Written by: Joyce Hardie, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. I left work on Friday, looking forward to the weekend the same as I usually did. Saturday was the usual cleaning and shopping, takeaway for dinner, a bottle of wine, and a relaxing night in front of the TV. When I woke up on Sunday, I felt horrible, I couldn’t get out of bed and was convinced I had picked up a bug, and that was how it started! I was off work for a week before I went to see my doctor. She diagnosed a virus which, when combined with my fibromyalgia, had absolutely floored me. It took weeks to get back on my feet, but when I did, I agreed with my boss that I would continue to work from home on the big project that I had been working on, with documents being sent to me at home and online calls it was working fine. Until the day I got a call from a third party I had worked with for a long time, “Are you ok?” he asked. I responded that I felt just the same and asked why. He told me that he had been called in by my company to be told that my doctor had insisted that I could no longer work as it was affecting my health. That was a lie, and there were many to follow, By the time we went our different ways, I was so glad to be out of that company, especially when someone stole the collection that the staff had done for me was stolen along with the card and all the comments on it. How low can someone stoop? That was the start of my annus horribilis. My father passed away while I was in Dubai. My husband dislocated his shoulder. The operation to fix it caused more damage than it fixed. My health continued to deteriorate, and my daughter left home to go to university. I was home alone with poor health and no job. At the age of 54, with no other options, I set up my business doing the same kind of work as I had in the corporate world, without thinking about it, and it failed dismally. Yes, I did get some work, but it was sporadic, and there was much more money going out than was coming in. I then set up a writing business, doing freelance work, spending long hours for jobs I got paid very little for. My one glass of wine every other night turned to one every night, then two, and then three. I tried to get help, but everyone out there was half my age and no life experience. I knew I needed help, and I just couldn’t find it! Eventually, an acquaintance, who for some reason I opened up to, was there to help me get back on track. That was when I set up my writing business, but every now and then, I would wonder why there wasn’t any support for older women. As we get older, we have different kinds of issues; we lose our confidence, we lose our identity, we face menopause, the loss of elderly parents, facing an empty nest. So in 2019, I decided I would be there for those women, and The Reignited Woman was born. I spent 2019 brushing up on the things I had learned at University, became a Life coach, a Life Purpose coach, and an NLP Master practitioner, and in January 2020, I started my business. I share my story to help the women understand that age is not a barrier and that they can achieve anything they want to, irrespective of their age. At the age of 60, I run two businesses, I am a Trustee of a local charity, a non-executive director for a local community development trust, and I volunteer. Age is only a number. It is not a predetermined lifestyle. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Joyce Hardie, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Joyce Hardie is a life coach working with women over 40 helping them find a new purpose and direction. Joyce was forced to give up work in the corporate world, where she worked in financial services, due to ill health. This led to a dark place in her life where she was unable to find a life coach who had enough life experience to help her. Having identified this gap in the market Joyce set up The Reignited Woman. She is a social science graduate, an NLP Master Practitioner and Life Purpose Coach and uses these skills plus her own techniques to help women with issues such as lack of confidence, overwhelm and anxiety. Her mission is to help 5000 women over 40.

Written by: Nicole Liammari, 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. Are you identifying as your diagnosis and not by your name? Too often, people who suffer from autoimmune-related diseases or other types of ailments begin to lose their identity and become enmeshed in the disease they are suffering from. Who would you be if a disease or ailment didn’t define you? I will tell you, a powerful, peaceful, thriving human being. That’s who! Here is the good news. You are not alone. I hear you, I see you, I feel you, and I want you to know, you do NOT have to live with that feeling or in that reality. Take this lifehack with you wherever you go or through any circumstance. Ready? You get to choose the life you want to live, and that includes being disease-free. I know, because I did! This is a topic that hits deep for many people suffering from autoimmune challenges and for me. Well, really anyone with a Chronic Illness. Did you know that 50 million Americans live with an autoimmune disease? And for my fellow lady warriors, 75% of those Americans are women. It's time for us to heal and resurrect the power that lies inside our bodies. Our bodies deserve to be free. As a woman who has suffered from an Autoimmune disease and chronic illnesses, I wanted to share my side. Take your power back now. As a Prisoner of disease, I found the strength, power, and commitment to break free. You can too. Before I go further, for anyone reading this now that does not have an autoimmune disease or chronic illness, please don’t stop reading. This is good insight for you too. I know that after you have read this, you will gain a greater understanding and compassion for that friend, spouse, or family member who needs your support. I speak with many people daily, and there is a common feeling they practically all express. A feeling that is completely normal and to be expected. I felt this same very feeling. The feeling I was referring to is helplessness. That helplessness leads us to conform to our disease. In most cases, we become that disease. That stops here and now! "You are not your diagnosis, nor do you need to feel like a prisoner of your diagnosis." If you may have been diagnosed with Endometriosis, PCOS, RA, Celiac, Crohn’s, Fibro, IBS, or one or more of the many autoimmune and not, THAT is NOT your name! Say your God-given name out loud right now... 😊 It's the first step to freedom. Here’s why I can say this. I remember when I was diagnosed with EBV, Epstein Barr Virus- it was weird, but I kept going. Eventually, I learned to keep saying my true God-given name. When I was diagnosed first, I didn’t treat my body how it deserved to be treated, and I paid for it. My car accident didn’t help matters as it made me spiral downhill, yet I still lived my life as best as I could. Yes, there were times I would be so fatigued, I would be bedridden. I suffered from brain fog, memory loss, hair loss, and weird random aches and pains. Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, I was diagnosed with my second disorder- CRPS, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, which took a team of doctors over a year to properly diagnose me. For those of you that are not aware of or have never had exposure to CRPS- it is known as the suicide disease because the pain is off the charts. My left arm was affected the most. I suffered from stabbing, burning, swelling, hot/cold, pink/blue colors, and nerve shock pain. That diagnosis is the one that really made me lose it. Actually, I did lose it. Day after day, I would come home from work, take my pills, plop on my couch in the same spot, watch TV and drink until I passed out. Yep, that was my reality- yuck, now that I look back. I felt like I didn’t have much to live for. It became my reality at the time. It began to take over who I was. I was prescribed so many pills, pain killers, muscle relaxers, antidepressants, and blood pressure pills because the pain level was so high, it was driving up my blood pressure. You name it; I was on it. The doctor said I needed them, so I took them, and the fact of the matter was, I needed to function, so I believed that this was my only option. As you can see, I was not an informed patient. Not just yet anyway. In reality, who can really think clearly, let alone function on so many freaking pills!?!?! Did I ever think I would ever tell the world that part of my life? NO way, BUT I knew I had to share the real, the raw, the yuck because so many people suffer and struggle daily, and really, they don’t have to. There is hope. Eventually, I got a grip and was able to find a life of strength, comfort, and resiliency. I was able to say my true God-given name. When we are going through all the testing and waiting and then finally become diagnosed. It is as if our lives stop. Our life as we know it comes to a screeching halt, and we think we have to change who we are. Well, here is the part you need to hear. That does not have to happen. I am here to help show you there IS light and hope. Do NOT let what you have been diagnosed with takeover. At this point, you are probably thinking, “Okay, yeah, Nicole... whatever... there is nothing I can do. it is what it is, and this is my life now.” And I am saying, "hmm, nope, nope, it is not..." Well, it doesn’t have to be. That is ultimately your choice. With that being said, is it getting better, healthier, and keeping it altogether easy? Heck NO! Is it possible? HELL YES!! I am living proof of that. That is where I come in. I have been down, out, lost, confused, angry, and that’s just a few of the emotions I felt. After having my life turned upside down by my diagnosis — EBV, CFS, CRPS/RSD, anxiety, depression, thyroid, and other random things, I decided to take my health into my own hands and kick the illnesses to the curb. I created a life that I knew I deserved. It is not some snake oil or magic pill—no such thing. HOWEVER, everyone has the power to heal. "Healing is in every one of us." One just needs the right tools, some education, and good support to get there. You can hang up the handcuffs and walk out that door saying your name loud and proud and start healing today. You can create the life you want and deserve. I got your back and are here for you during this time when you feel you have nowhere to turn because of what you have been told and taught. You are a warrior, and I am here to help you find your sense of peace, happiness, health, and creativity again. I can’t wait to share my full story with you. Trust me. It will inspire you and get you on your way to the life you have always dreamed of. No attachments. I want to just share it with you. Want to know more? Not sure where to start on your journey, I can help there too. Send an email to me at nicole@myguthut.com. YOU are amazing and loved! Sending love, light, strength, and hugs always! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Read more from Nicole! Nicole Liammari, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Nicole Liammari, Founder + CEO of My Gut Hut, is a leader in the mind + gut + body + soul connection. From a young age, Nicole struggled with severe asthma and allergies. Being on multiple medications, missing out on fun childhood activities and never knowing when an asthma attack would strike left her uneasy and vulnerable. Fast forward to adulthood, she survived a major car accident, diagnosed with autoimmune disorders, depression, anxiety, and prescribed multiple prescription drugs, putting her once again fighting for her life. After conventional medicine failed her and hitting rock bottom, Nicole decided to take matters into her own hands because she knew life wasn’t meant to be lived in such pain and angst. She became her own advocate and avid researcher, leading her to heal completely, defying all the odds. She quickly realized how the body is so magnificently interconnected and how past trauma, thoughts, food, and more play a vital role in wellness. With that, Nicole made it her mission to help inspire and empower others as she saw so many missing links in how illness is addressed and how it does not have to be a life sentence. She can connect on a deep level with others, mentoring them through their journey via her tailor-made Protocol that encompasses the true pillars of wellness, focusing on the gut + mind coherence leading to healing themselves and living a life they deserve. Nicole’s motto is “ Heal your Gut, Heal your Mind – Heal your Mind, Heal your Gut.”

