Written by: Tanja Bogataj, M.Sc., 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. Often when we are faced with a certain change, we might feel stuck and powerless, or at least not as strong as we would like to feel. We even sometimes procrastinate with necessary changes because we are afraid of the consequences, potential failure, potential loss, or messiness in between. In these situations we rather choose to use our power for change for keeping the status quo, or making change with some slow improvements and adjustment, instead of surrendering to the process of change as it’s needed. Create a positive change In this article I invite you in your world of change and change, and share with you 3 secrets that will help you create a positive change in any challenging situation. If you choose to get equipped and guided through your process of change in a faster, impactful way fulfilling, and impactful way, feel free to connect now to Get Empowered2Impact and/ or to find the powerforchange.world. Change and aesistance to change “Let those who want to change the world, first change themselves”, “If you want to make the change, put all your energy into the new, and stop fighting the old”, “Change yourself, change your world”, “Change is the only constant in life”, “If you change the way you look at things, things you’re looking at will change”, “Change is inevitable, growth is optional” are just few out of many drops of wisdom on the change and changing, learned from human experience, exchanged throughout the history and transferred from generation to generation. It sounds so simple. If you want to make a change, just make one. It starts with you. Just do it. Hm, how come we then struggle with changes and changing process going through life and facing life challenges? How come we are not always able to thrive through the experience? What are we actually saying when we say I want change, I need to change, I desire change, etc.? Let’s go deeper into the world of change and changing so we get closer to what’s the real challenge and question here. Change is an act or process through which something becomes different. It means to replace something with something else, to substitute one thing for another. When one thing ‒ form, expression or function – is converted into another one, we are talking about the process of transformation. This means, if change happens, what was before will no longer exists. Are we ready for this to happen? Are we willing to make this exchange? Are we willing to take an active role in this changing process, or rather stay in a more passive one? Let’s check ourselves where we are with the idea of change and changing with few warm-up questions: What kind of changes do you usually like to make? Which change are you resisting the most/the longest? If you have a magic wand to change 1 thing in your life, which change you’d choose? What’s one fear you have in relation to the idea of change? In which areas of your life are you currently in ‘trying to change mode’? What would change for you, if there is no trying, either you make the change, or you don’t? How would your today (and tomorrow) look/feel like, if you do the needed change today? How would your today (and tomorrow) look/feel like, if you do the desired change today? How would your today (and tomorrow) change, if you’re thinking about change and changing? Any inspiring thoughts and insights? It’s not always easy to work with change, and ever more challenging to make one. There are few ways though that can make change and changing inspiring challenge, and with that also easier. Let’s dive further together so we get closer to those 3 secrets that I’ve promised you in the title of this article. Patti Johnson identifies in her book Make waves (2014:18) five common obstacles that keep us from being wave makers (meaning: being the ones who start the change at work and in life). These 5 obstacles are: fear of being wrong, being inadequate, or hurting our standing; lack of accountability – the unspoken belief that someone else will do it; assumptions about what’s important and what will work; procrastination, which delays action; and perfectionism, which makes us feel we are never ready. Sounds familiar? I challenge you now to select one concrete change that you need/want to make in your life, and check by yourself these following 4 assumptions that, according to Johnson (2014:26-28), usually get in our way: 1. Don’t know enough To make it easier, I offer you few questions for self-exploration: Is this True? What is True? What you Do Know? What you Can Do? 2. It’s not my job To make it easier, I offer you few questions for self-exploration: Why you‘re thinking about this (thinking about other people’s business in Byron Katie’s words), if it’s not your job? What are your thoughts/beliefs behind this statement? What is your job then? 3. This may not work To make it easier, I offer you few questions for self-exploration: What’s the fear behind? What’s the worst that can happen, if ‘this may not work’? Which are 3 good things that might happen, if you do it anyway? What’s your new idea that might work and you’re willing to test it out? 4. Someoneelse will do it To make it easier, I offer you few questions for self-exploration: What’s your intention behind this assumption? What this kind of thinking brings you? What if no one else will do it? What if this is actually yours to do, are you okay to not do it? “There is a lot of energy invested in ‘trying’, but not much real power in it. While there is very focused energy and power in ‘making a choice’. Either you do it, or you don’t.” ‒Tanja Bogataj The process of change and transformation There are different changes that we face throughout our life and living. Evelien Van Es in her book Be Relentlessly Yourself And, Take On Life (2021) says, ‘Sometimes you need to change, either to stay yourself, or to become yourself.”. The art of changing is a life skill that we are developing throughout life, living, becoming, growing, and creating. It means understanding, accepting and embracing the whole process of changing. It’s about how to go through a transformation from one state to the other powerfully and with grace. Like going through the hardship with your heart and eyes wide open, and still smiling from within. It’s about going through the process and following the flow, by being open to learn what you need to learn, with letting go and letting in, with allowing the transformation to happen. It’s about continuing the path by gaining inner wisdom of who you are now becoming through this process and what’s your ‘next’. And it never stops. It keeps happening. The process of changing can start if you accept it or not. But when you accept it, you can start practicing the skill and art of change. Only when you dive into the change, you can realize that change and changing as the process become the teacher. It’s the trust in the process that gives you the strength. It’s the reflection of the new you and what you’re creating that awakens and strengthens the inner power to keep going. The reward is the empowerment for your life, and more enjoyment in your life. "To know that you know what you know, and that you do not know what you do not know, that is the biggest knowledge of all." This thought from Lao Tzu can serve you as a helpful guidance while going through the unknown, transforming and integrating the known and unknown, and allowing the change to happen within your heart and your mind. “When we change, the world changes.The key to all change is in our inner transformation - a change of our hearts and minds. This is human revolution. We all have the power to change. When we realize this truth, we can bring that power forth anywhere, anytime, and in any situation.” ‒ DaisakuIkeda I hear you saying now, “Wonderfully said. I want to tap into this kind of inner power to change. I want to create this positive change in any challenging situation, and thrive personally and professionally. But, how can I? Where are those 3 promised secrets that can help?” Thank you for your question. You’re right where you need to be. Your doors are ready to open for you. Are you ready to step through? 