Written by: Amber Stephenson, 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. Since childhood, every one of us has been trained to focus on the big things —weddings, new cars, once in a lifetime vacations, winning the lottery... But what about the little things? Most people will tell you not to worry about them — that they’re not a big deal. That’s what makes them little things, and changing them isn’t worth your time. But what if those people are wrong? What if the little things are actually the most important ones to get right? I don’t remember many details from my wedding day. I remember feelings of happiness and joy and my husband crying during his vows. That day is mostly a feeling. But I can tell you exactly how many times I’ve asked him to put up a new coat rack for our toddlers: twice a week for 2 months. There’s an analogy someone came up years ago about filling up a jar. They say that the various parts of your life are like different sized objects, from sand (small things) to marbles (big things), and that if you put the sand in first, you won’t have any space for the marbles. But if you put the marbles in first, you can fill in the gaps with sand. This is technically true and works very well for jars... but not so well for people. The things is, big things, by their nature, are rare. They don’t happen very often, and so their effect on our lives is actually limited. But the small details of what we do in a day, the way we speak to ourselves and others, the way we move our bodies, all the things we do on autopilot – these things fill in the gaps between the big events of our lives – and they also define who we are. We are, in a very real sense, the sum of all our habits. Our morning routines, the way we slouch at our desks, or prop our hips, how we prioritize our time – the combination of these things make each of us unique, and these, not our big life events, are actually what determine how we experience our lives. Imagine, for a moment, spending 40 years fighting with your spouse over the proper way to fold a towel or whether knives should be put in the dishwasher blade up or down (the correct answer is down, btw). Does that sound like a life you want to live? It doesn’t sound good to me, and here’s why. When the little things go wrong, it’s like rubbing sandpaper over your skin. Rubbing it a couple of times won't hurt much, if at all. But rubbing it on your skin repeatedly creates an angry, sore spot that needs to be healed over a long time. This can be corrected and even avoided by taking an honest look at the things you do in your everyday life and asking yourself: Does this make me genuinely happy in my soul? Does this take me closer to where I want to be? If the answer to both of those questions is yes, then make that a non-negotiable in your life. If the answer to only one of these is yes, then maybe some tweaking is in order. Maybe it needs to be a schedule change or some other small shift that will turn that into an unequivocal yes. If the answer to both questions is no, then it’s time to let that thing go. Change is scary and can feel overwhelming. But sometimes, if we can be brave, we can experience the relief that comes from letting go of things that don’t serve us and the joy of new possibilities. For more information, follow me on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn! Read more from Amber! Amber Stephenson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Amber Stephenson is a Master Transformational Coach who specializes in helping women who struggle to reach their goals to identify what's holding them back and shift into success. She's on a mission to empower women to be their most powerful, authentic selves while building lives they love and making their dreams come true. Amber is a rockstar coach, a dedicated wife, mother of four, insatiable reader and avid gamer.

Written by: David Alison, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. The last 6 years have brought much change in my life and many lessons learned as I went through a transformation, from a stress-ridden hard-drinking executive through a spiritual awakening and finding my life purpose. This process was at times painful, mentally, and emotionally exhausting, balanced with moments of extreme joy, breakthrough, and fulfillment. In my own personal development journey, I have read and listened to many inspiring speakers, podcasts, and books. In my early days of transformation, every now and then, something would just hit me. One day I was listening to an audio of Zig Ziglar, an early pioneer in personal growth, and I heard: “There are three Cs in life: Choice Chance Change You must choose to take a chance, or your life will never change." This has stuck with me, and I use this frequently in my work with clients. As I experienced in my life many times, Change often happens whether we like it or not. The time that was the catalyst for me to make a big change was in 2017 when my corporate career ended. I decided from that day that I would much rather be deliberate about it when possible - to make the changes I choose to make, even if it means taking a chance. After all, the world is always changing; 2020 demonstrated that for all of us. I am sure anyone reading this will also have experiences that make you say, “Right, I want to change this” That is when you open yourself to what is possible, and the magic begins. The truth in all this is you always have a choice. I was given the gift of these powerful questions by a good friend some years ago. As this year of Change rolls forward, I encourage you to ask yourself these questions when you must make Choices. Will this choice propel me toward an inspiring future or keep me stuck in the past? Will this choice bring me long-term fulfillment or short-term gratification? Am I standing in my power, or am I looking to please another? Am I looking for what is right, or am I looking for what is wrong? (BOTH ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE) Will this choice add to my life force or rob me of my energy? Will I use this situation as a catalyst to grow and evolve, or will I use it to beat myself up? Does this choice empower me or disempower me? Is this an act of self-love or self-sabotage? Is this an act of FAITH or an act of FEAR? I encourage you to make 2021 the year you find the time to think. Make choices from your Heart and take the chance to start living the life you want to live. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! David Alison, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine David Alison is a Master of Transformation & Change. After leaving school at 15 with no significant qualifications and being told by his first Manager that he would never make it in Management, David made it his mission to learn and embrace the skills required to deal with anything that life could throw at him. He went onto achieve a Masters degree in his specialist area of Supply Chain Management & Logistics at the renowned Cranfield University Business School in the UK. In 2015 he was appointed a board-level position in a Fortune 500 company based in Europe with international responsibility of 5 functional areas. This did not bring David the fulfillment he was expecting and he made the brave decision to make a complete career change and become a Transformational coach. After becoming a Certified ICF ACTP Level Coach in 2017, he then applied for and secured a contract to provide coaching services to one of the world's largest Personal Development companies. During his 3 year tenure as a Master Coach & Business Trainer, he completed in excess of 4000 client sessions in his Coaching & Therapy Business. David is currently working to develop a Non Profit organization providing Coaching, Therapy & Counselling services to Homeless people in Scotland, to help them take steps towards rehabilitation.

