Written by: Trevor Folgering, 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. You have tried everything to lose your gut! Going on diets, taking pills, hypnotherapy, acupuncture, heavy amounts of exercise, but nothing seems to work for you. Day after day you step on the scale and that number just doesn’t budge. You measure your belly fat, and you haven’t lost any inches! Why can’t you lose any weight? You are so concerned about your weight and health, that you are willing to try anything. Your doctor has told you to lose weight, or there will be dire consequences down the road. In this article I will explain the 1 reason that you cannot lose belly fat and improve your health. This will shed light on why what you have been trying has not worked for you and what to do instead. Losing Weight Begins in The Cells When we think about losing weight, we always start with either going to the gym and doing repetitive bouts of exercise daily or reducing the number of calories that we are eating, hoping that our fat cells will shrink. But what if losing weight was less about exercise and more to do with what is happening at the cellular level in the body. Look down at your stomach for a moment. Do you see your stomach protruding over your belt buckle? If you are carrying a significant amount of belly fat right now, then the cause of your belly fat is because your cells in your body are sick and dying! They are not functioning properly and because of this, your body is malfunctioning at a cellular level. This malfunction of the cells causes your body to store the food you eat as bodyfat! So, for you to lose the belly fat, it requires you to get healthy on a cellular level first! Which is the exact opposite of what most diet and exercise programs are all about. Dieting forces the body to lose weight by reducing caloric intake, but this never fixes the internal problems that are happening at the cellular level. Exercise does not address the internal health of the cells and if exercise is overdone, can create more issues in the body than solutions. So, let’s talk about how to properly lose weight by healing the body at a cellular level. The Culprit of Your Weight Gain Issues is Insulin Resistance Every time you eat any type of Carbohydrate or Protein your pancreas releases a surge of Insulin. Insulin is an anabolic hormone that can direct glucose to cells within the body, so that those cells can use glucose as energy. One of the roles of Insulin is to clear excess glucose out of the bloodstream as fast as possible. Insulin can direct excess glucose into the muscle cells or the liver to be stored as glycogen and can be used for energy at a later point. If the energy storage sites are full of glycogen, Insulin will direct glucose back to the Liver where the Liver will convert the excess glucose to Triglycerides. Triglycerides are the main constitute of body fat in the human body. Excess Triglycerides in the bloodstream leads to inflammation in the arterial walls and those Triglycerides to be stored as body fat. Now if that wasn’t scary enough, your cells can also become Insulin Resistant, which means that they stop responding to Insulin. If the cells receive to much glucose over time, they shut down and stop responding to the effects of Insulin, which is very scary and dangerous. This is called Insulin Resistance and is the leading cause of disease and obesity in this country. If your body is Insulin Resistant, then excess glucose will build up in the bloodstream, causing diseases like Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, hardening of the arterial walls, strokes, cancers and yes even death if not dealt with correctly. If your cells cannot respond to Insulin and they are full of Glucose, then the excess glucose will be converted into Triglycerides and be continually stored as body fat. This is so dangerous for men over 40! If you are sitting here reading this and you have excess belly fat, I can guarantee that you are Insulin Resistant! And no amount of dieting or exercise will fix this. You must become healthy from a cellular level first, and then you can easily begin to lose the weight without the need to go on a drastic diet, take pills or push yourself with extreme exercise. The Solution to Reverse Insulin Resistance In order for you to reverse Insulin Resistance, lose the belly fat and become extremely healthy, you need to change how you fuel your body at a cellular level. This means completely revamping your nutritional intake, not by lowering calories but by changing the types of foods that you eat throughout the day. Certain types of foods have no effect on Insulin secretion, which is exactly what you need. The majority of your meals throughout the day need to be meals that give the pancreas a rest from releasing Insulin. To lose your belly fat for life, Insulin levels must lower. Elevated levels of Insulin drive the fat-storing process in the body. So, for you to properly lose body fat you must lower Insulin Secretion. By lowering the amount of Insulin secretion, over time your cells will become more sensitive to the effects of Insulin. Your cells will begin to heal and begin to process glucose again. This is a crucial step to becoming healthy, vital, and lean for the rest of your life. One of the key issues I see all the time when I coach men over forty is that no one has taught them the types of foods and food combinations to eat to make this happen. It is our mission at Biohacked to help as many 40-year-old men take control of their health and body by reversing Insulin Resistance so that their body can tap into their own body fat for energy very quickly and easily. When you work with on of our Biohacking coaches inside our system, you will be completing two biological assessments from the comfort of your own home. These Biological assessments will allow us to see if you are dealing with Insulin Resistance. If you are in fact dealing with this deadly disorder, then our coaches will devise extremely specific nutritional protocols that will help heal the cells and allow the body to use its own body fat for energy very easily. This is the only way that you can reduce your belly fat and become the healthiest version of yourself. If you are ready to Become Biohacked and lose the belly fat once and for all, check out The Biohack The Fat Body Transformation System. In our system you are guaranteed to lose 30 – 60 lbs. of body fat in just 3 months, without dieting, pills, powders, or extreme exercise! It’s time to heal your body of Insulin Resistance and create the body and health that you truly desire! Let’s get your body Biohacked! Your Biohacking Coach, Trevor Folgering For more information, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and visit my website! Read more from Trevor! Trevor Folgering, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Trevor Folgering is a leader in the weight loss and nutrition industry. For over 22 years, Trevor has relentlessly pursued the truth when it comes to losing body fat correctly. By uncovering the truth about how our bodies utilize body fat, Trevor created very specific nutritional protocols that allowed him to tap into his own body fat stores and lose 40 lbs. of body fat in a very short period of time. He achieved this without going on a low caloric diet or restricting the foods that he ate. He now helps men and women achieve the body and health that they truly deserve through the science of Biohacking. He is CEO of Biohacked, a global online health and body transformation company. His mission: To shift the paradigm of the weight loss industry and re-educate the world on the proper methodologies of losing excess body fat correctly.

