Written by: Oriel Ross McKinney, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. As a natural morning person, getting up early always worked for me. I always have my day in front of me. It is just a practice I learned from my father. Working with entrepreneurs from all walks of life, I realized while mornings are optimal for me, there are efficiency habits Early Risers and Night Owls can meld together. What if you are not a 5 am riser? Should that mean your day is done before it even begins? Absolutely not! As with anything, you learn to work around it. 5 am risers work well in their realm because that habit is ideal for those of us who work nine to five days, and they have structured their business to complement that schedule. Simply stated, this does not mean you cannot be efficient and ambitious if your circadian clock works differently. Here are four value-added habits for your success. Habit Creation: Create habits that you value. Individualize the effort. This will help you to avoid burnout. Forcing your creativity into some guru’s schedule will drive you bonkers. Set yourself up for success. Try this hack. Hack — Take a week and track your most productive hours. This will help you guide your schedule toward efficiency. Decision Making: High-value decision-making happens when you release your mind from daunting tasks. For example, I brain dump and create my to-do list at night. The benefit is I jump right into my tasks in the morning without a second thought. I prioritize the list and assign minutes to each. The feeling of accomplishment is an amazing stress reliever. My creativity is at its peak. Sleep Patterns: Getting enough sleep is paramount to a healthy lifestyle. Look at a sleep cycle that works for your schedule. The goal is productivity, not following someone a latent formula. Understand the activities that create a peaceful environment. When are you most relaxed? How can you ensure you rest for seven to eight hours per day? Personal Mission Statement: Create a Personal Mission Statement and a Family Mantra. Recite your personal mission statement to yourself every day before starting your task list. Place your Family Mantra in a visible location of your work area. This keeps your workspace energy in an ideal emotional state. Remember, you drive your own success. Being productively assertive is a choice. Being ambitious is a commitment. It is a daily commitment to keep you and everyone around you at your peak, fighting weight to think clearly, tackle issues, and create the next bright idea. CEOs become CEOs because of their ambitious nature. For more info, follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn and visit my web site ! Oriel Ross McKinney, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Oriel Ross McKinney is a renowned Business Strategist, Author, and Speaker. Known as The Small Biz Engine®, her experience includes a successful 20-year tenure in Business Strategy and Development, Finance, Non-Profit Management, and Entrepreneurship. As the mastermind behind several success stories, brands, and businesses, she methodically assesses her projects and delivers profit-driven strategies again and again. As a producer and co-host of the Many Hands Podcast, Oriel hones in on business & socially conscious topics while unveiling success in a brilliant way. For those looking to transition from corporate workplaces to entrepreneurship, read her anchor chapter in the anthology, Soaring Beyond the 9 to 5, or tap into one of her signature F.U.E.L.® Academy courses. On a personal level, Oriel's biggest challenge and gift is being a mom to two children who were born prematurely. In her spare time, she supports preemie babies and their families in any way she can. Her motto is “You’re your greatest asset; invest in yourself.”

Guest Writer: Gi Gi O'Brien How to capitalize on the brilliant executive-enhancing neuroscience behind meditation, gratitude, and nootropics. "Neuropsychology holds the secrets of one’s ability to sustain motivation, empower action and thrive in prosperity — if one simply and intelligently masters their mind-brain energy" — Gi Gi O’Brien. Ever wonder how some leaders thrive as if powered by an energy source giving them extraordinary ability? Well, they have a few things in common. Feeling ignited, limitless, relentlessly optimistic, and able to overcome whatever obstacles dare to cross their path. In the face of overwhelming demands, good leaders know they can handle them. They act with courage instead of comfort. When I say these power habits — meditation, gratitude, and nootropics — are executive-enhancing, there could not be a more appropriate description. They leave you with a clear mind, a full heart, and most importantly, a whole lot of needed stamina to lead. The brain has evolved from basic consciousness starting in our survival reptilian brain , which is great for our primal instinct, response rates, and not getting ourselves killed. We progressed into developing our limbic brain , and with it came the ability to process emotions and feelings, something increasingly important in corporate culture. The pinnacle of our neuropsychology is our executive neocortex brain , the intellectual brain that masters metacognition (thinking about our thoughts), analytics, reasoning, and responsiveness, not just reactive action. Without focusing on the executive brain, how can one reach the epitome of leadership? Image designed by Creativesufi & copyright of gii I define leadership as the ability to make clear, concise decisions tactically. To understand the whole strategically, as a mechanism of micromanaging the parts in synergy. It is a demand for near and farsightedness, macro and micro considerations, and the ability to be personally detached yet emotionally engaged. It is an ability to withstand stress, embrace and eradicate risk, and demonstrate the gumption to thrive in the face of dynamic changes. Most of all, however, it is an ability to demonstrate through one’s own humanity how others can reach the epitome of their self-actualization as a skilled, intelligent, and impactful contribution to a team and mission. It’s the balancing act of many demands to which the average man may fall into conflict. So what makes three little daily habits of meditation, gratitude, and nootropics so powerful for leaders? The secret is in science; the neuroscience. Image designed by Creativesufi & copyright of gii Meditation Meditation can be looked at from the spiritual side of mind over matter and energy to impact. Alternatively, the neuroscience of matter to mind deciphers how the brain changes physical feeling. I can attest to the changes in neurotransmitters creating healthier emotions and thoughts in my psychology and mind. I’ve found that meditation focused on breathwork oxygenates the brain in ways that stimulate relaxation and improves anxiety and pain tolerance. I believe these mental health benefits stem from a more detached experience of emotions where one becomes objective rather than obsessive. The focus becomes less subjective and thereby creates a less intense feeling of stress and the pain of overwhelmingness. Great leaders hold space between emotions and their implications. They analyze them until they reach a constructive place. The Harvard Business Review article “What Meditation Can Do For Your Leadership” speaks on mindfulness meditation being the antidote to ego, a huge obstacle for some leaders. Through the practice of meditation, executives can also deepen their relationships with their teams. Beyond mastering emotions, controlling thoughts, and the ability to navigate one’s experience and responses — meditation can increase brain health, memory, cognitive capabilities such as learning new skills and reduce negative implications usually felt from multi-tasking and stressful problem-solving. From CEOs like Arianna Huffington (Thrive Global), Jeff Winer (LinkedIn), and Ray Dalio, the billionaire investor guru, to sports icons like Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, the Seahawks, and celebrities that include Will Smith, Oprah, Madonna, Russel Brand, Joe Rogan, and Tim Ferriss. The list is long, and there’s a reason. Tip; inhale for four seconds slowly, hold for four seconds, exhale for four seconds slowly. Recommended guides; Abraham Hicks , Eckhart Tolle , Wayne Dyer , Mary Kate Gratitude More than a buzzword or a trend, there is a multitude of significant ways in which gratitude can enhance your leadership through neuroscience. The Wharton Health Care Management Alumni Association article “ The Neuroscience of Gratitude ” attributes the benefits of gratitude to the release of both serotonin, ‘the happiness molecule ,’ and dopamine, ‘the reward molecule .’ These neurotransmitters facilitate optimism, intrinsic motivation, and improved moods to power high-performance. It doesn’t stop there . Gratitude triggers other positive emotions that foster employee engagement and lessen undesirable behaviors from your teams. When people are appreciated, respect enhances, and the desire to deliver and exceed expectations increases. They say you attract more of that which you are grateful for, so if for no other reason than the vibrational laws of attraction, start expressing your gratitude. Gratitude vibrates as an emotion (energy in motion) at approximately 900Hz, above Enlightenment at 780 Hz. It is one of the highest vibrational and healthy emotions one can feel. Leaders who practice gratitude can expect improved blood pressure, stronger immune systems, stress regulation, and better sleep to dominate their daily strategy. Not only will gratitude also breed more patience, perspective, and optimism, I find it trickles into creating empathy and compassion that makes the bond between leader and follower that much more solid. The expressions of gratitude span across entrepreneurs, motivational speakers, and wellness gurus; even Lady Gaga gets the daily gratitude in. Tip: journal and write blessings, use sentences that start with “I am grateful for,” and when things hit hardship, ask yourself, “What can I appreciate about this situation, what lesson am I grateful for that can improve my organization and teams?”. Nootropics Nootropics are establishing their place right in the heart of the multi-billion dollar industry of cognitive enhancement. They are not really new, just newly understood and marketed. With the increasing concern of illegitimate claims on their health benefits, I was hesitant to endorse these now trendy supplements' efficacy fully. Our favorite word “may'' is almost always used with health supplements and the results they allude to. Rest assured, concerns with efficacy and risk with nootropics relate to some pharmaceutical-derived formulations or those which may have incorporated toxic chemicals. But, I have to say that I believe there is a great opportunity to use natural nootropics powered by the earth to support the cognitive demands of leadership. “Bruhl and Sahakian (2016) stated that as demands on working people change, cognitive abilities were becoming more important. Since many workplace factors negatively impact cognition, an increasing number of healthy people are reporting the use of performance enhancing drugs as cognitive enhancers to maintain or to improve work performance. This was supported by Cederstrom (2016) who reported metaanalysis by researchers at Harvard Medical School and Oxford showed significant cognitive benefits from cognitive enhancers.” — extract from “Performance Enhancing Drugs (Nootropics) in the Workplace” published in the Journal of International Management Studies, Volume 13 Number 2, August 2018 Some will say the etymology of the word Nootropic comes from “ nóos” (mind, intellect) and "trope” (change, turn, revolutionize). Romanian Neurophysiologist Corneliu Giurgea coined it in 1972. A failure to create a sleep-aid by synthesizing a neurotransmitter GABA derivative turned into a medical discovery of what he called nootropics. “Humanity will not wait millions of years until Mother Nature will hand it a functionally better brain...