Written by: Stefania Piccardo, 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 is well known how learning a language is vital to our cognitive abilities, how it can benefit our mental health, improve our social skills, and increase employability opportunities. But how crucial is language training for your business? Not investing in language training for your employees can actually negatively impact your business revenue. Back in 2017, the UK was losing out on £4.8bn every year as a result of a lack of language skills. This implies that investing in a language for your business would turn up to be a good choice in terms of financial return and opportunities. The disinterest and lack of linguistic knowledge raise concerns about how the UK can fit in a multilingual world, particularly now that it will feel the Brexit effect. Most UK exporters rely on their mother tongue, but in fact, many trade partners have a low level of English, which adds to concerns around the UK’s capacity to boost business competitiveness on an international level. Now more than ever, language skills are paramount to survive in a globalized context. According to Eurobarometer, only 32 percent of Britons aged 15-30 can read and write in more than one language. The EU average is 80 percent. For any business, an employee who knows another language is an asset to the organization. It shows dedication and respect towards the business partners by not taking for granted their knowledge of English. The benefits for a business would be tremendous regarding employability, skills and productivity of personnel, boost of trade and business links. So which languages should you invest in for your business and your personal or career development? German-French, and Spanish lead the way in a European context, followed by Italian and Portuguese. In a wider international context, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Turkish and Japanese are your best choices. It goes without saying that to improve the perspectives of language learning in the UK, lots of work needs to be done with regards to awareness and language education from early years throughout the different school stages, to recognize the importance of languages outside the education system and elevate community languages to a higher-ranking position. The Scottish Government has taken steps to improve language skills from an early age by combining two languages in schools and English as a mother tongue. This is a decisive step forward to open up prospects for the future of the country. In conclusion, UK is faced with a huge long-term challenge with regards to Brexit and its connection to language learning, but this also represents an opportunity to boost collaboration across different sectors and policy areas with a view to implementing a national strategy to preserve and enhance UK’s chances to thrive in an international context. “You live a new life for every new language you speak. If you know only one language, you live only once”. - Czech proverb Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Stefania Piccardo, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Stefania Piccardo obtained her PhD in English language and literature from La Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. During her academic years, she worked for Scottish distilleries and castles as a tour guide in multiple languages. Her love for Scotland brought her back to Aberdeen in 2003, where she obtained an MSc in Corporate Communications and Public Affairs from Robert Gordon University. She then worked for multiple organizations but soon realized that she wanted to teach languages privately to the corporate level. Stefania has helped many students achieve the best grades in school and university but most of all she has the ambition to train corporate employees who deal with import/export, foreign trade or want to develop their career and expand their horizons for more opportunities in Europe and beyond. She speaks four languages including Italian, her mother tongue, English, French and Spanish and she has founded Language tutor4U back in 2012. In addition to her teaching schedule, she works as a PR/Marketing manager for Namaste Delhi, the innovative and traditional Indian restaurant she owns along with her husband in Aberdeen City center since 2018. As a keen writer, she also enjoys feeding social media posts and writing for her blogs about Italian and Indian cultures, languages and much more! Sources: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/309899/Costs_to_UK_of_language_deficiencies_as_barrier_to_UK_engagement_in_exporting.pdf https://www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/skills/2020/01/cost-britains-language-problem) https://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/2019/01/31/importance-of-language-training-for-businesses/

Written by: Maxwell Nee, 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. My business partners, family & friends didn’t believe me when I told them the 7-things that happened to me after my first 7-days on Clubhouse. If you know… Clubhouse is an exceptionally addictive mobile app for ALL the right reasons. Whether you’re looking to connect with fellow Coaches, Entrepreneurs, Musicians, or people who share a similar appreciation for spirituality or cannabis - you will find your people on Clubhouse. This is my account for reference: @maxwellnee When people ask me - “What is Clubhouse?!”. I usually answer with - “It’s basically an audio-only social media platform.” And for some reason, people do NOT hold back on the value they share on Clubhouse. Just this week, I’ve received coaching and advice from people with 9-figure business owners like Grant Cardone & JT Foxx. And guess what?! It was all absolutely free! You may have heard of ‘proximity’ in the world of networking. You may have also heard that anyone on the planet is just 6 or 7 connections away from you. Well, Clubhouse has changed all of that because everyone on Clubhouse is 0 connections away from you. In fact, they are in the next room that you can join for free and pretty much ask them whatever you want. Without a doubt, Clubhouse is the #1 relationship-building tool on the planet right now. After reflecting on my first ever 10-hours in Clubhouse, 7 amazing things happened: A $120m business owner offered to mentor me for free. Booked an open conversation with a serial entrepreneur to explore how we can help each other Connected with partnerships expert to help us take our online events to the next level Booked an interview on a Podcast that was built on 100 conversations with extraordinary entrepreneurs Brought 2 Coaches to tears with the value I shared with them. Been offered free Social Media help & strategy in return for the value I shared Discovered a brand new channel for building authentic relationships from the comfort of my couch! AND this isn’t including the countless golden nuggets I learned following up with all the people who inspired me! If you would like help to get going in Clubhouse, please feel free to connect with me in the app @maxwellnee, and I will answer any questions you have. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and visit my website! Read more from Maxwell! Maxwell Nee, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Maxwell Nee is a Co-founder & Head of Growth at High Performing Coach - a 7-figure business in a saturated industry, which grew 300% during the COVID-19 Lockdown selling out online events. Maxwell started selling tickets for events when I was 16, generating $3,000, with zero marketing budget. To date, with his team, he sold out 8 live events in the 12 months during the crisis, helping thousands of coaches to build their businesses during huge uncertainty. They partnered with influencers such as Marisa Peer, Daniel Priestley, Harville Hendrix & Helen Hunt (17 times Oprah guest speaker). From quitting his corporate job, being hit with bankruptcy after his first investment fell flat, to sleeping on a friend's couch and selling his Bose Bluetooth Speakers to get by - Maxwell a unique and powerful understanding of what it really takes to succeed.