Written by: Marlena O´Donnell, 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 February, we celebrate Valentine’s day. If we are in a relationship, we give tokens of love and appreciation to our loved ones. We lavish our attention on others, and we don’t always apply the same level of appreciation, time, and effort to ourselves. But how can we grow, be more fulfilled, successful and impactful if we ignore who we are, what we are about, what value we bring to the world, and take actions to get what we want? I invite you to consider how much more powerful and impactful you could be if you turn the attention to who you are and what you want to achieve, take steps to free yourself from self-perceived judgment, and turn the impossible into possible. Remove labels I am … is the most powerful statement in our language. I heard my clients say I am … “ugly,” “obese,” “incompetent,” “unmotivated,” “disabled,” “shy,” “unlucky,” “useless,” “powerless,” and so on. If you define yourself through a label, you will view your world through the label’s limitations and take actions influenced by these limitations. One of my clients defined herself as “uneducated.” She would only apply for low-paid, unskilled jobs, would not join in conversations at social gatherings for fear of saying something that would show her lack of knowledge, and did not believe that anyone with a university degree would want to be her friend. Removing this label opened her horizon, and she is now doing a college course, changing her career, and has a new social life. Take responsibility for your attitude and actions It is very easy to put the blame for what is happening to us on others, on circumstances and fate. This may not be obvious, but we create our own experience of life. Our beliefs influence our actions, and our actions create the outcomes we get. We are not only responsible for our actions but also our attitude. Circumstances cannot influence our attitude - we have a choice. Several years ago, two of my friends were diagnosed with terminal cancer. One of them was very depressed and found it incredibly difficult to accept it. She withdrew from her friends and family. The other friend decided to make the most of the time she had left by creating memories for her family: very similar circumstances, different approaches, different outcomes. Put the spotlight on you We want to fit in, be accepted, loved, appreciated, and valued. We don’t want to be judged harshly by others. We imagine that we can guess what others think about us and modify our behavior to fit in. But… it is impossible for us to know what others think or change their deeply rooted beliefs that influence their views. And even if it was possible, does it matter what other people think? Take the spotlight off from guessing what others may be thinking about you and shine the light on you and what you can achieve and offer to the world. Dream BIG The most successful people do not limit their dreams. They do not compare their dreams to what others have achieved or limit their dreams to what is currently possible, what they are capable of, or what conditions have to be met. Their dreams break the boundaries of what is possible. They dream BIG. I grew up in a small town in a communist country. There was no freedom of movement, and it wasn't easy to travel abroad. I had no money, no connections, nowhere to stay. This did not stop me from dreaming of coming over to the UK and study over here. I wrote over a hundred letters to scholarship-giving organizations, and eventually, I found myself on a coach traveling to the UK. Fast forward a couple of decades, and I am still here running my own successful business and having an amazing life. I dreamt big, and my dream turned out to be even bigger! I did not limit my dream by having the answer to “how.” I did not know all the steps - I just took steps that were obvious to me, and as I went along, new steps became apparent. You can do the same. Think big, and don’t be limited by knowing “how” you will get there. Don’t wait for tomorrow A lot of people wait for the right conditions to take place before they can pursue their dreams. I am sure that you have met a few people in your life who have told you - I will do this when I retire, when I get a promotion, when my kids leave home, when I have more money, when I pay off the mortgage, and so on. Your mind takes these excuses as your wish - “you don’t want this, so I won’t help you get it.” But you can change this. You have the power to create what you want in your life, so don’t allow your thoughts to limit you. Why would you want to delay having a wonderful and fulfilling life? Start turning your dreams into reality today, not tomorrow. Make it your mission to do at least one thing every day to get you closer to your dream. Keep going even if you falter. You always have a reset button available to you, and you can always take action now. You could choose to live within your self-constructed limitations. Or you could choose to live a life of freedom from self-judgment and perceived judgment of others and freedom to create what you want. Limitations or power, impact, and achievement? I know what I’d rather choose! For more information, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and visit my website! Read more from Marlena! Marlena O’Donnell, Executive Contributor, Brainz Magazine Marlena O’Donnell is a certified life coach, mentor, and motivational speaker specializing in freeing her clients from beliefs that are not serving them well. Marlena has successfully helped many people gain an unwavering belief in themselves, confidence, motivation, and courage to go after what they want in life through individual and group coaching, mentoring, and workshops. Marlena has personal experience of overcoming significant challenges in life and succeeding against all odds. This, combined with her thorough understanding of both business matters and personal issues, puts her in a unique position to help her clients successfully navigate their way through difficulties they face in all areas of life and achieve “the unachievable.” As a motivational speaker, Marlena inspires others to make powerful and lasting changes in their life. She has been a keynote speaker at business events, online conferences, and summits.