[Humankind] will directly, openly and consciously take part in evolution. — Corneliu Giurgea (1923-1995), Father of the Nootropic Concept Fast forward to 2021, natural nootropics are created from plants, herbs, trees, leaves, or mushroom extract. These are then combined in blends intended to positively influence cognitive abilities such as brain-boosting, memory enhancing, and improving mental alertness and concentration. The compounds in true nootropics should pose no risk to addiction, and if they can help, then why not support your nervous system. I think the state of your brain health and abilities can largely impact your mind and mood. The ways in which a leader extends their praise, reprimand, vigilance, risk aversion, and patterns of choice are all up for influence. When you take supplements like natural nootropics, you can support your brain and enhance your cognition and focus. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that give instructions about your state of pleasure and pain. Happy hormones like serotonin for confidence, dopamine for reward, and GABA for anti-anxiety and calming all impact how you show up as a leader. Luckily many neurotransmitters are positively regulated through the right nootropics. There is also the sense that your placebo and believing in their impact influence their impact. But for me, that’s just an added bonus. Tip: Ensure you follow the dosage guidelines and usage direction for any supplement and consider the necessary duration and frequency. Use as needed. Recommended natural nootropics: Coffee extract, Lions Mane, Ashwagandha, Ginkgo Biloba, Cordyceps, B vitamins Practice makes Habits Perfect. There is nothing nicer than the ease of a habit. If you can consistently get your power habits done, your leadership will excel from good to great and from great to remarkable and feel good in the process. Meditate = 10 minutes Express Gratitude = 5 minutes Take your nootropics = 5 minutes Total time to become an executive-enhanced leader who is thriving in greater performance and happiness in ways you could not have imagined = 20 minutes Habits are formed when an action taken is done with consistent repetition in ways that allow the brain to form dominant pathways for this action. Habits are hard to break because these neurological connections have been strengthened, which is great. After all, once you form them, they will stick. Much like how driving can now almost be done on auto-pilot or brushing your teeth, habits are the path of least resistance because it’s the one that is most familiar. This is called neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to change through growth, reorganize and remap its own neural networks to create preferred pathways. Consistency creates reinforced neuroplasticity that leads to habits and ease. Be consistent. Three tips for scheduling these habits amidst the busy leadership lifestyle: Set reminders : name your alarm, leave notes on your mirror, post it on your laptop or your coffee machine, set a daily calendar event - whatever it takes, remind yourself to meditate, be grateful and take your nootropics. Manage your energy: you need to manage your energy, not just your time. As willpower depletes during the day and you are in crisis control, you will be less inclined to make time. Make sure you start your day with your Leadership Power Habits. It only takes 20 minutes, total. The irony is that the less time you think you have is when you need to be practicing these power habits the most. They will become so impactful that you will feel the difference when you do not practice them. Set intentions of impact: if you believe in the power of these habits, they become even more powerful. In the 2014 study led by Kaptchuk and published in Science Translational Medicine , researchers discovered that placebo was 50% as effective as the real drug. Even when patients taking a placebo knew they were taking a placebo. Was it simply that they believed it would work, and it did? This article published by Harvard Health Publishing, “The Power of the Placebo Effect,” forever changed my decision to believe in my actions and outcomes. Setting an intention when taking action and believing in an outcome could make the outcomes that much more powerful. Believe me. Let your brain support you for the leader you can be, not just the leader you are. Enhance your neuropsychology, improve your mental health, lead by example, and empower not just your life but those who look to you to lead the way. Create habits that make your leadership a legacy. Subscribe here for first access to gii Magazine and exclusive intelligence tips for success, well-being, and happiness. Read more on gratitude in my Thrive Global piece, “ How Gratitude Made Me A More Resilient Entrepreneur ; Some light neuroscience on using thankfulness to avoid depression while launching a startup, and feel happier, immediately.” Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , or visit my website for more info! Gi Gi O'Brien, Guest Writer Brainz Magazine Author | Social Entrepreneur | Visionary Gi Gi is the director of strategic marketing at Travelier Magazine , founder of Nathazel Global Portfolio , and founder of gii . She is currently living in her island home Barbados, where she is creating a framework to innovate intelligence and evolve traditional IQ to include EQ and HQ to live a sustainable high-performance life that is fulfilling holistically. Her book "The Intelligence of Happiness; How to Thrive using Authenticity, Self-Alignment and Simple Neuropsychology" is set to publish in September with Scribe Media. @thebarbadosbillionaire

Written by: Jean Tien, 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. “When you stop trying to be someone else, you can finally be yourself.” Therein lies the power of authenticity. By being yourself, you are no longer at the effect of the people and the environment around you. Instead, you finally have a choice in your life, empowering you to choose your thoughts, your beliefs, your profession, and your future. What would it feel like to reclaim this power in your life? Imagine if your life is like dining at a restaurant where there is no menu. At this restaurant, you order whatever you desire to eat at that time, and the kitchen prepares it for you just the way you like it (or better yet, the food is even more delicious than you could have ever imagined). This is the life you live when you live it authentically because you no longer choose from someone else’s menu. A menu that was created by the chef based on his personal limitations, as well as his expectations and projections of how a meal should be prepared. However, when you choose from a limitless menu, you create from your own ideas, beliefs, and desires. What is authenticity? It is the act of being authentic, of being you. While authenticity is the key to creation from choice, the process of being yourself can be overwhelming. The question of “Who am I?” is not an easy one to answer. You have the obvious answers that include your age, hair color, eye color, height, and other genetic traits that can be used to describe the way you look. Your looks, however, do not define your identity. It also includes your thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and values. Traits that truly define you as a person. What are the benefits of authenticity? When you know thyself clearly, you become rooted in yourself. No matter what storms may come, you know you will come out stronger once it passes. You start trusting your inner knowing and stop questioning your choices. You seek opportunities and start taking chances instead of asking for permission. You start allowing for things to transpire naturally rather than pushing and forcing things to happen. After getting knocked down (because even the most authentic individuals out there will and do), you get right back up. You become resilient, and you keep moving forward towards the goals that you have defined for yourself. Most importantly, from a place of authenticity, you create a unique brand to you and only you. No other person or large corporation can replicate this energy of yours. Additionally, your brand will attract die-hard fans who want more of you (not who you pretend to be). People are tired of seeing glossy photoshopped pictures. Instead, they want the unfiltered version of you because this helps them relate to you. When you allow them to see you at your best and your worst, you build trust within your community. A community that will withstand mistakes and failures because they appreciate the fact that you are human. Knowing this, you develop the confidence to walk a path less traveled (meaning, no pre-planned menu) and learn to create from within rather than recreate what others have already done. From this, you walk a little taller and with an extra touch of swagger. You create and innovate rather than replicate. It’s not about playing it safe anymore but about doing the right thing, even when it’s the unpopular thing (for now). It will be this confidence and willingness to fail when you’ll truly start to lead and show others what’s possible despite the impossible. It is from this authenticity that others will follow you even though they may fear the unknown. This is the power of authenticity. So how do you achieve authenticity? Authenticity is a path that you get to discover for yourself. It is one that rewards the brave as the journey is certainly not for the faint of heart. It is one where I have seen my clients find renewed joy and confidence in their lives and careers (almost as if a rebirth). If this is something that resonates with you, then I challenge you to sit down and really get vulnerable with the following questions: Who am I? What do I like? What don’t I like? What brings me joy? What don’t I enjoy? What do I believe in? What are my values? Once you have answered these questions, then live each day intentionally and make each choice in alignment with who you are, even if it may offend or disappoint others. Now, please don’t take this as your sign to hurt others. It is about doing what’s right for you in the energy of self-love rather than revenge or intentional malice. This is from where your power will truly shine, and your life will transform in ways you wouldn’t have thought possible. Should you walk this path, I would love to hear about your experience finding authenticity and your self-rediscovery. Follow me on Faceboo k , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Jean! Jean Tien, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jean is an intuitive mindset coach specializing in working with ambitious, career-driven women who have already achieved a certain level of success and are now ready to achieve more in life and find balance and fulfillment. She uses her intuitive abilities, as well as her own extensive corporate experience, to help women find their Zone of Genius, fully align with it so they can powerfully bring it into the world.

