Written by: Maya Zack, 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. Times are pretty crazy right now. Many biz owners (and people in general, for that matter) I speak to are increasingly stressing out and even flat-out panicking about what’s to come here in the UK, with massive hikes in the cost of living, an energy crisis & a looming recession. If you’re elsewhere in the world, global issues are affecting you too. And this is after we’ve finally come out of COVID! So first, know that you’re not alone in feeling this. And this is whether you’re a small business owner starting out or already established and have achieved success. Challenges and things out of our control are just part of reality, and particularly as business owners, we need to be able to deal with them and continue with a forward-thinking focus if we want any chance of surviving. And that’s on top of the ‘normal,’ inevitable business challenges we’d face in more peaceful times. So here are some steps you can take to build resilience & strength and get through these and any difficult times. 1. Take time out Consuming negative information is overwhelming. So take time out. This doesn’t mean you should completely remove yourself or disconnect from reality. But taking some distance from either consuming all the bad news, other people’s stress on social or from engaging with the negative situation will give you the space you need to reflect on what’s really going on for you and to refocus on your path & creative solutions. 2. Depersonalise the situation When we feel anxious or overwhelmed, it can be easy to believe that the situation is about us and who we are. We might think we’re the only ones feeling this way, or that we’re the only ones who can't cope. We might think and feel like this is about us not being good or capable enough. But it's important to remember that the situation is not about you, it’s not personal and is not about who you are. Adversity is not a reflection of who you are as a person. It’s simply a part of life. Try to take a step back and depersonalise the situation. Detach your self-worth or self-image from it. See it for what it is, rather than getting wrapped up in your own thoughts and feelings about it. This will help you to get a clearer perspective. 3. Use tools to take charge of emotions Being able to reduce stress, anxiety and any other unhelpful emotions on demand is key to allowing you to build resilience (well, it’s really key to life as a whole & achieving any of your goals!). Taking control of how you think & feel is the best thing you can do for yourself. It’s the one thing that allows you to experience life and all that it will throw at you in the most positive way possible. Mindset mastery is truly the biggest asset you can have. Whether relaxation techniques, meditation, (self) hypnosis or the powerful Sedona Method™ – just do it. Allow yourself to take time out to focus on this. 4. Practice acceptance One of the most important things you can do is to build resilience is to practice acceptance of what is. Acceptance doesn’t mean you’re happy about the situation. It just means that you’re willing to surrender to what is. You’re willing to let go of trying to control what you can’t control. You’re willing to dissolve your resistance. When you bring in more acceptance into a situation, the first thing that happens is that as resistance drops, so does some level of suffering and feeling stuck. Sure, you still aim for improvement, but you’re not in a battle against the stream. This allows you to feel a certain relief, a little bit easier & lighter, have more energy (because you’re not fighting), and more easily open up to possibilities. As for the future – there’s also no guarantee things will work out the way you want them to. So prepare for any possibility, be open to whatever happens while focusing on your ability to cope and simply taking one step at a time. This is the best way to increase the likelihood of things working out for the better as you’re in the best state to handle things and problem-solve with more calm & clarity. 5. Remember everything is in a state of shifting Everything is impermanent, always in a state of movement. Nothing ever stays the same. This can be difficult, but it’s important to remind yourself that "this too shall pass." And again, rather than resisting a situation, it actually feels better to accept and go with the flow. Remain flexible while focusing on creative options & solutions. The more flexible you are – the less breakable. 6. Reframe beliefs & perception Identify & let go of unhelpful thoughts and beliefs that tell you things such as ‘can’t’, ‘never’ or other generalisations, projections or ‘rules’ for reality. Be mindful of your self-talk: the things we say to ourselves have a big impact on our mood and resilience levels. To build resilience, when you catch yourself following negative thinking, replace negative statements with either positive or more neutral ones. Reframe things as challenges you can overcome. Neutral wording can be easier for your mind to accept and take in if you’re just not feeling at all optimistic, in which case ‘covering up’ negativity might be counterproductive. Neutral statements are simply open ones and can more easily be phrased as ‘How’ or ‘What’ questions. Be curious – this quality is a powerful force that’ll help you build resilience. Questions send your mind off on a search to find an answer that fits (the mind loves being right). So allow yourself to bring up creative ideas and to think outside the box. This not only helps you to find solutions and feel a little bit more in control as you focus on things you can influence, but removes your attention from the suffering. It expands