Written by: Patricia Faust, MGS, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. We have jumped or been pushed into this huge chaos of change. There is no established normal. Everyone has to adjust or adapt to the new normal because there is no looking back anymore. We must look at change this way, “Change is inevitable, so why not make it intentional.” – David Rock/Neuroleadership Institute. We have to admit that even the most routine of policies and procedures are no longer valid. The demands of change put on us by COVID have taught us that we cannot go down kicking and screaming. It must be acknowledged that behavior change is the most difficult to manage personally and within an organization. Behavior change is the most difficult to manage because our behavior is hardwired as habits. These habits make life easier and more comfortable because we don’t have to think about each and everything we do. On an organizational level, the collective mindset of business creates a flow with little brain effort exerted. Employees can reserve brain energy for more challenging projects. When you do the same thing repeatedly, you form a new neural pathway in your brain. Your brain is electric, so the repetition creates an electrical charge going to the same neurons. Then, what fires together wires together! You have created a new neural pathway. The brain has to work hard to create this new pathway. But when the signal becomes so strong, it drops off into the subconscious – the area where habits reside. You no longer need to think through the whole process. Your brain is operating on the habit of hardwiring. This can be good or bad, and that is where it gets a little more complicated. Once you have created a habit, it stays with you forever. You never get rid of a bad habit. So, you have to create a new good habit to override the bad habit. At the beginning of the pandemic, you were thrown into an unknown situation. The rug had been pulled out from under you. Your normal routine was shattered, and the first few weeks were hard to navigate. These same changes were occurring on an organizational level. Change management is difficult no matter how little or how long of a time you have to implement it. People were comfortable with the old way. Change is hard. Individual and organizational change is all about behavior change. At this point, it is important to take into account mindset. There have been two different types of mindset identified – fixed mindset versus growth mindset. Fixed Mindset: In this mindset, people believe that their intelligence is fixed and static. Growth Mindset: In this mindset, people believe that intelligence and talents can be improved through effort and learning. How do these mindsets affect change? People with a fixed mindset: Avoid challenges to avoid failure Ignore feedback from others Believe putting in the effort is worthless Give up easily This group of people are fearful of change and have a difficult time adjusting to all the new demands placed upon them. People with a growth mindset: Put in more effort to learn Believe effort leads to mastery View feedback as a source of information Willingly embrace challenges This group of people would have a much easier time adapting to all of the changes they are asked to live with. Now, imagine the challenge organizations had when they had to change their business model completely. It is impossible to customize protocols for individuals. When the decision is made to move forward with change – there are initially three pieces that need to be examined: Priorities : find a way to fuel the action Habits : formed through repeated actions Systems : need to reinforce priorities, habits, and technologies The organization needs to create its employees’ habits. The ingredients are: Experience with strong insight. The strength of the insight will drive the change. How do you scale an intense insight? You must capture the moment. You start with one habit at a time over time. You don’t change old habits. You are creating new habits. The Neuroleadership Institute initiated research at several large corporations to get an inside look at what’s possible with weekly habits in 30 days. Impact: 77% deliberately mitigated a bias 90% shifted to a growth mindset 91% practiced inclusive behavior And of course, you must have a good if-then plan. This model incorporates: Ideal. Reality Contrasting. It is necessary to see the difference between ideal and reality visually. As an example, picture a mighty oak tree that you aspire to be. But you are a short stubby tree that doesn’t have the capability of ever being tall. Mental Time Travel You must be able to move back and forth in change. Link from where you are to where you want to go. You should not imagine what you want to be – but the path to get there. Contingency Planning (the if-then phase) Think through every eventuality. Working remotely can be very lonely. We are hardwired to connect with other people. In order to facilitate change, whether in the office or remotely, use peer groups. People will feel safer and confident when they are in groups. Finally, use the Social Memory Network. Encode the information in the memory network with social information. This method increases the signal strength of the information and makes it much easier to recall. You are using Mental Cuing to recall the information. So, what now? Hopefully, the lessons learned on the fast change to a remote work environment will guide all of the changes required again to go back into the office. It is time to seize the moment and make sustainable changes that can propel you forward. There is a lot of concern about many people leaving their jobs. It is important to remember that not everyone experienced the pandemic the same way. But understanding how the brain works can move you past the behavior issues of habits. There are some basic needs of the brain that can be utilized: We are hardwired to connect. This DNA has been passed to us from our ancient ancestors. How can you accomplish connectedness when your employees might be working from home, others working with the community, and still others are working in offices? All of these positions can give anyone a sense of isolation. It becomes important to form teams. Being part of a team decreases stress. It can mitigate anxiety, and there is an internal need to be recognized for what you are doing. There have to be increased communications, and they need to be consistent. When people are spread out, you need to make sure everyone is on the same page. If those working on the inside get information on the change before those working remote – a divide happens between each group, and you won’t have cohesiveness in carrying out plans. It is critical for leaders to be role models. In times of change, employees will mirror leadership. Leaders share their experiences, and this provides relatedness and connection with their employees. It cannot be just a top-down directive and expect success. There is a second need – our need to know. In these days of insecurity about even having and keeping your job, reassurance is a must. Everyone has a need for certainty – am I going to keep my job? Employees must have enough information released to them to be able to predict outcomes. Overwhelmed + Ambiguity = Negativity Our brains are wired to go negative. What kind of information are we receiving from our leaders? Clarity is more crucial than certainty. If your brain spends more time trying to decipher communications – then outcomes are at risk. Give the brain everything it needs to close the loop, and that allows it to meet goals. Autonomy is critical to success in these disruptive times. Having a choice is rewarding. The act of choosing brings everything closer to us. Autonomy is a powerful lever. Autonomy = Trust Side note: No matter what you do – no matter how much employees would benefit – 25% will push back. When this happens, double down on mission and values. Remember, to accomplish these outcomes, be consistent and repetitious about your message. The brain will form new habits when you follow these directives. Then change goes from being difficult to being manageable. For more info, follow me on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter and visit my web site ! Read more from Patricia! Patricia Faust, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Patricia Faust is a gerontologist specializing in brain aging, brain health, brain function, and dementia. She has a Masters in Gerontological Studies degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Patricia is certified as a brain health coach and received a Neuroscience and Wellness certification through Dr. Sarah McKay and the Neuroscience Academy. My Boomer Brain, founded in 2015, is the vehicle that Patricia utilizes to teach, coach, and consult about brain aging, brain health, and brain function. Her newsletter, My Boomer Brain, has international readers from South Africa, Australia, throughout Europe, and Canada. Patricia’s speaking experience spans the audiences' spectrum as she addresses corporate executives on brain function, regional financial professionals on client diminished capacity, and various senior venues concerning issues around brain aging and brain health. References: Neuroleadership Institute: Change Methodology. Smith, J. (September 25, 2020). Growth mindset vs. fixed mindset: how what you think affects what you achieve .

