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. There are similarities between painting a masterpiece and working with branding. You need to use large brush strokes to set the strategy and brand platform. Then you need to focus on details to make everything complete and clear to the customer or viewer. Let´s look at a simple model for branding. You can use it for both corporate and personal branding. It includes 3 perspectives: Identity Profiling Image Your identity is the internal perception of your brand. If you have created a clear brand platform from which all employees agree upon and act from, you have great conditions to be consistent and trustworthy on the market. This is where you find the large brush strokes in your painting. Then you send out consistent signals and messages in all your profiling channels based on your identity. It may be in live meetings, social media, emails, phone calls, the way you dress and act, your graphic profile… This is where you find many of the details in your painting. Your image is how the market perceives you. Will they be attracted to and interested in your brand? Are both large brush strokes and small details clear to them so that they find you trustworthy? Be aware that there is always noise in the mind of the consumer. It affects their perception of your brand and is based on values, preconceptions, memories, and other things. The clearer you bring about the picture of your brand to the market, the less space there is for undesirable noise. Just remember to keep your eyes on the market while you build your brand. Is there a target group out there who will find your brand attractive? If so, then just Go Go Go with your brushes ! For more information, follow me on LinkedIn , Instagram and visit my website or Pick My Brain ! Read more from Anna-Karin ! 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: Katarzyna Terlecka, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. I recently talked to two female friends of mine. They are both intelligent, gifted, and successful women. They work, take care of their family members, and have no space for themselves and their well-being. They say they don't' have time for that. While talking to them, I really felt that their bodies and emotions need some attention. Not in a few years when their are grown up, but right now! Do you resonate with that? Do you also wait for the right time to take care of yourself and your needs? When will that right time come for you? 1. Change that story in your head. As much as I feel for you and can imagine how hard it is to juggle between a job, various obligations, and family life sometimes, I also know that this is all a story that you have in your head. It might differ in terms of details case by case, but it is something along the lines: "If I want to be a good mother and wife, I need to put my family first." "I spend so much time at work/ with my professional obligations that I owe my children all my free time." "I need to devote all my free time and resources to my kids for them to be happy." I could continue writing, but I am sure that you know what I mean. Do you know that you base such beliefs on what you were told, taught, or observed when you were a kid? None of them is universally true. And each of them is limiting you and affects your well-being. What is more important, you can change each of them to a belief that is empowering you. That makes you feel valuable and loveable, no matter what. That makes you feel important enough to take care of yourself at least as much as you take care of others. Once you do that, you will realize how much lighter and joyful you feel. Your body will be healthier. You will feel an authentic you. 2. Do this anytime and anywhere. Being a former transactional attorney, who used to work 24/7 and felt that eating or sleep is a waste of time sometimes, I also know that the more you think, "I don't have time to take care of myself, I am too busy" the more you and your body need that. The good news is that you can start with this simple heart coherence technique introduced by HeartMath Institute. It will change how you feel during your busy day. You can do that everywhere – at your desk, between meetings, in a taxi, while taking care of your kids, or cueing in a shop. All you need to do is: take some deep breaths into your heart area (feel the air coming in and out of the heart) think of something that you are grateful for or somebody you care about let this feeling of gratitude, love, or care spread out through your chest stay with it for few seconds. Repeat these steps few times during the day and especially when you feel stressed and anxious. These simple steps will result in your heart sending positive signals to your brain, and the brain will send the relevant signals to your whole body. The hormones, such as cortisol, will start dropping down, you will have more clarity in your mind and start feeling an internal peace—the science research effects of the heart's influence on our brain functions for years. 3. Find some free space on your phone to do this one. Another technique that you could use to take care of yourself, even if you have no time, is: create a new folder in your smartphone and call it, for example, "emotions" (or however else you want to call it) every time you feel any challenging emotion during a day that you cannot or don't' wish to express, write it down in that folder - just one word. Write "angry" if you feel angry at your partner; write "disappointed" if you feel disappointed with the situation at work; write "frustrated" if you have enough of explaining your coworker the same thing a third time, etc. In this way, instead of pushing down your emotions and storing them in your energetical body that could ultimately lead to some sickness, you are expressing them on the spot. You are also learning that it is safe for you to express these challenging emotions. Nobody will argue with you, and nobody will try to challenge you and your right to be angry, disappointed, frustrated, etc. It is safe, and you can do it anytime and everywhere. Observe your body and the effect this technique has on you. It will not only make you feel relief but will enable you to restore balance in your 5th energetic center (so-called throat chakra) that is responsible for self-expression. Work with Katarzyna! If you are struggling with finding your inner power, confidence, and self-worth in the professional world or look for more connection with your intuition and inner wisdom, Katarzyna is a coach for you! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and visit my website! Read more from Katarzyna! Katarzyna Terlecka, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Katarzyna Terlecka is an Authentic Empowerment Coach for career and entrepreneur women. As a former attorney with over twenty years of experience in mergers and acquisitions and working with the top leaders around the world negotiating complex international transactions, she is able to unite highly practical systems with an intuitive energy approach to inspire and empower women in their personal development. Applying active listening, intuitive, energy, and coaching skills, paired with her knowledge of the corporate world and the woman’s role in it, she leads women to discover their unique inner power, activate their intuition and confidence and express the depth of their feminine wisdom.