your awareness. For example, if your negative thought is about yourself: Negative: ‘I’m not strong enough, I’m going to fail’ Positive: ‘I’m feeling calm, confident & clear handling this’ Neutral: ‘I wonder how much stronger I’m going to feel after getting through this and what inner resources I’m going to discover within me’ Or ‘I wonder how it feels to have the confidence, focus & determination to succeed’ (the mind is ‘forced’ to immediately create some confidence, focus and determination in order to answer that question) If your negative belief is about the situation: Negative: ‘No one will want to buy from me right now’ Positive: ‘Some people are eager to buy from me’ Neutral: ‘I wonder who would be eager to buy from me and how I can reach them’ or ‘I wonder how I can adapt my offer or messaging so that people want to buy’ Taking charge of beliefs moves you from limitation to possibility. Logical challenging of them, affirmations and visualisations do help, but I highly recommend using a Sedona Method™ tool that works effortlessly and can dissolve beliefs in minutes ‒ no matter how long you’ve been holding onto them or how ‘deeply ingrained’ they feel. (You can book a special Bust your Beliefs session with me here for a limited time). 7. Imagine your future self who's already overcome the challenge Here’s another way to take charge of your self-image and the resources within that are available to you (they are unlimited!). Imagine your future self who's already made it through. Focus more on your internal state rather than on the external outcome (because we’re less in control of that). Imagine what your future self is thinking, feeling and how you’re behaving. This exercise allows you to do a few things: Refocuses your mind on the positive – providing you some instant relief in the moment. Activates your brain's natural reward system which increases your confidence. Creates more of the resourceful states you need and want. There’s no difference between real or imagined as far as your mind is concerned. Whatever experience you imagine – is an experience you access. So whatever positive feelings, thoughts or states you can imagine for yourself – you’ll be in fact already experiencing more and more of, every single time you practice this. You’re as unlimited as your imagination is! Makes the positive outcome more familiar to your mind and, therefore more likely. Whatever the mind is more familiar with – it accepts more as truth and will create experiences that match up (this is why it’s also a good idea to repeat this exercise often). For coming up with more solutions, try visualising that future self-offering you advice, giving you a ‘gift’ or telling you how they got to be where they are. This exercise is best done in a hypnotic state. However, if not, just taking a few minutes to calm your mind as best you can and doing this in a conscious state will still be highly beneficial. 8. Connect to the bigger picture Find meaning & gratitude in living the story – however, it may unfold. We’re here to experience. Difficult experiences can often lead us to reassess what’s important in our lives. The truth that eventually & inevitably we will not survive can help us survive present struggles. Remind yourself that we all face the very same end, so no story is ‘better’ than the other in that sense. They all lead to the same place. What’s important is how you felt along the way. So although this philosophical perspective may not be easy to adopt, if you resonate with it, it’ll help you feel less attached to any situation or outcomes. You build resilience as you feel stronger and see things more like a challenging adventure and the situation as the temporary phase within the bigger story it really is. If you can find meaning within this expanded perspective and in what you’re going through in terms of your overall human experience, it’ll be easier to get through. 9. Get help If you’re feeling overwhelmed (and particularly if you feel unsupported by people around you), it might be time to get help from a professional. This is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength, acknowledging where you need support and actively doing something about it that you know will shift your experience more easily and quickly. If you really take on board these tips, not only will you build resilience but you’ll be able to achieve more than you ever thought possible. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Maya! Maya Zack, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Maya Zack is an award-winning personal development & mindset coach, peak performance specialist and hypnotherapist. Based in the UK, she works internationally, mainly with women entrepreneurs as well as with businesses to create high-performance teams that aim to make a positive impact on people’s lives. She helps business owners, leaders and teams free themselves from mental & emotional habits or blocks that prevent them from experiencing more success or slow it down. She has developed her unique signature 8-week step-by-step mindset makeover programs for aspiring as well as already established entrepreneurs that change thinking & feeling patterns on the deepest, subconscious level, reprogramming their minds for success so that new habits & behaviours quickly become automatic and effortless. She believes it’s so important to our lives, joy and fulfilment to be doing what we love and daring to go for it regardless of the outcome. So many are held back by fear and she wants to change that. She believes success happens from the inside out alongside mindset mastery, and that as humans with imagination, we have the incredible capacity to become free, powerful creators of ourselves and our lives.