Written by: René Estes, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. For some of us, it might feel like the smartphone has been around forever. New technology has long-lasting effects on societies. This article will explore the effects the smartphone has played on our self-image and how its use in two dimensions impacts our self-esteem: the edited image, the selfie, and the immediate distribution of that image. We will explore the paradox between what we have gained from a virtual relationship vs. our in-person relationships. First, let us step back in time to explore some historical events that made the invention of the smartphone possible. In the 1970s, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) allowed limited competition in long-distance services, including selling network access to alternative services at below-cost rates. Local service was off-limits. The U.S. Justice Department filed an antitrust lawsuit against AT&T based on complaints by Microwave Communication Inc. (MCI) and other long-distance providers. After an eight-year battle, in 1982, the company settled with the government under conditions in the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia, ordained by Judge Harold H. Greene. This landmark settlement would be finalized two years later in 1984, required AT&T to divest its local operating companies and limit its service to the long-distance market. Michigan Bell became part of Ameritech, one of seven regional "Baby Bells" that assumed control of local calling services. AT&T was allowed to continue manufacturing telephone equipment, and twenty-three years later, in 2007, the first smartphone was introduced. (Katz) Before the invention of the smartphone and the internet, people developed relationships in person. On a cellular level, we communicate chemosensory information that tells us behavioral relevant information such as sexual status, danger, and social organization. We can sense changes in moods and train our brains to understand the world around us. Relationships in the virtual world diminish many of the organic experiences we have in person. Selfies have affected our self-esteem, and some ideas about how we are can recapture some of what we have lost. The self-portrait has been around as long as photography has existed. The smartphone has made self-portrait ubiquitous with the ease and availability of a camera in our pockets. The selfies, the picture of oneself at arms-length, emerged. The tool to capture a self-portrait and distribute it at a rapid rate is at everyone's disposal. The assumption is that one's self-esteem would rise with the selfie. Research has found it be directly proportional to the user's decline in self-esteem. (Fried) In person is where we garner information at a chemosensory level. Through our chemosensory communications, we gather information about our sexual status, danger, and social organization. Studies have discovered that the perception of pheromonal properties of androgen steroids can alter mood and behavior in humans. Pheromones are substances secreted to the outside by an individual and received by a second individual of the same species, in which they release a specific reaction. Their definition was decisive for the differentiation of "releasing" and "priming" pheromones. Priming pheromones produce a change of state in the receiver, usually a change in a hormonal secretion that primes the animal for a later response. Releasing or signaling pheromones elicit an immediate behavioral response from the individual receiving the stimulus. (Pietrowsky) The internet, social media sites, and the edited self-image block our chemosensory transmission of information. As a result, we have a distorted perception of how we measure up and how we receive information about those we relate to others. Social media as an avenue to interact with others disrupts our instincts, and anxiety rises. A 2013 poll reported that one-third of all photos taken within the 18-24 age group were self-portraiture selfies. In 2014, 93 billion selfies were taken per day by Android users, Google estimated. The selfie culture has influenced human behavior in the physical world. Museums are dedicating exhibition space to cater to Instagram and Snapchat users. Plastic surgeons have seen an increase in patients seeking facial surgeries to look better in selfies. In 2017 a little over half of their patients sought plastic surgery to look better, up 13% from 2016. Some patients seek plastic surgery to adjust their features to match the digital features in Snapchat called "Snapchat Dysphoria." By 2018, almost all American teenagers (95%) used smartphones and (45%) reported that they are online 'almost constantly. In the same survey, use of social media was high, with the most frequent use for YouTube (85%), Instagram (72%), Snapchat (69%), with fewer using Facebook (51%), or Twitter (32%). These are intense rates of use. In an extensive national survey of 2600 adolescents and children, the typical adolescent is exposed to an average of about nine hours of screen time (meaning social media, television, and video games). The average teen spends 2 hours and 42 minutes on their smartphones daily, along with 1 hour and 37 minutes on a computer and 45 minutes on a tablet. The total daily dose of technology for teens is 6 hours and 40 minutes. (Ghaemi) At this level of virtual relationships, teens and children are missing the organic experiences of inperson relationships. As a young girl, when I wanted to invite my friend to play, I would have to climb on my bike, ride ¼ mile north on my street, knock on her door and ask, "Can you play?" That simple gesture taught me how to take risks, sit in my anticipation of what her answer would be. The certainty that our relationship was strong enough to withstand any answer, and if she couldn't, there would be another time to play. We knew we would still be friends. There was a 60% to 70% chance she could play—that uncertainty connected neurological pathways that supports me today in taking risks in business and relationships. Our virtual world is so distorted that it profoundly affects our ability to trust what we see in our virtual world. Portrait manipulation is a process in portrait photography where the final result is determined through a series of elements that include the head's pose and the expression of hair and makeup. The clothes are chosen and by filters and software that photographs can be edited in post-processing. In the world of filmmaking, the mise en scène everything in the frame, includes costume, hair and makeup, lighting, camera location and angle, the lens focus, and the field depth. The more advanced photographer will include ISO, aperture, and shutter speed to craft a piece of art. In traditional print photography, these elements are baked at the time the shutter closes. The high-end film photography would "dodge and burn" to locally modify exposure during printing and would airbrush the film for a final product. In today's digital age, software packages like Adobe Photoshop® make photo manipulation commonplace. The identity of the subject that includes makeup and pose can be easily modified in post-processing. (O. J. Fried) Our perceptions of the self are determined by the distance between the camera and subject. Closer shots are perceived to be benevolent, reasonable, peaceful, pleasant, approachable. Smart and strong are perceived in larger distances. Shots taken in personal spaces are considered less trustworthy, competent, and attractive. The close-ups of selfies exhibit a noticeable perspective phenomenon. The limitations of the selfie as a one-shot close-up puts constraints on the way they can be portrayed. As much as we realize we should strive to judge people by their character beyond their looks, our physical appearance impacts how others treat us. One of the most vulnerable groups are adolescent and their perception of body image. Salomon and Brown found that body shame among youth increased with self-objectifying social media use. It extends to self-photo editing and body dissatisfaction in adolescent girls. Among the people who are naturally dissatisfied with their body image will edit their online image. The natural conclusion is that the editing tool would be empowering. The reverse happens, where the editing of an image increases our dissatisfaction with our body image and widens the gap between reality and the perceived ideal. The balance between the natural world and the online world is a difficult one to walk. The perception into putting effort into one's appearance and not being perceived as deceptive. What is the solution? Bradford Hill's nine guidelines for the association are cautions; the available evidence for social media and psychiatric harm begins to show evidence for seven: strength, consistency, temporality, dose-response, plausibility, coherence, and experiment. Smartphones could be treated like alcohol, best used in adulthood but restricted beforehand. Delaying smartphone and social media use after high school, preferably after age sixteen, is recommended. (S. Ghaemi) For everyone, have more in-person relationships. Reach out to your friends, especially those who are single, living alone. If the social distancing of 2020 taught us anything, we are all in this together. We are getting out of it together, not alone. Limit the use of our phones for scheduling to meet up in person. We need in-person relationships. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! René Estes, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine René Estes is a third-generation entrepreneur. She is a child of the space race. Her father tested for both the Gemini and Apollo missions. Her maternal grandfather invented one of the first ice cream filling machines in the 1950s. These are her roots. René comes from a coaching background and holds dual degrees from the University of Colorado Boulder, a bachelor’s of art and a bachelor’s of fine arts (BA/BFA) in film theory and production. She has combined these two worlds into one. René Estes, The Video Mentor, teaches businesses how to make professional videos with the principles of filmmaking. The Video Mentor brings in film theory and film techniques. It is important to know why you want to craft your videos with a meaning, along with how to craft them professionally.