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. It’s not you, it’s me. Many of us remember this famous break-up line that George Costanza used on Seinfeld. Well, I’m borrowing it for my break-up with 2020. I had such high hopes about our relationship. I believed you would be the best year of my life. Our relationship changed almost instantly, overnight, it seemed. One minute we were having a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner and not two weeks later, I was held hostage at home. What happened? I believed you would be my year in shining armor. What I got was a pile of rusty nails. You definitely misrepresented yourself and now I feel trapped. I’m disheartened you won’t allow me to hang with my family and friends. In fact, you feel the need to prescribe exactly how and when I should interact with my family and friends. Furthermore, you instigate arguments with my loved ones all the time about politics and masks yet censor any opinions I have in those discussions. You haven’t provided me with the most basic of living necessities, like toilet paper. You haven’t been as “open” as you promised in your original declaration. When we met, you were a bustling, thriving force that was open to innovation and free enterprise. Now, those very things have become villainized. We never go out to eat at restaurants, shop at local merchants, or go to concerts. Things we did for enjoyment and diversion from our typical daily stresses, like sports and entertainment, quickly became points of political division followed by name-calling and the canceling of half of America before the game even began. Clearly, you are attempting to shame me with cries of unity when it’s really a demand for compliance to your beliefs with no respect for my opinion. Since we’ve met, I’ve put on a few pounds due to lack of exercise since you wouldn’t allow me to go to the gym. You have given me no direction on how to maintain good health and a robust immune system. You’ve even asked me to cover my smile, the very thing that once connected us. You’ve threatened to report me if I go to my group religious practice and if I sing too loud. For crying out loud, you wouldn’t even allow me to get my hair done! You’ve strongly suggested I close my business and when I pushed back, you told me to do my business virtually. You claim this is for my health and the greater good of mankind, yet you encourage me to participate in group anger and destruction. I’m confused, and I cannot make sense out of what you mandate? I know I’m not supposed to compare, but I look around at some of the famous, and I don’t see their relationship with you being held to the same standards. They can open their business, and you support them! They don’t have to stay home and isolate themselves from family and friends, and they don’t have to cover their beautiful smiles and refrain from singing if they don’t want to. It just feels like you are trying to run my life without discussing how I feel about my personal individuality. I’m not happy. I’ve always thought of myself as an independent woman. When I try and talk things out and share my feelings, I feel gaslighted, like somehow, I imagine that our relationship has drastically changed. You’ve gotten all your media friends to go in on the gaslighting grift, determined to brainwash me, but I warn you, this will never come to be. When we met, you said you loved my independence, and now it seems to threaten you. So here is how it’s going to go from here on out. You don’t have “dominion” over me. I will take back my personal responsibility and choose what I believe is best for my life. I will never do anything that is immoral or illegal, but I will not succumb to the pressure of those around me if it is not a product of my own conclusion. If you remember, one of the reasons I live here is for FREEDOM of choice. Freedom from tyranny. Freedom to speak my mind without censorship. Freedom to choose what is right for my body, whatever that means, be it food, exercise, masks or no masks, vaccines, or no vaccines, and most importantly, freedom to speak my opinions. You do not have permission to control me. Breaking up is hard to do. It is not so easy to execute. Sometimes it takes baby steps. The “shoulds” in life never start out big. They begin small and push the boundaries until one day they hit you like a two by four. You think it all happened in an instant, but it has been inching along for years. If 2020 proved anything, it proved this. We believed our liberties were stolen abruptly over a few months in 2020, but the reality is, we were giving them up over the years. We hear contradictory messaging coming from everywhere. Both political parties, media, social media, entertainment, and sports have been methodically massaging the message. And the result is confusion. Kind of sounds like it was systematic, right? A confused mind makes no-decision. Here is the formula: Confusion causes us to retreat. Retreat breeds complacency. Complacency causes indecision. No decision leads to others controlling our path. Don’t believe me? Consider this…we hear “my body, my choice.” We can have an abortion, but we are not permitted to choose whether we wear a mask or not wear a mask, take a vaccine, or not take the vaccine. I believe the government will not necessarily mandate the vaccine, but all commerce, public transportation and education will mandate under the guise of being a “private company” that has the right to implement policy. “Follow the science” is like running through a maze of thorns. The “science” is split down the middle on many issues. Or is it? Perhaps it is just the censorship that muddies up our information waters. I’ve seen respected award-winning Yale epidemiology professor Harvey Risch, author of more than 325 original research publications, censored and demonized for his educated opinions on the use of hydroxychloroquine. While we should all be able to agree that for many areas of our life, there can be different opinions based on different scientific studies and our own personal philosophies furthermore, we should be able to openly debate our opinions with mutual respect and acceptance. Unfortunately, 2020 has highlighted the exact opposite! And if you do have an opposing opinion from the mob, you can be censored, harassed, and canceled without proper predicate. This is compounded by government bureaucrats imposing emergency orders that violate our constitutional rights and empowers the government to pick the winners and losers in life. Don’t believe me? Consider the following oxymorons: Big box stores can open safely, but not local mom & pop stores Small and medium-sized business owners can be bankrupted by mandatory shutdowns while huge multinational conglomerates become bigger monopolies, with their owners becoming even more wealthy Protestors can gather in large groups in close proximity, often without masks, but you can’t gather to worship at your local church or synagogue Elites can go out to dinner in large groups without masks, but common taxpayers cannot The elites send their kids to private school for in-person learning but keep your local public school closed, forcing you to miss work (if you still have a job or business) to homeschool or take care of your children Social justice protests are immune to the virus, while political rallies are super-spreaders of the virus Elites can go to salons for hair services, but common taxpayers cannot Multiple studies, over the last 30 years, indicate masks aren’t necessary and don’t work for the micron size virus, but masks are now are mandatory Government employees continue to earn their salaries, even getting raises and benefits during lockdowns while the common taxpayers are forced to government assistance and lose their benefits Follow the science of one group of scientists but ignore, or worse yet, attack scientists without evidence, no matter how valid the research, support that opinion. Getting an abortion and buying booze is now considered essential yet celebrating the holidays with family is forbidden. We pay more and more taxes but have less and less to say about where our money goes. We have “network” and “out of network” physicians for our healthcare that can change in a month. There is no consideration for our continued care with our trusted medical teams or new professionals that have a specific specialty we need now. The full impact of this outrageous behavior is highlighted by how respected award-winning Yale epidemiology professor Harvey Risch, author of more than 325 original research publications, was censored and demonized for his educated opinions on the use of hydroxychloroquine. Our confusion continues because what we once “knew” is true no longer. We talk to our BFF on a phone call about getting new tires, and suddenly there are tire ads all over our mobile phones and computer browser. We no longer trust mainstream media news to investigate and keep us informed because news has become entertainment and ratings-driven. Whichever side of the aisle you sit, it should alarm you that you instantly know which “side” of the isle a particular legacy media lean towards. We’ve become intellectually lazy or maybe just too tired and short of time to read a variety of articles and seek out independent journalists (yes, they do still exist) to form our own opinion. Getting the picture? We are being manipulated, so now what? How do we get back to being “us”? How do we balance being a good, law-abiding citizen AND maintain our individual unique essence while contributing to the growth and innovation of mankind? As we “become retired-ish” in a post-2020 world, we find ourselves having to navigate the normal transitions of defining our new purpose, turning our savings into a retirement paycheck, and planning for health unknowns AND the woke cancel