Written by: Roberto Patricolo, 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. Business organizations and smart working. Today we are living in a transitional time, I would say a time of "deep transformation" in which, in some way, our brains, our thoughts, and behavior patterns are continually challenged. In this article, I want to make you aware of some factors that affect the way we behave in the era of smart working. Some factors are immediately identifiable, others less and all of them contribute to influencing the way we think, our relationships with other people, our way of achieving results, and the time we take to achieve these results. I was directly involved in some consulting projects for teams’ growth, where time management and organization were the main two missing elements, precisely because of a relational way that was not adequate for what every person needed. If we are not in harmony with my colleagues at work, if we do not have the possibility to create a moment of personal and empathic confrontation, we will hardly create a relationship of productive trust; in return, everything turns into a slowdown. In the historical period we are going through, companies must necessarily exploit this situation turning it into an opportunity. A company unprepared to manage unexpected events will turn out in a generalized demotivation, an increase in costs and a reduction in returns for the employees, a rise in stress levels, and an overall malaise. The key elements in the era of smart working Below I am summarizing the elements which we must put our attention on and which, in my view, are fundamental for the success of companies. 1. The first aspect is communication, which reflects a paradigm shift in the way of communicating which now includes a virtual way that comes with a series of considerations. The "coldness" of a monitor compared to a meeting room where there is human warmth; this coldness tends to push away; the use of adequate tools and connections suitable for the purpose. Being in the middle of a project and being interrupted by a malfunction of the communication tool means slowing down the project; the times of the communication; if before we communicated during working hours, today working hours have been extended to 24 hours. Very often we read e-mails sent late in the evening or during holidays; communicating remotely can increase conflicts, as it lacks the empathic and emotional aspects that we cannot perceive in person. 2. The second aspect is related to security and it is very often underestimated. Security generally requires investments against a "potential risk". It is precisely the word "potential" that does not allow us to invest in security. The aspects related to security are to be associated with the leak of information and the possibility of unwanted access to corporate networks, with the always “potential” risk of blocking operations. This requires an important effort, first of all in the mentality of people, something that still happens very little also because of the increasing stress, which limits proactivity. Under stress we are reactive, we even run away or we "freeze"; therefore, in situations like these, it is much easier to keep things as they are, since, after all, we have to work. 3. The third aspect includes emotions, empathic relationships, and cooperation, all three are closely connected and the most important ones. Let's start with the most immediate. Indeed, we are living in a time when the risk of contracting a disease or even losing one's life is real. The human being, like all animals, has a survival instinct that implements behavioral policies of conservation, the exact contrary to proactivity. Even in a comfortable and homey environment emotions have an impact on behavior, thoughts, and decisions. The second of these elements is obvious in its description, less so in its consequences. Missing, or in the best case scenario having reduced relationships in the place of work make us a bit like automatons that connect with each other only to carry out their own activity, follow a virtual meeting, perhaps looking at the mobile phone. We have greatly reduced the exchange of views, the famous chit-chat, and small talks in front of a coffee. While we are all aware that these connections are decreasing more and more, we are less aware of the “asociality” aspect that comes with it. The brain is getting used to not sharing and, for all those people who made their expressiveness or their extroversion their battle horses, today not being able to do it, can feel frustrating and even depressing. Are we still convinced that smart working is really functional? The third of these elements is cooperation. Yes, it is one thing to speak of "forced cooperation" in the sense that we have to work with our colleagues, another is to speak of "managed cooperation", linked to the corporate vision, to the success of the company for which each of us works. Lacking empathy, cooperation is automatically affected. 4. Overall, the fourth aspect to take into account is the one about attention and care for the environment, something that is not easy to evaluate. According to the latest cognitive theories, cognitive processes are not limited to the operations that reside within the cognitive system but also include larger bodily structures and processes of interaction with the environment. According to several experts (Lakoff, Johnson, 1999 and Mallgrave, 2015) “we are embodied beings, in which minds, bodies, environment, and culture are connected to each other at different levels". Why is embodied cognition so important? When carrying out work-related activities at home, we tend to be comfortable. Let’s admit it, we all wear pajamas and slippers while doing online meetings (with the video switched off). Nice from a comfort point of view, but how is the brain interpreting all of this? For our brain, staying at home in our PJs means a day off and relaxation. This happens because the brain has created, for years, over centuries, a close correlation between the way we dress and the environment. How can we expect to perform if our brain does not produce hormones useful to increase performance? 