Written by: Martina Hrubes-Rios, 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. Why Your Story Matters! And how to rewrite your screenplay so the hero walks with purpose and empowerment into her/his future! Everything in life starts with a story, and we live day in and out by the story we tell ourselves. But what if this story is more fiction than fact? What if you lent your pen to someone else to write the script? Every subject of our life has a story attached to it and influences how you think, feel and act within those areas of your life, whether that is relationships, money, health, work, and even your own competency. Therefore, it is important to create awareness around your self-talk and self-perception to create a more empowering story moving forward. What is Your Story? I am broke? I am not good at…? I will never get my dream job….? I am not made for…..? Life is …..? People are…? The world is…? Does that sound familiar to you? What life rules have you set for yourself that create your current reality, and who and what has played a part in it? Through what lens do you see yourself and the life roles your play in this world? Your personality, in fact, is dynamic, but many believe they are stuck with an identity that they have been handed out at birth, the so-called “hand of cards” to live with. The good news is that you can change how you think, feel, and act and learn to take your power back by letting go of what doesn’t serve you, including attachments to your story and limiting beliefs that hold you back to live the life that you want to create. When you start rewriting your life movie and empowering your personality, you want to focus on what you want instead of what you don’t want. And the BE-DO-HAVE principle is a great tool to support you on this journey as it teaches you to become first the mindset of what you want, then taking aligned actions to have what you desire. Transformational Coaching facilitates the transformation from the inside out because how we act and react is based on our behaviors and habits. Those are led by our belief system that our past stories and environment have conditioned. And how you see yourself and your story defines your identity, which is coded like a computer program into your subconscious mind. The repeating stories and statements of ourselves get stored and shape how we perceive ourselves. Because Identity shapes our behaviors, one’s actions result in the outcome of our life movie. Therefore, your external world reflects your internal world. So, if you want to change your external world, you must uncover your stories first and rewrite your script. How gets the story written, and why does it matter? When we are born, we absorb information from the world around us like a sponge and build a framework of understanding. This framework develops as we experience the world around us throughout our childhood and receive feedback about ourselves. We are constantly influenced by our environment, including our parents and caretakers, our culture, and later the media, the educational system, and our friends. That is how the story gets written and shapes our view of the world and consequently forms our identity—who we think we are. Therefore, our experience of life is filtered through our individual perception of reality. So, as we go through life, we've developed a story - a narrative script we tell ourselves and others about what happened in our past, how the world works, and who we are, and it becomes our blueprint. And those beliefs get reinforced every time the world proves us right. So the story continues until you interrupt the story and change your beliefs. Why is changing your story and empowering your identity so important? When you truly take responsibility for how you think, feel, and act, you take your power back, boost your confidence, overcome personal hurdles and create a successful identity. Life is what you make of it! By taking actions that align with your future self and your vision, you carve out an identity that will guide you forward instead of keeping you stuck in your past old story and most likely with persistent repeating patterns. Particularly in current times, we are asked more than ever to evaluate our old paradigms, accept and embrace change, think more critically, and build a growth mindset and expand your life to become a creator and even share our gifts with others. It takes self-reflective practice and commitment to shift a limited mindset to an unlimited, and it often pushes one into unknown territory. It is good to understand how our brain works and that it likes to accommodate information and experience with what it knows. Therefore uncertainty is uncomfortable at first until it becomes your new reality. Yet, it is the only way to grow, expand and move forward in life. So, remember that whenever you experience self-doubt on your transformation journey, that too shall pass, and you have all the resources within yourself to overcome your fears and limited mindset. How to change your story? By changing how we see the past, we can empower ourselves to pursue a more compelling future. If you constantly live in the past and don’t have the vision to work for, you get stuck with past emotions attached to it. But these emotions are just a reminder of a perception of a past situation that does not exist anymore. It is important to let go of the negative emotions and belief systems and instead reframe your perception of your past and present moment if necessary. You cannot change what happened, but it is important to remember you can change how you think and feel about it. With practice, you can also change how you feel about yourself in the present moment. Why is the present moment so important? Because you can only create from the present moment into the unknown future. In that sense, the past doesn’t matter, but you have all the power within yourself to decide how you want to live your future. Our mind, our so-called computer program, does not really know the difference between reality, imagination, or false memory once we expose it often enough to a certain idea, story, or image. For Example, you can evoke the same feelings by closing your eyes and visualizing a situation as if it would happen for real. And that is how you can rewire and reframe your perspective of the past and change how you feel about it. Choosing a perception that serves your goals, vision and makes you feel good is the key. So go on and take back the control of that pen and give your hero a purpose, a life with intention and remember that challenges are also part of a hero’s story. Join Martina's Facebook group and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin. You can also visit her website for more info. Martina Hrubes-Rios, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Martina specializes in Transformative Life Coaching working with tools and practices that help shifting one’s mindset, empowering her clients to live a happier and more fulfilled life. As a Life Story Coach, she helps her clients reach their higher potential by rewriting the persistent life stories that keep them stuck or playing out the same life script repeatedly. Besides Individual Coaching, she offers a monthly online coaching Bootcamp called: “Rewrite your Life Movie.”

Written by: Linda Evans, 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. So you’re older than 22 and considering getting a more formal education. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the whole decision-making process! This article is for you. I’m a strengths-based career coach who has been helping clients advance their education and careers for 10 years, and I’ll break down this process into digestible pieces for you. First, get clear on what you really want: More options? You may need a certain degree or credential to advance within your current field or break into a totally different field. More pay? You may need another degree or credential to justify asking for a raise or qualifying for higher-paying roles. More prestige? You may want to be recognized as among the top experts or professionals in your field. More skills/knowledge? You may be thirsting for more formal learning and mentoring that you can’t get on your own. Second, ask yourself if you really need more formal education (enrolling in a structured program at an established institution) or just informal self-education (books, articles, podcasts, conferences, workshops, etc.) Both are valuable for lifelong learning and growth, but formal education is substantially more expensive, so it is important to consider other ways you may get what you want before investing in a specific program: More time and on-the-job training More mentoring from key leaders Taking on different work projects or side hustles Changing your work style Changing jobs or employers within your field If you are looking to change career fields completely, do thorough research about the realities of the new field with successful and satisfied professionals as well as look on helpful websites like the U.S. Labor of Bureau Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Third, if you decide that you indeed want to pursue further formal education to achieve your career goals, determine which degree is right for you. Professional Certifications (<1 yr) Associate (2 years) - AA, AS Bachelor (4 years) - BS, BA Master (2 years) - MA, MS, MBA, MPA, MPH, MHA, MEd, MFA, MSW, etc. Doctorate (3-5+ years) - PhD, MD, JD, DPT, DPharm, PsyD, EdD, etc. Fourth, decide on the area of study that will be most useful and interesting to you. Strive to find a program that covers all 3 areas: Passion - what you love to do and learn about Strengths - what you naturally excel at Demand - what others will pay for Fifth, decide the format that works best for your current career and personal life: Full-time (3+ classes per semester/quarter) or part-time (1-2 classes per semester/quarter) Online or in-person Cohort (students who start at the same time follow a similar course sequence and graduate together) or self-paced (students have more flexibility in choosing their own courses and sequence) Synchronous (professor and students gather at the same time) or asynchronous (students access materials on their own schedule) Weekday (classes spread over the day on Monday through Friday) or executive (classes concentrated for longer hours on weekends or evenings) Your options will largely depend on what