Written by: Tania Friedlander, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. As a leadership & strengths coach, I am constantly focused on looking for ways to help my clients maximize their potential, feel more fulfilled, and be more engaged at work. Through my coaching, I realized that focusing on fixing weaknesses is not the most useful and productive approach. When we focus on our weaknesses, we leave behind precious parts of who we are — and even worse — we are less confident to accomplish our goals. If we are not careful, our weaknesses can stop us from leveraging our strengths. When I had this realization, I decided to dig into the research and came across Gallup’s Strengthsfinder — which has extensive research on human nature and the strength-based approach. The Strengthsfinder approach identifies our natural patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, categorized into 34 broad talent themes that explain our motivations or “whys.” Those themes fall into four general domains: Relationship Building, Strategic Thinking, Executing, and Influencing. Most people usually have themes in multiple domains, although one domain is often dominant. Research shows that when individuals/employees are in roles that utilize their strengths, they are not only more productive and innovative, but they are also more likely to be engaged, energized, and happy at work. As a result, this can contribute significantly to higher employee engagement. The practical ways this happens are through placing people in the right roles, promoting a positive workplace atmosphere, tailoring management techniques, facilitating collaboration, and helping individuals to find success. Everything becomes more easy, fun, and fulfilling when people discover and start operating from their strengths. Honing in on strengths also allows us to understand our motivations better and then enables us to replicate and multiply the positive outcomes we can have. Clients have shared that they are more fulfilled and alive when using their strengths, they feel they are really maximizing their potential, and they feel relieved not having to work on fixing their weaknesses. Having previously worked on fixing their weakness was hard, draining, and took tremendous effort — and the outcomes were not clear. The approach I use is called "name it, claim it, and aim it." It's a deep dive into discovering, owning, and intentionally applying your strengths. A great way to start working on your strengths is by taking the Gallup Strengthsfinder assessment. Impact Many of us think our greatest strengths are our weaknesses, and it has a huge impact on clients when they get this awareness and can then reframe and start owning their strengths. One such example happened recently with my client Miriam. When Miriam was leaning into working on her weaknesses, her internal chatter sounded like the below: “I am an emotional person.” “I talk too much – just a blabbermouth.” “I always need to do things right and feel guilty when I don’t.” “I focus too much on the problem. As a result, people think I am a very negative person.” From focusing on her strengths, she gained a whole new awareness and reframed those to the below: “My empathy for others allows me to connect with them authentically and deeply.” “I love to express myself.” “When I do something, I take full ownership. I am committed, reliable, and loyal.” “I have a solution-oriented mindset. I love finding the solutions to problems.” It is clearly apparent what a difference it makes for one’s self-confidence to reframe these mindsets. We can achieve the highest levels of success when we stop trying to be a little bit good at everything and instead emphasize what we are naturally best at. Focusing less on being well-rounded and more on becoming better at what you’re already great at by investing in your strengths can spark real change. Reflection Questions How have you let your weaknesses keep you from leveraging your goals? What are some of your top strengths? What more would be possible if you focused on your strengths? Connect with me on LinkedIn , or visit my website for more info! Tania Friedlander, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Tania is an attorney by training and a former champion athlete. She has trained at world-leading coaching institutions. She is an International Coach Federation Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and a Certified Gallup Global Strengths Coach. She is driven by her passion for helping individuals break through their challenges, whether professional or personal. She has the privilege of working with executives and emerging leaders from global Fortune 500 companies using evidence-based coaching assessments, frameworks, and tools. Her approach is designed to increase connectivity, awareness, and accountability to elevate the internal dynamic, increase morale, and enhance workplace culture. She is also on the executive team at SteerUs, the world's first soft skills academy, and has led many workshops and seminars on leveraging strengths.

Written by: Mikaela Contreras , 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 many of us are slowing down and starting to think about lazy summer evenings on the veranda with a book in our hands, I thought it would be appropriate for me to share some of my best books. As a coach and entrepreneur is part of my job description to constantly read, learn, develop and apply new ways of working and new perspectives to be able to serve my clients better. That means that I devour countless of books within everything from digital marketing to neuroscience and everything in between. Today I want to share my 5 top tips that will help you develop your career but also your overall happiness. I have not been asked to promote these books, and I get nothing for doing so. So without further ado, here are my summer recommendations: 1.The squiggly career: Ditch the ladder, Discover opportunity, Design your Career, Helen Tupper. The squiggly career is a structured, clear and brilliantly written book for anyone who wants to get a deeper understanding of themselves and their career possibilities. It’s all about taking ownership of your career development and hop on the fluid ride, which is our professional lives. This book gives you concrete exercises that will help you explore your strengths, values and future opportunities. One thing that I love about this book is the focus on strengths more than weaknesses. Developing your strengths is not just more effective and gives a greater impact on your development, but it’s also much more motivating! It’s a philosophy I adopt in my career development program and we even use a personality assessment to create a greater awareness of your strengths and motivators. But for anyone who doesn’t have the option to hire a coach or do a personality assessment, Helen’s exercises are a great alternative. If you tend to get bored just reading on a blanket in the park, this book is for you as you will be required to stop in every chapter to reflect, write and create to get the best out of all this book has to offer. 2. How to have a good day: The essential toolkit for a productive day at work and beyond, Caroline Webb I’m a strong believer that we have the power to make changes in our current environment to be happier at work. It seems like Caroline agrees. She points out that we tend to be the happiest at the end of the workday when we feel that we have been productive and achieved something. As the title suggests, her book is giving you practical tools and examples to be more productive by prioritizing better, set intentions and goals and overcome setbacks. But it’s not a book about “pushing through” and “soldier on” and become machines at work. It’s about finding productivity in a sustainable way, and she addresses the relationship between mind and body as well as how to boost your energy and “topping up the tank .” I also love her appendix at the end where she includes concrete tips on how to be good at meetings. Especially since it’s a massive time-steeler and frustration- fueller for many! I always encourage my clients to take actions to be happier in their now while we explore their future, and this book gives so many helpful tools on how to do just that! 3. How to Ikigai: Lessons for finding happiness and living your life’s purpose, Tim Tamashiro For anyone who has never heard of the word IKIGAI, I’ll give you a brief explanation. Ikigai is a concept from Okinawa, Japan and refers to our life’s worth and purpose. It has 4 directions to follow: Do what you love Do what you are good at Do what the world needs Do what you can be rewarded for Tim explains that if you find your half Ikigai (what you love and what you’re good at), you eventually realize it’s more enjoyable to share it with the world and you will, in turn, be rewarded. That’s when you reach the full Ikigai. This concept is encouraging you to find your gift and share it with the world. And Tim underlines that we all have a gift – our Ikigai – it just needs to be found. By exploring what we love and do more of what we are good at, we will eventually find it. But it is a journey, and it takes effort and curiosity to try new things. This is one of my go-to books for continuous inspiration. I have incorporated a lot of the philosophy of Ikigai into my coaching program. We spend several sessions on understanding my clients’ strengths and what is important to them and align it to what they love and desire. The exercises I do with my clients can be challenging and sometimes even confronting. For many, it’s hard to admit what you truly want, as it might turn your life on its head. Once my clients feel clear on their gifts, we move on to how to share them with the world – with confidence! If you feel that you are still unclear on your life’s purpose, I strongly recommend bringing this book to the beach this summer. 