Written by: Emma-Louise Parkes, 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 latter part of last year, I accidentally carried out some interesting research. While batch recording episodes of my podcast, The Ambitious Introvert, I realized that I’d spent over 30 hours interviewing some incredibly successful introverted entrepreneurs in just a few short months. In honor of World Introvert Day, I’m sharing the common traits I’ve seen in these guests, which have helped them create everything from multi-seven figure businesses to 100k+ audiences (with plenty of ‘me-time’ sprinkled in). 1. They trust their intuition. As an introvert, you process information internally. Call it gut instinct, divine intervention, or that nagging feeling that won’t go away, and it’s vital to lean in & trust your inner guidance. One guest closed down a multi 7-figure business because it didn’t ‘feel’ right. Another ended her most profitable online course & passive income stream as it no longer aligned with her vision. In both cases, their decisions turned out to be absolutely right, leading to further success - even if there was seemingly no ‘logic’ behind them at the time. 2. They play to their strengths. Introverts often get drained easily, & I noticed that these guests are not willing to waste precious energy & time on anything outside of their Zone of Genius. They focus on what they love & what they’re good at & ignore or outsource the rest. 3. They’re intentional. Whether it’s only working during school hours, hitting 7 figures in revenue, or the type of client they choose to work with - none of this is left to chance by these ambitious introverts, who get crystal clear on what’s important, then build their businesses around that. They don’t compromise on their priorities & values. 4. They do uncomfortable things. When you’re new to entrepreneurship, those ‘firsts’ can feel scary - first investment, first sales call, first Facebook Live. Certainly, most of my own clients feel this way in the early days. Guess what? These super successful introverts felt exactly the same! But they all agree that the first step is the hardest & that with consistency, what feels like a huge challenge soon becomes your new normal. Speaking of consistency... 5. They’re consistent. Relying on your energy as an introvert means you sometimes won’t ‘feel’ like doing certain things. But successful businesses need solid foundations & systems, & these introverts all use schedules & automation to make sure important tasks get done regularly, regardless of how energized they feel. 6. They love to learn. So far, I’ve interviewed 2 PhDs & numerous master's degree holders - most guests, also have professional qualifications over & above what’s required for their roles. Almost all are avid readers. Introverts are natural-born researchers & love taking in information, which has given these guests a great business advantage. 7. They value support. Yes, they need their all-important alone time, but not when it comes to business or personal growth. Every single guest I interviewed invests in coaches, mentors & team members to support them, whatever stage of their journey they’re at. However, they choose who they surround themselves with very carefully, knowing easily they’re affected by other people’s energy, both positively & negatively. It can sometimes feel like entrepreneurs need to be extroverts to succeed, but the time I’ve spent recording these interviews shows that introverts are perfectly placed for business success - especially when they embrace their introvert superpowers. Whether you’re an introvert or not, ask yourself - which of the above could your business benefit from you doing more of right now? Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn and visit my website for more information! Emma-Louise Parkes, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Emma-Louise is a Business & Mindset Coach for ambitious introverts, empaths & HSPs, & host of The Ambitious Introvert Podcast. She works with new & established entrepreneurs to help them start, grow & scale successful, sustainable online businesses. During her 10+ years experience, she has personally coached over 100 individuals globally in a diverse range of sectors. She is a strategic life coach, trained facilitator, NLP master practitioner & holds accreditations in EFT/TFT & the Law of Attraction. After spending 17 years as an air traffic controller, Emma-Louise understands how important decision making, confidence & mindset are for success. Her focus on clarity, consistency & habits allowed her to build a 7 figure net worth in her 30’s - she now uses this knowledge to help her clients create solid foundations to support the massive levels of success they get from untapping their potential.

Written by: Edna Keep, 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. What are some of the excuses that you use? I have no time... I have no money... I don't know enough... I don't know the right people... I can't do it... Whatever your excuses are, you know your excuses better than I do. Have you ever taken the time to think about what's the weight of carrying your excuses around? You know some of you have been looking at building your multi-family portfolio for many, many years. And you're still struggling to get your first deal done. Within three months of starting my course, I have students making offers, getting offers accepted, and buying buildings. They are getting investors to invest with them. They are doing it and living their dream. Is it easy? No. There are always things that are come up, but at least they are moving forward. And it's ONLY when you move forward that things start happening for you. So again, what's the weight of carrying around those excuses? And what are those excuses? Grab a piece of paper and write them down. How many things have you told yourself over the years? I am not capable... I am not good enough... I don't know enough... There are ways to get around that. A lot of it is your mindset. So that's why I always talk about the mindset. You have to convince yourself first that you're worthy of all the success, and then you have to work on it. It's an ongoing thing. It's not something all of a sudden you're going to know everything about owning a multi-family. Heck, there are still some stuff that comes to this day that we don't know dealing with our multi-family units. But guess what, we have deals that we get to deal with. And that part is the exciting part we got. Tenants paying off our mortgages, we've got inflationary increases to our buildings, we've got tenant challenges. But you know what, it's all worth it in the long run. So, get off your excuses and start doing what you are meant to do. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , YouTube, and visit my website for more information! Read more from Edna ! Edna Keep, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Former Certified Financial Planner Edna discovered the power of real estate in 2007. Since then, Edna and her husband Warren have amassed a $60M Real Estate Portfolio, primarily multi-family and primary with OPM. Since 2014 she has been training and coaching real estate entrepreneurs who want to scale their real estate business into multi-family with Investor Capital. Along the way, Edna has learned that mindset is 90%, or more, of a person’s success and specifically attributes her success to studying and always working at improving her mindset. Thus, she focuses a lot on her students' mindset training.

