Written by: Joanne Angel Barry Colon, 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. We’re you ever curious to know if the planets are playing a trick on you when they go retrograde? Halloween is a day of rituals, magic, readings and healing, and a time to dress up in your favorite costume and help activate the hero, spirit or “witch” within you. Trick or Treat! As we move into October, there is so much cosmic energy flowing backward, as there are now seven planets in Retrograde: Pluto (endings/new beginnings)– Capricorn (opposition sign Cancer) April 27 – October 6, 2021 Saturn (structure/determination) – Aquarius (opposition sign Leo) May 23 – October 10, 2021 Neptune (illusion/spirituality) – Pisces (opposition sign Virgo) June 25 – December 1, 2021 Jupiter (expansion/gifts) – Pisces (opposition sign Virgo) June 20 – July 28, 20201 Jupiter (expansion/gifts) – Aquarius (opposition sign Leo) July 28 – October 18, 2021 Chiron (wounded healer) – Aries (opposition sign Libra) July 15 – December 19, 2021 Uranus (awakener) – Taurus ( opposition sign Scorpio) August 19 – January 18, 2022 Mercury (communication/technology) – Libra (opposition sign Aries) September 27 – October 18, 2021 With the help of all seven planets in Retrograde, we will all experience a Spiritual Awakening, whether we’re conscious of it or not. Now, let’s take a look at Numerology, October is the 10th month of the year, the number ten carries the meaning, vibration and frequency of new beginnings, leadership, independence, new opportunities, choices and potential. According to Numerology October 2021 (1+0+2+0+2+1=6), is a 6 Universal Month. The number 6 holds a vibration and frequency to heal, healer, nurturer, karmic lessons and caretaker. In Numerology each calendar year is reduced to a single digit number, which carries a unique vibration and it’s called Universal Year Number, Everyone feels this unique vibration, whether you’re conscious of it or not, throughout the entire year beginning in January and ending in December. To get the current Universal Year Number, just calculate all the numbers until you arrive at a single digit number. The only number that does not get added to a single digit is the number 11, which is known as a Master Number. To get the Universal Year Number, add up all the numbers of the current year 2021 (2+0+2+1= 5), 2021 adds up to a 5 Universal Year Number. What does the 5 Universal Year Mean? The 5 Universal Year holds the frequency and vibration of change, freedom, adventure, fun, courage and unpredictability. Now, let’s bring it all together: During the month of August with the Lion’s Gate Activation everyone experienced, (conscious of it or not) the desire to build a new foundation, create harmony and balance as they achieve karmic lessons, while exploring freedom, having fun and being open for some unpredictability. Everyone experiences a Personal Energy Year Number, this number represents the theme for the current year and what you may experience, learn and heal about yourself in the current year (2021). This number changes every year, just like the Universal Year Number. To find your Personal Energy Year Number calculate the month you’re born in and the date you’re born on and add to the current year. For example: October 24, 2021: 1+0+2+4+2+0+2+1= 12 (1+2=3), the number three carries the vibration and frequency of communication, teach, learn, listen, express, truth and creativity. Below are the meanings to the numbers from 1 to 9, 11 and 22 1 –New Beginnings, New Opportunities, New Possibilities, Independence, Leadership 2 – Partnerships, Relationships, Contracts, Marriage 3 – Communication, Creator, Teacher, Student, Listen, Truth, Creativity 4 – Building New Foundations, Balance, Stability, Hard Worker 5 – Change, Freedom, Unpredictability 6 – Healing, Healer, Caretaker, Family, Harmony, Home 7 – Seeker, Spiritual Awakening, Going Within, Meditation, Quiet Time, Evolving 8 – Abundance, Harmony, Balance, Infinity 9 – Completion, Let Go, Declutter, Transformation 11 – Master Teacher and Healer of Relationships 12 – Master Builder – Create, Build and Take Action For me, I believe when you combine Astrology and Numerology together and apply both into your daily plan, you live your best life and with this Libra season having seven planets in retrograde, you’re not only living your best life, you’re becoming the best version of yourself. Will October give you a Trick or Treat? By October 18th, four of the seven planets will go direct. What does this mean for you? Below is the Cosmic Energy Forecast for the 12 zodiac signs. The image above represents the 12 Card Zodiac Spread. To fully benefit from your forecast, you may have up to three cards to read when referring to your Sun, Rising and Moon sign. When a card is in reverse there are two meanings: This message is important for you to pay attention to You may have resistance to this message and/or the chakra may be stuck or blocked Remember to combine your Personal Energy Year Number with your forecast: Aries is in the 7th house during Libra Season. This is a time to balance and heal partnerships (professionally/personally), while creating new relationships. It’s important to stay grounded and focus to help attract harmony and abundance. Connect with the root chakra to help heal blocks associated with fears, lack of support and poverty. Taurus is in the 6th house during Libra Season. Your health may be weighing on your mind this month. It’s a good time to be a new foundation with exercise, diet and meditation. As you create healthier boundaries, you may feel more confident. Connect with the sacral chakra to help heal blocks associated with judgement, guilt and shame. Gemini is in the 5th house during Libra Season. Use your creativity to help express yourself in a fun playful way. This may also help you balance your ability to listen and speak, which will be helpful in your partnerships (marriage, siblings, parents and friends). Connect with the throat chakra to help heal blocks associated with negative self -talk, not speaking truth and not listening. Cancer is in the 4th house during Libra Season. This month is focused on healing the home (shelter/body) and family matters, which may bring more balance into your life. This is a great time to clear karmic energy. Connect with the root chakra to help heal blocks associated with fears, lack of support and poverty. Leo is in the 3rd house during Libra Season. This is your time to be a social butterfly, socializing and network to help bring balance back into your personal and professionally life. As you learn to balance work and home, you may find yourself engaging in more romance. Connect with the heart chakra to help heal blocks associated with anger, frustration, sadness and abandonment. Virgo is in the 2nd house during Libra Season. You’re lacer focused on balancing your finances and preparing to sign contracts. This is a good time to close on a home or apartment. You’re on your way to being independent. Connect with the root chakra to help heal blocks associated with fears, lack of support and poverty. Libra is in the 1st house during Libra Season. This month is all about first impressions and how you see yourself. You may be starting a new job or career. Focus on seeing yourself as the best version of you. Connect with the third eye chakra to help heal blocks associated with darkness, illusions and let go of the old version of you. Scorpio is in the 12th house during Libra Season. This is your time to tie up loose ends, complete projects, say goodbye to friends, places and things. As you let go of things you may want to balance your energy by using your creativity, imagination and journaling. Connect with the root chakra to help heal blocks associated with fears, lack of support and poverty. Sagittarius is in the 11th house during Libra Season. This month is a good time to volunteer and connect with the community, which will help with healing and balancing your mind, body, emotions and spirit. As you volunteer and connect with community you may experience more unconditional love. Connect with the sacral chakra to help heal blocks associated with judgement, shame and guilt. Capricorn is in the 10th house during Libra Season. You’re in the spotlight this month! You’re being recognized for your hard work and success. This recognition may come from a male figure such as your father or someone you look up to. This recognition provides clarity to overdue questions that have been weighing on your mind. Connect with the heart chakra to help heal blocks associated with anger, frustration, sadness and abandonment. Aquarius is in the 9th house during Libra Season. This is a good time to travel to help focus on writing a book, blog or article. You may also be thinking about taking a course. Connect with the solar plexus to help heal blocks associated with limited mindset, doubts, worry and lack of abundance. Pisces is in the 8th house during Libra Season. This month you may experience ending and new beginnings. Many new opportunities may show up. Surrender any worries and focus on building a new foundation, your visons and desires. Connect with the third eye chakra to help heal blocks associated with darkness, illusions and let go of the old version of you. To learn more about your Personal Energy Year and Natal Chart and how each Retrograde may influence your Spiritual Awakening, email healingwithin76@gmail.com. To schedule a Cosmic Energy Soul Forecast, mention this article to receive a special gift. For additional services, visit wholisticfitnessny.com Follow me on Facebook, Instagram and visit my website for more info! Read more from Joanne! Joanne Angel Barry Colon, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Joanne Angel Barry Colon has 30+ years in the health, fitness, and wellness industry. She is the Wholistic Fitness owner located in NY Queens, certified holistic personal trainer, intuitive healer, cosmic energy reader, student of Astrology, Master of Numerology, and Creator of Chakra Balance Numerology Cosmic Energy Forecast Deck. She is the Host of Joanne's Healing Within T.V Show and Joanne's Cosmic Energy Radio Show and Author/Self-Publisher. Joanne's mission: To help women (men by referral) release issues from their tissues as they release emotional weight and fall in love with themselves while witnessing their transformation of being the best version of themselves.