4. Ask and it is given: Learning to Manifest Your Desires, Esther Hicks, Jerry Hicks Ester and Jerry are well-known for advocating the Law of Attraction and this is furthering that concept. Compare to my first three books on this list, this is not a concrete and practical book but speaks to our spiritual beliefs in many ways. As someone who grew up in an environment where you only really believe in things you can see, I struggle a bit with finding my spiritual side. But I like the concept that Esther and Jerry present that we are all vibrations and you need to tune your vibrations into the same “channel” as your desires. When starting my business, I was so focused on how to best convey my knowledge and experience, how to build a nice website, and how to learn social media marketing that I didn’t even consider the internal work that comes with starting something new - following a new desire. But no business plan, no education and no how-to-guide will be enough unless you truly believe in and tune into your desire with your whole body, mind and soul. We are so used to using our rational brain that we forget to tune into our emotions and let them guide us. Ask yourself: Do this desire fill me with worry and doubt, or does this desire fill me with expectations or joy? If you feel discouragement, you are not putting out the right vibration and will therefore not attract it. Esther and Jerry explains this better: It is our desire that you become one with that which you are and with that which you have – while at the same time being eager for more. That is the optimal creative vantage point: To stand on the brink of what is coming, feeling eager, optimistic anticipation – with no feeling of impatience, doubt or unworthiness hindering the receiving of it – that is the science of deliberate creation at its best. Uncover and associate with your desires and dreams is a crucial part of my program. Just yesterday, I had a session with a client on this particular topic and she was shining all through the meeting, bubbling with excitement by the end - ready to manifest it. Tap into your desires y’all. This book can help you! 5. No more playing small, Megan Jo Wilson This book is written for coaches who are ready to step out of their own shadow and into the light. Being visible is a LARGE part of building a coaching business, but most women have been conditioned to not take up space, and many times we are judged when we do. I read Megan Jo’s first book last year (this is her third) and felt an immediate connection to her. I felt that she was talking directly to ME. A few months after I finished the book, I hired her as my coach. She helps womxn coaches to build their business while staying true to themselves. No more playing small is a wonderful mix of the internal and external work that is required for us to be successful. You will feel empowered, inspired, and strong after reading this book. I was one of the honored coaches who got to be an early reader of this fantastic book and include our reviews in the first few pages. All of these women are unique and fabulous in their own right, so make sure you check them out too. Instead of me waffling on here, I include my review as I think it summarises it pretty well: “I wanted a formula; she gave me a strategy. I wanted to feel confident, she gave me a sisterhood. I wanted to be heard, she gave me a voice. I wanted to be less stressed, she taught me pleasure. I wanted direction, she guided me to my desires. I wanted to succeed, she showed me how.” If you are a coach trying to build a business (or about to start one), this is a must-have! All these 5 books have positively impacted my career and my life in their own ways, and I hope they do the same to you. Let me know what you think of them! What is your best book tip for the summer? Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Read more from Mikae la ! Mikaela Contreras, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Mikaela is a career development and leadership coach who works with women who are living the international life. Mikaela is Swedish, has lived and worked in 5 countries herself, and is currently based in Abu Dhabi. She is using her 10 years of experience in Talent Acquisition and Talent Development to help women in international environments to explore their true vision, purpose, and desires and to overcome any internal and external blockers to pursue them. Her mission is simple: For every woman to feel purpose and joy in her professional life!

Written by: Dr. Bunmi Aboaba, 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 terms of nutrition, the word ‘diet’ means the kinds of food and drink that a person, animal, or community eats habitually. However, the culturally-driven use of the word diet implies “an eating plan in which someone eats less food, or only particular types of food, because they want to become thinner or for medical reasons.” [1] Diets can gain weight, maintain weight, lose weight, or overall optimum health benefits. Recent research shows that 48% of us have tried to lose weight in the past year. This figure rises to 57% if only women are taken into account. What’s more, almost two-thirds of British people, 64%, are on a diet with the goal of losing weight ‘most of the time.’[2] The UK diet industry is worth an estimated £2bn[3] a year, and the myth maintains revenue that a fad diet or superfood will solve all your weight-loss issues or health problems. However, the fact is that many diets cause serious health complications, perpetuate disordered eating habits, and exacerbate weight issues. In this article, I want to share my findings as a Food Addiction Coach[4] about why there is no such thing as a ‘magic diet’ and why diets tend to fail. 1. No Behavioral Change All too often, we go on a diet as a snap decision. This is frequently out of frustration or resentment due to a loss of control over our eating habits and weight. We have perhaps heard of a new diet trend, or a friend of ours is trying the latest fad, and we want to join in. The problem is that these diets are short-term focused and provide little long-term value. For a diet to work, it needs to be sustainable, integrated into your daily life, and require a total mental commitment to seeing it through. Unfortunately, a diet is too often something that we must endure to get results rather than as part of a new healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, when a person loses weight with no behavioral or metabolic change, the weight ends up at the same level as before the diet or increases! This is because diets tend to only treat the symptoms of someone’s food-related issues rather than addressing the underlying causes. 2. Too Restrictive As most diets are focused on short-term results, they are usually overly restrictive in both food groups and the amount of food consumed. As a result, feeling hungry, resentful, and drained is a common side effect of most diets and so understandably causes the dieter to stop participating. Restricted intake also causes obsessive thoughts and behaviors around food. Diets are invariably focused on food purchasing, preparation, and consumption, and this level of attention and feeling hungry can cause the individual to become more likely to binge. What’s more, the restriction of foods - often entire food groups - can cause nutrient deficiency and an inability for the body to function at optimum levels. This cycle of bingeing-dieting-restricting can be tough to break. 3. It’s Just not Fun Who finds diets fun? They are typically dull, restrictive, complicated, unpleasurable, and hard work. We know that they are a temporary measure for our issues, and so from the onset, we start diets with the resignation and dread that we may ultimately fail anyway. It doesn’t feel easy, and we push ourselves through with gritted teeth and pure determination. All too often, it feels like we are ‘missing out. Going out for dinner with friends becomes a complicated chore, and others will frequently tempt us with a slice of cake to go with our coffee or a sugary cocktail on a night out as ‘a little won’t hurt, so why not give yourself a break?’. But a little becomes a lot, and eventually, the ‘cheating’ becomes more frequent, and the diet falls to the wayside! 4. Unidentified Trigger Foods Trigger foods are vital when considering food addiction. Food Addiction is the compulsive pursuit of changing one’s mood by frequently and repeatedly engaging in episodes of binge eating.[5] Without clinical, therapeutic help, it is unlikely that you will know what foods are trigger foods for you. It could be an ingredient in a food or a group of foods that a person is addicted to. By inadvertently consuming these trigger foods, a diet will fail through no fault of the dieter. This can lead to depression, low self-esteem, and feelings of failure, which will likely encourage them to turn towards their comfort foods and ‘fall off the diet wagon.’ 