programs are available in your geographic location or if you are willing to move to attend a certain program. Sixth, determine the type of institution you wish to attend and the legitimacy of their programs: Community college (for associate’s degrees) vs. university (for bachelor’s degrees and higher) Private (more expensive but may offer more scholarships, may have more competitive admission) vs. public (cheaper for in-state residents) For-profit vs. non-profit Online vs. in-person Whichever institution you choose, be sure it is accredited. What is accreditation? It is a system of quality control for educational institutions and programs to verify that they meet standards for curriculum content, faculty credentials, classroom resources, and many other factors that are important to ensure you are making a worthy investment in your education that results in a recognized credential. Accreditation bodies consist of professionals who conduct thorough review processes at the regional level for institutions and program levels for specific degrees. Once approved for accreditation, institutions and programs need to be renewed every few years. Other factors to consider when evaluating the quality of a program include Specialties - if there is a niche area you’d like to study within a field, be sure the program has a track or emphasis that matches your interests. Faculty - graduate programs will often have you paired with a faculty advisor, so look through the faculty’s research interests be sure there will be good mentors for your interests. Graduation rates - this is somewhat of a reflection of the quality of the institution’s student services to support students through to graduation, and admissions staff should be able to readily provide this information to you if it’s not already on their website. Job placement rates - the institution’s career services office should track and publish the percentage of students who find full-time employment after graduation or go on to more education, usually within 3-6 months. Alumni network - look up the institution’s official page on LinkedIn and explore the number and variety of graduates; they may play an important part in helping you obtain future professional opportunities. Seventh, figure out how you will pay for your education. It will likely include some combination of the following: Personal savings Jobs can provide valuable real-world work experience - preventing a gap in your resume - as well as provide financial means. On-campus jobs can provide tuition remission in addition to salary, meaning you pay a much smaller percentage of tuition, but those savings are annually taxable above $5,250 in the United States, and you likely will need to pass a 3-6 month probationary period on the job before receiving tuition remission. Off-campus jobs may provide tuition assistance in addition to salary for an exchange of agreeing to stay and work at the company for a certain time period after graduation. Assistantships/fellowships - graduate programs may provide part-time jobs on campus that provide a stipend, housing, mentorship, or other benefits while doing one of both the following: Teach undergraduate courses, grade assignments, and tests, hold office hours to offer tutoring services, etc. Research in labs, analyze data, conduct literature reviews, check sources, draft articles, etc. Grants/scholarships - free money you don’t need to pay back. Need-based (if you demonstrate the need for financial assistance, usually through tax documents) or merit-based (if you demonstrate academic excellence, usually through transcripts and test scores) From the federal government (i.e., Pell Grant, work-study) or the educational institution (scholarships) Loans - money you pay to borrow and repay later. ○ Private (through banks and credit unions with higher interests) ○ Public (through the federal government with lower interest rates) Eighth, negotiate and prepare for lifestyle adjustments, of which there may be many! Housing - Will you need to move to be closer to the institution? Will you need to downsize or live with roommates? Will you need to put things in storage? Schedule - What do you need to cut out of your life to make time to attend and study for classes? How might your commuting time change? What chores can you outsource? How will you maintain enough time for proper sleep, exercise, and recreation, so you don’t burn out? Relationships - How will you maintain relationships with romantic partners, children, family, and friends? How might childcare arrangements need to change? Space - Where will you study? Where will you store your new books and papers? Okay, so getting more higher education may still all feel overwhelming, but at least now you have a step-by-step roadmap through the process! I love helping clients through this process, so reach out if you’d like a Career Coach through this journey. Follow Linda on Facebook, LinkedIn, and visit her website for more info! Read more from Linda! Linda Evans, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Linda Evans is a strengths-based career coach, speaker, writer and personal branding expert. In 2011, she founded her virtual career coaching business, Launched by Linda, LLC. Her full-time career has been in higher education since 2012, and she currently works in Career Services at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Linda has a B.A. in American Studies and a minor in Ballroom Dance from Brigham Young University, and an M.A. in Psychological Counseling from Columbia University. She is also a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and has certificates in Positive Psychology and Public Speaking.

Written by: Patricia Renovato, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. It’s true that going on a trip alone is not on everyone’s bucket list; it certainly wasn’t on mine. But circumstances coupled with a deep calling to get clarity led me to a 4-day solo adventure. I’ll be honest, the idea of spending 96 hours alone with my thoughts felt exhilarating and daunting at the same time. I committed to disconnect from every distraction. In my everyday life, I have so many things and people to tend to, I’m a ball of anxiety moving through the world. The solitude exposed me to the serenity that I needed to recharge. I had full autonomy of my day and didn't have to coordinate with anyone or compromise on anything. It was a freeing experience. I was able to move slowly and never felt rushed. For someone who constantly feels like she’s racing time, letting go of commitments was such a relief. I went into this trip wanting clarity, but what I was really searching for was peace. I have been on a self-discovery journey for the past 4 years, seeking to find my purpose, strengthen my connection to God, and reunite with my passions, but I hadn’t taken the time to actualize my new awareness into action. I knew that I wanted to participate in my life differently, I wanted to be an active participant. And to me, this meant that I needed to be more present and less anxious about the future. This resulted in me letting go of a limiting belief that my worthiness is tied to my output. I invested 4 days in getting to know me, something I had never done before. I questioned my goals, re-connected with my WHY and designed a new blueprint for my life. There was so much that I learned during this trip. I’ll share a few takeaways that you can use as a guide to kickstart your own self-discovery journey. ● Remove distractions, stop and feel. I had never analyzed my state of being until this trip. It was shocking to learn that my normal state was anxious. Just writing this out for the first time is a big acknowledgment for me. But it lends itself to so much opportunity for growth. I know that I don’t want to be anxious all the time. I want to be present and an active participant in my life without limitations. Anxiety not only limits my ability to see all that is possible, it also impacts my level of engagement and enjoyment. ● Take the opportunity to re-evaluate and re-define yourself. Going on this trip alone was never something I had intended to do. It was never something I thought I could do. I didn’t think I would enjoy it but I loved it. This discovery led me to take an inventory of all the areas of my life where I had limited who I was or can be. I don’t want to be limited in any way. ● Mindfulness and Peace. I finally felt what it means to be mindful. I have been reading a lot of books on mindfulness and practicing ways to reel myself back to the present. My mind tends to live in the future. This trip allowed me to remove all my distractions so that I could finally experience BEING. To me this means being fully present, fully awake in the present moment, not thinking about the past, or being concerned with the future. Now that I know what it feels like, it’s a lot easier for me to find it when I get off track. I also felt at Peace. And I learned that it’s not something that you lose or that is hiding. It’s always inside of you, but you need to be still long enough to feel it. I highly recommend that you take the time to reconnect with yourself. It doesn’t have to be a 4 day trip somewhere. You can start by spending an afternoon at the park reflecting or you start journaling from your couch. It’s important to pause to check if you’re still on the course that you intended to be on. You make the rules, which means you can change course at any moment. If you want to dive into your own self-exploration and be coached by me, you can email me. Follow Patricia on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit her website for more info! Read more from Patricia! Patricia Renovato, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine For over a decade, Patricia kept ignoring the growing sensation that she could do more to serve the world. It was daunting to think about dramatically changing her life without direction. After spending some time searching for the answer, Patricia found her calling as a Life Coach. This became the vehicle for her to facilitate the transformation of people who felt stuck in their life, not knowing how to begin a new journey. Patricia dedicates her time to connecting people with their genuine passion for living a passionate and purposeful life. Patricia’s innate ability to see people’s potential beyond their purview inspires clients to work through the inner blocks preventing them from living their dream.