Written by: Linda Terjesen, 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 “funny” to think that we are directly hurting ourselves. Think about it. You really want to go LIVE on Facebook, but you’re scared. You want more followers on Instagram, yet you keep your account private. You long for a certain promotion at your work, but you keep playing small. You want to improve your health, but yet you keep eating comfort food and drinking soda. You want to grow your business, but you don’t want to invest in a business coach. The list goes on…. The problem here is, what you resist persists! Resistance will cause you a lot of problems as you are: Not living in harmony - you want to lose weight, but you don’t want to exercise. Going sideways / staying the same as you keep doing what you know versus trying something different. Lacking focus and thus end up overwhelming more often than not because you’re not as productive as you want to be. Trying too hard and overthinking the process. Scared of the unknown because what if it’s not what you thought and maybe you won’t want to do it after all. Holding back because that’s what you’re used to doing. Afraid it’ll be too hard, and you’d rather it be easy. Having mixed feelings and you want to do what feels best because it’s much safer. Wanting to stay comfortable and stick with your current routine and patterns because they are familiar. Resistance is actually a signal that you’re moving into a new area, so it’s best not to resist resistance because you are on the path to something bigger and better. Besides, why postpone your own goals and desires?! “Nobody ever died of discomfort, yet living in the name of comfort has killed more ideas, more opportunities, more actions, and more growth than everything else combined. Comfort kills!” - T. Harv Eker Growth begins at the end of your comfort zone. The comfort zone is a place to relax in between your growth stages, but you don’t want to stay here too long as it can kill your momentum! You are programmed to fight or flight, but if you work on letting go, life will flow so much better. Accept help, and you will grow faster and more efficiently. So sit back and let your awareness kick in, think about what you want, stop resisting, and work on mastering your own desires. It’s a journey like no other, but very worth the growth and happiness in your mindset and life. Let go and let God. For more information, follow Linda on Facebook , Instagram and visit her website ! Read more from Linda ! Linda Terjesen, Executive Contributor BRAINZ Magazine. Linda Terjesen is an International sought-after Certified Nutritionist, Health & Fitness Expert dedicated to helping middle-aged women worldwide build consistency, lose belly fat and boost metabolism to feel and look confident for life with a sustainable, real food approach. After Linda lost her only brother at age 45 to a sudden heart attack, Linda decided to follow her passion for health and fitness and help others live their healthiest life. As a relatable Coach who truly cares about her clients and their success, Linda has served over 100 Clients worldwide, providing a wealth of accountability, support, and education.

Written by: Cheryl Kasper, 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. Spiritpreneur is a noun that refers to a successful woman who combines spirituality with entrepreneurship. I have always looked at myself as an entrepreneur and as a spiritual woman. But, when I heard the word 'Spiritpreneur ,' it hit home! YES, that is who I am! I am a spiritual entrepreneur in full alignment. It wasn’t easy shifting into a Spiritpreneur. I had to push through the mud like a lotus flower before I was able to bloom. As a clinical therapist, I hid my spiritual side for a long time. I didn't want to be seen as "weird, crazy, or woo woo." I feared being judged. It wasn't until I did the deep inner work, believed in myself, and understood my life's purpose that my business exploded! But it wasn't always this way. A few short years ago, I was overcome with anxiety, overwhelm and burn out. I was working 60-70 hours a week, my marriage was falling apart, I wasn't there for my kids, and we were over $100,000 in debt. I felt like my life was crumbling right before my eyes. Worst of all, I felt like a failure- failing in my marriage, as a mom, in my career, and financially. I was ashamed, embarrassed, and worried about what others would think of me if they really knew what I was going through. I was burning the fire on both ends, and my mental health was being affected. I was burnt out, resentful, and incredibly stressed out. I felt as if the walls were closing in on me, and I had nowhere to run. I was scared of losing my marriage, my business, and my life. I was trying to "do it all," and I put a lot of pressure on myself to be "perfect." Nobody knew that my internal struggle to feel "good enough" was causing so much anxiety and overwhelmed me. I always had a smile on my face to hide the pain, but inside I was crumbling. I knew burning the fire at both ends was not working, and so personal development became an addiction for me. I traveled around the country to workshops and trainings to better myself, both personally and professionally, from top leaders and gurus. I was starting to feel better. I began to forgive and release all of the negative emotions that I had been harboring for so long. This journey led me to find spirituality. That was that a-ha moment for me.I felt a profound shift combining personal development with energy work and spirituality. This was the shift that would change my direction, like a sailboat changing its course with the shift of the wind. I took fearless action and began to surround myself more with positive people. I distanced myself from negativity in my life. I did the deep inner work, hypnotherapy, energy work, meditation, journaling, and affirmations. All areas of my life began to explode and blossom in such an amazing way. I was opening up to what the Universe had in store for me all along. I know I had to experience all of that pain to get to where I am today. I have a deep sense of peace, purpose, and belonging. The anxiety and overwhelm are gone. I am debt-free. My marriage is amazing, I created a life of freedom and peace, and my business is skyrocketing. Here are my 7 tips to becoming a Spiritpreneur: 1. Believe in yourself . For you to share your spiritual gifts with the world, you must believe in yourself. I'll be honest, and this was not easy. It requires you to turn inwards and banish any limiting beliefs you have about yourself and understand where those beliefs originated. Has someone made you feel not good enough as a child? Did someone discouraged you from using your spiritual gifts? 2. Honor your gifts. What are your unique gifts? Dig deep to uncover the spiritual gifts you have. How do you help others? What do others say about you? What do others come to you for? Believe that your spiritual gifts were placed upon you to help and heal others. Trust in them. 3. Get clear on your soul's purpose/ mission. We are all created and placed on Earth for a purpose. What is your purpose? Journal on it? Ask someone close to you. Sometimes others see in you what you can't because you may be dimming your light. Your purpose in life drives you and moves you forward when you are in flow and content with your life. 4. Have a clear message. Now that you believe in yourself, know your unique gifts and understand your soul's purpose, it's time to have a clear message. This is the key to becoming a spiritual entrepreneur. Talk about your spiritual gifts and talents and how they can help your ideal client. Focus on the points that your client wants to overcome. Once they know you understand them, they will connect with you on a deeper level and trust you. Talk about your own journey, the journey of others you have helped, and the transformation you can provide for them. 5. Connect. Connection = Success. Look for places that your ideal clients hang out. Is it on FaceBook? Instagram? LinkedIn? Local business groups? Meetups? What social media groups are they in? Join all of these platforms. Get noticed. Provide value in those groups, talk about your unique gifts and how you've helped yourself and others. Be visible and consistent. Most social media groups have specific days to promote your business… people are looking for what you offer. Be visible. 6. Be unique. Offer a service or product that is unique. Stand out from others in your niche. What makes you different? Do some "market research" in some social media groups to understand what people are looking for. It's not what you think they want. Your ideal client will tell you what they are seeking. 7. Trust yourself. Listen to your intuition and trust your gut. If it feels right, you're in alignment. If not, tweak it until it feels genuine and authentic. When everything is in the right place at the right time, you will attract clients and abundance and will be in the most divine flow. You will be a Spiritpreneur. There are times where we may need support and guidance and maybe in a dim place, but in the darkest of times comes the light of transformation. I have collaborated writing a book with 12 other female Spiritpreneurs from 9 countries around the world, who all share their personal stories of struggles to success and how each of us overcame adversity and embraced our spirituality to become new, empowered versions of ourselves. Our lives improved. Our businesses skyrocketed. We are all leaders, therapists, coaches, speakers, and, above all, empowered women. I hope you find comfort in these empowering spiritual stories and the valuable advice these Spiritpreneurs shares to find inspiration, motivation, and courage for your unique journey to spiritual and transformational success to become a Spiritpreneur. Click here to order your book: US , UK , AU , CA , and NL . For more info, follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn and visit my website ! Read more from Cheryl! Cheryl Kasper, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Cheryl Kasper, LCSW, is a Clinical Psychotherapist with a private practice in New Jersey. Cheryl is also a global Mindset & Empowerment Coach. Cheryl helps female entrepreneurs achieve balance in their life by showing them how to do the deep inner work by removing negative beliefs, blocks, Imposter Syndrome, anxiety & overwhelm to up-level their life and business. Cheryl uses a unique mix of her 25 years of clinical psychology experience, Rapid Transformational Hypnosis, deep inner healing, mindset, and strategy, to work with both the conscious and subconscious mind. She integrates psychology, neuroscience, and spirituality into her practice for rapid and permanent results.