Written by: Sarah Cady, 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 paying more attention to the health of your business than your own body? As focused, motivated, dedicated entrepreneurs and professionals who are intent on success in all things, we would never ignore something askew in our businesses affecting productivity and success, yet it’s not uncommon for things askew in our health to go dismissed, blatantly ignored, or, just as ill-advised, accepted as ‘normal’ signs of aging. It’s not uncommon for us to pay more attention to our businesses/work's health and functions than we do the health and functions of our own bodies. Please be cautioned that this is a fool’s way of operating. Oftentimes we brush these things off as annoyances, too busy with our day-to-day to appropriately address them. We may instead just take quick measures to mask them so we can continue. These annoyances, these symptoms, should instead actually serve as warning signs telling us something is amiss in our systems. Know that where symptoms are, dysfunction is already brewing. If you sat for a bit and made an evaluation, an audit, how your body is performing, so-to-speak, and how you are really feeling and functioning, what would you report? Are you… regularly popping antacids or other “digestive aides?” reaching for that caffeine boost later in the day to keep yourself going (or even needing a substantial amount in the morning to get yourself going)? finding you are using something to help you unwind, take the edge off at the end of the day? more short-tempered, feeling more overwhelmed and anxious? lying awake, tossing and turning, when you should be getting your much-needed sleep noticing that waist-line increasing? These are all very common red flags of dysfunction. Pay attention to and address these 4 warning signs of health at risk: 1. Digestive, gastrointestinal issues Heartburn, IBS, constipation, diarrhea, gas, and bloating all seem to be commonplace. More than irritations, these symptoms are things to take great note of and get resolved as soon as possible. There is a saying that all health begins in the “gut” (your entire gastrointestinal tract). It is responsible for so much more than just providing a passageway for food! Two-thirds of our immune system resides here (that should hit home now more than ever). It is where we fully break down and absorb our nutrients from food, thus supplying our cells with much-needed fuel. It is how our bodies provide a protective barrier from unwanted and potentially harmful organisms getting into circulation. When things are not functioning properly in our GI system, it is a sign of impaired health which does not stay isolated in our digestive tracts. Skin issues, headaches, joint pain, impaired thinking, and mood are common problems related to dysfunction in the “gut.” This may stem from improper ways of eating, eating the wrong foods, an unhealthy bacterial balance, medication use, stress, or infection. If not resolved, this will cascade into other health areas and affect our overall immune function, nourishment, and inflammatory status. The phrase “listening to your gut” needs to take on an additional meaning and provoke action. 2. Cognitive and mood issues Aging-brain fears aside (Alzheimer’s, dementia), we are typically concerned with being as sharp as possible, remaining calm, cool and collected, and keeping that strong sense of drive so we can execute efficiently. If we feel our wits dulling, have trouble concentrating or remembering (“brain fog”), feel anxious, irritable, or even melancholy, our work, relationships, and overall contentment of life suffer. No doubt this is something we have all experienced to some degree at one point or another, but if this becomes a regular state of being, pay attention and take action. There may be something metabolic at play. Stress is something that most people blame for lack of mental clarity and moodiness. While it’s true that stress is a culprit, the word “stress” means so much more than just emotional chaos. Stress can also be happening behind the scenes on a metabolic and internal level. No matter the source, stress will always wreak havoc on the system if not addressed. Cognitive and mood-related issues can stem from many things that are often not recognized as sources of such issues. Problems in the gastrointestinal tract, excess weight, hormonal imbalances, even blood sugar problems, and the wrong foods being consumed can affect our cognition and mood. Sometimes when we feel mentally foggy and/or emotionally unsettled, we may very well be imbalanced in these other areas. 3. Sleep problems/fatigue Some experts have said lack of sleep is even more detrimental to physical and mental health than a poor diet and can create more problems than just tiredness during your days. Sleep is a crucial element of health. As we sleep, biological and restorative processes are at work. Certain hormones are released and regulated, allowing for tissue repair and growth of new cells. Organs regenerate, and the processes related to detoxification are occurring. Our brains regenerate, program, improve synaptic activity, allowing for better concentration, memory, and mood. Our immune system is active during sleep, allowing us to search out and handle possible invading infections. (Think we need that especially right now?) And, of course, we re-energize for a new day physically and mentally, ideally waking completely refreshed. It is recommended that adults get 7-8 hours of quality sleep every nightfall asleep quickly and easily, sleep soundly and completely (unmedicated), and wake easily and energized. Many feel they can survive and even do “just fine” merely on a few hours of sleep each night, but biology would disagree. At this moment, I am not speaking to those cases where sleep is simply not prioritized—that’s a behavioral choice, and I urge you to put sleep high on your list. If you are one who feels you cannot commit 7-8 hours to something so critical because your lifestyle or your work keeps you burning the candle at both ends, I urge you to re-evaluate and re-prioritize for the sake of your physical and mental well-being. If you are having trouble with the quality of your sleep--difficulty with falling asleep, staying asleep, falling back to sleep, or a combination of those, I urge you to find help with investigating why. If you feel a general sense of exhaustion and fatigue, more than you are feeling energized and refreshed, seek guidance. Emotional and mental stress aside, plenty of other factors may be affecting your sleep. In my practice, I regularly see things like food sensitivities (which can lead to gastrointestinal breakdown), bacterial overgrowth, environmental triggers, and hormonal dysfunction all playing a direct role in the quality of my clients’ sleep. Find the answers, address the issues, make good choices to protect the quality of your sleep and thus your overall health. 