Written by: Henrik Pettersson, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. When the first stock exchange was founded in the Belgian city of Antwerp in 1460, a Flemish name 'bourse' was given. This means 'purse,' which is also behind the concept of budget. In the 1630s, the popular flower that was originally called 'Dulban' or 'Turban' on Turkish came from the Middle East. It thrived so well in the wet climate of Holland, and Tulip Bulbs rose rapidly in price. You could make a nice profit when you sold them. The demand rose as well as the prices. After a couple of years, even the simpler bulbs had tripled in price. People sold everything they had to make a great deal. The fever reached its peak at the turn of the year 1636/37, when a single onion of the class "Vice King" was sold for 2 loads of wheat, 4 loads of rye, 4 oxen, 8 pigs, 12 sheep, 80 liters of wine and a silver goblet. February 1637, the bubble burst; crowds of people were ruined, and Holland was dragged into deep economic depression. The budget was not in balance, and it contained too many minuses and too few pluses. Just like your mental budget, if you have too many expenses and too little income - you get into an imbalance. Every time you let the weaknesses overcome the strengths, the excuses defeat action, and the bitterness take over - you make withdrawals from your mental account. In the end, you are mentally bankrupt. However, when you solve problems, overcome difficulties and turn adversity into success - you make deposits in your mental account. Your mental budget It is a revision of mental resources that flow in - and flow out over time. Like the company's or household's cash flow, it is important to gain control over the flow of energy and resources. Since expenses depend on revenue, budget the revenue side first. The total mental budget consists of items regarding your leisure time and family life. And is an excellent tool for maximizing your capacity and balancing your resources. Here are some mental barriers to overcome, thoughts, and techniques that will help along the way: 1. You don’t want to put more pressure on yourself . Mental budgeting is not about spending as little energy as possible. The aim is to achieve better balance. 2. You're fine as at is. Great, however, we know that both situations and attitudes change over time, that you have the capacity and potential to rise to new levels. 3. You do not have sufficient discipline. Find a level where you can hold the line. If you just find the pace, the balance will be as ordered. 4. You do not see the whole picture. The purpose of mental budgeting is to prevent you from spending more energy than you have while giving yourself space to develop your strengths and come to terms with the weaknesses. Invest in yourself, and your mental budget will push you toward your goals. 5. You do not have the support you need. Find a like-minded person, friend, or colleague who thinks the same way. Talk about the income and the replenishments to the account. 6.Keep a journal of your mental budget. It is difficult to say how much power you need at different stages, so evaluate your situation regularly. Evaluate every week. It gives you a picture of your development. Then your development, as well as your situation - will improve. 7. Prioritize. Carefully review activities that require significant withdrawals from your energy depots. Prioritize tough. Set necessary against nice. Revenue against expenses. Developing towards maintaining. And so on. 8. Eliminate unnecessary expenses. Once you have a clear idea of ​​energy consumption, cut back on activities you can refrain from. For example, the intake of junk food, alcohol, sugar, and excuses to avoid doing the things you should. You can’t do everything at once, but you may be able to customize them step by step. 9. Look for new sources of income. Ways to replenish the energy account. Train a little more, train differently or train less. Book mental space for yourself or together with a like-minded person. Take hold of your diet and get routines and a clear gameplan. 10. When your mental budget has been on plus in a week or two, reward yourself. In summary: 1. To manage your mental budget in the long term, block time for unforeseen events, replenish energy stores, and make sure not to run empty. 2. Control over how much you replenish and withdraw means that you know where your energy is going and gain better control and balance. 3. Your mental budget is not a prison that prevents you from doing fun things but a tool that secures the future for yourself and your loved ones. Control over your mental budget increases your power, determination, and ability to take action and deliver strong results. It's that simple. Therefore, download "Your mental budget" on my website (strongresults.se/mentalbudget) and start a new, successful, and better-balanced life. But if you want to test immediately, tick the indicator below. Mental Budget (MB) for Stronger Results The tool for identifying the parts that build mental strength while finding out about your current situation and potential for improvement. For each area, add your self-assessment score (five levels). We find the balance in the middle, the Credit page (-) on the left, and the Debit page (+) on the right. It will give you a score based on balance on the plus (green) or minus side (red). Regardless of your score, try to improve yourself in the following areas, all of which have a significant impact on future success. And the delivery of strong results. As I experience and feel today, I evaluate myself on the following parts, on a scale: Exercise (including walking) How many times a week do you usually do any type of physical activity? Rate between: 0 times/week- minus 2. 4 times/week or more plus 2? Score 2---------------------- 1---------------------- 0 ---------------------- 1---------------------- 2 - + Sleep How many hours per night do you sleep on average during a week? Rate between: 0-4 h/nigh - minus 2. 8h and more plus 2? Score 2---------------------- 1---------------------- 0 ---------------------- 1---------------------- 2 - + Diet To what extent do you plan your diet? Rate between: Well = plus 2. No plan = minus 2 Score 2---------------------- 1---------------------- 0 ---------------------- 1---------------------- 2 - + People To what extent do you associate with people who lift you versus pull you down? Not at all, minus 2. From time to time 0. Very often plus 2? Score 2---------------------- 1---------------------- 0 ---------------------- 1---------------------- 2 - + Competence – See/listen/read To what extent do you invest competence in yourself on average per day? Rate from: 0h/day –2. 1h/day or more = plus 2 Score 2---------------------- 1---------------------- 0 ---------------------- 1---------------------- 2 - + Relationship To what extent do you feel that you give your closest relationship appreciation? Rate from: Extremely seldom –2. every day = plus 2 Score 2---------------------- 1---------------------- 0 ---------------------- 1---------------------- 2 - + Action/Procrastrination To what extent do you find yourself action-oriented versus postponing things until later? Rate from: low minus 2. High action orientation plus 2? Score 2---------------------- 1---------------------- 0 ---------------------- 1---------------------- 2 - + Total: Follow me on Facebook , Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn ! Read more from Henrik ! Henrik Pettersson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Since 2004, Henrik has been working as a coach, educator, and motivational speaker around Europe. Life is about growth. The challenge to growth is to gain boldness to handle our fears and vulnerability. To strengthen your spine - to be able to manage your challenges towards stronger results. Life’s tough at times, and the formula for gaining more boldness, and dig deep into, is: Faith – Energy – Focus. His new book is built on the three pillars above and is called: program yourself to success. Henrik is frequently hired by large companies like Volvo, H&M, and Avis.

Written by: Jennifer Jank, 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 the more conspiracy-related corners of the world, you might find dark suspicions about chips in the coronavirus vaccine or masks, on and offline. Of course, these concerns are posted to a social network using smartphones, which do, in fact, have tracking chips installed in them. Surveillance is considered a part of daily life in some countries, and it’s often justified based on safety (we’re tracking the bad guys!) That’s certainly a justification for allowing the government to track their people. But many people don’t realize that big data allows even smaller companies to gather information on them, and safety has nothing to do with it. Companies use data to target the audience directly A few days ago, as I was contentedly drinking the Starbucks latte that I ordered through the Starbucks app, I started thinking about the app. Before COVID-19, I never used it. That was also before I broke my foot, so I’d often go walking down to the Starbucks in town without my phone on me. (I heard you gasp.) Due to the pandemic, the store stopped allowing people to order inside, so I downloaded the app. I liked that I got free drinks from time to time and on my birthday. I took some of the Starbucks “challenges” to get more rewards. As I thought about the app, I kept wondering why you have to opt into the challenge to get the rewards. Why can’t you just show up and get your drink? Starbucks does that for rewards on some days, but not for challenges. You should know by now that if a company’s doing something, there’s a reason for it. Things don’t just randomly happen, especially at large companies. I suspected that they do it for data-gathering purposes, and that is exactly why. Starbucks (or any company with a similar program) collects the data from the app, runs purchases through their algorithm, and tailors their offers to me and others who have the same buying behavior. When I thought through the data they gathered, I actually felt a little uncomfortable. Though not enough to get me to stop using the app! I wasn’t sure at first why it was the Starbucks app that bothered me. After all, I’ve been using the grocery store discount cards for years, knowing full well that the stores use the cards to track your purchases and gather data. But I don’t use the app, so I’ve never received much in the way of targeted offers. Especially since I don’t usually buy brand-name items at the grocery store, I might be more concerned if I used the app and constantly got challenges and rewards! Granted, Starbucks and chain grocery stores are big ventures. But big data is trickling down to smaller companies too, in addition to the advertisers who create their sales and marketing campaigns. Social networks use us to sell ads They may refer to themselves as social media, but the driving force behind these online platforms is not human connection. That’s what we consumers use it for. The networks themselves are selling our attention. It’s true that radio and TV also sell ad space and always have, but the line between the program and the ads is usually pretty bright. In addition, while each station would prefer that you give them all of your attention and try to keep you watching, they do it through programming and not by intentionally making their product addictive. Social networks monetize our attention with no tangible benefits to us. At least with Starbucks and the grocery store, I earn something by giving them my data to use. Discounts and gas rewards add up. Granted, my data is quite a bit more valuable to the companies than the discounts, but it’s something! But when it comes to social platforms, there’s nothing tangible in return from the company. To the extent that you find connecting with clients and friends valuable, there is some intangible benefit. But in response to their ad campaigns, advertisers and companies themselves get all the detail on what makes people click and buy online. Companies use our brains against us .Advertisers have always been in the persuasion business, and they’ve long known how to grab the audience’s attention. Well, before they had massive datasets and computers powerful enough to churn through them, advertisers understood how to use audience demographics to segment prospects. They’ve known that emotion is what hooks people into being interested in a product. Not the features and benefits of the widget, but how it makes people feel. Remember all those