professional women find happiness in their careers and with themselves. References: "trap." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 2021.Web. 12 Oct 2021. Mckinsey & Company. "Women In The Workplace, 2021."

Written by: Maxwell Nee, 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. COVID put a hold on Marieke’s old way of life, but one simple decision brought her life-changing progress in the blink of an eye... Marieke Egan has one of the coolest jobs in the world. As an Antarctic expedition leader, she has spent years leading tourists into some of the wildest, most remote corners of our planet. Then COVID happened. The tourism industry was on hold – indefinitely. The world went into hibernation, and she had no idea how long it would be before she sailed again. Marieke suddenly found herself searching for a satisfying, enriching new venture. One that would fulfill her in the same way her old job did. As an expedition leader, Marieke took high-performing teams and high-end guests on exciting physical journeys on ships all over the world. The idea evolved to use the skills she had built over a lifetime, to lead people on journeys of the mind, heart, and soul. Combining her team leadership and development experience with her background as a trained psychologist with seven years working with autistic children, Marieke knew she had a unique set of emotional and clinical skills. These could help many more people live bigger, stronger, happier lives. Coaching – becoming a life coach – was going to be the next leg of the journey. After a decade of life on the road, living on every continent for months at a time, Marieke knew a thing or two about facing fears and doing it anyway and getting outside of her comfort zones so many times. “I wasn’t the only one who realized they had to reinvent themselves to make a living.” So, she swapped life on the high seas for a new life helping people navigate the distressing waters of anxiety, depression, and addiction – then rebuilding their mindset so they can free themselves, live fearlessly and with confidence. She took her time figuring out what her next steps would be, and a lot of soul-searching took place. “People aren’t going to knock on my door, so what do I do now?” She put herself through months of training on coaching. Created content. Built a website. Saw her inbox flooded with free eBooks. And registered for one free webinar after the next. She ticked ALL the ‘must-tick’ boxes from many coaching gurus. The result was overwhelm and confusion. “One person says this, the other says that I knew I had a lot to give, but I just didn’t know how to get it out there.” There was just one problem. None of this was telling her how to reach and attract clients. A chance encounter with High-Performing Coach (HPC) on Facebook made Marieke realise she could reach people, she could be an in-demand life coach, and make the massive impact with people she desired. “What Ryan (Mathie – HPC’s founder) was writing about really resonated with me.” As soon as she signed up for our Free-2-Hour Workshop, Marieke says she felt at home with HPC’s values and strategies. “I felt like I was already in the right place… and I decided to book a breakthrough call with Tina Brigley.” Most ‘breakthrough calls’ feel like sales calls, but this one was very different. Our goal on every call is to deliver real, deep breakthroughs, so coaches can walk away clearer about their business – regardless of whether they decide to work with us. It was no different for Marieke. “I think within seconds I was in tears talking to Tina and saying ‘I have no idea what I’m doing – I feel lost!’.” As is often the case, a ‘breakdown’ led to a breakthrough. One that gave Marieke a valuable insight into how and why her future clients would want to work with her, and why she needed to invest in HPC’s LAUNCH program. “To invest in yourself can feel really scary… But if I don’t invest in myself now and ONCE AGAIN step outside of my comfort zone – who else is going to invest in me?!” The ‘Will I get a return on this investment?’ fear Marieke felt when it was time to pull out her credit card and invest in HPC is a moment she now shares with her own potential clients. Her ability to relate to her potential clients, and help them realise she’s been in their shoes and got amazing results through coaching, calms their nerves and gets them excited about working with her. “I was having clients who were ready to step out of life, but are now flourishing,” Marieke says. “Some quite intense situations sometimes, and now the transformations that I’m seeing, and the feedback I’ve been receiving – it’s like HOLY MOLY! That’s impossible! and I’m so humbled when I get that feedback.” Marieke says enrolling in LAUNCH was like pressing the fast-forward button on her coaching career. It triggered wave after wave of mindset shifts and empowered her to use her skills to transform her clients’ lives. “I finally felt like I was receiving the tools and guidance and coaching I needed to reach clients… I soaked it up like a sponge. It was a masterclass in coaching.” She says experiencing how HPC delivered powerful transformations in herself and other coaches informed how she works with her own clients today. “Observing the way that you (Tina Brigley) and Ryan and Max coach people – you’re all magnificent coaches – and I learned so much from that… Within 3 weeks of starting “LAUNCH”, Marieke had her first client – an exhilarating experience. “Suddenly I felt like this person’s life and her transformation was in my hands… and now I get to show up and have to be there for them.” Since that first client, Marieke’s business and reputation grew quickly, going from zero clients to $25,000 in just her first six months. Far more importantly, she is delivering LIFE-SAVING transformations to her clients. “A client messaged me on WhatsApp the other day… she was talking to a friend about the coaching and about me, and she said ‘Marieke really, truly saved my life!’ “I thought because I got out of my way and I got out of my limiting beliefs, I was able to help her do the same and when you look at it like that – like paying it forward – it’s an incredibly rewarding journey.” For any new coach who doubts their ability to deliver breakthroughs and be the leader and confidant their clients need, she has this advice. “Step into your courage. You can’t wait for confidence to happen – you need to go and get it. BEING a coach is where you build your confidence.’’ “After the first few times, I already felt WAY more confident, because I could see I was already having a great impact. I am amazed and honoured to be a part of my clients’ transformation. But I also know that I helped them find their new direction. Several have said to me, It’s the best investment I’ve made in my life.” Today, armed with her life experience, bulletproof confidence, and the tools to succeed from our LAUNCH program, Marieke has a deeply enriching and satisfying coaching business and helps her clients become the happiest and best versions of themselves. Your road to building a successful business, and serving more people than you thought possible starts with booking your own breakthrough call. Don’t worry – our call is unlike any you’ve been on before. No pressure. No hype. No obligations. It’s simply an opportunity to find out a little bit more about your business and give you some free advice about what’s holding you back, and how you can overcome that. Whether we work together after that is entirely up to you – but I’d love the chance to meet you before you decide. Simply click here to lock in your time and we’ll speak soon! Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and visit my website! Read more from Maxwell! Maxwell Nee, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Maxwell Nee is a Co-founder & Head of Growth at High Performing Coach – a 7-figure business in a saturated industry, which grew 300% during the COVID-19 Lockdown selling out online events. Maxwell started selling tickets for events when I was 16, generating $3,000, with zero marketing budget. To date, with his team, he sold out 8 live events in the 12 months during the crisis, helping thousands of coaches to build their businesses during huge uncertainty. They partnered with influencers such as Marisa Peer, Daniel Priestley, Harville Hendrix & Helen Hunt (17 times Oprah guest speaker). From quitting his corporate job, being hit with bankruptcy after his first investment fell flat, to sleeping on a friend's couch and selling his Bose Bluetooth Speakers to get by – Maxwell a unique and powerful understanding of what it really takes to succeed.