Written by: Dilys Brighty-Schmidt, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Have you ever been in a situation where the person you are with, is regaling a problem they are having, or a situation they were involved in, and about halfway through the conversation, you have zoned out? Not really listening anymore. Or perhaps, the incident they are talking about is one that is similar to one you have had, and it’s more important for you to empathize, as you see it, and tell them what you have experienced, cutting them off at the pass, with your own story? It’s not to say that you are not a caring and compassionate person, it is just that you haven’t fully understood that what is being told to you is important from the teller’s point of view. Their viewpoint, and by not being interrupted, gives them time to relate what has happened to them, and for the listener to experience it in full, instead of just fragments of the conversation, I understand that Coaches, in whichever field they excel, are trained to listen to their clients. If they don’t, then how is the client going to benefit from coaching? By acknowledging what has been said by the client, and mirroring what it is they have been saying, creates not only a trust that what they have related truly matters, but also helps the coach to understand what the client wants, what challenges they are facing, and how effectively the coach can guide and lead them to making good choices for themselves. So, listening, and gathering information is very important. Even in a group situation it is important what a trainer or speaker is conveying, in terms of knowledge and expertise. Concentrating can be hard, but it is really about mindset. Going into a meeting with the idea that it is going to be boring, or the same information will be given, as it always has been, stops us from opening ourselves up to the possibility that there might be an incredible insight, or nugget of information that is transformative. Perhaps, not every time, but that light bulb moment may be at any time during that meeting! SO HOW CAN WE BE MORE EFFECTIVE LISTENERS? It definitely takes time to reach that level of patience, whereby listening becomes the norm. We can practice with friends or colleagues, to see how many times they are interrupted, or if there is a necessity to empathise with an “own story.” Then reverse to the teller, and likewise, see how many times you are interrupted, even with the best of intentions. Also, creating that initial quiet space beforehand is sometimes a good idea. Taking five minutes, with some deep breaths, to calm the atmosphere creates a less charged moment, if it is something that the teller has not told anyone else, and maybe affecting them detrimentally. It may be a work-related situation, or a family situation, both of which can affect a person’s ability to function well. By telling a coach, their office manager, or friend, it is something that needs to be divulged. we, as the listener, therefore, also need to relax, and ready ourselves to take in what is being said, perhaps writing notes, and concentrating on the teller’s story. As listeners, we are also not there to judge, merely a conduit for helping someone go through their story, acknowledging what they have said, thanking them for sharing their story, and mirroring what has been said. This then is telling the story twice, which in turn affirms to the listener that they have been heard and understood. The listener may then be able to be guided and helped by asking non-judgemental and open-ended questions to see how a negative situation can be turned around. Understanding if there is a possibility of seeing things from a different perspective. Of course, it may be something that is not within the realm of the listener. If there is a mental health disturbance, being harassed or bullied in some way, then it is up to the listener to help find the right authority or person that deals with such situations. Yet, by listening attentively and compassionately, helps the teller to feel heard and acknowledged, and may begin to start the healing process. ROLE-PLAYING TECHNIQUES! How many times has someone told you that they have excellent listening skills, but then interject every few minutes? Or have told you to go ahead and you won’t be interrupted until you have finished, especially in role-playing techniques, and then immediately find a flaw in the role-playing, and wish to correct it immediately? The worst possible scenario. Not only does it throw everything off, but it is also an obvious distraction. Listening to the end of the role-playing or your partner, not only shows respect, it will also enable you to learn patience. To be patient, listening and gathering information tells us that it is not about you or your needs, but about the other person, their vulnerabilities, their wants and desires, and the need to be heard and recognized. Listening, taking in information and subsequently relaying that information back, sets in motion a clarity for the teller. To hear their information from another source can help them understand and have a clearer sense of what they are saying. How their information sounds coming from another source. From there, the information can then be discussed to see a way forward. Listening is an art, and I believe it has to be practiced. So, happy listening! Follow me on Instagram, Linkedin and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dilys! Dilys Brighty-Schmidt, Executive Contributor, Brainz Magazine Dilys Brighty-Schmidt is a Transformational Health and Life Coach, who is dedicated to helping women 50+ and beyond achieve success in their health, fitness and life situations, that need change, more commitment and nourishment. Her coaching also includes programs in Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Health, two major health problems that increase with age. Through her previous work as a diet consultant for over six years, with a brand diet company in the USA, she realized how difficult it was for many clients to sustain their weight loss or reach their goals. Health and Life Coaching has given her that much-needed knowledge to help her clients understand that lifestyle changes, as well as habits and behavior changes, are instrumental in their success. Her mantra is “Transformation Begins With You.”

Written by: Cynthia Blackwell, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. For many of us, 2020 was more challenging than any other time in our lives. The pandemic caused many changes to occur, and for some of us, the changes have been life-altering. For example, working from home was not acceptable for most organizations and now has become the norm. Whether you have experienced change or simply want more out of life, a coach can help you accelerate your speed to massive success and drive results faster than if you tried to do so alone. Here are Cynthia’s top 3 reasons why hiring a coach will support your desire for Success, Wealth and Happiness: 1. A fresh NEW perspective – Have you thought about this? A great coach will ask you questions to learn more about you, your current situation, and future desires. This conversational discovery approach will uncover opportunities you had not even thought of nor could have potentially by yourself. This process will reveal additional inspired ideas of HOW you might pursue and achieve your goals. During this process, you will discover the inspiration you did not know existed within you. Another incredible outcome will be that you reveal opportunities you might not have entertained previously. 2. Accountability Component – Someone to hold you accountable! When working with a coach, they will help you develop a plan of action with realistic goals and objectives for you and no one else. This coach will also hold you accountable and follow up with you to ensure you are doing your homework to drive results. Your coach will help you with your “self-sabotage” habits and behaviors to modify your thoughts, actions, and emotions. They will keep you motivated, make sure you stay on track, and follow up with you regularly. By committing to your coach, you are also committing to yourself. Now, if you are a natural people pleaser, you will NOT let your coach down or yourself. 3. You want more – joy in your life, in your work! If you feel like you’ve been a hamster on a wheel, running in place forever, then hiring a coach to help you break out of that tailspin might be the best choice for you. Coaches teach a host of fundamental skills that can change your life. Something as simple as changing your attitude to something as complicated as learning to manage multiple high-strung personalities in a single group. A coach can help you to leverage the best qualities of YOU. A coach can support your goal to live your best life and be the best version of you. So, if you want more for yourself and believe you deserve the best, then consider hiring a coach to help you. You can find the right coach by identifying WHAT you want to work on and searching for a coach specializing in that area—for example, a career coach, a life coach, or a success coach like Cynthia. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Cynthia Blackwell, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Cynthia is a coveted speaker, a trusted business coach, mentor, and a respected philanthropist. Attendees leave her presentations excited and empowered with tools they can implement now! Can you imagine what a 1 on 1 coaching session is like with Cynthia?! She is also the author of The Magical Power of 3 – Roadmap to Success, Wealth & Happiness. Her book is a culmination of her experience as a rainmaker, executive coach, trainer, mother, grandmother, and trusted friend. This book is NOT that self-help book of yesterday BUT marries mental health and mindset with business acumen, sales, and leadership tips that are critical to success in today's ever-changing climate. To be released soon!!!