5. Temporary Fix Many of us suffer from food addiction and combat it by an endless cycle of dieting. Unfortunately, our bodies evolve and adapt, meaning it is common for a dieting method to work to no longer have the same effect. These diets are not devised to be long-term healthy living strategies that feed your body, mind, and spirit. The key, therefore, is to understand the root causes of disordered eating habits and take appropriate action. You cannot think your way out of an unhealthy relationship with food or think yourself towards wellness. A support network is vital to making any long-term lifestyle changes; however, if a support network only focuses on food consumption and management, there will be no effective behavioral change. Having a group of positive, like-minded friends, family members, and a Food Addiction Coach will enable you to make the changes needed to be free from dieting and free from food addiction. Join the Food Addiction Coach Facebook Group to find an inspiring, motivated group of people to keep you on track. Conclusion For a diet to work, an integrated long-term, the sustainable approach must be taken. Additionally, a person needs to accept that they are powerless over their food addiction tendencies. This does not mean evading responsibility but rather becoming accountable for one’s actions and choices. To achieve freedom from the world of dieting, a holistic approach must be taken. One that encompasses your physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual well-being. For more info, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and visit my website! Dr. Bunmi Aboaba, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Dr Bunmi Aboaba is a Recovery Coach specialising in Food Addiction, helping clients to achieve a healthy relationship with food to meet long-term health goals. Dr Bunmi’s work covers the full spectrum of disordered eating, including overeating, compulsive eating, emotional eating, addicted eating and other associated patterns. Dr Bunmi is also creator of the first Certified Food Addiction Certification to support nutritionists, personal trainers, dieticians and clinicians to help their clients achieve long-lasting results. References: [1] "Diet". Dictionary.Cambridge.Org, 2021, https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/diet. [2] Team, Mintel. "Brits Lose Count Of Their Calories: Over A Third Of Brits Don’t Know How Many Calories They Consume On A Typical Day." Mintel, 2021, https://www.mintel.com/press-centre/food-and-drink/brits-lose-count-of-their-calories-over-a-third-of-brits-dont-know-how-many-calories-they-consume-on-a-typical-day. [3] "4 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Follow The Latest Diet". Bhf.Org.Uk, 2021, https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/food-trends-2016/do-not-follow-food-trends. [4] "About | The Food Addiction Coach." The Food Addiction Coach, 2021, https://thefoodaddictioncoach.co.uk/about/. [5] About | The Food Addiction Coach". The Food Addiction Coach, 2021, https://thefoodaddictioncoach.co.uk/about/.

Written by: Natalie Gray , 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. How much of your week is spent on video calls? Since the pandemic, research suggests there has been a 120% rise in time spent on video calls. Zoom, WebEx, MS Teams, and others can take up a large proportion of our day. As well as the call itself, research suggests that the average employee spends 47 minutes preparing for a video call and takes an average of 18 minutes to become productive after the call. Despite this preparation and downtime, Zoom fatigue is very real. You may find that you find it hard to concentrate during a video call or that you’re zoning out when others speak. Are you zoning out with Zoom fatigue? If you do find yourself struggling to fully focus during a video call, then you are not alone. Zoom fatigue is a common phenomenon. There are several reasons why Zoom fatigue is so prevalent: Close-up eye contact is highly intense for the brain Watching yourself is mentally draining (imagine spending all day presenting, giving and receiving feedback in front of a mirror) Eye movement is very limited to just one set field of view There is a higher cognitive load during video calls. Making video calls count So, with so much time spent on video calls, how can you make sure to showcase your skills and make each call worthwhile? How can you: Ensure video calls aren't wasting time? Avoid switching off in a video call? Prevent getting caught-out when someone asks you a question? Avoid feeling anxious about being on camera? Ensure you engage in team meetings? Avoid embarrassing video call blunders? The answer to these doesn't lie in your presenting skills but your active listening skills. It can be hard to be in 'active listening mode' at home, especially when you're attending to home-schooling, pets, deliveries, the washing machine. However, by not using this skill, you miss out on a chance to really connect with clients or co-workers, may suffer awkward miscommunications, or miss out on valuable information, or a chance to learn something new. "I zone out during video calls; does it matter?" Listening is a fundamental workplace skill. Listening, and I mean really listening , is key if you want to understand people and make positive changes. "But, not listening on a video call isn't a big deal!" Okay, there may be some video calls that aren't worth the hassle. However, it is still important to engage your listening calls as much as possible; over the long-term, a lack of listening may mean you miss out on: Learning opportunities The chance to provide input on a course of action The opportunity to challenge ideas A chance to thank and acknowledge others Opportunities to get involved in new tasks or projects Helping others by sharing your expertise A chance to showcase your brand. Furthermore, not listening can lead to: Loss of motivation Upsetting co-workers Decreasing motivation in others Driving your anxiety levels Reduced efficiency if the presenter has to repeat themselves Awkward blunders and embarrassments. What's your video call frustration? I find myself switching off during team calls I feel I can't ask questions in video meetings I get irritated on video calls as it feels I am just being talked over, and it is always the same people talking Video calls are starting to cause me anxiety I have started to judge people differently since I shifted to working from home fully Ten ways to stay engaged on video calls A good place to start is to practice active listening. A lot of reading associated with active listening focuses on face-to-face interaction, but the fundamentals are just (or more) valuable for those of us who work from home: 1. Be attentive (harder than it sounds, right?) You may think it is easy to look attentive, but we can often fall at the first hurdle! A great place to start is making sure you're on time and attentive from the beginning of the presentation. Then, while others are presenting, make sure you're on mute. It is important for your listening, and as a courtesy to the presenter, that you eliminate distractions, which means turning off your phone and email alerts! Even if you think you're being covert, it could still be off-putting to the presenter. Don't be that person that mumbles when suddenly asked a question – everyone knows you weren't listening Aim to replicate how you give feedback in the same way you would do face-to-face; if you agree with something, show this by nodding and your body language. 2. Stop judging Hold off on making snap judgments about the presenter or the content. Let go of any expectations or judgements and make it a habit to join meetings with positivity, an open mind, and commit to respecting the presenter. If you have decided that you already know how the presentation will go or know what the content will be, it will be hard to stay engaged. For example, you can see the mess in the background and assume their content will reflect this. Making judgments about someone based on their virtual or real-life background can lead to a strong bias and reduce your learning opportunity. Remember that the presenter may already feel judged by the audience, so don't add to this pressure. 3. Create 'virtual' eye contact If you are on mute, replace your usual 'a-ha' or 'yeah' that you would use in real life with nodding, smiling, a thumbs up, or if available, use the live reactions (heart, calling, thumbs up). This will not only help you build the habit of listening, but it will also help the presenter feel someone is actually listening to them. Think about what makes you feel valued when presenting; how can you demonstrate this to others? 4. Avoid the temptation to interrupt You may have a burning question or want to tell them that: ' you know exactly what they mean as it happened to you .' If you do have a question for the speaker, wait for them to ask. Other options if you feel your question is relevant: Post it in the chat or Q&A window to the whole group or the presenter Use the tool to 'raise' a virtual hand to let the speaker know there are questions Drop them a note after the meeting Remember, if you were attentive at the beginning, you might have heard instructions on how they want feedback and questions. Make notes during the presentation to remember any pertinent questions and the context so you can ask questions at a convenient time and really demonstrate your listening. 