Written by: Marc Singer, 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. Lying in bed, around 4am, the thoughts in my head were focused on how I would do it. How, where, when… Would I leave a note for somebody… What would it say…? I went through scenarios about how I would do it. Would I do it at home. Maybe the park besides my old family home… But no, what if kids found me! This is something I’ve experienced many times over the years. You see, I’ve suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts since my teenage years. No one would ever know this. Outwardly, I am always joking and happy. I don’t sit around moping and I’ve always had a strong determination to succeed in life. I certainly don’t want to die either. In fact, not living scares me much more than dying does. But that doesn’t mean I don’t experience very dark thoughts and feelings. I promised my Mum, before she died, that I would never take my own life. And I won’t, but that still hasn’t stopped me thinking about it at times. It’s hard to say exactly why. Like I said, I’m not the type of person who spends too long feeling sorry for himself. I certainly do not see myself as any kind of victim. And yet, here I am, sat awake at 4am, listening to the rain pouring down, thinking about how I will kill myself. Perhaps its linked with low self-esteem. As a professional coach, I am pretty clued up over matters of the mind. In fact, it has nothing to do with being a coach, I have always been able to work people and situations out easily, and naturally. Becoming a coach was simply a natural progression really. However, my own experiences have helped me understand that no matter who you are, no matter how happy and great someone’s life may seem, that does not mean they are immune from these kinds of thoughts. In fact, men in the 40’s struggle with these thoughts and feelings much more than others. And I totally can relate to that. For me the trigger seems to be a self-loathing I get at times. I don’t accept praise and compliments very well from people. I really don’t like it. And it can often result in me feeling depressed as a result. I get lonely. Especially since losing all my family. And after the loss of them I pretty much boxed up all my emotions into a metaphorical suitcase and shoved it to the back of the closet. So, when I now allow some of those feelings and emotions out occasionally, only to then feel I must rush to box them up again, I feel it leads to lack of self esteem and thoughts of self-loathing. For instance, you’ll meet someone you like, only to discover the feelings not mutual after initially believing they could be the one. That will lead to you then telling yourself what a fool you are for ever thinking someone would want to be with you, and then quickly scurrying back to the suitcase to pack up your feelings again. Self-protection is what it is. The result of that is, your energy drops, you feel worthless again and destined to be alone. Then comes the horrible, suicidal thoughts. This is how easy it can be to slip from being happy and confident, to depressed and suicidal. Thankfully however, I am aware enough to recognise this, and know that these thoughts are only fleeting. But others are not so lucky. For others they can become all consuming and simply take over your life. And that is why so many men in their 40’s succumb to them. It’s normal for a man this age to question their life. And when you have reached this age and feel like a failure, that you’ve not achieved anything worthwhile, that no one will ever love you etc, its normal to then hit a brick wall. I work not with people struggling with suicidal thoughts. After all, I’m not trained to do that, even if I do have direct experience myself. No, I work to help men increase their self-worth, confidence, and belief that they can truly create a life that they want to experience and choose. I have discovered that a lot of men hold back from getting help, whether it be with a coach, counsellor, or therapist, largely down to the stigma attached to it. A lot of masculine, alpha male types won’t feel they can open up fully with someone who they feel may judge them, or patronise them for living a lifestyle that person doesn’t truly understand. This stops a lot of guys opening up to ‘professionals’ who may be of a certain background, university educated, middle class etc. The same is relevant when you mentor young kids from inner city gangs. As I experienced doing so during my time in prison. They will refuse to open up to figures of authority because they feel that person simply doesn’t ‘get them’. I managed to break that barrier down and help countless kids come out of themselves. One example being the guy who looked imposing, 6 feet 4 and pure muscle, who refused to interact with the critical reasoning class I was working in as a classroom assistant. The teacher I worked for told me she was going to kick him out of the class as he was disrupting the others. All he did was sit with his head in hands hunched over the desk. I asked her to let me have a go. So I walked over and in my typical mad way (I have a very stupid sense of humour, one of the things that probably makes a lot of people think I am not very mature in fact ) I whispered in his ear, ‘What would you do if a Sherman Tank suddenly smashed through that wall at 500mph?’. An absurd thing to say! But it worked, he burst out laughing… And I had got him out of his shell. It turned out that he wasn’t this scary, imposing nutter everyone assumed he was. In fact, he simply has a stammer and was embarrassed to speak in front of the rest of the class. After this, I worked to build his confidence up, and make him part of the group. And everyone loved and respected him. You see, what we perceive to be the case isn’t always, but its our perceptions which hold us back. And coming back to the point, many men perceive that uni educated professionals simply do not understand or ‘get them’, and that is one reason there are so many suicides from that demographic. Many working-class men simply feel marginalised by a society which tells them that being a man like they are is toxic. And that results in a deep distrust of the very people that should be helping them. I am a man in my mid 40’s, I have struggled with these awful thoughts all my life, and I have also walked the walked and talked the talked in the eyes of many working class, masculine, alpha male types. And that is why as a professional coach I now focus on helping men, in their 40’s, who feel they have nowhere to turn. They do. They can turn to me. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Marc! Marc Singer, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Marc is a highly trained professional coach, a graduate of (IPEC) the institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching. After being badly bullied at school, Marc became involved in a gang full of violence and drugs. Although having enjoyed a great upbringing and from a loving family, he went off the rails. Having moved on from that life, he found himself in a situation one night that would change his life forever. Imprisoned for life for a crime he didn’t commit, he embarked upon an incredible journey of change. Tragically having lost all of his family whilst in prison, Marc found the strength to rebuild his life, secure his freedom, and build an amazing career. He now helps others create the life they desire and become the very best versions of themselves. Currently authoring his first book, his life story, he also coaches one-to-one in groups and does inspiring speaking arrangements motivating others to overcome their own barriers to success. In fact, he was recently invited back to the prison he was in, but this time not as an inmate but as a speaker. His story is unique, tragic, and shocking, but ultimately evidence that with the right mindset and approach to life, you really can achieve absolutely anything!

Written by: Merrill Isherwood, 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 us start with the difference between values and virtues. Pediaa.com states the main difference between a value and virtue is that values are principles or standards of behavior that help one decide what is important in life, whereas virtues are qualities that are universally accepted as good and desirable. It is stated that all values may not be desirable or have moral goodness, whereas virtues always have high moral values. Values are personal as the individual can decide what is important to them, but virtues are universally accepted as having high moral values. Researchgate.net defines them as follows: Virtue is a - perceived - characteristic or feature of a person, value is an - abstract - standard of conviction and behaviour. State of the World's People Most adults are aware of the challenges being experienced by people around the globe. These include, but are certainly not limited to the following: War or severe continuous conflict situation Famine Poverty Disease Natural disasters (root cause possibly through human behavior) Man-made disasters Drugs Crime, including violent crimes such as murder Human trafficking Abuse – sexual, verbal, physical Rape / sexual assault Racism Discrimination, and Religious sectarianism Degradation of Humanity What is causing the degradation of humanity? In many countries, through the years, there has been a consistent disintegration of societies' moral fiber. We have seen a decline in the morals, principles, values and virtues of not just teens but society in general. Basic values such as respect, kindness, honesty, loyalty and accountability seem to be rare commodities nowadays. Tolerance and acceptance of others has declined and become fractious, and untenable. What has caused this? Researchgate states the findings of Dalmacito Cordero Jr, (from the Department of Theology & Education at De la Salle University), wrote in the Asia-Pacific Social Science Review, published in January 2013, the paper titled 'Moral decline in teens: The Application of contextual theology'. His conclusion was that in today's modern world, the decline of morality among teenagers is very evident. Three main causes were mentioned in this study: mass media, peer pressure, and poor family involvement. Note this was written eight years ago already and we know there has been an even further decline since then This study was prior the explosion of social media, which is sure to have had an impact due to the exposure it gives multi-millions of people, to information they would never have been able to so readily access prior 2004 with the introduction of Facebook. Social media provides many benefits to its users, allowing families, friends, and other individuals across the world to be able to connect with each other at reasonable costs or freely, enabling relationships not just next door, in the next own or city, but across continents. It is the use of such media platforms by the users themselves that create either a positive or negative environment. Is There Light Ahead? Yes. We must be positive that the current status quo can be turned around. It will, however, take lots of work by each and every one of us to do a u - turn and reverse the damage, and this may be easier said than done. Many youngsters do not have role models for teaching them right from wrong. Many homes are being run by teenagers who have lost their parent/s or caregiver/s and are caring for siblings whilst they, in turn, need care as well. This is a sad state of affairs, however it is the brutal reality of death, disease, crime or radicalisation. Is it co-incidental there seems to be such a surge in life coaches globally? Is it coincidental there seems to have been a spiritual awakening in the past eighteen months, possibly due to the pandemic, and the realisation death can come quickly, unexpectedly and reach so extensively across the globe? These well-meaning and people-centred individuals who are truly committed to enabling others, helping them to create a better future for themselves and others, are part of a greater movement that could change the bleak future we now see before us. Mentorship The concept of learner and mentorships is growing worldwide as elder, more experienced people, in both social communities and workplaces, are being groomed to share their knowledge, skills and wisdom with younger generations. This development of others is an integral