Written by: Mara Zwicker, 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. Today we face many challenges, climate change and a pandemic being the current protagonists of them. We need change and we know that. But who is really willing to go forward and make that change for a better future? My answer is: Social entrepreneurs change the world. Why? Because they care. That might be a bold statement, so bear with me. What Makes a Social Entrepreneur? Who is crazy enough to take on today's problems on a big scale? Who would sacrifice their time, sweat, tears and effort to do the seemingly impossible? Who is willing to give up social approval and prestige and instead work 16 hours a day for a goal that sounds crazy to others? To me that sounds much like an entrepreneur, doesn't it? Now, add a mission that is not focused on making themselves rich, famous and successful. But instead, will change things for the better on the planet for everyone. Now, you have a social entrepreneur. They are the craziest of all, the 'misfits' that dare to dream of change and actually DO something about it. Social entrepreneurs have a great passion to affect change. They see possibilities in situations and take the risk to go and act on them, despite the current circumstances. First the Person, then the Business. A social entrepreneur puts a service or product that improves people and planet FIRST. The passion and the believe to achieve something good comes FIRST. Second comes the 'how to make it profitable' part. Often, social businesses grow organically, out of an idea or passion of a single person or a group of people who become social entrepreneurs in the process. Because social entrepreneurs are willing to work for the success of everyone and not (only) for their own, they create businesses that first and foremost help, improve, renew, build or safe something. Social entrepreneurs start with a goal in mind, that goes beyond money and that takes risks to get there. Most times, social entrepreneurs value the product or service, and the impact their businesses make, as a personal goal in life. Their definition of success might not be, to maximize profit and expand as fast as possible, but rather to create a tangible value for others. They work to scale up their own values and principles through a business, to make a bigger impact. The Road Less Traveled In order to make a vision come to life that has not been done before, social entrepreneurs have to take the 'road less traveled'. They will have to accept the fact that they might endure more obstacles. They go ahead to pave roads where no one has walked aka done business before. They take the risk that financing might be harder to get, that the product might not work because customers don´t understand it yet, or that their business doesn't take off because customers would rather stick to the 'old ways' or cheaper products that are potentially harmful for the environment but also part of their comfort zones. A social business is not guaranteed to succeed 'just' because it is social. But social entrepreneurs are willing to sacrifice mainstream recognition when that means they can make a difference. They often think globally and connect the dots between climate, environment, life-quality, success and money. The Missing Link Money of course still plays an important role, since any project and business needs to be financed. Any NGO or charitable organization has a social or environmental development goal at heart, and aims to change the world for the better. But its financing is mostly dependent on external sources. This makes them vulnerable to situations in which they might have to compromise or put limits on their goals. Or even to take into consideration the interests of the financing party. A 'traditional business' does have the independence that profitability gives. But most businesses and corporations are not flexible and adaptable enough to change their processes towards more sustainability, whilst continuing to expand and grow its profits to satisfy their investors or shareholders. Often they are left with no choice but to remain on the path they have been on before, even when that path might be harmful for the environment and society. A social business sits at the intersection between profit-oriented businesses and charitable organizations. While social businesses also need financial assistance at first, they can become profitable and therefore independent. When a social business manages to achieve that stage, it has a stable ground and opportunities to make BIG changes in the world. In this case, positive change and profitability go hand in hand. When profit grows, positive impact grows, too – a masterpiece for change. Changing Things Changes Things Social entrepreneurs cause change not only through their work and their product or service. Beyond that, they provide the opportunity for three other groups in society, to take part in the change as well: employees, consumers and investors. In all cases, social entrepreneurs are the ones who go first and provide the platform on which then other people can be part of the change. By building a social business, they create job opportunities for conscious employees, who are seeking to earn money with jobs that 'make sense'. People who also want to make a difference in the world with their work but might not want to start their own business. Secondly, social businesses provide goods and services that offer a chance for consumers, to make an impact with the money they spend. Rather than giving their money to large corporations that might not take responsibility for the harmful impact of their products on the environment, consumers now have a choice to use their money to make a change and consume in a responsible way. Additionally, these products and services often come with a message of education and awareness-building, to help more people reflect on their consumer behavior and improve the impact they have on the planet with it. The third group are the investors who seek to put their money into sustainable projects. A social entrepreneur who has an unusual new idea might stretch the imagination of an investor and not be right for the one who seeks to only grow their profit quickly. But with growing evidence of climate change and the bad impact humanity has on nature, more investors start to understand, that their money can be the fuel to drive change. They hold the key to bring those businesses forward, that will make a difference for generations to come. Social entrepreneurs give conscious investors the opportunity, to make their money work for a positive change. Ultimately it is up to each of us to make the change that is needed, so we as a human race can live sustainably for the next millennia to come. Social businesses provide a chance to be part of that change, no matter where we are in life. Whether by financing, working for, supporting or buying from a social entrepreneur, we help them, so they can change the world. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, and visit my website for more info! Mara Zwicker, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Mara Zwicker is a firm believer in the ability of people to create a positive change in the world. After surviving a life threatening disease at age 21, she decided to help people discover their true 'why' and create a life around it. Social entrepreneur and writer by profession, linguist and intercultural communicator by education, Mara has spend her life traveling, living and studying on different continents around the world. She is affiliated with Positive Global Change, an international group of social entrepreneurs, which helps people to develop their true potential as leaders and impact makers. She is writing in the fields of business, travel and health for clients like Netcoo (Next Economy Magazine), Lonely Planet, Marco Polo and HolidayCheck.

Written by: Magnus Ernegård, 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. Making an excellent pitch for 15 minutes will most likely not make the investors directly write a check and provide 10 million for 20 % of your venture, as it might look like in dramatized entertainment shows like Dragons Den or the Swedish version Draknästet or the Danish Løven's Hule, which during the last weeks have been broadcasted on TV, we should all know that. It is a great TV show and is superior at creating a breeding ground for more people to become interested in entrepreneurship and start and run a venture. The entrepreneur's invention is getting exposed to the market, other potential investors might be interested, and the participants on the stage receive valuable advice from these famous Super Angels. It is undoubtedly an exciting reality show and real-life situation for the dragons and the fund seekers in the programme's boiled-down version. Still, many agreements, Due Diligence checks, and Term Sheets have to be established and settled before closing the deal. But, if the Business Angels look interested in continuing the discussions after your pitch, the evaluations and negotiations start. The first step will likely be to agree on a Term Sheet, which is generally a non-binding agreement but presumably be one of THE most important documents you ever will sign as a Startup founder. However, some parameters are suitable if binding, such as confidentiality, exclusivity, validity, investment costs, and jurisdiction as dispute resolution. Considering there is a strong moral obligation to follow the parameters of the Term Sheet and if any party exhibits different behaviour in the investment process, it is highly likely they will get a pretty dubious reputation in the Startup funding market. So, the Term Sheet signals that the Business Angel (or VC) want in, and by that, it's "just" a matter of working out the details. It contains the principal commercial, financial and legal terms of the investment. These terms are then included in detail in the investment documentation, like the shareholders' agreement and the investment agreement. Even if the content in the Term Sheet is likely to be seen as basics, we see from the Startup venture's perspective, and, advantageously, your Term Sheet is as detailed and comprehensive as possible. It could well be over 40 parameters in the Term Sheet, all of which you must understand the consequences of during your Startup journey. The Term Sheet is usually presented and proposed by the investor to the Startup venture. The investor often has a negotiation advantage here and sometimes prefers that the Term Sheet parameters should be more general terms and short to adjust later in the contract negotiation. We think it is crucial to set up the Term Sheet parameters yourself as the founder and how you would like to have it before receiving the proposal from the investor. You could then consider, e.g., which top three clauses you will not negotiate about and which ones you would like to set a cap or a floor. You will then be able to provide faster feedback to the investor with a well-founded argumentation and structure. By selecting an experienced Startup-lawyer (more about that later in this article), they can focus you as the entrepreneur on what matters. So, now suppose the Business Angels (or VCs) are interested in investing in your newly formed Startup. In that case, they will start to discuss the deal's outlines, including what percentages of equity they might get, the Pre-money valuation, Board structure and seats, employee option pool, and other protections and rights the investor would like to have. In this short article, we primarily focus on giving a brief overview of some of the Term Sheet topics and not