4. Weight gain Whether it is explained weight gain (because of unhealthy choices) or unexplained weight gain, carrying extra fat pounds packs a serious punch on health. You might feel uncomfortable in your body, in your clothes, or may have a harder time doing physical tasks and activities, and you may also be headed for more serious problems. Fat is metabolically active tissue that sends cascading inflammatory signals throughout our bodies, impacts our physiology, and puts stress on our organs. Excess fat tissue can have a significant impact on processes that control blood sugar stabilization and sex hormone production. The more fat one carries, the more fat one stores. The more fat one carries, the more estrogen one circulates in the system, which could pose some negative issues for both women and men. If you see that waistline increasing due to some extra indulgences, take some positive action to self-correct. If it’s unexplained weight gain, seek a professional’s help to find potential reasons why this may be occurring. Underlying metabolic issues may very well be at play once again—bacterial overgrowth in the gut, adrenal or thyroid dysfunction, and blood sugar dysregulation maybe players. They can all impact the body’s way of storing fat. Sometimes it’s biology and metabolism, instead of a lack of willpower, that have a greater impact on creating this gain. You may have noticed a pattern. Many of the same possible contributors were present in each of these scenarios. It is important to note that the things listed may themselves be contributors to dysfunction or the results of dysfunction. The body’s systems all work together, affecting and being affected by one another—a holistic network—requiring all areas to be supported and nourished for optimal health. If you see yourself in any of these pictures, take it as a warning sign and as a golden opportunity to do some investigating and course-correcting so that you can be and operate at your best. Remember that where symptoms are, dysfunction is already brewing. Furthermore, they may also be limiting you from even greater success in your work, and if ignored for too long, they may legitimately become debilitating later down the road. How would that affect your ability to be effective in your work, not to mention your complete enjoyment of life in general? We certainly hold the well-being of our businesses as a top priority. We pay attention, and we invest in their success. Be sure that you are treating yourself as a priority. You are, after all, your business’s greatest asset. Invest whatever necessary in the pursuit of that. We’ve all heard the greatest wealth has good health. May we all truly believe in that real concept and live that truth. For more information, follow me on Facebook, Instagram and visit my website! Read more from Sarah Cady Sarah Cady, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Sarah Cady, FDN-P is the Owner and Practitioner of REIFY Holistic Lifestyle & Nutrition Coaching. She has had the privilege of coaching and supporting other healthcare practitioners in the Lifestyle/Functional/Natural Medicine space (for more than two decades) while also running her own holistic practice. Sarah specializes in working with clients who are motivated and committed to their wellness but are struggling with health challenges, don't know why and don't know how to 'fix it.' She provides them access to specific lab testing to help finally uncover the contributors to their struggles and then builds an individualized and targeted diet-lifestyle-self-treatment plan to help them finally become free from those struggles and frustrations and truly feel and function at their absolute best, coaching them and supporting them along the way. Sarah is passionate about seeing people finally achieve freedom from their health challenges and relishes in such successes of her clients.

Written by: Jessica Dahlberg , 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 business owners and entrepreneurs, there is just so much to do every single day. For most of us, our vision and strategy are really clear in terms of where we want to go and what we want to do. But sometimes, the approach is not as clear, as often, there are many different approaches to a strategy. As we then start to work in our day-to-day, it can get really frustrating and even draining on the energy if we don't get to seek the clarity that we really need and establish with absolute certainty what the approach should be. When I find myself in that situation, I've worked out a strategy for how to deal with it. I wanted to share that strategy with you today. A big part of what I'm working on with my clients as a Certified High-Performance Coach is seeking clarity and clarity at every level. So, I wanted to share these particular steps with you when I find myself stuck in not being 100% sure if my approach in how I want to execute the strategy that it is right. The first thing that I do is that I want to reduce all doubt. I reduce that by stopping what I'm doing. So literally saying, "Okay, I'm sitting here and I'm working," but there is a niggling doubt in my mind, whether or not the approach that I'm taking is actually right. Maybe it's because I've learned something. Maybe I read something, and there's a different way, or maybe I've heard it from somebody else. I get the sense that unless I stop and consider, I'm not 100% clear or sure. So, the first thing that I do is reduce a doubt, and I do that by stopping. Then the next step is to review and say, "Okay. All right, here's how I would do it, but here is another approach. Let's review those two against each other and see which one is the best." It is also to review which one is best against my monthly goal or my quarterly goal. Does it meet the timeline that I'm working towards to get this goal going? Then make a decision, a clear decision on which way to take. In essence, I'm creating that clarity for myself, weighing the different approaches against each other. Now, once I've got to that stage, then my final step is to reset the focus to say, "Okay, this is the approach that I've decided on." Now I'm going to make sure that I address this key question before I start again. "How can I do this with the highest level of competence based on where I'm at in my journey right now?" So that's the third step that I take to really bring myself back to focus on what I'm doing. This process does not need to take long or put a stop to what others are doing. I am simply listening to my intuition and confirming as objectively as possible that I’m on a track that I believe in. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Jessica Dahlberg, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jess Dahlberg, is a coach focused on high performance. After emerging from a personally traumatic time Jess transformed her life using the high-performance methods and insights. Jess is focused on helping entrepreneurs unlock their next level of performance in a sustainable way so they can build a lasting business. She is the Founder of Jess Dahlberg Coaching, and part of a select group of certified high performance coaches in the world. Her clients are from various industries like tech, wellness, property, coaches and steadily building. Jess is steadily expanding the Sustainable Performance Advantage program. Her mission: Create your optimal Entrepreneurs life.

