Written by: Elena Manole, 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. Burnout can be inevitable if we don’t learn how to manage our time and set healthy boundaries around work and personal life. There is nothing worse as an entrepreneur to be held back by burnout just because the load of work is too much to handle. You never want to get yourself into a position where you need to recover from such a thing. So what do we need to do in order to avoid this feeling of exhaustion on an emotional and mental level as well as the negative feeling against our work. The least that we want is not to be able to show up for our clients and be able to deliver a service that is up to our own standards. Following are five things you need to be aware of so that you don’t fall into the trap of burnout. 1. Combination of personal /professional skills and efficiency. The most important thing said one could have in terms of trying to avoid potential burnout relates to how thin or otherwise one chooses to spread themselves. To put this in another way we should all have some variety of personal and professional goals. Regardless of what those are for each, one should ask themselves two key questions. Does this fit or enhance my existing skill set in a way that enables me to maintain an efficient workflow promptly? Regardless of the potential benefits of the time invested, is it too far outside my skill set to gain effective results promptly? Burnout when working on a particular task with high time investment and little return is always possible. The key with solving this conundrum is to simply delegate. Take inventory of what you can achieve and let go of things that you can’t manage on your own. There is nothing worse than spending time on tasks that would be done better by a contractor or a partner. 2. Begin each month with self-reflection and inventory of your time Each month take a 1 hour time with yourself where you evaluate your “timesheet” for the month. In this hour you will be able to take inventory of your active projects, the time you want to dedicate to each and the potentiality of saying no to the projects that are not aligned with your vision . Take into consideration that you only have 4 weeks in the month (most of the times) and each month you want to work x amount of hours. Based on that assumption, take your projects and number them from the most important to the least important based on your visions and goals. Put a percentage on each which will inform the amount of time you want to dedicate on each. After that, work backwards with your calendar. Schedule some activities connected with each project and block time in your month where you will take care of those items. It is super important to realise that if a project is more time-consuming then it is important, there is also a possibility of letting it go. Saying no is part of the process of avoiding burnout. Delegating aspects of our project is another part. Sign up here if you would like to have a template of the weekly review which can be translated to the monthly review. 3. Be comfortable and confident with what you can offer without stretching yourself in potential high-pressure situations. Knowledge of your skillset and workflow/ attitude in terms of being comfortable with the work you do for clients/ yourself without overstretching is hugely important when attempting to avoid burnout. Approach deadlines with a level of comfort and effective knowledge that the work one offers are the best it can be within the mutually beneficial skill set that should exist between clients/ organisations and those working for them. If there isn't a level of clarity within this central relationship those in management positions can increase workflow and extend employees beyond that traditional skillset. This may also come with the level of expectation to complete this work on a faster timescale. All of these are potential factors leading to the distinct possibility of staff and individual burnout. These need to be subverted to create an effective working relationship. 4. Have regular breaks throughout your workweek and allow yourself to restore Self-care might be a buzz word but here is essential to introduce. When we have a lot to juggle and we have to attend to business, we forget to do the essential tasks: we don’t eat regularly, skipping meals becomes the norm; we don’t sleep enough or we wake up in the middle of the night overwhelmed by the amount of tasks at hand. We might exercise less, have back-to-back-to-back calls you automate and be less and less present to ourselves. What we want to do is to automate the self-care process as much as we can. Can you set up a reminder in your calendar to meditate on a daily basis? Can you set up a meetup with your friends to go for a run once or twice a week? Can you delegate as much as possible to your meal prep? Or if not, can you make time for meal prep at some point in your week? What you want to do is to bubble yourself in a lot of self-care, especially when work becomes a lot to manage. 5. Learn from setbacks If burnout happens, learn from it. Be sure that again and again this will happen, unless we don’t learn from it. What are the lessons you want to take away from this experience? Some of the things I learned are: Take time off on a regular basis (I book holidays in advance and put them in my calendar and let my clients know when I will be off) Make sure that I meet up with friends on a regular basis and do something fun together (that is at least once per week) Take myself for a date with myself (at least once per week and it can be anything from going to the museum to colouring at home) Make sure that my meals are in place and that I eat healthily (working with nutritionists, having a meal plan and doing my online groceries once a week) Have some form of exercise that I show up to on a weekly basis (be it yoga or running in my case) Did you experience burnout in the past? What did you learn from it? If not, do you know how to spot burnout in advance? Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Elena! Elena Manole, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Elena is a time management and productivity coach. She teaches female entrepreneurs how to bring more balance to their life and structure their days so that their priorities are on top of their list. Her clients thrive on accountability and clarity as well as compassion and gentleness. Elena is a hands-on productivity teacher passionate about all things done in a mindful way. She helps her clients fulfil their deepest visions and desires without sacrificing anything in their life. Today she lives her vision and makes a point to remind herself, and her clients, that living a life based on values means that we don't have to wait for the next goal to be reached in order to be happy and fulfilled.

Written by: Miriam Gauci Bongiovanni , Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. You hear about it all the time: someone’s back ‘goes out’. A colleague or friend seems to have a stiff neck on and off. Way worse, others seem to have permanent sciatica and hip pain, while a smaller (but still significant) group of people suffer from widespread pains or fibromyalgia. The reality is, millions of people suffer from a myriad of chronic symptoms and seek an explanation and cure for their symptoms every year . Traditional approaches attempt to address factors such as posture, muscle imbalances, structural issues and diet, however, hundreds of thousands still have ongoing pain after trying multiple treatments (including medication). But what if there’s something else that’s being overlooked? What if chronic pain is simply a faulty alarm? In 2020, a clinical trial conducted by Yoni K. Ashar, PhD; Alan Gordon, LCSW and Howard Schubiner, MD, based itself on the premise that some chronic pain syndromes are linked to an ‘overreaction’ in the brain, which triggered the pain response as a kind of false alarm. Such faulty ‘programming’ can originate from a negative or lengthy experience with injury or illness, which impacts and alters our nervous system. This ‘faulty alarm’ is known as central sensitization in scientific terms. It can result in increased sensitivity to painful stimuli, and sometimes to the experience of pain and other symptoms in the absence of structural damage (and long after any original injury or illness has healed). “Central sensitization means that our central nervous system has become highly sensitive to potential threats to the body. That results in more pain, more often. The ‘threat’ is anything that triggers your pain. That could be certain movements, changes in your routine, physical exertion, and so on ‒ the list is endless…” ¹ In the simplest of terms, if the brain believes that we may still need some form of protection, it can actually learn to keep reproducing symptoms in the body . The role of stress and negative experiences Besides a negative experience with injury or illness, it is also pretty common for chronic syndromes to occur following a negative or shocking experience in one’s life, as well as due to ongoing situations that are distressing to the individual, such as having an interpersonal conflict or a worrying issue that the person doesn’t know how to resolve. Today, the effect of such distressing experiences on the nervous system is known as dysregulation : “ Dysregulation could occur if a system alters its set point in response to a stressor and then fails to readjust to the normal level after the stress has passed” (C. Richard Chapman et al.) ² Besides pain, dysregulation can lead to a cocktail of other symptoms, the most common ones being chronic fatigue, IBS, tinnitus and other unexplained symptoms. Sadly, as symptoms themselves become our new stressor, this induces further emotional dysregulation. Add a couple of other ongoing life stressors to the mix, and you’d be dealing with a highly dysregulated nervous system that’s prone to generating ‘faulty’ signals. The Fear-Pain Cycle Since as human beings we tend to react to sensations of pain or discomfort with fear, frustration and helplessness, this very reaction keeps fueling the alarm, and creates a kind of feedback loop. In other words, pain can trigger a fearful or negative emotional reaction, and in turn, that reaction itself can create more pain in future. The first strategy we normally think of is to avoid symptom-inducing activities in the first place. Initially, this can prove beneficial to give our nervous system time to calm down and recalibrate (and to make sure that any original injury has had enough time to heal). But there is one problem with an ongoing avoidance strategy: when we engage in avoidance due to fear of pain, we keep reinforcing the idea that such activities (and the pain itself) are dangerous and bound to create pain . This is why the brain keeps firing the alarm. And sadly, many chronic pain sufferers end up limiting more and more activities as their nervous system gets more sensitized. It may start with avoiding a workout, but if things get out of control, it may very well end up with not being able to go to work or function in one’s daily life. Why Pain Reprocessing Therapy could be the answer The Boulder trial by Ashar et al. involved teaching a group of people with chronic low back pain specific techniques that calm down the stress and fear responses in the brain, mainly by focusing on changing the way they perceive the pain itself. This change in ‘perception’ involved training individuals to view their pain more objectively ‒ even with curiosity ‒ instead of loading sensations with fear-based thinking and negative judgements. Director of the Psychology Center Alan Gordon calls this approach Pain Reprocessing Therapy (in short, ‘PRT’), and fully explains the process in his book The Way Out . This trial led to very positive results: 66% of people from the group who employed PRT were pain-free or nearly pain-free after treatment, compared to only 20% of individuals subjected to a placebo, and just 10% who continued usual care. ³ Although participants in the trial all had chronic back pain, pain reprocessing can be effective not just for back pain, but also for a wide variety of chronic symptoms. Sadly, there aren’t similar trials for all the different chronic pain conditions out there yet (it could take dozens of years and substantial financial support to trial PRT on all kinds of pain syndromes), but there is a growing community of individuals who are employing these techniques with great success for conditions ranging from localized chronic pain to fibromyalgia and other chronic symptoms like fatigue and unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms. Forums and online