fast-food burger joint commercials that showed very attractive and scantily clad young women eating enormous burgers? They nailed their demographic: young men aged 18-35. If you didn’t enjoy those ads, you probably don’t spend a lot of time eating that type of food. That’s pretty basic ad usage. Yet with big data, advertisers can narrow down not just the demographics of age, race, and gender but psychographics as well, which analyzes preferences and lifestyle. That and sophisticated algorithms allow ad companies to target their campaigns very narrowly. I’m practically a stereotype myself: a white, middle-aged single woman with cats and a Toyota Prius. Guess who sees a lot of ads from companies who claim to be eco-conscious. With the information available to them, a company can very easily run ads on social networks that show up on the feeds of female Prius drivers who are single and love cats. More importantly, they can analyze data to find out pretty specifically what appeals to this driver and what will prompt her to buy. They’re not wasting money sending the same ads to young men 18-35 who drive sports cars and pickup trucks and keep dogs as protection, not pets. To keep the advertisers happy, the main goal for social platforms is to keep people on that network. The longer people stay on, the longer the advertiser can get their ads in front of those specific eyeballs. Unlike traditional media, rather than finding programming to achieve the objective, social media uses what’s known about the brain to make their platforms addictive. The brain operates through electrical and chemical signals. It’s evolved to encourage novelty-seeking, which gets us off our butts and exploring (which is how we ended up on nearly every continent on the planet.) The human brain also prefers connection with other people because that’s how we survived on the African savannah. And to repeat pleasurable things. Doing something that the brain likes activates the reward system and prompts the release of pleasure neurochemicals such as dopamine. Variable rewards especially tend to keep people and other animals performing behavior that has rewarded them in the past. Gambling is a good example of a variable reward system. Casinos let you sometimes win, so you’ll keep coming back. In the long run, as long as the owner isn’t a complete idiot, the house (casino owner) always wins. Armed with all this knowledge about the human brain, social media companies have intentionally designed their platforms for variable rewards to keep you scrolling longer. That’s why you get pings and buzzes and other noises to distract you when you’re off the platform too. Why you should care What’s the big deal with allowing companies to track you online, whether or not you’re aware they’re doing it, and without disclosing to you what they’re tracking? The more data you provide, anyone can learn (and infer) more information about you. Random companies you’ve never heard of know all about you and may target you for advertising, even using you to push their products without paying you. In other words, other people own your personal information, not you. The more this type of intrusive data gathering is normalized, the more companies push for more data that may or may not be relevant when they request it. Privacy safeguards are easily overrun. Hackers grow ever more sophisticated. They can steal your data to sell to the highest bidder, who will not have your personal welfare in mind, guaranteed. Some of it might be used for identity theft, or to steal banking and credit information, or for other purposes. What you can do about it Some people would say to get off social media platforms altogether. That’s definitely possible for individuals. If you use online networks to keep up with family and friends, you could actually call or visit people (after the pandemic is over) instead. I’m not sure that entrepreneurs or anyone who owns a business can really afford to go offline. I’ve seen arguments that it can be done, but largely from businesspeople who made their money early on in the game and built their audience online before deciding to give it up. If you’re new, or building your audience, or in a location where you can’t be profitable in your local market, I honestly don’t see that it’s possible. However, there are some ways you can minimize your loss of privacy. 1. Check your settings and monitor your information. Limit how much the companies know about you. Don’t enter any info that isn’t required. Companies can use algorithms and your buying patterns to make reasonably good guesses on some of your psychographic data, but there’s no reason to give them any information beyond what’s absolutely necessary. 2. Be frugal. I developed my own frugal habits before the advent of social media, but you can do it now. One of the tenets of frugal living is that you don’t go shopping unless you have something specific to buy. And you turn off any kind of one-click ordering. Since I’m not usually looking to shop, I've found that I don’t actually pay a lot of attention to ads when they do pop up in my feeds. 3. Turn off notifications. You don’t really need to know if someone has liked your post when you’re in the middle of anything else, even if you’re a business owner. Set up automated chatbots to take care of routine inquiries and then follow up at a time of your choosing. If you don’t do business on social media, you have no reason to have notifications on your phone. You might even remove the apps entirely. While many people don’t want to go that far, you’ll find you’re much more productive when you’re not checking your phone every five seconds. 4. Limit your time. Even when you’re relatively immune to ads, it’s pretty easy to go down the rabbit hole of social media and spend hours mindlessly scrolling. You can schedule social media posts for yourself or your business for any time during the day, so you only need to spend a short period of time on your platforms daily. Have a reason and a time limit. Set your phone timer if you need to! If you’re intentional about the time you’re on the channel, you’ll be less likely to end up down the rabbit hole. Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and visit my website for more info! Read more from Jennifer! Jennifer Jank, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jennifer “JJ” Jank works with women who are making the leap from employee to entrepreneur through courses and a book to be published in February 2021. She also helps businesses build their online credibility through eBooks, testimonials, and articles. JJ holds a BA in Physics from Rutgers University and an MBA in Finance from New York University. She is a Certified Financial Planner ™ professional. Currently, she’s the President for Women Leaders Forum in Coachella Valley and the webmistress for the Palm Springs chapter of AAUW. She is also a speaker on various topics, including personal finance and entrepreneurship. JJ has been published in Journal for Divorce Financial Analysts and Coachella Valley Weekly, among others. Sources: https://controlmousemedia.com/starbucks-rewards-data-driven-marketing/ https://www.vox.com/conversations/2016/11/17/13477142/facebook-twitter-social-media-attention-merchants https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-44640959

Written by: Iliana Rocha, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. I may be biased, but – coaching your employees is one of the best ways to grow them. Telling your team what to do will likely give you results. But coaching helps your team build capabilities, and the sense of commitment increases as employees feel they are coming up with solutions for the organization. I know from experience that building a coaching habit does not come easily, but it is so rewarding to observe the benefits. The next time one of your employees comes to you with a more complex problem, try doing the following: 1. Understand what the problem is and make sure that you get to the root cause and not just a symptom. Make sure your team member isn’t avoiding the real issue. Keep asking questions until you identify the root cause and define it as something that is within your employee’s control. There is no point in discussing things you can’t control – nothing you do will change that particular situation. 2. Understand what options your team member has already considered. They have likely thought about a way to handle the situation. 3. Now is the time to evaluate additional approaches, and you get an opportunity to add your own suggestions here! Brainstorm and generate some additional things your employee should consider as a viable next step. 4. Eventually, you need to narrow in on what the employee will actually do. And in this step is when the temptation to make recommendations will be the greatest. Don’t! Let them determine their own path and select their preferred course of action. 5. You may think you are done, but you are not. You have to ensure that your team member has a plan and a plan to stick to the plan. Have them define by when they want to complete the activities, what the immediate first step is, how they will know they are successful (or not). That is, make sure there is a plan in place to execute on the idea. You may even want them to let you know what the outcome is, so agree on how and when the employee will tell you what they have achieved and the results. All that being said, not every interaction with your employees will be a coaching opportunity. There is still a time for you to set expectations and provide effective feedback. I’ll tackle this from the perspective of negative feedback because that is what every new leader dreads. Once you have that down, the rest will be a walk in the park! Below I’ve listed 5 tips on how to prepare for and deliver feedback. Though I have been giving feedback for a long time, I still follow these steps when preparing for a difficult conversation. It allows you to think through what you are discussing and how you present the information for maximum benefit. Especially when providing negative feedback, you must be prepared and remain composed. Don’t forget – this is likely very difficult for your team member, as they may feel like they have failed at something. 1. Make sure you go into the discussion with the right mindset: An action is not synonymous with who the person is. Therefore, a small misstep does not make them a bad employee. 2. Start the discussion with the facts: What are your observations? Avoid starting sentences with “you have done X, Y, Z.” Instead, state, “I have observed X, Y, Z behavior.” If there is data that you can use, all the better! 3. Break down the impact of the facts: Explain to your employee the undesired consequences of the particular event. How did it impact you? How might others have perceived it? 4. Provide your own interpretation: State what you believe has happened and what the root causes might be. Give the employee an opportunity to comment, though manage this part with caution to avoid them getting defensive and closed off. 5. State what your expectations are: You need to be clear as to what you want them to do to rectify the situation, as well as how you expect them to behave in the future. Ask them what support they need to be able to do this. Make sure it is clear you are there to help and guide them. I hope this helps you flex your leadership muscles a little better! For more info, follow me on Facebook , connect with me on LinkedIn and visit my website ! Read more from Iliana ! Iliana Rocha, Executive Contributor, Brainz Magazine Iliana Rocha is a senior business leader with extensive consulting and coaching experience in all things business. Iliana has been working hand-in-hand with businesses in optimizing their strategy and operations and is now President & Lead Coach at Clubnet Solutions Inc. Her focus is on working with entrepreneurs and small business owners on scaling and transforming their businesses profitably. She is in the process of publishing her first book: Level Up! Low Hanging Fruit to Instantly Improve Your Small Business. Iliana holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Ryerson University, a post-graduate certificate in Strategic Relationship Management from George Brown College, and a Bachelor of Commerce and Finance, with a Major in Economics from the University of Toronto. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), a certified Agile Coach (ICP-ACC). She is in the process of receiving an International Coaching Federation (ICF) certification as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC).

