Written by: Motti Wein, 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. A common scene in the synagogue during weekday services is of financially struggling individuals walking around collecting money. It is of paramount importance to not only help with whatever one can afford but to greet them pleasantly, no matter how “uncomfortable” it might be. Following giving the charity, the collector traditionally blesses the giver. The blessing can range from “health,” “happiness,” “good upright children,” or “to always be a giver.” One time a few months back, I was blessed, “You should always merit Divine assistance.” What type of blessing is that? The truth is the blessing for Divine assistance encompasses all other blessings as, without Divine assistance, one cannot properly enjoy their assets. Even with good health, without proper Divine assistance, one won’t be able to maintain it for too long. Even with happiness, without proper Divine assistance, one won’t be able to enjoy it for too long. Even with good upright children, without proper Divine assistance, one won’t raise them the correct way. Even with millions of dollars, without proper Divine assistance, one won’t spend it correctly. As a landlord who holds escrow for my tenants, I have multiple separate bank accounts where such funds are held. As my business is not very large, I don’t have dozens of tenants, so the escrow accounts are not often used. After five years of use, I suddenly was hit with the thought of doing a self-audit. I am the only one with access to the escrow accounts, so I had no reason to be suspected of anyone. Additionally, bank statements are checked on a weekly basis, so I had no reason to believe an error was made on the bank’s end. At the same time, we are all human and prone to mistakes, myself included. Upon completion of the self-audit, I noticed a surplus of $27.94, which I initially thought was accumulated interest, albeit on the high end. I didn’t think much of it and was satisfied the self-audit was satisfactory. The following day I was again suddenly hit with the thought of doing a second self-audit. I pulled up a new & more detailed report from QuickBooks, where I noticed my most recent tenant vacancy. I mistakenly shorted $25 upon return of his deposit the week prior. Upon return of the deposit, I didn’t notice the error The tenant never reported the error to me, so he didn’t notice it The mistake was caught mere days after it occurred, purely due to Divine assistance I received (two times) on the importance of doing a periodic self-audit. When one is entrusted in holding escrow for another, it is an awesome responsibility that cannot be taken lightly. There is much law, both on the Jewish end as well as on the civil end, involved. Every businessman who is entrusted to hold another’s money in escrow must do a self-audit, at a minimum, on an annual basis. Depending on the size of escrow, it may need to be more often. In the merit of doing such self-audits, may we merit the Divine assistance needed to be successful in all of our personal & business endeavors. May all of my readers who are observing Rosh HaShana be blessed with a sweet and prosperous new year. Connect with me on LinkedIn or visit my website for more info! Read more from Motti! Motti Wein, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Founded in 2015 by Motti Wein, we don't view honesty as the best policy; rather, we view it as the foundation for all policies. Let us use our cumulative decades of experience in overcoming adversary, leadership, trust, real estate, customer service, business acumen, family values, and our good name to help you manage and grow your NJ real estate investment portfolio. We may be reached at 732-415-8446 or emailed at WeinRealtyLLC@gmail.com. Wein Holdings, Wein Consulting, Wein Management, and Wein Lending are Wein Realty, LLC divisions. Please note we are a proud member of "Mem Dalet" - an initiative to encourage traditional Jewish workplace values in an ever-increasing nationwide culture of harassment & assault against women and general hostility towards religion. For more information, please contact us. Regarding Mr. Wein's work in kosher supervision, please email Wein.ChaimM@gmail.com or MWein@JewishHomeFreehold.org.

Written by: Philip Airson, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. I have a theory that we are all taught when we are younger that being quiet good little girls and boys, that we should always behave and be kind has been misunderstood and drilled into us to a point where we do not know how to express ourselves or ask for what we need, and this is at the heart of so much of our anguish and depressive states. Maybe you don’t want to say you need time for yourself because it could be considered selfish? Maybe you don't want to say what kind of meal you want because you don’t want to ‘rock the boat’? Maybe you are afraid to ask for more intimacy, fewer work hours, change jobs, leave a relationship or even tell someone you got your order wrong. So many of the amazing women I have worked with have told me they take care of everyone, do everything, and they are left with no one to look after their needs. Sound familiar? We are told so often how to be kind and love others that offering ourselves that same kindness surely must be a bad thing... right? I remember when I was young, I was determined to be the nice guy; I would do anything for anyone! Because 90’s movies taught me that it's the nice guys who win out in the end. What happened? I lost relationship after relationship by being a wet blanket, I was miserable not asking for what I wanted, and they got bored of the niceness. I was told which university to go to and what to study because I didn’t know how to voice what I wanted. So I went, I got super depressed, and I failed in a spectacular fashion. I worked in a job I hated because I was told someone could get me in it. I stayed for 17 years and had a total breakdown. I became involved in things I never wanted to do because I just wanted to please people so they would like me. I was in borderline abusive relationships, and I was just happy my misery made someone happy! My pleasing people had no boundaries. I started working with my coach on this and started my own self-study on communication and learning to say NO, or rather how to say NO when it matters and when I know it will improve my life. Importantly for me, I learned to ask for what I need without needing to be aggressive or confrontational. It is not about learning to argue and say no to everything someone asks, but more about learning how to communicate what you need at that moment, saying no to a night out because you need space to recharge, saying no to working extra hours because you need your family time. There is happiness in NO; it makes your YES more genuine and special. It also means you know yourself, love yourself and respect yourself. TO NO IS TO KNOW. Philip Airson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Phil Airson is a life and success coach, psychotherapist, and human behavioral expert. He has devoted his life to the study of human psychology and created PMA Life coaching with his mission to show over one million people how to develop a loving relationship with themselves. Phil has worked with entrepreneurs from all over the world, helping them not only grow their business but doing so by helping them grow and succeed as individuals. Phil believes that our relationship with our own being affects how we see and interact with everything in the world. From our relationships to our work to what we see in the mirror, it all stems from our perception of who we are and where we fit into society. By examining and working with this, Phil has changed lives and allowed some of the most successful people to connect to joy in their lives. Phil is a man from a wonderful but working-class mining town in the north of England. He has been bullied. He has been fired. He has struggled financially. He has been lonely. He has lost loved ones. He has also coached clients who have lost children, had life-threatening illnesses, been assaulted, been abused, and been through bankruptcy. But Phil has also been a leader, a coach, and an advisor to high-level clients for almost 17 years. He's faced many challenges (in life and business) and has coached many people through life-changing experiences. And Phil has been privy to the secret challenges of top-level clients (Hint: they have the same challenges as the rest of us!) Oh, and Phil's an introvert at heart who is secretly relieved when plans for a night out are canceled!