communities such as prtrecovery.org ⁴ and various social media groups run by PRT Coaches, ex-sufferers and Practitioners are providing ongoing evidence of success stories related to all kinds of chronic conditions. My own experience as a Chronic Pain Coach I overcame my own chronic symptoms through a combination of pain reprocessing and emotional release techniques. Based on my experience, I believe that the first step is always to educate oneself as much as possible about the various factors that can influence chronic pain. This enables individuals to make sense of why they have the pain and to let go of false assumptions that are not serving them. Over the years, I’ve had hundreds of clients and members who have overcome all kinds of chronic pains and unexplained symptoms just by adopting new habits and implementing pain reprocessing techniques that changed the way they related to and thought about their symptoms . The recovery time can be as fast as a couple of days, but it can also be very gradual. Factors like depression, ongoing stressful situations and traumatic experiences with injury or illness can create setbacks, which is why I believe the pain reprocessing should be combined with significant emotional work, and sometimes, therapy. But in all cases, a significant degree of improvement takes place upon achieving a mindset shift ‒ a shift from a state of fear and helplessness to a more curious and empowered state. It’s when one changes his or her relationship to one’s symptoms that the ‘magic’ happens. This shift in mindset is often accompanied by a change in habits , as the individual becomes more physically active and less restricted in his or her activities. New hope for the future? It all starts with education! My aspiration is that in the future, every individual with unresolved chronic symptoms will have the opportunity to learn about pain reprocessing and the mindbody connection. I myself came across this information quite by accident, and was initially plagued by doubt and confusion because none of my doctors and PTs had ever mentioned it to me. As part of my work, I strive to educate individuals and to spread hope, so that they too can learn and experience the benefits for themselves. After all, pain reprocessing is a drug-free approach that’s safe and totally harmless. It doesn’t ‘hurt’ to try it. If you’d like to learn more, check out my new online recover y program here , or schedule a coaching call to discuss your individual situation in more detail. Chances are, there is hope for you still, if you’re ready to try something radically different. Follow me on Facebook , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Miriam! Miriam Gauci Bongiovanni, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Miriam is a certified Holistic Life Coach and MindBody Practitioner specializing in chronic pain recovery. After having overcome debilitating symptoms herself by working with the mind-body connection, she continued to study the psychology of chronic pain and pain neuroscience. Miriam founded her coaching and educational venture, PainOutsidetheBox, as part of her vision to educate people on the connection between chronic pain and the brain. Miriam now coaches clients internationally, empowering them to eliminate pain, resume physical activity and reclaim their lives. She is also the author of an internationally-accredited MindBody Syndrome Practitioner Course delivered by the MindBodyFood Institute and runs a self-paced Pain Recovery Program for chronic pain sufferers on her website, www.painoutsidethebox.com. References: [1] Precision Pain Care Rehab, Central Sensitization in Chronic Pain (Plus Treatments) , 2021 [2] C. Richard Chapman, Ph.D., Robert P. Tuckett, Ph.D., and Chan Woo Song, ‘Pain and Stress in a Systems Perspective:Reciprocal Neural, Endocrine and Immune Interactions’, J Pain. 2008 Feb; 9(2): 122–145 . [3] Yoni K. Ashar, PhD; Alan Gordon, LCSW; Howard Schubiner, MD; et al, ‘Effect of Pain Reprocessing Therapy vs Placebo and Usual Care for Patients With Chronic Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial, JAMA Psychiatry. 2022;79(1):13-23 , [4] Pain Reprocessing Therapy Forum .

Written by: Kara Francis , 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. Earlier today before I sat down to write this article, I was looking up flights to travel home to visit my family for the holidays. As I reviewed the pricey options and tried to plan ahead, I let out a frustrated sigh. Between paying for expensive flights and trying to avoid all the cold and flu viruses going around these days, the holidays seem more stressful than ever. It's a stark contrast from years ago when I was a kid ‒ I attended holiday parties less than 20 minutes away from our house, and I eagerly woke up on Christmas morning to see that long-desired gift under the tree. It was a day of joy, celebration, and positive emotions. Getting through the holidays as an adult can be an exhausting experience in and of itself. But if you are thinking about getting divorced, in the middle of a divorce, or facing your first post-divorce holiday season, it can add an extra layer of uncertainty, sadness, stress, and a host of other feelings. You may be asking yourself if this really IS the most wonderful time of year. In this article, I break down some tips for surviving the holidays in relation to divorce, from the perspective of an individual who does not have children, and/or for a single parent when the kids are spending time with the other parent. Let's dive in! Listen to your gut No matter which stage of divorce you find yourself in, this year was undoubtedly challenging for you. Divorce entails so much transition and change ‒ financially, emotionally, and logistically. So if you feel like your life got turned upside down, that is perfectly normal and expected. In a year where so many things were outside of your control, how you spend the holidays is one way of taking back some of that control. This year is your "free pass." You get to do whatever you want, and your friends and family will understand. And if for some reason, they do not, this is where setting and enforcing healthy boundaries will come into play (more on that below). Take advantage of this opportunity, and do whatever feels most healing and supportive for you this holiday. Do not cave into others' expectations of what you "should do" or are "supposed to do" for the holidays. This will only cause you to feel resentment, anger, and/or anxiety because you are doing something you don't want to do. Simply put, listen to your gut. If following the traditions of years past with your family and friends feels more consistent and stable for you, then lean into that for the holidays. However, it's also 100% okay to plan a trip (solo or with a friend), volunteer somewhere, stay at home and do absolutely nothing, or create new traditions and memories for yourself this holiday. One of my favorite holidays was the year of my divorce: I stayed home, avoided all of the stress, cost, and hassle of traveling, stayed in my PJs most of the time, cooked nourishing meals, watched movies, and just relaxed. I healed in solitude. Because I did what I wanted to do for the holidays, I felt aligned and content. And guess what? My family and friends understood. Be flexible and gentle with yourself Even if you decide to partake in some of the usual holiday tradit ions , it doesn't mean you have to participate in EVERYTHING. You may be excited to go home for the holidays, and then by the third party, your mood may start to sour if you feel overwhelmed and exhausted. Be flexible and gentle with yourself. Check-in with yourself throughout the holidays. What do you need to support yourself? If you need to take breaks during a party to have some quiet time alone, allow yourself to do that. If you need to get out of the house and away from everyone for a few hours to decompress, go for it. And if you need to skip out on some traditions entirely, that's okay. The important thing to keep in mind: know yourself. If you know that big social events tend to overwhelm you and make you feel anxious, then maybe sit out the huge extended family party and stay home with a cup of tea and a movie. On the other hand, if you are an extrovert and feel energized by socializing with people, then consider this holiday season a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and refill your tank with family and friends. Either path is acceptable when it comes to divorce, so long as you stay true to who you are and how you want to feel this holiday season. Set and enforce healthy boundaries No matter how you decide to spend the holidays, be prepared to set and enforce boundaries with your family and friends. Dealing with boundaries can be difficult and uncomfortable, regardless of whether you are setting them or on the receiving end, especially this time of year. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help you navigate. Keep it short and sweet. The more information or reasons you provide to justify your decision, the more threads you provide for the other person to grab and pull on. Staying clear and concise will decrease room for debate. Be kind, yet assertive. Now is the time to exercise those empathy muscles. For some people, keeping up with traditions and seeing family for the holiday is very important, even if it may not hold as significant of a place in your heart. Try to see things from their perspective when choosing your words. However, do not allow your kindness to serve as a bridge for your loved ones to walk over your boundary. Be assertive. Do not leave any room for doubt about your decision. Avoid leading with "I'm sorry, but..." or "Unfortunately..." It will be harder to enforce the boundary later if the recipient senses any guilt or uncertainty on your end. It's not you, it's me. Setting boundaries is all about telling another person what YOU are going to do, not what you want them to do. Keep the focus on you. You are responsible for processing your feelings and making decisions accordingly, regardless of what others may say or do. Take ownership of your decision, and don't cast blame or responsibility on anyone else. Stay firm. Setting a boundary is one thing, but enforcing it is another. It's only natural to want to back down when someone challenges your boundary ‒ it helps you avoid further conflict, and it's not fun to feel like you're disappointing someone you love and care about. However, if you do not stay firm with your boundaries this holiday season, then this person will likely never respect your boundaries moving forward, because they know if they push on you just a little bit, you will give in. It's not because they are manipulative or don't love you. On the contrary, it's because they love you and want to spend time with you! But, this doesn't align with your goal of doing what YOU want for the holidays, and it sets a bad precedent for future boundaries. No matter how many times someone tries to negotiate, challenge, or push back on your boundary, repeat the boundary in a calm, firm manner. Try not to deviate from the original language ‒ restate the same boundary as many times as you need to. Eventually, it will get through to the other person. And if for some reason, it does not, be prepared to respond accordingly. For example, explain that you have communicated your boundary several times, but they have not respected it multiple times, and until they respect your boundary, you will not be engaging in further communications with them. What does this look like? Some examples of setting healthy boundaries about the holidays might look like this: Given everything I went through with my divorce this year, I am going to stay home for the holidays and rest. Please know this has nothing to do with you. This is just what my mind and body need this year. I feel overwhelmed being around big groups of people right now, so I won't be attending the big extended family party this year. I'm excited to celebrate with our immediate family later this week. I need some alone time right now. I'm going to go to the gym and then to a coffee shop for a few hours. I'll talk to you when I get home. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Kara! Kara Francis, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Kara is a former divorce attorney turned divorce coach. She also went through her own divorce, so she has seen divorce from all angles. As a coach, Kara guides her clients through a goal oriented process designed to help them unpack their emotions and take ownership of their divorce and future. Kara's mission: Ensuring that her clients feel seen, heard and empowered through all stages of the divorce journey.