Written by: Margaret Steffie, 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. 2020 changed the wine industry like it did many other industries, but due to being in my very own Finger Lakes Wine Region bubble, I was very surprised by how the industry as a whole was impacted. When the pandemic hit, the wine industry expected a negative impact; individuals were no longer able to socialize in large groups or go to restaurants and support the industry through buying a couple of bottles. Yet the insane number of people I saw purchasing wine at the wine and spirits store next to the café where I build my business, as well as the larger than normal crowds that were present at the winery where I intern and many other local wineries, led me to believe this was the new normal in the wine industry. While this may be the new normal for the Finger Lakes as we are 4-5 hours outside of New York City and not far from many cities in Pennsylvania and Ohio, this was definitely not the new normal for the wine industry across the board. The wine industry, a previously face-to-face kind of industry where many are introduced to their new favorite bottle, at a restaurant, at a friend’s house, or during a wine tasting, has had to learn to pivot and find new and functional ways to join the e-commerce space. Now wineries have solidified their online ordering systems and are offering virtual tastings where they ship you the bottles. Sommeliers are having to promote themselves more on social media and create partnerships, collaborations, and events in the online and virtual space. This has led to an increase in wine’s social media presence as well as a boom in online wine platforms that aim to make it easier than ever to find the right wine for you while having the opportunity to try wines from around the world. And while these are new, exciting avenues that provide those in the wine industry more accessible to the consumer, they miss one of the extremely vital aspects that wine provides: the social connection. Wine beyond being a delicious item to sip all year round is, is something to be enjoyed with others. As the pandemic has taken much of this in-person connection away, this is where wineries have gotten innovative in providing the offerings they have been offering for the entirety of their existence in new formats. Wineries and wine businesses are now offering virtual wine tastings, or are partnering with individuals like myself to offer virtual or in-person events like my Sweat and Sip. The Sweat and Sip is a 90-minute fitness, health, and wine event that is broken down into a 30-minute fitness class followed by a 60-minute wine tasting. I touch on multiple areas of health improvement as I bring my group through a fitness class, and then into the education and games that make up a wine tasting. It brings people together in a new way while still providing that human connection most individuals are really craving. While presently there might be less human connection during a glass of wine, the occasions when it is consumed has morphed to more frequently celebrating, or treating, every little thing with and in particular doing so with a glass of bubbly in hand. Wines such as champagne, prosecco, cava, and even force carbonated have graduated from being just for big celebratory events to becoming the go-to afternoon or evening drink. Could this mean a growth in the bubbly industry to further satisfy the curiosities of this new group of individuals? While I cannot say, it very well could be possible that this area grows this year. As health has been a huge topic this past year, and individuals have become more aware of what they are putting in their body. This has increased interest in organic, biodynamic, and natural wines. And from recent research, these areas will indeed increase; they provide unique flavor profiles due to their low intervention methodologies. And finally, the question of sustainability in the wine industry is one that is evolving. With lockdowns, the change in people’s mentalities due to pandemic, and the new regulations that establishments such as wineries have to follow, there are questions on how to successfully sustain their businesses. Many have had to pivot or vary their forms of income in order to keep themselves afloat, and to sustain their business for the years to come, regardless of what the world throws at them. My wine and health business pivoted this year. I have shifted from in-person events to offering my virtual Sweat and Sips. It provides me the sustainability and fulfillment I desire using e-commerce as well as new and old formats. How I teach a fitness class hasn’t changed, much, but a virtual wine tasting is a little less intimate and a little more entertaining and educational; I have been faced with having to learn how to entertain differently than when I behind the bar pouring their glass. The same information is still conferred, but in a slightly different way, and with this I am creating more streams down which my success can flow. If you want to see for yourself, click the link below to join me on a Wine Wednesday Sweat and Sip. recess.tv/with/@Grapes-and-Gains Follow me on Instagram, listen to my podcast on Spotify and visit my website for more info! Read more from Margaret! Margaret Steffie, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Margaret Steffie is a health and fitness coach who specializes in working with busy young individuals to help them reach all of their health and fitness goals. With Margaret’s holistic approach she works to get to the root of the problem which allows the individual to learn more deeply about themselves and make a lasting behavior change. Margaret is also the host of the podcast Margaret’s Healthy Hour and the author of F*ck the Freshman 15 (August 2021). When Margaret is not coaching she can be found training for running races, lifting weights in the gym, teaching group fitness classes, in person and on Recess), or spending time with her dogs.

Written by: Brooklynn Bradley-LaFleur, 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 are a small business owner in a small town trying to break free and expand your reach, I feel you. I love my small town. I want to do all the things to help support it and bring attention to it, but I also don't want it to limit me. There are only so many clients, so many avenues for events/pop-ups/collabs, and only so many people you can have liking and following your posts and pages. What's an entrepreneur to do to truly grow as a brand, expand the reach to help more people, and break down the imaginary walls holding us back? These are the changes I made... Facebook Groups When used correctly, Facebook Groups are one of the best assets you have at your fingertips. I started expanding my reach when I began using keywords to search for any group that may be like-minded or related to my brand in any way. You would be amazed at the options you will have. I recommend joining all the ones that you can for free. The more groups you are connected with, the more chances to connect. Networking After being accepted into groups, introduce yourself so people can get an idea of who you are and what you do. A picture with a caption is great, but don't forget how much Facebook loves it when someone goes live. Make sure you are friendly, genuine, and get straight to the point. If you write a lengthy post or go on and on in your life, people will quickly lose interest. We don't want that. Implement this in as many groups that will allow it. So many entrepreneurs will be excited to connect with you. Commenting and Engaging While you may think commenting and engaging are the same thing, they aren’t. However, both are equally as important. Commenting – In the mornings, while scrolling through social media, posts from the groups I am in will be scattered throughout my news feed. Most of the posts that pop up from business groups will be geared towards connecting, collaborating, and helping each other build up a following on our social media accounts. This is where I like to take advantage of my clipboard and comment on every relevant post I come across. On my clipboard, I have a pre-written post for each specific social media account and website. I type up a short and sweet bio, attach the necessary link, and lock it to my clipboard, so it is ready to post. Commenting is a stress-free way to grow my following and spread my message while making better use of my time. This technique is helpful if it is just you working on your brand. I don't plan a specific day/time to do this, but if I am scrolling on Facebook and have a moment to copy and paste, I don't waste it. Engaging – To build long-lasting and trustworthy business connections, be genuine and supportive. Don't just use people to benefit you and your brand; build them up as well. Show them you are here as a like-minded community member. We have to be able to rely on each other. It takes a village. To grow on social media and drive more traffic to sales, you need support from others liking and commenting. Don't forget to do the same for others. For more info, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube-Channel, and visit my website! Read more from Brooklynn! Brooklynn Bradley-LaFleur, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Brooklynn Bradley-LaFleur is the CEO & Founder of Brooklynn Three. Brooklynn Three is the parent company of Salon Rouge Spa, LaFleur Couture Wellness Boutique. She has published articles in two entrepreneur magazines, been a guest speaker on several entrepreneur magazines, and is an international best-selling author. Her mission is to help people transform their lives from the inside out by identifying internal and external complications you may be experiencing and connecting you with holistic based products and self-care services. She hosts a wellness web series every Wednesday at 11 am CST. The web series helps educate on the benefits of different products, suggests tips, and shares personal testimony inside the LaFleur Couture Facebook group. Shipping options and free self-care consultations are available. Website - Brooklynnthree.com Email - brooklynn@brooklynnthree.com Quote: “Self-care is not a luxury; it is a non-negotiable.”