part of leaving our youngsters with insight way beyond their years. They must, however, be open to learning, be receptive to listening to, and hearing, what others are teaching them. Closed minds hear, see and learn nothing. It is therefore up to the older generations, to enlighten others, create a sense of curiosity, a willingness to venture into new fields, to be adventurous and courageous in braving uncharted territories or waters. I am not referring got the geographical landscape here but the emotional one which encompasses all humankind. If we are unable to draw on experiences, and are not creative or resilient enough to pursue new paths as we age, how then can we be role models for the children or youngsters who follow in our path? Reviewing Lifestyles Is it not time to revert to basics? Are the signs we are seeing not a wake-up call to change our lifestyles? For those who follow religious tenets, is it not time to awaken souls that have not yet been introduced to the religious laws, no matter which laws or religion it may be? Whether Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, or others…..all speak to the need to treat others as our brothers and sisters, to respect each other, to understand each other's need for love and acceptance, noting that we are all children of a greater universe, power, or supreme being, no matter what name we may call upon in our time of need…… Values such as kindness, courtesy, honesty, integrity, caring, empathy, compassion, togetherness, humility – all of these, like a smile, are universally understood. We all know how it feels when someone treats us through positive actions, compared to being dealt negative treatment such as cruelty, abuse, selfishness, condemnation, racism, aggression, brutality and violence. Where people have grown up only knowing the latter, it is understandable to realise they cannot possibly know the former until it is shown to them and they feel love for the first time. Some may shun it at first, being cynical, unaccepting or suspicious of such behavior, but, in time they would begin to realise how different they feel when the care they receive from others is consistent and true. Greed, lust, pride, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth, and power are destructive behaviors – (7 of these being the 'seven deadly sins ascertained by Roman Catholic theology), whereas the corresponding, opposite virtues are humility, charity, chastity, gratitude, temperance, patience, and diligence. Pursuit of Justice & Love Let us step forward by following these positive virtues so that the darkness can be replaced by the light, a light within each one of us that is so strong it cannot be snuffed out or dimmed by anything or anyone. Stand firm in who you are. Stand firm in your principles and beliefs. Be the rainbow after the storm for all humanity. Want to learn more from Merrill? Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and visit her website. Read more from Merrill! Merrill Isherwood, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Merrill Isherwood is a life transformation coach who has spent much of her life being of service to others in the corporate world and her personal life. She has an exemplary work ethic and is driven by living a life of integrity, having honesty, kindness, trust, and respect as her core values. Her psychological counseling degree, supported by her accreditation in life coaching, allows her to ensure her clients are suitably supported in transforming their lives. She specializes in body image, lack of self-esteem, overcoming abusive or toxic relationships, finding life direction, forgiveness, and overcoming adversity. To her, a life well lived means making a difference in each person's life that you are fortunate enough to touch, even if only in the smallest way possible.

Written by: Annie Canning, 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. Viewed through the lens of an HR professional, when navigating my way through interview after interview with prospective candidates for a role, I was always seeking that indefinable quality that set one applicant apart from another. I often opted for a candidate with less technical experience and fewer qualifications because they passed what I called the “Attitude Test.” So what is the “Attitude Test,” and why is it so important in business and in life? How we treat ourselves, other people, and our environment, provides an observer with insight into who we are and what is important to us. Of course, this observation is purely subjective, as it is based on the observer’s values, life experiences, and conditioning as they try to form a picture. Whether we like it or not, we are judged through these filters, and those first formative impressions can potentially create roadblocks that become obstacles to our success. So does that mean we need to change who we are to suit a situation or someone else’s view of the world? No, not at all. That would be disingenuous and would not serve our higher self. Passing the “Attitude Test” is about stepping up and operating in alignment. To perform optimally in life, our values and behaviours need to correspond, and how we present ourselves to the world is an external reflection of these values in action. For example, think about this in terms of a business scenario. A furniture company may claim they value craftsmanship above all else. Based on this, you would work on the assumption that the quality of their product would be outstanding. If you observe this not to be the case, their credibility would be called into question, and it’s unlikely you would choose to buy furniture from them. As individuals, we are no different. How we show up in our relationships, in business, or at play determines our credibility in the eyes of others and, more importantly how we feel about ourselves. Passing the Attitude Test is all about operating in alignment with who we are. When we do, we attract like-minded people, build higher levels of connection, unthought-of opportunities present, and we experience feelings of contentment and fulfillment. So the next time you front up to an interview panel, present to potential clients, go on a first date or meet the in-laws, think about the “Attitude Test” and be the best, most authentic version of yourself. Do this, then release all expectations. You may be surprised at what happens next... For more information, visit my website and follow me on Facebook! Annie Canning, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Annie Canning is a leader in transformational coaching. Having previously worked in high-level HR and Compliance roles, she stepped into coaching due to a series of challenging life events. Taking these learnings, she has created tools and strategies to shift her clients' into an empowered and enabled state. She has coached CEOs, leadership teams, workgroups, and business owners and is a staunch advocate for those committed to their growth journey. Through her programs and keynote speaking, she spreads a message of hope, humor, and optimism. Her mission is to positively impact thousands of lives with her unique coaching brand and help others recognize their value, their place in the world, and how to claim it!

Written by: Jeanne Y. Savelle, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. This month, in Part 5 of Re-Awaken Your Creativity to Live a Better Life, I’ll share what I’ve learned about the exploratory nature of creativity. Creativity is Exploration Because the world itself is creative, you possess an unlimited capacity and potential to create anything. You only need to engage your imagination, cultivate wonder, and stay curious. “The quest into creativity is a journey into the heart and soul - a journey in a land filled with wonders and strange obstacles, the land of your dreamworld and its passionate and disguised wisdom.” - From Point Zero - Creativity Without Limits by Michele Cassou The story of Harold and the Purple Crayon beautifully illustrates the idea of creation as exploration. Harold wanted to explore, so he created the experience he wanted with a blank page and a purple crayon. You can do the same. Because of this unlimited creative capacity, you can go in any direction, and change direction whenever you want. There are no rules. Don’t worry about the outcome or result. Instead, give yourself permission to explore what strikes you, what lights up your desire, what makes you feel alive. Allow your creativity to flourish by re-directing time you spend on distractions into creative time and space. As you explore, you’ll find ideas that inspire you to go further and do more. Follow them. Allow Yourself Freedom You may feel some resistance or hesitance in approaching creativity because you don’t understand it. But understanding isn’t necessary. What’s essential is to open up to your creative power. Connect with your inner creativity by allowing freedom to explore without judgment. Curiosity is the gateway. “You must let your intuition guide you into the unexpected and the unimaginable.” - From Point Zero - Creativity Without Limits by Michele Cassou Exploration and curiosity demand a courageous and open mind. Toss out your assumptions about what you think you know. You’ll discover more about who you are and your ability to bring original work into the world. This is how innovation works. Great ideas come from the unknown. Become intimate with the impossible. Let go of expectation and control. Allow yourself to wander like Captain Kirk on a never-ending intergalactic quest. My Journey My creative journey evolved from my exploration into transformational coaching, when I learned human beings are made of natural creative power. There were signs and glimmers of my creative power throughout my life, but I dismissed them. I didn’t realize these were innate parts of my creative self. When I allowed space and time for my creativity to emerge, I saw how it informed almost every aspect of my life. Creativity was all around me. Tasks as simple as adapting a recipe, planning a trip, or choosing a birthday card for a loved one were creative acts. When I explored creativity more deliberately, I began writing, which I wanted to do but didn’t believe I could. Then I created two online workshops, took a video class, and started work on a travel project. Life is leading me along a path, and I now trust it enough to follow. Like me, you don’t know what’s in store for you, what you can do, or what kind of life you can create for yourself until you try. Life wants to reveal its wonder and beauty to you, through you. So, be bold. Jump in with your entire body and soul. Exploring Creativity Use your imagination to explore your creativity. Below are some suggestions. Walk an alternative route, re-plant your garden, or re-paint a room in your home. Take a dance or music class or an online course to learn another language, an art form, or a computer program. See how you can shake up an uncompleted project. Ask a friend for help or feedback. Imagine how it would look and feel if it was done. Write an essay, a poem, or a short story. Paint or draw a picture. You don’t have to show it to anyone. Say yes to new opportunities. If you can’t decide, flip a coin. Choose to fail and see what happens. Failure is an experimental way of learning. Mentor a young person. Don’t think about it or take it seriously, just start somewhere. Your world expands when you live in wonder. Find out what life has in store for you. All you need is a blank canvas and a purple crayon. “The World is full of magic things patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper." - W. B. Yeats Follow me on LinkedIn for more info! Read more from Jeanne! Jeanne Y. Savelle, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jeanne is a Gentle Guide and Transformation Agent living in the Atlanta, GA, area. After 30 years as an international corporate finance executive, she chucked that life to reinvent herself. She is now a transformational coach guiding older adults to living life through their inner creativity. She is a writer and author, writing about transformation, creativity, retirement, and wine. She's earned certifications from The Retirement Coaches Association, The Life Coach School, and Modern Elder Academy. Her previous life included a Masters in International Management from The Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University.