going through all of the possible parameters and clauses in the document. But the Term Sheet is very critical and stipulate factors that will follow you during the Startup journey, and what's in it often determines the final deal structure. Don't see the Term Sheet as a Letter of Intent but more as a blueprint for your Business Angel relationship, in which you, your attorney and the Business Angel(s) begin to write up the legal contracts. When the Term Sheets are precise, clear, and comprehensive, the lawyers "just" turn the terms into lawyer's language. Sometimes, but of course not always, some investors take advantage of first-time founders raising their first round of capital to get better terms. But if the Startup with its attorney makes a thoroughgoing, longer and comprehensive Term Sheet and making the words more clearly upfront, it will most probably also save a good part of the Startup's legal fees. So, strive for the more extended and more founder-friendly Term Sheet! The Term Sheet could be organised and split into two areas. Financial parameters. Here, the deal's financial terms are outlined, including the investment amount, the Pre-money valuation, the share price, stock option pools and any dividends. One very central term and an important one for the future of your venture relates to Preferred Shares. If there are seasoned Angel investors (or VCs) you are dealing with, they will most likely request Preferred shares when investing in your Startup. As the founder and your team members participating in the option pool, the holders of Common shares are the ones you have. We will briefly look into a couple of types of "rights" the Preferred shares could include, which are essential to understand from the investor's and the Startup founder's perspective. Preferred shares with Liquidation preference are perhaps the most negotiated Term Sheet clause next to the Pre-money valuation, which places the Preferred shareholder at the front of the line when dividing the capital and assets from an exit event. This could be a bankruptcy, gets acquired, merges with another company or in any other way has to close down. Under this preference right, there are a couple of flavours to understand. Non-participating preferred, the investors receive preference over the common shareholders. But they do not get to participate with the Common shareholders in splitting up any leftovers after the preferred investors get their pay-outs. Participation preference, the Angel investor (or the VC) get two benefits over the Common shareholders both the entire investment amount (or multiple if so defined, see below) and the investor's shares converts to Common shares and thereby gets a portion of the proceeds based on the pro-rata ownership in per cent. Participation preference with a cap is a "middle ground" between the two above limits or a cap on the total exit amount. Some more heavy-handed investors would like to push for a liquidation preference multiple, which might not be that common, but be aware. This clause means the preferred shareholder not only gets back their entire investment but will get two times (2X) or even three times (3X) the invested amount. This is before the Common shareholders like you as the Startup founder and your employees get any payment from the venture's exit if there is anything left. Further, you as a Startup founder may decide to accept a higher liquidation preference in return for a higher valuation of your venture, but this is not always a sound choice. The liquidation preference is set according to the amount invested and is not affected by the company's valuation at the time of exit. Investors may end up walking away with their initial investment or more. You, as the entrepreneur and founder, should carefully examine the trade-offs you are willing to make. While valuation is a vital part of the Term Sheet and affects the business, it is not always worth exchanging other terms. The anti-Dilution preference clause protects the preferred shareholders by preserving existing ownership percentages in a later financing round. This is mainly getting effects in a down-round when any additional new investor/-s comes on board, which we described in an earlier BRAINZ Magazine article. Your current investor doesn't want to dilute their ownership percentage of the venture and would like this protection. In addition, this clause can take three typical forms, like Full Ratchet, Weighted average and non-at-all, but this is a little over the top in this short article. Corporate Governance and Investor protection parameters are the other area. Here, we define additional rights and protections given to the preferred share investors. It includes Board representation, voting rights on critical decisions and limiting the founders from taking on additional investments or selling the venture. Other areas like Drag Along Rights, Protective provision would be stipulated in this section. Sometimes, when discussing the Term Sheet, some Business Angels and perhaps more likely VC could say: "This is non-negotiable", or things like "This is a standard deal term we have" or "This is how we always do deals". Then be aware if you would like to continue the negotiation with these investors, giving you an ultimatum. So, if you find your potential investor is either bully trying to win by force, you may better think twice. The same goes with the detailed-oriented technocrat who will negotiate and nag every point in the Term Sheet from scratch, not considering each side's give-and-take. You can, of course, give in on them or not. Still, the mere fact that an investor focuses on relatively unimportant terms is a sign of what that individual will be like to work with as a co-owner, Board member, committee member, or part of your Startup's inner circle? Selecting an attorney with experience and knowledge of Startups When you receive the Term Sheet, it could well be you see this kind of document for your first time (if you haven't already prepared one, how you would like the Term Sheet's clauses to look like). The investor/-s on the other side of the table have likely seen it hundred times, so having a Startup support provider and lawyer is crucial. In negotiating with the Angel Investors (or VCs) about the Term Sheet parameters, having an experienced Startup-focused lawyer who understands and has a documented tracklist of successful Term Sheet negotiation could be invaluable. In contrast, an inexperienced one could be a disaster. In addition, don't forget your selected lawyer reflects you and, thereby, your reputation on the Startup scene and eco-system. Also, don't forget this is your lawyer as the Startup founder, not anyone used or selected by the investor. That's said, seasoned and experienced attorneys in Startups in your country or city are often "a name" and well connected to the early-stage investors, accelerators and Startup support providers that are critical for your success. All parties, you, the investors and your attorney, should most likely cooperate for many years, so make sure to set up an excellent working climate, trustworthy relationship and communicate clearly from the beginning. By that, it is perhaps not the big law firm you should choose? Maybe better the one with long experience and a sound expertise level of Startups, agile and your comfort with the attorney's communication style, so get references and spend time with your prospective lawyers before selecting one? The bill can, of course, be high, and you should, of course, and as always, focus on the cost-side, but don't be obsessed with the hourly rate. With a competent and reputable lawyer who knows their way around Startups, and their network, it is likely it will be more efficient and well worth the expense in the long run. Your lawyer carries out the negotiation most of the time, yet you have to be highly involved. So, coming to an agreement may be challenging, time-consuming, and very lengthy for you as a Startup founder. There might be occasions coming up when you will be dealing with several independent investors. But try then to convince the different investors to form a syndicate. Our firm recommendation is not to accept multiple investors with different content in the Term Sheet clauses, as this would either end up in a mess or taking far too much time and effort for you to handle during your Startup's lifetime. In a syndicate, which contains multiple investors, one Angel investor (or VC) will likely be the lead investor for the deal and the one in charge of the negotiations from the investors' side. So, that individual is the one who initially agrees on the critical terms of the round with your Startup. The lead investor is usually an experienced Angel investor, who most likely is familiar with the Startup's industry and might also be the one who provides the highest capital injection. But it is also possible the Angel investors will ask for some experts in the industry who can support them to understand better the dynamics and risks in the sector concerned. It could also be the case that the Business Angels will invite them to meet with you and your team. To sum it up. Be aware negotiating for a higher Pre-money valuation, which many entrepreneurs are eager to do, may come at the price of a higher liquidation preference. Though a more extended Term Sheet is much more founder-friendly and good business practice, and founders should be doubtful if the investor comes up with a relatively short version of the Term Sheet. If you don't have a law degree, we recommend looking for an attorney, preferably experienced in the Startup business. One other highly advisable alternative is to get in touch with seasoned and serial Startup founders to discuss and hear their views of the different parameters and clauses in the Term Sheet. Use your network and participate and engage yourself in the Startup community and eco-system events, summits and conferences. You might have the high ambition of having reputable, renowned and prominent Super Business Angels (and VC firms) as investors and thereby get a kind of an approval stamp having your Startup in the inner circle. You have to balance being a Startup name attracting other financiers and perhaps new, highly energised team-members toward the fact you most likely must accept much more challenging demands, requirements and insistence of the Term Sheet parameters in your Startup. It might very well be worth it if your venture can attract the top-tiers Angels and VCs, but think carefully about and consider the long-term consequences for you, your team and your Startup. Next month we will have a look at Due Diligence, a short version. Keep on Starting up! Follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website for more info! Read more from Magnus! Magnus Ernegård, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Magnus Ernegård has over 30 years of senior management experience from different industries in multinational industrial companies in various countries. Background in CEO positions, CFO, management consultant, production, business development, innovation, corporate governance, and entrepreneurship. Further, he has, over the years, gained Board and Chairman experiences from Boards within the Automotive, Logistics, IT Consulting, and Textile industries. Today, he is the owner and founder of the Startup support provider company BridgeToAngels based in Sweden and Denmark. Magnus has a proven track record in starting/developing businesses, company split, corporate exits, and organizational effectiveness. Magnus also serves as Advisory Council Member of Gerson Lehrman Group. He holds an MSc from the University of Lund, Sweden.