Written by: Izabela Puchala, Senior Level 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 topic of setting boundaries is recently getting much traction in the media, which is great, as boundaries are at the heart of our well-being. By paying attention to how we make contact or stop ourselves from interacting with others, we can identify reasons for feeling drained, anxious, or frustrated. Setting boundaries can be one of the most empowering things we do in our personal and professional lives. It will improve our vitality, confidence, and relationships. We just need to approach it from a respectful and not controlling perspective. Unfortunately, that is something very few of us have learned to do. This short article explains how to recognize that boundaries are needed and ways to implement them respectfully and empoweringly for both sides. What are boundaries? "The contact boundary is the point at which one experiences the "me" in relation to that which is not me, and through this contact both are more clearly experienced." (Polster & Polster 1973) A boundary can be experienced on a physical, emotional, and mental level. For example, we feel discomfort when a stranger moves too close into our personal space. Topics we are willing to discuss or not with certain people give us a sense of our mental boundaries. For instance, having children might be something to talk about with our partner but not with the wider family. An example of an emotional boundary is our ability to support others. After a challenging day at work, we might not have the capacity to listen to our friend's problems. Boundaries protect our well-being and help us manage our engagement with the environment. They are personal and context-dependent. What happens when boundaries are not healthy? Gestalt psychotherapy says that a healthy boundary is simultaneously firm enough to keep out what is not nourishing and open enough to take the nourishment. It is flexible and allows us to close or open our doors depending on the situation. Too rigid and too permeable boundaries create conflict within ourselves and with others. If we had not have had our boundaries respected in childhood, we might develop a tendency to agree to things to please others or not say anything when someone “crosses our line.” In that case, our boundaries are permeable and let everything in. It might look like answering the phone anytime a friend calls even though we are exhausted, or accepting all requests from our manager, even though we are at capacity. By ignoring our own needs, we send ourselves and the other person a message “I don’t matter.” However, when the other person takes as much as they want from us because they feel empowered by us, we get bitter about it and blame them for not respecting our time, energy, and resources. In reality, we are the ones that showed them, "Look, my needs are not important ‒ take all you need. I will serve you." When boundaries between ourselves and others are overly rigid, we deal with isolation. It might look like not being open to the opinions of others, struggling to accept apologies and compliments, or not asking for help. In those instances, our doors are firmly shut, not allowing nourishment from the environment or information that would help us grow and evolve. When to set boundaries? When we notice discomfort, this is a sign that our boundaries are breached. Since our bodies communicate through emotions, feeling drained, anxious, resentful, frustrated, or angry before or after meeting someone means we need to set new limits for that relationship. Perhaps, we do not openly express our opinions to this person as they are easily offended. We tense up to contain our passion and feel resentful afterward. Settling boundaries is also a healthy way to manage interactions with our environment. For example, limiting the number of episodes to watch on Netflix will prevent us from feeling apathetic, or blocking every Monday morning to planning the week ahea will help us mentally prepare for it. By keeping small promises to ourselves, we implement a healthy relationship template with the sign "I matter" visible to others. It might look like staying in to read a book instead of feeling obliged to join our friends for a drink. The discomfort we feel when someone upsets us is the right time to say something. If we decide not to set our boundaries with the other person upon experiencing the initial pinch, we have no other option but to suppress our response. From Gabor Mate's research, we know that suppressed emotional system leads to a suppressed immune system, negatively impacting our health. Auto-immune diseases, affecting disproportionately more women, are often a manifestation of our suppression. Why is it hard to set boundaries? From neuroscience research, we know that one of our basic human needs is a sense of safety from belonging to a group. Setting a boundary is something that many see as a threat to being liked, accepted, and included in the relationship. Once the relationship has been established and we developed certain expectations from each other, setting a boundary is more daunting. It feels like a high-stake conversation because by setting a new limit, we take away the privilege previously granted. It might surprise or even disappoint the other person. The thing is that we need to become comfortable with disappointing others. Otherwise, we will continue to disappoint ourselves. Because of the above, it is easier to set boundaries at the start of our relationships when the situation is not emotionally charged, and there is less at stake. How to set boundaries? A helpful tip to remember is that setting boundaries is about respecting ourselves and not disrespecting others. It is a process of empowering ourselves by recognizing our needs and not an attempt to control or judge others. Sooner or later, someone will unknowingly disappoint our expectations. That is just the nature of relationships ‒ we move in sync, get out of sync, and go back in sync. The sooner we address the issue, the less bad blood will be between us. Reflect: "Would I want to know if I disappointed someone unknowingly?" If the incident happened for the first time, the most productive way to address it is by describing the preferred behavior (feed-forward) instead of dwelling on what the person did wrong. Do: "Next time you need support, please submit a request through our system. This will help us spread the workload across the team." Don't: "You shouldn't be asking Kristen directly to do the work for you." If the person did not follow our initial request, we need to be more firm next time. Speaking from an I perspective, we explain the consequences of their actions. Do: "If you continue to go outside of our process, I will have to instruct my team to ignore your emails." Don't: "Stop going outside of our process." This approach empowers them with a choice rather than controlling them. We must remember that we only see the person's behavior and impact and have no insight into their intentions. It is tempting, but not helpful, to create a story about why the person did what they did, disregarding their perspective. Do: "I imagine you must be under a lot of pressure to deliver the project on time. How are you?" Don't: "You're direspecting me by engaging my team member behind my back." If we only were more empathetic, there would be less conflict in our lives. Healthy boundaries are at the heart of our vitality and effective collaboration. If we feel drained, it is a sign that our boundaries have been compromised and our cup is overflowing. Paying attention to our needs is an act of care and respect toward ourselves. The more we practice setting boundaries, the more compassionately and authentically we are able to show up for others. Our energy will be liberated from managing internal conflict to taking productive action. Follow Izabela on her Instagram, Linkedin, and visit her website for more info. Read more from Izabela Izabela Puchala, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Izabela Puchala is an expert in leadership and organizational development. She has an MSc in Economics and a Postgraduate degree in Gestalt Psychotherapeutic Counseling. As a Certified Enneagram Coach, Izabela helps international and dispersed teams go from transactional and artificially harmonious culture to trust, cohesion, and fun. Her clients include the BBC, Salesforce, Planet Labs, and YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization).

Sara Sheehan, PCC, is a consultant and Executive Coach who works with C-Level executive leaders designing organizations, developing business strategies, managing change, optimizing talent and leadership development, and solving complex human performance problems. Through executive coaching, Sara helps leaders sprint their way up the corporate ladder and increase their performance. Sara Sheehan, Executive Coach and Change Consultant Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better. My name is Sara Sheehan. I am a native Texan that grew up in Arkansas and moved back to Texas at my first opportunity. All four members of my family have at least one degree from the University of Arkansas and three of us have two degrees. Interestingly, my Mom earned both a Master’s and a Doctorate. It's also a fun, common bond that all four members of my family have their names on the sidewalk on the University of Arkansas campus. I’m happily married to my husband Jeff. In January, we’ll celebrate our 24th anniversary. We have two cats, Joy and Brett. We love to exercise, travel, spend time with friends and family, and entertain, and when the world tries to get us down, we often make it a point to share the joy with others. What is your business name and how do you help your clients? My business is Sara Sheehan Consulting, LLC. I help leaders, teams, and organizations adopt change and transform through consulting, executive coaching, published writing, and speaking. I have over 27 years of experience helping clients through big business transformations by working through human performance challenges with change management, leadership development, organization design, and executive coaching. What kind of audience do you target your business towards? My ideal client company for consulting or executive coaching is 100 million dollars in revenue all the way up to a couple of billion dollars in revenue across industries. I’m not trying to compete with my former consulting firms as I am interested in connecting with clients that are growing their businesses and have reached a stage where they need systems and processes in place to scale beyond where they are today. Based on a couple of clients that I have worked with at this size, they have plenty of human capital challenges that trigger the need for an expert with my skills. What are your current goals for your business? I’d like to grow the business beyond myself, so that means I am interested in having an organization and people that replace me. I am launching a publishing house to share stories of how other business leaders have achieved results and transformation, as well as insight into how they accomplished their goals. I am also launching a podcast with a similar focus titled Transformational Thinkers with Sara Sheehan. The podcast will include a blend of me sharing my expertise along with interviews with interesting business leaders and former clients. What would you like to achieve for yourself and your business in the future? My aspirations for my personal and professional life are admittedly substantial! Thankfully, my drive and motivation are well-matched with my big, bold goals! I foresee expanding my business beyond consulting and executive coaching with clients, establishing a publishing house, and adding speaking engagements to my repertoire. I don’t have any preconceived notions about how this is supposed to unfold, rather I am setting tangible goals and actions on a weekly basis to put my plan in place. Who inspires you to be the best that you can be? I have an innate drive and motivation to grow that is stronger than I could put words. So for me, it is not a person that inspires me. My design and purpose are to be an original leader for which there is no example, and I am comfortable being myself in this light. What is your work inspired by? In terms of inspiration, there are plenty of modern-day and historical smart thinkers, writers, researchers, and experts whose work grounds mine based on their first-of-a-kind findings. I aim to take these inspirational findings and shed new light on them while respecting the context in which discovery and their own light bulb moments occurred. We all can stand to take a moment to be awestruck by the inspiration to ask a great, original research question that passes the “so what and who cares” test and has far-reaching implications on our lives, communities, businesses, and our world. Tell us about your greatest career achievement so far. Although it is truly notable that I have worked for so many years with large consulting firms like Accenture which provided an outstanding foundation to learn my craft, and IBM where I was given wonderful opportunities to lead large, global teams, and KPMG where I refined generating client conversations, account development, and uncovering new business opportunities to delivering the engagement. With all that said, my greatest achievements are still in the future… If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? The consulting industry expects people to fit into a mold of its own widget-like design. Not everyone can fit into the mold. We are designed to be unique. Why can’t we create organizations that not only respect the gifts each individual brings to the table, but also personalizes design that may touch a client's heart in a way that has never been done before? What if a team member has an idea for a new solution that ends up creating a highly profitable new line of business? In the old way of working, the line of business may never be uncovered. This way of operating is not attractive or sustainable for me any longer. I need to be able to innovate and create on demand; To be an out-of-the-box thinker and creator. As a collaborator, I want people to want to work with me and with others. Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today. After finding myself at a crossroads where I was searching for what was next, I was fully prepared to create my next best chapter in life. This was when I realized that the only way for me to really move forward was for me to create my own firm. Making the decision to create my company and practice my craft on my own terms unleashed tremendous creativity and innovative thinking. I would never be able to share so much of myself if I were still operating within the confines of and expectations of my former firms. Although I feel like I am just getting started, I know that I’ve accomplished a lot in my marketing over the past two years. Operating on my own I will be able to increase my impact and my reach exponentially. Follow me on LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Sara!