5. Pay attention to what the speaker is saying and how they are saying it When listening, remember that the words convey only a fraction of the message. Look out for levels of enthusiasm, the difference between a nervous and a genuine laugh, a subtle sigh, eyebrow raise, or looking away to fully understand their message. Try to put yourself in their shoes and understand what they might be thinking or feeling. If your co-worker looks anxious and has clearly spent a lot of time preparing for a meeting, think about how you can support them? Sometimes it takes just one person to ask a question or share feedback to get the ball rolling. Something as simple as a 'smile' in the chat window can also encourage the presenter and help relieve any anxiety. If the speaker is still sharing slides , try to focus on their video, don't get distracted by the bookshelf in their background. 6. Clarify and confirm Only ask questions that help you understand the speaker. You want to understand, and the best way to do this is to ask questions that look for confirmation. Similarly, you can ask if you have understood correctly; this is a great way to demonstrate active listening. This technique not only shows them that you are listening but also reduces the chance of you (or your co-workers) missing something. 7. Provide feedback Aim to provide one piece of feedback, which can be as simple as saying 'that was helpful' or 'we appreciate the update' or ask a question in each meeting 'what do you need from us?' or 'when is the next update?'. This shows listening, understanding and respect to the presenter who will want to know that they have been heard and valued. Paraphrasing or reflecting on what you've heard can be a fantastic way to confirm understanding and showing your listening skills. 8. Don't go to everything Feeling burned out and missing important information as your habit of not listening grows? Take a step back and look at your calendar – do you really need to attend all of these meetings? It can help to ask yourself: What happens if I don't attend? What do I hope to gain from this meeting? Does my team, client or co-worker need me in this session? Can I listen to the content at another time when I feel more motivated or awake? What might I learn? Can I get the info some other way? Turning up with the camera off, the mute button on, and being on your phone might make you feel better, but it is unlikely the presenter and your co-workers are fooled; sometimes, it might be better just not to show up at all. 9. Share your tips Do you have some tips on how to engage audiences? Why not share this with others and make suggestions? Don't sit quietly; if you have knowledge that can help the presenter, share it. Is there a favourite new feature in Microsoft teams, found a way to improve sharing content in Zoom, or have a great tip for getting feedback via WebEx? Share it. Don't assume others know how to use virtual backgrounds, turn on 'adjust for light ,' change their screen name, or use a new feature. If you know what can make video calls run smoother, you'll be helping others and make video calls more enjoyable for you too. 10. Respect the presenter And finally, remember to give others a break. Presenting can be hard, particularly when it can be more challenging to read the audience when all you see is a sea of thumbnail faces. How can you show your appreciation for the presenter's information and perspective? Looking to improve your listening skills at work? Are you looking to improve your listening skills at work? Perhaps you're looking for someone who will genuinely listen to you and help you work towards your goals? As well as being an active listener, I am also a Progress Coach and here to help you get the most out of every opportunity. Whether you want to develop your listening and understand how active listening can improve both professional and personal relationships, I can help. Perhaps you're looking to unburden your thoughts, feelings, and concerns with someone that truly gets you; then I'm here for you. Let's start listening today by booking a free consultation call. Connect with me on LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Read more from Natalie! Natalie Gray, Executive Contributor, Brainz Magazine Natalie Gray is a skilled Leadership & Career Development Coach; her unique no-nonsense approach helps clients get clear on their vision, take action, and stay committed to progress. Natalie uses her extensive senior leadership experience in fast-paced global corporations to help executives succeed in their business and career goals. Following ICF endorsed professional coach training, Natalie draws on her talent for helping others connect the dots in both their personal and professional life, enabling clients to move forward with confidence, clarity, and a holistic strategy. With 15 years of experience in innovative, growth-driven organizations such as Facebook and Cisco, Natalie is ideal for drawing on her business knowledge, extensive training, and natural communications skills. With Natalie’s understanding of growing and excelling in complex organizational structures, she helps clients see their opportunities from a different perspective, drawing upon her industry insights to uplevel her clients. In short, Natalie brings out the best in people, ensures revitalized progress, and helps clients get to clear, measurable results.

Written by: Michelle Greene Rhodes, 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. School is out, and summer is officially here. Many of us are looking forward to our annual family vacation and are excited to attend outdoor picnics, relax by the pool, and take advantage of the extra hours of daylight after work. I know for me, summer conjures images of lazy days full of relaxation and peace. I do not think it’s a stretch to say that most of us have a certain nostalgia for summer vacation that can be traced back to our youth. Do you recall a time when you longed for the final dismissal bell that would mean no more school for two months so that we could spend all day with friends without lingering worries about getting homework done or waking up early? That is the summer mentality. The only problem is we are no longer those kids. As professionals, we sometimes pack on more stress now than at any other time of year. We have got to make sure the kids are occupied and supervised while we work the same rigorous schedules. We need to plan extra meals and activities, and those family vacations – well, they don’t plan and execute themselves. When it comes to vacations, we are not only responsible for coordinating the trips. We prepare, pack, and budget for them. We have to make sure the finances are in order so that we can maintain the precarious balance of keeping everyone entertained without going broke. As much as we would like to relax during the summer months, often “me time” is sometimes in really short supply. That’s why, as I see it, summertime is high time to up your self-care game. The only way to be present for everyone else during these few months is to prioritize time for nurturing yourself. And trust me, you may feel guilty about indulging in some R&R, but it’s absolutely necessary. Here are a few things that I have been practicing this summer, which have left me feeling rejuvenated and revived. Here are a few of my “best practices”: Purchased and read a new book Balanced the budget and implemented one new habit with money Reconfigured my goals to match the time freedom that I desire Journaled daily for 30 days and tied a physical wellness habit to it Slept more than I can remember. Dared myself to nap during the day. Who knew? Less is more! When you, too, are able to do this, you’ll find you have more energy and patience for taking care of others. Nurses especially need this time of the new normal to prepare for a mindset that allows for the recreation of self and rebalancing priorities so that we can slow down a bit. What do you see in your new lens during this time of “re”? What best practice list will you dare yourself to (re)create? Visit our website for more info and connect with us on LinkedIn! Read more from Michelle! Michelle Greene Rhodes, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Michelle G. Rhodes is a Corporate Wellness Consultant and is Certified in Managed Care and Licensed as a Registered Nurse. By combining her love for Managed Care/Population Health background with her innate ability to create educational programs and cost savings solutions uniquely designed for each employer, Michelle is sought after for her multiple successes in cost-saving and exceeding targets. She has helped corporations craft wellness programs that offer definite returns on investments and meet and exceed their annual performance measures and goals. Michelle creates various wellness initiatives for awareness campaigns all the way to the creation of wellness culture transformations. Michelle Rhodes Media LLC is also a continuing education provider for Nurses by the California Board of Nurses and provides workshops for Nurses to learn continuously.