Written by: Anna Vogel, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. I have a lot of lists. Lists of goals, visions, and dreams. In my phone, in different folders on my computer, and in my notebooks. This is how I used to work with my vision and my goals. To write them down, read them as often as possible, and check the small wins towards my dreams when I took action. And I still do. But I've also added something—a vision board. Every new year, I bring out magazines, scissors, glue, pens, and a big white paper. And I create my goals and vision in pictures instead of text, in feelings, instead of checkboxes. And it works for me. Why? Well, the finished vision board is not hidden away amongst other digital files; it's on my closet door. It's big, it's colorful, and it makes me happy every time I look at it. So that's one reason why it works. I get reminded of my goals and vision every morning, and it makes me happy. And happiness sparks motivation for me. And it talks to my heart, not just my brain. We also know from sports psychology that visualizing what you want is a beautiful tool for reaching goals. And last by not least - it's creative and fun to make a vision board. This year I was reluctant to make a vision board because it's been so clear in 2020 that many things are out of our control. Then I decided to do it anyway, and I´m so happy I did it. Dreams and goals are essential to me, even in times when a lot is unknown. So I choose to be hopeful about the future, letting the pictures fill me with joy, love, and anticipation instead of fear of the unknown. So how can you make your own vision board? Here's a step by step guide to get you started. 1. Set away a few hours. You don't want to feel rushed when you do your vision board. 2. Sit down, close your eyes, and feel into your vision and goal for the year ahead. Where do you want to be? What do you want to achieve? Who do you want to be? What do you want to feel? Who is doing all these fantastic things with you? 3. Write down your insights from answering the previous questions. 4. Decide what type of vision board you want to do. Maybe you want to do one for a separate part of your life, for example, health, a new apartment/house, a creative project, or your business. Perhaps you want to do one for all areas, that's up to you. 5. It's time to create your vision board and get creative! Make sure you have some material when you start. I use a large paper, magazines, printed pictures and words, a pair of scissors, and glue. Fill your vision board with all the things that make you feel good! When done, put it in a place where you can see it every day. As I wrote before, I have mine on the inside of my closet door. Since I know I have to get dressed every day (well, at least half dressed for Zoom meetings), I won't forget to watch it. Watch the magic unfold when you see your vision board every day, especially when you start to take conscious action towards your goals. You can also do a vision board with your family. Or your team at work. What I’ve learned about my vision board (and Marie Kondo) is that it sparks joy. So I keep doing it. Not even a pandemic can stop me. For more details and other tips for creativity, health, and self-awareness, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or visit my website! You can also visit Hey Creative Mindstudio on Instagram. For Swedish readers: Join my online course Sju strategier för inre kraft och hållbarhet! Read more from Anna! Anna Vogel, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Anna Vogel is a coach, a mindfulness instructor, and a singer based in Stockholm, Sweden. She's passionate about helping women create a work-life they love. She's also helping individuals and teams access better health, inner strength, creativity, and internal motivation. She's the founder of Hey Creative Mind Studio, an online learning space, and Women in Business, a one on one coaching program for women. "With a higher degree of self-awareness, we can work proactively with our health, goals, and mission in life. Let's say goodbye to burn out, overwhelm, and pressure. And let's say hey and hello to creativity, playfulness, and ease."