Written by: Hilary Rowland, 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. Last week I saw a LinkedIn poll which showed people responding in the following way: 20% – The future looks uncertain but I feel sure that those in my best interests and those of my business will be protected. 27% – Something doesn’t feel quite right about the way things are unfolding but I can’t put my finger on exactly what it is. 53% – I feel deep concern at the patterns of human and group behaviour I see and potential impact for the future of society. Doesn’t look very bright and optimistic, does it? I’m aware that my unease ranges from the global (what about China?) to the local – where and when can I fill up with fuel and should I start my Christmas shopping? What do we reach for to sustain us at such times? It’s so easy to get sucked into the immediate pressures but we have to resist that and take the long view. What really matters to us? What do we stand for? What are we trying to achieve? What does success mean for us? All of that can be wrapped up in one word: purpose. These uncertain times have made us all ask questions about what really matters. The UBS Investor Watch June 2021 found that seven in ten investors want to make more of a difference in the world. Six in ten report that the pandemic made them more spiritual. Forty percent say they want to be part of something bigger than themselves. Finding Your Why One of the biggest influences in this area is Simon Sinek. His TED talk ‘Start with why’, the third most-watched TED talk has probably done more to catalyse thought on this topic than anyone else. His point was that people won’t truly buy into a product, service, movement, or idea until they understand the WHY behind it, so your why matters to your business and your brand. Where does this why come from? It’s something that you believe in, a way in which you want to change the world and do good. And where does that come from? It comes from holding up the mirror to yourself. What are the stories you tell yourself about your successes and how you got to where you are now? What you stand for? What’s your story? Who are you? What matters to you? And why does that matter? We use the Japanese concept of Ikigai, which describes what leads to a life of health, meaning and significance. It consists of four overlapping circles: What you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs and what you can get paid for. The place where the circles come together is your why. It's not easy finding your purpose or your why. I recently came across another LinkedIn post from someone who had just exited their business who wrote that he needed to find his purpose and that he had four. Day trade crypto and equities Boost investments Invest in a team with good business prospects Finish writing business book 2 and philosophy book 1. Great examples of what's not whys! Consequences of Lack of Clarity of Purpose and Direction What we have seen over and over again in our work with business leaders is that purpose is something which has not only led to the setting up of the business, but which also guides them day to day and helps them make decisions. Does having a sense of purpose matter that much? What happens when people don’t have it? We know of a case of someone who had a senior position in a global telecoms company, something went wrong, and he left, not knowing what to do next. He bought a franchise in a drains company and it wasn’t long before he realised that he had no interest in drains and knew nothing about plumbing. Not only that but the business model of the company left him worse off financially leading to a lot of stress and illness. Without a sense of purpose, it is easier for pressure to get to us, for us to continue with behaviour or in situations or that are bad for us which increases the chances of our mental health deteriorating or make bad decisions. Benefits of Finding Personal Purpose How can finding a sense of your own personal purpose help us at times like this? Here are some of the ways: Helping you stay positive. Viktor Frankl, the concentration camp survivor who wrote the famous book ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ believed that life can have meaning in the most miserable of circumstances. Knowing why enables us to put up with much difficulty. Purpose sustains us in difficulty. Getting clarity about your what you stand for, your short-term and long-term aspirations Helping you manage your energy and time Getting focused and stopping you from going off on a side-track, saying no to what is unproductive and stopping you from saying yes to what is not core Achieving your potential, what you are meant to be doing. Someone has described vocation or purpose as what you can’t do, what you keep coming back to. What is that for you? It can be the case that finding or reconnecting with purpose can lead people into a process of change if their current circumstances are at odds with their purpose. In this situation, if it is impossible for people to be the version of themselves they want, it is a great opportunity to re-examine their lives, reconnect with their purpose and rebuild and perhaps move on. What is your story and what is your purpose? Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Hilary! Hilary Rowland, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Hilary Rowland founded Next Chapter Retreats with her business partner Peter Hyson following an accomplished career, with more than 30 years experience in business advice, professional speaking, coaching and HR. She has worked with senior executives across numerous companies including the BBC, PWC, Academy for Chief Executives, and a variety of SMEs.She's passionate about helping individuals find their sense of purpose and then live it. They have had considerable success with their unique retreats over many years working with senior executives in groups, witnessing how effective the power of people working together can be on their personal development. This approach allows the creation of an environment for true reflection and exploration by taking participants ‘off-grid’, free from the distractions of their professional and personal lives, and with the time to work at real depth.