3 secrets to master the art of change and keep thriving Secret 1 Crystal-clear why Do some good thinking, some deep contemplating. Get the clarity on WHY you REALLY want the change. Dig deep, and go even deeper, if needed. Peel off layers of ‘it would be good, I should/ could/would, I think it would help, if everyone says, maybe because of this, maybe because of that, maybe just maybe if, etc. Keep peeling off till you come to ‘this is my crystal-clear why, and it’s done’. Secret 2 Show up your change everyday anyway Be there for yourself, and your change. Not on auto-pilot, not half present. Fully present. It’s a day-to-day practice. Acknowledge daily improvement. Celebrate the process and your upgrade. Make it simple and enjoyable for yourself. If, and when it gets challenging, make a challenge to challenge the challenge. Go in anyway. Show up anyway. Do what needs to be done anyway. Secret 3 Commit to 'it's done' Leading the change starts with you. It can start today, or tomorrow, or never. Be courageous, and start today, anyway. Be creative, and create the change your desire to create, anyway. Believe in the process of change. Be a doer. Are you ready? If you are the change you wish to see in this world, which change are you? How does this show throughout your day-to-day living? If you’d start to be this change today, how will this change your today/week/month/year/life? Ready to commit? Let’s do this in 1-2-3 flow: 1. Choose the change you’re starting today 2 - Write down what’s your inspiration and determination (your why) to start the change/to stay within the process of change/to complete the change 3 - Add the date and your signature on this commitment If you’re ready to go deeper, higher, and further, feel free to connect to get some help for your exponential change/impact-making. Maybe my online program might be just the right fit for you. I wish you all the best on your journey. Enjoy the process! When in doubt, if you can change, be reminded that the change is already happening. The question is, if you are an active creator of this change or a passive participant. The choice is yours. Make some great choices for yourself today! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Tanja! Tanja Bogataj, M.Sc., Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Tanja Bogataj, M.Sc. (www.tanjabogataj.com | tanjabogatajcoaching@gmail.com) is a Leadership Coach and Consultant, Founder of the bepowerfulandfree® approach. Founder and CEO of the Power for Change Institute. Tanja’s motto “In the world where you can be anything, choose to be powerful and free while making a difference”. Sources and References: Evelien Van Es, Be Relentlessly YourselfAnd, Take On Life!, Motivation Champs Publishing US, 2021; Patti Johnson, Make waves, Be the One to Start Change at Work and in Life, Bibliomotion, 2014; Tanja Bogataj, How to lead yourself in challenging times, published article in BusinessFit Magazine, May 2022;

Written by: Nicole Davenport, 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. Meaning: How one intervention can lead to another then another and so forth… Unfortunately, many maternity interventions have unintended effects during labour and birth. Each intervention can cause a problem that then leads to the next intervention until you find that your intended natural birth has been completely high-jacked and you experience what is known as the “Cascade of Intervention”. Maternity practices that can lead you into the cascade of intervention. The application of various medications to induce labour. Artificially breaking the membranes (water around the baby) and releasing amniotic fluid before or during labour. Using synthetic oxytocin medicine (Pitocin) to speed up labour. The use of medications for pain relief. Not moving around and being upright during labour. In many instances, these practices cause problems as they disrupt the normal physiology of pregnancy, labour and birth by: Interfering with hormones that naturally help progress labour and birth. Creating opportunities for infection. May make it harder to push your baby out naturally. Often when these effects happen women feel a sense of failure that they were unable to naturally birth their baby. But in reality, any problems that have occurred are usually triggered by the Cascade of Intervention. Limiting the cascade of intervention Almost every intervention has some potential to cause harm. Use care in deciding if and what interventions you are willing to accept. This is a good acronym to remember: B - Benefits ‒ Are there any? R - Risks ‒ What are they? A - Alternatives ‒ What alternatives are available? I - Intuition ‒ Listen to what your gut is telling you. N - Nothing ‒ What will happen if you choose to do nothing? Tips for avoiding unnecessary interventions Choose a care provider and birth setting that have a low rate of using common interventions. Research what is likely to trigger a cascade of intervention, including induction of labour, Epidural and other pain medication and caesarean section. Have an honest conversation with your care provider and set a birthing plan in place. Discuss with your care provider alternatives to medical interventions. Clearly communicate your birth wishes to your care provider and you partner prior to labour. Hire a Doula if you feel you and your partner may benefit from extra support to help ensure you achieve the best outcome for you and your baby. Know you have the right to question everything. You can refuse procedures, drugs and tests. It’s your body, your baby, your choice. Cascade of intervention in action Example: Epidural analgesia is good for pain relief but increases: Risk of sudden drop in blood pressure. A longer labour. Difficulty in remaining active in labour. Difficulty urinating. Difficulty in pushing baby out. Fever and other negative effects. Interventions like electronic foetal monitoring and intravenous fluids are often used with epidurals to monitor and treat these affects. And others become more likely to be used… Synthetic oxytocin to strengthen contractions. A catheter to empty the bladder. Vacuum extractor or forceps to help deliver baby. These can lead to more side effects so in turn more interventions. Your baby can also be affected. Example: A woman is more likely to develop a fever with an epidural, which leads doctors to worry that the baby may develop a fever also. That then leads to antibiotics being given to both mother and baby. And in some cases, the baby may need to be monitored which interrupts the first moments of skin-to-skin bonding and breast-feeding. All this being said, I also believe that medical intervention does have a place. It would be naive to think otherwise. So many mothers and babies are saved the trauma of unnecessary and tragic outcomes through the use of medical interventions. It comes down to educating yourself and your birth partner. Research and don’t be afraid to ask questions. This can be such a special and powerful experience that you will remember with happiness and joy. Your baby, your choice. Nicole Davenport, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine As a mother to four beautiful children, Nikki is so excited and passionate about what she does. She was well supported by amazing midwives and friends when she became a mother herself. With the understanding that not all women receive the same support that was given to her, she wants to use her lived experience and passion to help others. Nikki graduated from the Australian Doula College in August of 2021 and has started her journey in supporting women and families within the Doula space. She is continuing her studies and expanding her knowledge in particular areas she is passionate about, such as supporting at risk women and babies, and educating people in their rights as pregnant and birthing women.