Written by: Laura Flanagan, Senior Level Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. In this article I will reveal some little-known facts about fiber and the beneficial effect it has on the body. First, let me explain what fiber is. Fiber is an indigestible part of all plant foods. It is found in fruits, vegetables, grains and beans. Your digestive system cannot break fiber down, so it is excreted undigested. You may think you don’t need fiber, because it’s excreted undigested, but that’s not true. Let's imagine the following picture: You overeat at least once or twice a week, more often at weekends, and your regular menu doesn't include much fiber. Well, this might be your lifestyle; however, you should consider that it may result in health problems like: indigestion discomfort stomach aches gases in the digestive tract constipation hemorrhoids you got tired faster can't concentrate on what you're doing You may become less productive at work and more irritable at home. Besides all this, you gain weight and that may be the moment you realize you have a problem. In order to solve a problem, you should first find the reason for it. In this case it’s the lowered intake of fiber-rich foods and respectively — the higher intake of foods containing no fiber (like meat). The average amount of fiber intake is about 25-30 grams per day. Unfortunately, most people's regular diets include less than 10-15 grams daily. Here are some fiber-rich foods to consider getting into your daily diet: all bran cereal beans peas spinach sweet corn whole-grain bread red cabbage carrots baked potato with skin apples, bananas, oranges, and all fruits There are two types of fiber — soluble and insoluble. If you start eating more food rich in fiber, you’ll be amazed by its beneficial effects on your body, health, and way of life. Soluble fiber forms a glue-like gel in the intestinal tract. The gel softens stools (no more constipation) and improves your digestion (no more indigestion). Fiber slows down stomach emptying, and you feel full longer. This helps you eat less, your body burns additional calories to digest fiber, and ultimately you healthily lose weight. Insoluble fiber is an excellent natural laxative because of its ability to hold onto water and to push waste faster along the intestines — this way, fiber decreases the risk of colon cancer. I hope this inspires you to explore getting more fiber-rich foods in your diet. I make it a practice to find at least one new fiber-rich food that I might not have ever experienced when I shop at the farmer’s market. I live in Costa Rica, so it is easy to explore new foods, but for those in colder climates where exotic fruits are veggies are hard to come by, I would suggest trying your local Asian food market. There are often very interesting fiber-rich fruits and vegetables that will not only be interesting to try in new recipes, but your body will thank you for the diversity and additional fiber in the long run! If you are interested in working with me to assist you in nutritional goals – whether you are trying to lose weight or struggle with a chronic illness, check out my website and contact me for a free 30-min consultation. Follow me on Instagram, YouTube and visit my website for more info! Read more from Laura! Laura Flanagan MS, RYT, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Laura Flanagan is a Molecular Biologist by education and career, but she recently left her corporate job and moved to Costa Rica with her horse to open an Equine Therapy Center. Concurrently with her career as a scientist, she has been teaching Yoga and Meditation for over 20 years. Laura is a Yoga Instructor, Yamuna Body Rolling Instructor, Meditation Teacher, and Functional Nutrition Counselor - trained through the Functional Nutrition Alliance. She directs the Socrates Center in Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica. She has helped thousands of clients with physical pain through her certification with Yamuna who uses a form of small ball therapy as well as her meditation and Functional Nutrition background. She has used all of these practices to assist in her own recovery from breast cancer.