culture of conformity and oppression. It has never been so important to recognize, honor and defend your personal truths. I’m breaking up with should. I will refuse to surrender my freedom based solely on the mob’s demand for compliance masked through the guise of unity. Don’t we all remember that former lover who proclaimed, “if you really loved me, you would do this for me”! It felt wrong and manipulative then and it feels the same now! It begins with remembering your top internal values. What are your internal spiritual drivers, the things that you are willing to fall on the sword for? Once you refresh your memory of your values, determine which battles are worth fighting. Travel down the “what if” road. Ask yourself, “what if I do this” and “what if I don’t do this”? What will result in both scenario’s and AM I OKAY with the consequences? Personally, I’m not a mask person, however I do respect the decision of those who feel more comfortable wearing one. My dad is 86, and he has underlying medical conditions and feels safer if we wear a mask around him. Because I love my dad (and because he suffered through my teen years) I will do whatever makes him feel safe. I choose to wear a mask because my love for him is greater than my disdain for wearing a mask. I wear a mask to the grocery store because it isn’t worth a fight and falling on the sword to run in and pick up a few items. We may not know ahead of time what “feels” right but must be willing to act on our “feelings” when the alarm goes off. We must also be willing to accept the consequences of our choices so choose wisely. Another way we can minimize our stress is to take an information break. Too much information robs us of our critical thinking skills the same way video games rob our kids of using their imagination. There is a lot of propaganda and misinformation that is designed to keep you confused and paralyzed. It’s ironic that social media has caused us to be more anti-social. If you find you are more unhappy than joyful when you are on social media, then you may want to rethink the amount of time you spend online or canceling your accounts altogether. Conflict happens when our head is telling us to do something our heart doesn’t want to do. It is our internal alarm that we are departing from our soul. When you find that you are conflicted about anything, take a break, and go commune with nature. Take a walk, pet an animal, or just meditate or pray. Listen to your heart. You’ll get the answer that is right for you. We can no longer “sleep” through making mindful decisions around our health or avoid uncomfortable political conversations, but we can approach these with integrity and balance the information with our personal values. We all worry about the restrictions we are potentially facing because we already see some of these restrictions put into play around the world. Stop worrying. We are America. We are mavericks and visionaries. We will always find our way to freedom of choice. As new restrictions emerge, so will new businesses. Never underestimate freedom-seeking people of innovation! Choose your battles wisely and be a critical thinker, not a critical person. Everyone (still) has a right to their opinion. There is no place for ridicule and banishment of your family and friends over a difference of opinion. Recognize that deep down, everyone just wants to be happy and feel safe. It has never been so challenging to feel safe and secure as it is post-2020. Observing the various current events (contentious politics, Covid 19, masks, vaccines, BLM, riots/protests) and social media behavior over the last year may leave you feeling joyLESS. I’ve struggled myself to find joy amid so much judgment, chaos, and uncertainty about our future. For me, this has been particularly difficult since “relationships” are my number one value. What I have come to realize is that everyone I know feels the SAME EXACT WAY about the many issues we are forced to confront. They just disagree on HOW to solve the issues. I’m betting the “heart” of your family and friends is love and passion for all people, regardless of politics, race, gender identity, sexual preference, or virus. I believe all judgment and disagreement come from focusing on the “hows” and “whats” it will take to resolve issues. We are diverse and will never truly agree on the “hows” and “whats,” we have walked different paths, no one right or wrong, as individual and unique as a snowflake. Before we criticize, ridicule, unfriend or estrange from those we love and care about, please take a breath and focus on their heart, the essence of who they are at their core. Focus on WHY we love them, the qualities responsible for our love for them? Focus on the good and positive in the world? I promise if you do this every day, you will find the good and you will neutralize the negativity. One positive thought can neutralize a thousand negative thoughts. Break up with the viciousness of 2020, the mentality of victimhood, judgment, ridicule, and most of all, break up with “shoulds.” Renew your relationship with freedom of choice, authenticity, compassion, self-confidence, and love—resume date nights with exercise by going to the gym or engaging in your favorite sport. Rediscover your love of optimal health by eating well and building your immune system. Begin a partnership with 2021 by being true to yourself, choosing your battles and being open to new adventures. Happy New Year, Happy New You, may it be your best year ever! Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! 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 that come along with 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.

Written by: Arna Van Goch, 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. Growing up, I went to an American School in Taiwan; the hard work ethic was literally hammered into me from all sides. Taiwanese kids study some of the craziest hours in the world, and Americans are well-known for their 8 days of (usually unpaid) holidays a year and unpaid sick days. How hard you work is almost like a badge of honor, and I hear it in the talk of my American counterparts all the time. It kind of reminds me of this Monty Python sketch… (seriously, it’s hilarious. It’s only 3 minutes, watch it). Of course, you have to work hard if you have to work three jobs just to be able to pay basic necessities. I never experienced that in Europe, not even in England. But then it’s no wonder that this kind of work ethic is not only expected but encouraged in “the Land of the Free.” There are plenty of entrepreneurs who rally on about this as well: Gary Vee being one of the most prominent ones that come to mind. And can I just say, Clubhouse is exacerbating it. I personally do not like Grant Cardone, and I do not join his clubs, but there are plenty of people who do, and that’s fine. But why bother with a 3-day Clubhouse-a-thon? Why is this a thing? What value can you gain from it? Apparently, Cardone goes and has 4-hour naps and his moderators jump in to cover for him, leaving a disappointed audience hoping to hear from the man himself. Hello? The dude is HUMAN. He physically can’t stay up 72 hours at a time, and neither should he try, it’s unhealthy, especially dangerous at his age (sorry, not sorry), and a completely ridiculous notion. We need to start making distinctions, drawing lines in the sand. There is a difference between being the finest and the best. There is a difference between being effective and being loud. We were literally talking about this in a one-hour Clubhouse room yesterday, how it’s about being intentional. Below I want to share three things to keep in mind as more and more of us enter the Clubhouse scene: Be Intentional: You can join different rooms for different intentions. For example: gaining followers, being an expert, moderating, or, very importantly, learning. Pick an intention and then pick a room. Let the intention guide you. This also means setting alarms, planning your week, diarizing the time you want to spend on Clubhouse. It’s also important here to mention the necessity to set your boundaries. Go to bed when you need to, turn your notifications off when you need to. My phone goes into “bedtime” mode at 10 pm and gives me permission to not reply to anyone or take any phone calls. Know Your Topic: Like I do with my clients, focus on your niche. We talk about the thing that you want to be known for. What is it? What are the different sections that you can talk about? Where do they maybe overlap with other topics and other experts? Boom. There’s your collab opportunities. Be of Service: As much as I’ve bashed Clubhouse, I think it’s fair to say that I do love it too. I love the freshness, I love the authenticity of the moment, and I can see this being an opportunity to expose jerks. You know, the person that you’ve looked up to your whole career turns out to be a bit of a dud? They can’t hide behind cameras, scripts, and social media managers. They are right there, raw. And they are coming up short of the image they have built for themselves. This has already happened a couple of times, and it’s only going to increase. Heed this warning: be of service, stay humble. That’s how you’re going to succeed on Clubhouse. Hands down. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn Read more from Arna! Arna Van Goch, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Arna van Goch is a business automation coach. She helps 5 figure entrepreneurs hit 6 figures by streamlining their businesses and strategies to work less & earn more. Over her own entrepreneurial journey, she has worked with online businesses to land 6 figure contracts and supported businesses reaching 7 figures. Besides working online, she has an avid passion for travel, energy work, and awesome Netflix series like Next in Fashion.