Written by: Jola Pypno-Crapanzano, 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 recent years our lives without the shadow of doubt got busier, more hectic than ever and they leave us overwhelmed and overstimulated. Do you find yourself more and more craving the comfort of quiet spaces and calm environments? No wonder…when we are fatigued and stressed, or struggling with mental health problems, our brains process environmental stimuli differently. By simply changing our environment, creating a comfortable space, and minimizing clutter we can positively impact our mood, thoughts, and behaviors at home, in the classroom, or at the office. To set the tone for my reflections I want you to imagine a painting competition in which the participants were asked to create a picture titled “Peace”. Many painters submitted their work and after careful examination, the jury chose two finalists. One artist painted a perfect calm lake, with gorgeous mountains slopes behind, sunny skies, a reflection of birds and flowers in the water – pure tranquility. The second artist painted a very different picture: rocky mountain range, dark skies and very stormy weather, rapids with the water loudly tumbling down, and right underneath the waterfall there was a small bush. In this bush, the mother bird made a nest and she was caring for her babies safely hiding under her wings. Which one of the two pictures do you think has won? Which one would you choose? When do you think about tranquility what comes to mind? What do you imagine when you think about peaceful, calm, and relaxing spaces? Peace and tranquility can be perceived and experienced very differently. Whether it’s a green meadow, a deserted wild beach, a beautiful lake, or a river lazily flowing on a warm sunny day, tranquility is mainly found in natural outdoor environments. But peace and tranquility can also be created in our indoor surroundings, living spaces, schools, and offices in a relatively simple way which helps make people feel calmer and less stressed. Scientific studies show a direct correlation between certain environments and levels of relaxation, stress reduction, and even longevity and pain relief. Here are seven simple tips on how to boost the tranquility of an area and create a calm space: The first step is to reduce man-made noise and introduce as many natural soothing sounds as possible. Different sounds can promote different moods. Having “natural” sounds can help to make a place feel more tranquil. This could be done by installing a water feature or a pond which will not only promote relaxation, but it will also encourage waterfowl and other birds to visit. It could also be done indoors by playing soothing background sounds of nature such as the sound of waves gently crashing on the beach, the sound of a waterfall, tropical rain shower, or relaxing music. The second idea to boost the tranquility of an area is to increase the number of natural features by planting trees, shrubs, flower beds outdoors and placing live plants and flowers which creates a green oasis indoors. The third way to create a calm and tranquil space is by using the right colors, for best results try choosing a color palette that works for you. For example, cool colors can be both soothing and energizing, and colors found in nature can be very grounding and peaceful. Another idea is related to smells. Consider what smells are good to you, fill the space with aromas by using scented candles, aromatherapy or cooking smells of your favorite comfort foods. Yet another way to bring outdoorsy tranquility indoors is by using certain textures. You can recreate positive memories by surrounding yourself with things that make you feel good: wrap yourself in a comfortable blanket, put seashells on the bathroom counter, fill the bowl with pinecones or smooth stones from outside. Similarly the objects can also impact significantly the space you are in. Fill your space with things that lift your mood: photos of family and friends or favorite places, wildflowers, inspirational quotes, keepsakes, souvenirs from your trips, memorabilia, etc. And finally decluttering any space will help the positive energy flow and create calmness and tranquility. It goes both for physical and virtual spaces, too much “stuff” can feel overwhelming. So, get rid of, donate, or sell things you don’t need and don’t use, clear your mailbox by unsubscribing from junk email, get organized. Ever since I was a child, I loved to create small tranquil spaces in my house, I mimicked natural springs by putting colorful rocks I collected on various trips and placed them together with wild flowers in the dish filled with water. Later living on my own in an apartment I had a small tabletop fountain that looked like a waterfall, I always had lots of natural plants: small palms, cactuses, yuccas, etc. Now living in a house that is surrounded by a garden, I built a koi pond and waterfall, which became a refuge for local birds like blue jays, robins, and cardinals. I planted the butterfly-attracting plants and now I have a private oasis right in my back yard. Inside my house, ther is also balance and harmony, I use my favorite colors, I burn scented candles, incents, use essential oils, listen to soothing relaxing music, I am surrounded by soft textures of blankets, pillows, and rugs. My home is my sanctuary where I can rest and rejuvenate. There are countless other ways to increase the quality of your life by creating more peace and tranquility. So next time when you feel stressed out, try to find a tranquil space or even better make one of your own – that way you can get your little bit of calm anytime you want. It doesn’t matter what environment you are in , you can always create a makeshift tranquil and peaceful space that is as unique as you. For more info, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and visit my website! Read more from Jola! Jola Pypno-Crapanzano, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jola Pypno-Crapanzano is a Certified High-Performance Coach™️, NLP and TLT®️ Practitioner, founder and CEO of Coaching Journey with Jola, two times International Bestselling Author of “One” - Your wellness guide to body, mind, and soul and “Stay home” – When you can’t go outside, what happens inside? She carries Masters Degree in Scientific-Technical Information from Silesian University in Poland. She has over 30 years of combined experience working with thousands of unique individuals and groups of people serving them in many different capacities. First, as a tour guide traveling worldwide (almost 70 countries visited so far) and translating into 4 languages, then working in the entertainment and hospitality industry as part of operational management in a large publicly traded company in NYC. Finally, coaching people initially as fitness, wellness, and lifestyle coach and most recently more holistically as Certified High-Performance Coach™️, NLP and Time Line Therapy®️ Practitioner. She also helps her clients with positive intelligence, specializing in strengthening their Mental Fitness and supporting them through various strategic interventions. Her mission is to help one million people live their lives to the fullest, reach heightened and sustained levels of clarity, energy, courage, productivity, and influence and show them that it is possible to live lives of their dreams, on their terms, without regrets, be fully engaged, joyful and confident and build an incredible lasting legacy.