Written by: Simon Haigh, 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. Engaging employees to ensure the attributes to build a cohesive & inclusive growth culture are nurtured and embedded in behaviors in a real and tangible way requires real focus and intentional action to maximize success. What is organizational culture? I like the statement made by an executive a number of years ago: “I can’t define it, but I know it when I see it”. It is clear that organizational values cannot just be aspirational alone. They must also be simple and measurable. If they cannot be defined and measured, the employees are far less likely to believe in them and then “drive them.” It would be a shame not to optimize an organization’s culture when all the organization has done is fail to articulate and break down its values into measurable components. The seeds of corporate culture are sown from day one. A crucial part of a successful organizational culture is ensuring that its employees are satisfactorily motivated and engaged. Every organization is only as good as its staff. To really excel, a company needs people who share the corporate vision with supporting commitment. Trust is a big aspect of building a “culturally astute” business. Employees must be able to trust their boss and the vision set for the company. Conversely, bosses have to be able to trust their employees to execute the plan they envision the business needs. Mutual confidence is therefore essential. The most successful companies in the world are those, which make their entire team feel like they are a critical and integral part of the company’s success. This requires creating a culture of accomplishment and sharing in the ups and occasional inevitable downs. Corporate culture is truly cemented when the whole company feels like it has a purpose. A company’s inspiration and drive must filter down from its leader to its people who operate at the “coal face.” Despite all the ups and downs of corporate life, if the employees share the corporate passion, they are much more likely to work together for the common good. As with any successful business, employees drive the organization through the vision and culture set by the boss. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or visit my website for more info! Read more from Simon! Simon Haigh, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Simon Haigh, known as The Growth Strategist, helps organizations and leaders unlock, build and sustain business, leadership, brand, and mindset growth through his coaching, consulting, training, publications, speaking, and e-learning programs. Simon’s clients include high-performing leaders, companies, business schools, professional organizations & Government bodies globally. His work is endorsed by world no. 1 leadership thinker Marshall Goldsmith. He is nominated by PeopleHum Top 200 Influential Thought Leaders 2021, Thinkers 360 4 Sales, 9 Entrepreneurship, 10 Legal & IP, 13 Health & Wellness, 33 Mental Health, 37 Management & 47 Emerging Tech, and featured in the PeopleHum Top 100 Thought Leader series for Mindful Negotiation. He has also been featured on numerous global TV and radio outlets, and two of his three Amazon 5 Star books – How to be a Better Dealcloser and Dealmaking for Corporate Growth, are endorsed by Marshall Goldsmith, and he is an associate member of the Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching Organisation. Simon is also an acclaimed Keynote Speaker.

Written by: Jacqueline Rhule, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. I will admit, there had been times over the past 23 years of running my complementary therapy business and more recently as a Business Coach, that I had considered throwing in the towel. Returning to my old 9-5 occupation as a secretary, to carry me through the rest of my working life, felt less stressful. I could just go into the office, do my best, then switch off from work at the end of each day. Running my own business sometimes felt like quite a burden to be responsible for all tasks that were needed to keep my business alive and thriving. You know, the marketing, admin, work procurement, advertising, delivering the service, etc. It felt like I was always “on”. This was particularly so in the early days until it was financially viable to outsource some tasks. Even then, you always have the overall responsibility, so your mind and emotions are never completely switched off. Thankfully the pluses for following my business dreams and going from employee to entrepreneur far outweighed those moments of pressure. Following are the reasons that kept me focused on my entrepreneurial journey. By sharing them, it’s my wish that it helps you to keep moving forward in your business journey too: 1. The universe dropped that business idea into your mind – for a reason. Many times we can have that moment of epiphany, with the idea that’s burst forth from our soul, BUT we don’t think it’s possible. Thinking it’s a pipe dream. Believing it’s the domain only of all the great inventors, creators, and entrepreneurs of the past and our time. Such as Madame C J Walker, Albert Einstein, Oprah, Arianna Huffington, Rihanna, JK Rowling, Sophia Vergara, Will. I.Am, Garrett Morgan, and Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, to mention a few. However, as the quote from William Arthur Ward: “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it , you can become it.” Just like the above-mentioned inventors and entrepreneurs. N.B: If you don’t recognize (or know) some of those names, look them up and see how they contributed to the lives we live in their amazing way. The dream is jazzing you up for a reason – because it’s achievable. 2. You add to the expansion of the economy. Your business provides work for others. Even if you do not employ an in-house team that works solely for you, there are many other professionals that you will outsource work to. E.g., virtual assistant, accountant, copywriter, web designer, etc. They, in turn, will be spending money, buying and using services, providing for themselves and their families. And just think, the prosperity in your business gives other businesses the opportunity to start and grow their own business visions too – don’t you think that’s so wonderful? You get to contribute to others' visions and play a part in keeping the economy buoyant. 3. There will always be problems to solve. So bring your creative solutions to your target audience. There are people who need what you have to offer because… no other person on the planet thinks just like you or has your unique talents and ideas. The path we have walked in life, the experiences we have lived through, the background, ancestry, and passion in any area of life ALL HELP to bring diverse solutions to people and the planet. Know the people you can best serve because you understand intimately what their problems are and can provide the solutions that will benefit them immensely. Can you imagine what life would be like if household labor-saving machines, the computer, the internet, the car, and life-saving medical equipment were not invented by people with a vision? It doesn’t bear thinking about it. The efficiency, time-saving, and life-saving benefits are appreciated by all of society. 