Written by: Ellie Shefi, 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 new year is the perfect opportunity to take stock of how your daily habits impact your long term success. Whatever you want your life story to be, you are the author, and right now is the time to make positive changes that will sustain and accelerate your path to success! The most successful people stick to simple, daily habits that keep them focused on exactly what they need to do to make the most of their time and maximize their results. This can be you! You can stop filling the pages of your life story with things that don’t serve you and instead make intentional choices every day to create the life you truly want. Your daily choices become your habits, and your habits become your routine, which drives your outcomes and shapes the story of your life. Write the story you want by taking control of your habits now! Here are four ideas to get you started as you brainstorm about the habits that will best serve you in the coming year: 1. Start Each Day By Investing In Yourself Your morning routine sets the tone for your whole day so set yourself up for success by being intentional about how you begin. Morning routines look different for everyone, so give yourself some time to experiment with what works best for you. The important thing is that you find a morning routine that energizes you to cultivate a positive mindset and focus on the most important tasks for the day. Many are at their best when they get moving first thing in the morning with a yoga practice, a run, or an early morning bike ride to clear their heads. If breaking a sweat right after you roll out of bed is not your thing, you might want to consider activities that invite you to look inward, like meditation, reading, or journaling. Lots of people do a little of both! Whatever habits you cultivate to care for yourself at the start of each day, be sure it’s a routine you enjoy. If it feels like a chore, it’s tough to stay consistent. Make your morning routine something that you look forward to each day, which fuels your fire to succeed! 2. Ask Better Questions, Get Better Answers. Repeat. When I first start working with a new coaching client, I pay attention to the types of questions they ask. As Tony Robbins says, “Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers.” This is absolutely true. The reason we ask questions is so we can use the answers to make better decisions. So, whether you’re working to improve your performance, pivoting to provide a better product or service to your clients, or seeking to deepen a relationship with a loved one—the quality of the questions you ask is important. Are the questions you’re asking problem-focused or solution-focused? Do they presume something can’t be done, or are they empowering and framed from the perspective of “How can I…?” By asking probing, solution-focused, how questions, you’ll get the information, you need to develop solutions, make improvements, and progress along the path of success. So make it a habit to ask excellent questions! Build this habit by starting to ask the most important questions: the ones you ask yourself. When you ask yourself better questions, you get better answers, and when you have better answers, you make better choices. And what do your choices become? The habits that shape the story of your life. So ask yourself better questions. Ask the tough questions. The questions you’re afraid to ask. The questions that require you to get specific about who you are, what you want, and what you need to do to create the life you desire. Once you’ve answered these questions for yourself, then you can reach out to trusted friends, colleagues, and mentors for further perspective. Take their answers along with your own and progress into action! Invite your community of support to hold you accountable as you build new habits, take new action, and keep moving forward. 3. Pursue Progress One Win at a Time Burnout! Failure! Unfinished projects! It happens to us all! Everyone has moments where we lose our motivation, fixate on setbacks, and just can’t seem to get where we want to go. So what’s the difference between the people who quit and the people who succeed? Habits. When you’re committing to a lifetime of success, you must cultivate working habits that keep you focused on progress. Yes, dream big! Then, create a plan. The path to success happens one step at a time, with many milestones along the way. Avoid getting overwhelmed and losing steam by making a habit of focusing on the most important task right now, rather than the mountain you’re climbing. When it comes to creating an action plan, I like to work backward from my end goal by creating quarterly, monthly, weekly, and daily goals. The logic here is easy. If I can accomplish my daily action items, then I know I’ll accomplish my weekly goals. If I accomplish my weekly goals, then I’m on track for my monthly targets...and so on. The key is to ensure tasks and milestones are realistic and achievable. If it’s more than you can handle, then it’s easy to get overwhelmed or discouraged, and then it’s tough to make progress. And, remember, not every day will go as planned, but if you make a habit of focusing on your progress—taking it one step at a time and refusing to let setbacks distract you—you’ll achieve your dream in no time! 4. Focus on What You Can Control Nothing will waste your time and halt your progress like focusing on the things you can’t control. Many people are looking back at 2020 and realizing they poured a ton of time and energy into things that were completely out of their control. The question is, how much time and energy did they pour into making positive choices in situations where they did have control? It’s two sides of the same coin! No matter the state of the world, there will always be situations that you can’t control. And, of course, you can’t control how other people behave. However, in the brilliant words of Victor Frankl, “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” You can choose how you react to uncontrollable situations. You can choose growth. You can choose progress. You can choose to remain solution-focused. You can choose to be grateful and find the good, the lessons, and the blessings in situations and events. Focusing on the things you can control takes practice, but, like all habits, it gets easier and easier the more you do it. The next time you get frustrated, something’s not going as planned, or things feel out of control, just pause. Give yourself time to find that space between whatever is happening and your response. You might be feeling angry, sad, or even fearful. That’s ok! Acknowledge your feelings, then assess the whole situation with a clear head so you can adjust, learn, and move forward. It’s incredibly empowering to master this habit, and the results are undeniable. When you learn to focus on what you can control and let go of things you can’t, you’ll be unstoppable. One final note for you as you kick off the new year: keep it simple. The biggest mistake people make early in a new year is overcommitting. To create lasting habits that will fuel your path to success, follow the lead of the most successful people in the world by cultivating simple, daily habits that will serve you in all areas of your life. If you start every day by investing in yourself, asking better questions, pursuing progress one win at a time, and focusing on the things you can control, 2021 will truly be your best year yet. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and visit my website! Read more from Ellie! Ellie Shefi, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Ellie Shefi is the very definition of tenacious. Having overcome a lifetime of adversity, including abuse, domestic violence, homelessness, cancer, and a myriad of other health issues that have seen her fight for her life for over two decades, Ellie has mastered mindset, resiliency, and resourcefulness, and she has dedicated her life to the empowerment of others. Ellie is an attorney, entrepreneur, coach, business strategist, keynote speaker, and award-winning author; featured contributor to publications, podcasts, television shows; teacher, trainer, philanthropist, and engaged community servant. Ellie’s mission is to impact lives. A master problem-solver and opportunity creator who's determined to change the world, Ellie is the go-to expert for practical, easy-to-implement, results-driven tools, strategies, and resources that equip and empower you to take control and create the authentic, abundant life of your dreams. She is the creator of You Are Not Your Scars™, a movement that provides resources to empower women; Unlocking Your Superpower™, a program that provides resources to empower entrepreneurs; Creating An Impervious Mind™, a program that provides resources to empower the mind; and Made 2 Change The World™, a movement that provides resources to empower the next generation. Ellie is also the creator of Amplify Your Story Now™, a program that provides resources to authors and aspiring authors, and Sisters Rising™, a book series that provides women with a platform to tell their stories, showcase their businesses, and raise awareness of their work. An award-winning author, Ellie's books include: Unlocking Your Superpower: 8 Steps to Turn Your Existing Knowledge Into Income; Sisters Rising: Stories of Remarkable Women Living Extraordinary Lives; and The Authorities: Powerful Wisdom from Leaders in the Field (which she co-wrote with Les Brown, Bob Proctor, Marci Shimoff, and Raymond Aaron). Ellie is also the author of the upcoming book SuccessOnomics, which she is co-writing with Jack Canfield.