Written by: Preeti Mistry, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise . Have you often wondered, “What makes someone want to swipe left or right on a dating app?” In a world with so many different people with so many different opinions, it may seem almost overwhelming to figure out what to put and what not to put on your dating profile. As someone who has been on multiple dating apps and seen a lot, there were definitely profiles that would grab my attention more than others. All the profiles that piqued my interest had something in common. What was it you must be wondering? The type of profiles I was drawn to were those that looked well composed and looked like some effort had been put into it so that there was enough information for me to assess possible compatibility. These profiles spoke to me in the sense that I could tell that the people who created it were definitely making their search a priority in their life. And if what was being communicated to me resonated, I swiped right. This brings me to my first point. Do you remember the energy and effort you put into your resume when applying for that dream job? Or the effort you make to ensure you don’t miss an interview and show up on time? Why did you do it ? Most likely because being hired for that job or position was very important to you. When you create your dating profile, think of it as a resume for attracting your dream partner. Before someone even meets you, the very first impression they are going to get of you (assuming they are finding you through a dating app) is your dating profile. So, when you go about creating one, make sure you put in some time and consideration into what you would like to communicate about yourself. If finding a partner is not your priority right now, and you are not looking for anything serious, that’s fine. But just make sure you state that in your profile so that others on that same wavelength as you will connect. If, however, your priority of finding the one is strong right now, it is important to be intentional and show up as your unique self in your profile so that the person who comes across your page will get some sense of who you are, and feel like swiping right if they resonate with you. So, what are some tips we can use to strengthen our dating profile? 1. As mentioned above, first put a little thought and intention into what you would like to share about yourself. Ask yourself why you are creating a profile in the first place? Are you looking for a long-term relationship that could lead to marriage? Are you in that space in your life right now that if the right person came along, you would be ready to settle down? When you become clear on what it is you truly want, include that in your profile so that someone on the same page as you will feel more compatible. Any profile that appears vague or wishy-washy may cause a potential match to swipe left instead of reaching out and getting to know you more. 2. Select a few pictures of yourself that accurately depict you. Here are some of the biggest mistakes I see people make on dating profiles with regards to photos: a. they won’t share any photos of themselves b. they post pictures of themselves that aren’t clear c. they post pictures of objects or animals as opposed to themselves d. they only include group pictures where it’s hard to discern which one is actually the person of interest e. they were shades that cover their eyes in all pictures or wind up obscuring a clear image of themselves by any other means such as wearing a large hat. f. they post pictures that are not recent Generally speaking, for people to connect with you and feel some kind of trust, words on paper will not be enough. They will want to see clear and recent pictures of you. I remember all sorts of questions used to come into my mind when I didn’t see any picture on a profile such as, “Why is this person hiding and what are they hiding from?” Similarly, others may feel if the person really wanted to connect, they would be more upfront and post some pictures, and hence, your profile can also lose its credibility. Remember sometimes images speak louder than words, and before a prospect even gets to your “about me” section, you don’t want them swiping left. So, what should you do when posting pictures? Make sure when you do post pictures of yourself, there are a few of them and not just one. Some close-ups, some full-body, and some different angles as well. Smile in your pictures. Its shows warmth. If you post some images of when you are dressed up for an important event, then also consider posting some to show what you usually dress like every day to represent yourself more accurately and authentically. If you want to show yourself doing one of your favorite activities, that’s cool too because it tells a story about you and shows your interests as well. For example, a clear picture of you playing tennis shows someone that you enjoy tennis, and that it could be a particular passion of yours. 3. Write a few sentences (maybe a paragraph or two) about yourself and what you are looking for that represents you authentically. Here we come back to being more intentional and authentic with who you are. And by authentic, I mean staying true to you. You’re not on there to write what you think other people will want to hear in order to “get” more people to like you. You may then only attract those that are not compatible. Write something about you that reflects you, your values, and your interests, and you will attract your tribe. Remember, you’re not trying to draw in the masses. You just need a few good prospects, one of which can wind up being the one. Avoid writing nothing or only one line which may come across as you couldn’t be bothered, are not really invested in finding someone, or may even lead others to believe you are uninteresting. And on the flip side, stay away from writing long essays about yourself because people may not be interested in reading novels as they browse through profiles. Leave a little bit of mystery so there’s more to talk about and uncover when you meet in person. Be unique and original and include some fun and intriguing facts that can serve as icebreakers. Avoid overused statements like “I work hard and play hard” which can be found in every other profile. And finally, when you write about what you are looking for, don’t hesitate to mention what truly matters to you in a partner. For example, if you are looking for someone with certain core values and qualities that are important to you, include that in there. So the more your profile reflects the true, unique you, the better your chances of attracting a compatible prospect that vibes with you. 4. If you are the first one to express interest in someone and they accepted, take the lead and initiate the conversation. Why? It shows confidence. This may sound pretty straightforward, but the reason I mention this is because I’m sure some of you may have witnessed a situation where you get matched with someone, and then no one initiates the conversation. And then it pretty much remains a stalemate. So think of it this way. If you were at an event and you spotted someone that appealed to your eye, made some eye contact, and then decided to walk over to them, would you just stand there and stare at them while you wait for them to figure out why you approached them? Or would you introduce yourself to the other person and initiate a conversation? I’m pretty sure you would agree you would do the latter because the former situation would be awkward if anything. Similarly, if you expressed interest online and they accepted, take the lead. It shows you are sure of yourself and you know how to engage. And as you begin to chat, remember to ask open-ended questions because they allow people to think and expand in their answers. For example, if you see a great picture of a prospect during their travels, asking an open-ended question like “What inspired you to take that trip?”, will allow the person to elaborate and have something to talk about. Closed-ended questions like “How are you?” can abruptly end with “I’m fine.” And the conversation may then die off. Therefore, open-ended questions will allow more depth to the conversation. Final Words It is often said that healthy and clear communication is one of the best ways to connect and understand one another. Think of your dating profile not just as the first impression of you, but also as your initial point of communication with your potential prospect. What is it that you would like to communicate through your profile to others? From your pictures to whatever your write in your profile: all are a medium of communication. By taking a little time to put some conscious effort into creating your profile, you will be increasing the chances that the person you attract to your page will be more in tune with you. If you have been single for some time and desire to be in a relationship or feel like you are in an endless dating cycle and are ready to dive deeper into this matter, I am offering a 1:1, one-hour complimentary discovery session. I help single professionals and entrepreneurs that feel like they are in a rut overcome their hidden inner resistance to finding love and empower them to bring out their best self and create the love life they desire. Click here to book a call and embark on a journey to make a change once and for all. Want to learn more from Preeti? Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin or visit her website . Read more from Preeti! Preeti Mistry, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Preeti Mistry is a Jay Shetty Certified Coach who focuses on single, young professionals and entrepreneurs who want to be in a healthy, meaningful, and lasting relationship. Through her 1:1 coaching service, she helps them uncover and overcome their hidden inner resistance to finding love so that they feel empowered to put their best self forward and can dare to create the love life they desire. Her chosen niche as a relationship mindset transformation coach was inspired by her own struggles in this area and by noticing that this was a common problem that plagued many she knew as well. After her own transformational journey of overcoming limiting beliefs and aligning better with her true authentic self, Preeti is on a mission to help and empower those that truly want to be in a relationship break out of a rut, and unleash their best self in love. Preeti has had the opportunity and privilege of participating on a panel hosted by the American India Foundation SF as a relationship mindset transformation coach with the crew of the Netflix series Indian Matchmaking. She has also appeared as a guest on various podcasts talking about topics related to mindset, dating, relationships, spirituality and manifestation. In addition, she is the founder of the Relationship Mindset club on Clubhouse which offers tremendous value and is continuing to grow. Preeti is also a general dentist, and loves to paint, travel, dance, and spend time in nature. Preeti’s purpose and vision is to help create a world where we focus more on our possibilities instead of our impossibilities so that we are more in tune with creating a life that is aligned with our deepest desires and can experience the joy and fulfillment we are meant to in this life.

Written by: Jerilyn Ito, 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. There are many people that are able to function daily in their job or have a successful business. But what is being shown to the world is not always a reflection of what is happening in their inner world. We are led to believe that if you are a successful in a high-level paying position, or you are able to maintain and grow your business, that the money and income that you bring in is a direct reflection of an increase in self-worth. But having a high-level paying job or a successful business actually increases the anxiety that was already there to begin with. Most interestingly, many people who are in high-level paying positions or are entrepreneurs have a component of underlying anxiety that already exists. It also makes one wonder on how people with anxiety are able to become highly successful in their job or business. The reason is that anxiety is the same energy as excitement. Anxiety is manifestation energy. But the difference is how you translate this energy into manifestation form in your life. So yes, you have that great job and successful business, but as the responsibilities grow, so does your anxiety. The anxiety you experienced that helped you to get where you are now is also the cause of stress, your labile emotions and even some aspects of your job or business. The reason why it was working for you before and not now, is that everything was a mind game. You used your mind to push through it or to learn new things to help you through it. You may have even sought counseling, learned coping skills or even took personal self development classes. These work to a certain extent, but it comes from your mind and is temporary. It doesn’t address the sensitivities or as I call it, high level awareness that creates the anxiety. In fact, some of the ways that people address anxiety actually desensitizes you. Why would you want to desensitize yourself when this is what got you to where you are now? Instead, change the way you translate the anxiety in your life. Connect to the energy itself before it comes into the form. And it begins with reconnecting and rewiring your five senses. The first step is to bring into your awareness the five senses. From the time we are born until we learn our spoken language for communication, we had to rely on our five senses to understand the world we are born into. Sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. This was the only way we could receive information from the outside world. To understand the information we received, it was through our intuition. But as our spoken language of communication evolved, our five senses took a backseat along with our intuition as the outside world became the primary source for learning. The second step is to sit with this and become aware of how it feels in your body. Because our five senses and intuition have been placed into hiding from our conscious daily living, it has instead become a part of the subconscious in our mind and a sensation within our body which shows up as anxiety or any other form of reactions. This step of awareness is the rewiring of your five senses with your body. The last step is to feel the energy of your five senses and bring it in even further, deep within your body. This is where our five senses are being reconnected not just to our body, but to our soul.When we connect our five senses through a specific area within our body to our soul, this is where the magic happens. It is the integration between what we are born with and what we learn from the outside world. This step of reconnecting and integration is where our deep belief and confidence in ourselves resides. You don’t have to continue to live in anxiety, or fear. You can change this. It is a matter of making that decision. You have done this with everything else in your life, except for you. Now isn’t it time to discover the magic that you were born with? Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or visit my website for more info! Read more from Jerilyn! Jerilyn Ito, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jerilyn Ito is a gifted creator and guide in the realms of energy healing and confidence. She had been shy and quiet since childhood and could not overcome this shyness. When spirituality suddenly came into her life in 2014, she not only had to figure out how to make sense of spiritual information from a practical sense, but she discovered how to tap into her confidence. She also uncovered her ability to guide her clients through the process of breaking down complexity and sparked intuition for her clients to create tangible ideas and concepts for their work and business. She has a deep desire to help others stand in their own power of expression from their body, mind, and soul and live through their soul confidence 24/7.