Written by: Jessica James Henry, MPH, 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. Attention deficit disorder is an uncomfortable subject to discuss when you suffer from the illness. To talk about ADHD in adulthood is kind of embarrassing. Many of us don’t even know that approximately 8 million adults have ADHD (5% of Americans, according to the web MD). This knowledge brings me relief to know that other adults have ADHD in the United States at such a high number. Pharmaceutical Manufacturers have been on backorder for many ADHD medications since the summer of 2022, and we don’t know how long that will last. The ADHD medication shortage may last for another five years; we are in significant suspense! Many adults have had to change therapies due to their medication shortage, and things of this nature bring stress. We need our medicine to work & live our day-to-day lives. So, How can we be proactive in this reactive situation? I believe this is such an uncomfortable subject to talk about, but it’s essential to talk about these things and what to do if you cannot get the medication for a week or two weeks, or maybe even a month! How can we survive? I know the first thing I thought about was helping me, lord! Because I am an adult with ADHD working two jobs with a family and a business. Wow! That took a lot to get out because no one wants to feel like they have a flaw or brain malfunction. Well, I have suffered from memory loss after pregnancy, nerve damage, and domestic violence abuse. These traumatic experiences triggered my diagnosis of ADHD. Now for the big question, How can people with ADHD like me survive the stimulant medication shortage? Well, I have 5 ways to help us cope during this relentless time of missing our doses. Consume Natural supplements B12 & Omega 3 fish oils: These supplements reduce the risk of cognitive decline, defined as the function that gives you the ability to think, learn, and remember things. Read complex material: this helps your verbal skills and gives your brain a workout to enhance your memory. Learn a new Dance: Dancing improves brain function and boosts memory. Several studies have shown that dancing is related to a reduced risk of dementia. In a study by researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, they found that dancing is associated with a 76% reduced risk of dementia among the participants. Jun 26, 2019) Physical contact, get a massage or cuddle with your significant other. Hugging and other nonsexual touching cause your brain to release oxytocin, known as the "bonding hormone." Stimulating the release of other feel-good hormones, such as dopamine and serotonin, while reducing stress hormones. Socialize, network at a function, or join a summit conference of interest. When socializing, your brain is working hard, keeping your brain agile, meaning you think quickly and more intelligently. Studies have shown that those with the most social interaction experience the slowest rate of memory decline. For More tips on overcoming trauma & enhancing personal development Jessica James Henry, MPH, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jessica James Henry is the Behavioral Health Enthusiast, Global Health Ambassador, Amazon Best Selling Author, and International Speaker. She has served clients for 13 years in pharmaceutical and behavioral healthcare and has conducted numerous research with physicians in Granada, Spain, and South Africa on Global Public Health Issues. She holds a Master of Science degree in Public Health Science from the Jackson State University.

Jill Yeiter is a Wellness Coach with a Bachelor's in Lifestyle management and two decades of experience helping others improve their health. She has expertise in Workplace Wellness, Pilates, Intuitive Eating, and more. She currently runs an online business, Heal With Jill, and offers a variety of free resources in addition to her paid coaching services. Jill Yeiter, Heal With Jill Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better. I grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, and now live in Wellington, New Zealand with my husband Sheamus, son Atticus, and cat Lilith. I enjoy spending time in nature, creating, and doing a wide variety of movements. My interest in all things wellness began at university and has become a lifelong commitment to my own self-care as well as advocating for others. What is your business name and how do you help your clients? My business name is Heal With Jill. In general, I help clients become more intentional and flexible in how they look after themselves, which requires the resignation of all-or-nothing approaches to well-being. Specifically, I can help a client improve their relationship with food and their body via the work I do as a healthy weight/intuitive eating coach. I can also help a client become more skilled at incorporating and implementing movement into their life, drawing on my experience as a Pilates Instructor, Personal Trainer, and Rehab Coach. The details of how I go about helping an individual are unique to each client. Still, a few common themes include identifying core values, developing a personal definition of success, and creating sustainable habits. What kind of audience do you target your business towards? I know it’s not popular or recommended to not have a niche, but I truly am open to helping anyone who has the desire to improve their health. This is not to say that I don’t vary my marketing to keep things interesting, for example, in the past I have targeted specific groups such as Postnatal Mums interested in gentle recovery, Seniors interested in safe fitness, Human Resource departments interested in offering holistic wellness workshops, and Potential Dieters wanting to ditch the scale and improve their relationship with food and their body. I have a wide variety of wellness skills and experience so I can go broad or deep, depending on the needs of the group or individual. What would you like to achieve for yourself and your business? At present, I don’t view myself and my business as being separate. I would love to achieve financial independence, to grow and nurture a steady flow of clients where there is a reciprocal exchange of energy, and to have my course, Heal Your Food Story, become part of a greater community such as Mindvalley or Chopra so it can help more people. Who or what is your work inspired by? My work is inspired by anything or anyone who can take complex ideas and simplify them. One specific example of this inspiration is the work of Eric Franklin, of the Franklin Method. He can take someone from a state of stress in their body to a state of ease quite quickly by using dynamic imagery, basic anatomical education, and allowing time to play and practice. These concepts can then be applied to any movement form. In my movement work with clients, I implement similar measures to help clients find more flow and quality of movement. Tell us about your greatest career achievement so far. Generally speaking this past year has been satisfying as it has brought more opportunities of contribution including a guest interview on A Quest for Well-Being Podcast with Valeria Teles, an interview in VERVE Magazine, the writing contributions I’ve made in BRAINZ Magazine, the recognition of being on the BRAINZ 500 Global, and the opportunity to facilitate my in-person worksite wellness workshops, GROW Simple Wellness. If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? If I had one wish it would be to universally make work settings happier, healthier places for everyone. So much time is spent at work and if it’s an overall physically and psychologically unhealthy place it takes a massive toll on your health. The world would be such a better place if everyone came home at the end of the day feeling seen and valued. Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today. I don’t know that it’s the result of any one thing, but rather a series of moments leading up to the present moment. These moments included leaving traditional employment, an international move, parenthood, and the need for a creative and professional outlet that was flexible and enjoyable. Is there one main idea you would like readers to learn from you regarding their well-being? Looking after yourself is a lifelong journey requiring patience, compassion, and deep inward listening. Everyday is different, whether it’s your body, your mood, your environment, and every day requires showing up for yourself and asking “How can I be of support?” Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Jill!