Written by: Christine Lutley, 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. Chronic pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia affect all aspects of our lives, but the most obvious effects are on the physical body. Our physical bodies contain our lives and hold the memories and sensations of every joy, every bit of learning and wisdom, every skill, triumph, and experience. They also hold the memories, sensations, and feelings of every injury, wound, trauma, and abuse that ever happened to us. There is a lot held. Chronic pain is a cry for help, and chronic fatigue, exhaustion, and burnout are signs of lost or stuck energy that need to be called back, unstuck, rebuilt, or replaced. Medication cannot fix these problems; but can only hide them, making it easier to ignore them and cause them to remain unresolved. If, and when, wounds and trauma pile up unresolved, we have failed to answer the cries for help because of not recognizing them, or of hiding them. Our pain and illness do not go away; instead, they get louder. Invisible, Not Understood, No Test, Diagnosis by Elimination, Incurable Many, if not most, of us with chronic pain and fatigue, be it from fibromyalgia or some other not-well-understood condition, pushed through repeating pain and illness for years, or decades, before it all became too much to bear, demanding our attention. Doctors test, one test at a time, and if nothing else tested positive in the process, when pain is the predominant symptom, they diagnose fibromyalgia (FM). If fatigue is the primary symptom, they diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). That is when most of us were told our condition is Medically incurable. When a medical doctor says it is incurable, that means it is medically incurable because medicine is their expertise. There is no reliable test for it, no known cause, and no universal set of guidelines to diagnose or treat it, so diagnosing and treating it vary by country and often by whether medical insurance is private or public. Those with private insurance often have more treatment options. The pharmaceutical industry had some serious side effects with some medications, particularly pain killers, resulting in deaths and huge settlements and changes to what doctors may prescribe. Painkillers went to the streets and the War on Drugs got bigger with more people dying. Curing versus healing A cure is an external solution, in the case of health often surgery, medication, or physical therapy. When working on our inner aspects, with or without the guidance of another, that is called healing. The healing happens from the inside out. Our bodies’ chronic cries for help are not for medication or some external cure, but for changes that only we can make. But, we have been conditioned into believing that there is a pill for everything. Only we can make the changes to our daily habits to cause our wellness and our transformation. Only we can change our nutrition and hydration habits. Only we can get the right amount of exercise to lift our mood, do our cardio, keep our muscles strong and flexible, and make us feel good, without overdoing it. Only we can change our self-talk to keep it loving, respectful, and helpful, not harmful. Only we can heal our inner wounds. Only we can identify our limiting beliefs and change them. Only we can identify and release energy that isn’t ours, protect our energy from being drained, prevent ourselves from giving away or otherwise wasting our energy, call back our energy, and rebuild our energy. Only we can ensure we get enough sleep, in an environment that is comfortable for sleeping, without distractions and blue light from electronic devices. New Results Require New Actions New results require new actions. If we keep doing as we have been doing, we will inevitably keep getting the same results. If we want different results, we need to make changes. If we want transformational change to create a healthy new us who can live the life we want, we need to change our daily routines and habits. We must create healthy habits, heal our old wounds and coping patterns, correct thinking errors, and reframe our limiting beliefs so they become true, our own, and helpful, and we need to accept, forgive, and love all aspects of ourselves. There are among us, those who have found a way to live well after fibromyalgia because we have healed ourselves. A holistic and spiritual approach is needed. There is truth to it. And there is a science to it, too. Changes to our habits build new neural pathways, physical structures in the brain, that get stronger with repetition. Following new habits become automatic and easy. What catalysts do you need? About 25 years after I collapsed with what was later diagnosed as fibromyalgia, I returned home and witnessed my mother’s suffering and death in severe pain and with dementia. Having just turned sixty-five, it became clear to me that I must create a new life for myself. That firm choice and a vision for the future, were the catalysts I needed to put all the pieces together and heal. Having been work-disabled since 1996, and seeing myself as statistically the next family member to die, it was time for me to get back on track to a good life. My Mom had grieved Dad’s death and she did well on her own, selling the family house and moving into an apartment she could manage on her own, after nearly 60 years of marriage. She inspired me to prove I could take care of myself, too. I had managed to pick myself up and create a new life before. In fact, my move to Hawaii came after leaving an abusive husband. I remembered the assistance of Bob Proctor in that success, and I started to study coaching. Before long, my energy was up and I spent long hours learning to coach. Actively doing something I loved, focused on creating a new life, was very healing and I decided I’d like to help other women like me, women with fibromyalgia. Before long, I was feeling little pain. A Spiritual Healing Approach My first introduction to truly holistic healing (healing for us on all levels) was in Hawaii ‒ a spiritual approach to healing our four bodies: physical, mental, emotional, and energetic. Meditation was key component. Healers worked on others with touch healing, sharing love. Love is the energy of God and unconditional love is very healing. While I did not heal quickly or completely from that early learning, it got me on my healing journey, studying and learning different approaches to healing and to spirituality. After I studied coaching, I decided I’d like to help women like me, with fibromyalgia and with a history of trauma and abuse. I created a spiritual, 4-body program to do that and decided to teach it to women to heal themselves. The healing process grew into a formula which I called “Fibro Freedom Formula”. The formula is: 4AAB = (PB + MB + EmB + EnB)S = ∞ In words, that means 4 awakened and aligned bodies, the physical, mental, emotional, and energetic bodies, to the power of Spirit equals Infinity or Limitless Potential. I knew I wanted to teach others to learn to do this healing to and for themselves and so the delivery method became “You Healing YOU”. The full program name because Fibro Freedom Formula: You Healing You. It is a hybrid program with recorded lessons, weekly coaching sessions with healing modalities, demonstrated Live, on Zoom, and with a private community of participants on the learning platform. Doing this work, I have continued to heal myself and have had the opportunity to help others on their healing journey. It has been a blessing. Recently, I became certified in a conscious education program becoming a Magnetic Mind Certified Coach to help others become conscious creators of their health and lives and I look forward to adding that to the live component of the work. I’ve learned about business and marketing by doing it. Zoom and tech became obvious ways to learn and to work during the pandemic, and now, I find myself seventy and active and healthy, working again, post-disability and post-retirement aged, and delighted to help many others do the same far more quickly and affordably than I did. I encourage you not to accept the limits that others place on you, not for another minute. You deserve better. If I can do it, so can you. I love to help. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Christine! Christine Lutley, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine The doctors diagnosed Christine with incurable fibromyalgia. Accepting that & their medications, she was work-disabled for 20 years. She became interested in spirituality & healing. 20 years later, on her 65th birthday, having witnessed her mother’s suffering & death with dementia, she decided she must create a new life while she still could. She focused on what she most wanted & used a spiritual 4-body healing approach. She not only healed herself but created a repeatable process to help others heal themselves, called Fibro Freedom Formula: You Healing You. Get supportive advice and learn from one who has walked in your shoes, so you can learn and be coached in peace, without any anyone telling you that you are making this up, or that fibromyalgia is incurable. The last thing you need is to be misunderstood because of this invisible illness.