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. To put it simply, I eat, breathe and live running. For the last seven years of my life, it has been a constant presence, something I can turn to when I am stressed, happy, sad, or just ready for a challenge. Often my other daily activities and commitments are scheduled around my runs, and I spend a fair amount of time evaluating my running results, tweaking my current programs, and making changes based on the most up-to-date research available. With all the gym closures of 2020 and New Year’s Resolutions of 2021, many individuals have taken to running as their exercise of choice while others who were already running are looking at 2021 and all its goal-crushing potential. Regardless of if you are planning your first couch to 5k, working towards a new distance or personal best, or are like me and plan to go for the big Boston Qualifier time this year, these mistakes could be costing you progress, health, or a personal best. 1. Prioritizing Carbohydrates Over Proteins and Fats It has been drilled into our minds for decades that carbohydrates, carbs, are the ultimate energy source for athletes and physically active individuals because it is a fast processing, fast-burning, and readily available energy source. While this is a true statement, its ability to burn quickly can also be one of the reasons many runners “bonk” during a race. Their body runs out of glycogen, the stored form of carbs, and has nothing left to run on; they run out of energy to keep moving. For many runners, this greatly feared bonk can be the difference between an amazing and awful race. I have bonked in the past, and it feels like a cement all popped up right in front of you and no matter how hard you push to keep moving forward, you feel as if you are stuck in place. As if your legs have huge weights on the bottom, you are trudging forward, and your mind can no longer focus. For most runners and athletes, prioritizing carbs provides an immediate energy source that when gone from both the bloodstream and glycogen stores, you feel awful. Most runners prioritize carbs so that they have an abundance of this source of energy for when they run, yet some athletes not following the traditional path have been finding that a diet high in protein and fat and lower in carbs is allowing them to run for much longer and with more consistent energy. The body, regardless of what type of exercise is being performed needs lots of protein to promote muscle growth and repair; the body can also turn protein into usable carbohydrates if necessary through gluconeogenesis. The higher protein intake promotes greater muscle mass, which promotes more power and an overall improved performance. As for fat, something many of us have feared for as long as we have been alive because we were told it makes us fat, is in fact an energy source that most humans have an unlimited energy supply from. When we are not constantly providing the body with carbohydrates, it learns how to access our unlimited fat stores and use them as energy. Don’t believe me? Try flipping your macronutrient ratio and seeing the results after a few months. 2. Not getting fitted for running shoes If you have already gone to a running store that has experienced and trained shoe fitters, skip to number 3, but if not, you could be doing more bad than good. All of us have a unique build and way we run, where our foot strikes on the ground and where the weight is dispersed. Getting fitted for shoes helps you know your foot strike pattern as well as what type of shoe is the best for your foot strike. Having proper footwear can allow for more efficient running and less chance of injury. To find a running store in your area, search for running and triathlon stores. 3. Not doing strength work Runners are notorious for only wanting to run and to not do any of the cross-training that benefits them. They often don’t prioritize full-body functional strength work, core strength work, or hip flexor work, and as a result, open themselves up to opportunities for injury to occur. When running, we move in one plane of motion, which makes some muscles very strong while the others can become weak. Working to build full-body functional strength, in particular in the hip flexors and core, allows for improved overall strength and can allow for increased power output, which makes you faster! 4. Not taking needed rest When runners are not running every day, they feel as if they should be running. The dogma somewhere along the line has taught us that we, as runners, or even those that are physically active, must be going hard every day. And some even go as far as to have run streaks, long lengths of time where they have run every day with no time off. I can attest to this that I always want to be running and going out for training runs, but when we run all the time and don’t allow our body to rest, we are inhibiting repair and therefore inhibiting improvements. Sometimes our body needs to rest to grow and get better. Having rest days or days built in where we are not doing intense running or other work will allow the body to heal. The body gets stronger when it is at rest. 5. Not doing power work When you think of power work, one often thinks of CrossFit style movements or something like box jumps. Many of these movements can translate into improved running, but doing work such as short, all-out sprints can have some of the same effect. Power work has the ability to preserve muscle tissues while also building endurance and speed. Running at a constant pace for long distances every training run can build miles under one’s feet but will not create the strength, power, and oomf required to pass someone in a race or sprint across the finish line. Adding short amounts, roughly five minutes, into three sessions a week or having one 30 minute power session every week or every other week is all that is needed to bring about these physiological changes. 6. Not supplementing where appropriate Usually, when it comes to supplementation, people think of things like multivitamins or the meathead at the gym with his protein shake. While both are forms of supplementation, they are just that, something to supplement your nutritional approach in places where you fall short. I always promote getting as many of your nutrients as possible from whole food sources but with certain things, that can still be difficult. I have built my diet to a place where I do not require a multivitamin or nutritional pack, but some people still may need that. I take fish oil to lower inflammation as I do not consume enough Omega 3 heavy fish. I take collagen to support healthy skin, hair, joints, and gut because otherwise, I would have to consume the joints of animals. I use creatine to help replenish the creatine in my muscles, so I have more energy, and I take BCAAs to improve muscle mass and performance while reducing muscle damage. Occasionally I use a low temperature processed whey protein to supplement when I miss a meal (low temperature is better absorbed by the body). I know that working in the fitness space and teaching fitness classes, I sometimes push my body hard, and these supplements can help me recover. If you want to see which supplements I recommend, click here . These are my six checkpoints when I work with clients to improve their running. If you believe there is something holding you back from your next personal best email me at margaret@grapesandgains.com to set up a free 30-minute Personal Best Breakthrough Session. 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: Maggie Perotin, 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. Entrepreneurial Mindset. Is it even a thing? It depends on whom you ask. Those who've never run a business of their own will have no idea what that is, just like people who've never stepped out of their comfort zone don't know how it feels. Nevertheless, if you've never run a business and are thinking of starting one, this is a must-read for you. On the other hand, if you're running one right now, you'll probably put a checkmark at each of the points below and still benefit from the advice. If you ask the Goggle's dictionary, a mindset is "the established set of attitudes held by someone." Now, replace "someone" with "an entrepreneur," and the below five fundamental attitudes show-up in all the successful ones. 1. Humility First of all, humility. The entrepreneurial roller coaster is a school of hard knocks. Even if you don't know what humility is when you start the journey, you'll gain it pretty fast. And that's a great thing! Humility keeps us grounded and focused, and it helps with building relationships. Because your associations and network are vital in growing your business, trying to do it on your own will be exhausting, hardly fun, if even possible. 