Written by: Aden Eyob , 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. Ever wondered why change is cumbersome or short-lived? Have you exhausted the plethora of self-help books and seminars only to find yourself back in the same coping mechanisms you willed yourself out of? The reality is, change, and one that is long-lasting, is gradual and requires self-awareness. Furthermore, understanding the stages of change is pivotal to make a difference - whether that's on your desires, relational or organizational goals - it comes down to the logical level on which you currently operate and the change you're attempting to make. According to Robert Dilts, a developer, author, trainer, and pioneer in the field of Neuro-Linguistic programming proposed six fundamental Neurological Levels to change: environment, behavior, capabilities, beliefs, identity, and spirituality, which is often depicted in a pyramid diagram as follows: Environment : The first pillar of the change pyramid is about the surroundings, the external conditions that affect a person's behavior and experiences. Associated with the senses and with the questions "where?", "when?" and "with whom?" Behavior : The next stage of change is concerned with the externally perceived actions and reactions of a person. Composed of their thought process, physical activities, use of words, mannerisms, and conduct. At this level, the question is about the "What?" Capabilities : This third stage of the change pyramid consists of a person's skills, competencies, knowledge, and abilities. An individual operating at this level is focused on the 'how' to achieve something, based on their existing experience or need for new skills. Associated with the question of "How?" Beliefs : This level of the pyramid of change is attributed to the beliefs, values, moral compass, and motives of a person. The domain of 'the Why' is about the individual's underlying reasons/values behind the demonstrated behavior or action. Essentially composed of what a person believes and holds as vital to them, associated with the question of "Why?" Identity : The fifth stage of the pyramid of change is the core of who you are and could also be deemed a self-image sense. It is the cornerstone of a person's personality. Conversations at this level, such as 'I am a failure' or 'I am a success,' are engaged and influenced by identity-based words. Associated with the question of "Who." Spirituality : The highest level of the change pyramid is affiliated with the realm of higher connection, the bigger picture, and vision—this about a person's place in the greater scheme of things and the meaning of life. An individual operating at this level is focused on connecting to a source, universal wisdom, or community at large. The question at this stage is of "What else?" The basic idea behind the neurological levels of change is that each level directly affects those lower in the hierarchy. A lower level may, but will not necessarily, change those above. Therefore effective change comes from the Identity level for what you say, you eventually become. In the end, the delicate art of change lies in your model of reality - so what will you change today? Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Aden Eyob, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Aden Eyob is a leader in mindset. She is the clinical neuroscientist and author, The Book on Mind Training: The Secret for Positive Living. She is the founder and CEO of Mind Medication, a fusion of neuroscience-psychology and spirituality based mindset consulting and speaker service that helps you uncover your why unlock potential and free limiting beliefs to achieve the impossible. Her clients include CEOs, entrepreneurs, and celebrities—her mission: a world free from limiting beliefs.

Written by: Jane Parmel, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. I always gave everything my all and was brought up to know that it was a great thing to be a “Jane of all trades”, if you will – I was told that people will always look to you for help and you should be ready for everything. So, you paid attention, studied, learned what you did not know, and offered help when you could. Google search has made many of us geniuses, but there is nothing like speaking with someone who has “been there, done that” – it is reassuring in a way, to know that someone may have questioned what you question and was able to get through whatever with a bit of advice. I read a post by Gifford Thomas on the Leadership First blog: "Some people think a leader should have a complete set of skills, characteristics, and abilities to handle any problem, challenge, or opportunity that comes along. This myth of the "complete leader" can cause stress and frustration for leaders and their teams." I found this to be funny as I have been reading more and more about how, as a small business owner, you are expected to wear many hats, jump in when necessary, handle every fire that arises, but it's not generally the best thing. The industry I was involved in for over twenty years had one motto – “Never say ‘No, we don’t do that’ – tell your customer, ‘Let me get back to you with a price.’” I can tell you firsthand, and as a witness to several other businesses I have been involved with – it doesn’t work! Can you do all those things? Possibly. But should you? Maybe the deeper analysis here should be a big maybe – but only if you have a team to work on those things collectively. Success is measured in many ways when you are in business. Here are a few things to consider when you are looking for business success and avoiding a crash and burn for yourself: 1. Be clear about your company’s vision Make sure you know what you expect people to be saying about your business when the job is done and you are out of the room. An ounce of direction is worth a pound of a good recommendation from your client. Fulfilling your company’s stated promise by all your employees is vital. 2. Two-way communication is key The actor Tom Hardy said, "I was raised to treat the janitor with the same respect as the CEO." Find out the “why’s” and the “where’s” for the journey that your staff members have for themselves. When there is a foundation of trust and interest, people will tend to be more open and willing to share. In larger companies, middle managers are key in this role. 3. Don’t micromanage Set out tasks, clearly defined, from beginning to end. There should be clear parameters that the work should stay within and the expected outcome or results just as defined. Let them do their jobs! Follow-up on the part of middle management or upper management is essential. And LISTEN to the comments that staff comes to you with when they are discussing their work. 4. Embrace feedback Listen and silent are spelled with the same letters. Hear what they say, accept suggestions, take things into consideration. Then make changes and tweaks to your plan or task accordingly. 5. Have empathy In the big picture, remember that this is a person’s job – not their life. You may feel that it is your life and that is a choice you made. But feeling like you are part of something bigger, part of a team – great leaders acknowledge that their team is the backbone of the company. Companies have been made and broken because employees either have disdain for their job or a love of the company they hold dear. An empathetic leader who understands where each of the staff is in their journey helps to foster open channels of communication and lessens the chance of micromanaging, creates an environment for resilient and strong teams, and can succeed with the concept of power in numbers. Want to get further? Build a team that you can trust and can trust you, the leader! For more information, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and visit my website! Read more from Jane! Jane Parmel, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jane Parmel, the creator of "The Profit Project," helps women to powerfully transform their businesses by up-leveling their money mindset, signature system, and pricing to recognize their value and create a more profitable business through authentic marketing and efficient operations. She makes your bottom line the high point of your business! Jane is also the NY Global Business Connector for the Women Speakers Association, hosting events connecting women with resources to amplify their role as a “Phenomenal Message Maker” – clarifying their message, increasing their visibility, and growing their audience.