Written by: Ebony Langston, 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 beginning of a new year is a wonderful time to commit to making some changes in your life. What changes would you like to make? You can ignite your passion and experience a more vibrant existence by making changes now. Use these strategies to begin making changes: 1. Pay special attention to your health. This is a key first step. Prioritizing your own health and wellness puts you in a position to give your best self to everything else you do. Revitalize by eating well, getting in regular activity, and getting proper sleep. These changes will boost your focus, energy, and productivity. Let yourself get excited about the changes you’re making regarding your body and overall health. 2. Read more. Although you may prefer other activities, reading is one pastime that expands your mind in many ways. Focus on reading about topics you enjoy or want to learn more about. If you love to travel, read travel guides and stories set in the places you’d like to visit. Learn a new skill just for fun. Take time to read articles and online forums related to your industry to continue to position yourself as an expert. 3. Each week, have a date with the love of your life. Dates are meant to enhance your closeness and make your relationship stronger. They also add an element of fun to your partnership. Whether it’s a Tuesday evening pizza and movie at home or a Saturday night dinner followed by dancing, spend special time each week with your partner. Ignite the fires of passion and change your lives for the better. Scheduling time for just the two of you each week enhances communication and deepens your connection. 4. Set priorities and keep them straight. There is no such thing as time management, there are only 24 hours in a day. You can, however, manage your priorities. Keep your priorities top of mind when making decisions on how to spend your time. Start this year by behaving in ways that demonstrate your priorities. Maintain your focus on what’s important to you throughout the year. When your existence matches your priorities, you’ll be more passionate about what you’re doing at home, in the workplace, and on your own. 5. This year, do something you haven’t done before. Nothing gets the juices flowing like engaging in a novel activity. Try a scavenger hunt around your city or take that dance class you have been contemplating. Maybe your new experience will be something you’ve wanted to do for years, or perhaps it’s something you’ve just decided to explore. 6. Put your best foot forward at work. If you’ve reached the point where you’re bored with work, it’s up to you to spice it up. Find opportunities to engage in new activities. Volunteer for that new project, take on an undesirable task, or simply expand your efforts each day. Even if you decide it is time to take a new direction, engaging more in your current job can create new opportunities and relationships that can help you excel your career forward. Do everything you can to live your best life, starting now. You’ll soon discover that you’re feeling more vibrant, interested, and passionate in all aspects of your life. Happy New Year! For more information, follow me on Facebook , Instagram and visit my website ! Read more from Ebony ! Ebony Langston, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Ebony Langston is an Executive and Health Coach and founder of You Deserve You. After spending 15 years in the corporate world in senior-level positions, Ebony realized that she was often in positions of devaluing her own health and self-worth to achieve more at work. She decided enough was enough and started prioritizing her health and well-being and found that she was able to contribute even more to those around her. Now she helps other women leaders achieve more by shifting the traditional “work harder” mindset to one that prioritizes your own well-being first to better serve others. Ebony has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Duke University; M.B.A from Webster University, Primal Certified Health Coach, NASM Personal Trainer certified and is pursuing board certification in Executive Coaching.

Melissa has compiled and published two books written by women who have experienced pregnancy struggles and contributed to three anthologies. Melissa was nominated and awarded an Australia Day Award in 2017 for her dedication and contribution in helping families through pregnancy loss. In 2019 Melissa became an ambassador for the Pink Elephants Support Network, supporting mothers who have experienced miscarriage. She has also started a business helping influencers write and publish their own personal stories so they can change the world. Who is Melissa? I’m Melissa Desveaux. I’m a wife, mother of two boys, a bestselling author, and I live in the southwest of Sydney, Australia. I also help other authors write and self publish their own books. Tell us a little bit about your book My Life of Loss, and the history behind it. Before my boys were born, I experienced two miscarriages, and my daughter was stillborn. I had another miscarriage after my eldest son was two years old. My life of Loss is the story of all six of my pregnancies. It was written after the birth of my youngest son when he was 9 months old. I started writing after the birth of my daughter and published it as blog posts. I wanted to write my story to share with other families who have experienced pregnancy loss, not feel alone, and that they do have support if they need it. You have also published two other books, what are they about? Yes, I’ve compiled two anthologies with 20 mothers who have also experienced struggles during and after pregnancy. The first is Comfort for the tears, light for the way, and the second was re-released, Comfort for the tears. I compiled these books because I knew many families needed books of this kind, so they feel that they are not alone in their grief. Grief of your own baby you don’t get to meet is indescribable. It’s the what if’s, guilt that you’ve done something wrong, there is anxiety for future pregnancies. Personally, I couldn’t wholeheartedly enjoy my pregnancies because of the worry something would happen, and I’d just get disappointed again. Have you written other books? I’ve contributed my own chapters in three other anthologies, and two of those became bestsellers. You are releasing a new book in February next year. Tell us a little bit about that. I am, it’s called Letters of Love. It’s a book of letters written by 12 authors who write to someone they love. Some of these letters are written to family members - mine is to my children - to a group of people, to themselves, to God, the Universe, and so on. The idea came to me during a time of negativity with the pandemic around the world. These letters bring positivity, inspiration, and they are empowering. They show that love is expressed in many ways. Hence the title Letters of Love. What is your big goal? Where do you see yourself in 10 years from now? My big goal is to show my children that they also need to work for it and experience it to achieve something in life. I’d love to travel the world with them and show them what’s possible and what’s also possible for me. Right now, I want to help 100 people become self-published authors. In 10 years, I hope to retire young, by 50, and live a comfortable life of freedom, with many positive memories made along the way. Do you have any advice you can give to people who would like to write their own stories? For sure! Honestly, just start writing. Everyone has a story or something they can write to help other people. A story, your book is there for life once it’s published. So many opportunities come up when you write your own book, and it gives you credibility. And don’t be afraid. Being vulnerable is what gains respect and trust with your readers and followers. Follow Melissa through her Facebook and visit her websites melissadesveauxconsulting.com and melissadesveaux.com. Read more from Melissa!