4. You’ll love your work. Obvious – right? You’ve been inspired by your vision, created your business from it, so when Monday comes around, you are an eager beaver, leaping out of your bed, ready to dig in and further create and grow it. You have got to admit it, and it’s a much better way to live. Otherwise, you spend your Sunday nights absolutely dreading work the next day - then living only for Friday to come around again. Wishing the majority of your life away is soul-destroying – NOT GOOD. After all, you’re alive and kicking now, so you should make each moment the best it can be. 5. You get to take control of your own financial future. We all know that there is no such thing as a job for life nowadays. No “gold watch” presented to you at your retirement party after, usually, working many years for the same company. These days, the nature of employment in many fields is quite transient and often on a short-term contract basis. You’ll have a set salary to start with and will have to wait until your employer deems it appropriate or you worthy of a pay rise and the pre-decided upon amount. I’m sure you can see that whatever you earn is decided upon by others and to their own timetable. Following through on your dream business gives you the creative reins and ability to make your own decisions. You can build and scale it to the level that suits you in a manner in which it suits you, thereby creating the income you truly desire – on your terms. One of my Business Dreams Years back, I remember sitting down daydreaming about how wonderful it would be if children in schools were able to have some form of massage—the aim for it to calm and soothe them. At the time, I had no idea how I’d fulfill that dream, but I kept it alive in my mind all the same. Then one day I went to a friend’s birthday party. I was sat chatting with another friend about my vision. I’m a firm believer in telling anyone who’ll listen about your dreams – you just never know who’s listening and can help. Somebody sitting behind us overheard our conversation and told me there was a company that trained people to deliver “Peer Massage” services within schools! Children were taught a simple, clothed massage routine (performed seated and on each other’s backs) with a big emphasis on them asking for permission before they touched each other. Boom, I thought! I suddenly had a path I was firmly on to see that business vision through. The passion and belief I had in such a service expanded my business and addressed many issues in primary schools in the UK at the time, of bullying, schools having a “no-touch” policy, and helping children to stay calmer (which meant a greater capacity to learn and retain knowledge). That’s just one of my examples of not giving up on my business dreams. The above reasons should give you enough fire in your belly to start noting down the stirrings of your heart for your new business dreams. Or reignite an existing business. Or expand a side hustle into a bigger vision. Enjoy the journey and anytime you feel like giving it all up – come back to this article to remember why you shouldn’t. You can find Jacqueline on Inst agram , LinkedIn , Facebook , or visit her we bsite ! Read more from Jacqu eline ! Jacqueline Rhule, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jacqueline Rhule is a Business Coach (Business Coaching With Heart & Soul) who helps entrepreneurs to grow their businesses with much more ease and flow and turn their passion to prosperity faster. She also coaches you in the other areas of your life to ensure an optimum work-life balance, all within the realms of personal growth, spirituality, and the law of attraction. She believes that most of the work lies in impr oving the mindset and clearing any negative thought patterns that are holding you back. When coupled with practical business steps and advice, an unstoppable momentum to success and greatly enhanced overall happiness levels can be achieved. Email her at jackie@serenitycoachingtips.co

Written by: Anna-Karin Lingham, 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. Perhaps you are back to work after your summer holidays, just like me. If so, do you notice that there may be a difference in which of your personality traits you bring forward in your work life compared to in your holiday life? You may be efficient, focused, logical, and decisive at work – depending on the character of your work, of course. You meet the needs of your employer, clients, coworkers, and the projects you may run. But guess what? Well, you already know it. You are so much more than what you represent at work. Think about yourself during the summer holidays, when you might have taken a rest from your job mind. Which personality traits, talents, or situations did you make room for and prioritize? Creativity? Humor and laughter? Curiosity? Physical movement? Stillness? Lightheartedness? When I speak about personal branding and ambassador branding, I always emphasize the importance of being yourself, of being genuine and transparent in any situation. That gives you a sense of consistency, and it also makes you trustworthy to others. It is easy to recognize and know what to expect from you. So although you adjust to different situations, for example, work, holidays or time with friends, you are still the same person. Some of your personality traits are more useful to you and others in certain situations, though, and others in others. But what if you would bring more of your holiday personality into your work life? If you would allow yourself to be more complete, to make room for more fun, creativity, lightheartedness, curiosity – or whatever you may have a habit of putting aside in your holiday and spare time pocket? A few years ago, I started painting again after leaving it aside for a long time in favor of other tasks and duties. I noticed that my creative mind started to flourish in a way that I had forgotten. This has influenced my job as a branding consultant. I can find better solutions, look at challenges from a wider perspective, and communicate with a more colorful language. Sometimes I even bring my paintings into workshops to illustrate a process or insight to my colleagues. I notice that it encourages and allows others to bring out their creative minds too. You are unique. Your professional expertise may be held by someone else at work too, but when you add your personality, talents, and interests, no one is like you. And you are like no one else. You may solve problems and approach challenges in a certain way based on a shared and common process but spiced up with your creative mind. You may be able to ease a conflict or friction between coworkers with your leadership knowledge but completed with your good sense of humor and your lightheartedness. This will most likely bring in new and better results. And on top of that, you will have more fun at work as you give yourself more space to be yourself - all-inclusive. So bring it on. Spice up your job life with some of your holiday traits. And keep them active as we move into new seasons. For more information, follow me on LinkedIn , Instagram and visit my website or Pick My B rain ! Read more from Anna-Ka rin ! Anna-Karin Lingham, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Anna-Karin Lingham is a branding expert with a great interest in both business and people. Since more than twenty years back, she has worked with marketing, branding, and business development both in Sweden and in an international arena. She has had leading roles in companies like the Axfood group, the global premium brand Hästens Beds, the health company Apotek Hjärtat and the sports fashion brand Björn Borg. She has launched the concept of Ambassador Branding, where corporate and personal branding meets great financial results, strong job satisfaction, and brilliant ambassadorship on the market. Anna-Karin has been appointed Mentor of the year by the Stockholm Marketing Association. She has written a guidebook in personal branding and is an active business developer, speaker, and mentor. She is also an artist and outdoor adventurer, with a special fondness for high mountains. Her mission is to help companies and individuals to open their own windows and take place in greener and greater arenas.