Written by: Emanuela Visone, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Why shouldn’t we use synthetically made hormones? In my own experience with being on Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) for two years, I learned a very valuable lesson and that was that it wasn’t balancing my hormones but instead started to affect my liver and health in a negative way. I went to my primary doctor for a visit because I felt off as if something was wrong. The testing revealed that my liver enzymes were through the roof and my doctor had asked me “what are you taking?”. He asked if I was taking over the counter NSAIDS which I wasn’t, so we started to review everything I was taking. I had read a book written by a famous actress who used BHRT and swore by it. She looked amazing for her age, so I wanted to do what she was doing. I thought it was a naturally way to fight the aging process and to help my hormones become balanced, naturally since the hormones were made in a specialized pharmacy supposedly making the hormones as a replica of my own. After years of being on BHRT, I felt terrible. I had gained a lot of weight, was still tired, irritable, and didn’t feel as if I was helping my body fight the aging process. The things that affect your liver in this way is usually an overload of toxins. After our review, it pointed to a medication that was meant to lower my cortisol but in fact, was a steroid. For those of you that don’t know too much about the effects of steroids on the body basically, they build up in the body, attaching themselves to our fat tissue and do not was out of the body, it just creates havoc in our bodies. We as women are always looking for ways to stay young and healthy, so why do we choose a quick fix? I am here to tell you, there aren’t any quick fixes to keeping the body young, vibrant and healthy. It can only be accomplished by a wholefood and clean approach to your lifestyle. We spend thousands of dollars on injections and creams, but the secret is so simple. It’s in what you put into your body daily that helps your body regenerate new cells and aid in slowing down the aging process. In helping our bodies to continue to produce its own collagen instead of drinking these chemically made forms of it. We are duped into believing that this is somehow replacing what we are losing and with BHRT, we are keeping our hormone balances naturally. Many aren’t even aware that collagen comes from the bovine of cows. Dairy creates mucous which creates inflammation in the body and an overload of collagen can lead to an increase in high calcium levels. The human hormonal system is so complicated and depends on the availability of so many nutrients to work in the body properly. We know for a fact that hormones depend on different minerals and different metabolic enzymes to carry on their functions. Therefore, they cannot be duplicated in labs. To call such hormones (bio-identical) or the same as the hormones the body produces is a marketing ploy. Science cannot create enzymes in a lab. So how can such hormones work in the body without enzymes and minerals? As you know every chemical reaction in the body requires enzymes. For example, the bio-identical hormones may be the exact structural replica of endogenous hormones, but they have no enzymes attached to them as in the case of endogenous hormones. Therefore, the body cannot recognize them as its own endogenous hormones and as a result they cannot be effective in sending messages in the body to create chemical reactions. They will act in the body as drugs act; create positive results through stimulation while creating negative results and side effects from their use in the long run. These bio-identical hormones have serious side effects because they are chemical drugs even though their sources are plant-based. Most of the side effects of bio-identical hormones can be chest pain, stroke, blood clots and increased risk of a heart attack. Do educate yourself on the side effects of these hormonal drugs to decide whether to continue to take them or not. What are the negative side effects of using synthetically made hormones used in BHRT? It has been shown in research studies that there are risks to taking hormones. It can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, and gallbladder disease. Your risk of heart disease and breast cancer may also increase if you are older or use hormonal therapy for an extended period. Many healthcare providers who use bioidentical hormones claim they are safer than traditional hormone therapy treatments. But there have been no large research studies of bioidentical hormones to show evidence of this. Other side effects are mood swings, weight gain, bloating, spotting, headaches, and acne. The list goes on and on. My side effects were mood swings, bloating, weight gain and body aches. Why is Bioidentical Hormone Therapy not the best choice for your body? Each hormone in the body has its unique shape and carries a message through the blood stream to specific cells. The slightest changes in the shape of the hormone change the message content. These messages direct the cell on how to spend its cellular or behavioral energy. The quality of the hormones determines the efficacy of the message content. This is why you should not try to manipulate internal hormones with medications. How do hormones become imbalanced? Your endocrine glands are the third line of defense against disease, and they control the hormonal system. When the first and second lines of defense (Digestive system and liver) are congested and no longer doing the proper detoxification job then the endocrine glands take over the job of detoxification. When the liver and digestive tract cannot process toxins, they end up in the blood. A signal is given which eventually travels to the thyroid or the adrenal glands to get rid of toxins. Either one will start to begin to direct elimination of the toxic materials from the blood into the only paths they are able to which is either the skin or the kidneys and bowels. Too frequent use of the endocrine glands for the elimination of toxins will lead to atrophy and degeneration of the thyroid, pituitary or adrenal glands and create a huge mess in the hormonal system (missed periods, extended periods, and heavy periods). What is the best solution to bring balance back? The solution is the get the intestinal tract and liver to work properly as elimination channels so the burden will be taken off the endocrine system and eventually, the hormonal system will go back to balance. Lifestyle changes like food habits, exercise, stress management plus wholefood supplements, digestive supplements and antioxidants are necessary to help with the natural healing process. I am here to be of service and to help guide you to achieving victory and to finally start living your best life now. You don’t have to settle for feeling less than what you truly desire. In reclaiming my health so many other areas in the life improved tremendously. You can reach me via my website www.embodyvitality.net or email me at embodyvitalityconsulting@gmail.com. Look forward to being a part of your journey. Follow Emanuela on her Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and visit her website for more info. Read more from Emanuela! Emanuela Visone, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Emanuela is a leading expert in restoring health and a Master Transformational, Health, and life coach. After 20yrs recruiting in the finance industry, she discovered her true calling for naturopathy and helping people and their pets throughout the US. The value she provides her clients has put them in a position to gain better health and live a more fulfilling life. Having restored her own health, Emanuela is excited to share her victory and help others do the same, from thyroid conditions, shrinking nodules, blood pressure, hormones, and much more. This inspired her to write her first book, “Healing Through Nature’s Medicine,” A Story of Hope. Having restored her St. Barnard’s health as well, Emanuela coaches many pet owners on how to become their own best healer. She loves spending time with her family and friends, the outdoors, and her deepest passion is helping others transform their health. Reference: www.clevelandclinic.org

Written by: David L. Lantz, 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 this article, we’ll discuss 5 keys to using newsletters to build your brand. You’ll discover why creating a regular newsletter is vital for building your brand identity. I’ll illustrate these five brand-building keys with examples from my own experience in creating my monthly newsletter, Conversations with the Culture. In my recent Brainz article, Your Landing Page Road Map, I talked about three things one needs in order to create a stand-alone webpage that people can visit to learn what you offer, and potentially buy from you. But once you have someone’s email address, what do you do with it? A great tool that uses those email addresses you’ve acquired is to periodically send them a newsletter. 1. Your Newsletter Highlights Your Problem-Solving Capabilities It’s a big world out there, so think through who your target audience is, and how what you know or do appeals to that audience. When my kids were growing up, I discovered that our mutual interest in watching movies allowed me to use key scenes from a movie we’d watched to share some fatherly “words of wisdom” with them. I turned that love of movies and my interest in the Bible into a monthly newsletter I call Conversations with the Culture. When I started the newsletter in 2005, I only knew that I wanted to take key scenes from movies I watched, share some background about the context of the movie, and then relate it to some passage in the Bible – often a story of people in the Old Testament who face the same sorts of problems we face in our day. At some point along the way, I started including a set of three “Questions for Reflection” in each issue. I also created a YouTube channel and podcast so I could dig more deeply into the topics I most frequently addressed. So, a question you should stop and answer right now is this: What is your primary “target market,” and what information can you offer them that is either difficult to find or perhaps they can only get from you? 2. Your Newsletter is A Tool to Offer Your Readers Helpful Information Newsletters are a great vehicle for offering a call to action. This can be something simple, such as going to watch a short video you’ve created, accessing a special free publication, or subscribing to your podcast. Since 2005, I’ve used over 150 different movies and TV shows in writing my monthly newsletters. Three years ago, as I began to use Zoom, I learned that I could create both an MP4 video file, a rich text file transcript, and an MP3 audio file. Having learned how to do that, I decided to create a podcast I call “Discovering Truth at the Movies.” Reaching back into my “library” of old issues, I started updating them to record in video and audio format over a self-hosted Zoom meeting. This allowed me to post the audio file on my new podcast as well as the video on a Rumble Account (www.rumble.com/wisejargon). I’ve also created a series of anthologies I sell as downloadable PDF e-books on my Payhip Account. At this point, stop and ask yourself: What do you already have that people might want? How can you create a call to action to download free, downloadable extras they might benefit from? 3. Your Newsletter Helps You Better Understand Your Audience’s Interests. I have used various email services over the years, but for the last five years, I’ve used Mailchimp. Whatever service you might use, there are some basic pieces of information you can obtain. Things like open rates, information on what links they clicked on, when people unsubscribe, etc. This information helps you track what most interests them. Mailchimp offers a tool for paid accounts that lets you dig more deeply into this data. It’s called Mailchimp Content Analyzer. Such tools can prove useful, along with doing mail list testing (i.e., A/B testing). From time to time, I create webinars that I invite my subscribers to attend for free based on the information I review. Also, you can create a questionnaire using a service called Survey Monkey to ask your subscribers questions you truly need their feedback on. I have found that this information helps me think through new courses I might offer, such as Think Like Jesus, Lead Like Moses. What about you? Stop and ask yourself how you gain feedback from people who surf into your website, landing pages, or social media. 4. Your Newsletter Allows You to Regularly Clean & Update Your Mailing List People change email addresses, stop opening their emails, or unsubscribe. Having a newsletter service helps you sort through your top users, as well as those who have no interest/need to be purged. When you notice that people regularly respond to a topic, you can create one-word tags that help to segment your email database. Therefore, instead of sending everyone on your mailing list an email, you can send it only to those whom you have learned tend to have an interest in that topic. For example, my novel titled The Chronicles of Belteshazzar is about the story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den – Belteshazzar was Daniel’s Babylonians name. I wrote it with my oldest grandson (now eleven) in mind. Using the features of Zoom I mentioned earlier, I recorded myself reading one chapter at a time and posted the episodes on my podcast. I noticed who among my subscribers gravitated to that topic and added the tag “Belteshazzar” to their email profiles. I’ve also done the same on other topics, such as entrepreneurship. 5. Your Newsletter Helps Develop Your Keyword and SEO Presence My website is wisejargon.com. Take a moment and google “wisejargon.” What platforms do you see it mentioned on? Now, I’m not at all suggesting that I’m a household name. Far from it. I’m very niche oriented. I’m working on developing my keyword and SEO (search engine optimization) presence on the Internet, and being more intentional about how I develop the brand I’ve created. When I publish my newsletters, I use a feature in Mailchimp to also post on my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. Then, I share the posts with different groups I am part of on my social media platforms. Over time, I hope to be able to reach a wider audience and increase my brand awareness. These 5 points all assume that you are using some sort of email marketing tool. I’ve mentioned that I use Mailchimp, but that doesn’t mean you should. If you are unsure what email platform you should use, or you’re thinking about changing the platform you do use, you may wish to take a minute to read Maria-Paz Hornish’s article “How to Choose the Right Email Marketing Platform for Your Business.” Like myself, Maria is a Brainz Magazine Executive Contributor. Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from David! David L Lantz, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine David Lantz is a leader in the field of online instruction. He was awarded a Master of Public Affairs from Indiana University’s School of Public & Environmental Affairs in 1981 and served as their Alumni President from 1990-1991. In 2005, he was named Faculty of the Year by the first graduating class of the University of Phoenix’s Indianapolis, Indiana campus. Having taught both face-to-face and online classes since 2003, he received the distinction of Advanced Online Instructor/Facilitator from the University of Phoenix in 2012. Since 2011, he has been creating online courses in the fields of entrepreneurship and online instruction. A self-published author, he has authored both fiction and non-fiction books, which can be found on Amazon.com. His mission can be summarized in the proverb: “The wise man makes knowledge acceptable.” To learn more about David, visit his website at www.wisejargon.com.