Written by: Judi Snyder, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. You are counting the days and the dollars to your big Freedom Day — the day you “retire.” The truth is most of us never really retire. We just move on to the second act. If you are a Boomer like me, you may be in “retirement” almost as long as you were in your career. This is both a blessing and a curse. The blessing; finally, we get to do what we want and not what others expect of us or what we think we “should” do. The curse; we worry about outliving our money or giving it all back to Uncle Sam. Few of us consider five elements of retirement, and money is only one of them. Not addressing ALL FIVE of these elements may leave us unhappy, unfulfilled, insecure, and financially or physically not able to afford the bucket list we’ve been composing over the years. We have a preparedness plan for almost everything we do “except” retirement! We think because we’ve completed an estate plan, we are good to go. Money and “stuff” are only one element of our retirement planning, albeit an important one. What if I shared the single biggest distress of Boomer retirees with you is their lack of purpose or no longer feeling relevant? All the money in the world can’t make you feel differently unless you plan your new purpose and give it as much thought and importance as your estate plan. We spend so much of our adult lives having our “purpose” determined by other people. We are either working for a company, working for our customers, clients, patients, raising children, or taking care of aging parents and family members. When these roles wane, we don’t really know who we are or what our value is. When our career determines our “relevancy,” we will be disappointed when the career ends, even if we count down the days. As a Financial Transitionist, “who will I be” is the most asked question from my clients. We are afraid of the “unknown,” and who we are without the title IS the unknown. Recently a client said to me “I’m afraid I will sit on the couch all day, watching TV, eating my way into obesity then die. I don’t know who I am without working because I’ve worked since I was 14”. Most of us never have to think about “who we are and what brings us joy” because work and family obligations took precedence. Let’s explore our five elements with an open and inquisitive mind. The first element is examining your spirituality, and I’m not just talking about your “external spirituality” or religious beliefs. I think most boomers are pretty comfortable with our individual beliefs in a higher power. I suggest we look at our “internal spiritual beliefs” or our values that drive our behavior. Internal spirituality or drivers are the values we place on God, relationships, family, peace of mind, service, bravery, professionalism, freedom, consistency…the list is vast, and it is very personal to you. There are many value exercises on the web that you can use to determine your top values[1]. I would take all the words that resonate with you and narrow them down to the top five by grouping similar values together. For example, philanthropy and generosity can be one. Next, start the “if this but not that” for your top five to arrange in order of importance. If you are married or have a partner, this is a great exercise to do together over a glass of wine or a cup of coffee. If you are like me and my husband Jeff, you will find that your core top values may be the same, but your number one value may differ. Understanding each other’s internal spirituality or value system will help you understand why we make or avoid making certain decisions and determine who does what in the relationship based on one’s strengths and convictions. The second element of a happy and fulfilling retirement is determining your new “purpose.” The enlightenment you get by doing a values exercise will help you exponentially. Here are a few questions that I recommend journaling: 1. What makes me happy or brings me joy? 2. What do my friends and family always seek my advice on? What do people say I do really well? 3. What is it that when I’m doing it, time flies by so fast it feels like a few minutes? These questions can start to clue you in on how you can plan retirement activities, hobbies, and trips that fill your heart and give you purpose. So many successful life-changing people started their new ventures after the age of 50! People like Henry Ford, Charles Darwin, Julia Child, Colonel Sanders, Martha Stewart, Louise Hay, and so many more[2]! Why not you? They didn’t start thinking they would change the world; they just did what they loved and the world changed. You may be a positive influence on only one person who ends up changing the world! The third element and perhaps THE most important is your health and wellbeing. If you don’t have your health, your wealth cannot do anything for your joy. As we age, our eyesight, hearing, and mobility may decline. This doesn’t mean we stop tending to our health and exercise just because we can’t do it the same way! We can find alternatives and make adjustments. For example, if you have knee issues, you can replace tennis with pickleball or take a yoga or Pilates class rather than running a half marathon. Our diet becomes even more important as we age than when we were young and burning the candle at both ends. As we get older, our pancreas gets tired and unable to process sugar or carbohydrates the way it used to. This can lead to hormonal changes, diabetes, pre-diabetes, or insulin resistance which can cause us to feel lethargic and even confused. Whatever “way of eating” you choose you may want to consider lower carbohydrate foods and make the carbs you eat count by choosing healthy vegetables, legumes, and nutrient-rich fruits. Eliminate processed foods as much as possible by sticking to the outer isles of the grocery store. You may also consider adding supplements or multi-vitamin to your daily routine. I’m not a doctor and always recommend consulting your physician before taking any supplements or implementing any dietary changes. Your doctor will know your health conditions and recommend the best supplements and ways of eating for your optimal health. Most people believe exercise, or lack thereof, is the primary factor in weight control, but our way of eating determines 80% of the results! If exercise only impacts 20% of our weight control, why should you care? Staying active is important for bone density and heart health, making all the difference in how you feel as you age. One of my favorite exercise hacks that help me stay active and accountable is my fitness tracker and streaming subscriptions. I walk 60 minutes a day on a treadmill and download to my phone an action-filled series from my favorite streaming channels. I watch the episodes while I’m walking on the treadmill to pass the time, and it flies on by! I discovered an added benefit; I tend to walk faster because of the “action.” I only allow myself to watch my shows on the treadmill, so I look forward to returning to the gym the next day to see what happens! The result…I haven’t missed a day in three and a half years! Score! The fourth element to upsizing your joy in retirement is social connections. Your friends and social activities may change. Work friends may not keep in touch as often, or not at all, because you no longer have as much in common with them. Once you leave your company or industry, your topics of interest change. Notice as you are interacting with your work friends how much of your conversation is actually on topics outside the work environment? Start to develop a friends’ network outside your work such as book clubs, card clubs like bridge or euchre, pickleball leagues etc... Meet-up.com is a good place to find groups that share your interest. Another discovery is that the newly retired experience is not so enamored with your spouse or partner once you are together 24/7. Being together all day when you haven’t been for years is an opportunity to examine how you want to spend your time together. Not preparing for the sudden 24/7 “togetherness” along with today’s increased life expectancy has contributed to the increase in “uncoupling.” Divorce rates of those over 50 (newly called Gray Divorce) have roughly doubled over the last 25 years[3]. Incorporate your spouse/partner into your life before retirement and find activities you enjoy together. Likewise, encourage each other to cultivate friends and activities with others that you don’t have to do as a couple. This becomes vitally important if/when one passes away before the other. Lastly, talk about each other’s need for “alone” time, so it is not a surprise when retirement comes. Do you remember element one, your internal spirituality or personal driving values? Knowing each other’s guiding values helps tremendously when seeking activities and socializing as a retired couple. Travel needs and considerations change. Consider your physical fitness for “bucket list” trips and prioritize the more “physical” ones to experience sooner rather than later. One client lamented that they dreamed of going to Greece for 25 years and when they finally retired and went on the trip, they were not as physically fit as they could have been to enjoy the walking tours, trekking up the Parthenon, and snorkeling the Greek Islands. I recommend having a “curious list” rather than a “bucket list.” When I think of a bucket list, I think travel and money. The times we are living in now prohibit many types of travel even if you have the money. By writing a “curious” list, you are free to take adventures in other ways, for example, learning a new language or exploring a new hobby like quilting or kayaking. You may decide mentoring a young adult or volunteering at the food bank would be fun…you are only limited by your imagination. Our fifth and last element, which has likely led you to become part of the Retirement Architecture Family, is money. Just as “our” life purpose changes, so does our “money” purpose change. We go from accumulation and growth to preservation and income generation, and your mindset can be tricky to navigate around this change. When we are in the earning phase of life, it masks our money gremlins, but as soon as we “retire” to the spending phase of life, that money gremlin rears its ugly head. All sorts of emotions come out of nowhere. Scarcity mentality shows up even for people who have millions. This happens when we feel out of control and cannot anticipate future obstacles. This has never been more evident than it is now with our current political and covid19 crisis. What can we do to mitigate our inner gremlin? Often a second opinion can add a new perspective when you are embarking on a new adventure. Many people become fearful of spending and develop anxiety around any activities that require money because they know they will not be “earning” the way they have been in their career. We don’t still go to a Pediatrician for our medical care, but that doesn’t mean our Pediatrician was a bad doctor. Likewise, our money may need different expertise as well, expertise on retirement income, taxes, and inflation. The uncertainty of inflation and taxes weigh heavy on the feeling of security and rob you of your retirement dreams. Developing a purpose for your “required” and “desired” income and executing a plan to deliver the amount you need for the rest of your life that is guaranteed will give you the certainty to continue your lifestyle without worry. You can purchase your own pension, which will guarantee your retirement paycheck that you can never outlive and provide for long-term care benefits, even if you can’t qualify medically at this time in your life. Your “Live.2.100” Retirement Blueprint will illustrate how you can protect and safely grow your hard-earned nest egg without having to worry about the uncertainty of taxes and inflation and not have to give back a big chunk of your social security. Certainty of income, reducing or eliminating taxes, creating a volatility buffer, and planning your legacy can reduce your fear and anxiety and increase your financial security enormously. Welcome to the Retirement Architecture Family! Your homework is to explore your internal spirituality and values by doing a “values exercise.” Next month we can dive deeper into helping you discover your purpose, which will give this next phase of your life meaning and joy because it’s always about more than the money! Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Read more from Judi! Judi Snyder, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Judi is a retirement and transition coach, helping people nearing or in retirement find purpose, wellness, and financial certainty in their golden years. In 2004, she transitioned from employee to entrepreneur into financial services. Because of her own transition, she understands the unique challenges of creating a new identity and purpose. Judi became a CeFT®, Certified Financial Transitionist®, to further enhance her solutions for those going through financial transition and address the financial aspects of transition. Becoming a CPRC, Certified Professional Retirement Coach, expanded her tool chest to help clients navigate through the non-financial aspects of retirement, such as finding purpose, exploring spirituality, and health and wellness, which are as important as the financial planning yet rarely addressed. Happiness and fulfillment are about more than money. References: [1] https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newted_85.htm [2] https://twentytwowords.com/biggest-successes-late-in-life/ [3] https://www.marketwatch.com/story/your-failing-marriage-is-about-to-make-the-retirement-crisis-worse-2017-03-13

Written by: Kelly Hater, 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. Anyone getting the itch to travel? A nice long weekend trip to the great Chicago, Illinois is always a good choice. One of my favorite spots in the great Chi town is Millenium Park. In this beautiful park, you can find the fantastic “Cloud Gate” (aka “The Bean”) art installation. Cloud Gate is a giant elliptical structure made of polished stainless-steel plates. A 12-foot arch invites visitors to walk through the “gate” to view themselves in the mirror-like reflection of the polished steel. If you have visited here, then you could agree that it is irresistible to not stand in the archway to view your reflection. The image you see is distorted. It portrays a surreal and obviously inaccurate picture of who you are in real life. It is fun to pretend to be something you’re not in that moment. At the same time, however, it resembles real life in that we all sometimes see a distorted version of ourselves when we look into a mirror. Mirrors, while they are very useful tools, can be a vehicle of self-destruction. We use mirrors to see a reflection of ourselves. Sadly, sometimes when we look into a mirror, instead of seeing the beauty we can only see the flaws. The zits, the wrinkles, the gray hairs, the postpartum baby belly are the only thing we allow ourselves to see. The reflection we see when we do not have a healthy body image is kind of like the image you see when you look into the bean in Millenium Park, distorted. What if when you looked into a mirror, all you saw was a sexy, beautiful, healthy body? Truly, it is an empowering state of mind. I have seen both reflections before and I can tell you that the reflection that sees beauty is the one you want to see day in and day out. A healthy body image is so important to maintain. Just like all things, body positivity takes work, and it changes with the ebb and flow of life. I came up with 5 easy things you can do to feel more comfortable in your body and feel good about the way you look. Wear clothes that are comfortable and make you feel good about your body. TIP: Flatter your figure by buying the right size clothes. Wearing the right type of clothes is an epic move towards a positive body image. The reality is when you look good, you feel good. It does not have to be expensive clothes, but it should at least be clothes that fit you. Get a tape measure out of your toolbox in the basement and take some measurements. That is the only way to know what size you need to buy. Check the sizing chart and you know what to do next. So, what if you must buy the 1X size. If your hips are wide, then that is the size pants you need for them to fit properly. If they do not fit right, then they will not feel good to wear. You will just keep tugging and yanking on them all day long. I have done it. You have done it. Do yourself a favor and stop looking frumpy in your clothes. This small investment in your wardrobe will do wonders for your body image. You will feel sexy and confident again, almost instantly, I promise. Remember, nothing is sexier than a woman with confidence. If you can move, then move. TIP: Whatever it is that you look like while you are moving, own it! Being able to move your body is a gift. Do not get bogged down by the way you look when you move. If you must avoid the mirror when you workout then you go ahead and avoid looking in the mirror. In no way should you ever feel ashamed or embarrassed about how you look when you move your body. You are moving and that is a blessing no matter how you look. It’s not just a matter of how you look, but movement is also a way to naturally elevate our mood. Ever hear of the “runner's high”? Yup, it is a real thing. it. Physical activity reduces the level of the stress hormones, adrenaline, and cortisol. At the same time, it signals the production of endorphins. Endorphins are chemicals in the brain that work as natural pain killers and elevate our mood. Get out there and move that body in any way you can move. Walk, dance, bike, clean your house, garden, pull weeds, shovel snow...you get the idea. Now get going! Give thanks for your body. TIP: Create a gratitude journal that is dedicated to body positivity A gratitude journal is a physical record of experiences, events, people, and things you appreciate in your life. The practice of writing down these positive events helps you to enjoy positive emotions they evoke. Using an old-fashioned pen and paper is important. The exercise of writing it down gives our mind a mental space to really savor the good energy from gratitude. The more you practice thinking positive thoughts about your body the fewer negative thoughts sneak into our brain waves. You do not even need a proper journal book; you could simply just start by using post-it notes. Write one thing on each post-it and stick it to your bathroom mirror as a daily reminder of your awesome body and the amazing journey it has been on. Start with a short-term commitment of one entry per week for an entire month. Then, if you can and want to keep going, add a second goal of writing in it three times a week for a month. Experts say specificity is essential to fostering gratitude, so do not be afraid to add a few details. Do not be afraid to be grateful for things that your body is not. Consider what your life would be like without your body just the way it is right now. Fortune is not to be taken for granted, and even in a state of misfortune with our body, there is beauty to be found and appreciated. Clean up your social media feed. TIP: Follow people and organizations who evoke body-positive vibes for you. It sounds like a small thing, but each time you view your social media feed you are absorbing images, messages and stories that may not be realistic for you. Not only are we exposed to images of unattainable beauty, but we also are encouraged to react to the images with a like or a dislike. Through these interactions, we draw unreasonable comparisons between ourselves and complete strangers. So, do yourself a favor and take half an hour to sit down and edit your social media content. Unfollow those accounts that do not reinforce your body positivity reality. While you are at it, add new accounts that offer information to help you get the body-positive vibes you deserve. For example, do you have curly hair that drives you crazy? I bet other people do too. Do a quick search for “curly hair” and I will bet you can find someone else out there who can relate your hair-do woes and reinvigorate your love for your beautiful locks. People watch. TIP: Actively avoid comparing yourself to other people. That is right, go forth and stare at strangers. Not in a creepy, staring, judgy way. Observe and see the good. Observe and do not compare them to you. We have the power to change the way we see ourselves and other people. Too many times we compare ourselves to others. It’s nonsense. You are not them and you can never, ever be them. You are you. You are unique, beautiful, and wonderful. There’s a fantastic children’s book, Exactly You, The Shape of Your Feelings, that clings to the sentiment that our unique and beautiful feelings make us special. I know this one will be tricky to try at home due to the coronavirus pandemic, but you don’t need a crowd of 100+ people in order to people-watch. Just grab your dog, put down your phone, and watch (like really observe) other dog walkers in your neighborhood. If you can find a chance to do this safely, people watching could be a game-changer for your body image. Take the chance to notice how different people’s body’s look and move. It is fascinating, the variety of bodies out there in the world. It is no wonder it is tough to find a pair of jeans that fit just right. Our bodies are made just for us. There is literally no one like you in the world. How cool is that?! Cherishing this uniqueness is the key to unlocking our potential. Healthy body image starts with you. As your circle of control shows. You can try the DIY version, or you can invest in your well-being with a life coach. I challenge you to open your self-awareness. Follow Kelly on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and visit her website. Read more from Kelly! Kelly Hater, Executive Contributor, Brainz Magazine Kelly Hater, owner of Mama Bear Domain, has over 15 years of coaching experience and a B.S. in Health Promotion specialized in Exercise Science. She specializes in helping clients overcome mom burnout, providing a clear, decisive plan that leads her clients on a path of success. Her clients no longer let mom guilt steal their identity and goals. Moms deserve to be happy and live a fulfilling life. She personally has overcome overwhelming struggles herself. Get the accountability needed to take action. As a mom of two, she gets it.