Written by: Henrik Pettersson, 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. Self-esteem means of course — to have a good feeling for oneself. At the same time, it is about building one's personality around well-chosen qualities. And take control of their lives. And since it's hard to get a feel for yourself, if you do not know who you are, you should find out. Identify the traits that you want to stand for overtime. Strong and weak sides; are you creative, risk-taking, flexible, strong, fast, and impatient? Are you thoughtful, thorough, managerial, down-to-earth, responsible? And so on. And if you want to reason your way to what increases – or decreases self-esteem, you can consider it a kind of personal currency. With assets increasing in debit, and liabilities increase in credit. Assets/Debit Body language is perhaps the clearest sign of self-esteem. The eye contact, the smile that comes from within, and the unadulterated smile that shines with optimism. Self-esteem radiates through attitude. See, for example, the American golfer Koepka who walks across the fairway straight in the back like a pine. To show himself and others that he is proud of himself and his Native American origins. The greatest asset, however, is the character that is characterized by perseverance, the ability to take action, resist disappointment and adversity. To listen to your own dreams rather than the critical opinions of others. To move forward step by step, with both heart and brain as a guide, with perseverance and discipline as friends. To do what you say you should do, when you say you should do it. Not to lie even to oneself. Not to be hurt or offended when self-esteem is challenged. To be able to laugh at oneself. Coming to the realization – that every time you make your fellow human beings feel better, your assets in the account increase, which pays off in self-esteem that can move mountains. Debt/Credit Every time you blame your failures on others, every time you lie to get out of difficult situations, every time you deviate from your plan – your debt increases. For every negative word you utter, self-esteem decreases. Banish destructive thoughts. Every time you feel contempt for people you currently feel are "less" than yourself, self-esteem may increase in the short term but decrease in the longer term. In the same way, revenge works — short-term sweet, long-term sour. "It’s on me", is instead perhaps the most important meaning of self-esteem, together with seeing opportunities before difficulties, faith in success, and the ability to take action. While your self-esteem increases when you are interested in other people, listen to them instead of constantly thinking about yourself. Self-esteem increased with mantras such as Armand Duplantis when he learned enough Swedish to be able to hold the victory interview after winning the gold medal in the Olympics. A thing that became a mantra – and also charmed the Swedish people that helped him jump higher than the competition. A formula that ensured the expected success. Do not underestimate the mantra, which unlocks the doors, or which closes your potential. And the lack of faith in the success that risks following you through life as a tattoo. In summary Every time you say no to temptation, a piece of cake to the coffee, a relaxing beer after a round of golf, or act against your instincts to dodge difficult things. And put your sourdoughs in the oven instead of letting them lie and ferment. So it increases your self-esteem, right? And makes you feel in control and a player of chess – instead of being a piece on the board – in the hands of others. Try to keep a journal for a week, over debit and credit, things that increase and decrease your self-esteem, your charisma, your faith, and your belief in success. And you will find self-esteem in constant improvement. And find that the need to interrupt other people in their minds, to emphasize yourself, will diminish, just as the desperate longing for confirmation and the inability to see things from new perspectives. Good luck! Follow me on Facebook , Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn ! Read more from Henrik ! Henrik Pettersson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Since 2004, Henrik has been working as a coach, educator, and motivational speaker around Europe. Life is about growth. The challenge to growth is to gain boldness to handle our fears and vulnerability. To strengthen your spine – to be able to handle your challenges towards stronger results. Life’s tough at times, and the formula for gaining more boldness, and dig deep into, is Faith – Energy – Focus. His new book is built on the three pillars above and is called: program yourself to success. Henrik is frequently hired by large companies like Volvo, H&M, and Avis.

Written by: Kamini Wood, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Shame is a self-conscious emotion that reflects our self-thoughts of unworthiness, dishonor, or inadequacy. People tend to confuse shame with guilt because these emotions are often intertwined. However, guilt is always behavior-related and develops as a result of our awareness that we had done something wrong, whereas shame doesn’t make a distinction between a behavior and the self. Shame involves the feeling that there is something basically wrong with our nature. Shame can be triggered by a situation, circumstance, or another person. However, it can also result from our self-perception of failure because we tend to feel shame when we don’t meet our standards or ideals. In other words, shame causes us to feel as though we are deeply imperfect, which may open the door to anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, or other mental health issues. Some people constantly struggle with self-love and self-compassion. Their inner critic is always ready to judge, criticize, and censure, which means that the tiniest mistake can trigger feelings of low self-esteem and shame. Shame causes you to feed your subconscious mind with self-critical thoughts of failure, inadequacy, or worthlessness. This, in turn, affects your self-confidence, causing you to feel insecure, rejected, unloved, isolated, and afraid. But what are the roots of shame? Why Do We Feel Shame? The main feature of shame is the feeling that there is something basically wrong with you. In other words, shame stems from the belief that you are at the core flawed, bad, or inadequate. Many people internalized this false belief during their childhood. Those overwhelmed by shame were often raised in an environment that caused them to feel unsafe. Unhealthy attachment styles such as a fearful-avoidant attachment with either abusive or cruel caregivers caused the child to feel generally unsafe. Also, as a result of not feeling loved, understood, or valued, these children developed the belief that they were not loved because there was something wrong with them. Even if they weren’t told straightforwardly that they were flawed, bad, or stupid, these children concluded that there is something wrong with them by the way they were being treated. They internalized shame and the effects of mistreatment, believing that what happened is somehow their fault. Similarly, children who grew up in a family with an insecure-avoidant attachment style may also internalize shame that belongs to the adult who left or neglected them, assuming that abandonment was somehow their fault. How to Overcome Shame The best cure for shame is self-compassion and acceptance. Self-compassion or your ability to relate to the self with kindness and love can help you to tackle negative self-talk, be more forgiving to yourself and treat yourself with understanding. However, as the feeling of shame was internalized from messages you received about yourself from others, love and acceptance have to come from interpersonal experience, too - you need to feel accepted and loved by others to overcome your shame. In other words, you need to be ready to open up to others and allow them to accept you and love you for who you are. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or visit my website for more info! Read more from Kamini! Kamini Wood, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Kamini Wood is the founder and CEO of Live Joy Your Way and the AuthenticMe® RiseUp program. An international best-selling author Kamini is driven to support people of all ages to heal their relationship with themselves and to stop outsourcing their self-worth. As a result, her clients become their own confident, resilient self-leader with healthier relationships. Kamini is a certified life coach, board-certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, holds specialty certifications in Calling in the One®, Conscious Uncoupling®, NewMoney Story®, and teen life coaching. Also trained in conscious parenting, Kamini aims to meet her clients where they are, supporting and guiding them on their journey to where they want to be, both personally and professionally. Her mission: create space for each person to see the unique gifts they bring to this world.