Written by: Wendy Crabbe, 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. Being an entrepreneur is not for the faint of heart. There are many ups and downs, fears, doubts, and often a long road before generating income. When is it time to quit if you don’t generate the income you wanted or expected? Fall and the holidays are a time of reflection and a time to plan for the new year. This year I am deciding either to close my business or pivot with a new niche. Quitting has a negative connotation in our society, and we are taught “don’t ever quit”, especially if it means giving up on ourselves. But quitting may just mean the end of something. You have given it your all, the income is not what you need, and your time, money, and energy would be better spent on something else. On the other hand, pivoting is the buzzword of the pandemic and means you are changing the direction of your business. I have been thinking about this a lot lately as I have been evaluating my business as a life and weight loss coach. I have not generated the income I wanted after 4 years in business. I could either make the decision to quit because of that or pivot and pick another niche. When I think of quitting, I feel a sense of relief. When I think of picking another niche, I initially feel excited and then overwhelmed because I realize I will have to create new contacts, and referral partners plus establish a new client base. How do you decide whether to quit or pivot? I have found it helpful to think about the 3 P’s: Passion, profit, and purpose. Am I passionate about this new niche? Am I willing to do the work required to create new contacts, referral partners, and a new client base? Can I make a profit and what are the projections for quarterly and annually? What are the costs involved quarterly and annually? Does it fit my purpose in life of serving others? Does it fit my lifestyle and the hours I want to work? The last question to ask when considering quitting is do you like your reasons for quitting? Make sure quitting is not coming from a bad day or week or from emotions like doubt, fear, shame, or even excitement. Make the decision from a place of love and acceptance for yourself and the business. I haven’t fully made my decision whether to quit or pivot; however, my favorite way to think about my business is that it has served its purpose. If I quit, my business will be complete. Connect with Wendy on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit her website for more information on obesity, gut health, mindset and hormones. Read more from Wendy! Wendy Crabbe, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Wendy Crabbe, an oncology nurse practitioner and now expert in helping health professionals and women over 50 lose weight, struggled all her life with her weight. She wondered if she was so smart, why couldn’t she lose weight? The causes of obesity are about more than excess food intake and not enough movement. It’s also related to altered hormones and alterations in the gut microbiome. She was finally able to lose the weight with mindset coaching and adopting a science-based approach that she uses with her clients today. She is now on a mission to help hundreds and thousands of women over 50 get healthier; because when women get healthier, their families get healthier.

Written by: Tomas Svitorka, 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. How would you describe a good leader? Someone who inspires confidence, someone who makes decisions without being swayed by emotions or pressure, and someone who leads by example. A good leader has the ability to inspire trust and loyalty in his/her team members. They also possess strong communication skills and the ability to motivate. Leaders should always strive to improve themselves through self-reflection and learning new things. The key to becoming a better leader lies in developing leadership qualities such as empathy, integrity, honesty, humility, and respect. If you are a CEO, manager, business owner, coach or mentor, you are a leader. In this article, I'll share ten ways that will help you be a better leader. 1. Be Passionate Great leaders aren't just focused on getting others to complete tasks. They have a genuine passion and excitement for the projects they're working on. A leader isn't always the most talented or experienced person in the room, but they are able to motivate others because they show up every day with a clear vision for what needs to happen next. Great leaders don't focus solely on completing tasks but also on helping everyone involved understand why those tasks matter and why it matters to them. Passion is contagious. And, as a leader, having a passionate team makes everyone perform better. 2. Be a good listener Who doesn’t want to be heard? A good leader values the input from his or her team members and wants to know what makes each one tick. In fact, research suggests that people are most likely to trust someone who listens to them. Hand in hand with empathy and leading by example, a good manager seeks out feedback from employees and takes action on the information he receives. He wants to help them set and achieve career objectives and ensure that everyone feels valued, respected, and appreciated. Will you always agree? Of course not, but showing you care about others by genuinely listening and acting upon the feedback you receive will earn you enormous amounts of respect and loyalty. This goes beyond just being empathetic and understanding; it demonstrates you actually care about their well-being. 3. Be self-aware Self-awareness is one of the most important skills to be effective as a leader and continually grow. As a leader, you must constantly evaluate yourself and ask yourself tough questions about your strengths and weaknesses. This will help you make better decisions and improve your leadership style. If you don't know where you stand, how can you lead others? Practice self-awareness with a regular reflection on your performance, communication, connection with the team, influence, feedback, and overall morale. 4. Keep an eye on your emotions As a leader, it's important to maintain a level head during tough times. When things go wrong, it's tempting to react emotionally. You might feel like you have to prove to yourself that people are judging you unfairly. However, taking a step back and keeping your emotions under control helps you make better decisions. If you're too emotional, you'll make poor choices and miss out on opportunities. And if you overreact, you could end up hurting others unnecessarily. 5. Communicate your expectations clearly Effective leaders communicate clearly and consistently about what needs to happen, how it should be accomplished, and why it matters. They set specific goals and expectations for themselves and others, and they measure progress against those goals. When things go wrong, they don’t blame people for mistakes; they acknowledge them, learn from them, and move forward. Communicating expectations effectively helps ensure everyone understands what is expected of them, and it gives them a sense of control over their work. This increases motivation and productivity because people feel like they have ownership over their work. On the flip side, when expectations are vague or unrealistic, people often become confused and disheartened. Employees lose confidence in their ability to succeed, and morale plummets. 6. Encourage autonomy How much autonomy do you give to your team? One of the most common complaints employees have about their managers is that they are being micromanaged. Not only it's frustrating and has a detrimental impact on confidence, but it's also very demotivating. More importantly, micromanaging trains people not to try to put in their own initiative, find solutions to problems, and be creative. On the other hand, research suggests that autonomy helps us achieve our goals better because we feel more satisfied with our job and we perform better. Furthermore, when people are given the opportunity to make their own decisions, they tend to be happier in general. Learn to trust your team and encourage autonomy. 7. Know how to Influence others Influence may sound like a "black hat"skill because we have it often associated with manipulation. In the reality, it's a skill of persuasion we all use every day, may it be when you're passionately talking about a TV show your friends should watch or trying to convince your partner that your running shoes definitely need replacing. As a leader, you're constantly influencing and persuading others. This may come in the form of project direction, pitching, or running meetings. If you don't know how to influence others well, you'll probably do it badly. 8. Tailor your leadership style when needed It's important to know your leadership styles, but it's just as important to be able to adapt them to suit the unique personalities of your employees. If you can adapt to your teammates' needs, you'll be better able to solve their issues and connect with them. And if you can do both, they'll feel comfortable enough to open up and share their thoughts and ideas with you. 9. Give direct feedback If you want to be respected as a leader, you must be able to give direct feedback. This means negative as well as positive. When giving negative feedback, avoid "fluffing" around and sugarcoating the matter. Clearly explain what is not correct and what needs improvement. Importantly, make it about the topic, not the person. People appreciate honesty and directness. When giving positive feedback, be specific about what has been done well and why. Remember, behavior that gets rewarded gets repeated. 10. Ask for feedback so you can become a better leader Leaders who ask for feedback are leaders who listen. Leaders who listen are leaders who learn. And leaders who learn are leaders who grow. When you're leading others, it's important to understand where they're coming from. Ask them questions about themselves and their experiences. This helps you understand their needs and desires, which makes it easier to lead them effectively. Feedback is one of the most powerful tools available to leaders. But asking for feedback isn't just about getting information; it's about learning something valuable. So ask yourself: What would I need to improve upon to become a better leader? Then take action to address those areas. If you're not already receiving feedback from your team members, consider setting up regular meetings to discuss issues and concerns. These meetings should include everyone involved in the project, including managers, supervisors, and anyone else who has input into the process. By regularly gathering feedback, you'll gain insight into what works well and what doesn't work at all. You'll also identify any problems before they escalate into bigger issues. And finally, you'll find out whether your leadership style is working for your team. In conclusion, being a leader means different things to different people. For me, leadership is about helping others succeed by providing guidance and support. It's about leading by example. And it's about inspiring others to reach their full potential. So when you think about what makes a good leader, ask yourself what kind of person you want to be. What qualities would you like to see in a leader? How can you lead by example? How can you inspire others to greatness? Think about those questions and you'll soon realize that being a leader isn't just about giving orders; it's about creating an environment where others feel empowered to grow and thrive. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Tomas! Tomas Svitorka, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Tomas is a peak performance coach, business mentor, speaker, and award-winning entrepreneur. He is the founder of the OK is NOT enough coaching method and the Unbreakable Self-Discipline Bootcamp. He’s highly passionate about helping ambitious professionals and entrepreneurs achieve the highest level of personal and professional performance. Tomas has built his reputation by coaching hundreds of clients, including industry leaders, billionaire entrepreneurs, Silicon Valley CEOs, rising stars in global corporations, and influencers at the top of their game. Tomas has been interviewed in dozens of podcasts, including The Unconventionalists, and has been featured in various publications such as The Guardian, GQ, Virgin Media, Coach Magazine, and Vice.