Written by: Rita Roushdy, 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 me tell you a story about Alex, a client who came to me because no one was signing up to her programs. But once we looked into it, it turned out that she wasn't asking for the sale. And when she did ask for the sale, the energy behind it was one of fear and self-doubt. She told me "But what if they say no?" "I feel bad asking for money for my services, what if they feel pressured" "I'm worried that they might not feel the benefit of signing up with me, what if I let them down?" Those are just some of the thoughts that she shared with me during the session. But underneath those thoughts, was one core, deep-rooted limiting belief. "I'm not good enough, I'm not worthy of receiving this money" Does that sound familiar? And this belief had been consuming 95% of her being, her thoughts, her emotions and as a result, her actions. Can you see why she was struggling? Once we've worked on transmuting this belief to one of undeniable confidence and self-belief. She was able to book out her program the very next week! Quick Win Perspective Reframe: The truth is the sale is not about you at all. It's about your prospective client. When they say 'Yes!' they're saying yes to investing in themselves, and in that area of their lives or businesses. When they say 'No' they're saying no to the desired results that they'll be able to achieve by working with you. And by holding back from asking for the sale, you are effectively doing them a disservice. You're giving them the opportunity to say yes to themselves, and to having a better and much easier life. So many people out there need access to your gifts, services, and support. And it is time for you to step up and overcome your limitations so that you can help and support your clients. Quick Win Journaling Exercise: How will it feel when my service changes my client's life for the better? How much easier would it make their life? How will it feel when they achieve their desired results so much quicker? How will it feel when they save so much money by investing in themselves and in this area of their lives? Use this quick reframe and journal on how much impact you're able to make on your clients' lives when they are all in on their growth. Long term solution: But if I told you that the above reframe is enough, I wouldn't be standing in my authentic truth. It takes deep subconscious work to truly raise your self-belief and self-worth. So that when you ask for the sale, your client can feel that you know and fully believe in yourself and in your service. Because it's not just what you say or do. But it's the energy behind your words and actions. And your subconscious beliefs carry a frequency that your prospective client can feel. I'm Rita Roushdy and it's my job to help you release fear around sales once and for all so that you can achieve your financial goals with ease and flow. Message me here for the exclusive opportunity to work with me on a 1:1 intensive coaching experience. This is a high-touch experience, yet my most cost-effective way of working with me right now! We will uncover your limiting beliefs that are holding you back from achieving your goals. You'll notice powerful shifts in your mindset and energy. You'll feel at ease when earning and spending money because you will have more than enough. So if this is calling out to you, message me here and we can have a chat. I'm so excited to speak with you! Connect with Rita on Instagram and visit her website. Read more from Rita! Rita Roushdy, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Rita Roushdy is an expert in the money mindset, uncovering subconscious limiting beliefs and supporting high-level women in becoming a powerful magnet for money. After a decade of hustling hard but hardly being paid, leaving her depleted and wounded, Rita was on a mission to heal her relationship with money, knowing that it will be a lifelong journey beginning by healing herself first. Rita’s purpose quickly became to share this secret with other women who desire to level up their businesses and finances into new heights of limitless abundance that spill into all areas of their lives. Transforming society’s relationship with money, one woman at a time, Rita strives to uncover and release old limiting money paradigms that we’ve been programmed with. Using an abundance of healing tools and techniques, she guides her clients, releasing anything that no longer serves them by healing old money wounds and deep-rooted beliefs, making space for what they truly desire to have more of in their lives, activating and allowing them to become magnetic to their dream clients. She has supported her worldwide clients, reaching consistent £10K and £20K per month income goals and hitting their first £100K in business in less than 2 months of working together. She’s been invited to share her expertise on money mindset and became a keynote speaker, all within the first year of entering the coaching space.

Written by: Aliyah Hammad, 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. Dating, in general, is hard with so many new trends, like ghosting (ending a relationship without an explanation, rejecting calls, texts, etc. like a ghost) roaching (someone that is sleeping around with a lot of people), breadcrumbing (someone who texts, calls, dates you occasionally, but doesn’t follow through) people swiping right online (tinder), etc. It feels like, with all the technology, we as humans have become very replaceable and dispensable. Imagine dealing with all these challenges and being a Plus-Size Woman at the same time? It makes dating more challenging because more issues come up. The things we Plus-Size Women have to worry about on top of the issues of dating is whether or not the person we're dating has a fat fetish (someone who is attracted to your size or weight) if they even like a bigger woman, and/or a feeder (someone who gets pleasure from fattening someone up, which can be dangerous). A lot of us have dealt with comments about our weight and our appearance most of our lives and have been told that losing weight would make our problems magically disappear (how I wish it were that easy). Frankly, we have to work A LOT harder than our thinner counterparts for people go take us seriously and for us to get noticed by men. Then when we do, we have to keep all of this in mind. It can be exhausting and discouraging, but I will share some tips below to thrive in dating as a Plus-Size Woman: 1. Work on radical self-love How can a partner love us if we don't love ourselves? How do you love yourself when it feels like the world is against you at times? The answer is affirmations. They may feel weird at first, but it works. You can say affirmations such as "I am beautiful, I am a sexy goddess, I am amazing, my body is amazing." You can be creative and make up your own, but say them daily and repeat them multiple times a day. Your body always listens, so say positive things about it. Secondly, date yourself. Take yourself out to places that you have always wanted to go. Get to know yourself better. Spend time alone and see what your hobbies and interests are. Explore new places, meet new people. You will be surprised at what you find out about yourself. 2. Work on your confidence Have you ever heard the term fake it until you make it? It definitely applies in this scenario. I actually had an HR manager tell me this and ever since, I take his advice and it really works. He said the more times you fake it, then you will actually start to believe it. Affirmations also work in this case as well. 3. Work on being the best version of yourself 3. Work on being the best version of you physically, mentally, and spiritually. Physically: move your body, eat whole unprocessed foods, drink water, get your blood work checked on a regular basis, get sunshine, and fresh air. Dress your absolute best every day. If you want to release the weight, do it for yourself. Mentally: go to a therapist and/or coach, journal your thoughts and emotions, read self-help books (one of my favorites is “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway” and “You are a Badass”), visualize what kind of person you want to be, and listen to Podcasts (I love The Model Health Show and The School of Greatness). Spiritually: Meditation (I recommend Dr. Joe Dispenza’s Meditations), Breathwork (inhale for four seconds, hold your breath for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds), make meaningful connections with people, take walks in nature, pray (whatever your religious or spiritual beliefs are), go to your place of worship, join online support groups, join in-person clubs and networking events, like Toastmasters or Rotary Club if you are comfortable going out in public. Practice radical self-care Be the best version of you and really fall in love with yourself. Practice radical self-care and treat yourself like the Queen that you are. What you put out there is what you get back. Like attracts like, so be the best version of yourself to attract the best people because you are worthy of it. We don't have to settle for mediocrity and last pickings because of your size. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Aliyah Hammad, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Aliyah Hammad is a Transformational Life and Mental Health Coach, specifically for the Plus-Size Woman. As a Plus-Size Woman herself, she has seen the narrative of nutrition and exercise being the solution pushed on Plus-Size people. She realized that the needs of Plus-Sized people were being ignored due to weight bias, which she has experienced herself going to Doctor's Offices. Plus-Sized people need to be seen, heard, and feel like they matter, so she pivoted her niche to the Plus-Size population. She coaches Plus-Size Women on releasing their past traumas, improving their life and finding their life purpose, eliminating toxic relationships, generational curses, self-esteem/confidence, and Mental Health Wellness addressing the mind, body, and soul. Her Coaching Practice is called Curvaceous, Fit, and Fabulous Health and Wellness LLC. Her mission is to Empower Plus-Size Women to be Curvaceous, Fit, and Fabulous.