Written by: Yvette Troyna, 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. Sometimes we must sit quietly and choose. Do we continue our personal growth path at any cost? Where do we draw the line between digging into the recesses of our mind’s trauma-ridden basements to heal, versus savoring the present’s sunlight? Simultaneously straddling both canoes isn’t feasible if you’re to maintain a solid mind, career, and relationships. Certainly not on a perpetual basis. Perhaps this explains why folks who have it all together suddenly seem emotional and unstable. “The Starling,” starring Melissa McCarthy and Chris O’Dowd, shows a couple in grief. Maybe they started out trying to span the gap, with one foot in the trauma canoe and the other in the present canoe. Gulp. The haphazard canoe straddling scene unfolds. One is hospitalized, stuck in the past, while the other bumbles through, blocking grief. Excellent film, by the way. What gives out first when life’s current rocks our notoriously tippy canoes…the pants or the tendons? Hopefully it’s the pants. But what if these are your only pants? So it is with the present. Sometimes in our bravest efforts to preserve our pants, we tear tendons. Other times, it’s reversed. Staying in the stinky basement of our mind can destroy what we’ve worked so hard to build in the present. Spouses find an engaging lover. Bosses replace befuddled employees. Mortgages remain due. Life is fraught with newness, and therein lies its wondrous beauty. That’s precisely where I am today. In 2020 I’d barely surfaced from cancer, busily restoring my business to its former girth. Suddenly I lost my protective brother, my omnipresent spouse, and my father-figure mentor, as well as my successful company, bestie-manager, dream team, and my future retirement plans--which eventually led to leaving my home and community. All within nine months. Funny thing about grief. It can flip your canoe like a hungry crocodile if you’ve got unresolved trauma packed away. I woke one morning to find my body refusing to function. It was my Day of Reckoning. I would not “fake it to make it” another day. I would not live the mantra, “no pain, no gain.” Nope. Surviving required pulling both feet out of the Present Canoe and deep diving into the ugly, bitter past, a tippy child abuse canoe I had dodged, which nearly took my life. A year and fundamental change later, I found myself wildly bored and agitated by forced bedrest and harsh therapy sessions. Instead of befuddlement, my mind craved clarity. Food tasted good again. I felt like running instead of sleeping. Winter was over, and I was simply through delving deep into the hideous past. A day earlier, I wasn’t ready for the shift. When it happened, every cell in my body buzzed with Knowing. Now to be clear, I did the work. I faced my tormentors, learned to parent my inner child, wept, raged, and mourned hefty loss, and the and only then was I famished. Hungry for life as a healthy woman in love with my new skillset and clear past. I was ready to ditch my trauma canoe. I was ready for the sun to shine once again. I wanted to live, which meant great things for my mental health. And yet my physical health was precariously unstable. This is the side effect of skirting around trauma. I was too busy with the present canoe. I pondered how to use the seasons as a guide. When to focus on Now, and when to dive deep into the chasm, should another blocked memory surface. I was still healing on the outside, but I knew I was safely stowed in the Present canoe. “But what if there’s more to face?” My inner child nervously asked. Always in the middle of the night, mind you. “I got this,” I soothed, meditating with my hands rested on my rising and falling belly. Next time I will be ready. My inner child requires it. “But how?” the midnight questions continue, a bit less frayed now that my confidence is palpable. “I will tell my Lover that it’s winter again. Time to write, cry, take time off, ask for extra hugs and more compassion. I’ll take both feet for a brief trip in the Trauma Canoe, with the care of a specialist.” My inner child satisfied, I finally drifted off into fresh, real sleep. It’s not my Lover’s job to be my therapist nor my target for rage; it’s his job to be my respectful, kind companion and intimate partner. I will ask him to keep our fire burning, because I am a seasoned guide for my inner child, who may need a bit more attention down the line. The difference is, I know how to embrace winter, because spring is right around the bend, and I’ll be back to bask in the present. What a rich reward for diving deep. I can honestly exclaim, “I got this!” If you’ve been avoiding the deep dive, for fear of a crocodile tipping your canoe, I get it. Trauma runs rampant in the human experience, and once we wrangle it with loving insight and patience, trusting experts and communicating with our loved ones (especially the inner child we’re responsible for nurturing), wondrous life returns, and we can safely enjoy the scenery found in the Present. Give it a try today. I just know you’ll be glad you did. Follow Yvette on Facebook and visit her website for more info! Read more from Yvette! Yvette Troyna, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Yvette is the founding director of Superpower School, a Benefit Company based in the Pacific Northwest. She teaches others to activate their strengths to love life again. Cape optional. You can read more about her work and offering at www.yvettetroyna.com where she offers tips and tricks to overcome the root causes of trauma, including abuse, addiction, and mental health.

Written by: Keith Blakemore-Noble, 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. We all have fears. That's entirely natural and part of this wonderful thing called life. We are not born with them, of course . Each fear we have is a fear we have learned - and the stronger the fear, the better a job we have done of learning it. All of which is a topic for another day. For today, let us explore why, despite so many of us feeling that we want to get rid of our fears, most will actually cling on to those fears and actually fight rather hard to keep them! So let's take a look at 5 top reasons why you will keep your fears. 1. They are a great excuse. Sounds harsh, but for many people, their fear can be a very good excuse for all manner of thing. Especially it can be a great excuse for failure! I’ve known of many people who use their fear or their phobia as a justification for pretty much anything that goes wrong, and as a cast-iron excuse for not succeeding in something. Of course the reality is that the fear is very very rarely the actual cause of the problem. Usually they fail for other reasons – not working hard enough at it, giving up oo early, not focusing on the problem, not working through it methodically, not knowing what to do, not willing to do whatever it takes, the list goes on. However, instead of recognising those and taking responsibility and doing something, many find it far easier to blame it on their fear. After all, it’s not their fault, it’s the fear’s fault, so they can hardly be to blame when it all goes wrong… So if they were to address their fear, to conquer it once and for all – well, there goes their excuse! 2. It's Comfortable. As absurd as it may sound, for some people their fear is a very comfortable thing. Sure, it stops them from doing many things, but hey, some of those things are quite scary, you know? Whereas living with the fear, or with the phobia, does provide some comfort. You know how you are going to react in any given situation, you know what will happen, you know what to expect. It’s comfortable. The very definition of living within the Comfort Zone. Alas, much of the Good Stuff (including very often the way to get our dreams) lies outside of the Comfort Zone, and as much of a comfort blanket as our fear may be, it is still ultimately, holding us back. But hey, at least it’s comfortable there! 3. "It's part of who I am" A VERY common comment people with fears or phobias make is “It’s just part of who I am”. In this cade, people have chosen to actually embrace their fears as par of their personality, and as a core part of who they are. Which is a massive shame, because the reality is that none of us are born with fears. None of us a born scared of anything. We are born completely fearless (as countless parents of young babies will attest from their own nerve-wracking experiences with their fearless offspring!) All fears are things we learn to do – either through direct experience or by observing others or through being taught (check out this blog post and this podcast for a more detailed look a this). Which means that no matter what the fear is, it is categorically not a part of who we are! IT is simply something we learned to do along the way. And of course, if we learned how to do the fear, we can also learn how NOT to do the fear… 4. You are scared of life without them. Life can be scary at times. For anyone. And one of the biggest sources of scariness can be the worry of the unknown. When you know what it going to happen, when you know how to react, it is less cary; on the other hand, if you are not sure what is going to happen, then you can’ plan how to react, and that makes it scary. So for people who have fears which hold them back from doing new things, the fear itself can be reassuring. How? While you have the fear, it stops you from trying new things. So you remain where you are, which means you know how to act. On the other hand, if you get rid of your fear, and have no excuse but to Do The Thing, then you end up in a new situation, uncharted territory, complete with a new set of challenges – you enter the (partially) unknown. And for many people, the thought of that can be even scarier, so they cling on to their current fear as an excuse not to do something new! 5. You just don't think it's possible to change. Many people I’ve spoken to about their fear or phobia have expressed the belief that i is impossible for them to change, to get rid of it. The reality is that we are constantly changing – we are not the same today as we were yesterday. Indeed, take a look back at you from 10 years ago, see just how much has changed in your views, your beliefs, your situation, your attitudes, your knowledge… We are constantly changing – sometimes in big way, more usually in small subtle ways. But changing we are. As we noted at the start of this article, you were not born with your fear, you learned it – in other words, you changed from being fearless to being scared. So of course, with the right guidance and direction, you can absolutely change and conquer your fear! I mean, I've helped literally thousands of people around the planet to conquer their fears and master their mindset over the past 11 years, and each one was in a similar position to you. Until they accepted that it is possible to change - and provided you are prepared to let go of your fear, you too can change and experience the wondrous new possibilities which open up as a result. But only if you are prepared to let go of your fear, of course. Which is your reason? Now we've taken a look at 5 top reasons why people keep ahold of their fears, which is the one which rings most true for you? And ask yourself - what does your life look like if you choose to do whatever it takes to let go of those fears today? The bad news is that until you are ready to let those fears go, you will keep them and you won't achieve those things you truly want. The good news is that when you are ready to let them go, change can happen very quickly, as countless of my clients have proved to themselves over the years. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Keith! Keith Blakemore-Noble, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Keith is an award-winning coach, international speaker, and best-selling author who helps people transform their deepest fears into their greatest strengths. Growing up, he loved the idea of being a performer, entertaining people, and wanted nothing more than to be an actor, magician, or hypnotist. Unfortunately, he was also painfully shy, finding it almost impossible to speak with strangers - this ruled out his ambitions and made it very hard to make friends or even connect with colleagues. So instead, he pursued a very successful 20+ year career in IT until he studied hypnosis and NLP to help him to conquer his own fears, which opened up the way for him to be all the things he dreamed of being. Since 2010 he has used these same skills and experiences to help over 5,000 people around the planet to conquer their own fears, quickly and permanently, earning him the title of UK’s 1 Fear Strategist. He has published several books, appeared on countless podcasts, written for many publications, and spoken on stages in Bali, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Tibet, United Kingdom, USA, and Vietnam, as well as speaking at numerous virtual events globally.