Written by: Trinn Allen Hatch, 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. Conventional western medicine and alternative medicine are different in some ways, but they both rely heavily on plant molecules for medicine. Nature is the master craftsman of molecules. At least 80% of drug substances are made from natural products or compounds, and around 50% of pharmaceuticals are created from compounds isolated from botanicals, insects, and animals. Even many of the synthetic drugs on the market are made to mimic molecules found in nature. Pharmaceuticals use isolated molecules. However, there is growing scientific evidence backing up the traditional use of whole plant extracts. Studies show that the whole plant creates positive interactions, resulting in greater in vitro or in vivo activity than the same dose of isolated components. Tibetan Medicine: A Time-Tested Tradition Tibetan physicians began formulating and testing natural remedies thousands of years ago, handing down the wisdom and knowledge gained to each new generation. Tibetan medicine, or Sowa Rigpa, is one of the oldest medical traditions. The first recorded conference, held in the 8th century, attracted physicians from India, China, and Persia, and the first school of Tibetan medicine was established shortly after. His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, re-established an institute of Tibetan medicine in India in 1961 after his exile. It is called Men-Tsee-Khang. Jampha’s Tibetan Pharmacy Pills are formulated in medical monasteries of Bhutan and Nepal and distributed by Jampha in the USA. Jampha’s botanical tinctured infusions are formulated by one of the few masters trained at the Men-Tsee-Khang. Amchi Thubten Lekshe has over 50 years of experience in Tibetan medicine herbs and clinical application. The Founder’s Healing Journey Trinn Hatch, Jampha’s founder, was injured severely and unable to continue working as a private security contractor. His injuries were severe enough that his doctors prescribed 16 different medications to manage pain, inflammation, and other complications. After nearly giving up, he discovered the remarkable healing power of organic full-spectrum CBD. He recognized through personal experience that terpenes held a vast ocean of healing potential that seemed untapped and disconnected from Trinn’s prior experiences with herbal medicines. He slowly weaned himself off the prescriptions by creating unique and targeted formulations. Terpenes became the guiding force from one formulation to another, directing the entourage of support in a way that our bodies' biochemistry can understand. It was such a dramatic improvement in his quality of life, with similarly impressive results for family members; Trinn dedicated himself to understanding and sharing the remarkable power of plant medicine. Trinn founded Jampha in the spirit of Loving Kindness in gratitude for his remarkable healing. Jampha is a name for Maitreya, the Buddha of Loving Kindness, and the word for loving-kindness in Tibetan. A True Tibetan Medicine Lineage Holder Amchi Thubten Lekshe had an affinity for plants and their healing properties since childhood. When he was a teenager, just starting his training with the Dalai Lama’s physicians in Men-Tsee-Khang, he noticed the terpenes were lost in the traditional drying process. Amchi Thubten Lekshe brought his training to the west 45 years ago. He has been adjusting and enhancing the ancient formulations for western needs and physiologies while keeping the traditional formulas and botanical signatures intact. As Trinn and Amchi came together, it was a natural evolution for each of them. Their work came together into a vibrantly new and expressive expression of traditional plant medicine in all forms. Our Bodies Are Designed To Benefit From Plant Medicine Plants have been integral to medicine since ancient times and are an invaluable source of pharmaceuticals. Our bodies are naturally suited to the support of herbal remedies and plant medicine. Rather than masking symptoms or covering up underlying issues, plant medicine can activate the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Advanced Expression of Tibetan Medicine Under the guidance of Sowa Rigpa lineage-holder Amchi Thubten Lekshe, Jampha offers an advanced expression of Tibetan medicine. Jampha’s unique and potent natural tinctures are made traditionally with dried botanicals and other natural sources. Then, terpene isolates are skillfully and synergistically reintroduced to restore the full life force essence of the plants. Plant terpenes are specialized plant molecules. In nature, terpenes perform specific plant functions, such as repair, protection, electron transfer, protein modifications, and much more. In an isolated form, terpenes each have unique healing potential. Jampha’s Tibetan Infusions are made with rare and precious botanicals, minerals, and cannabinoids–all brought into a higher expression with Jampha’s Synergy Enhanced Terpenes. There are few pathways left in the world to authentic Tibetan medicine as passed down for thousands of years. Plant medicine has powerful potential. Jampha strives to create it with reverence and respect in honor of the earth, the ancient wisdom, and those who need its healing. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube and visit my website for more info! Read more from Trinn! Trinn Allen Hatch, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Trinn Hatch is a pioneer of plant medicine who developed Synergy Enhanced Terpene Infusions. During his path to healing, Trinn experienced how our body's biochemistry is hardwired to the energetics of plants. Amchi Thubten Lekshe is a Lineage holding Master Tibetan Physician and Jampha's Spiritual Director & Formulator. Together, their enlightened understanding of plants and the life force energy expressed as terpenes create a new and advanced expression of Sowa Rigpa, a more than 2500-year-old Tibetan Healing Science. Trinn has devoted his life to sharing these ancient treasuries of knowledge with the world, igniting the primordial healing wisdom within all beings.

Written by: Jason Miller, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. As an entrepreneur, you're always looking for ways to grow your business and reach new heights of success. The start of a new year is the perfect time to re-evaluate your current strategy and consider options for future growth. However, with so many paths, it's difficult to find the best strategy for your business. In this article, we'll go over the most important factors you should consider when determining the best strategy for growing your business in the coming year. Assess your current position The first step to finding the best growth strategy is to evaluate your current position. Take a close look at your financials, including revenue, profit margin, and cash flow. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of your current business model, as well as any challenges you've overcome in the past. This information will help you determine areas that need improvement and identify opportunities for growth. Understand your market The next step is to understand your market and your competition. This includes researching your target audience, their buying habits and the trends that are shaping the industry. Analyze your competitors' strengths and weaknesses and consider how you can differentiate yourself from the competition. By understanding your market and your competition, you can better assess the opportunities and challenges and determine the best growth strategy. Set realistic goals Once you're clear on your current position and market, it's time to set realistic growth goals. These goals should be specific, measurable, and realistic. Consider both short-term and long-term goals, and make sure they align with your business strategy. For example, a short-term goal might be to grow your customer base by 10% in the next six months, while a long-term goal might be to double your revenue in the next three years. Consider your resources When determining the best growth strategy, it's important to consider the resources you have available. These include your budget, labor, and existing technology and infrastructure. Consider which strategies require additional resources and whether you have the funds to support them. This will help you determine which strategies are workable and which aren't. Examine different growth options Once you're clear about your current position, market, goals, and resources, it's time to consider the different growth options. Some common growth strategies are: Expanding your product line: offering new and complementary products can increase your sales and help you reach new customers. Diversifying into new markets: expanding into new geographic regions or new industries can help you reach new customers and increase your sales. Improving your marketing and sales efforts: Investing in marketing and sales initiatives can help you reach new customers and increase your revenue. Optimize your operations: streamlining your operations and improving efficiency can help you reduce costs and increase profitability. Acquire other businesses: Acquiring other businesses can help you expand your customer base and increase your sales. Choose the best strategy Once you've considered the different growth options, it's time to choose the best strategy for your business. Consider which strategy will best help you achieve your goals given your resources and market conditions. It's important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all strategy and what works for one business may not work for another. Implement your strategy Once you've found the best growth strategy for your business, it's time to implement it. Start by creating a detailed plan that outlines the steps you need to take to achieve your goals. Think about who is responsible for each task and when they need to be completed. Make sure you allocate enough resources, including budget and manpower, to implement your strategy. Track your progress Once you've started implementing your growth strategy, it's important to track your progress. This will help you determine which areas need improvement and make adjustments as needed. Regularly review your financials and key performance indicators to ensure you're on track to meet your goals. Final considerations Determining the best growth strategy for your business is a critical factor in its success. By assessing your current position, understanding your market and competition, setting realistic goals, considering your resources, examining different growth options, selecting the best strategy, implementing it, and tracking your progress, you can ensure you're on the path to growth and success. Remember that the key to success is to remain flexible and open to change. As your business evolves, so should your growth strategy. In summary, growing your business requires careful planning and a commitment to continuous improvement. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that you're taking the right steps to achieve your goals and succeed in the coming year. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube and visit my website for more info! Read more from Jason! Jason Miller, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jason is a seasoned CEO with overwhelming passion to help other business owners and CEO’s succeed. He was nicknamed Jason “The Bull” Miller because he takes no BS and no excuses from the people he serves. He has mentored thousands of people over 2+ decades. Jason major strengths are in Project Management, Hyper Company Growth, Scaling and Strategic & Operational implementation. Jason has built several companies of his own from the ground up since 2001.