Written by: Dr. Margaret Potter, 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 any workplace there are occasions when a peer or someone you manage will bring up an issue or concern that is outside your scope of expertise. Many large employers will have an Employee Assistance Program to provide counselling services to staff with work, personal or family issues. There may also be trauma management and hotline services available for immediate response to critical incidents where physical or psychological injury, accident or death occur. It might be that an individual would benefit from some 1-1 executive or performance coaching. Despite what might be available, sometimes employees will prefer to seek out their own support network and in smaller companies there may be nothing formal in place. So, what can you do to get prepared and feel confident to provide the right advice at the right time, in the right way if, and when required? 1. Acknowledge the issue or concern that has been raised with you and validate the difficulty that can arise for an individual to share personal and sometimes highly sensitive information. 2. Make it clear when something is outside your expertise. You don’t want to mislead an individual into thinking you will take care of their problem, or that you are the best person to deal with a particular matter if you are not. 3. Have knowledge of any ‘in-house’ services available through the employer and how to access these services. It is also useful if you can answer some common questions such as: What should an individual expect from the service? How many free sessions can they access? How can an individual be assured that the information they share will be kept confidential? 4. Ensure professional boundaries are put in place by discussing the extent and nature of your role. If you are a colleague, you may simply provide the details of a service or service provider and leave it with your co-worker to follow up if they choose to. However, if you are their manager, you will likely have a more ‘hands on’ role to play in terms of making an active referral, being a point of contact for liaison and potentially following up. 5. Regardless of the extent of your role, be open to discussing with the individual the type of support they feel will be most helpful to them. For example, they may want or need coaching, psychological intervention, medical support or legal advice. Show concern and respect and act as an appropriate sounding board. However, depending on your role it may be inappropriate to go any further, for example by providing specific advice or direction on a matter. 6. It will be invaluable to have an established toolkit of referral sources. You can start by becoming familiar with what is offered by your employer. Next, build on this base by asking colleagues you trust and respect for referral sources they have utilised in the past. In addition, you may have familiarity with service providers in the area or have identified options through your wider network. Having a toolkit of referral sources will be especially helpful when the employer does not offer anything, as you will be in a position to provide some alternatives for consideration. 7. Be open to seeking input to inform you of ways to improve. You may be relying on what an individual who has been receiving support says, their observed behaviour and/or input from others. If the issue is resolved and it seems appropriate, ask the individual for feedback. What was the process like for them? Did they get the support they needed? Do they have any suggestions on how you or the process could be improved? In addition, you could seek your own professional supervision to debrief the situation with a more experienced colleague or professional as this active reflection process can aid your learning. Ultimately, any issues that are having a negative impact on the work performance of an employee should be addressed. If they are not, the consequences may be significant errors, incidents or harm to the health, well-being and safety of the individual concerned, their work colleagues or service users. Therefore, it is important you feel confident to have what is likely to be a difficult conversation and to provide appropriate advice and assistance within the scope of your role. This will ensure you proactively support those you work with in ways that are beneficial and constructive to one-and-all. Follow me on Face book , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Margaret! Dr. Margaret Potter, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Dr. Margaret Potter is a highly respected educational leader and an internationally certified performance coach with more than 20-years of experience. She is Director of the TELL Centre, which provides short courses to support health professionals with their teaching, supervision and assessment activities. As a consequence of her PhD research on the patient-practitioner interaction in healthcare, Margaret is a sought-after speaker and expert on various topics associated with optimising communication. Her motto: Keep learning – keep growing!

Written by: Deirdre Morrison, 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. It’s no secret that The Matrix was more than just an action movie. When Morpheus offered Neo the red pill or the blue pill, we were also invited to consider our own choices. Many of us, of course, took the blue pill, enjoyed the cinematic ride, and went back to our lives. A few of us took the red pill though, and we could never go back. Because the philosophical musings woven into this dystopian worldview were a little too close to the bone. It pulled at a thread that something had already loosened. We desperately wanted to follow the white rabbit. The Matrix is an exceptional metaphor, but not at the level most people read it. Sure, it highlights our dangerous dalliance with AI and offers a liberating look at the nature of reality. The power of our brains to bend that reality has been raised in the consciousness of many, thanks to the allure of this now classic movie. But there’s more. We identify with the rebellious, freedom-seeking human survivors, and we will them to outwit and overthrow the machine overlords. It is a very clear struggle between freedom and an overbearing structure. But what if that struggle is not one that must be fought with external forces? What if the struggle between freedom and control is actually the nature of our modern human brains? This is where it starts to get really interesting. The right and left hemispheres of the brain seem to mirror this tug of war. Of course, the discoveries being made by neuroscientists reveal ever more subtle understandings of how our brains actually work. And what we know now is that our society values left hemisphere tendencies, such as structure, control, measurability, being able to categorise and differentiate between things. Our right hemisphere, on the other hand, is all about being connected, seeing the big picture, and being empathetic. These, of course, are sweeping generalisations, and by no means meant to define the operations of either hemisphere. But if we take the machines with their structure and control to represent the left hemisphere, and the escaped humans to represent the right hemisphere, then we have an equation that bears a striking similarity to some of the profound thoughts that have been put forward by scientists mapping the complex functions and interplay of various regions of our brains. And as time passes, and our understanding of our own inner world becomes more nuanced and more informed, the stories we tell ourselves also change. As neuroscience bridges the gap between what we do and what we know… and what we know about what we do, then how we think about the internal and the external also changes. Call it zeitgeist, perhaps. Ideas leak into the general consciousness and become part of the collective story we have about ourselves. Sometimes those ideas are misinterpreted, or plain wrong, and take a long time to replace. There are many myths still in common circulation about how the brain works and evolved. One example is the shift in understanding our brain’s neuroplasticity, and that learning takes place right through life. Or there’s the concept of creativity – one which is actually relatively new, as we now know it. In ancient cultures, it was believed that creativity – and the ideas it spawned – was a gift from the gods, rather than coming from an internal wellspring. That creativity was not dependent on divine intervention, was an idea that only took hold after the Enlightenment, believe it or not. But even the widely accepted definition of creativity, (sometimes seen as a right hemisphere function, thanks to those persistent brain myths), also seems to have a distinctly left hemisphere flavour – “a phenomenon whereby something somehow new and somehow valuable is formed.” Whether a definition of creativity should be tied to value, which by its very nature is subjective, and often related to commodification is another question, of course. These ideas are not just confined to what we tell ourselves about our brains. They actually shape the very nature of our society. I think it’s fair to say that society has changed significantly in the last hundred years. We have moved towards greater equality on many fronts, for example, even if we have not reached an ideal set of circumstances. Those changes started with changing stories and having access to new stories – stories about other people and ways of doing things. Crude stereotypes made way for representation. But in order to be influenced by these stories so that change became possible, we first had to hear them. Stories are the way out of the boxes we don’t know we’re in. They show us new possibilities. They extend the range of what we consider possible. In many ways, they are how we upgrade our personal Matrix. And in much the same way, the stories we hear about our brains, the nature of our existence, and our place in the wider scheme of things, have to reach us in order to take root. Slowly, but surely, the ideas germinate. We realise, often over the course of generations, that there are other ways – better ways. The stories that have brought us this far will not serve us if we want to repair the planet and redress society's imbalances. We must find a way to tell a new story. One that balances the tendency to lean towards one set of tendencies. One in which we embrace the strengths that our amazing brains offer across both hemispheres. We sided with the surviving humans in The Matrix for many reasons. Maybe – just maybe – one of those reasons is because deep down, we know there are bigger things hanging in the balance than the fate of some fictional characters. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Deirdre! Deirdre Morrison, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Deirdre Morrison is the founder of The Ambition Incubator platform and podcast. Her mission is to deliver practical tools from the field of neuroscience to help entrepreneurs and leaders be happier, healthier, more effective and successful in all the areas of their lives that matter to them. Deirdre is a proponent of life-long learning, an interest that ultimately led her to study applied neuroscience. She works with individual clients and runs group programmes, including The Ambition Incubator Collective, which specifically helps women who have taken a child-care career break to pull off the post-parenting pivot often necessary to reboot their careers. Her other interests include the Japanese sword art of Kendo, road cycling, and reading. She runs free weekly development groups based on dynamic co-readings of business classics.