5. Finally, the last element, streamlining of procedures is again something concrete and measurable. It seems almost obvious but often overlooked, that streamlining procedures leads to improvements in time management. To complete a project, we have to define discrete and sequential steps that maybe been fast a few years ago due to direct relationships but today these represent a slowdown and source of stress. Today, company leaders, managers, and executives are required to be even more efficient in time management, emotional skills, and stress management, to make better use of technical skills in communication and safety, and, above all, to be more agile and mentally flexible; in addition, they must ensure that these skills are shared with the employees. Actions to be taken in the smart-working era So, what to do in your company? Implement a training and growth policy on all these emotional and behavioral aspects that go in the direction of self-realization of individual employees; develop pathways for the development of neuro agility (I will write about neuro agility in another article) throughout the company, starting with the managerial areas and ending with the various teams and work groups; work to optimize company procedures, limiting their consumption; implement a company security policy, in order to ensure that workers' access is safe for themselves and the company; introduce or extend a stress management policy that will allow mitigating the effects of the "emotional" distance and the "cold" use of digital; making employees and collaborators increasingly an integral part of the company as this allows them to increase their motivation and cooperation between themselves. Follow me on LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Roberto Patricolo, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Roberto is an experienced business coach who applies neuroscientific paradigms in the programs created for his clients. Roberto has the passion to work with people and for people within companies, to ensure high levels of performance and a degree of job satisfaction that makes them accomplished and successful and improves the total productivity of the company.His vision is to see his country (Italy) better than it is now, through the success of SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) which represent at least 70% of the national economy. He says, "'I want to leave our children and our grandchildren a better country". For this, he contributes in improving the success of companies through his business coaching program (“PerFormare”) and through his neuroscience expertise, working on the balance of four human beings variables: Mind, Body, Emotions, Relationships.""PerFormare"", the innovative business coaching program proposed by Roberto, leverages an assessment based on neuroscience, done at the beginning and the end of the program; He can make the intervention with clients, who choose to work with him, very precise, accurate and effective. Roberto is an expert in NLP (Master Practitioner), Mindfulness, Personal Trainer, Nutrition, Neuroscience, Leadership and collaborates with different experts according to the needs of clientIf you want to know deeply how to best use the skills and talents of the people who are part of your team, if you want to know the relational modalities and behavioral patterns of your collaborators, if you want to know how to best organize your team and make it perform at its best please, take a look at https://robertopatricolo.com/ to learn more about Roberto his work and his innovative approach.

Written by: Regina Bauscher, 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 Growth of the Essential Oil Industry. Essential oils have generated a lot of buzz over the last few decades. These oils are typically sourced from a variety of plants whose compounds are extracted through pressure, steam, or the use of solvents. Science and research have affirmed the therapeutic potential of many essential oils, some more than others. The pharmaceutical industry has supported this research into essential oil constituents. Essential oils literally have hundreds of components, so to study a complete oil would be prohibitively expensive. This cost of chemical analysis through gas chromatography is why whole oils are not typically studied. So, the pharmaceutical industry focuses on those constituents that show the most promise. (i.e.: Linalool found in Lavender). Essential oil usage has soared with the rise in interest of natural living, homesteading, homeopathic and naturopathic medicine. Hundreds of essential oil companies arose up with several multi-level marketing companies that “specialize” in essential oils, each claiming to offer only the “purest” oils on the market. The market literally exploded, and oils were touted as the cure-all for everything from asthma to attention deficit disorder, to cancer. Sadly, this also has resulted in many documented essential oil injuries and adverse reactions. With hundreds of oils on the market, the average consumer faces a confusing/challenging decision on what, how and where to use essential oils in their life. With companies advertising “Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils”, consumers are drawn into a false sense of security. What is a Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil? Most consumers do not know that there actually is no such thing as “therapeutic grade”. A single certifying agency in the United States does not exist that analyzes or grades essential oils. Those words are simply a marketing term that is very common and widely accepted without question. Gas Chromatography (GC) analysis is a scientific test run on essential oils to determine if they contain the expected constituents. This test also can detect any adulterations or synthetic additions to a natural oil. When purchasing an essential oil, the buyer is within their rights to request the results of a GC analysis. Most responsible suppliers are more than happy to provide the results of an oil analysis to secure the consumer’s trust. However, a GC test still does not guarantee or prove any therapeutic potential in an oil. A GC analysis shows the specific constituents in oils and can illuminate if there are any synthetic substitutions or adulterations with other undesirable compounds. Professionalism in Essential Oils In 1990, the founding members of the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) worked together to create an organization that sought to separate fact from fiction, train essential oil professionals and offer the public a trusted source through which education would be possible. In effect, NAHA sets the guidelines for trained aromatherapists to follow. NAHA is now a respected institution offering certification programs for professionals seeking to specialize in the use of essential oils. In the United