Written by: Rachel Marie Paling, Senior Level Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. As a busy entrepreneur, I personally have had to discover my own way to achieve ”equanimity” - the calm brain, body, soul which can be achieved through work-life balance. Through the years I have tested and tried different strategies and now I can definitely share my top 10, however with the caveat that “we are all unique individuals” and what works for me doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for you. 1. Constant Metacognition This first tip is absolutely the most essential and the key to most of what I do. Metacognition or in other words “observing my own brain” is now a constant in my life. Through this observation, I have been able to bring in overwhelming awareness of my brain states, existing behaviours, thought patterns, subconscious thought patterns, learning processes and emotional triggers. From this awareness, I am constantly self-monitoring what my brain needs or what I should do or how I should respond at that point in time. I have become much more conscious of how to manage and optimise “myself” by catering to my “brain’s needs”. The Delphic maxim “Know thyself" or in Greek “γνῶθι σεαυτόν” has definitely been a personal mission for me and the more I discover and understand about myself, the more I am able to either bring this knowledge to others or “walk the talk” showing it. 2. Calming the "Jumpy Brain" When I am extremely busy, I often observe what I call “my jumpy brain”, which is when my attention is wandering all over the place. I want to do too many things at the same time, I’m not feeling in a calm state and my thoughts are racing and jumping. As soon as I observe this, if I can, I stop everything and meditate. The busier I am, the more I sit down to meditate. If it’s not possible, then I immediately create a priority to-do list and I focus myself into doing what’s important first. 3. “Passion Sport” Three years ago, in a coaching session I expressed my desire to become more “sporty” as previously I had never achieved consistency in sport. That summer my quest was to discover a sport that would make me “go nuts” for it. Something that I would be sooooo passionate about that I would crave to do it. I found it. Paddle boarding has become my sports crave and it’s also now leading me to the desire to take up surfing. I love it and it is great exercise. I now have a fixed board plus an inflatable one, which I can take with me when I’m on trips. 4. Morning Yoga with Eyes Closed I have dabbled with yoga through the years, but this summer I have become “yoga serious” and every morning I start my morning on the mat. It could be between 20-90 minutes depending on how busy I am, but the one thing I love is to actually practice my yoga with my eyes closed. This really gives me a feeling of connecting with myself as I start my day, connecting with my body and this internal reflection instills inner peace. 5. Be Ancestral From a very young age I discovered that sitting cross-legged and walking barefoot were normal behaviours for me and could be considered to be primitive ancestral behaviours. For me, walking barefoot constantly connects me with the earth and even in winter or where ever I can when I am outside, I always prefer to take my shoes off. I also find that sitting cross-legged on a chair actually helps me to keep my back straight, so you may even see me in the office or in a restaurant sitting with my legs crossed. 6. Fasting or Juicing I have also discovered that fasting or juicing for a period of time, actually fills me with energy, creativity and above all brain focus and attention. I’ve tried this a few times now and every single time “my brain goes on fire” into an extremely positive, productive mode. Definitely, my experience is due to the fact that my digestive system goes into a restive state, so all that surplus energy goes to my brain. 7. Be Creative with the Tasks You Hate Whether you are an entrepreneur or an employee, there will always be things that you don’t enjoy doing. Then, how could you become creative around performing a detested task? I really hated having to do my accounts every month. In those days I was travelling frequently and I decided on one particular trip to take my admin and my accounting books with me to do at the airport to fill in the time spent waiting for the flight. I really loved sitting at the airport in the coffee shop, with the feeling of travel and in a very relaxed way doing my accounts. So much so that every month I took my accounts with me to do at the airport. So now, if there is something I don’t like, I always ask myself to get creative with it. 8. Mix Fixed Appointments with Spontaneous Agenda When life is business meetings, fixed trainings, telephone calls etcetera, I try to create a balanced mix of fixed appointments with flexible and spontaneous “to dos”. Obviously, the fixed appointments have their own set time, but then I may have a whole afternoon where nothing is scheduled and I can spontaneously decide in that moment what I will do. It could be catching up on admin, it could be writing an article, it could be reading and researching or even creating new materials or even I may spontaneously decide to go and do sport, to take a walk, to go for coffee or whatever, in those moments, takes my fancy. 9. Transform Reaction into Action I mentioned earlier about my constant metacognitive practice and one thing I have really worked on has been how I react. In previous years, I am very aware that at times I had pretty extreme reactions, especially as I am very honest and open and do speak my mind. In the past I would say these reactions were uncontrolled, now as I am more and more aware, I catch myself in those split seconds before I react. By catching myself, this allows me to take action and what I mean with this is, it allows me to decide how I’m going to respond. In this way, reactions become controlled actions. 10. “Meditation is a Must” As a busy entrepreneur, meditation is THE absolute must in my life. I normally meditate every single day between 45-90 minutes. If I have a day where I could do more, I do. The calm, inner peace and bliss state that this daily practice brings is now something that I cannot live without. Meditation has led me to discipline and tame my mind and really is one of the major contributing factors to optimised brain states and maximised production. I do hope that these top 10 tips of mine may help all of you to discover your own ways to achieve that work-life balance that we all need in our lives. For more information, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and visit our website! Read more from Rachel! Rachel Marie Paling, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Rachel Marie Paling is an International Game Changer in Education, in particular, the education of languages. She has created the method and approach Neurolanguage Coaching, which incorporates professional coaching and neuroscience principles into the learning process. She coaches and trains teachers worldwide, transforming them into certified and ICF accredited Neurolanguage coaches and has created the Neurolanguage Coach network with over 700 NL Coaches in just over 70 countries worldwide and is now bringing the approach to schools and institutions over the world through her licensed trainers and in nine languages. Rachel started teaching language at 17 and has a BA Honours in Law and Spanish, MA in Human Rights. She is a qualified UK lawyer, MA in Applied Neuroscience, and a PCC ICF Life Coach. She is the author of the books Neurolanguage Coaching and Brain-friendly Grammar and has written numerous blog articles about learning, coaching, and neuroscience. She has spoken at many international conferences, and her company was awarded the Bronze Award at the Reimagine Education Awards 2019 in the Science in Education category. She is dedicated to the shift in education and is currently establishing an educational foundation to bring coaching, neuroscience, and heart science into educational processes.

Written by: Dr. Mary J. Huntley, 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 find it difficult to say no when you really know that you should? Do you forget about your feelings, schedule, and previous commitments in order to please others? Do you find that your plate is often full because you knew that you needed to say no; but you just couldn’t find the heart to say it. This behavior is common to people pleasers, which goes beyond kindness. It involves changing your behavior for the sake of someone else’s feelings. Admittedly there are times when we all try to help others by accommodating their requests and helping out on occasions. However, we are not talking about the “nice” person in this case. We are referring to the individual who consistently places their itinerary, schedule, or agenda on hold “just to please others and to be liked by them.” Left unchecked people pleasing can lead to serious problems. Therefore, if you answered yes to any of the above questions, there is a strong possibility that you are a people pleaser. You try your best to accommodate others even when it is not to your advantage. You want others to like you, so you bend over backwards to accommodate people. In fact, it may even seem as if you become a doormat for others. People pleasers are in some instances challenged with low self-esteem. And sometimes they go overboard to ensure that they are liked and that they pleased the other person. People pleasing simply means that someone goes to extremes to make other people happy, often at their own expense. In essence, the urge to please others can become detrimental to the people pleaser. Codependents are people-pleasers, but not all people pleasers are codependent. In other words, people pleasing is one aspect of codependency, but codependency encompasses a number of other traits and behaviors. As previously mentioned, there are times when we all try to make others happy or accommodate them. However, it is very important to maintain healthy boundaries by knowing when to say no without feeling guilty. Healthy boundaries will allow you to make wise decisions based upon your needs. And sometimes we may want to accommodate others but there may be a schedule conflict. In that case, it is perfectly acceptable to say I’m sorry, but I am unable to accommodate your request because of a conflict. And if you would like to attempt to help them another time, offer an alternative timeframe. However, there is no need to feel guilty if you choose to offer another option. Like me, you have probably learned that there are givers and takers in the world. However, it has been my experience to notice that there are many more takers than givers. As a result, I have learned that I cannot help everyone. So, I am perfectly content with helping those I can. I have also learned to maintain healthy boundaries in order to maintain healthy relationships. This is an excellent means of balancing and maintaining healthy relationships. Regrettably, there are individuals that have no problems watching you struggle with putting yourself first or people pleasing by constantly putting someone else first. In essence, it is a selfish individual who constantly wants you to put their needs above your own. And that is certainly not healthy behavior. Nor is it a relationship that will allow you to grow into your best self. So, by all means, avoid this unhealthy behavior because healthy relationships have healthy boundaries that allow you to grow. Here are 7 Tips To Avoid/Stop People Pleasing: Think before you commit. A reasonable time to consider your other obligations should be a timesaver on your part. Stop, and think about the times you answered yes, when you really wanted to say no. How much time did you take away from yourself or someone else? Check your schedule before committing to do a favor for someone. Put yourself first when necessary and as appropriate because you are worth it. Face the fear of rejection of others who may get angry if you can’t always accommodate their request. This is not a relationship with healthy boundaries. Know that it is fine to say “I’m sorry” if you cannot commit to doing a favor. True friends will understand and not become angry. Acknowledge that you deserve healthier boundaries that will lead to healthier relationships. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dr. Mary! Dr. Mary J. Huntley, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Dr. Mary J. Huntley is a servant leader and Chief Executive/Encouragement Officer of Certified an exclusive consulting organization. She is also CEO of Trinity Global Empowerment Ministries, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) organization and Certified Academic Institution under the National Christian Counselors Association. She is an Amazon 5X international bestselling author and Amazon 10X bestselling author. She is a multi-award winner including the 2019 Indy Author Legacy Award Winner and 2 governor citations. She has earned Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Ministry Degrees. She is a Board-Certified Master Life Coach, certified women's motivational speaker, and licensed professional counselor with 6 advanced certifications. She serves as an international representative and clinical supervisor of various organizations. She is honored to be the wife of 47 years to Dr. Ronald Lee Huntley.