Written by: Kate Greunk, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Are you tired of trying different marketing ideas just to “find what works,” only to find that none of them work? You and everyone else, my friend! To most business owners, marketing feels overly complex and expensive. This is largely due to the fact that we think we need a heavy social media presence, digital ads, and a ridiculously long email sequence. What if I told you that marketing didn’t have to be this way? It’s time to strip away the marketing strategies that don’t align with your ideal client and focus on the key tactics that have decades of proven success behind them. If you aren’t sure how to find your ideal client or create a sales funnel that speaks to them and generates income, you are reading the right article. Let’s dive in. How to Find Your Ideal Client Before you market your business, you have to know your clientele. Need a quick way to determine who your ideal client is? Try one of these tactics: Tactic No.1 Your Past Clients If you've already worked with someone whom you would consider to be your dream client, list why you liked them and their project. Take note of their specific life situations (married, retired, etc.) and actual problems they faced (building a second vacation home, organizing their many collectibles, and so on). Ask yourself: If you focused solely on serving this particular type of client, would you enjoy running your business? Would you be able to create streamlined systems, processes, and internal templates that would help you serve that type of client seamlessly and consistently? Yes, yes, and yes. That person is your ideal client. Tactic No.2 Your Favorite Service If you are a new business owner and haven’t worked with any clients yet, you can still find a way to niche your brand. Simply determine which type of service you enjoy the most and are skilled at providing. Become a specialist in that service and dedicate 100% of your marketing to discussing everything you know about it. Tactic No.3 Look in the Mirror Are you in business to serve people just like you? Let's say you were (or are) a busy mom who loves a well-organized or well-designed home. Let's say that you know how difficult either of those things is when you've got a crazy schedule and a litter of little people running around your ankles. If you've gotten a handle on that chaos (most days ‒ ha!) and want to offer services that help other moms with that same set of issues, congrats! You are your own ideal client. The Basic Elements of Good Marketing The basic elements of a good marketing strategy are simple. You’ll need the following: A client persona who has a particular need A service offering that meets the need An ongoing message that talks to the client, illustrating their problem and showing how your service will fix it Messaging and marketing are synonymous. As a business owner, your messaging should speak directly to your ideal client or ideal service. Your website should be hyper-focused on illustrating the problem you solve and your copywriting should talk far more about your ideal client/service than about your business itself. If your website opens with the statement, “We offer…” you just need to replace “we” words with “you the client” words. That simple trick will transform your copywriting and make it more effective. Your blog posts should break down how to solve micro problems within the bigger problems that you solve; don’t be afraid to provide “too much” information. This detailed blogging will help your SEO and your credibility. Your free download (that attracts people to your mailing list) should offer a helpful pdf, video, or quiz that serves as the natural first step for anyone who wants to work with you but needs a little preview first. Your email newsletter should offer additional tips and value every 2-4 weeks. Your mailing list can contain past clients, friends, family, and anyone who signs up for your free download. Your Marketing Calendar Once you’ve established your ideal client, service offerings, and branding, you’re ready to begin marketing. Here’s a summary of what you’ll need to do: If you don’t already have a website, make that your top priority. I recommend Squarespace for its ease of use and ability to grow with your business. Create your free download and add it to your website home page; require anyone who wants it to enter their email address first. Create a monthly blog post: 500 words and one image minimum; make sure your headlines are SEO-friendly with this free tool; end each blog post with a link to sign up for your free download Pick a monthly networking event to attend; in-person is more effective but a joint webinar or other virtual event can work, too. Create a monthly newsletter, around 250 words. This will serve everyone who comes to your business by way of your networking, blogging, or freebie. Stick to one topic per newsletter and don’t make it a journal entry or a summary of everything you’ve been doing lately. Make it helpful! End the newsletter with a specific call-to-action, such as “book a call now.” Avoid sending people back to one of your blog posts, as that is literally sending them backwards in the sales funnel. Remember: Email marketing is the end of your sales funnel and that is where you’ll see leads start converting into clients. The goal of email marketing is to start a conversation with each person and get them to book a call with you, reply to your email, sign up for a service, or buy a product. Consistency Creates Marketing Success If you keep your marketing plan sustainable, you’ll have an easier time staying consistent month after month. This is precisely why the clients who come to my agency are always advised to keep things simple: one monthly blog post, one monthly newsletter, one monthly networking event, and one free download have been the key to successful marketing for many businesses that we’ve worked with and there is no reason why yours should be the exception to the rule. For more detailed help on blogging, email marketing, and beyond, follow The Kate Show Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Kate! Kate Greunke, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Kate Greunke founded Socialite in 2014 as a virtual agency of professional marketing specialists exclusively for the home industry. Kate hosts a marketing podcast, The Kate Show, which is ranked in the top 1.5% of all podcasts globally and available on all podcasting apps. In 2021, Kate was named 20 Under 40 by Window Fashion Vision Magazine. She currently resides in Wisconsin with her husband and two children while managing an international team and extensive client roster.

Written by: Sruti Kanabar, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. It’s been over a month into 2023, and some of you may be struggling with the new year's resolutions and intentions that you have set for yourself. You may be questioning whether you’re good enough to carry one. If this sounds like you, read on. You may feel that you are at a crossroads, one path takes you back to the old familiar habits that have been ingrained in your brain, mind and body for years even though you feel tired and fed up with the results that they are bringing and the other path takes you on a slightly different route though entails becoming ok with feeling uncomfortable, fear and not knowing what will happen next. Though this second path will make your heart sing and you will significantly transform the world with the vulnerable wealth that you bring! So what path will you take? It’s the latter, right? So what might be causing you some resistance along the way? Let’s get curious by looking at a poem I have written called: I don’t chase instant gratification anymore, instead, I create instant satisfaction... I don't chase instant gratification anymore instead I create instant satisfaction Yes Instant gratification will come from time to time, when I quench my thirst or eat food that is sublime However, instant satisfaction is created within your inner world by knowing how life and the universe work and you don’t need to wait for the world to tell you that you’re a winner You create that joy for yourself by setting the right intention, striving for excellence whilst not diminishing your progress because you feel like a beginner Instant gratification says I need to be perfect and for the world to tell me that I am worth it so I will chase people to be liked I will be extra nice even though I may hate you as I don’t know how to navigate my fight our flight Instant satisfaction says I know who I am, I know my purpose and living it is my very own delight You can unfollow me if you want I choose my authenticity over being liked So as a coach, poet and writer. I will create excellent content which is thoughtful, shares wisdom and makes you feel brighter. I urge you to take your perfection masks off and lead the way to a more accepting and loving world where we can all feel inclusive and stay. Without asking ourselves oh wait will I ever fit in? What do I need to change about myself to feel loved, wanted and win? What came up for you? What will you be doing differently moving forward? Let me know! For more information, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and visit my website! Read more from Sruti! Sruti Kanabar, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Sruti Kanabar is a distinguished Life and Small Business Coach. During her journey with Depression and Anxiety, she has found her purpose in helping women accept that they are good enough to live the life and build the business they want. She transforms women by increasing their shame resilience, helping them heal from minor and major traumas from the past, and connecting to a great purpose in life. When setbacks, obstacles, and failures come, they are seen as a beautiful part of the journey than being internalized. She empowers women through wisdom and knowledge nuggets from multiple faiths and disciplines to get the right solution to their challenges in life.