Written by: Asya Grigoryan , Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. “If you create an open space within yourself, love will fill it.” — Deepak Chopra. “Because wherever there is air and light and open space, things grow.” — Helen Oyeyemi. I was going through my Facebook thread and came across a friend’s post that caught my eye. She was sharing that twice a year, she does a cleanout, the idea of which is to throw away ten items a day for the period of ten days. At the end of this “project,” hundred items leave her home and open up space for new things. But most importantly, this decluttering exercise helps her free up her mind from all the old emotions and thoughts and opens up space for new experiences, fresh ideas, and positive emotions. While I was reading the post, a light bulb went on in my head! I always adhered to the philosophy that “genius is simple,” and to me, this was a perfect illustration of this concept. I am a leadership and career coach, and I work with people from different walks of life and different cultures and backgrounds. In the process of our work, we touch on very deep and often very personal areas of clients’ lives. And letting go of thinking patterns and emotions that are holding us back from moving forward is a big part of our work. The stories and journeys my clients share with me are just as unique as each person on this planet. But at the same time, we are all humans, so different and yet so alike, and certain patterns can be observed in the way we think, feel and behave. And that’s why I believe that just as this idea resonated strongly with me, it can appeal to and help many readers who seek to bring change to their lives. So, as I read that post, I found it a great idea and threw myself into this project, very committed to cleaning my house from useless stuff. My eyes were wondering eagerly, looking around for items taking the space in my home, basically taking MY space. To my own surprise, I started noticing things around me and seeing them differently. There were new but never used items, there were others that served their term, and it was time to say goodbye to them, even though I felt some unexplainable attachment to them or memories associated with them. There were other things that I was keeping so I can MAYBE use them occasionally, but as you can guess, it never happened in the past few years. There were also things that I was holding on to with HOPE that I will use them one day again, like clothes from my past or numerous paints and brushes (as I used to paint and then stopped), etc. In other words, I found so many things that had to be thrown or given away and perhaps be of better use to someone else. But they were definitely not serving me in any way, except taking my space, not just physically, but also putting the mental and emotional burden on my brain, because every time I looked at them, I felt almost like I can’t breathe freely. Now, please don’t get me wrong. My house looks quite neat and clean. It’s not one of those cases where you see a lot of cluttering all over the place. I do get rid of stuff from time to time, yet I never did it in a structured way, and what’s more important, I hardly did it by facing every item one by one and stopping to think: do I really need you? Do you serve me? Or maybe you did, but not anymore? What makes it so hard to get rid of you? I realized going through this exercise that besides cleaning the house, what I really needed so badly was clearing up my mind, getting a fresh start, and letting go of thoughts and emotions that don’t serve me anymore. They felt like a heavy load that you have to drop to fly or move on. Many studies show the correlation between the cluttered spaces and anxiety levels of people living or working in them. The cluttered spaces can also affect our sleep, our ability to focus and work productively. The visual destruction of clutter increases cognitive overload and, as a result, influences our cognition, emotions, and certain behaviors, including our relationships with others—the items we hold on to carry also an emotional burden with them. Saruwatari, the author of the book, Behind the Clutter, says that we “hang onto far more objects than we need, and, instead of motivating us, they become talismans of guilt and shame.” They remind us of unfinished business or of how we used to look and, in a way, control our life even though we don’t necessarily realize it. Feng Shui, a pseudoscientific traditional practice originating from ancient China, also claims that energy forces can be used to harmonize individuals with their surroundings, and according to Feng Shui philosophy, removing clutter as soon as possible makes you feel immediately good, because “objects retain lots of energy and physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually block our ‘path’ forward.” (Maureen Calamia, a re-nature Feng Shui consultant) As a coach and a psychologist, I know that getting rid of certain thoughts or emotions that are holding us back from moving forward is not an easy task. It doesn’t happen overnight. Sometimes it takes months of hard work to identify those thinking patterns, facing them, and replacing them with the new ones. But I can guarantee that taking this ten-day challenge of clearing up your space and your mind will produce some immediate results and will leave you uplifted, refreshed, and more focused on your present and your future. It will be a great step towards giving yourself a fresh start and opening up to new experiences in your life. Here is how to do it: 1. Decide for yourself the length of the challenge and the number of items you want to get rid of each day. It doesn’t have to be 10 items a day for 10 days. Find a number that you feel comfortable with and that you are ready to commit to. You can also modify the project a bit. For example, nowadays, many people struggle with overloaded mailboxes or hundreds of photos that we take and mostly never revisit. So it could be something like committing to delete ten emails a day or ten photos a day from your phone. Or going through your old contacts and deleting the ones that are not in your life anymore. 2. Put a meaning in this exercise. It’s not just a ‘winter clean up.’ It’s an exercise of opening-up SPACE for new things in your life. 3. Go through items one by one, face them, even talk to them, if you feel like it. For example, I find it not easy saying goodbye to some things that hold good memories for me, related to my kids when they were very young or some items belonging to my late grandparents that are so dear to me. But there are way too many of them... and at some point, it’s important to appreciate them and to let go of them because life moves forward and you risk getting stuck somewhere in the past if you surround yourself with all the memories and refuse to live your life here and now. 4. Repeat this exercise every year or twice a year. Bringing structure to the exercise is really important. We all do cleanouts at some point: we throw away useless stuff, make donations, and yet I find that setting aside a special time and assigning it a special purpose makes it so much more powerful than just occasional and random clean up. 5. Embrace your newly created FREE space. Let your eyes wander freely in your new, even if slightly changed, environment. Think to yourself of all the positive things and emotions you’re open to experiencing and let your brain do the magic of finding its path towards them! Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Asya Grigoryan, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Asya Grigoryan is a certified Leadership and Career Coach and a results-oriented business professional with more than 15 years of experience in talent management, organizational development, change management and business consulting. She works with young leaders who seek to enhance their leadership skills as well as with CEOs of small and medium companies who face a challenge of clarifying their competitive advantage and positioning in the market, need to rethink their vision and strategic direction as well as struggle to create a corporate culture aligned with their values and supporting their vision and goals. In her work, Asya uses a holistic approach with the main focus on the well-being of individuals and organizations she works with. As an expat wife and a mother of three young children, during the last 10 years, Asya has traveled, lived and worked in few different countries and faced the challenge of reinventing herself professionally and personally several times along this journey. That’s why, one of her passions is in empowering women, who feel stuck and who are seeking to reinvent themselves or perhaps are struggling to make a transition in their life and career. She is very committed to helping her clients gain or regain confidence, overcome any limiting beliefs, recognize and lean on their strengths and values and to truly become the Leaders of their own lives!