Written by: Mark Williams, 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. New fathers are more likely to recognize and describe the physical symptoms of depression (such as feeling tired or losing weight) than women. Men may acknowledge feeling irritable or angry, rather than saying they feel low. Everyone feels ‘down’ occasionally but if you’ve been sad, moody, angry or unable to sleep or concentrate for more than a couple of weeks, it could be depression. Men can tend to use negative coping skills Drink, Drugs, Avoiding Situations, Gambling, fighting and other issues. This of course and have an impact on the business and with many new fathers leaving their role due to the lack of support that they can suffer like mothers during this time. Poor mental health cost UK businesses £42 billion last year, a staggering figure. It’s also important to note that this figure has risen by 17% since 2017, which sat at around £35 billion. Mental health issues are costing businesses an enormous figure, with stress, depression and anxiety alone totaling 12.8 million lost days a year. Depression is a serious and common condition which won’t get better by itself. If you had a broken arm or a deep cut on your foot, you wouldn’t expect that to heal without medical help. It’s the same with mental illness such as depression, you need to get help and the first point must be your doctor. Paternal Mental health is about how we think, feel and behave. Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health problems. They are often a reaction to a difficult life event, such as becoming a new parent, but can also be caused by work-related issues. Work can also aggravate pre-existing conditions, and problems at work can bring on symptoms or make their effects worse. New fathers who are employees will have a pre-existing physical or mental health condition when recruited or may develop one caused by factors that are not work-related factors. Work-related stress and mental health problems often go together, and the symptoms can be very similar. Work-related stress can aggravate an existing mental health problem, making it more difficult to control. If work-related stress reaches a point where it has triggered an existing mental health problem, it becomes hard to separate one from the other. Although stress can lead to physical and mental health conditions and can aggravate existing conditions, the good news is that it can be tackled. By taking action to remove or reduce stressors, you can prevent people becoming ill and avoid those with an existing condition becoming less able to control their illness. By asking and supporting new fathers back to work and knowing about paternal mental health is where I can come in and help your business, which as I always tell people by supporting all new parents for their mental health has far better outcomes for the whole family and the development of the child. I have to say it will benefit and get the best out of your workforce and save management time with early prevention before it comes to crisis. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or visit my website for more info! Read more from Mark! Mark Williams, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Mark Williams is a leader in mental health while coaching people to grow after trauma also to find purpose in their lives after their experience and support. Williams is also Keynote Speaker, Author, Consultant, and International Campaigner. In 2004 he himself experienced depression and suffered in silence for years until he entered community mental health services. He founded International Fathers Mental Health Day and how are you dad campaign to make sure all parents have support for the whole family, which has far better outcomes for the whole family and the child's development. Williams has spoken on television and radio stations around the world while working with Doctor Jane Hanley, who have both published articles on Paternal Mental Health together. Williams was awarded Inspirational Father of the year and local hero at the Pride of Britain Awards in 2012, even invited to meet The Royal Family on World Mental Health Day also awarded the Point Of Light Award by the Prime Minister in 2019. Williams is a TEDx and Keynote Speaker and ambassador for Mother's Charity in the UK.

Written by: Jane Ramsey, 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. Understanding the power of thought is important because, as humans, we have a tendency to get stuck in old ways of thinking. Research studies indicate perhaps as many as 60,000 to 80,000 thoughts pass through our minds in a given day. More important than the number of thoughts is the understanding that most of our thoughts are repetitive. For most of us, what we think today, we thought last week, last year, or even five years ago. When you understand the power of thought, you can open yourself up to new, healthier patterns of thinking. How can you improve life through new thought habits? What tools are available? Your Breath Old patterns of thinking can keep us in a rut. If you feel stuck in your old patterns of thinking, your breath can help. Take a few deep breaths and allow a new way of thinking to arise. If you can do this, you are already finding a creative, fresh, new way to look at the world and your life. One of my yoga teachers reminds us; change your breath, change your thoughts, change your life. Meditation Regular meditation is another way to shift thought patterns. Meditation creates new pathways in the brain. I often think about taking advantage of those new pathways and challenge myself to have some original thoughts. Self-Awareness For example, you could play with transforming negative thoughts. Let’s say you wake up in the middle of the night. Instead of engaging in the thought habit of ruminating about how exhausted you will feel tomorrow, appreciate the chance to glean a new perspective. You could, for example, go to a window and gaze at the night sky. Viewing a moon-illuminated tree with fresh eyes and imagining how to describe it can give your mind a new way to look at the situation. This takes you out of a repetitive thought habit and opens you up to imaginative and creative ways to open your mind. Creativity Engaging in any kind of creative endeavor is another way to free us and help us escape the rigidity of our thoughts. Each time I play in my art journal, I appreciate the freshness of responding to what is in front of me. Making art is simply problem-solving. It is all about asking yourself the question; ‘what can I do with what is in front of me right now?’ In this way, being creative takes us out of repetitive thought habits. The thrill of responding to the present moment with imagination is a reminder that what we are creating has never been done before in exactly this way. Understanding Energy The Law of Vibration states that everything in the Universe moves and vibrates – people, animals, plants, trees, tables, cars, rocks; thoughts; our emotions— everything is vibrating at one speed or another. We can’t create or destroy energy, but we can transform it. We can exchange one thought pattern for another. Using Positivity When you think positive thoughts, you attract positivity and vice versa; like attracts like. What you think about, you tend to bring about. Every thought, emotion or mental state has a corresponding vibration. Transform your Thoughts Choose your belief systems instead of letting them choose you. Ask yourself; where are you stuck in old belief systems that are keeping you from your full potential? If you accept that everything begins as a thought, the current picture of your life in some way reflects your current thoughts. These might be conscious, subconscious, or some of both. When you train your brain to re-think unhelpful patterns, you reframe them into more realistic statements. Knowing this, you can transform unwholesome beliefs. You can take an old belief such as “I had my chance and blew it.” Choose to transform that thought into something actionable, positive, and more realistic. “It’s not too late; I have my whole life ahead of me.” In this way, you re-train your thought habits to look for evidence that your efforts may be a success.” Seek out New Input Think of ways to be more open-minded to allow for new thoughts to emerge. Travel, listening to new music, watching a new genre of movie, reading a new type of book, or trying new foods can get you out of your zone of comfort. Whatever your preferred method of getting news, switch to the opposite occasionally and allow yourself to understand or at least appreciate a new perspective. Also, make a point to expand your acquaintances. The more generationally, racially, culturally, and politically diverse your friends, the more you will expand your thinking to include more reference points. Mindfulness Practices We already talked about meditation, but any single-tasking activity involving mindfulness can slow down your thoughts. Creativity, walking, dance, gardening to name a few. Mindfulness activities create new pathways in your brain that become roads to innovation and new thought habits. Stop Ruminating When you ruminate, repetitive thoughts play over in your mind. Ruminative thoughts are not only exhausting but also can make you susceptible to anxiety and depression. Even worse, these types of repetitive thoughts prevent healthier perspectives to emerge. Rumination can take several forms. Some common overthinking patterns include: Reliving embarrassing or traumatic experiences Thinking about potential responses instead of listening to what someone else is saying Imagining worst-case scenarios Comparing yourself to others to see how you stack up Second-guessing your goals and telling yourself that your ambitions are not possible Think Again I read a good book during the Pandemic called Think Again by Adam Grant. In our polarized world, Adam Grant’s advice rings true. Keep an open mind. Think and act like a scientist. Revise your opinions as needed. When you understand the power of thought, you can think critically about your own patterns. This will help you stay open to new, healthier patterns and keep you from getting stuck. Namaste, Jane Find out more about Jane Ramsey on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or visit my website for more info! Purchase Jane’s book: Vision Quest - A Journey to Happiness by Jane Ramsey. Read more from Jane! Jane Ramsey, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jane Ramsey, formerly a business executive for a global Fortune 500 company, is now an author, artist, meditation coach, and Founder of SoulArt Meditation. Upon retirement, Jane embarked on a course of study in philosophy, fitness, health, nutrition, quantum physics, happiness, and spirituality. She has been meditating for more than twenty-five years and is a Chopra-certified meditation coach, helping clients create a strong daily meditation practice. Jane shares her spiritual journey in her book VISION QUEST: a journey to happiness. Her story is inspiring and enlightening. As a part of her journey, Jane has become an avid and accomplished artist. Jane’s quest to get clearer on her purpose in life inspired her to combine creativity with meditation and spirituality, and that’s how her signature class, SoulArt Meditation, was born.