Written by: Kristen Lessig Schenerlein, 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 primary source of well-being is us. Not, however, meaning that to live a happy life we are on a solo quest, enhancing well-being within the confines of our minds. We make conscious choices to seek out experiences and people to support us on the journey. These guides model positivity and well-being practices we wish to emulate. To be happier, I surround myself with people who make me laugh and smile, demonstrations of happiness. Emotional states are transferred between individuals, emotional contagion that helps shift us to a more positive state from where we can build (Fowler & Christakis, 2009). A strong foundation for ourselves allows us to extend to others in one-to-one relationships or within social circles we intentionally choose along our path. It is for this reason that I believe well-being starts and ends with the individual and is enhanced by a process of scaffolding within dyadic and group relationships. Relationships serve as a guide, providing support on the journey to living a meaningful life. Further satisfying the feeling that we fit in and are important members of a group. Feeling understood, recognized, and affirmed through a process of giving and receiving affection, at both the dyadic and group level (Smith, 2017). We are transformed through a process of scaffolding, where one receives support to enhance learning, achieve a goal, traditionally beyond unassisted efforts (McLeod, n.d.). Gable and Gosnell (2011) suggest three concepts of support: structural (interconnectedness of social ties); received support (specific support transactions); and perceived support ( believing others are available if needed). Though different mechanisms may exist, received support was linked to positive outcomes in Gable’s research. Perceived responsiveness was a central aspect of satisfying relationships, specifically connecting to John Bowlby’s attachment theory wherein the foundation of a healthy relationship is built on having had a nurturing and consistent relationship with one caregiver as a child (Peterson, 2006). Support specific to aiding an individual in navigating stressful life events involves the main effects (actively engaged) and buffering (protect) support models. With support there are less stressful events or perceived stressful events in one’s life (Gable & Gosnell, 2011). Understanding, validating, and caring are essential elements for supporting navigating problems. Our reactions to problems within a dyadic relationship can be active constructive (sharing in excitement); passive constructive-(giving the partner the benefit of the doubt); active destructive (considering ending the relationship); and passive destructive, (avoiding the partner for a while) contributing to both individuals' well-being (Gable & Gosnell, 2011). Alternately, capitalization is a technique supportive to shifting our attention to share the successes or even the small wins or good news so to build off of that, resulting in experiences of positive affect that far exceed the initial positive event. Beyond the intrapersonal benefit, capitalization cultivates a deeper connection (Gable & Gosnell, 2011). Mini moments of connection are an important condition for feeling valued or cared for in any relationship (Peterson, 2006). Haidt (2006) alludes to the obvious fact that no man or woman is an island. Supported by the early works of Emile Durkheim and hundreds of studies since, if you wish to predict how happy a man or woman is, check their social relationships. Giving support is just as beneficial to the person in the caring role as it is to the person receiving. The process of supporting each other gives life meaning (Haidt, 2006). Through interdependence, we influence each other in the way of goals and outcomes, leading each other to be the best version of ourselves whether within a dyad or group. By incorporating wisdom and resources from those around us, we commit intentionally to become the best version of ourselves, motivated to seek more connections and to build our network (Gable & Gosnell, 2011). This is where we account for equity theory in contrast to earlier referenced attachment theory, where the emphasis is more cognitive versus emotive in nature. What we bring into a relationship, our investment and /or attachment, is where it comes back to us as individuals (Peterson, 2006). Smith’s (2017) story of Tangier Island, the power of meaning brings us back to the individual role in enhancing well-being. Emphasis being on building close relationships because traditional forms of community are dissolving. Community structures need to be created to set individuals up for investing time and effort, making it easier to form social connections. Jane Dutton's work shows high-quality connections are intentional on our part. Individually initiating or reciprocating. Practicing compassion and providing support will have ripples on our collective well-being. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Kristen! Kristen Lessig Schenerlein, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Kristen Lessig-Schenerlein, a social entrepreneur, mental fitness coach and yoga instructor, is an expert in nonprofit leadership, forever passionate about the fields of neuroscience, positive psychology, and performance science. After nearly two decades of being driven by a mission, almost to complete burnout and after having experienced the real life effects of working within a toxic environment, Kristen began down a new path in service to others facing similar challenges. She integrated her own personal yoga practice and energy medicine into a science-based coaching practice. She became a trained yoga instructor guiding her clients “on the mat” and also an ICF Certified Professional Coach and a Certified Positive Intelligence Coach to support her clients “off the mat” with mental fitness training and coaching. Kristen has dedicated her entire career to transforming the lives of others and sees herself now as a guide to those willing to do the innerwork necessary to link their power with their passions, so that they can live a life more in alignment with their values, while showing up authentically in aspects of their lives. Kristen is the founder of Koi Coaching and Consulting, serving clients around the world, thanks in part to being part of the coaching team of BetterUp as well, whose mission is to make coaching accessible to all, unlocking greater potential, purpose, and passion. Born in a small coastal town in Connecticut, Kristen also spent a good part of her career in Richmond, Virginia, where she founded her nonprofit organization before moving back to the coast where she now resides in Southwest Florida with her husband and a blended family of four beautiful children.