Written by: Awaz Ahmed, 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. Self-awareness is a key component of managing emotions. Self-awareness involves being aware of different parts of the self, such as qualities, behaviors, and emotions. Self-awareness can be perceived as a tool. When there’s self-awareness, an individual can manage emotions, make effective decisions, tackle goals and improve relationships. Now how can you practice self-awareness? Here is an easy technique below! Do you ever get a gut feeling but unsure which way to go? Well, here is a technique known as the Head, Heart & Gut. We all have many things going on in our personal and professional life and often times our head, heart and gut gets in the way. This is one of my favorite techniques to be more aware of what’s going on. Technique Step 1: Think of a topic, look at a picture or feel something depending on what kind of learner you are. Step 2: Close your eyes and then ask yourself, how was your day? Step 3: Take a deep breath and touch your heart. What does your heart say about your day so far? What information is there? Step 4: Then go to your stomach and put your hand there. What’s your gut have to say? Step 5: Check in, open your eyes. How was it? How do you feel? What did your head, heart and gut say? Are your more aware? Follow me on Instagram, Linkedin and visit my websit e ! Read more from Awa z ! Awaz Ahmed, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Awaz Ahmed is a Business Psychologist and Coach, helping organizations and individuals in the workplace by encouraging and facilitating clients in a range of professional and personal areas. In addition, she has worked internationally and is the founder of aweology, a company platform of Business Psychologists and professional coaches. With an MSc in Business Psychology and coaching Awaz Ahmed, is also a certified emotional intelligence coach, NLP practitioner, certified 70+ hours of ICF coaching training, member of the British Psychology Society, American Psychology Association, Society for Industrial and organizational psychology and currently studying her Ph.D. in Business Psychology. Through her extensive experience and education in Business Psychology, she is highly skilled and passionate about research, psychometrics, assessments, training, development, recruitment, and coaching.

Written by: Catherine Elizabeth Wood, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Organizations can trigger stress in the workplace either intentionally or inadvertently through unhelpful leadership behaviors and toxic organizational cultures. Stress in the workplace impacts employee engagement by affecting mood, motivation, fear, and alert level. Workplace wellbeing needs to be a priority to maintain employee engagement for a future-fit organization. Therefore, your organization needs to understand how to avoid triggering stress in the workplace for employees' wellbeing. Think about your current organisational culture and the leadership behaviours in the organisation. Is your organization triggering stress in the workplace through leadership behaviors and organizational culture? Consider what you want your organizational culture and values to look like. Incorporating science-based strategies into your organization will reduce workplace stress and enable your organization to increase employee engagement by: Minimising triggers of stress. The brain automatically activates the limbic system during stressful situations which releases cortisol, the primary stress neurochemical. Cortisol affects mood, motivation, fear, and alert level. Increasing a sense of reward in the workplace. The brain releases the brain-friendly neurochemical dopamine when it has a rewarding experience. Activators for the release of dopamine include novelty, curiosity, perceptions of control, meditation, mindfulness, and positive social interactions. Using a framework of science-based strategies to reduce workplace stress, there are 5 steps you can take in your organisation to ensure employees see their work as a rewarding experience. 1. Drive a sense of meaning and purpose When the brain experiences familiarity to feel safe, the prefrontal cortex is activated, which is responsible for strategic thinking, planning, organizing, self-monitoring, self-control, memory, time management, and maintaining a sense of calm during adversity. When the prefrontal cortex is activated, this switches off the limbic brain. Activating the prefrontal cortex will therefore positively impact employee performance and reduce stress. To help employees have a sense of meaning and purpose, you can explore: The meaning of their work within the team and organization The value they bring to their work How their values align with the organizations’ values 2. Create a culture of motivation Building a culture of trust drives employee motivation. This is because the brain-friendly neurochemical oxytocin is released when an employee trusts in their team and the organisation. Trust activates a shift from the limbic system to the prefrontal cortex in the brain which will drive a culture of motivation. To create a culture of motivation in the workplace, you can explore: Communication which promotes trust Rewarding behavior which promotes trust Helping employees to promote a culture of trust 3. Encourage novelty in the workplace Curiosity brings novelty. Novelty is intrinsically motivating and releases the brain-friendly neurochemical dopamine which reduces stress. To encourage novelty in the workplace, you can explore: Ideas to promote novelty in the team How employees can bring novelty into their work Encouraging curiosity in how to work smarter as a team 4. Increase delegation in the workplace Having a sense of autonomy and control is a basic biological need that is essential for wellbeing. Delegation promotes a sense of autonomy and control as the employee feels they have freedom of choice in how they approach their work. The freedom of choice reduces stress. To increase delegation in the workplace, you can explore: How employees could take on new responsibilities in their work How employees could work together