Written by: Ang Onorato, 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. Business owners are always stressed over how to increase their sales, gain more loyal & repeat customers, reduce costs and increase profitability. Sounds like a magic pill for “do more marketing”, doesn’t it? But spending more time and money on expensive marketing and advertising are not always the magic bullets you think. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the marketing channels available today such as: websites, search engine optimization (SEO), email marketing, social media, pay-per-click ads, virtual seminars, master classes, podcasts, blogs and so on. Instead, try looking deeper inside your business by focusing on the following activities and you will see your revenues…and profitability (the real measure of business success) dramatically increase! Start with the 20% Think about the 80/20 Principle. As a busy business owner, you may not be aware that connecting the dots of this well-known principle states that only 20% of your daily activities are generating 80% of your total revenue. When you break it down, that 20% is made up of these 5 important areas: Leads Conversion Transactions Pricing Profit Let’s take a look at the profit growth calculator below. In this example, you can see the dramatic effect a 5% change in each of these areas can have on your overall revenue and profitability. By simply bringing in 100 more leads (we’ll get to that in a minute), converting just 2.5% more of those leads, getting 1 additional transaction per customer and increasing your price by $10 (from $ 100 to $ 110), you will realize a revenue increase of $ 37,990! Imagine how much revenue you can find with a 10%, 20%...or even a 50% increase in these 5 areas?? So how do you start to make a 5% shift across the board in your business? Let’s explore that further. The following are just a few key activities any business can do that will create a ripple effect of revenue and profitability across your enterprise – before even dropping another nickel on paid marketing. 1. Create a Strong Market Dominating Position To differentiate your business, you must communicate to your target customer what makes you unique. Your messaging must clearly demonstrate how your product and services solve both their internal pains (as a buyer) and external needs (the problem the company needs to solve). An effective market dominating position gives the buyer what they really want – not just what they need. It’s not about features and benefits or a special discount offer, how many years you have been in business …or even what morning TV Show you may have appeared on. It’s about getting your buyer to know that you understand them and offer a solution that gets them…. RESULTS. Use this approach to confidently and effectively create websites, emails, and social engagements that work to increase your leads, without spending hard-earned revenue on another consultant or agency. “The customer expects you to have knowledge of their stuff, not just your stuff." — Jeffrey Gitomer (Author of NY Times Bestseller “Little Red Book of Selling”) 2. Follow The Conversion Equation You don’t need an expensive website! Simply update the messaging on your website to communicate to your ideal clients how you are unique and offer a clear “market dominating position” that gets results – versus just touting your products or services or offering a discount - you will see explosive results. Most guru’s will tell you to focus your efforts on your social media platforms over your website. However, updating your website’s messaging is vital to addressing the conversation that’s taking place in EVERY prospect’s mind around two major points…. 1) is the problem they have and don’t want and 2) is the result they want but don’t have. You want your messaging to solve both problems for them. I teach my clients a content formula that takes these two points into account and creates a message so compelling it practically forces prospects to buy what you sell. It’s called the Conversion Equation and it looks like this – Interrupt, Engage, Educate and Offer. The Conversion Equation is a simple step-by-step process we use to gain the client’s attention (interrupt), connect with them (engage), introduce the results we can help them achieve (educate) and ultimately, to extend an offering (offer) to make it all possible. Tweaking your website messaging in this way will create more visibility (which generates leads), shows how you fix your clients’ problems (which drives more conversions). Then offer them a unique product bundle (resulting in more transactions) and increase the price by 5% (drives revenue) and you will see a definite increase in your bottom line. 3. Joint Ventures Drive More Leads A joint venture (JV) involves two or more businesses who decide to form a partnership to promote both companies. Think of a wedding florist. They create a JV with other businesses in an “event chain”. In this example, the event chain includes the jeweler, photographer, DJ, invitation printer, and so on. Referring, endorsing and bundling together is a massive win-win for each business. Try to position your business to be in the middle of an event chain so you can benefit from referrals and bundles on both ends of the chain. Using our wedding florist example, let’s say the jeweler recommends a bakery for the cake; then the bakery refers the florist. The florist, in turn, then refers the DJ. The florist will benefit from referrals and partnerships with both the bakery and the DJ because they are right in the middle of both businesses in the event chain. 4. Prevent Customers from Slipping Away – Downsell Them Instead! All the gurus talk about upselling, creating complicated sales funnels and using expensive advertising. Try downselling instead! Downselling is nothing more than offering a product as an alternative to your flagship offer, at a fraction of the cost. You will turn a prospect into a client, admittedly at a lower financial benefit to you initially – but this gives you the opportunity to engage with the client which makes it likely you’ll do business with them again in the future. The customer will start to “know – like – trust” you because you are not using high pressure tactics or an annoying funnel. And you didn’t let them leave without purchasing at least something of value. There is so much potential already IN your business, you don’t need to spend more money ON it in order to increase revenues! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Ang Onorato, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Ang Onorato specializes in helping budding entrepreneurs launch their unique business ideas and goals into business realities. She is also a leader in business operations, growth strategies, human capital management, and mindset and success coaching. As Founder of JoyMark Success Coaching, Onorato combines over 25 years’ experience in corporate leadership with her clinical psychology background to help mission-driven leaders create impactful businesses that align with their souls as well as their bank accounts. Onorato’s work creates a growth in micro-economies on a local as well as a global level. Her service offerings are based on helping leaders and businesses utilize her patented “Reimagine to Reinvent™” framework. She has a passion for supporting “mid-season” women leaders transitioning out of the corporate world or back into the workforce and helping them launch or scale amazing businesses. Onorato offers individual and group coaching as well as strategic business and sales & marketing consulting to businesses. Her platforms have been seen on: NBC, ABC, Fox, and CBS. Her mission is to help people: “Find their Joy. Make Their Mark.”