Written by: Fern Weis, 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. Parents tell me their teens lack resilience and confidence. They worry that their kids won’t be able to make it on their own. Has that crossed your mind, and does it cause you to lose sleep? Whether your child is 12, 22, or 32, there’s hope! Change is possible at any age, and you can be the key to helping your teen build the resilience they need to meet life’s challenges and bounce back. How do I know? Because I’ve been there. I have two adult children. One of them struggled and derailed in high school. We didn’t see a successful future and had to turn to others for help. Serious help. I learned a lot during those years. Here are the five most important things I want you to know about raising resilient teens: 1. Listen, and then listen more. This is key to building a trusting relationship. Every person needs to feel heard, and to have someone’s undivided attention. Listen to understand (not to think of your response). The time for fixing, problem-solving, and critiquing comes later if it comes at all. I know how difficult it is to sit quietly and not jump in. Sit quietly anyway, so your child can process her feelings and then move forward. Resilient people are able to understand their feelings and manage them. 2. Acknowledge feelings. This means to reflect back on what you hear and see. Your teen needs to be understood. Their feelings are valid, regardless of whether you agree with them or not. When you are able to acknowledge their feelings (i.e. That must have been… / You sound…) they know you’ve been listening and understand what they’re going through. This builds more trust. Congratulations! You are becoming a safe person to talk to. You are paving the way for your teen to come to you when there’s something important going on. Resilient people are able to ask for help. 3. Parenting is about parents, not so much about the kids. Sounds counterintuitive, doesn’t it? The reality is that you cannot control another person, only yourself. When you change how you react and respond, you can have a positive impact on others. When you do, especially with teens, you take the power struggle out of parenting, which makes them more receptive to you. You are your child’s most important teacher, modeling that we are all capable of change. Resilient people are introspective and able to adapt and grow. What you do now matters. Set both of you up for success as you navigate these years. 4. Set clear and reasonable boundaries. “But I set boundaries and they don’t work,” you say. The most important thing to know is to only set a boundary you are 100% able to follow through on. Otherwise don’t say anything at all. Boundaries are difficult and needed. You see what happens when there are none. Children must know what is appropriate and what is not; where your responsibility ends and theirs begin. YOU need boundaries to protect yourself. If you are feeling resentful that you’re doing too much, you need a boundary. This also teaches your children about relationships, negotiations, and compromise. Resilient people know what their limits are and express them clearly and respectfully. Your teen is learning this from your words and actions. 5. Praise attitude, effort, and the qualities you want to see in your teen. Achievements (grades, job titles, money) will come and go; they cannot be guaranteed. Knowing what their strengths are, how they show up in the world, is theirs forever. Resilient people turn to their strengths to make progress, rather than focusing on their weaknesses and getting stuck. Please remember that this doesn’t happen overnight. It’s also a continuing journey. My kids are in their 30s now. Emotions can run high, fears crop up. We can’t prevent fear and other emotions from happening; however, I measure my success by how much more quickly I can shift out of them. For more tips on improving your relationship with your teen, sign up for my free communication guide, “5 Powerful Steps to Get Your Teen to Talk”. Comment “I want it” or visit www.fernweis.com. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Fern Weis, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Fern Weis is a certified Life Coach who supports parents of teens. Her children's teen years were difficult ones and Fern is dedicated to helping parents and teens have a smoother journey than her family did. She shares her learning from personal experiences, two coaching certifications, 13 years of classroom teaching, and 12 years of coaching. Fern helps parents lead with love, instead of fear. They become more confident, improve communication skills, build a loving and trusting relationship, and set clear realistic boundaries. Parents become better able to help their teens grow into successful, resilient adults who thrive, whatever life brings. To jump-start your parenting skills, she offers a free communication guide, '5 Powerful Steps to Get Your Teen to Talk', available on her website.