Written by: Steven N. Adjei, 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. 15 March 2013. I remember it well. It was 9.30 pm. I was alone at home, upstairs, with the lights turned off. The company I had started, BlueCloud Health, was dead in the water. After over 150 rejections, I felt worthless, tired, and just plain burnt out. Just by me on my desk, there were stacks of letters from credit card companies, The Inland Revenue Service, utility companies, and bills left unpaid. This did not include the tens of thousands of pounds owed to family and friends. My marriage was on the brink, I felt like my whole life was falling around me like a Ponzi scheme, a house of cards. I sat on the bed, crying with frustration, deep pain, and yes, hopelessness. And the culprit? It wasn’t all the above, even though they undoubtedly played a major part. It was something much worse. Pornography. The worthlessness, the pain, and the loss of identity I felt were so bad that I turned to the ’drug’ for some instant relief. But as always, it turned out to be a false crutch, and it left me feeling worse than I did previously. I vowed to myself: Never Again. Really? 10 March 2016 After that incident, I managed to go three years clean and was feeling proud of myself. Very smug. But like a bad penny, the addiction bounced back. But this time, it was at a different location, 6000 miles away in a hotel suite in Lagos, Nigeria. We had just closed a $16 million deal to build a state-of-the-art diagnostic centre in Southern Africa. I was on a high and I decided to peek to calm the euphoria. Six months later, the addiction was in full swing. Again. And what was worse, the signs had begun to show in my external life. In desperation, I searched for help on the internet. It came up with a unique software tool called Covenant Eyes. I signed up, followed the instructions, and paid the fees. Reflecting on this, six years later, I’m still clean and my life has completely changed. I wondered long and hard whether to share this humiliating story when writing my book, Pay The Price. But I realised two shocking truths. There was not much difference between the alcohol user, the one who turned to drugs, the compulsive gambler, and me. And it was having not only a negative effect on my mental health but on my success as an entrepreneur. And the other truth was the sheer number of leaders, entrepreneurs, and CEOs who turn to similar addictive destroying habits to release the stress, the challenges, and the pain. I was not alone, not by a long shot. Psychology Today puts it this way: Unfortunately, the consistent attempt to find emotional regulation through hyper-stimulating and hyper-satiating substances and/or behaviours can for some people develop into a full-blown compulsivity or addiction with clearly identifiable consequences. When this occurs, all sorts of problems may ensue—damaged relationships, trouble at work or in school, financial woes, declining physical health, anxiety, depression, shame, legal issues, and more. This experience forced me to think long and hard about why 90% of entrepreneurs fail within 10 years. Pain. And I realised that in building a business, or in any form of entrepreneurial undertaking, failure is well documented in many books. There is the insistence that yes, it exists, and yes, you will have to struggle, but if you make it through the pain, if you keep going and treat it as part of the learning cycle, you’ll make it. But is this completely true? If 90% of businesses are failing after 10 years, then the pain became too much to bear, so evidently, closing was deemed easier than soldering on. The problem may be that pain is hard to quantify, put in a box, and explained away. Behind the statistics of failure lie some heart-breaking stories, and the plethora of books that have been written have not moved the needle in terms of success. So, how do we deal with pain? How do we look beyond whatever we are going through now to the other side? That is the reason why I have formulated the Pain Flag Response Model. And in this model, I explain that in building any entrepreneurial venture, pain comes from FOUR primary sources. I’ve categorised them and their corresponding responses in four colours: Red, Amber, Green, and White. The model is shown in the diagram below: 1. Red Flag Pain: The Pain of Self-Sabotage: See? Nobody warns you about yourself The red in your eye The trap in your mouth The person who hurts you the most, in the end, will be you Almost every time, you. You’d better learn to forgive yourself Forgive yourself instantly It’s a skill you’re going to need until you die. Yrsa Daley-Ward, “Things It Can Take Twenty Years and a Bad Liver to Work Out”, Bone (2017) My story at the beginning of this article is a prime example of Red Flag Pain. It’s a pain caused exclusively by our bad decisions, habits, and hang-ups. It’s a response that acts like a false crutch for a deep emotional recurring pain – a maladaptive coping strategy to cope with the stresses, highs, and lows of the entrepreneurial roller-coaster. But the problem is that the crutch never lasts. It’s a false promise, a phantom solution – like a spray from an aerosol, here one moment, gone the next. And if unchecked, it will bring us down and cause failure – and lead to a legacy that I call the Profligate ‒ just as it did for Harvey Weinstein, Jeffrey Epstein, Elizabeth Holmes, Tony Hsieh, and more recently, Sam Bankman-Fried. We think of these catastrophic failures as things that just happen. But for instance, in the case of Jeffrey Epstein, seeds for his Double Red Flag Pain of deceit and paedophilia were being sown decades earlier – in 1976 ‒ when he was a teacher at Dalton School in Manhattan, one of America’s most prestigious academies. Of all the 4 kinds of pain in the model, Red Flag pain is the simplest and easiest to diagnose but possibly the most difficult to fix. But the solution is incredibly simple: Stop. Just like you would if you were driving, and you came to a red at a traffic light. And there are six things to do if you want to beat Red Flag Pain: Acceptance of the problem and seeking help outside yourself. Bringing things out from the darkness into the light An accountability partner and a mechanism providing checks for reoffending The need for a counsellor, or coach to bring out the why A non-judgemental support system And what I call Reject and Replace; is a firm commitment to stop the bad behaviour and replace it with a good one. 2. Amber Flag Pain: The Pain of Waiting Amber Flag Pain is caused by a mismatch between the dream and business of the entrepreneur and the actual reality of the market on the ground. It's what I call the weight of the wait. Leading British podcaster and business tycoon Steven Bartlett said in his ‘diary of a CEO’ that we must be willing to commit at least a decade to see the sustained success of any business. Some things just take time, and developing patience is key. So, what’s the antidote to Amber Flag Pain? Wait. Just like the amber light at a traffic light, you just must wait. But there is a difference between passively waiting and actively waiting. As an example of actively waiting, I introduce the concept of Personal Capacity in Pay The Price. Every business is set up to perform exactly at the level where they are. To increase your level of success, you must increase your capacity. Capacity = Ability + Resources + Stewardship. So rather than grumbling and complaining about how long it takes to realise your dream or vision, maximising the Amber Flag Pain involves actively building your capacity whilst you wait, so when the market is ready, you’re ready. As best-selling author Gino Wickman says, ‘Life is much easier for everyone when you have people around you who genuinely get it, want it, and have the capacity to do it So, fill your plate whilst you wait. Four ways: Invest time in expanding your personal capacity Reflection: Actively learn from your mistakes, events, and developments Corporate: Invest time in expanding the capacity of your business: colleagues, partners, employees, and relationships. Relaxing: Learning to unwind and enjoy life during the waiting process. 3. Green Flag Pain: The Pain of the Observer All I see are green lights Let no one distract me All I spit is real life, I don’t need directions from nobody in the back seat, Or these people in my corner tryna check me… All I need is to see green lights… NF, ‘Green Lights’ Perception, 2020. Green Flag Pain is the pain we feel when breaking out of normal certainty into abnormal uncertainty. It is possibly the greatest pain faced by an entrepreneur. It is like the extensive amount of energy needed by a spacecraft to break out of the gravity of Earth into space. Once we decide to break out to become an entrepreneur, we will hear a cacophony of voices, including our own, telling us we’re not good enough, we don’t have what it takes, we will fail, and we won’t make it. And many of those voices will come from people who are close to us, people whose opinions we value: heroes, loved ones, investors, coaches, mentors, and our own insecurities. We will feel the intense force of gravity trying to pull us back into the zone of comfort. The solution is simple, just like you would when you get to a traffic light and the lights show green: Go. Pivot, slow down if you must, but you must keep going. 