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. Hi! My name is Kristy Kilcup. I am the Founder and CEO of Version of YOU - 2.0 INC™. I help women overcome their struggles with weight loss. I do this through a variety of science-based methods to step up their health IQ and confidence. I use the power of hypnosis, long last habit change, stress management and offer a cellular support supplement to balance hormones and reduce inflammation. I have been in the industry for almost 30 years and have experienced my fair share of turbulent weight loss/weight gain, and self-sabotaging roller coaster rides to last me a lifetime. I share these details with you to better understand my passion, expertise, and personal experience. With all this time served in the industry of health, fitness and wellness, I've come to realize a few things: First, we identify ourselves based on the experience we encountered as children (no great surprise, I'm sure), which often include perceived or real experiences of abandonment, neglect, or abuse. And secondly, as a result, we formulate clear rules around who we are, what we deserve and what we can and cannot have. Do any of these rules ring true for you? I am not enough, I am different, and It's just not available to me. I am not enough suggesting that you identify yourself as not worthy. Undeserving of more or better than what you already have. I am different, suggesting that you perceive yourself as someone who always stands out, doesn't fit in, is awkward and unique, and your perceived uniqueness makes you uncomfortable. It's just not available to me is about feeling like what you want is not within reach. That you never seem to have access to it or that what you want belongs to someone else. In the end, what we want to experience is love, safety and belonging. Is there anyone in this world who didn't have some traumatic childhood? Of course, this question is not to say that every child was abused, neglected or abandoned. However, despite this, anyone with worthiness issues can often trace the root cause back to their formative years where they felt abused, neglected, or abandoned in some way. No pressure, parents! I'm a parent, so know that my statements made here come with my own set of worries and realization that I've likely messed up my 14 years old. So if most of us experience worthiness issues and fear of failure, rejection, lack of control (which, by the way, I believe everyone fears), being different, being insignificant, and I can go on, what can we do about it? Does this mean we are all just really messed up human beings? Well, to that question, I'll timidly reply with "sort of" (my people-pleasing, avoiding conflict response). And here's why: As adults, we have this map that we have used to navigate our adolescence, youth and adult years that included a bunch of misguided turns, twists, one-way streets and hamster wheels. So imagine, if you will, that as a child, you created roads on your map based on lessons learned. Much like an adult, when you hit a detour because of traffic, you know to take a different path the next time. We, as children, learn these same lessons. The lessons come in the form of experiences that affect how we feel about ourselves related to being loved, feeling safe and belonging. So if you grew up with a sick sibling who took up much of the attention, it might have been your experience that you had to demonstrate your worth by offering value to gain attention. Or you had to be louder to cut through the noise to stand out. If you grew up as the only child, you might have shouldered a great deal of responsibility - treated more like an adult than a child. Or where you could do no wrong - where the rules almost didn't apply to you, they could be negotiated or bent. As a middle child, maybe you felt invisible and created default paths on your map that led to you walking behind others, staying small and conservative in what you say, how you move, act, and in the choice of clothing, you wore. If you grew up as an older child, you might have been relied upon to help look after your sister or brother. And with many siblings, the responsibility may have doubled with two or more brothers and sisters to look after. As a result, it is hard to act and make age-appropriate decisions when playing the dual role of both guardian and kid. As the "baby of the family," you may have developed a level of indecisiveness. With everyone looking after you, you didn't get to experience how to be self-reliant or trust your own decisions, where your independence was learned (and tested) only in your adult years. So, do I think we all grow up to become messed-up adults? Sort of. We created pathways on our map, navigating us through our childhood traumas, filling the knowledge gaps with made-up stories or lessons learned, all to acquire what we desire - to be loved, feel safe, and belong. When we begin to understand that many of our choices result from moving away from our emotional attachments (to those experiences that traumatized us and the different events that created our made-up stories), it becomes clear why we get triggered. For example, we become triggered by our perception of someone being dismissive, of certain TV commercials, or the fear of delivering a subpar performance or body of work. In addition, we get upset about how someone is looking at us, defaulting straight to self-criticism about our worth and body image. These triggers were born from the perceptions we created, stories we taught ourselves, beliefs passed down to us by those who influenced our development. "I am not who you think I am; I am not who I think I am; I am who I think you think I am. " This quote by Charles Cooley is probably one of my favourite quotes. It summarizes my article perfectly. Our decisions and experiences are based primarily on our perceptions of the world and how we reconcile past events and weigh the impact of future events in how they may impact our need for love, safety and belonging. Can you believe it? We make most of our decisions based on distortions of the truth. So how can we let go of these old default patterns that stem from fear? Well, to start, we must first realize that we are making a decision based on fear. By the way, in not making a decision, you are making a decision. "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice." - Rush, Freewill To move from making fear-based decisions, which likely results in repeatedly living the same hell loop, you need to acknowledge the emotional attachment you have to the potential outcome. Start by tracing back along the timeline of your life where you think the distorted storyline was born. Here's an example: My hell loop has to do with disappointing others. And of course, I only realized that after almost a decade of being stuck. My problem was that I stayed in relationships far too long due to not wanting to disappoint others. Despite being unhappy, I couldn't leave almost paralyzed by the fear of hurting and disappointing those I love. To understand why I was not willing to walk away, I had to determine why I was afraid to leave in the first place. In tracing it back along the timeline of my life, I realized that there were several events where I felt a deep sense of regret in having disappointed someone I loved. And as a result, I lost the confidence in making these emotionally powerful and decisive decisions to avoid any potential outcome of disappointing others and being considered selfish. It was far easier for me to carry the burden of my unhappiness than disrupt someone else's life. Does any of this resonate with you? That's a rhetorical question. Because, having worked with so many of you over the years, I know you share similar storylines, and that is why I am writing this today. So, step one, identify the pattern of behavior and determine its origin. Step two is to analyze that old storyline to determine its validity. And let me help you fast track that process - whatever the storyline, it's a lie. It's false. It's not you. It was never you; it will never be you. It holds no power over you. You can Break FREE . So, on your timeline, where can you find your first actual event that correlates with the situation you are struggling to overcome right now? Now, begin to unravel that storyline. Step back, assess and extract the truth. What do you notice? Was it really about you, or was it really about the other person with you? Did that person unknowingly transfer their fears onto you? For example, are you terrified of water, or was it your mother who couldn't swim that was afraid she couldn't save you if something should happen? Was it your fault, or was it the result of an unavoidable situation? Or was it based on a series of events that you couldn't possibly take full responsibility for - such as the actions of someone else? For example, is it possible that you were not responsible for the collapse of your parent's marriage? Was your action age-appropriate at that time? For example, would a 5-year-old have known the outcome? Should the 5-year-old have been in that situation? Given that level of responsibility or forced to make that type of decision? For example, should a 5-year-old be responsible for "watching" their younger sibling at the park while mom or dad sit off to the side? How are you feeling right now? Can you extrapolate your ground truth based on these examples if none of the above rings true for you? Step one: identify the pattern and determine the origin. Step two: unravel the storyline and determine its validity. Step three: take action. Surprised? No, I didn't think so. You need to dive in any way. Even though it's scary, you need to lean into fear. Letting go of fear and saying yes to fear allows you to create awareness of where it comes from and then overcome it. It's the apprehension that stops us from taking action. Now listen, I'm talking about perceived danger, not the life-threatening situations of being faced by a lion, an attacker or anything else physical in nature. But when the fear is a perceived threat, you take action. You ask for the promotion. You ask the person out for coffee. You submit the report or presentation. You step up and take the stage. You go out on a blind date. You tell that person you like them. You say I love you first. You join a group of people you've never met before. You participate in the learn-to-run club. Whatever it is, you lean into it. As I am quoted having said, "the journey is never easy AND you are always worth the effort." Because you are worth it, life IS about experiences, lessons, growth, and NOT about mediocrity, complacency and the status quo. The vision I have for all of you is to help you realize how to access the greatness that already lives inside of you by creating optimal health. 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 up 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 ! 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.