Written by: Linda Lopeke, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. There are 7 freedoms of entrepreneurship that drive a person’s commitment to choose it over traditional employment. You might be close to achieving one or more (or even all 7) of them right now! Entrepreneurship is a personal growth journey like no other. There are many variables. Success is not guaranteed. Or without risk. Failure isn’t final. There are unknowns to withstand. And several competencies to master. While clarity, confidence, and clients are all welcome companions on the road to business success, their contribution pales next to the must-haves: courage, patience , and resilience. Still, there are no sweeter rewards for those who make it than the 7 freedoms of independence available through entrepreneurship. Freedom of Choice With freedom comes responsibility. Responsibility to self and to others because no one succeeds alone. If you are not willing and able to hold yourself accountable for the results of your choices, you are not ready to handle the responsibility that comes with success via entrepreneurship. Freedom of Creative Control What you build, create and offer for sale and to whom and how you market it and run your business are expressions of who you are and what you stand for. Congruency is key to winning the trust of even the hungriest market. Compromise is not for sale. Freedom from Work When every day is payday, equal to a weekend day, and you own every second of every day, there is only one decision to make each morning: “Will I or won’t I?” When work is your choice because it is part of your life’s meaning and purpose and not something you must do whether you want to or not, work rarely feels like work. And you never need a vacation from it. Freedom from Financial Scarcity and Constraint Money is not success. It is a by-product of success. And measured more accurately in what you don’t have, rather than in what you do or own. For example: No mortgage because you paid cash for your home(s) No car or car lease payments because you own your vehicle(s) outright No interest payments on credit card bills because you pay them in full when they come in No begging or prostrating yourself before banks, lenders, and investors because you don’t need their money No agonizing over whether or not to buy something or shop here versus there because if you want it, you can just buy it and enjoy it without any drama or need for justification Freedom from Influence and Expectation When you are debt-free and without need, want, or desire, you are free of the consumer con game. Immune to trivial distraction. Safe from the contagion of faux experts selling bullshit to the vulnerable. You can’t be sucked into the fairy tales of wealth rooted in fiscal hypocrisy peddled by poor us because you won’t be one of those who buy their lies and pay with their lives. Freedom from Hope and Dependence Dependence is not success. If your lifestyle is tied to your parents, the government, the economy, or the stock market, your future is in the hands of hope and beyond your control. Uncontrollable leverage is limited. Business systems you create and control are not. Freedom from Ordinary and Routine The price of your new life is your old life. Routine and the mundane are the kisses of death. Extraordinary experiences defy the ordinary. And are often the opposite of what’s expected. When you can do, buy, wear and go wherever you want without caring about what others think, life is different. You are unbound from ordinary societal and cultural norms. Able to define the patterns of existence that bring you the greatest joy and happiness. You live your own style and work in the ways best for you without explanation, defense, or apology. And experience entrepreneurial success as you alone define it. That is when you are truly free. That is what it means to be truly rich. And that is the joy of successfully achieving independence through entrepreneurship without compromise. Follow Linda on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , and visit her website for more info! Linda M. Lopeke, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Linda M. Lopeke, thought partner and inspiration to brilliant entrepreneurs around the world, is an internationally recognized leading expert in strategic business development and marketing. Lopeke is a master of six professional management disciplines and an award-winning technical writer and copywriter. Her clients include Fortune 500 companies, well-known business leaders, professionals, experts, and authors, as well as up-and-coming digital entrepreneurs. Financial Post named Lopeke one of the Top 5 Entrepreneurs Under 30 in 1984. In 2000, she founded SMARTSTART, the most trusted voice in digital business, where she currently leads a community of 265,000+ entrepreneurs and is dedicated to ensuring business dreams don't die.

Written by: Moniek James, 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. Social media is a powerful tool for increasing brand awareness; every online entrepreneur understands this. The wide variety of available platforms allows small business owners to share news and information with their community in a more personal and direct way than traditional marketing, but one problem that many deals with is knowing what type of content to share. Even if you don’t have a huge marketing budget, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a thriving social media presence. It just takes a little creativity and research to get the most out of your social media marketing efforts. If you’re struggling with ideas for your next social media post, check out this list of four social media post ideas that you can use to build awareness online. The first content idea is 'quote images' using your own words. Scroll through your social media feed at any given time, and you’ll see words of inspiration, affirmation, and motivation being shared. These work on social media because users are looking to be entertained and inspired and will readily share these posts within their networks. Look for ways to include your quotes into your digital marketing strategy to reinforce your brand message while ensuring you stay on track with achieving your business objectives. Who are the people in your niche with audiences that overlap with yours? Interviewing peers or industry influencers introduce your community to new voices with opinions like yours while creating opportunities for collaborations. When your interviews get shared with other interested audiences, you can expect your following to grow. Tutorials allow you to show your audience what it looks like when somebody uses your product. Tutorials work because they answer the silent questions that your intended customers have, allowing you to overcome objections and generate more sales. This also allows you to show how invested you are in helping them solve their problems. Users go to social media because they’re looking to create connections around shared interests. The final social media content idea is to share your business birth story. It doesn’t matter if you sell the same products as somebody else. Your journey to starting and building your business is unique to you and will allow you to stand out in your audience’s minds. You’ll have an opportunity to humanize your brand and show personality, which helps you attract the right people. If you’re currently using social media for your business, you already know how important it is to get your audience engaged and interested. The best way to do this is to post interesting and engaging content — start with these ideas to attract awareness, spark discussion and keep people coming back to your channels. For mindset, marketing, and business ownership tips, connect with Moniek on Instagram or her website ! Read more from Moniek ! Moniek James, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Moniek James is a Master Content Strategist, veteran, military spouse, speaker, author, columnist, and online entrepreneur. Her passion is teaching purpose-driven business and brand owners how to leverage strategic content marketing to build awareness, establish credibility and create their profitable digital footprints. Moniek has been featured in the Huffington Post, Fit Small Business, VoyagePhoenix, and the Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs and believes that entrepreneurship is a building block to economic empowerment.