States, there are two levels of Certification. Level 1 is for individuals wanting to learn about essential oils for their own personal use. Thirty hours of essential oil training are necessary. Level 2 is much more intensive for those wanting to practice aromatherapy as a profession. This level means at least 200 hours of study are required including the study of physiology and anatomy, the completion of multiple case studies demonstrating proficiency in blending essential oils, a complete understanding of what constitutes essential oil safety and the passing of a final exam. Yearly continuing education courses are required to maintain certification. Before making any recommendations on essential oil usage, a professional aromatherapist will discuss the client’s lifestyle, health concerns/needs and reasons for wanting to use essential oils. Essential Oil Safety Understanding the contraindications of various oils is critically important. The components of essential oils are found in many pharmaceutical medications and an overdose situation may inadvertently occur. For example, a trained Aromatherapist knows that a cancer patient should not use essential oils for 48 hours after a chemotherapy treatment. Unfortunately, problems do arise when a person with little or no formal training gives off-the-cuff essential oil advice, dosages, and methods of use. Essential Oils are incredibly potent chemicals from nature. Just because it comes from nature, does not mean they are inherently safe. In the hands of an untrained amateur, essential oils have the potential for harm. Visualize this. An essential oil salesperson operates four separate diffusers continually in her booth at a gift show. She also carries an infant in a swaddling wrap hanging from her shoulder. The baby is in the booth for over 2 hours. Salespeople are trained to sell. So, what is wrong with this picture? Essential oils should not be used around infants under a year old Essential oil constituents that are inhaled get into the bloodstream within minutes. Children’s immune systems are not fully developed and chemical exposure at a young age has lasting effects. Repeated, excessive exposure can lead to allergies, particularly in children. 5). Diffusers should never be left on continually or for long periods, regardless of age. Essential oils do not affect everyone the same way. Depending on a person’s immune system, the benefits can be amazing. They can also be minimal to non-existent. They do not work for everyone. Excessive exposure does lead to side-effects. Unfortunately, the responsibility for safe usage, falls on the consumer. to research oils before use. The internet is not a reliable source of essential oil information, yet that is where many consumers go looking for advice. Consumers fall victim to polished marketing presentations and broad-based advice. Consulting a trained aromatherapist will protect you and your family from over-exposure, will help you make informed, healthy choices for which oils are beneficial, and even train you to recognize the best oils regardless of marketing hype and sales tactics. Reach out to us with questions at info@HoneySweetieAcres.com or visit www.NAHA.org to find a certified aromatherapist in your area. It will be a wonderful learning opportunity for you. Helpful links: https://tisserandinstitute.org/safety/ https://naha.org/explore-aromatherapy Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, or visit my website for more info! Regina Bauscher, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Regina Bauscher has worked in the clean skin space for over 20 years. It began in making "clean" products for her family while raising her children. With education in chemistry, advanced certification in Soap-Making, Essential Oils & Aromatherapy, her goal is to create products that do no harm, create for those who are sensitive skinned and help people find comfort in their skin. Regina is a Level 2 Certified Aromatherapist.

Written by: Samantha Vlasceanu, 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. Marketing has experienced a shift from what we want to be to who we truly are in recent years. What does that mean? It means that marketers are starting to see the value in telling their stories truthfully and displaying real human emotions. There is probably nothing worse to call someone’s marketing than “disingenuous.” Especially in today’s digital market, the focus is on creating genuine connections with real people. In fact, this is part of TikTok’s success: it features authentic and accessible stories. Benefits of Being Authentic You need to tell a deeply personal message that will reach as many people as possible. It almost sounds impossible, but it’s doable. However, as a small business, there are many benefits to showing up authentically for your business. Firstly, it’s inexpensive. You do not need a highly produced and polished commercial to advertise your business. You just need decent lighting and a cell phone. Secondly, it encourages engagement. We don’t want a conversation with a faceless conglomerate. We want to talk to a person. Being authentic and showing up as yourself in your marketing gives your audience the comfort level to engage with you. Thirdly, you don’t have to be perfect! Being authentic means that you can be honest about your shortcomings and imperfections. Fourth, authenticity sets you apart from your competition. In fact, there is no competition; there is only ONE you! Lastly, authenticity makes people feel safe. We are wired to seek connection and acceptance. And when we can relate to you in your marketing materials, it creates a bond that sets the stage for what could blossom into an ongoing relationship. So, tell YOUR story. How can you do that? Let's look at six plans to be able to tell your story on TikTok. Your Origin Story Every great story starts by showing how our character got here. Your business did not begin sprouting on its own ‒ you made a series of decisions that resulted in an amazing brand! Tell your audience your history ‒ from your humble beginnings to the values that you add to your business, However, make sure your story is linear ‒ this is not the time to add too many extra details. Keep your story tight and clear, and your dream client will find themselves building a relationship with you. Remember: we buy from people that we know, like and trust. The first step is making sure your audience knows ‒ who you are and how you started. Tell the Ending First I love this framework because it starts with a high