Written by: Erica Miller, 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. Operating a business is similar to the function of a clock. A clock contains numerous gears and cogs in order to assemble a cohesive piece. Each mechanism; though small, is not minute. Similarly, business management consists of numerous small roles that create one cohesive company. Each is equally important as the last. Embracing this notion is critical. However, conforming to the standard framework of management will fail to make a business stand out. Think of the clock simply as a guide. No need to reinvent the process; innovate. When starting a business, it is imperative to consider the following. Foremost, a solid understanding of problem-solving is key. Each product and service is designed to fulfill a need. It is up to the business to identify the target demographic and generate a service that can solve the clients' issue. Creating a product requires a large amount of research and data collection. Often, the first draft of a product would be created with the input of the creator rather than the end-user. Business-to-People (B2P) marketing aids in mitigating the need of constant revisions. If entering the international market, it is important to collect data globally as this can provide additional insight into product demand. Depending on the industry, the service provided may vary from client to client. Once the product is created, maintaining customer service is the next measure to improve marketability. As a business, it is critical to be able to identify the clients' wants and desires by modifying the provided service to better suit the clients' needs. Doing so will raise the business value and worth to others while establishing a strong relationship and build trust with the client base. A mindset of compassion and empathy can change the entire scope of an industry. Things to think about: Are you offering services and products that bring more value to customers? Spend time to understand what makes you different from the competition. Your business is as good as your reach. Do not reinvent the wheel, improve it by filling that gap and removing pain points from your market. Pain points are a problem in your market and are normally identified by potential customers. Here are the four major pain points. Financial Pain Points : Areas where prospective customers are spending an inordinate amount of money with their current providers or products and want to cut back on their spending. Put simply, financial pain points are problems customers face that involve money. Productivity Pain Point: The customer desires more efficiency or to have a streamlined experience when dealing with companies. These customers want to make the most of their time so anything that adds redundancy to the buying process will cause them frustration. Process Pain Point: Your prospects want to improve internal processes, such as assigning leads to sales representatives or nurturing lower-priority leads. Support Pain Points: Your prospects aren't receiving the support they need at critical stages of the customer journey or sales process. Before offering services or products to your prospective clients, analyze what their pain points are, and offer solutions of how that gap can be filled. This will also give brand recognition and bring value to your product or service. After generating a loyal pool of clientele, Business-to-Business (B2B) relations is the next priority. Examining the competition will aid in creating a larger network of resources. All while simultaneously monitoring market trends. While developing your business, bear in mind that change is enviable. To be successful you oftentimes need a change in mindset, and to think beyond the standard rules. Meet your existing and prospective clients’ needs. Make all effort to build a client-focused business. Find ways to always improve and demonstrate consistency. Being innovative in the market sets a business apart and allows prospective clients to gain trust and develop a strong relationship with the brand. The biggest accomplishment is to demonstrate that the brand is much more than a business. Showing a capacity for compassion and empathy. Staying on top of market trends. Creating a product tailored for your clientele. Each mechanism; though small, is not minute. These are the mechanisms that assemble a cohesive company. For more info, follow me on Facebo ok , Instagram , LinkedIn and visit my web site ! Erica Miller, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Erica Miller is the Founder and CEO of Miller Marketing Team. She specializes in developing emerging entrepreneurs, Business owners, Financial Services Professionals, and Network Marketing Professionals who are ready to bring their business to the next level. She also prepares clients to gain skills needed to develop the freedom they truly deserve for their life and business. She helps business professionals to be effective leaders in their industry, how to run a successful business, how to grow their business, how to attract clients, how to increase sales, and more! Her services include business coaching, training, and workshops, online courses, as well as one-on-one consulting with individuals and organizations. She is the go-to specialist when it comes to converting traffic, establishing connections, generating income and building personal brands. She is known for her dedication and results-driven. Her strategic approach is to teach others how to be strategic and innovative while reaching their goals. With the competition within the new digital world, there must be a shift in mindset that will change the game in today’s business. YOUR VISION IS HER MISSION!

Written by: Kristy Kilcup, 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 Health, Life and Wellness Transformation Coach, I help women overcome their relationship struggles with their food, bodies, and self-confidence. As a diversified coach, I use several science-based techniques to address their nutritional needs, hormone imbalances, inflammation, gut health, and mindset. In addition, we spend the necessary time focusing on her psychological needs, such as overeating and inability to prioritize herself, while uncovering the root cause for her behaviours and present-day experiences. So today, leading up to the Thanksgiving long weekend and, soon enough, the Christmas season, I thought I would share some quick tips that you can start using today to address the ebbs and flows of stress. These include money-saving tips, so be sure to read until the end! Stress Although the holiday season is attributed to joy, love, gratitude, and sharing, it can also be very stressful. One of the culprits of our stress is our self-imposed expectations for perfection, such as building the perfect Christmas tree or decorating the whole house. Or in trying to create the most unforgettable family dinner and corralling everyone to join in on the fun-filled traditional family activities where everyone joyously participates (even your teenager). We stress out due to our desire to people-please or because of the sheer influx of spending. Not only that, but we also even eat more, eat differently, and fall out of our daily routine, all of which contribute to increased stress, lower energy, overwhelm and fatigue. The combination of these stressors can make it challenging to stay healthy during the holiday season. So, let's start with physiology to understand how cortisol (our stress hormone) affects the body and then the psychology and tips on how to survive the holidays - unscathed. It comes as no surprise, I'm sure, that when your body and mind are stressed, you will likely find that your cortisol levels have risen in tandem. Unfortunately, with chronic stress and the constant production of cortisol, our bodies lose the ability to clear the sugar from our bloodstream due to cortisol's effect on the hormone insulin. As a result, we gain fat, typically in the abdomen region. Cortisol also plays havoc in other ways, as described below. Cortisol on the Body When we perceive stress, our hypothalamus signals the adrenal glands to stimulate Cortisol and Adrenaline. As a result, cortisol is responsible for the increased blood glucose levels amplifying focus, speed, and strength. In addition, cortisol alters non-essential functions (in response to perceived stress) like the immune system, digestive system, and reproductive system. It regulates many processes such as blood pressure, fat and carbohydrate metabolism and controls blood glucose levels. In addition to what most people know about cortisol, what is less common is that when faced with higher cortisol levels, over time, our body becomes alkaline, specifically the blood pH. Symptoms of an Alkaline Body: Muscle twitching (have you ever suffered from an eye twitch? Were you stressed?) Numbness and tingling Nausea Light-headedness Confusion With an alkaline body, calcium is not absorbed, creating a buildup within the soft tissue. This buildup can lead to arthritis, gall stones, tartar, and cataracts. These symptoms are more common as we age because your blood pH becomes less acidic. An alkaline body blocks calcium and causes the loss of Potassium, which increases fatigue, blood pressure, and muscle weakness. Here are your simple go-to solutions to help you beat the stress this Holiday Season. Your Holiday Season Remedies to Stay Healthy Apple Cider Vinegar Apple Cider Vinegar can be your simple solution to remedy the effects of high cortisol related to an alkaline body. The benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar come from the pH level of Acetic Acid. Taking two tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar before every meal can improve: digestion, counter the effects of cortisol blocking calcium absorption, decrease the loss of Potassium and improve symptoms of heartburn, GERD, acid reflux and indigestion (because it promotes the closure of the valve, so acids are not leaking into the esophagus). In addition, Apple Cider Vinegar improves immunity, aids in digestion, fights off food bacteria, and decreases blood sugar levels. Take Note! Apple Cider Vinegar may not be for everyone! Speak with your physician to determine if adding Apple Cider Vinegar into your diet is the right health strategy for you. Now that we have looked at a strategy to address our body's state of health to combat the effects of stress, let's discuss how to lower your stress levels altogether to avoid the unnecessary elevation of cortisol. And this next tip comes in the form of your high standards - so prepare yourself. Reducing Stress Ask yourself, is it worth it? The extra effort, energy, and time you are committing to making it "just right" - is it worth it? Meaning, besides you, will anyone else really