4. White Flag Pain: The Pain of the Unfairness of Life I won't wave my white flag, no This time I won't let go, I’d rather die Then give up the fight, give up the fight, give up the fight Smoke, fire, it's all going up, Don’t you know I ain’t afraid to shed a little blood Oh, I won’t wave my white flag, no… Bishop Briggs, ‘’White Flag’’ Church of Scars, 2018. White flag pain is the unfair events or circumstances that happen to us, or that we are born with that serve as a perceived impediment to our journey. We all have our white flags. Tammy Mildren is a fascinating entrepreneur in my adopted city in Plymouth, England. She has been diagnosed with 10 serious, potentially life-changing medical disorders ranging from autism, ME, hypermobility syndrome, brittle bones, dyspraxia, as well as a functional neurological disorder involving non-epileptic seizures. These seizures do not respond to medication and can attack her without warning. In early 2021, she was found unconscious in her local car park where she had been in the freezing cold for over half an hour. She had had a seizure whilst emptying her bins. She nearly lost her life that day. She was later diagnosed with COVID which also nearly killed her and left her with a further deterioration of her memory and her speech. She is noticeably autistic, has suffered countless fractures, and suffers from ME. But she is also a professional dancer, has a degree in art and dance from Plymouth University, and is an entrepreneur with a financially thriving business in making beaded jewellery and Autism/SEN-friendly products. She is the inventor of the Fidget Poppet, a device used by severely autistic children to relieve their stress. Even though her many ailments have severely limited her entrepreneurial capabilities and reach, she has still done the best she can with what she’s got. Success for her does not mean building a multi-million-dollar organisation. For her, it means staying alive and healthy enough to tell her story, be a positive role model, as well as make good money in the process. She did not allow her white flag pain to make her a victim, as perhaps 99% of people in her situation would, but rather, a victor. My white flag pain is epilepsy. I've had massive epileptic fits in the bath, when out running, have crashed two cars beyond repair, and have landed in hospital more than once. I am heavily medicated to limit the seizures. How I have escaped death is nothing short of miraculous. But my white flag pain has also galvanised me to become a worldwide bestselling author, entrepreneur, and speaker. So, what’s the antidote to White Flag Pain? Surrender. Accept it. But acceptance doesn’t mean you surrender your dream. It means you surrender to the fact of the unfairness, the injustice, and the bad turns that life has handed you. You surrender to the fact that it may make your dream a bit harder – will take a bit longer, that it may require some pivoting ‒ as Bishop Briggs, the famous musician says in her song ‘White Flag’ ‒ ‘don’t be afraid to shed a little blood’ Your victory will be in your struggle. As the rock band Imagine Dragons put it in their song ‘Believer’: Pain! You made a, you made me a believer, a believer Pain! You break me down and build me up, believer, believer Pain! Oh, let the bullets fly, oh, let them rain My life, my love, my drive, it came from... Pain! You made a, you made me a believer, a believer But there is a caveat to this. Your purpose, your passion, and you as a person (what I call the Honeymoon Period in Pay The Price) should be rock solid. Immovable. If it's not, your business will crash once you hit the pain. So, I ask you: What pain are you going through right now? Which flag(s) are they? And how are you going to respond? Because it is your response-ability, and its timing, that could make the difference between failure… …Or Success. PS. This is an excerpt from my bestselling book: Pay The Price: Creating Ethical Entrepreneurial Success Through Passion, Pain, and Purpose – where this model is expanded on with stories, detailed reflections, and questions. Also, sign up at www.stevenadjei.com for the Pain Response Course which will be available in Spring 2023: See here for a sneak FREE preview. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Steven! Steven N. Adjei, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Steven N. Adjei is a British-Ghanaian author, poet, healthcare consultant, entrepreneur, and pharmacist. He is the founding partner of BlueCloud Health (part of the Emerald Group), an advisory and consulting firm with offices in London, Dubai, and Delhi with clients all over the world. He has an MBA from Warwick Business School, and his first book, Pay The Price, is set for release on 30 August 2022.

Written by: Rachel Marie Paling, Senior Level 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. Personally, I believe we can all learn a foreign language. There are seven major reasons I truly believe this. 1. To begin with, everyone learns their native language, so we do in fact, all “acquire” a language! But let’s be honest here – it takes us about five to six years to learn our own language well and we learn it through what is known as implicit learning: in other words, we absorb the language knowledge subconsciously, as in those early childhood years our prefrontal cortex executive functions or “conscious learning” is not available to us as the development of that part of the brain occurs approximately after the age seven-year mark! So, yes, we all learn our native language albeit without consciously knowing HOW we learnt it. Can we learn like this as an adult? Yes, we can! When we go to live in the country of the target language, the immersion scenario means that we constantly bombard our brain with the language through multisensory input. The question for any adult learner would be how to replicate that scenario from our own homes without having to go to live in the country. Nowadays, modern technology greatly facilitates this scenario! 2. Secondly, let’s explore two factors that hinder language learning. The first one is that we often pick up negative beliefs in our childhood which we then carry through our subconscious and constantly live out, like self-fulfilling prophecies. If at some point, we were disempowered by comments like “language learning is so hard” or “you aren’t bright enough to learn another language”, we might have absorbed that as a “fact” that we constantly kept reliving and bringing out as a truth and therefore we never really believed or even today believe we can do it! The second is a “bad learning memory” from school where we were embarrassed in front of the class or mimicked or laughed at or failed an exam due to the fact that the teacher had never really gone through the information with us and we had not fully understood. Those moments in time may also become lodged in our subconscious and also trigger us to negativity around language learning and the self-fulfilling prophecy that we will never learn goes on through life. 3. Passion, drive, vision for learning are key for any new topic, but for languages they really are the essential motor for the learning! Often, we do not really discover the true motivation for wanting to know that language and we need to go beyond the reasons and discover what is the ultimate vision behind it and what doors or opportunities could it really bring me to speak this new language. When you really get to the Why of Whys, that is when commitment will also automatically kick in! 4. We now know from the neuroscientific research that every brain is unique. So, language learning “en masse” at school is NOT the best way to learn plus we need to be able to feel safe, especially so that we can try it out and actually speak it. Learning in big groups where no one really gets to apply, use and converse in a foreign language is absolutely NOT the way to learn it. Reading, writing and understanding a language rely on different brain networks than actually speaking and producing the language. When learning a language, we need to be able to engage on all different language levels: reading, writing, listening, understanding and above all speaking! 5. How many of us have grammar nightmares from school due to the boring, unstimulating, often confusing way this is taught. This grammar nightmare then carries on through our lives and constantly triggers the feeling that we just do not understand how the language works or comes together. It would make it easier to appreciate that all languages are like a code that logically and systematically connect to create certain patterns and rules that can also be scaffolded and connected to our existing native language, to see where the similarities and/or differences may lie. Coaching conversations around grammar would stimulate discussion, scaffolding and instant application of the new grammar so that learners can immediately grasp the concepts and talk through/iron out their doubts and uncertainties on the spot. 6. The process of learning a language is about understanding its learning journey knowing that consistency and patience are essential. A couple of useful brain hacks for language learning are: a) scaffolding as much as possible from the native language as mentioned above. b) breaking the language down into smaller bite-size chunks so that the brain can pattern and piece together the new language more readily and easily. 7. An accountability partner is key for this type of learning. Someone who can keep you on track as well as bring in their expertise. For example, a Neurolanguage Coach could help unlock the process by explaining explicit and implicit learning and tailoring the learning to each individual. The coach can empower the learner beyond those negative beliefs and get him/her to rationalise those bad learning memories. Grammar is delivered through coaching conversations that arouse curiosity and promote patterning and instant comprehension of the logical make-up behind the language. Goals are set reflecting the chunking down process and the language learning journey becomes a joyful, a playful voyage of discovery which unlocks the potential to communicate and truly understand different cultures and people across the globe to allow a deeper comprehension of us all as humans, who all live life with diverse neuro-perspectives and neuro-experiences! So now, tell me, what is stopping you from learning that new language? For more information, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and visit our website! Read more from Rachel! Rachel Marie Paling, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Rachel Marie Paling is an International Game Changer in Education, in particular, the education of languages. She has created the method and approach Neurolanguage Coaching, which incorporates professional coaching and neuroscience principles into the learning process. She coaches and trains teachers worldwide, transforming them into certified and ICF accredited Neurolanguage coaches and has created the Neurolanguage Coach network with over 1000 NL Coaches in just over 100 countries worldwide and is now bringing the approach to schools and institutions over the world through her licensed trainers and in nine languages. Rachel started teaching language at 17 and has a BA Honours in Law and Spanish, MA in Human Rights. She is a qualified UK lawyer, MA in Applied Neuroscience, and a PCC ICF Life Coach. She is the author of the books Neurolanguage Coaching and Brain-friendly Grammar and has written numerous blog articles about learning, coaching, and neuroscience. She has spoken at many international conferences, and her company was awarded the Bronze Award at the Reimagine Education Awards 2019 in the Science in Education category. She is dedicated to the shift in education and is currently establishing an educational foundation to bring coaching, neuroscience, and heart science into educational processes.