Written by: Holly Mosack, 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 my last article, I gave you tips to help you smash your fitness goals. Thanks for all of the great feedback, but it sounds like there’s a lot of frustration around staying on track with nutrition. I got you! Now, I will NEVER claim to be a nutrition coach (I like potato chips and sweets way too much), but I do know some smart people who can help. So, I sat down with Registered Dietitian, Katrina Howard, to find out why so many of us fail at our nutrition goals. Here’s what she had to say. 1. You’ve lost weight As our bodies become smaller, our basal metabolic rate (BMR) gets lower and we don't need as many calories each day. The BMR is the number of calories required to keep your body functioning at rest (essentially known as your metabolism) and is based on your gender, age, height, and weight. Try this BMR calculator to see your rate. I would suggest reevaluating your calorie goal for every 10 pounds lost to make sure you are still in a calorie deficit. Don’t forget, your daily calorie goal depends on your daily activity, so it’s not unusual to have different goals throughout the week. 2. You are not consistent If you create a 500-calorie deficit Monday through Friday and then eat like crap all weekend, you can easily undo all your hard work. It may be better for you to set a weekly total calorie goal versus a daily goal. Also, be consistent eating your meals as skipping meals usually leads to overeating later in the day. 3. You're not weighing your food If you are just eyeballing portions, there is a good chance you are underestimating the amount. Let’s say you are eating a portion of peanut butter, which is typically two tablespoons. If you just guessed, you could easily be off by one tablespoon, which would equate to an extra 100-200 calories. That will start to add up throughout the day. Use measuring cups and spoons, or better yet, buy a digital scale and start weighing everything. I hate to say it, but it’s almost pointless to have a calorie goal if you aren’t going to weigh or accurately measure your food. 4. You’re comparing yourself to others If we all ate the same and worked out the same, we would still have very different body sizes, thanks to our genetics. Don’t get frustrated if someone is doing the same thing as other people in your gym and she is losing weight faster. This is about you and your health. Think about where you will be in a year, even with slow weight loss. Do what works and is sustainable for you - that’s the key. 5. Stressed or sleep issues These affect our hormones, making it harder to lose weight. If you are at a particularly stressful time in your life or can't get eight hours of sleep, aim for weight maintenance instead of weight loss. The last thing you need to do is get more stressed out about not losing weight! 6. You aren’t doing the basics I have a lot of friends that do different nutrition diets for periods of time. You know these people and you know these diets. You’ve probably tried one of them yourself. Intermittent fasting, keto, paleo – they all can work, but they also take a huge level of commitment and often a complete lifestyle change. People do these regimes for several weeks, lose weight, but then gain it all back when they stop. This is why I recommend starting out with the basics. Are you drinking enough water? Eating enough protein? Eating your 5+ servings of fruits and vegetables? Moving your body daily? If you aren’t doing these regularly, you need to get the basics down first, or you won't be successful in the long-term. 7. You need a coach Sometimes we need an unbiased outsider to tell us that we are drinking too much wine, eating too big of portions, or not eating enough protein. This is where a coach comes in handy. There are some great apps that help you track your food, or you can hire an online coach. Just make sure they have the right credentials and education. The title “nutritionist” isn't regulated so anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. If you have any conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, or are breastfeeding, it would be in your best interest to hire a qualified registered dietitian to help (some states even have laws as to who can give nutrition advice to these populations and for a good reason). My favorite apps are Avatar Nutrition and Renaissance Periodization (not sponsored, just my opinion and what I use). My friend and colleague, Gerald at G Force Nutrition also coaches clients one-on-one and would be happy to get you started on a plan that will help you meet your nutrition goals. Alright, I know what I need to work on (reasons 2, 3 and 6, for starters) and am excited to see if I can actually sustain a nutrition program for more than a few weeks! For nutrition tips (or just to say hello), you can follow Katrina on Instagram at @supermarketsecrets.rd. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Read more from Holly! Holly Mosack, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine When Holly ended her career in the United States Army, she struggled to find her purpose in the civilian world (outside of being a mom) until she and her husband started a CrossFit gym. She quickly found a new passion in helping women become stronger, both physically and emotionally. She wants to empower women to stay active by removing barriers, which is why she founded a line of leak-proof apparel, Moxie Fitness Apparel, to help the 1 in 3 women who experience stress incontinence. Holly is an executive-level communicator with 15 years of manufacturing experience in talent acquisition strategy, service quality, and continuous improvement. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and is a CrossFit Level I Trainer.