as a team in decision-making How the organization could increase employees’ freedom of choice within their work 5. Seek to bring familiarity through consistent leadership Familiarity through consistency, clarity and transparency triggers an increase in the brain-friendly neurochemical oxytocin. The release of oxytocin results in employees experiencing a calmer state during adversity which reduces stress. To bring familiarity in the workplace, you can explore: How the organization can ensure consistency and clarity in their communication to ensure employees experience a sense of familiarity How the organization can be sure to keep employees regularly informed on what is happening in the organization How to welcome honest feedback about consistency, clarity, and transparency from employees Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or visit my website for more info! Read more from Catherine! Catherine Elizabeth Wood, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Catherine Wood, is a leader in mental resilience, science-based coaching through neuroscience, and creating new habits for behavior change. After an acute brain injury as an adult left her having irrational thoughts and self-doubt, Catherine developed an interest in neuroplasticity to understand how she could challenge her self-beliefs, promote helpful thoughts and create new habits for behavior change. Catherine has since dedicated her life to helping people to establish their self-belief in who they are as their best self to drive helpful thoughts and create new habits for behavior change in the workplace and in their personal life. Catherine is the Founder of Life Renewal, the online coaching business combining leadership coaching and team coaching with evidence-based techniques in neuroscience. Catherine helps leaders drive employee engagement by modeling leadership behavior across 7 key leadership skills. Catherine has helped clients through her own coaching programs, workshops, and digital courses including "Mastering Emotional Competence in Leadership." Catherine has been a guest writer for Thrive Global which included an article on "Seeking Opportunities While Navigating Uncertainty", and she hosted a resilience series including "The Neuroscience of Resilience". Catherine's mission: Science-based coaching for collaborative leadership behavior.

Written by: Melissa Skoff, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. The best things in life happen in between the margin between what you make and what you spend. As a money coach, my focus has been primarily on budgeting, saving, and investing. However, from both personal and professional experience, I’ve found that the fun part of life truly happens in the margin between what you make and what you spend. For example, if your budgeting skills are second to none but your income is not so good, you’re not necessarily going to live a life of financial freedom. If you’re a high-income earner, but you spend every dime you make, then you also will live a life without freedom. Thus, your best chance at freedom includes mastering budgeting, saving, investing, and maximizing your income, to truly be free. Here are three steps you can take that will help you live your best life of financial freedom. First, master your budget. A budget is one of your biggest assets when it comes to creating a financially free life. You must know your numbers, know your history, and know your habits to budget successfully. You must also stay consistent with your budget and refer to it frequently throughout the month. The most perfectly calculated budgets will not be helpful if they are not referred back to frequently in the month. Use your budget to plan for your future spending, not tracking spending in the past. Second, master your savings plan. Intentionality is key to the savings process. You must be on a plan to win with your savings; otherwise, there is always something more important that comes about throughout the month. I suggest utilizing an emergency fund of 3-6 months of expenses as well as sinking funds for larger purchases coming up in the next 1-3 years. Lastly, maximize your income. Even the best budgets and savings plans will struggle if your income is not high enough. As a money coach, I find many of my discussions with clients revolve around career and income since the income side of the equation is just as important as the budgeting and saving side of the equation. My biggest advice to clients and to you, is to diversify your income to include multiple streams. No job is truly ever secure. You are only as secure as your ability to use your skillset to generate income in the marketplace. Especially after the events of the last 18 months, there are now more opportunities than ever to make income online, have a side gig, or have a second or third job. As a money coach, I would love to help widen the margin between what you make and what you spend AND create your best life, full of financial freedom. I can help you not only budget, save, and invest, but also maximize your income and career opportunities. Coaching creates results. Let’s get you some results. Ready when you are. Follow Melissa on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and visit her website for more info. Read more from Melissa! Melissa Skoff, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Mel, the Money Coach, is a leader within the world of financial coaching. She is known as the Medical Professional's Go-To Money Coach as she is also a Nurse Practitioner and Graduate Nursing Educator. After Mel and her husband paid off $160,000 in 20 months, she set out to help others do the same. She has the heart of a teacher and has dedicated her career to helping others win with money, especially medical professionals. She is the creator of Money Masterminds, a group coaching platform where she helps her clients improve their financial literacy and hone their budgeting, saving, and investing skills. She also has a YouTube channel called Mel the Money Coach, where she helps her listeners learn all things related to finances. Her mission: Everyone deserves to live financially free.