2. Love of constant learning Secondly, successful entrepreneurs are avid learners. They're continually looking for new ideas and lessons in everything. They invest in self-development through books, seminars, coaches, and mentors. And still, they also look to learn from anything around them: conversations they are part of or overhear, day to day situations and encounters, and of course, their own experiences. Thanks to such an attitude, entrepreneurs are used to being always outside of their comfort zone. Why? Because real learning means that you're going to go out there and try to implement what you've learned. As someone has told me recently: "Knowledge is like make-up. It only looks good when applied." And when you do that for the first time, you'll be scared and doubt yourself A LOT. Remember this - it's completely normal! And the good news is that everyone feels that way. It's a natural reaction our "primitive brain" is programmed to be scared of anything new and unknown. No wonder that most people talk themselves out of doing what it takes to make their dream a reality. But not entrepreneurs! Because overcoming the challenges that your own mind puts in front of you is essential to growing a thriving business. 3. Grit Grit is passion and perseverance to achieve long-term goals. In other words, it's the ability to persist in something you feel passionate about and not give up when you face obstacles or experience utter failure. It also means being accountable for mistakes you make and taking full responsibility for how you react to things that happen to you (even though you didn't influence them). A lot of work I do with my clients focuses on this very area. Because it's one thing to have a great simple game plan you can follow and build your business. But it's completely different to go out there and put it to work even when "life happens." Entrepreneurs who develop grit don't blame the world for challenges or failures. They treat them as opportunities to learn, and their determination helps them get up after every fall, brush off the dirt, and keep going. 4. Consistency As Seth Godin said, "Average overnight success in business takes six years." If you're looking for a quick, easy way to make money, starting a business is not the best solution. It takes a lot of hard work and patience to become "the overnight success." The attitude that develops the needed patience is consistency. Consistency in doing the mundane 95% of the tasks day in and day out to be able to enjoy the 5% of the amazingly fun stuff that is visible on the "surface of success." Successful entrepreneurs establish routines, habits, and systems in their lives that help them be consistent. Such systems also help them move anything they learn and adopt into their day to day modus operandi, so their brain has room to learn and experiment with more new things. Consistency is the other most critical part of the entrepreneurial mindset code. As a matter of fact, without it, you cannot build a thriving business. 5. Last but not least, the most important one… Finally, the drum all. I left the best for the last. Without this attitude, the others won't matter in running a successful business. What I'm talking about here is decisiveness. And the first decision every entrepreneur needs to make is that you'll figure your business out no matter what. The secret behind this decision is knowing your "WHY," knowing the purpose of your journey. As long as you have this figured out and decide that you will make your business work, no matter what, it will help you grow and expand on the rest. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram and visit my website ! Read more from Maggie ! Maggie Perotin, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Maggie Perotin is a business and leadership coach, helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses without the overwhelm so they can live the life they want. Through her DREAM-PLAN-DO coaching model, she helps her clients reach their potential and get results while maintaining balance in life. Maggie has over 13 years of coaching and leadership experience in the corporate world in various domains. She holds a Masters Degree in International Relations, Facility Management Administration designation, and currently pursuing an Executive MBA at Jack Welch Management Institute. Maggie uses all her knowledge and experience to help entrepreneurs be strategic and creative in building a successful business and brand that attract their ideal clients. She is passionate about spending quality time with her blended family with four kids in the Canadian nature, traveling, self-development, and healthy cuisine of the world.

Written by: Audrey Bartolomei, 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. Yesterday, I was talking to my husband about the topic of my next article, and I said I cannot think about anything else than the social crisis right now. He said to me, ‘Great! You should write about it!’ I thought the problem is that I am also feeling a bit down, and I am not sure if I could bring some positive mood to people as I am supposed to as a coach. What a funny belief! We suddenly ended up writing each of us a letter about what is really annoying us right now! We had fun doing it because it released the stress and anxiety we have towards the situation and felt way lighter after that! Writing letters is a technique that we use a lot in coaching. It is so powerful. Why? We tend to be a lot in our heads, overthinking. When writing, we go from thinking to doing, from thoughts to actions . We break this unstoppable circle of internal ruminations! We may also be very touched about something. As writing helps to go from thoughts to actions, it also helps to go from emotions to actions. It makes the energy circulate in your body and gives room for the emotions to be released. Writing allows us to make something not tangible into something concrete. Thoughts become words. Ideas become clearer. It forces us to activate a different part of our brain - the frontal lobe - which is also responsible for movement, reasoning, judgment, planning, and problem-solving. Combined with humor, it can play down something that seems so big in our heads. Here, I also suggest that we have fun letting it out! By laughing, we will release some endorphins and lower the blood pressure. So who is up for it? Let’s make a gift to ourselves through this article, letting the negative energy out of our body, mind & heart! Here is my list of all the things I cannot stand anymore in my life right now. I invite you to do the same. You can email it to me at audrey@firstepcoaching.com, and we can have a casual chat about it if you feel like it. I will post anonymously a compilation of the funniest sentences I have received. I Feel like I'm in a golden cage. I have always dreamed of the possibility of working from home, and now I feel totally isolated! Being home is great. Being stuck at home is different. Everyday feels the same. The excitement, the possibility of doing something different is gone! I usually love to be spontaneous, but now I feel like everything is so heavy, and I am not expressing this part of me that makes me feel alive! I am doing grocery, cooking, and cleaning more than ever before. I don’t even know how to be creative in what I am cooking anymore! I am fed up with my own food. My husband is annoying me. It is almost a year we are 24/7 together! Which couple survives something like this? In our relationship, everything becomes transactional. We don't have new stories to share at the end of a day since we are constantly together! At work, I feel like everything is taking too long! We cannot have a quick chat and solve issues instantly. Simple things can take ages! I don’t see my friends anymore! Each time we should meet, it is complicated, and options are limited! Should we have a coffee at 10 am? At your place or mine? Wow, that sounds fun! On that note, I want a girls’ night out! A proper one. Laugh and let go. There is nothing to look forward to! Human beings need that, right? Holidays? Weekend? Weddings? Parties? It’s too uncertain to plan anything. Which day is it already? I don’t even know anymore! I laugh less, and I feel the lightness of life has gone. Everything becomes so heavy...so many rules. Wear a mask, make the queue, not more than this number of people… Give me a break! I get scared of doing things. Gosh, did I wash my hands? Where is my mask? I feel that I need so much more patience that I currently have at my disposal! I really need to work on that. We are pushed to our limits. I am seeing my own limits as a person, even if I am a coach. I feel I should be positive, but I am sometimes struggling with it. So what’s left? Let’s cheer each other up. Let’s share, laugh about it. Even through a screen, we are all together in this. We all experience the same. Make your own letter of complaint and release the stress and frustration! It really helps and brings some fun into our lives! With love, Audrey Follow me on Linkedin , Instagram & feel free to reach out to me directly ! Read more from Audrey ! Audrey Bartolomei, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Audrey Bartolomei is a passionate leadership & career transition coach. After living in several countries across Europe and South-East Asia, she recently settled in Switzerland. For many years, Audrey didn't find a purpose in her professional life until she reconverted as a coach 3 years ago. She decided to make it her life mission to help people find their passion. In her coaching, she uses modern and customized techniques. Her favorite one: the exploration of the inner child. She is convinced that it reveals many hidden, often forgotten, treasures and natural motivations. Today, Audrey is working with top-ranked business schools & leading international outplacement companies. Apart from being a coach, Audrey is a wife and a mom, two very interesting roles giving her a lot of inspiration!