As an Executive Leadership & Performance Strategist, Traci Philips supports visionary business owners and corporate executives to learn and practice better communication, resolution strategies, decision-making and leading during times of change and when the stakes are high. A three-year stint co-facilitating a men's transformational program for industry leaders incarcerated in Federal Prison taught Traci more than she could ever have learned elsewhere about high-stakes leadership and the cost of bad decision-making. This experience fueled a passion in her to help top leaders learn what they needed to know so they wouldn't end up losing what matters most. Her ultimate goal is to support her clients to live authentically and lead powerfully by creating more awareness about who they are, how they want to be seen, and what legacy they want to leave behind. Traci is the co-host of Eavesdrop in the Moment, a bi-weekly podcast that discusses current trends and leadership. Her book, Looking In: Discover, Define and Align the True Value of Your Life, Leadership and Legacy is helping leaders around the globe increase their confidence and self-identity to meet leadership demands and their personal performance potential. Traci Philips , Executive Leadership & Performance Strategist It’s great to meet you, and we’d love to learn more about you: In 2007, my husband and I moved to NC with our newborn daughter. I had recently left a 15-year career as a foreign language curriculum developer and instructor to be a stay-at-home mom. Those first 5 years had many challenges, as our country was in recession, and I struggled with postpartum and the challenges of raising a child, who required three surgeries before her second birthday, that had us traveling regularly to MD to meet with her surgical and care team. Those years taught resilience and created a strong family bond, and it set the stage for much of the work I do today helping visionary leaders capitalize on their challenges to build the legacy of their dreams. When my daughter began kindergarten, I made the decision to get my coaching certification and first entered the field of holistic health. Three years in, I realized this area of coaching did not fit my personality and desire to work with more driven and growth-oriented individuals. I began considering consciously-driven leadership, which, at the time, was only beginning to be discussed. I thought about big industry leaders. What if these individuals were to go through a complete metamorphosis that left them with deep clarity and a sense of ownership about who they are and how they have come to serve the world for a greater good? What would this mean, not only for them but for those closest to them, their employees, organizations and the impact they had on the world? I knew then that I was being called to focus on leadership, but I had no idea how I was going to make that transition. Two months later, I received an invitation to help a past client. At the time, she was a clinical psychologist at Butner, the Federal Prison here in NC. She invited me to co-facilitate a men’s transformational program she had created for leaders serving sentences for white-collar federal crimes. These were men who had held prestigious positions of power and influence. In my time there, I learned it is the high-profile leaders who are one of the most under-served in our culture when it comes to personal support and specialized care to help them through the stress and challenges they encounter. I ended up volunteering and working with groups of these men for three years, as I built up my leadership and performance coaching practice. I believe strongly there is no certification program in the world that would have offered me the knowledge, skills and experience I learned while at Butner. Today, I spend my time focused, specifically, on visionary leaders who know they came to this life to make a significant impact and want to unlock their true potential and serve with clarity, resolve and integrity. What have your life challenges taught you that you use in your work today? Life is full of many changes and surprises, and the road is never completely straight or smooth. I have learned many things in paving my own way. Opening myself to follow a calling has challenged my faith and trust in my own intuition, as well as strengthened my knowledge of where I am most valuable and valued. From this, I now have the experience and worldly credentials to teach others what I have learned. One of the core principles I share is how to “look in” for the answers we seek. This asks of us to develop all three of our brains – head, heart and gut – in order to receive the information we need to make the right decisions that are in alignment with who we are and why we are here. Through my work and life experiences, I’ve developed a strong belief that the key to individual betterment and the ability to thrive is within each person. Deep down, each of us already knows what we need to reach a state of balance – we simply need to learn how to listen and understand what our inner voice is telling us and most of all, follow it. I have lived in different parts of the US and Europe. Being in different cultures has taught me a lot. I have encountered struggles and overcome obstacles. Each challenge has allowed me to learn something more about myself and of that which I am capable. During my pregnancy, I was told at every stage that there was something potentially “wrong” with my baby. This was after trying everything for over two years just to GET pregnant. I had to learn to draw my energy in and up and to create the story I wanted to live, rather than the one I was being told. When my daughter was born with a birth defect, I worked through that time with the same trust and faith in what I could do, letting go of what was outside my control. What do you want most for your clients and how do you help them with this? I want people to learn to be free and grounded, two areas many struggles to access for longer than a fleeting period of time. Being confident and assured in one’s identity is about knowing oneself. Most people do not. As an Executive Leadership & Performance Strategist, I support visionary business owners and corporate executives to learn and practice better communication, resolution strategies, decision-making and leading during times of change and when the stakes are high. My time working with ex-leaders in prison taught me how to do this well. I have a passion for helping my clients define their personal values, authentic approach and intentional outcomes to create a clearer vision and blueprint for their lives and leadership. I also assist them in learning how to confidently and effectively communicate these points and define their Zone of Brilliance. All in all, I help visionary leaders define who they are and help them to understand why that matters and how to Own Their Zone. What is your Superpower or Zone of Brilliance? As far back as I can remember, I have been a questioner. What I know now is the environment I grew up in offered me the opportunity to sharpen my own innate talents of auditory discernment and translation, as well as develop and hone my proficiency in clairaudience. Some people call what I do linguistic profiling. I can “read” the patterns in people’s language to find truth, hidden information and innate capacities. With this, I have the ability to help clients identify and apply effective tools and approaches to zero in on core issues and challenges that are creating an inability to meet desired objectives and outcomes. As I assist people in discovering their Zone of Brilliance, I am also able to support them in uncovering the behaviors, beliefs, judgments and conditioning that is holding them back. In a nutshell, I know how to discover genius, cultivate vision and communicate its value. Who do you credit for helping you get to where you are today? I never have liked the term “self-made.” There is no one, in my opinion, who has been “made” without the help, support and assistance of many others. For me, it started with my parents who were (and still are in their 80’s) independent, hard-working and heart-centered entrepreneurs. They are also both creatives – my mother, an artist and my father, an architect. Each is also visionary, so I grew up understanding not only what that means but what it looks like to live with this unique breed each and every day. Being a visionary, also, I have come to embrace and accept who I am and my unique skills and traits – all of them, the good and the more challenged and challenging. I have had loads of teachers, coaches, mentors, friends and complete strangers who have played huge roles in my life play. Allowing me to develop, learn and know what I came here to experience. Other than working directly with your clients, where else do you focus your professional time and effort? Currently, I am an active member of the Women Speakers Association and the national and international networking organizations BNI, XPX and RPAN. I love to talk about what I do and have appeared on Blog Talk Radio, Annie Jennings PR podcast show, AuthorExpertWire and various other locally and nationally acclaimed podcast shows. I co-host a bi-weekly podcast show, as well, called Eavesdrop in the Moment where discussions are non-scripted, raw and real, covering everything from current events to personal life experiences. Finally, I love to write and put out monthly blogs and recently released my first book, Looking In: Discover, Define & Align the True Value of Your Life, Leadership & Legacy. Want to learn more from Traci? Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin or visit her website. Read more from Traci!