Written by: Anna-Karin Lingham, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Every year around New Year's Day, I write a letter to myself. I look back on the year that has passed — the experiences, learnings, people — and wrap it all up. Then I look forward to the year that is just about to start—my hopes, dreams, and goals. Also, the people I don´t yet know, but who I know will show up and maybe even become important to me as life moves on. I look forward as well to the new assignments, challenges, and adventures. It is like creating a future on a white sheet of paper. Some things are given, but I allow myself to look beyond them. Sometimes I set a theme for the new year to focus on. I finish my writing by sprinkling some magic dust on the letter and seal it up. Then I hide it. A year later, I pick out the letter from its´ hideaway, put a stamp on it, and send it to myself by mail. It is a feast to find it in my mailbox a few days later, as if it was sent from me a year ago. As I read it, I have forgotten most of what I wrote back then, but some goals have always been reached. Some dreams have come true. Some things are totally different from what I expected and hoped for. I am amazed by what life can bring in just a year. It gives me the energy to start the new year with fresh, clean, and crispy days, where possibilities and challenges are waiting for me. The year 2020 could not have been predicted. It has been a challenge for many of us. A positive change is longed for and well needed. However, the year of 2021 will not welcome us with a magic wand that will troll away all the hardship. If there are magic wands, we have them in our own hands. We are the ones who can create new possibilities and find new beginnings. During this fresh new year, I will meet you in articles about branding, both for your organization and yourself. Let´s create a stunning new branding year together. And until we meet again, why don´t you write your own letter with goals and dreams for your brand? As 2021 ends, you will be amazed at how much that will have happened. I wish you a Happy New Year! For more information, follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram and visit my website or Pick My Brain! Anna-Karin Lingham, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Anna-Karin Lingham is a branding expert with a great interest in both business and people. Since more than twenty years back, she has worked with marketing, branding and business development both in Sweden and on an international arena. She has had leading roles in companies like the Axfood group, the global premium brand Hästens Beds, the health company Apotek Hjärtat and the sports fashion brand Björn Borg. She has launched the concept Ambassador Branding, where corporate and personal branding meet for great financial results, strong job satisfaction and brilliant ambassadorship on the market. Anna-Karin has been appointed Mentor of the year by the Stockholm Marketing Association. She has written a guidebook in personal branding and is an active business developer, speaker and mentor. She is also an artist and outdoor adventurer, with a special fondness of high mountains. Her mission is to help companies and individuals to open their own windows and take place on greener and greater arenas.