Written by: Lauralee Schmidt, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. No matter what kind of service you provide, or retail business you work in, you are selling a product/service to someone. And how you address that someone is incredibly important within your business culture. There are fine details and nuances inside of business, and one of those things is recognizing your patrons part in your daily business role. To many, the patron is just a customer. Personally, I loathe the word Customer, and I hear it so many places I go. I find the word to be flat, with little to no emotional attachment to it. There is not a lot of honor or glory in being a customer; it sounds transactional. You see, I am a Customer in a lot of places I go. I am a Client in certain places. And I am treated as a Guest in a handful of places. For me, there is a direct correlation to those business models and the amount of money I spend in them. So I think about this often in regard to my business, auto care. I know there is some deep psychology on terminology and the mindset it ensues of a consumer, but I’m not a psychologist so I won’t get super technical on that end. I know when I am taking a quick trip to the gas station or pull-thru at my local fast-food joint, no one will roll out a red carpet or call me by name. I am simply a customer, another dollar sign coming in their door—a conversion number. There is nothing that makes these businesses special to me, and I am not special to them. We are interchangeable to each other, and it’s solely a functional consumer relationship based in sustainability and ease. And that’s fine, we need customer-based businesses to keep commerce moving along at a consistent pace. But you never feel special as a Customer, and so for my family’s business, I loathe that word. You will never hear the word “customer” in my business. I don’t believe in the “customer experience.” I believe in an exceptional experience. For years, I sat comfortably with the word “Client.” I was a professional makeup artist and most of the people who hired me were also professionals, so “Client” fit nicely. I gave them the makeup service I was hired to do, but not much beyond that. I kept my Clients at arm’s reach for years. At that time of life, my business was balanced on shallow relationships based solely on financial transactions. I think a lot of service industries fall into this category. Especially those that play inside the luxury market. I don’t hate engaging with businesses that treat you like a Client. I know I will more than likely be treated with respect, someone will probably know my name, and I will feel comfortable releasing the amount of money I need to for the services rendered. There is a certain ease in being a Client because it feels better than the places that treat you like a Customer. There is a certain luxe feeling to being a Client. However, as I evolved into different businesses, and aged as a consumer, I felt “Client” was ok, but there had to be something that elevated beyond that. It was in a management training class in California that an auto shop owner stood up and said, “I treat all my guests with great care.” Now that sentence probably sounded cliché to everyone in the room, I imagine, but one word vibrated in my soul; Guest. I knew the moment I heard it drop from that owner’s mouth, an evolution was going to occur inside my shop’s verbiage and culture. I heard nothing else that went on in that meeting because I immediately started writing lists on how our team could start hosting a guest. I went back to the shop and told the service team we would no longer be using the word Client. That we were now serving guests. And with that, I wanted a guest experience like no other. I’m lucky to have a very flexible team that aligns quickly when a new facet is brought into our shop culture because from that day forward, we serviced Guests. Think about what it is to be a guest. When you are at a friend’s house you are comfortable to grab snacks and a drink if you want. When you are visiting your parents’ house, you kick off your shoes, grab the remote, engage in conversation, and relax. When you are someone’s guest, you feel comfortable. And if I’ve learned anything over the last few years in auto care, it’s that auto care can be an uncomfortable business. There are days when the conversations are hard, and the parts are moving slow, and a Guest is anxious about their potential repair or loss of time with their vehicle. It’s why my shop goes the extra mile to make sure curbside service is offered, and a loaner car is available, and why we have a guest room that is cozy and loaded with amenities. We want our guests to feel comfortable from the moment they walk in, till the moment they leave. We want them to sit down, make a hot tea, and ask the questions they have, while knowing they will get answers to feel confident in their repair decisions. Sometimes those decisions are heavy and unexpected, and it takes a friend to help navigate that. We want our guests to see us as friends because we are. Friends trust friends, friends can talk openly to friends, and I think business relationships should be based on trust and communication for solid longevity. Every business has a reason why they started and a base of consumers they are pitching it to. We could easily be a basic shop and offer basic car repairs and average service. But we wanted something different. We don’t work on cars because we have to. We do it because we genuinely love to. And when you love what you do, you want to treat the people you do it for the best you possibly can. Our team decided a long ago, we did not want our business's greatest testament to be the car repairs we did, but it would be the way we treated people. For more information, follow Schmidt Auto Care on Facebook , Instagram and visit their website . You can also follow her beauty pages here ! Read more from Lauralee ! Lauralee Schmidt, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Lauralee is a cosmetic guru turned auto care goddess. Her years inside a cosmetic education role with a Fortune 500 company armed her with knowledge and skills that paired perfectly with her passion for branding a business and educating a client base. Her goal is to educate women in car care, change the stigma that surrounds the auto industry, and be a guiding post for branding and business development. From international beauty campaigns to underneath a car, she has successfully navigated the world of business and branding.