notice or care? Sorry, it had to be said. For example, if you skimp out on decorating the back of the Christmas tree or not every inch of the house is decorated with Christmas decor, would this impact the joy, love, and gratitude expressed when everyone comes together? I realize it might bother you, but it's only bothering you because you created this level of expectation for yourself that is unnecessary. So, for a moment, visualize this experience. Suppose you only completed some of your tasks to 80% of your "high standard," knowing it will NOT negatively affect the outcome of the celebrations. Could this be something you could implement as your "new normal" in future holiday seasons to come? How good would it feel to release yourself of the unnecessary burdens? Especially where no one notices or when your 'skimping' has no negative impact? Can you get over the fact that you are trying to control your environment to ensure everyone's happiness? Here's a truth bomb: You can only ever control your actions, thoughts, feelings, and words, no one else's. So, stop almost killing yourself to make everything perfect when you cannot control the outcome of other people's experiences. Breathe. It is possible to let go of the high expectations AND still find great pleasure in celebrating the holiday season! Think of how you can redirect some of that energy! How about reading a book by the fire, enjoying some hot apple cider watching a ROM-COM with your partner, making that group fitness class for the third time this week, or enjoying the fresh air on a long after-dinner walk (without ruminating over the long shopping list of tasks you have yet to complete). Now I realize letting go is easier said than done. However, if you want to reduce your stress level this holiday season, this is how you can take back control - by focusing your attention on what really matters. Pro Tip! Take stock of the low-hanging fruit. Select the items on your list where you can easily swing an 80% satisfaction rating and see how it plays out. Does anyone notice? And if they do notice, mentally rate their level of disappointment. Or better yet, ask them. You may be surprised at their lack of attachment. What else should you consider when looking to keep it together this holiday season? How about your money spending? In this case, a common justification that comes back to bite us in the (fill in the blank) in January, is saying “I’ll deal with it later.” Our sense of nostalgia and generosity runs deep during the holiday season. So does our need to fill voids and rebel against the rules we impose upon ourselves throughout the year. Money Spending Let’s start with nostalgia and generosity, then work our way to filling voids and rebelling. It will all make sense soon enough. I am sure I don’t need to explain this feeling, the one that sweeps you off your feet, where you want to buy a gift for every person that ever impacted your life in some way. Then you add to that list because you simply cannot and will not forget someone. Anyone you expect to run into over the holiday season is fair game, so you buy extra gift certificates, stocking stuffers and sweaters – just in case. I’m talking to you, aren’t’ I? It’s because I’m talking to myself as well. I understand this feeling of wanting to make people happy, show appreciation, and express thanks. Unfortunately, without a budget to hold you accountable, it can feel like a Wedding, where more and more people are added to the reception. Therefore, it’s essential to be realistic with your money goals and spending habits during the holidays. You know you will be spending more money than usual, but can you create a budget that aligns with your money goals? Consider how much you want to spend and how many months it will take to pay that back. Then consider any other remaining items you still must pay for like house repairs, insurance, doctor’s visits, daycare costs, etc. Do you have the means to not only pay back what you owe from holiday shopping but also cover those additional future expenses? If your answer is no, then here’s another round of pro tips to help you out. Make a list of all the people you know you should be buying for this holiday season Create a budget Identify the costs of the items you want to buy (inflate the price by about 10%) Compare the cost per items list against your budget Pair back – because you know your cost per item list is likely higher than your budget Here are some ways to pair back while still hitting everyone on your list: Buy baked goods in bulk and get a little crafty. Now listen, I’m no arts and crafts fanatic, but adding some wax paper to a tin container and a bow on top is reasonable. And by a bow, I literally mean the kind that you remove the tab and stick onto the lid. Pinterest always has brilliant and savvy DIY ideas to help you out, like creating fantastic mason jar recipes. And listen, this is literally about buying a variety of oats and chia seeds in bulk and pouring layers into a jar and sticking that amazing peel-and-stick bow on top. Host a dinner party—this is one of my go-to cost saving tips. I also make my parties a potluck. I'll create a charcuterie board, and although that can be a bit pricy, it feeds ten or more people and is way cheaper than ten individual gifts. Besides, isn't your company a gift in and of itself - yeah, it is. Now I get it; these ideas may turn you off because they seem cheap or impersonal. But I'm here to shake up your current overspending justifications, so you are not in debt for six months of the year and stressed out having to work more. So, what's more important to you, swallowing your pride by handing out mason jars or having to find a second part-time job? It's your choice. Now let's talk about the less common issue of spending over the holiday season - filling the void and rebelling. Let me ask you, when you are out shopping for holidays gifts, do you suddenly have this deep-seated need to buy for yourself too? And the voice that usually stops you by saying, "Nah, you don't really need that today," has altogether left the building? Instead, the voice has been replaced with a stronger, louder voice that is saying, "Oh, that would look so good on you!" "You need that in yellow too." It's like this money spending monster has come alive inside of you, and it cannot, will not be controlled! The holiday season seems to flip the generosity switch to "on" for everyone, including ourselves. The justifications run so hot that there is little control stopping us from buying that "perfect outfit for the holiday party." And yes, it's ok to spend money on yourself. I'm trying to say that you need to pay close attention to your spending habits over the holiday season. It's so much harder to control the spending, and I need you to confront those justifications by evaluating the WHY behind the purchase. We can feel excited to see family and friends during the holiday season, but it can also create overwhelm, stress, and sadness. When we feel these emotions, we increase the likelihood of spending because we look externally to fill the voids rather than to allow the feelings of sadness to surface and pass. Here's how you can address this moment: Step out of the store (without the goods in hand already). Take stock of your feelings and your attitude about the product you are looking to buy. Yes, you are psychoanalyzing yourself over a sweater, but do it anyway. Ask yourself, if you walked away without the sweater, would you be ok? Would you have something else to wear that would suffice, where you could feel confident and sexy? If the answer is yes, you could walk away, then it wasn't the right purchase, at least not during the holiday season - wait for the inevitable gift card you will receive. If your answer is no, you are lying to yourself. That's your default response so that you can feel that quick dopamine rush. My recommendation is to wait for the gift certificate or, better yet, take a picture of it and ask for it for Christmas! Rebelling behaviours are essentially the same, with the only difference being your response to WHY you want to buy the item. Your answer will usually come in the form of the "who cares; I deserve it" response. Sound familiar? When you want to rebel, it's easy to tell yourself you have been so good, so why not reward yourself. And yeah, if buying the sweater isn't going to send you spiralling out of control, go for it; you do deserve it. However, if you chronically justify spending money in this way, you are only enabling yourself, which is guaranteed to increase your stress level. You probably won't even find the sweater gratifying to wear come the night of the party in the end anyway. In this case, your pro tip action steps are the same as filling the void because it's the same sabotaging behaviour. So, follow the steps provided above. It was important to me that I share with you some mindset tips to address the holiday season as it's my opinion that most of our health-related problems stem from our mindset. And while we may eat foods that we don't usually eat and go to bed later, by tuning into our emotions, paying attention to our self-imposed expectations and justifications, we have a greater chance of truly enjoying the holiday season. Through my products and services, I aspire to help as many people as possible transform their lives so they, in turn, can change the lives of those around them. I write these articles from a place of love, compassion, and recognition that this may cause an emotional awakening. Thank you for dedicating your time to opening your mind to the possibility that already exists for you. Here's to showing up for you. Your Global Transformation Coach, Kristy Creator of Break FREE, Healthy YOU and the ACCELERATOR Program For more info, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and visit my website! Read more from Kristy! Kristy Kilcup, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Kristy has been in the Health, Life and Wellness space for almost 30 years, so it comes as no surprise that she has created a weight loss program that goes well beyond weight loss! Kristy's comprehensive industry experience includes her honours degree in health science and education degree in biology and physical education, certifications in Health, Life and Mastery Level Transformation Coaching, as well as Advanced Nutrition. In addition, Kristy is currently completing the pH360 certification, NLP Advanced Practitioner and RTT® Hypnotherapist license. When working with Kristy, you can expect a holistic approach in tackling weight loss issues as she offers a flexible online weight loss program, group and 1:1 coaching sessions, and a cell signalling supplement, proven to improve hormone modulation, immune system function, inflammation, and more.