Written by: Hollis Citron, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. As life unfolds, it invites us to question our roles, identity and what we believe is right & wrong. One does not know how they will truly respond or react until the situation is presented. It was July 25th, 2003. Though my father was young, at the age of 62, he had many health issues and it was determined to be his time. We had made the decision to take him off life support and the doctors said it would be within the day that he would be gone. It felt so strange to wake up that day and think, my Dad is going to die today. We woke up in the early morning, to get ready to go over to the hospital. I had slept over with my Mom and brother, it just felt right to spend the night at the home where I grew up on the day that my father would leave this planet. In one day, reality struck, leaving childhood behind and stepping fully into adulthood. We went to the hospital to meet my husband, 3-year-old son and 4-month-old daughter and close family members to be there for support and to say goodbye. It was all very surreal what was happening in two different rooms in the same space in our movie. My mom, brother and I stood around my Dad telling stories, saying how much we loved him while not knowing exactly what to say. We were crying, holding hands and all at the same time trying to appear strong for him to allow him to feel safe in what was the next step. The rest of the family was in the waiting room with the kids and cousins playing, eating snacks and having a different experience, I can only assume. I am very grateful for the opportunity to have known the day that this major life transition was happening. We were able to be together and say amongst ourselves what needed to be said even though my father could not speak. There is a beauty in being in a space together truly being present and acknowledging the moment despite the circumstances. When faced with these circumstances, this was all new territory. How is one supposed to act in this situation? What is considered appropriate or not? Should my kids have been in the hospital waiting room? These are all decisions that were made as a family and with raw emotion. When facing life and death, I believe the true gift is LOVE. This experience brought attention to how we fall into roles in life and how to navigate them with our personal survival instincts that allow us to feel safe. The naturally established roles are: the daughter, son, mother , father etc. Then there are the ones that we take on for all of the reasons that our life has sculpted for us based on our experiences and are more fluid than involving more choice and can be changed like relationship status and what you do for a living. In the role of an educator, I also tend to be a fixer and crave communication to understand the world. The evening before this day, being “responsible” I called my job that I was supposed to go to and told them I could not be in the next day and made up some really early time frame to be back. When they heard the reason I wouldn't be at work, there was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone. Then a logical and kind response was given saying , “We will see you in a few weeks. Take some time for yourself and your family and we are very sorry for your loss.” I was guided to look beyond just staying in motion but stopping to simply be, as uncomfortable as it all felt. When we go through any kind of loss or transition, there is an opportunity to dive deeper into ourselves and learn about who we are and why we do what we do. The unwritten rules or “Norms”, that determine social behaviors come from family, society and friends. When we are experiencing grief, anger, confusion due to challenging circumstances, we can start to question or even get triggered by certain customs or beliefs. Some might be: Religion Customs passed on through the generations Morals Laws The way we dress I ask you, Do you follow the “Norms” or challenge them? If you abide by them, you could be the follower, challenge them you could be labeled the rebel. The way we live our lives really is a choice, even though it does not feel that way many times. When my father was leaving us, he could not speak, but when we spoke to him at one point, a tear rolled down his face as we told him it was ok to let go and be free from the pain, he had our PERMISSION. That word is a powerful one! It runs deep. We know what feels right and wrong and often don’t allow ourselves to do what we really want based on the should’s or what we could miss out on. Giving ourselves PERMISSION, allows us to be truly authentic. When choices are made that go against how you are seen, one might hear things like, “ You don’t do that, it is not like you.” In reality, when it feels like a hurricane in the pit of your stomach, this is the perfect time to allow and say YES to do that thing that you have wanted to do! My father was a banker and insurance man and then went through his mid-life crisis,one might say. He decided to turn his passion for landscape photography (ocean predominantly) into his full-time career. He was so happy when he entered this space. His personality got to shine, he had great people skills. The beach, which was a place of solace and joy, which he got to look at often and he got to dress the way he wanted to as well... He was a clothing and shoe connoisseur, it truly allowed him to feel expressive and authentic. One day he called me from the ICU, on one of the many hospital visits, asking me to pick up a pair of pants he put on hold at Bloomingdale’s. My father truly loved clothes with every fiber of his being. He really believed in taking pride in how he fully presented himself. : what he wore, his cologne(s), and how he layered the smells to get the perfect scent. You would maybe not be surprised at my response when he asked me to pick up these horrible-looking salmon-colored pants that were on hold for him. The words that I said were “ Dad, what are you doing? Why don’t you focus on getting better”. His response was, “ Hollis be concerned when I am not doing this.” I totally get that now. I was not getting his joy. Passions that we have could be seen as fixations. They can define us and make us who we are and how we are viewed. It can make one seem eccentric, a rule follower, spontaneous. It is easy to place judgment on what can make another happy. Clothing made my Dad truly happy. He put out the energy to look for the pants by making a phone call and asking me to pick them up for him. It was like his medicine. It gave him life, gave him a purpose, something to look forward to. One could call it enabling, but I see it as giving comfort. This all being said, the word that comes to mind is FREEDOM. Freedom to be present, Freedom to make mistakes, Freedom to be expressive, Freedom to explore possibilities, Freedom to expand beyond the shoulds and routines of what you have always done. Here is my question for you: What makes you feel free? It does not have to be a huge leap, like leaving your job. It can be dancing around the kitchen with the music blaring and singing at the top of your lungs. You deserve to be free… It can be found in places like this: Activities you love to do or want to People that you surround yourself with Music that inspires Mantras or practices Whatever else comes to mind Go outside the box and Get it out of your head and into the world by: Writing it as a story Putting random words on post its to uplift and remind Journaling Vision boarding it Creating a song/Singing/Playing an instrument Hanging out with friends and creating a sacred space There are no rules We don’t always know when our time is up. Life is a gift. Be aware of the moments, Be grateful for them however they present themselves. This is what truly makes us feel ALIVE. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or visit my website for more info! Read more from Hollis! Hollis Citron, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Hollis Citron is on a mission to make creativity accessible to everyone by exposing new possibilities. She has spent nearly 30 years of my life helping students of all ages and in all settings to access their creative expression. I Am Creative & Express Yourself Publishing was born from this passion to help people build their confidence to recognize, encourage and express the innate expression they are born with. Hollis does this through experiential kits, creativity coaching, her podcast: Creative Conversations with Hollis Citron & creating multi-author books to create community and safe space for people to share their stories to empower themselves and the world. Creativity goes beyond a pencil & a paintbrush! It is your voice, your expression, and everyone has one.