Written by: Jessica East, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. “A brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers,” or so says Wikipedia. Organizations can agree that having a brand and carrying it through to both their print and digital assets is key for growth and customer recognition. But what about rebranding? While it’s tempting to throw caution to the wind and start a new brand as fashions or department heads change, that may not be the best solution. Things to consider before rebranding Why? Seriously. WHY do you want to rebrand yourself? Some reasons where I do not suggest a client rebrand: They’re tired of the look. They hired a new person/vendor who wants a rebrand. They feel like the look is dated.* An effective rebrand is more than a logo It must be thoughtfully and strategically crafted and rolled-out. Fun story: I once worked at an agency that rebranded itself before having a strong, internal marketing person (one year later, they hired me). For the next 4 years AFTER THE NEW LOGO WAS INTRODUCED, I was still correcting people and tossing materials with the old logo and brand. Communicating the importance of branding to your internal people is essential, so they don’t torpedo your organization’s ability to effectively market itself. A rebrand must be strategically unveiled to the public When you are ready to “go live” on your website, you must also be ready to toss all old assets (or recycle if you can) and replace them with new digital assets, printed assets, uniforms, and apparel…anything where your logo appears. In addition to the logo, think about all the ways you use your colors, fonts, and graphics. It’s common to use creative assets on apparel, vehicles, and even interiors. Remember that, even with the new brand that has been expertly unveiled, your client/customer base will need 6-12 months to associate that new brand with your organization. Should you let cost and client/customer learning curve dissuade you from rebranding? Absolutely not. In fact, there are many reasons why a rebrand can be in your organization’s best interest: Merger or buy-out bringing multiple organizations together. Name not representative of present services or product offerings. Legal reasons such as copyright or trademark infringement. There are times when rebranding makes sense for the future of the organization. Don’t be afraid to move in a new direction; just be sure that you’ve accounted for the totality of the cost and impact a new look will have on your employees and clients. If you feel like your look is dated, consider a color refresh instead of a rebrand. Yes, you’ll still need to update all assets, but you won’t start from scratch with client/customer recognition. When in doubt, ask a pro One of my personal mantras has always been never to let fear hold you back. Because there are so many moving pieces to a new brand roll-out, I strongly suggest hiring a professional to help you. Nothing is worse than trying to save money by keeping something in-house and then bungling it. Often the fix will cost more than hiring a pro in the first place. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Jessica! Jessica East, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jessica East entered the creative scene in 2001 when she started her design career at MeadWestvaco. From her initial position as a junior graphic designer, Jessica advanced to a small marketing firm, picking up marketing, social media, and event planning skills, and then on to a position as creative services manager for Five Rivers MetroParks. At MetroParks, she took on the challenging role of utilizing and policing new brand standards for an organization that previously lacked any formal marketing department. During her watch, the parks were pulled out of their staid ’70s look and blossomed into a new, energetic brand that matched the organization’s values of making the community healthy and vibrant. Jessica started her own agency, Noir Marketing and PR, in 2012. Ms. East obtained her degree in graphic design at Bowling Green State University, where she joined the Phi Mu sorority and remained an active alumna in her local chapter. In addition to making dazzling designs, this marketing maven has collected enough ADDYs to back U.S. currency. Other awards and recognition include a laundry list of local and national design and professional awards, including several Mercury Awards and nominations, ADDYs of all metals, OPRA and NRPA awards, recognition in Print and GDUSA magazines as well as Teen magazine’s “50 Hot Picks for School.”

Written by: AJ Merlin, 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. Can you remember what your resolutions were in January 2020? Is it weird to think about them almost a year in a pandemic? Before starting all over again with new goals for a new year, let’s take some time to reflect on the past year and see what is worth remembering. How do you know if you’ve been successful? Don’t compare what you’ve achieved (or not) with the pre-COVID standard. You’re here reading this, which says a lot. You’re focused on your career, and no matter what happened, you’re determined to be successful. Has 2020 slowed you down? You’ve plenty of time to catch up. Have you been overwhelmed with the amount of work you had to pull off? I hope you learned how to look after yourself and take a break (if not, keep reading). Treat 2020 differently and don’t compare it to the previous years. We used to live in such a fast-paced world where we only focused on the big wins. Celebrate the smallest victories you had and keep doing this moving forward. The year of self-awareness If 2020 has taught people one thing, it is how to look after themselves. Did you learn to play a new instrument or to speak a new language? According to Business Insider, Duolingo got new sign-ups rise to 108% in March 2020. Did you bake more? Banana bread now has 1.7 million posts on Instagram. Maybe you had so much work to do, juggling homeschooling, more house chores, and a new way of working. (I’m raising my hand here). How did you unwind when you had five minutes to yourself? With a different way of living, we got more involved in what matters to us and our self-development. What could you do from now on to make sure your mind doesn’t spiral into negativity? And if you haven’t started yet, it’s not too late. It can be as simple as going for a walk, run a hot bath, or do some coloring. How gratitude is the way forward How do you feel about the pandemic? One way to stop your brain from feeling negative feelings is to practice gratitude. Your brain cannot focus on negative and positive thoughts at the same time. Gratitude is the weapon against fear. So what are you grateful for? You might find it hard at first, but try to find ten (yes, ten!) things you’re grateful for. It can be as simple as “I’m grateful I have access to drinkable water.”. Maybe now you cherish more your family and friends. Maybe you discovered a new skill. Whatever it is, write it down, frame it if you want to, and remember what your strengths have been in 2020. Let’s be honest. No one has a clue what 2021 will be made of. We’re all hoping homeschooling will be better than 2020, and we should. So when you start this new year, remember all the amazing things you’ve accomplished for the past year, even the smallest victories, remember what you’re grateful for and what really matters to you, and enter 2021 with the confidence that you’ve got this. I know you do. For more information, follow me on Facebook, Instagram and visit my website! Read more from AJ! AJ Merlin, Executive Contributor, Brainz Magazine AJ is a Creative Mindset Coach who helps female creative freelancers and entrepreneurs strengthen their mindset and befriend their inner critic to manifest their full potential. She worked in the film, TV, and video games industry for the past ten years as an assistant producer, a script supervisor, an LQA tester, a writer. Her coaching business focuses on providing creative women with mindset tools that free them from their struggles and help them become their true selves. She focuses on three particular pillars: How to tackle your inner voice and reframe it so it becomes your empowering mentor, how to be efficient with your time and keep your motivation up no matter the obstacles, and how to feel empowered as a woman and achieve your dream in alignment with your values.