Written by: Prasantha Devulapalli, 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. Most of us grew up with fairytales and adventurous stories from childhood. Yet as we grew older, somehow, we seem to have forgotten the influence that they’ve had on us, how they moved us and ignited our passion. In fact, we learned about love, empathy, kindness, fairness, good versus bad, gratitude, and so many other life lessons and values through these stories. Now, being able to tell a good story is making its way into board rooms and the business world. Personal growth stories are being used as powerful tools for branding and getting our customers to know what values we stand for, how we achieved our success, and our why. The new way of sales and traction communication for businesses focuses on telling their story authentically and with vulnerability. As the world is opening up, storytelling has become pivotal in branding and subsequent growth of companies, especially as there are more competitors offering similar services and/or products, thanks to digital and technological advances. So, you have to find a way to stand out and find your uniqueness. Just think of companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft, to name just a few, and how we relate to them. Whether you are an entrepreneur or from the corporate world, people are more interested in the human frame. They want to know more than just facts and figures. They want to know why they should do business with you. Some customers even want to know if your values align with their values, especially regarding the environment, wages, fair trade, human rights, equality, diversity, etc. Therefore, I believe that if you can master the art of telling the story of your growth, you will find that you will attract more customers and definitely more engagement and loyalty. In addition, you will also build a brand for your company and you. So, how do you tell a good story for your business growth? There are several tips on how to tell a good story but here are just the three main tips that I think work extremely well after researching hundreds of companies, how they built their brand and why that particular story worked. The first tip is perhaps very obvious, but here is where I would start. The purpose of your story. Your story needs to be relatable. It needs to be simple with one message. That's where the purpose plays a huge role. Your story should explain the challenge that you, your friends, and/or your family faced. Why did you feel compelled to find a solution? Why did that problem hurt? Be a storyteller first and a salesperson second when you call for action at the very end. The purpose of why you are doing what you are doing is what will set you apart. The deeper you are able to go into yourself, the more relatable you will be. Sometimes, our true purpose may seem silly (in our personal opinion) but trust me when I say that ability to say out loud why you are here, at this moment, with this particular product or service is what people understand and resonate with. Any storyteller will tell you. It's how you tell it, how true you are, how clear your message is, and how willing you are to show the vulnerable side of you. That means you need to go deeper within yourself. Find clarity. What was your passion? What problem did you see that you wanted to solve? The more clearer you are on your purpose, the more you will attract customers without spending a lot of time feeling like you only care for what you can get from your customers. Your purpose is your why for your business. So spend time identifying your purpose. Spend time perfecting your story. Live your story. And this brings me to my next point. Be authentic. I know, I know, it’s all over the place, this word - authentic . What does that even mean? And can we ‘learn’ to be authentic? Being authentic is as close to being honest, but with yourself first. It's often easier said than done, for sometimes, being authentic also means being vulnerable. It's about being able to recognize your mistakes and be willing to own up to them. I would also claim that we can learn to be more authentic with clarity in our message through our story. So, on that note, let me tell you a short story. I was walking home one day and my sister called. After a few minutes of chitchatting, I blurted out that I was going to quit my job. I cannot carry on, I said— sobbing into the phone. Why, she questioned me, knowing how important my job was to me and how much I loved it. Sobbing, I told her how sick my child was, how the doctors didn’t know what was wrong, how she was going blind and lost her hair... the list was long of my problems and how overwhelmed I felt. ‘At the end of it all though,’ I said, sobbing even harder, ‘I cannot be replaced as the mother of my daughter, but at work - they can replace within a day.’ All that long sob story didn’t make sense, but that one last sentence, me being irreplaceable in my daughter’s life and me knowing that my employer will always find someone else to do my job, set the course of change within me. I quit my job, started my own company, and began my journey to becoming a balanced and conscious leader, author, and mentor. I have, using my personal and professional experiences, even developed a unique leadership program. Keep in mind that the moment you start talking about all the benefits that one would get by buying your products or services, you will lose your audience. Your story is not a sales pitch. It’s not some superficial storyline; it is about your life, your purpose, your journey that others can relate to. People want to know - why did you leave that steady and high-paying job and place yourself in an uncertain situation? What was your motivation? How did you get here? One thing I often hear is, ‘ my story is not so unique ,’ or ‘ so many people have the same experience as me .’ Well, I’m here to tell you that the story of another person may sound similar, but only you can tell your story with your unique voice. What you have learned from a somewhat similar experience may not be the same as what another has learned from his/her experience. So, own your story - with authenticity. Have a strong ending. Now, we are often told that we need to have a strong start. While this is very important to get your audience’s (read customers) attention, it is just as important to end on a strong note. Just as they will remember the beginning of your story when it is told powerfully, they will remember the impression you have made at the end. It's at the ending of your talk/story/presentation where people will take action when you lead, and they follow. There are several ways you can end your story. The best way is to summarize the main points or the one action that they should take and why. You can end on a personal strong note/ a life-defining quote as well. You can also definitely now demonstrate how their lives will change, how much easier their life will become, or how empowering their taking action now will be. To conclude, to tell a good story to attract your customers and grow your business, you should: Know your purpose. Be authentic and genuine. Have a strong ending. To become a skilled and effective communicator, in Coral Swans 8-week leadership program, one of our modules concentrates on all forms of communication. To know more, drop us a line at our website: www.pdmc.no or our FaceBook page: Coral Swans. If you want to know more, feel free to contact me and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin. You can also visit my websi te . Read more from Prasantha ! Prasantha Devulapalli, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Prasantha Devulapalli is the founder of Coral Swans, which runs an 8-week intensive tailored Balanced and Conscious leadership program for companies and individuals internationally. She is a highly accomplished and recognized leader amongst her peers with over 20 years of leadership experience in various fields. She has also been a mentor for social entrepreneurs and start-ups since 1997. She is the author of the book Blaze the Trail - Essential skills for Future leaders. Her company also helps entrepreneurs with consulting, designing websites, logos (branding), social media management, and other technological needs. She is passionate about diversity, inclusion, and equity and is a motivational international speaker on various leadership topics. Raising a disabled and chronically ill child, she hosts YouTube channels, one on Leadership and one with her daughter, Different Shades of the Norm.

Written by: Sílvia Fontquerni, 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. Who would not like to unleash their full potential? However, what makes someone be at their best in contrast to those who aren’t? Have you ever had that colleague, family, or friend who messes up and never takes responsibility for their behaviors? They may even blame you or others, or they can even make you feel that the problem is you instead of showing ownership. Even though you talk to them most assertively, they never really change or take responsibility. If you are not taking account of your behaviors and mistakes, will you be able to improve? It is part of life… It is part of life making mistakes; not being perfect and having weaknesses is human. Life is learning and constant change. It is impossible to: Skip challenges and lessons. Always be right. Be perfect. Know everything. There will always be a moment when you will step out of your comfort zone and feel uncomfortable, feeling that you don’t know everything. It is not possible to skip it; it is part of life. For example, you have always worked in customer service, and you suddenly change your career to finance, you will feel uncomfortable at the beginning when you start your new job even though you may be excited at the same time. Why can it be so hard to reflect on our behaviors and take ownership? Being aware of what you are not doing well is not pleasant. Facing your own mistakes is not easy. Being humble in accepting that parts of yourself that you do not like is being brave, and not everyone is willing to do that. Hitting walls is necessary. ‘Hit a wall’ can be defined as reaching a point where you mess up or make a mistake. Then, you have two options: Take ownership of your behaviors: grow, learn, improve to be at your best. Not taking accountability for your behaviors: criticizing others, putting the blame on others, and making a drama. And you... Are you willing to change and take responsibility? Are you willing to be humble enough to accept and face your mistakes and aspects to improve instead of blaming others? Are you willing to be aware of what you may not like about yourself? Want to learn more from Sílvia? Follow her on Instagram, Facebook and visit her website. Read more from Sílvia! Sílvia Fontquerni, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Sílvia is from Barcelona, currently working and living in London, UK. Her work as a coach consists of helping individuals and professionals be at their best not only at the workplace but also in personal life. She studied Psychology, Human Resources, and Coaching. As a Life Coach, she gives support and guidance so that clients can unleash their full potential and, as a result, be able to achieve their goals: build self-confidence, overcome fears & self-limitations, gain clarity to make the right decisions, and be able to awake their inner wisdom. As Workplace & Team Coach, she helps professionals maximize their performance and development in communication, team building/engagement, emotional intelligence, and leadership. She understands the importance of a leadership role in companies aligned with organization culture, values, and goals. Innovation and change are key to a company's success.