Written by: Ágnes Vad, 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. Wise employers know (?) that hiring is not about age, and an innovative company wants talented people. Sounds familiar? Though you may experience it differently sitting at an interview and having 15-20+ years of experience. And what talent really means? There is no single definition, so I start defining it with simple words: A talent (or gift) is an inner quality that emerges effortlessly. Or with other terms, talent is a unique ability that potentially leads an individual to success. Talent is sometimes learned, but in some cases is natural born. Looking at Renzulli's 3-ring conception, you can recognize that Renzulli does not focus on gifted individuals; rather, the focus is on gifted behaviors. The idea is that giftedness is not a static trait; rather, giftedness is more fluid and situational than you may initially think. So, from this angle, the challenge of 'hiring talents' seems now a little different if we really consider that talent is fluid and can change in any direction with the years. Luckily, more and more organizations tend to focus on these wanted behaviors vs. making the hiring decision solely based on the individuals' professional knowledge. But company's ability to hold on to its talent has profound ramifications for its ability to operate at a maximum level without the disruptions that employee turnover brings. However, it's easier said than to be done. According to a Society of Human Resource Management Survey, 47% of HR professionals said employee retention was the top talent management challenge they faced, closely followed by recruitment at 36%. No wonder that these two are linked: it is much less expensive to retain a productive employee than it is to recruit one. But if so, how do seasoned professionals with 15-20+ years of experience have difficulty staying and flourishing with their current employer or finding new and satisfying opportunities in the labor market? What is the difference between a 'young talent' and a 'senior talent' – if there is any – that leads to the above phenomena? As I am a seasoned professional with 18 years of experience in multinational leadership roles, I could have an easy answer to that if it was an easy thing! Nevertheless, I have an opinion and talking to others as well it is greatly outlined that retaining senior/seasoned professionals is an issue globally and has multiple factors that play a role. Leveraging my multinational background, I have interviewed a few of my 'besties' from my professional network. Let me summarize some of my exciting findings (I have linked their entire interviews here). 1. People and Culture No matter whether you have just started your career or are a seasoned professional, most of us agree that the worst jobs could be done with great people around. Sure, it's an over-exaggeration as most of us do care about doing quality work in addition. Yet, our human roots drive us to do great things with other people. And people will create a company culture that an employee either likes or hates. It may sound too harsh, yet culture is a cardinal factor that will define our period with any company. Interesting to see that this factor is independent of 'generations' and also from 'gender.' – most employees find the right culture essential along with great co-workers and human-focused and transparent leaders. 2. Truly Understanding the Individual Being known and understood is a basic psychological need of every human being. Why would it be different at a workplace? Peers from my discussions also outlined that while 'treating people equally (topics of diversity) is also a 'must' from a company till "Management must be flexible to address individual needs." – Rodney Siebels, Founder of Siebels International Knowing the people is a competitive advantage for an employer as being aware of individuals' strengths, motivations, and career aspirations will enhance this. A person who can regularly utilize their strengths will find regular happiness and satisfaction. It's a proven fact that executing a job with passion will lead to extraordinary results. It's time to recognize that a company's success is derived from the individual's success, so is the achievement! "For me, very important that I have the trust to act, make decisions, be part of the strategic team, have access to leadership plans, take part in planning and not only execute. Super crucial to feel supported no matter your status, geolocation, beliefs, feel equal, and know that your company supports diversity and makes you feel accepted and one of the team." – Marta Seweryn, Marketing Events Business Lead for AMER & EMEIA 3. Pandemic brings a unique dynamic When we think about the pandemic period that started in 2020, we easily recall the (typically negative) emotions such as anxiety, sadness, anger, uncertainty, or even hopelessness. "The recent focus on mental health in high performers is critical to understand and embrace. A company needs to do more than just provide vending machines, pool tables, and free snacks. They must offer work flexibility, career advancement, training options, and a strong competitive compensation package." – Rodney Siebels, Founder of Siebels International However, many seniors (and many younger talents too!) decide to change jobs despite the problematic situation and feelings. One reason can be that leaders and workers alike are dissatisfied by their companies' lack of opportunity and development (according to the 2020 Future of the Workforce Global Executive Study from MIT Sloan Management Review (SMR) and Deloitte). While 74% of respondents believe that developing worker capabilities is essential, only 34% of workers were happy with their organizations' investment in them before the pandemic. This means to me that independently from being a senior or not (yet), the feeling of being cared for is essential for us. And with this, we are going back to points 1 and 2: People, Culture, and Being Truly Understood are the Key Elements of Retention! And how can an employer start the retention? With hiring and continuous and conscious relationship management – with your employee! It is how hiring the best and brightest becomes every employer's top nr one goal and therefore understanding employees' gifts, talents, and aspirations takes much more time and effort! And remember two things before you leave: Best and brightest don't always leave close by – think of remote people too! Hiring a talent means harnessing the diversity of skills and people attributes, so your "resource puzzle" together with the different gifted pieces has to be a mix of cultures, ages, gender identification, education levels. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Ágnes! Ágnes Vad, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Ágnes Vad is a certified human potential and business coach with 18 years in marketing and 10+ years in cross-cultural leadership roles. Ágnes started her professional career in the multinational world in the marketing domain and built her thorough business acumen in parallel via the international leadership roles she was promoted to. She has been showing passion for working and leading people starting from the beginning of her career. She is a proud winner of the Leadership and Marketing Awards at her company. After 18 years, she decided to follow her passion and became a coach entrepreneur in 2019. In the last 2.5 years, she became an experienced and recognized professional in the coaching domain and has cc. 500 hours of coaching experience. She works with individuals and also with teams as a coach. She focuses on activating and maximizing human and leadership potential, emotional intelligence (EQ), mindfulness, and resilience.