Written by: Marguerite Thibodeaux, 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. Automation will happen one way or another. The future of work will see the most successful employees help automate their own jobs. One of the most excruciating conversations a leader has to handle is lay-offs. One way you can avoid those conversations is by getting out ahead of the curve: proactively help your team get involved in automating their own jobs. By being involved in the process, you are helping keep yourself and your team relevant even as technology evolves. The world changes quickly. So quickly now that most people have accepted that they will not be able to make a career out of doing that same thing for 30 or 40 years (and if you haven’t accepted this, I predict a very hard career transition in your future). Data storage and processing are cheap and only getting cheaper. The physical limitations of server farms no longer apply the same way now that the cloud can scale almost instantaneously with demand. Instant access to all this new data storage and processing power is only meaningful if firms use it to create a strategic advantage, like automating previously repetitive tasks that were too expensive to do with technology before. The firms that unleash the most value will be the ones that use this technology to free up employee time and talent to add uniquely human value to the end-to-end process, unlocking creativity and ingenuity. Not the firms that simply use this as carte blanche to reduce headcount. The employees that refuse to help with the automation will simply be at the mercy of others for what their job responsibilities are and when they change. For some, that’s all they expect anyway. For others, this will garner learned helplessness, and they will suffer for it. You can choose something else for yourself and your team. Proactively participating in the automation of your own team can empower you to make the change gradual, starting with the most repetitive tasks. Automating repetitive tasks can free up you and your team for uniquely human work that requires deep thought and creativity. I have vivid memories of staying late in the office, taking over conference rooms to use wall-to-wall whiteboards for deep work, generating ideas, and organizing them in ways we still do not have economical, scalable technology to replicate. This type of work requires chunks of uninterrupted time to enter and stay in the flow, a luxury often stolen by the little, repetitive tasks we are asked to complete throughout a workday, myself included. That’s why a couple of precious, uninterrupted evening hours in those conference rooms were often more productive than an entire eight-hour workday. What possibilities would unfold if your team could access that deep flow during the workday instead? Automation is not likely to slow down any time soon. These days, if something can be automated, it will be. Encouraging your team to work with automation instead of working against it means keeping you and your teammates relevant in the future of work. If you want to dig deeper into your role as a leader, you can book a complimentary consultation. I’d be happy to help you understand what this means for your unique team. Every leader deserves support. Follow her on LinkedIn for leadership tips and discussions. Check out her website for free leadership resources like a Professional Development Roadmapping Worksheet and Attrition Risk Matrix. Want one-on-one adapting these strategies to your team? Book a complimentary call with Marguerite. Every leader deserves support Follow me on LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Marguerite! Marguerite Thibodeaux, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Marguerite Thibodeaux, a leadership coach, and talent management consultant, helps leaders and organizations bring the best out of people with courage, compassion, and clarity. After building development programs and leading a talent transformation at a Fortune 100, she became increasingly aware that not all leaders had access to a Fortune 100 Learning & Development team. To do something about that, she started Magnanimous Leadership, a leadership coaching and consulting firm that's on a mission to make resources and support available to every leader.

We all have blind spots – unconscious thoughts, feelings, and assumptions that drive ineffective habits and unproductive behavior patterns. Blind spots affect both our personal and professional lives, and in the business world they hold leaders back from mastery – enabling teams to perform at their highest levels, continuously elevating results and driving the organization forward. Unaware of the unconscious root of the problem, leaders can become stuck. This awareness often surfaces too late, in the form of poor team performance, ineffective communication, and substandard company performance. When leaders recognize the unconscious behavioral patterns early and bring them to the surface – moving them from the unconscious to the conscious level – these patterns can be examined and changed. The Road Often Taken: A Superficial Approach Traditional coaching often fails to shine a light on the unconscious, where the roots of behavioral patterns live. The results are typically limited and temporary because these methods work only at the surface level and never reveal the true source of ineffective or uninspired performance. Think of it as the tip of an iceberg peeking out of the ocean. The only issues showing up and being addressed are the ones above the surface when, in fact, there is an entire unconscious level of issues lurking below. Over the long term, leaders remain stuck because they have not changed how they think and act on a deeper level. Common methods usually involve complex assessment systems that graph problematic behaviors and results. This may be useful for analyzing the details of job skills compared to performance, but in terms of leadership development, the effects are most often superficial. Coaches who use these methods typically ask, “What’s the problem?” and “What are your options?” then interject their own solutions, which limits results to the coach’s knowledge and past experience. This well-meaning advice is based on subjective judgements and does not tap into objective, deeper levels where the answers lie that can move leaders forward on a profound level. Diving Beneath the Surface for Lasting Change Lasting leadership development happens by tapping into the unconscious level – that place just beneath the surface where the real barriers to elevated performance exist. This is where the brain’s neurological sequencing, which is based on core beliefs and previous experiences, lives. The scientific principles of neurolinguistic programming (NLP) are highly effective at identifying and changing ineffective behavioral patterns and enhancing the patterns in the unconscious mind that underpin elevated performance. This approach leverages five steps to get below the surface and ensure deep, lasting change (traditional coaching does not explore three of the five which are keys to lasting results): Identify the situation, goals, and objectives. Establish development plans, metrics, and target goal dates for individual leaders. Use neurolinguistic programming to unravel problematic behavioral patterns. Pinpoint patterns, root cause, impact, and resolution options with opened neural pathways. Evaluate and measure accomplishments and determine next step (s). Starting with a completely open mind is vital to a leadership coach’s ability to uncover the past or present experiences that have created the neural pathways that produced a leader’s beliefs and resulting actions. Listening closely and utilizing principles of neurolinguistic programming, an expert coach can pinpoint the behavioral patterns and their origins by examining the words the leader uses. Language typically comes straight from our unconscious and therefore is a window into deeper thought patterns. For instance, phrases such as, “am not,” “can’t, “unable to,” and “must not” reveal an assumption of the impossibility of a desire or goal. NLP-trained coaches listen deeply, not only to the words used but the tone, pace, energy level, and smoothness of speech, as well as the use of fillers, such as “like” and “ya know,” to uncover the experiences that lead to negative neural pathways and the resulting behavioral patterns. Typical questions an expert behavioral and NLP coach ask include: What is the root of the issue? What is really stopping you? If you could do it over again, what would you do differently? What is your desired outcome? What is the thing we are not discussing that we should be? (reveals a blind spot.) At an even deeper level, by observing how leaders conduct or participate in meetings, coaches are able to observe them in their “natural habitat,” which reveals behavior patterns the client may not report because they are simply unaware of them. Observation is conducted virtually, making it easier and faster for the coach to melt into the background. The coach reads sensory acuity and words, noting the leadership approach and style as well as the team’s non-verbal reactions. Neuroscience techniques are applied to change the leader’s thought patterns and the resulting behavior. The tangible results come to light once they are aware of their own unique, limiting thoughts and behaviors, and learn how to implement them with this three-step technique: Identify the thought/behavior pattern in the moment. Interrupt it every time it repeats. Run a new, enhanced pattern. Lasting Leadership Development Elevates the Entire Organization The blind spots that hold leaders back, personally and professionally, repeat themselves until unconscious patterns surface at the conscious level where blind spots can be transformed. When leaders have the opportunity to consciously work with their submerged, unconscious behaviors in this way, they can unleash their full potential and make a powerful impact on their organizations. The best part is that, using the neuroscientific approach to coaching, the results are fast-tracked with leaders typically achieving their first round of objectives within five weeks. There’s a lot going on in our unconscious and subconscious minds. Some of it is very positive, while some is holding us back in terms of reaching our ultimate leadership potential. A good leadership coach is one who is not afraid to get out their figurative shovel and dig deep into those areas, uncovering the negative patterns and thoughts that act as speed bumps to our advancement. It’s not just a good way to effect real change. It’s the only way. About the author: Karen Brown, Founder and CEO of Exponential Results, draws upon her experience as a corporate executive, senior executive coach, and behavioral expert to elevate the performance and impact of senior executives. Follow her on LinkedIn.