Written by: Gauri Kacherikar, 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. Monica was 45 and was doing excellent in her career- holding a corporate director-level position. She was giving her best to give the best results to her organization. She was aspiring to be the VP in the next couple of years. However, things started changing suddenly. Her peers in the organization kept cornering her and overloading her with more and more responsibilities. The office politics to bring her down, the fear of losing out her position and authority kept playing on her. She was living on the edge to balance her responsibilities at home, meet the needs of growing up kids, support her aging parents. Sleepless nights, menopausal changes in hormones added to her depression and anxiety. She was stressed to the core. She started dreading going to work and soon realized that this problem was not just for one or 2 weeks but lasted longer. Many of you may resonate with this situation, like Monica. At some point in time, we no longer find our jobs to be satisfying or rewarding. Both men and women experience midlife crises, and it usually is all rooted in the sense of sudden unrest. There is usually an oppressive fear of growing old that becomes more and more present until it starts making a person start doing things that create big changes in their lives. So when it comes to midlife crises in women and in men, there is usually a strong urge to change the direction of your life. You start to feel anxiety about the quality of your life . You start to doubt or maybe even regret certain decisions you made in terms of your personal life or your professional career . You might want to quit the commitment, job, or relationship that has started to make you feel trapped. Determine What Is Wrong or Missing Consider asking yourself these questions: Do you think you would be happier almost anywhere other than your current position? Do you think you can take a different approach toward your work that might make you see it differently? When was a time you felt really energized in your work? Why? What value would you not compromise in a job? Why? Discovering new dimensions of the self One of the terms thrown around a lot in career transition and development is the "personal rebrand ." For some mid-career professionals, it can seem like a strange concept and often is a mental hurdle. It all starts with the way you view yourself. Very often, individuals tend to think of the barriers rather than the advantages that they bring to the table. Rebranding helps to see yourself with a different set of glasses and find a new you. Once you are convinced of this image, it's easy to communicate the story to the world. Identifying the strengths and the values is the key while building this new image!! Ideally, finding your personal brand or "mission" is something professionals should evaluate throughout their careers. People are always evolving, and someone's goals at 40 may not be what they are at 50, Ask yourself how what you’re good at and what you’re passionate about can intersect. That is the point at which you can use your skills to make a difference in something you care about. Find your own Ikigai!! Find new Goals You might have large aspirations and goals that may not be realistic. While you may need to give up your dreams in some areas, create goals in others. Maybe you never got your book published or achieved fame, but you’ve had a fulfilling life in other ways. You won’t reach your childhood dream of being an astronaut, but you can achieve other dreams. Create financial, family, romantic, career, and health goals . For example, aim to finish a marathon or completing a silent meditation retreat. Make sure that you do not compare yourself to other people. If you find that you are doing this, then try taking a break from social media to avoid seeing what other people are up to. Appreciate the life you have. Accept that you are an adult and have responsibilities. Instead of resenting your roles and responsibilities, find what you can be grateful for in your life. For example, if you envy your children’s carefree lives while you work tirelessly at a job you don’t enjoy, remember that you play a vital role in their lives and are blessed to have a job. Instead of seeing things as burdens, see them as gifts that contribute to the life you’ve created and that you’re creating. Keep in mind that there are people who desperately want, pray for, and need the things that you may see as burdens. Start a gratitude journal to get into a regular habit of practicing thankfulness. Make informed choices. If you think making a drastic decision is the only way out or the only thing that will make you happy, think again. You likely have more than 1 option to choose from. For example, if you’re unhappy at your job, consider shifting positions, working at another branch, or asking to move up in your company. While it can be fun to make impulsive decisions, don’t let them rule your life. Gather information and examine your choices first If you feel like buying fancy things is the only way you experience happiness, find other ways to feel fulfilled, like growing a garden or learning how to dance. Get into the habit of waiting 24 to 48 hours before buying items that you suddenly want. Carefully and thoughtfully consider your options before moving forward. You don’t have to make drastic choices to be happy. Try to give yourself a few months to think about making a big change, such as changing careers or moving to a new city. Move forward, not backward. Many people who hit mid-life think that turning back the clock is the answer to moving ahead. While acting young, looking young, and dating young people might feel good for a few moments, it won’t solve your problems. You may postpone feelings of confusion, but they will likely not go away. No amount of fancy things or nice cars will actually turn back the clock. It’s best to acknowledge your age and be okay with it. For example, if you’ve put your worth into your looks all your life, try to find worth in yourself in other more enduring ways, like your kindness and generosity. Everybody ages and gets older . It only matters how you handle it and grow from it. However, keep in mind that it is okay to invest in your appearance in healthy, non-invasive ways, such as by getting a personal trainer to work on your physique or getting your hair and makeup done professionally. This can be great for your self-esteem. Follow Gauri on her Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and visit her website for more info. Read more from Gau ri ! Gauri Kacherikar, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Gauri Kacherikar is a global business leader and has extensive experience working with the Nordics. She comes with unique capabilities and has led businesses across diverse sectors, including Public and Healthcare, Financial Services. She believes her learnings from the Stockholm School of Economics have contributed to her futuristic approach and thought leadership. As a Coach, she brings an uncanny ability to nurture, coach people to achieve their goals, and advance their career paths. Her mission is to empower women to grow as successful entrepreneurs/corporate executives. Her signature program, "MidLife Energizer," has helped women transform their lives and dreams to find their purpose. "Build Your Executive Presence" is another program that has assisted women in their career trajectories. She has been recognized by the Swedish Royal Family for her gender equality initiatives and is a winner of the Sandvik India Diversity Awards.

Written by: LaVonda McCullough, 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. Although the sunlight was peaking through the curtains, I was utterly overwhelmed at the thought of starting another day. Have you ever battled anxiety and stress just to greet another day? The overwhelm and exhaustion has strapped themselves to you, and you feel the weight throughout your body. I clung to the blanket, dreading another day. No, please don’t make me get up. My days were chaotic and had become unmanageable. What could possibly bring clarity and fulfillment to my unproductive and depressed life? Soaking worship will provide you calm and peace. Soaking is an act of quietly and comfortably allowing yourself to be in the presence of God. And worship is of giving love and adoration to God. Soaking worship uses the key elements of having an attitude of worship, intentional worship meditation that’s not hurried, and being positioned for an encounter with God. This two-way exchange will bring greater clarity, laser-headed focus, and peace. It is providing not only spiritual benefits but also natural benefits. As you physically and mentally relax in God’s Presence, it will help relieve stress, pressure, and anxiety. “Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV) During this time of exchange, there is no need to perform. You are receiving unconditional love, and you can open yourself up to all God wants you to be and receive all that he wants for your life and circumstances. Resting is a gift, and He longs to give you His rest. Soaking is one of the ways that we learn how to rest. Each one of us is a spirit, living in a body that gives us our physical identity to interact and communicate with the world around us, and we have a soul. Our minds allow us to learn to receive and respond to who God is for us. Try to switch off your Soul and sit quietly with the inner man, your Spirit, who is the “real” you are interacting with God. Our souls are the unseen structure of our mind, will, and emotions. The soul gives us the ability to choose, think and feel emotions. So when our mind -our will and -our emotions are overwhelmed, we feel pressure and start having negative thoughts. Our body controls our addictions; our soul controls things such as OCD, PTSD, perfectionism, emotionalism, etc., whereas our spirit controls our connection with God. Resting removes the pressures in your life. ‘As the deer pants for the streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God.’ Psalm 42:1 (NIV) This verse gives a glimpse of a worshipper’s heart longing and a thirst for God and worship. The two go hand and hand. When our thoughts are racing and not focused, we suffer from stress. 4 Benefits of Soaking 1. Fosters Intimacy An intimate relationship with God will foster the feeling of unconditional love, appreciation, and acceptance. You spend time getting to know someone who has your best interest at heart and will provide you guidance for your future. 2. Facilitates Encounter Your encounter is unique to you. But the key is setting aside intentional time that is not hurried. Don’t allow the tyranny of the urgent to take the place of what is most important. Decide to distinguish between the two. 3. Releases Prophetic Ministry Experience hearing God’s voice for yourself as you open your hearts to God. When you position yourself before Him, it is often during these times that He births His dream in our lives and speaks what’s on His heart. 4. Provides Refreshment Your intentional surrender and yielding of your heart will fill you with refreshing thoughts and a renewed mind. When you renew your mind, you transform your life. A renewed mindset is full of love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When you have a refreshed and energized mindset, you can work with laser-focused clarity with peace and calm. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or visit my website for more info! LaVonda McCullough, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Dr. LaVonda McCullough is a Christian Life Coach that uses her proven strategies to coach women leaders to overcome mindset limitations and emotional overwhelm to walk in their God-given purpose boldly and confidently. She has dedicated her life to helping countless women walk to freedom over shame, anxiety, depression, and unforgiveness. She travels internationally speaking on mindset renewal through prayer. She is the founder of Joyful Journey, LLC, and her signature RefresHER Women’s Retreat is consistently attended by women worldwide who are seeking to reach the divine power within to become confident in their calling. She is the author of “21 Days of Fasting & Praying: The Beginner’s Guide to a Disciplined Life” and the newly released online course “Rekindled: Igniting an Intimate Relationship with God through restoration and renewal”.