Written by: Karen Yee, 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. Tell me if this sounds familiar: You’re starting out again or wanting to grow your business and find yourself: 1. Consuming all the free videos on YouTube 2. Trying to figure it out yourself 3. Price shopping As a CEO, as a business owner, I know EXACTLY how you feel right now. I’ve been there, and I want you to know: Sometimes we need to change our perspective to thrive. And sometimes, we talk ourselves out of the opportunities we need because it has a dollar sign in front of it. As a CEO, as a business owner, I know the value of investing. The knowledge that I paid to acquire directly relates to the amount of money I get in return! 👎You may be like, “OMG, this course is $3997! I can’t afford that” 👍Instead, think, “How much is this going to make me?” 👍Instead, think, “If I make this investment, I’ll make my money back AND more.” There’s also a risk of NOT investing. I want you to understand that staying stuck where you are is not moving the needle for yourself or your business. Acquiring knowledge will get you to your ultimate goals. My students who take the Art of Selling program earn four, five, and SIX figures. They invested in themselves, showed up, and scaled tremendously. They didn’t let a dollar sign hold them back. One statement that stays with me to this day is from Robert Kiyosaki: “We are given two great gifts in life: your mind and time. It is up to you in what you do with both. Remember that with each dollar bill that enters your hand, you, and only you, have the power to determine your destiny. Spend it foolishly, and you will join the poor. Invest it in your mind, and you will be choosing wealth as your goal and your future. The choice is yours, and only yours. Each day with every dollar, you decide to be rich, poor, or middle class.” I am choosing to share this with you to share it with your family, friends, and children to prepare them for the world that awaits. Your future is determined by the choices you make today, not tomorrow. If you want a clear direction, clarity today vision for tomorrow, and a proven roadmap for your service or product business, send us a message, and we’ll be happy to help. I hope you found this article valuable, Karen Follow Karen on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and visit her website for more info! Read more from Karen! Karen Yee, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Karen is the founder of New Futures On Demand and a believer that everyone has the ability to create a new future with their skillset. She guides small to medium companies and individuals to build a winning profile and launch a profitable online business. She created the Art of Selling Mastermind™️, an online intensive training program that helps people uncover, brand, package, and sell their services, so they create more impact and build their WFA dream lifestyle.

As an Executive Coach and Trainer, Saskia helps successful, time-challenged high-level management, directors, and business owners increase their performance and their teams' productivity without the stress and overwhelm. Once a Missionary, working alongside Mother Teresa herself, made her life all around the globe, helping people discover their meaning in life in sometimes heartbreaking circumstances. After leading multiple projects and International communities, she left the missions following her own experience of burnout. Starting her own business allowed her to combine her philosophical and theological research together with her rich multi-cultural experience. She places the human person at its center, allowing it to find its unique place and thrive. In 2016, as a single mum of 2 young children, she moved from Holland to Ireland . She specialized in working with business owners, directors, and managers, showing them how to create a bigger vision for their business and life, freeing up their own time to excel in what they are best at and increase their profit and satisfaction without the stress and the overwhelm. Mother Teresa played a big role in your life , and she inspired you to become a Missionary yourself. What was your encounter with her, and how did that inspire you to give up everything and serve the poor? My mother was doing voluntary work with the Missionaries of Charity, where she worked in soup kitchens and cared for the homeless. One fateful year, she was chosen to drive Mother Teresa from Rotterdam to Amsterdam and brought the rest of the family along. That car journey made a huge impact on my life. I was only 12, and I remember her wrinkled face and her intense gaze. She was so personally present to whoever she would meet , and it was as if the rest of the world no longer existed. Her attention would be the same for each person, whether that person was the president or the homeless. "I remember Mother Teresa looking at me very intensely, and she said 'you will be one of ours' and as a 12-year-old, seeing someone I greatly admired, I just wanted to jump in and say 'let's do it ,' I didn’t have any clue about the consequences." "I think I was so much intrigued by her presence and her gift in her service to the poorest that at that moment I think it hit home in me that that was something I would like to do with my life." However, despite my enthusiasm, Mother Teresa insisted that I finish my education before becoming a nun. She even wrote me a note answering my letter when I was 16-year-old, instructing me to stay in school, I could come and see when I turned 18, and so I did. The Missionaries are present in places of extreme poverty or distress. What was your experience, and what can you do for people in these circumstances? My first posting was to Zagreb in Croatia, just after the Bosnian-Serb war, a desperate, dark time in European history. However, only years later, when I entered the courtroom where Radovan Karadzic was being cross-examined, I realized the tension and uncertainty we were living in. When you are right in the midst of it, you do what needs to be done: I listened to the stories, just sat with them in their distress . There are times when you don’t need many words. As Mother would say: ‘the heart speaks…’ I think we can compare it to the current global pandemic: we do what we need to do to survive. It is only later on, when the storm has calmed down, that you can start to see the damage and the impact. Yet, you did not stay in the missions. What made you leave? It was while I was stationed in Rome that I decided to change orders. Although I loved the Missionaries and the work I did with them, I was missing an intellectual challenge. So I joined a young congregation in France that was specifically orientated towards the research for truth through philosophy and theology. There, I was asked to lead several projects and international communities. I trained young girls to introduce them to religious life, their studies and support them in their life choices. Around age 30, I was on Mission in the Philippines when I hit rock bottom. Physically, emotionally and mentally. I felt completely depleted because I had given so much. As contradictory as it may seem within an environment of recollection and spirituality, I had forgotten to truly resource myself along the way. Although I was part of a congregation, I felt I didn’t know where my roots were anymore. I had traveled the whole world, but I no longer knew where I was coming from or where I was going… So I moved back to Holland, searching my roots, rediscovering myself, my core values, and what I desired in life. How did you start your own business, and how does your previous experience transpire in the work you are doing now? It wasn’t easy to settle back into the lay world. After almost 14 years, I came back, and the world had changed, everyone was settled in their own lives, and I came with a whole different experience: I needed to rediscover everything! When I was looking for a job, recruiters said to me: “well, you know, with your background, with your history, with your studies… there’s no job we can find you.” I just did not fit any mold. I decided to get qualifications as a Counsellor and in holistic, energetic therapies. At the same time, I created my own business, where the human person is at the center. I started helping people with disabilities or mental health issues which needed to go back into the workplace. I worked with employers to recraft the jobs and ensure that "the job description fits the employee and not they need to fit a job description .” My service then evolved into what I currently do: helping successful, time-challenged entrepreneurs and high-level management to become better leaders, create a bigger vision for themselves and their business, increase their performance and productivity without the overwhelm. Stress and overwhelm is a big problem I encounter in a lot of business owners. Stress just builds up. And it’s a muscle that slowly and slowly tightens, and we’re not even aware of it. I call it the silent killer. I create that space where they are heard in their doubts and fears. I support them to understand what they need personally and professionally to make the choices to step up as better leaders in the challenging world of today. For more info, follow Saskia on LinkedIn , visit her website and join her Facebook Group ! Read more from Saskia!