Written by: Adelina Stefan , Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. For many of us, the end of the year is a time to recharge, spend time with your family, and reflect on what worked and what didn’t during this year. It’s also a time to celebrate what we have achieved in a year full of uncertainty despite the potential. When reflecting on your actions and goals, two key questions to ask yourself are: 1. Did you accomplish what you planned or not? If yes, take a moment to celebrate, be grateful and define your new year’s resolutions. 2. If not, what held you back? It can be poor planning, commitment, lack of support, illness, unforeseen events, or anything else that may have stopped you from being fully focused on what really mattered to you. This will help you understand the root of not achieving your goal and whether it is still worth focusing it. In other words, if you could change something, what would that be to make it happen? What are the things you are proud of, and what areas in your life still need improvement? Maybe you spent too much time on getting some courses certifications that now you have realized it was not worth it, or maybe, you have worked so hard that you spent too little time with your family. As the answers will be unique for each of us and differ depending on each situation, reflecting on the past year’s goals and achievements will help you decide what you would like to include in the backlog of activities for 2021. For me, I think it was a productive year, being able to spend more time with my family, focus on my business and complete a few other certifications that helped me develop both on a personal and professional level. As an Agile Coach, having used Personal Agility System to help people gain more fulfillment and balance in their lives, I believe that a first step in setting priorities and resolutions is defining “what really matters?”. However, it’s not an easy question to answer for many of us. However, if you don’t have a clear destination in your journey or don’t know the values that drive you to those goals, why would you still do something? Setting goals can help you improve, change, become a better self, and make you feel that you are going in the right direction. However, it needs commitment, time, and perseverance. These are 5 golden tips that will help you achieve the New Year’s resolutions: 1. Align your smart goals with your inner values. What are you passionate about? what do you like to spend your time and energy on? By reflecting on your values and what makes you effective, you will become more confident in what makes you unique or at least unusual, in your own competencies, and hence, on what you need more. 2. Prepare well. Many of us are often absorbed by the end outcome and tend to rush into actions without being fully prepared for that change or transition. Invest enough time to familiarize yourself with what you need to get there and what resources you possess. Last, if you cannot manage it on your own, don’t hesitate to ask for support or someone who can help you move forward. 3. Start with small steps . For instance, if your goal is to become proficient in a specific language, set smaller milestones, such as completing an intensive course by March or preparing for your language test by September. Then, define the activities for that period. List at least one action for the next week and schedule time to accomplish it. 4. Reflect on your progress . Track regularly your progress to check if it works or if you need to make adjustments before being too late or spending too much time on something that doesn’t add value to you. Remember that you can always change something if it’s not going into your target direction. 5. Celebrate small wins. Even if you are driven by the result, it is important to take a moment to celebrate your small accomplishments that are part of your bigger goal. It can be that you found a new way of doing things easier, eliminated a bottleneck, or someone offered to help you get unstuck. What are your goals or intentions you set as we enter a new unpredictable year? Regardless of what resolutions you commit to, the goal is to improve your life and do more things that matter and bring fulfillment in your life! I wish you a New Year with happiness, health, and new achievements and inspirations in your life, and stay agile! If you have big distant goals, but you feel that you are not getting closer, or if you are not happy with your current personal or professional situation and where you are going, schedule your free clarity call with me and see we can work together towards your goals. Follow me on Facebook , connect with me on LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Adelina ! Adelina Stefan, Executive Contributor, Brainz Magazine Adelina Stefan is a Professional Certified Coach & Intercultural Facilitator specialized in Career Development, with a deep expertise in international HR recruitment and selection and Training and Development. Having worked for 10+ years across cultures, Adelina seeks to catalyze individuals’ potential, helping them create and implement their unique career blueprint and, at the same time, achieve a healthy work-life balance. She specializes in working with ex-pats and mid-to senior-level executives dealing with challenging work environments that can affect their performance and well-being. She supports organizations in building a corporate coaching culture by highlighting individuals’ maximum potential and engagement to become dedicated and highly successful employees. Her practice includes Career, Life, Executive, and Agile Coaching for individuals and developing and implementing corporate Human Resources practices for improving intercultural relations.

Written by: Michelle Greene Rhodes, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Adjusting to change can be challenging. Be it planned or unplanned, gradual or sudden, change is inevitable and very much part of being human. Over the past few months, we’ve experienced an extraordinary shift in our way of life due to COVID-19 pandemic. Even though lockdown is easing for many countries around the world, the pandemic has forever changed our lives. The use of masks and gloves is a part of our routine now; social distancing and queuing is now the norm. Public transport looks very different and our eyebrows are raised when we hear someone cough, sneeze, or sniffle. Schools and universities have moved online and workplaces have also changed due to social distancing. Such a gloomy situation is bound to have a deeply negative psychological impact on people. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll not only on the global economy but also on the mental health of many. With travel deferred, schools shut, loss of jobs and the mounting number of cases, the pessimism one may feel is normal. Such unprecedented circumstances can bring your morale down and emotionally drain you. The ambiguous and challenging times that loom ahead of us can leave our emotions going on a rollercoaster almost every day. So, how do we tackle this? Let us take a look at some tips that may come in handy while trying to navigate through uncertain times. 1. Acceptability is the key It is often said that ‘what we do not understand, we fear.’ As humans, it is only natural to respond to uncertain situations with fear. The first thing to do in these uncertain times is to accept the new normal. It is natural to feel vulnerable in such circumstances. You don’t need to feel stranded or alone. The pandemic is a problem that the entire world is facing. Acceptance can help you process your emotions and move away from any sort of negativity faster. Accept the reality and look for prospects that will assist you in moving forward. 2. Feeding positive thoughts to your brain Yes, it is possible to maintain a positive mindset during this pandemic. Don’t give in to feelings of gloom and doom. Such uncertain times call for a change in mind-set. It is absolutely imperative to keep a positive mindset and keep feeding our brain with positive thoughts and ideas. While it is easier said than done, training your mind is key and it does well to bear in mind that it is not an overnight process. 3. Distractions are not always bad Sometimes distractions can have a fruitful outcome. When you find yourself having low morale or feeling demotivated, avoid over-analyzing. Distract your train of thought by taking a break with some entertainment or a hobby that you might be pursuing. This will break the negative line of thought, enabling you to focus on what you are doing with a more optimistic attitude. If you feel that negative thoughts are taking over your mind, or you begin to experience fear, stress, anxiety or depression, seek help. Don’t stifle your thoughts and worries inside you. You can talk to a friend or a mental health professional. Talking about your fears and feelings can help alleviate them and lift your spirits. In summary, taking learning out of these tragic pandemic times will help you to stabilize even after this situation subsides. By utilizing positive thinking, which is an abstract concept- so of course there is more work to be done after doing so. To progress, you will need to take action yet also allow yourself rest. Taking action in any given situation can help you rise up, increase your confidence, and set you apart. Remember that although the pandemic has wreaked havoc on the world and disrupted our lifestyles, how we respond to it matters the most. Choose to think positively, take action in ways that make you feel better, and get the adequate rest that you need to reset your thinking so that your thoughts and actions line up accordingly. Visit our website for more info and connect with us on LinkedIn ! Read more from Michelle ! Michelle Greene Rhodes, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Michelle G. Rhodes is a Corporate Wellness Consultant and is Certified in Managed Care and Licensed as a Registered Nurse. By combining her love for Managed Care/Population Health background with her innate ability to create educational programs and cost savings solutions uniquely designed for each employer, Michelle is sought after for her multiple successes in cost-saving and exceeding targets. She has helped corporations craft wellness programs that offer definite returns on investments and assists them in meeting and exceeding their annual performance measures and goals. Michelle creates various wellness initiatives for awareness campaigns all the way to the creation of wellness culture transformations. Michelle Rhodes Media LLC is also a continuing education provider for Nurses, by the California Board of Nurses, and provide workshops for Nurses to learn continuously. References: https://medium.com/live-your-life-on-purpose/5-fears-that-are-holding-you-back-from-pursuing-your-dreams-1fe7b8ee6e2c https://thriveglobal.in/stories/yes-it-is-possible-to-maintain-a-positive-mindset-during-this-pandemic/ https://www.peoplemattersglobal.com/article/life-at-work/how-to-navigate-through-uncertain-times-with-a-reframed-mindset-25903

Written by: Xiomara Overman , 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 is the rise of more business trends in the technology industry that positively influences all other industries. As an Export Business Advisor, I've seen the new business trend in March 2020. This Business Trend has five important factors that businesses need to be aware of in order to be able to Pivot or Thrive in 2021. This business trend I am referring to is the "Data Processing in Business Operations." To have a sustainable business, waste management and crisis management are essential assets. The five important factors in business operations are as follows: Factor 1: Financial Data Management Factor 2: Internal Communication Data Management Factor 3: Crisis Resistant Data Management Factor 4: Waste Management Factor 5: Database Management Each factor needs to be carefully considered, and the needed Technology Tools should be in place, specifically in 2021. The lack of secure data processing in most businesses made most of the businesses unable to pivot in time when most governments in several countries declared lockdown in the midst of the crisis caused by the pandemic. The industries most affected were those that didn't have a Data Processing System that is automated and reliable. The next case gives an overview of why the five factors are essential in making the decision to pivot during a crisis. Case description: Problem: The number of customers is decreasing based on the data collected in 3 months. Evaluation: Which services are not in demand anymore? What is causing the decrease based on the Data? When were the first signs shown according to the Data? According to the Crisis Resistant Management Protocol, which are the steps to avoid a crisis that may affect operations in the next month? To have a secure Data Processing System in your business, it's important to have Cybersecurity Tools with the needed Internal Protection Protocols in place. That's why if one of the five factors are missing, 3 major impact may occur in your business: Economic impact, especially in cash flow management Unsatisfied customers Cancellation of several services that has an impact on the income streams It's time to add the needed procedures in the five mentioned factors to successfully pivot and thrive in 2021. We help businesses find the gaps in the mentioned factors and improve their Data Processing System with the needed Digital Resources. Send a message for additional information or questions about the Data Processing Trend to info@activ-services.com. Cherish the special moments during this Holiday Season and a Happy New Year 2021! For more info, follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn and visit my website ! Xiomara Overman, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Xiomara Overman is an International Business Advisor with more than 8 years of experience in Strategy and Procedures Management. For the last 3 years she has worked with International Companies in improve their Business Processes for export from their Products and Services. She is the Founder and CEO of ActiV Business Development Services. During the Pandemia she worked closely as member from the Professional Team from the Ministry of Economy Development in Curaçao to help restructure Businesses in have Crisis Resistant Processes in Business. She has the possibility as Partner from SUM International to help Businesses scale their Business in Central America, including Dutch Caribbean and enter the European Market successfully. She and her ActiV Team are ready to provide guidance with Public Relations Services and Trade Documentation in 6 languages. She organizes Innovation Tour to enter New Markets in the Central and Latin America Region. Her Mission is develop Business Processes that are scalable and crisis resistant.