Written by: Pia Antico, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. “I followed the instructions, why isn’t it connecting?!” I am wrestling with my new Wi-Fi printer so that I can print out the manuscript from my publisher to review & edit my soon-to-be-launched Co-Authored book “Shine Vol 4: Stories of success over adversity”. I am 'old school', I think better with pen & paper than keeping everything digital; that being said, I don't like having the paper documents building up and spilling over my often creatively messy desk. But I digress, while struggling with getting the printer Wi-Fi capability to connect with my mobile, tablet & laptop despite following the instruction manual; Googling for clarification on the instructions & taking the seemingly correct actions; NADA! ZIP! NOTHING! And then, suddenly, I clearly saw how this connection issue was analogous to the more profound misconnections I've had to my heartful wisdom; especially once I gained a level of theoretical understanding & had a loose set of steps to follow to enable the connection. But like with the contrary Wi-Fi printer, despite best efforts, the connection proved elusive. Just when I thought I could not take this analogy any further & wrap this story up neatly for you with some sage wisdom... Having left off the task of trying to make a connection happen through logic, effort & stubborn persistence in my chosen path (which happened to be to try and initiate connection to my mobile), I returned from a pleasant gathering & tasty food, having forgotten about the task. I turned on my laptop, poked around Facebook, watched a movie & then had an inclination to check the Printer & Scanner section on my laptop & see if Windows 10 had some intuitive way of finding & connecting my printer. AND IT DID! None of the instructions or forum chatter suggested Step 1 connect from your computer ... And lo! Having been totally satisfied with the computer connecting to the printer, I completely let go of any need to have the mobile connection. After all, I am home, the printer is home, the laptop is portable - why would I need such hyper-connectivity anyway? The funny thing is, having completely released any expectation on outcome, the mobile suddenly connects to the Wi-Fi printer. So where have I gone with this analogy as far as life, desires, decisions, actions & a Heartful Connection ? Quite simple really... As has been the theme of the past few years of realizing the Inside-Out Paradigm both personally and professionally, & at times kicking & screaming; the solution is NEVER from intellect, instruction manuals, or efforts. And the more we mistakenly place importance on these factors for obtaining our desired outcomes, the greater the angst & suffering we experience. 100% the answer ALWAYS arises from your innate Heartful Wisdom, as a tiny voice of intuition & guided knowing. So when you find yourself banging your head against anything in your life. STOP! Immerse yourself in a pleasant distraction (something that inspires love & goodwill), and trust that in that space, the answer to the struggle will arise; without effort. The key is being willing & open to hear your inner voice & act accordingly ... in that you are guaranteed success. Women over 40, who want help being guided to hear & act on their Heartful Wisdom, can book a session: Let me help you..... Book a Quickie Session here ! Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Pia Antico, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine “In the middle of a storm, it is possible to find peace & strength when we tap into our innate Spirit-led wisdom and step heartfully into the present moment.” - Pia Antico Pia Antico is the Founder of Essential Awakening Mentoring, a Relationships Reset Mentor/Coach/Trainer, Speaker & Author. Pia is also in a Creative Partnership with the charity “More to her life”, contributing a % of her sales/fees; with the aim to inspire and support women to dream and build beyond domestic violence. She guides & encourages unfulfilled women over 40 who have spent their adult lives looking after others & following ‘the rules’, to courageously step into the second half of their lives with a total ‘Joy Reboot’ using her signature AWAKEN Model © of joyful living, based on a 3-step transformational journey embodying the 6 key elements of joy. This allows her clients to respond to any situation with calm, clarity & confidence; enabling them to live & love fearlessly in the present moment. Pia holds three degrees in Psychology, Counseling Training, and Certification in the Inside-Out Paradigm. Additionally, she learned how to thrive after two toxic marriages and following an accident that left her with a life-altering brain injury; all while she raised a resilient, courageous, & creative daughter who has now stepped into her own light & soulful marriage.

Written by: Sarah-Jayne Juniper, 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 and write this article to you, I sit with reflection, understanding, and filled with awareness that life offers an abundance of opportunities and love. Growing up, I never felt I quite ‘fitted in’ but what does that even mean? I had amazing friends. I grew up in an environment where I felt safe, opportunities were plenty, and my family could not have been more supportive. Visiting new places, trying various cuisines, and meeting new people was a natural arena for me to learn and define myself. Where do I belong? This question has only occurred over the last year or so, a question that has challenged me to examine what it is I truly want out of life. If the world is truly our oyster, our abilities as humans are unlimited, then am I really living to my full potential? It is incredibly easy to get caught up in a cycle, a system of Monday to Friday, 9-5, socialize on a Friday and Saturday, prepare for work on Sunday. I personally know I was trying to ‘escape’ this reality every time I booked a flight and traveled for months on end before stepping right back into this very routine the moment I landed. Travelling provided the allusion of freedom. 2020, the year of the pandemic, was my life-changing moment. It had been building. I had recently moved back from 9 months in Australia, determined to change my norm. However, back I went into my comfort zone, the environments that were familiar until... lockdown! I had signed up to become a certified Life Coach, which transformed my mindset, self-belief, and understanding of belonging. I threw myself into the deep end in terms of personal wellbeing. How? Not only was I learning the skill of authentic, present moment communication and listening, I also chose to spend quality time in nature, journal daily, join fitness classes, read, do regular breathwork and meditation. I chose to take photos, complete puzzles, attempt knitting and painting; I took time to reconnect with myself. The process of being vulnerable in a safe environment is what coaching allowed me to experience and understand. I came to realize how much I was resisting the idea of how I defined freedom and success. Serving others is my calling. Travelling and learning are my passions- I am and have learned that business is a process. This process doesn’t have to be achieved or managed from the same place or time. Enjoyment is key. Where do I belong? I belong in this world, the real world we are all from, the one that is flexible, accessible, and desirable to live in. The world that my passions and my calling are my driving force for every decision made. I belong because I choose to live in a way that excites me, challenges me, and encourages me always to follow my deepest desires. My normal, my idea of our world is not the same as yours, yet the process of belonging is. Follow your passions and fall forward into your fears. 1. Go inwards - learn who you are by spending time with yourself and switching off from the craziness of technology. Do the things you love, and that challenge your beliefs! 2. Journal - capture all of your thoughts. This process enables you to reflect and gain awareness of what sits with your authentic self through imagery, keywords, phrases, etc. 3. Connect with your values - It is amazing how many of us do not know our values, but once you do, you will be able to practice them every day… The results are magical. 4. Get yourself an A-Team - surround yourself with inspiring, supportive and beautiful people who only encourage you to grow and be your best self. It is OK to step away from those who drain you. 5. Dream big - get creative and capture your vision. Once you know where you want to get to, the universe has a very clever way of guiding you on that journey, one you are aware of with a clear end goal. Remember, dreams become your reality with hard work, focus, and determination. When things get sticky, check-in with the five points above- refocus and realign. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and visit my website! Sarah-Jayne Juniper, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Sarah-Jayne Juniper is a leader in Transformational Life Coaching. After struggling to understand her position in the world and the boundaries placed in front of her regarding academic success, she set out to challenge barriers and the concept of societal norms. She has since accomplished a MSc Psychology, traveled the world and launched Sarah-Jayne Life Coach; a company fuelled with determination- reconnecting individuals with themselves, finding balance and encouraging personal growth and fulfillment. Her clients are those who are ready to take life to the next level, face mental health with a forward-thinking attitude and focus on their full potential.