Written by: Jennifer Gattinger, 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. With warmer temps moving in and COVID restrictions loosening up, you may be dreaming about your upcoming summer vacation. Dreaming until you start thinking about how expensive it will be anyways. But, I’m here to tell you some good news! Contrary to popular belief, travel can be much cheaper than people think, especially if you think a bit outside the box. Read on to learn about 5 ways to make your money travel farther this summer: 1. Airbnb I’m assuming that by now you already know about Airbnb, but did you know that you can dig deeper for discounts? Many hosts give discounts for people choosing to rent by the week or month. If the host has these types of discounts set up, they will automatically appear when you search for your desired dates. Another option is to write the host directly and ask if they’re willing to negotiate on price. I’ve heard of people being successful with this, and hey, it never hurts to ask. Yet another Airbnb hack is to stay in a well-communicated neighborhood a bit further out from the city center. Opting to do this can help you save significantly on accommodation expenses. 2. Book local Headed to Eastern Europe, Asia, or South America? Rather than reserving ahead of time online, booking your Bed and Breakfast on the spot with the locals can put more money in your pocket to enjoy your favorite activities. The same goes for booking guided tours. While this may not be a good strategy for those who like to have everything planned, I’ve personally done this while traveling across the continents listed above and have saved many hundreds over the years. 3. Use Google Flights When it comes to travel, Google Flights is the crème of all crèmes! Whether you are searching for flexible dates, flexible airports, or simply seeing where the cheapest flight from your location to any destination in the world is, Google Flights allows you to do so in a matter of minutes. Another advantage of using Google Flights is that the flight prices shown are usually those that you see when you go to purchase the tickets (in other words, they don’t usually jump up or have extra fees included right before you hit “buy” like many of the other search engines do). These days, it’s also possible to find cheaper one-way flights, so make sure to check those out as well. 4. Pack light With airlines charging anywhere from $40-$100 to check in a bag, save yourself money by grabbing a carry-on bag and packing it to the brim. To maximize your packing, think about bringing neutral colors and items that mix and match. Also, rolling your clothes as opposed to stacking them helps maximize your space. And remember that you really don’t need everything. Unless you are going to a particularly desolate location, you will be able to find most things during your trip should you need something. The best part is that you will save not only money but also the time you can literally hit the ground running upon arrival. Less truly is more. 5. Alternative Accommodations How does free accommodation sound? Sites like Trusted Housesitting allow you to offer your sitting services in exchange for a free place to stay. Then there’s Home Exchange which allows you to exchange your place for a stay in someone else’s. Other options for those willing to share some of their skills and lend an extra hand are available on sites like Helpx or Workaway, where travelers exchange a few hours of help a day for a free place to stay. The bottom line is that travel is not always as expensive as people think it is, especially if you’re willing to be flexible and get creative. For those interested in making their money travel even farther, I invite you to check out my upcoming group financial coaching course, where we will set financial goals and cover budgeting, saving strategies, hustles and retirement numbers, and investment options, among other topics. Happy travels! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Jennifer! Jennifer Gattinger, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jenny is a personal financial coach with a passion for helping millennials reach their financial goals. Having completed a degree in Economics, along with Dave Ramsey’s Financial Coach Master Training, she teaches them how to organize their money and put it to work so that one day, sooner rather than later, they won’t have to. A millennial herself, Jenny’s financial savviness has allowed her to follow her dreams of travel and visit 50+ countries as well as compete internationally in two different sports, all while maintaining a sense of financial wellbeing.

Written by: Nicola Hunt, 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. If you’re tired, making a few early nights a priority or having a couple of power naps in the day stops you from feeling tired. Fatigue is much deeper. Fatigue is an overwhelming sensation that is not improved by sleep. The number of people living with fatigue has increased due to COVID-19 and long COVID. If you are one of the many people living with fatigue, what can you do to help manage this debilitating symptom? With fatigue, it is important to manage your energy levels. Pacing is vital. Pacing is a word you will frequently hear when talking about managing fatigue, but what exactly is pacing. This means conserving energy on tasks that you do. It means planning so that all activities match your energy levels. It means avoiding the boom or bust - doing too much on a good day, that you are in bed for the next three. Think of energy as an energy pie, and the pie needs to last a full week before you get a new energy pie. You can divide that pie into seven equal pieces, making sure you only use the same amount of energy each day. But sometimes, life is not predictable, and you may have a day that requires more than one slice of the energy pie. Planning your week rather than your day helps to manage energy. If you have a busy day planned, rest the day before and the day after, having a bit extra pie from both those days. You also need to consider different types of energy the task requires, mental energy, physical energy, or emotional energy. Everything you do requires energy, but identifying physical or mental tasks most draining makes your planning more effective. Plan your day and week to not use too much of one type of energy. Give yourself time to recover from emotionally challenging events. Pacing is much easier to talk about than put into practice. When your energy levels are high, it can be difficult to hold yourself back and not do too much, but this usually leads to an energy crash the following days. Keeping a diary and labeling tasks physical, mental, or emotional energy tasks can help plan your week and let you see which tasks drain you the most. Make sure to plan the things that give you joy, not just the things you feel you ‘should do.’ And if self-help isn’t enough, reach out to a professional experienced in helping people with fatigue. Find Nicola at Physiocare for physiotherapy or follow us on Facebook and for coaching. Find us here! Read more from Nicola! Nicola Hunt, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Nicola Hunt is a Chartered Physiotherapist and an Executive Coach, dedicated to helping people reach their full potential, whether with their physical recovery after injury or helping people be resilient, reach their goals and live their most fulfilling life. Nicola held a leadership role within the NHS and the position of Allied Health Professional Executive alongside developing her own physiotherapy business. Nicola specializes in the prevention and treatment of concussion and brain injury, is a CCMI affiliated concussion clinic, and has a Diploma in Professional Coaching and Mentoring and a Diploma in Stress Management. After combining a successful career with the NHS with her own businesses, she now focuses solely on her Physiotherapy and Coaching businesses.

Written by: Stephanie Collinson, 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 I sit here and type this, I would consider myself still at the beginning of a journey. I began to explore the possibilities of earning a living without the restrictions of a 9-5 full-time job. Like you, I was skeptical, unsure if there was really another way to earn money apart from working for someone else. Working in NHS, especially if you are in the UK, is a job for life. You go in there with a passion for helping people but ultimately forget about yourself as you sacrifice your needs to meet everyone else’s at work and at home. NHS is a great way to gain experience, develop your knowledge in your chosen specialty and work your way up the ladder as you choose. But what I found was that the job I signed up for was not living up to my expectations. I wanted to make a bigger impact without restrictions. I wanted to jump out of the box and do things my way. That is how I have navigated life so far, moving from challenge to challenge to try and find the right one for me. Maybe you are feeling that too, no matter what stage of your career you are at. So, it is time to make a change with impact. Number 1: Courage You do brave things every day in your day job, but the idea of being a business owner/sole trader scares you. It scared me too. I talked myself out of it a couple of times. Seeing my online business venture as a side hustle and having an extra bit of income each month only. But I knew if I kept pushing and learning, using my initiative and can-do approach like I would in my normal job, then things would happen for me as I created the opportunities. When you take action daily, it takes boldness and bravery to step outside the unknown box. There are tonnes of resources out there to get you started initially, so do not be afraid to take the leap of faith. If you are a slow and steady kind of person, dip your toes in, and you will be surprised and what you find you can do. Just having the idea off the bat is brave in itself. Number 2: Self-Belief Now when you start to tell your loved ones about this, they might meet you with a smile and say that sounds like a good idea BUT. Do not listen to what they say after the but, that is just them projecting their fears and insecurities onto you. If you believe in yourself enough, you can do absolutely anything. Your experience and knowledge do help depending on the type of business you want to set up. For example, it’s popular for many therapists to market themselves as life/wellness/holistic coaches. You already have your knowledge. You can get accredited qualifications and learning additional information etc. But the most important thing when it comes to this journey is the mindset. Mindset triumphs all. The business will make you or break, so prepare to dig deep as you have never experienced before. Number 3: Get Specific A small business idea might not seem much, but it is there for a reason behind it, so I challenge you to get specific with it. Where do your skills lie? Can they be applied and transitioned into different roles? Although I am an occupational therapist by background, I have used my knowledge, skills, and creativity to become a virtual assistant. Your business can be anything you want it to be, but you must be specific on what you want to do, what services/products you can offer, and who you want to help. Doing this early on allows you to really think about the impact you want to make overall. You might not be sure what that entirely looks like yet. However, if you have the three points, you are already winning! Number 4: Road Map Do not freak out if you do not have a business plan. It is absolutely not needed in the early stages, and I mean that. A business plan may take time to think out, be revised a thousand times. You might find yourself pivoting and changing. And it is ok because it is all part of the business. It just gives that flexibility, not like when you have to pick a career and stick at it your whole