Written by: Arthur Mills, Guest Writer We identified consistency as a key trait in any successful business in our ‘Consistency – the Business Buzz Word of 2020’ post . Consistency lets your clients know what to expect every time, it makes your operations more efficient, and it also sets a standard for your team to work towards. In a year full of unexpected changes, consistency has become a necessity. In 2020, the market needed stability and predictability, but this may no longer be the case in 2021. While consistency is a good thing, change may be better suited for your business moving forward, as explained in an article on Chron . With most companies moving online and customer behaviors following suit, change may be the best option. Change towards the right direction gives you a competitive edge and leads you to more growth . And here are some things that you can start with: A New Audience Nowadays, businesses are competing in an even more competitive landscape. More brands are trying to reach similar sets of audiences, and you have to be sure that you’re able to reach yours. Trust in your data and see if you’re really hitting the right demographic. You could be offering a great product or service, but if you’re failing to reach the optimal target market, then your brand will struggle to deliver results. By identifying a segment of the market that you need to tap into, you can then create better and more relevant content, like the ones suggested by Marketing Land . A Change of Scenery Choosing the right location for your business has become more important than ever since the pandemic started. State governments around the country have taken measures to help small businesses, with some states having better arrangements and packages for business owners. The office of the Secretary of State of California , for example, has made a renewed push to make running a business in the state easier. Their efforts link legitimate businesses such as registered LLCs in California to a wide range of resources and grants available online—allowing them to continue to thrive. So it’s no wonder the state has the country’s largest economy, although Texas isn’t too far behind. The state is among the cheapest to run businesses in. It also has established infrastructure and a robust workforce, which businesses in Texas , including several Fortune 500 companies, benefit from. Now that you’ve established your business and have some wiggle room, it may be time to consider relocating to a state that supports your business in the long-term. A New Marketing Strategy The pandemic ushered in a digital revolution, and as a result, companies have had to rethink their marketing efforts. Online marketing – when done right – can boost brand awareness and eventually result in better sales. SEO specialist Darrell Zahorsky says that to maximize your online marketing efforts , you need to monitor trends and learn to integrate them into your marketing plans. You also need to sharpen your communication skills to deliver your point in a language that your audience is receptive to. There are several channels you can use to accomplish your targets online, and Forbes lists some of the best ones , which include content marketing, PPC, email marketing, influencer marketing, affiliate marketing, and SEO. Focus on Your Staff One of your main tasks as a business owner is cultivating a working environment that stimulates your staff. Employees who feel supported and given space for growth will provide your company with fresh energy and ideas. There are simple things you can do to give your staff that extra level of support. Business Partner Magazine cites that giving your employees a platform to voice out their ideas and treating them like equals fosters a healthy working relationship between those in the team. It also goes without saying that proper compensation and reasonable benefits should also be discussed – not just at the beginning of employment, but also periodically throughout the employee’s stay with your company. Making changes is never easy, and there will always be challenges to overcome for every company. While there’s no way of knowing for sure what 2021 will bring, your willingness and openness to change can take your business another step closer to growth and success.

Written by: Allie Stark, 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 every turn of life, you will be met with people who will want to put you into a box. Of course, I’m not talking about a literal box. I’m talking about mental boxes. Our brains all have the ability to quickly read someone to label them and box them up. It’s a protective mechanism dating all the way back from the days of “predator or prey,” “friend or foe.” Sometimes we decide for ourselves where we belong, and sometimes we let others decide for us. These boxes can be both beneficial and harmful. On a superficial level, boxes can be great! Let’s say you are at a networking meeting, and you just met Phil, a plumber. You quickly file his name into the “Plumber File Box” in your brain and move on. Then, next month, a pipe starts leaking in your office, and you mentally run to that box, open it, and pull Phil’s name out so you can give him a call. The pipe is fixed. Phil has his money. Everyone is happy. Boxes are usually only harmful on a deeper level. Sometimes you are put into a box before you are even old enough to know who you really are or who you want to be. In our youth, we listened to our parents. What they told us built our base. It worked as the foundation for what life then piles on. In families with more than one child, perhaps you were put into a box exceedingly early, hearing things like, “He is the shy one,” “She is the smart one,” or “The athletic one.” Rarely does a young child want to disappoint a parent, so they work hard to fit the narrative that has been written for them. Even if they don’t feel it fits them. Maybe you’re still trying to fit into the narrative, for instance, by attending law school when culinary arts school is really your heart’s desire. Once we transition into school, we encounter more types of boxes. Perhaps you were placed in the Magpie group or the Eagle group in primary school based on your reading level. Despite the well-intended cute names, everyone knew who the “smart kids” were. And, the whole class knew who would be the final kid standing at the end of a dodgeball game, just as they knew who was at bat when the pitcher would yell to the outfield, “Bring it in!” When the yearly spelling bee came around, or it was selection time for football team captain or head cheerleader, it was no surprise who would be vying for the top spots. These titles move with you through your years of schooling until your box is ingrained into your psyche, even if it’s not where you want to be. Maybe you are athletic, so you're a “jock,” or you're bookish, so you're a “nerd.” These titles help file you into boxes that follow you far throughout your life. Decisions you make can be based on what “box” you have been designated to. For instance, you might tell yourself a “magpie” is not smart enough to go to college, a “jock” must work hard for a scholarship to continue to play sports, or a “nerd” must always be expected to pursue higher education. But, who designated you to your box? Was it your bullies? Your parents? Your teachers/coaches? Who is calling the shots on what label you're giving yourself, and what box are you living in? Some of us, even into adulthood, have a hard time separating the boxes we were told we fit into from the ones we feel we belong in. Look around at your mental walls and consider who built them. Are you living in someone else's idea of who you are and what you can accomplish, or did you build these walls yourself? While trying to build new walls, you might have someone telling you to stop. They might try to tell you that you’re wasting your time because they know what box you belong in. One of the best things about being human is that we can grow and change. We get to decide who we want to be. You are the only one who knows who you are and what you want out of your life. If you’re feeling claustrophobic inside the box you’ve been living in, realize those walls are made of paper, not bricks, and kick them down. Then start building or continuing to build your own box with plenty of windows and doors to open and shut as needed. Because at the end of the day, we all live in a box. Only you get to choose whether you want to stay in the box someone else placed you in or if you would rather design your own floor plan. To become a member, go to Moxie and join other successful women in business who are already making connections. Read more from Allie! Allie Stark, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Allie Stark is the Founder and CEO of Moxie. Inspire. Empower. Grow., a social network designed specifically for women in business. Moxie brings women from across the globe, together on one app, to support, inspire, and empower one another to help its members grow in business and beyond. Allie is passionate about forging meaningful connections and also an administrator of several women’s friendship Facebook groups across the United States and Canada. Allie holds degrees in Psychology and Education from Nebraska Wesleyan University, and for nearly four years, has helped thousands of women make significant and worthwhile connections. Allie resides with her husband and two teenage children in Gilbert, Arizona.