Written by: Dr. Jackie Lau, 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. Life coaching — is it about people’s need to be coached, or a coach’s need to be coaching? In the first article of this 5-part series “Is my story of becoming a coach current?”, we confronted our tendency to adhere to one single story, based on a conceptualized version of self we identified with at a particular point. In this second article, we continue the journey to discover the nature of conditioning and choices. "Why and how did you become a coach?" – a hallmark question that many coaches would answer with a habitual narration of an "at effect" story, often times one of resilience and recovery from the ordeals of life. E.g., I was mistreated by (life events/people), therefore I decided to help others who are/were mistreated to overcome those (life events/people). This certainly serves to inspire others to see the universal nature of what we perceive as life problems, to offer relatedness and sharing when one feels alone and could benefit from the power of togetherness. However, from this vantage point that I boldly over-generalized, would we actually be potentially encouraging the victim "me against the world" mentality? How aware are we that we are unaware? As reflected by the position from which our stories are formed and told, are we setting up a transformational journey for another, which is really just an extension of own unsolved piece? The question is – where are we really? Not in a linear sense of the word “where” measured by chronological or psychological reach, but our readiness to see our own conditioning while we’re so accustomed to identifying others’. The way we perceive and respond to life situations is based on our past conditioning; our responses further shape our self-image, which determines the possibilities we see and the way we approach phenomena. To wit, we are all, to an extent, compelled to think, feel and act based on our past experiences as interpreted by the egoic mind, from which our conceptualized self is derived. It is curious then if most of our knowledge are buried in the unconscious, how aware are we that we are unaware? Are we branding through victimhood or an adaptive defense mechanism? In the context of coaching, our tendency to identify with our journey of becoming a coach can contribute substantially to our self-concept, which forms an unconscious filter through which we perceive everything. It is therefore pivotal to question whether we are branding through victimhood, or unconsciously engaging in the virtuous victim effect, which is our tendency to view victims in any form as possessing more elevated moral characters than non-victims who behave in an identical manner. In a hyper-sensitive culture, our inclination toward victimhood may be rooted in our unconscious tendency to allocate more resources to benefit the victims, where the beneficiaries and benefactors are mutually motivated by the collective ego of a strong moral identity, ultimately derived from a sense of separation. Paradoxically, as far as pop psychological jargon is concerned, victim mentality would be considered a “limiting belief”, precisely the kind of attitude that coaching branding often promises to “destroy”. What if it is actually limiting to think that you have to get rid of your limiting beliefs? What if there is no good or bad, and every response and energy we engage in, whether mental, emotional or physical, serves a purpose for us to respond to our perceived environment? That way, there is nothing to get rid of, nothing to exclude, reject, disown, suppress or replace in our existence, nothing to repress or shove into the unconscious. Rather than reconstructing and reinforcing the ego through gathering the seemingly more approved personality traits according to specific social functions, and re-conditioning the persona through the illusory identification with more momentary and fleeting characters, let’s explore the possibility of transcending into acceptance and inclusion, allowing the true nature of perception and experience. Transcending into acceptance and inclusion To dive deeper into our relationship with coaching, we can invite the understanding of Self into our awareness, by bringing the emotional imprints that we operate through in our unconscious mind into the conscious mind. Let’s start by asking the question ─ to what extent, no matter how little, are we using altruism as a defense mechanism to protect ourselves from experiencing perceived uncomfortable feelings and threats to our self-concept? In other words, to what extent, no matter how minute, are we tricking ourselves into believing we’re growing by coaching other people on personal growth? And compelled to generate ego-based surface achievements and self-images for ourselves and others that are still rooted in victimhood and the search for validation and approval? To approach this in a non-dual, open and creative way, we can tune into the part of us that feels resistance, and the part that feels constant, then the part that feels free. Do we welcome the constant deconstruction of the old self-concept and the associated stories that we identify with? We are continually magnetizing circumstances and situations for us to learn about ourselves, for comparing and contrasting, to observe and witness our choices of interpretation. How would we experience our inspired creation instinctually? How would we truly take responsibility for the circumstances that we call into our awareness, and allow ourselves to tune into an "at cause" place of a freer presence? Stay tuned for Part 3 of this 5-part series… Visit my website, and follow me on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram for more info! Read more from Jackie! Dr. Jackie Lau, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Dr. Jackie Lau is a neuroscientist and an experienced international life coach who is fascinated with human behaviors and the mechanisms underlying our mental and emotional states. With a deep appreciation for the integrative approach of modern psychology, neuroscience, and spirituality, Jackie is a top life coach in Australia and has co-created with people all over the world to radically transform into more self-awareness, sense of purpose, and inner freedom. Jackie is trained as a strategic interventionist and breakthrough specialist with Robbins-Madanes Training, directed by Tony Robbins, which combines effective techniques evolved from neurolinguistic, psychological, and therapeutic inter-disciplines. As a curious researcher, Jackie completed her Ph.D. in neuroscience at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Australia, studying the neural circuits governing motivation and reward. She is currently researching neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease, investigating the molecular basis relating neuroplasticity to cognition. Leveraging her diverse cultural background, Jackie is profoundly devoted to studying Eastern and Western philosophy and literature, learning transformative wisdom from influential life strategists and spiritual teachers. In the fervency of her gratitude, for over a decade, she earnestly empowers people from all walks of life to live our authentic virtuous Self and commit to becoming love. Through ingenious modalities including mindset transformation and meditation, Jackie is inspired to cultivate our connection to a deeper world, one that nourishes our spiritual heart rather than feeds our time-bound predicament of patterns, one that channels our fear of pain into lasting pull to joy, appreciation, and peaceful presence. Jackie loves the art of music and dance. She trained as a classical violinist from a young age, later on, discovered her passion for classical guitar, and has also been a dedicated hip-hop dancer and instructor since her college years. Her creative journey has never ceased to open doors for the extraordinary in the ordinariness of life. Jackie’s vision is to co-create with the human family as part of nature, to tune in consciously and align with our thoughts, emotions, and actions, and to live passionately and playfully with full presence.