life when you step out of school. Road maps are helpful. They allow you to plan and organize your ideas but do not get hung up on them. I am a virtual assistant, but I have found myself leaning back towards mentoring because I enjoy supporting people in that 1:1 way. So, enjoy, expand, and excel at what lights you up; you will not go wrong! Number 5: Support Support outside of your immediate circle of family and friends can seem daunting and terrifying. Change and growth are on the outside of that bubble you are in. To grow your business and start to set those solid foundations in place, it is absolutely key to hire and invest in support. It provides you with customizable support, accountability, and a soundboard for those times when you want to give up and celebrates the big wins. Yes, there are lots and lots and lots of free resources, masterclasses, and challenges out there to help you out initially, but when it is not individualized support applied to your business, it can leave you feeling stuck, exhausted, and overwhelmed. So do not be that person, investing can seem scary, but that comes back to your courage and mindset. You will be glad you took the risk and made the investment later as your business will be booming. Focus on your end goal, not what is/might go wrong. Summary So, here are my five things you need to know, transitioning from a healthcare professional to a business owner. You will not know it all at first, but you did not know everything on the first day of your degree or the first day on the job. Like I said earlier, you can do anything if you put your mind to it. If you can get through your toughest days at work, you can absolutely get through your toughest days in business, be ready, be prepared and be ready to get deep dive! I cannot wait to see you all thrive in business. If you liked this blog, follow me on IG at va_stephsolutions. Let’s keep the conversation going and see how I can help get you started on your business journey! Also, be sure to check out my podcast, The Meaningful Mentor, a safe space where we discuss the impact of chronic conditions and share tips on managing your condition daily. Follow Stephanie on her Instagram and visit her website for more info! Stephanie Collinson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Steph Collinson is an occupational therapist, virtual assistant, and holistic mentor. After working in the NHS as an occupational therapist and struggling to manage her long-term condition of IBS. Steph decided to start a side hustle in August 2020 after discovering a course online which promised time and financial freedom. Steph has successfully begun to work for herself less than a year since starting up her business to pursue a life she is passionate about and is meaningful to her. Steph now helps mentors and allied health professionals in the online space get visible, create inspiring content and connect with their ideal clients. She also has her own podcast called The Meaningful Mentor, which discusses the daily impact and challenges of living with long-term health conditions and provides helpful tips and insights to her listeners. Steph's mission is to support those with long-term conditions to live a more meaningful life day to day while running their online businesses.

Written by: Katia Stern, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. For some pleasant and odd reason, I recall a visual portrayal on TV, where I was amazed by this young prodigy who was participating in a spelling contest. His persona got framed into my mind as a synonym for hyperintelligence and the cultural status-quo for success. I’d just arrived in Canada from Moscow, Russia – where nobody believes in tears, and I was a loved girl to a wealthy father who was a part of the ‘’successful’’ 1% of the system where everything is ruled by the hierarchy. Success with two C’s and a double S. It seemed like this young man was a genius and could spell long and, back then, such exotically-sounding English words and paint rainbow-like verbal images that still haven't left my memory lane. Be the way, half of the lingo he used is still mysterious to me. But now, I don’t try to make sense of everything. I became very selective about the nature of information, thoughts, emotions, and possibly even frequencies so that I let my consciousness upload into my operating system, my B.S., — my belief system. This different type of B.S. dictates almost everything we think, feel, and do daily in a continuous pattern and unlimited amount. Little did I know back then how much use – practical, emotional, and financial, I would get out of knowing how to spell S-U-C-C-E-S-S. Spell and live by it. Spell and create it. Spell and teach it to others. Spelling is one thing. But what is the real definition and meaning of success? What is it that we all strive for? What is it that we want? And what is it that we truly need? Unfortunately, when most people claim they want success, they have no clue what it means to them. We talk about it. We work for it, we fight for it, and sometimes even kill ourselves for it, like the promised paradise that some have created in their mind as the radical result of a different kind of success. We pretend to know what we’re doing, trying to live up to the knowledge, expectations, and experiences of our role models: parents, teachers, friends, TV, and most of all, our EGO, of course. (Yeah, I used all CAPS for your EGO so that it doesn't feel left out.) “You must get a university degree, and you’d better move and groove to the dull sounds of traditional education. Otherwise, you have a good chance of becoming that University’s janitor...” As a young and rebellious teenager, one that Mr. Marx would put in his communism blueprint as the archetype for a sense of national pride in children, I proudly replied that all professions are valued in the Soviet Union people are appreciated and treated equally. My parents rolled their eyes. Funnily enough, mindset programming works perfectly well for us as well as against us. We grow and think in the same genetically inherited mindset. And since life is so ironic and simple, we all become diverted, and possibly, better versions of our parents, as I still catch myself saying the same things to my daughter. She is different from me; she is a Canadian teenager. But guess what? She responds with the same attitude... the same energy and the same rebellion. Don’t tell her, but I will not lose sleep over this if she chooses her own standard of real success as I did much later in life. In my movie, called life, the credits roll, and I'm coming out on a scene as a Russian immigrant, having come to Canada by myself, at 17, wearing the highest black lacquer stilettos available in the shadowy and corrupt scene of soviet consumerism. Coming from a wealthy, and by communist standards, successful family, the immigration made me stronger by giving me a role-play of the waitress who had to smile and be grateful for every 25-cent tip the precious men would leave me from a $2.75 beer. Inside, I was ready to explode. There was so much pain, so much feeling of humiliation. I held myself back from becoming part of Charlie Manson's family agenda and completely losing it because of the lack of respect and empathy I experienced from the drunk, lost souls who approached me daily. Thank God, I figured out how to use that energy wisely and turned this pain into a self-paced course on anger management that prepared me for all the trials and tribulations of my future life. I like to think that for all that suffering, life decided to reward me with the role of a 1990’s wealthy Monaco resident with a nice “I’ve made it!” attribute – a young and handsome man. As if that was not enough (and is it ever enough?) I was offered the role of an American lawyer and got my Master of Laws degree from Miami University. Like an energizer bunny, but a little sexier, I kept going and going, achieving and overachieving, getting my dopamine and longing for more and more. No time to breathe, stop and think. No time to save for self-talk. No time to hear an honest answer. When are you going to be enough? When are you going to acknowledge your value and celebrate success? Will this be in numbers? Amount of money? Degrees? Skills? Clients? Men? Women who so sweetly envy you? What is the true measure of my success? I got stuck in my own life. I had to stop jolting awake in the middle of the night thinking, “OMG! I’m 40, and my life is wasted on a different kind of B.S.” But as I was getting more experienced (some may call it older, but we know that we are forever young), success started having a different meaning. It had shifted somewhat from the outside world into the inner. It has become a feeling of contentment, an emotion of satisfaction and excitement, a regular experience of ecstatic self-worth. I am 47 now. Feeling open and happy about it is another success of mine. Having overcome the immense fear of aging, I escaped becoming “formerly hot” and was allowed to live in my 20s in the 40s. Nowadays, my only measure of being successful is being happy. That's it. I’m happy that I’ve overcome the embodied paradigm that success should involve struggle – suffering in a constant battle that never ends. I can finally enjoy the fulfillment of living passionately without having to feel guilty and apologetic about my own deepest desires and impulses that have always been there, no matter how ‘badass’ or bold they can be. Until you get clear on your reality and what success is to you, you will be sitting in that car with no one behind the wheel, even though that little V8, like the astrological infinity, is running so sexily and smoothly. Even if you have a self-driving Tesla, she still needs that final destination entered before the ride – to serve her mastermind to a purposeful satisfaction. Take a break from your so busy schedule and define your success. What is really for you? What has to happen so that you can honesty declare to the Universe: “And the Oscar goes to me! I am successful! Hi Mama, I am the happiest university custodian of my mind!” Live your life like you’re the hero in your movie. Until you realize what you fear and what you desire, you may never get the joy and satisfaction you are longing for. Until you get rid of inner conflicts, anxiety, and overwhelm, there is a chance that you may never get from your “now” to “wow.” Start talking to yourself. Get aware of your reality. Are you successful, happy, satisfied? Self-talk and being true to ourselves are so powerful yet extremely challenging. You may realize you are living in a box, even if it looks like a golden cage. Being in this golden enclosure does not make you feel successful if deep inside you prefer silver. Or if you want to fly away, not to make your mama bird happy, but because you really want it. You may realize the harsh but awakening truth – Success is a feeling. It’s an emotion. It’s a state, a state of satisfaction and joy. The ecstasy of living is a real success. Everyone has equal rights and privileges to sense it. Go ahead, allow yourself! With lots of love and gratitude, Katia Stern Follow Katia on her Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and visit her website for more info. Read More Katia Stern, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Katia, known as “The Wow Woman,” is the author of an international bestselling book, “You were born Wow” and the co-author of the bestselling book “Success” with Jack Canfield, America’s 1 Success Coach, Founder of the billion-dollar Chicken Soup for the Soul™ publishing empire. Katia is an empowerment coach who helped hundreds of women in 25 countries. Among other accolades, Katia is a Psychology major and has a master’s degree in international law, LLM. She is a Certified Jack Canfield Success Principles Coach and a certified health coach, IIN. She is also Canada’s National level fitness bikini competitor and Mrs. Canada Classique, 2020.