Written by: Cassandra Wiley, 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. During one-on-one consultations, I have encountered individuals with eating disorders. They come seeking help to lose weight and get a start on eating healthier. You may be wondering how one with an eating disorder can be overweight. There are two eating disorders. Individuals with bulimia usually are of average weight or are overweight. They binge-eat and force themselves to purge. Other signs may include the use of laxatives or enemas after eating and fasting. Individuals with anorexia nervosa are abnormally underweight with negative body perception. The purpose of a one-on-one consultation is to see if health coaching is a good fit for the potential client. When the client has a history of an eating disorder, there are other factors to consider. Of course, if the person is dramatically underweight, there would not be a need for health coaching. I would refer them to their primary medical doctor or a mental health practitioner. The individuals that came to me for help were overweight. I could help them get to a healthy weight; however, I see why they relapsed. 1. Triggers. What caused a relapse of episodes to occur after a period? 2. Self-esteem. How does the client view their body image? Do they have a fear of gaining weight? 3. Physical health. According to Mayo Clinic, the physical signs of bulimia are impaired teeth and gums, swelling in the hands, feet, face, and cheeks, or sores or scars on the knuckles or hands. This behavior can result in internal damage to the heart, kidneys, and digestive system. 4. Mental health. A person's mental health is affected by self-image, expectations from society, relationships, family, or other issues such as job stress. 5. Boredom. Idleness is a culprit for negative behaviors. When there is nothing to do but sit around the house, there may be a tendency to increase eating because you are bored. 6. Extreme exercising. The recommendation for exercise is 3-5 times a week for 30 minutes. After binge eating, the person may feel the urge to burn calories to avoid gaining weight. 7. Fasting. Some people use intermittent fasting as an option to lose weight; however, for a bulimic, this can trigger binge-eating. When a potential client comes for help with weight loss, the goal is to do it healthily. The use of diet pills, laxatives, and starving yourself is not ideal for maintaining optimal health. Before you consider health coaching, make sure that you talk to your primary care provider first. The first step will be blood tests and a physical exam. A mental health practitioner can recommend behavior therapy or psychotherapy. If you have symptoms, the goal is always to treat the root cause before moving forward. Do you want to make lifestyle changes? Find out if health coaching is right for you. Visit my website here. Read more from Cassandra! Cassandra Wiley, Executive Contributor, Brainz Magazine Cassandra Wiley is a health coach and founder of Have Faith and Live Well with Chasadah LLC. She focuses primarily on chronic illnesses such as pre-diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity. Her mission is to empower individuals to lose weight and teach a new healthier approach to food so that they can live better lives. She was successful in reversing her pre-diabetes and high cholesterol diagnoses naturally. The weight loss was an added benefit. She has helped clients change their diets and “have faith” in themselves in order to meet their health and wellness goals.

Written by: Shawn Singleton II, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Have you heard the expression Rome wasn’t built in a day? If you haven’t, it stems from the historical knowledge that Rome was a dynasty for about 500 years. That’s 500 years of absolute power and undeniable control of an entire region. An empire built in one day would not last that long. A foundation-built Brick-by-Brick will not happen in one day, and the positive changes that will come to your life will not show right away. This process is going to hurt; a lot of you will want to give up. Things will change, you will walk away from other people, feel alone at times, and be uncomfortable, but you will realize that your life will become more peaceful. You will experience a whole new meaning and value. Although, there may be some of you who may embrace it because you’ve had enough of the life you once had before, or even now, and you don’t plan on going back. If you’re wondering why I’m back on the subject of patience in this process, it’s because I understand how the world around us presents information to all of us. As consumers, they want us to buy now, get now, and react now- couple that with a lack of self-awareness that we all have in certain areas of our life, and you have the perfect combination for the beginning of a bottomless “hole.” It’s the presentation of information and lack of self-awareness that create the problems, not the life you live. I’m saying this because your life is not over until the appointed day, not anytime soon. Meaning you still have time! There is no need to rush yourself to gain back all the time you have wasted digging. The goal is never to have to dig again. To do that, you have to keep going over these places in your mind and reacting and understanding what happens to you as life continues to go on. You’ll never catch the life you could have had if you made better decisions, but you can change the life you will continue to have by dealing with the areas in your life that problems could potentially come from or have come from in the past. The Husband will never forget that Thursday evening. He had put away all his shovels, and he was ready to start building his foundation. This time he had accepted that he might not ever get his wife back. That he would be a co-parent for the rest of his life, and he was ready to take the results of actions. He was prepared to use this moment to remind him what he should never do again as a husband and leader in his family. He was ready to lay his first Brick and rebuild his life back into who he was created to be. He realized what was necessary. He knew that he was not giving her the best that she deserved. He wasn’t honoring his commitment to his marriage long after the mood in which he said “I do” had left. He understood that Rome was not built in a day, and the rebuilding of his life would not be fixed in one day, but he was ready to have the opportunity to try again. His phone rang, his wife was on the other line- “Hello?” “Hey, can you come to help me load up my car?” “Sure. Everything okay?” “Yes… I want to come home.” His mind went blank. Doubt, fear, and rejection suddenly tried to arise into his mind. However, this time, he was prepared to deal with it and knew exactly how he needed to get past it. By learning how to get better, day-by-day. He understood his wife wasn’t expecting him to be PERFECT; she just wanted him to be PRESENT. If you want your life to change, if you want your mind to reshape, you can begin to live by making the first step of every day to be present and show up ready to do better today than you did yesterday. You are not trying to rush your goals, dreams, or desires. Merely waking up saying, “I still have time in my life. I want to reshape my mind. How can I lay another brick today?” You will have bad days. There will be days where you feel like you’re digging again, but don’t be deceived. It just means you’re starting to recognize the actions you took that led to the hole you were in once before. That’s a good thing. Your life will continue to present different scenarios to you which may pull on old strings you once had or set off triggers you’ve yet to diffuse. That’s okay! Do a “spot-check” on that portion of the foundation you’re trying to lay and try not to move onto another as it will distract you from being able to set those bricks properly. Everyone has experienced and will experience different things in their lives, leading to self-awareness in various capacities. One person’s hole may have started with a deeper hole than the other. One person could have had more childhood trauma; one may have had more adult trauma. The point is, it doesn’t matter where you came from or what you have experienced. If you apply the concept of Brick-by-Brick to your life, you will begin to experience life-changing results that will lead to an immovable foundation that no one or anything can knock down or take away from you. Just because someone else’s foundation meant they would get the opportunity to start a very successful business doesn’t mean that you HAVE to or even will be successful when you try it yourself. Just because their foundation begins with them being married younger doesn’t mean you’re a failure for getting married later. Focus on what you need to do for yourself right now. I’m not saying dwell on the years you lost or the situations that may provoke the trauma. I’m saying to focus on each Brick one step at a time. Don’t worry about how it’s going for the next person until you have reached a point where you’re stable enough in that area to help them lay their bricks as well; not do it for them, and without risking damage to wounds you’ve worked so hard to heal. If you look out into a city, you will notice that the skyline from the highest building in that city will look different in all four directions. Each of those buildings’ required various depth, size, and foundational supports, but they’re a structure that will not move. Be sure that you’re laying the bricks in your life in the place where you genuinely want them to stay. The goal of Brick-by-Brick is to put down our shovels and not dig any more holes. You are trying to build an empire like Rome in your minds that will last for the length of your lives, hopefully bringing change to your next 500 years, not allowing anything to be your detonator. Not even a week passed, and The Husband started to feel the same pressure he felt before. He couldn’t trust himself to do the right thing. He lost her before because he wasn’t meeting the needs of his family and he was still struggling with trying to appear “perfect” in the eyes of his wife. One night he broke down in tears. He had never shown this vulnerability in front of her before. He thought he couldn’t trust her to be there for him, he thought she would see him as weak and unable to make the right decisions. His wife, shocked by this level of vulnerability, opened her arms and comforted him. She said to him, “You don’t have to be perfect. Being vulnerable with me like this shows me that you’re trying to be better and you’re allowing me to show that I can be trusted.” If you’re going to build an empire, you have to be vulnerable with the people who will reign with you. It doesn’t mean becoming an open book to everybody; it just means that whoever you plan on building with should be someone who will open up to you about their weaknesses, just as you are with them. Creating strength from that weakness, which won’t create instability in your foundation later. Want to read more? Purchase your copy of Brick by Brick: Reshape Your Thinking today! Shawn Singleton II, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Shawn Singleton, II is the author of "Brick by Brick: Reshape Your Thinking" and 2021 CREA Global Award recipient who primarily focuses on advising youth and young adults to effectively manage their influence in their personal and professional leadership roles. As a Husband, Community Leader, Engineer, and Certified Cognitive Behavioral, Life, and Business Coach, Shawn knows what it takes to become an effective leader in personal and professional leadership roles. Shawn created the "Yes, I A.M." leadership method from several personal and professional experiences, from being raised without a father in a single-parent household to head coach and community leader to organizational leadership and management. Shawn has experienced and overcame almost every obstacle young men face today regarding development and understanding of creating a foundation to become the leader they desire to become!