climax and hooks your audience right away. This is key on TikTok because the longer your audience watches your video, the better it will perform with TikTok's algorithm. So, pick a result and then go back and give your audience the step-by-step process that led you to that point. Using captions is a smart way to make sure your dream client understands the process that led to the result. In addition to the framework listed above, you can also start your story with a problem. This establishes a real-life challenge that led you down this path of creating an amazing product or service to solve it. "Hi, I'm... Introduce yourself, even if your audience already knows you. It's a simple, concise, and clear way to tell your story. Tell your dream client who you are, what you do, and the results that you get. Specifically, you're going to want to showcase your tagline using captions and focus on videos that show your product or service in action and the emotions your dream client feels when they work with you. An added bonus is that you get the practice of telling your elevator pitch, which will help with other networking. Break it Down We don't buy things; we buy results, so show your audience how easy it is to get results! Take your product or service and break it down step-by-step. Again, you want to keep it simple so that your audience can easily follow along. Remember, you're the expert, and as such, it's your job to break down those complicated processes into digestible bites for your audience. A fun tip here: as your call to action, encourage your audience to share how they feel after they have tried it out for themselves. It's an easy way to promote user-generated content ‒ which is a total win for any brand! A Way of Life Human nature dictates that we don't want too much change. So show your dream client how your business is going to fit in seamlessly with their current lifestyle. Show your business in at least three different environments or routines so that your dream client can see that it is so easy to fit your brand into their life. Again, you'll want that clear call-to-action related to what you're selling so that your business can go from fitting into their lifestyle to being the thing that they can't live without. It's Not Rocket Science We want everything to be simple, quick, and dependable! Make sure that your consumers understand that anybody can use your product or service at any time. Make videos that show your product or service in action. Show your dream client that they can fit it into their life with ease and without complication. As well, show your reliability! Not only will your product work for them, but it will also keep working for them day in and day out. It's the last piece that helps people buy from you ‒ someone they know, like, and ultimately trust. Tell Your Story in Your Voice The great thing about TikTok is that it tells your story – not some Photoshopped glossy version of it. So make sure to tell your story in your voice, whatever that means for you and your brand. Use these ideas to leverage TikTok for what it does best – sharing stories. Want to learn more about sharing your message on TikTok? Join our group coaching program to learn my four-step process to hone your messaging and turn followers into clients. Click here to book a call to see how this program can fast-track your business. Follow Samantha on her Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Tiktok, and visit her website for more info. Read more from Samantha! Samantha Vlasceanu, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Samantha Vlasceaunu, The TikTok Coach, is on a mission to convince businesses and brands that TikTok is not just for our teenagers (and no dancing required)! When Covid-19 hit, her other traveling business had to shut down and she had to pivot ‒ FAST. That's when she realized that she'd been organically reaching her audience on TikTok all along and realized the power TikTok could have for businesses if they gave them a chance. Fast forward to today, Sam works with marketing agencies, coaches, lawyers, and corporate Brands ‒ you name it! Sam ensures all her clients are using the app with the intention of a sales funnel in finding their target audience and coaching the strategies of converting their followers into ACTUAL paying clients.

Written by: Karolynn Hardy, 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 do not need to be an entrepreneur to benefit from an entrepreneurial mindset. The Great Resignation, hybrid working, and quiet quitting are just some of the trends facing leaders today. COVID-19, arguably, has prompted some of the largest changes in how we work that have been seen for decades. The hangover of this continues with staff shortages, rising costs to attract talent, and lack of training, along with rising inflation and a looming recession. Amongst this change, many employees have opted to leave the corporate environment to start their own venture, embark on meaningful work and find their purpose. Not only are the trends of work constantly changing, but the future of work is also taking a new shape. Strong leadership is more critical than ever. Great leaders see things as they are. Leaders are faced with creating culture, community, belonging, and effective communication in a workplace where teams may no longer see each other from one week to the next. To remain competitive and attractive to the talent in the market, leaders must display an entrepreneurial mindset. Leaders with an entrepreneurial mindset, also sometimes known as a growth mindset, “allow individuals to harness opportunities, overcome obstacles, learn and implement strategies and thrive in all sorts of competitive environments (Forbes,2021). Entrepreneur.com build on this, listing the traits required to include optimism, openness, curiosity, persuasiveness, self-motivation, resilience to setbacks, and ownership. Leaders in the current working environment are required to balance the commercial requirements of their business and the needs of people more than ever. Richard Branson’s philosophy of investing in his people has stood the test of time and sustained success: “Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients.” So, how do you adopt an entrepreneurial mindset? There are three steps to implementing an entrepreneurial mindset in your leadership. 