Written by: Trevor Folgering, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. So many men and women over 40 have a very tough time losing weight. They go through tortuous diet after diet, suffering and wondering why they can’t seem to lose their excess body fat. You may have even been on a diet where you restrict calories, go to the gym for 2 hours each day, and take supplements that claim to burn body fat. Sure, you may lose five to 10 lbs, but then when you stop the diet and excessive exercise, the weight comes back on (and then some!) The main problem is that your body was still used to burning “glucose” in your bloodstream, and even though you were reducing calories and going to the gym 6x/week, your body was still reliant on glucose (aka sugar) to fuel your cells. When this is the case, your body will not have abundant access to your body fat stores. It’s like you’re forcing your body to lose weight through restrictive dieting and excessive exercise, which never works long-term. What you need to do is SWITCH ON your fat-burning metabolism with the right foods and food combinations. When this happens, you will become a fat-burning machine! You see, certain foods, when put into the right meal combinations, can help the body switch into a fat-burning metabolism, helping you lose the excess body fat WITHOUT dieting or going to the gym 6x/week! Let’s take a look at some of the foods that you will need to consume to get your body to switch into a fat-burning metabolism: Fat-Burning Food No.1 — Olive Oil Packed with a load of Monounsaturated fats, this heart-healthy oil drives down inflammation within the body, which is the root cause of all diseases. The problem, though, is that everyone thinks you should cook with olive oil, which is not good. Heating olive oil destroys the essential fatty acids and turns this oil rancid. To get the fat-burning effects of this oil, you must add it into foods RAW, meaning you do not need to cook with this oil. Fat-Burning Food No.2 — Salted Butter Yes, you read that right, real butter (NOT margarine!) Butter is extremely healing for your Digestive Tract. In fact, butter contains small-chained fatty acids that get converted to Butyrate. Butyrate helps build up the good gut flora in your body, allowing for easier digestion of foods. Butter also drives down our fat-storing hormone Insulin, allowing your body to access your body fat stores much easier. Fat-Burning Food No.3 — Avocado This superfood (Technically a fruit) is known for its powerful antioxidant properties and is packed full of monounsaturated fats, which have been shown to aid in weight loss. It also drives down inflammation, which improves the body’s ability to function and use your own body fat for energy. Fat-Burning Food No.4 — Eggs Eggs have gotten a really bad rap simply because of their higher cholesterol levels. But did you know that the cholesterol in food has nothing to do with the amount of cholesterol in your body? There is absolutely no correlation. High levels of Cholesterol in the body are due to the inflammation brought about by eating high amounts of foods that cause inflammation. (I.e., Carbohydrates) By including foods that drive down inflammation, your body will not need to produce as much Cholesterol because inflammation in the arterial walls is low. But I digress. Eggs are packed full of healthy Saturated fats and proteins. Saturated fats form the building blocks of all cells and also help suppress your fat-storing hormone Insulin. I would say eat 3–5 eggs a day for maximum fat-burning effects! Fat-Burning Food No.5 – Coconut Oil Coconut oil has soared in popularity since 2015. Coconut oil contains heart-healthy fat called Lauric acid. This fatty acid has been shown to increase HDL, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Coconut oil also contains another wonderful fat called Medium Chained Triglycerides, which, when consumed, go to the liver where the body can turn these fatty acids into ketones for the body to use as energy. Regarding Coconut Oil boosting your body fat burning capabilities, studies have found that consuming coconut oil daily increased the body’s energy expenditure by 6 percent! How to Use These Foods To “Switch” Your Body into a Fat-Burning Machine The foods that I have mentioned above are great. However, to get your body to “switch” into a fat-burning metabolism, you MUST put these foods in the right meal combinations. When you put together the right meals, using some if not all of the foods listed above, your body will easily switch over and start to use its own body fat for energy. This is exactly what we do within our Biohack The Fat Body Transformation System. Our clients receive 6-12 scientifically developed meal plans designed to switch the body into a fat-burning metabolism. Within our 12-week online weight loss system, you will be paired with a Biohacking coach, who will create meal plans based on your food tastes and food preferences. Our clients are getting amazing results, losing anywhere between 30-60 lbs. of pure body fat WITHOUT the need to go on a diet or exercise in a gym 6x/week! Now it’s your turn to become a biohacker and create the body and health that you truly deserve. Enrollment is now open for our Biohack The Fat Body Transformation System! You can get started by clicking the link here and book a call with one of our Biohacking Coaches! Once you're enrolled, you will easily lose the excess body fat you have been trying to lose for years! Just imagine your body 30 – 60 lbs lighter! This is your opportunity to “switch” your body into a fat-burning metabolism and become a Biohacker for life! We can’t wait to make this happen for you! For more information, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and visit my website! Read more from Trevor! Trevor Folgering, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Trevor Folgering is a leader in the weight loss and nutrition industry. For over 22 years, Trevor has relentlessly pursued the truth regarding losing body fat correctly. By uncovering the truth about how our bodies utilize body fat, Trevor created particular nutritional protocols that allowed him to tap into his own body fat stores and lose 40 lbs. of body fat in a concise period of time. He achieved this without going on a low caloric diet or restricting the foods that he ate. He now helps men and women achieve the body and health that they truly deserve through the science of Biohacking. He is CEO of Biohacked, global online health, and body transformation company. His mission: To shift the weight loss industry's paradigm and re-educate the world on the proper methodologies of losing excess body fat correctly.