1. Follower leadership Steve Jobs once said, “It doesn't make sense to hire smart people and tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.” Be a leader of your people. For your people. Enable others to do their best work. Allow your team to undertake work that is meaningful to them. Provide purpose and vision, so the team understands the bigger picture of how their work contributes to something that matters. Seek the perspective of your talented team, value their input, invite their contribution and act on their suggestions so they become part of the solution. Encourage everyone to learn from opportunities. Instill a mindset that there is no failure, as every experience creates new opportunities. Enable everyone to be involved in success! 2. Take Risk “You can't make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen.” — Michelle Obama Get comfortable with the uncomfortable. One thing to be certain about moving forward, the future will continue to be uncertain. Work outside of the box. Do what has not been experimented with before. Encourage creativity and invite innovation. Practice weighing up the pros and cons of any situation and actively making decisions with the information available. Ask yourself, what would I do if it were my money? Taking considered judgement, followed by action planning and implementation, engages your team towards a common goal. 3. Intuition “Follow your instincts. That’s where true wisdom manifests itself.” –Oprah Winfrey Trust yourself. Back yourself to listen to your intuition. Intuition enables leaders to connect with empathy and act with confidence. Confidence breeds belief and optimism. Optimism enables the foundations to build resilience to bounce forward from setbacks. With purpose, the setbacks are worth the learnings that lead to success. Intuition leads to wisdom, and wisdom knows when a viable idea can be iterated. Over and over, research demonstrates that leadership correlates to team engagement and engagement correlates to marketplace success. You do not need to be an entrepreneur to benefit from an entrepreneurial mindset. Be the leader your organisation requires in these challenging times to navigate these headwinds of change. Be the leader you are destined to be! Follow me on LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Read more from Karolynn! Karolynn Hardy, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Karolynn Hardy is a proud Robbins Results Coach. PCC & Master NLP qualified, Karolynn is known for her honest, passionate, and caring approach. She couples her expertise in mindset and brain health with tangible strategies. Her desire is to help clients apply these strategies through their heart and their mind to create their best life. Karolynn loves asking that key question to get to the heart of a matter. With a special interest in veteran PTSD, Karolynn pledges to be part of a solution to treating this widespread condition. Also, with an extensive career in corporate development, Karolynn understands leadership. She believes leadership comes in many forms and there is an inner leader in each of us. It is her mission to help each of her clients find their inner leader, their inside perspective, to become their best self.

Written by: Dr. Sydney Ceruto, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. I know it sounds counterintuitive but arguing can bring you more peace and happiness — arguing with yourself that is. You know that incessant chatter inside your head that keeps a running commentary on all that happens, critiquing and second-guessing your every move? For most of us, that inner voice is harsh, even downright nasty. It drones on and on with never-ending criticisms, judgments, and comparisons. Mine used to be a real witch. Years ago, she delighted in constantly telling me that I wasn’t a good enough wife, mother, friend, daughter… you name it; that I couldn’t possibly make it on my own; that I wasn’t smart enough, strong enough, pretty enough, blah, blah, blah… My inner witch was partially responsible for years of an overwhelming sense of fear, anxiety, and panic. I want you to know that you don’t have to believe that voice in your head. You can shut it up and even make friends with it. If I can do it, you can too! Where Does the Critical Inner Voice Come From? The internal voice in all of us is made up of our subconscious thoughts, beliefs, and feelings. While some of the mind material comes from your present and recent past, most of this background noise is made up of memories and programming from childhood. It consists mostly of your “junk” — wounds, fears, pain. As you grow up, you unconsciously integrate this negative subject matter into your belief system about yourself, others, and the world. The resulting subconscious filter becomes the lens through which you view life and interpret what happens. So, as an adult, you live your life seeing the world through the wounds of your childhood – until you intentionally alter your perspective and create more salubrious neural pathways. This subconscious chatter largely determines your relationship with yourself, your significant other, and your career. This vicious inner voice greatly impacts your behavior, guides your decisions, and ultimately shapes the direction of your life. Your “junk” can prevent you from living the life you want to lead and becoming the person you want to be. This subconscious stream influences how you make sense of and respond to the world. On the one hand, your inner voice can encourage and support you and, in turn, increase your resilience, achievements, and happiness. On the other hand, it can sabotage your career and relationships, undermine your confidence, and contribute to stress, anxiety, and depression. Your Internal Voice Determines Whether You Live in a Hostile or Friendly World We all have this incessant inner dialogue going on in our head to some degree, shaping our self-images, coloring our attitudes, and forming our concepts of the world we live in as either hostile or friendly. Whether your inner voice is your best friend or worst enemy depends on you. It doesn’t have to hurt you. If you become aware of and consciously correct and direct it, it can become your friend and help you. Perhaps you don’t even recognize how often the nagging, limiting voice shows up because it’s just part of the subconscious transcript your brain has running all the time. It’s your norm or what I call your ‘default setting.’ Becoming aware of your recurring beliefs and negative thought patterns that cause problems for you and beginning to challenge them and infuse intentional, more positive material can produce happier feelings and a much more optimistic you. Your Thoughts Shape Your Brain and Life How you feel largely depends on the thoughts that run through your head. The quickest way to change how you feel is to change how you think. The many benefits of positive emotions are well documented by science. They improve physical health and foster trust and compassion. Positive emotions buffer against depressive symptoms and help people recover from stress. They can even undo the harmful effects of negative emotions. The frequent experience and expression of positive emotions increase resilience and resourcefulness. Moreover, positive emotions promote better social connectedness. Your thoughts and emotions shape both the physical form and function of your brain, a capability known as neuroplasticity. Your brain is a feedback loop. Good thoughts and feelings today increase the likelihood of good thoughts and feelings tomorrow. The opposite is also true. So, we need to make sure you are talking to yourself in a way that yields positive feelings and encourages and supports you. How to Argue with Your Inner Critic I recommend starting by responding to your negative inner thoughts “as if they were uttered by an external person whose mission is to make your life miserable.” In other words, you want to argue with and shut up your inner critic. I call this process disputation. We can begin this by implementing the ABCDE method to create a framework for you to examine and challenge your spontaneous internal thoughts in a new way. Once you learn how to control your mind, you will notice yourself gaining control of your life. Adversity Recognize when adversity hits. Consider what happened right before you had the thought or emotional response, such as anxiety, sadness, or anger. When you become more mindfully aware of events that typically trigger strong emotional responses, you can learn to anticipate future reactions and be more conscious of and prepared to deal with what emotions arise more effectively. Beliefs Become aware of your automatic subconscious assumptions, expectations, and beliefs about whatever has triggered you. Notice the script that is running through your mind and what you’re saying to yourself. Write your thoughts down in a journal. Avoid judging your thoughts and beliefs as right or wrong. You simply want to notice them. Consequences Look at the emotional and other consequences of your beliefs. What do you feel and how do you feel compelled to act when you accept what the inner critic says as true? How does this affect you mentally and emotionally and in other areas of your life? Be specific. Are the potential consequences in line with your wants, your values, and who you want to be? Consequences are more than just the outcome of the event. Consequences are also behavioral and emotional. Sometimes, you experience clear consequences externally. Other times, consequences are internal, such as experiencing overwhelming anxiety or sadness. Disputation This is where you get to argue with yourself. Question your beliefs, assumptions, and expectations. Zoom out, look at the situation from a broader perspective, or even try on an opposing viewpoint. For example, ask yourself: What is the evidence for my existing beliefs? Are there other possible explanations? What are the implications of my believing this thought and is it helping me? Does it feel right to believe this any longer? How useful are my beliefs? Do I or others get any benefits from maintaining them or would I be better served by adopting new beliefs? Effects Notice the effects that result from actively examining and disputing your thinking. Once you identify and clarify your emotionally charged beliefs about something, you can begin to consciously come up with thoughts that support, encourage, and help you. Disputing your beliefs and thoughts can alter your energy and mood around any situation. Your intended course of action or possible solutions and outcomes might change as well. It’s also entirely possible that you will confirm your original beliefs and intended course of action, but that’s okay for now. With my unique approach, we will debunk that old belief system, quickly and more importantly, permanently. The crucial thing is that you are now able to approach the situation with awareness and mindfully, then inherently choose your behavior. When You Change the Way You Think, You Change Your Brain and Life Over time and through my program, becoming aware of your inner voice, naming your emotions, challenging your thoughts, and consciously choosing more encouraging, supportive self-talk, will help build a more positive brain and turn down your stress response significantly. Arguing with yourself can change your thoughts and beliefs to help make you happier and more optimistic, and it unequivocally supports optimal brain function. Often, I have seen this work in reducing the amount of arguing with other people in your life, which is a clear win-win. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dr. Sydney! Dr. Sydney Ceruto, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Dr. Sydney Ceruto has completed her doctoral education in the field of Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience & is a leading specialist in using your brains natural ability to change, neuroplasticity, to ensure you reach your desired goals. Her specialty is in helping clients recognize their faulty thinking patterns, change undesirable behaviors, developmental & emotional resiliency, & gain mental clarity. When Dr. Ceruto was a teenager, she tragically lost both parents. As an only child, the loss of family completely broke her. She became profoundly depressed & began suffering from chronic anxiety. Sydney felt lost, & any form of happiness, confidence, or clarity, seemed a long way off. Soon after, she began to pursue her education in medicine at Yale & obtained three masters in psychology & two PhD’s in both cognitive & behavioral neuroscience at NYU. Studying the mind-brain connection was indeed the paradigm for her healing & growth. Dr. Sydney Ceruto created MindLAB Neuroscience over two decades ago. She pioneered an integrative approach based on hard science that has genuinely changed the way people make positive &, more importantly, permanent changes in all areas of their lives. Her program is highly venerated & has debunked all the myths regarding the efficacy of “traditional therapy” & the sad misnomer that you need to be on a counselor’s couch for years or even decades. Several publications have Dr. Sydney Ceruto on staff as a senior writer. She is a proud member of the Forbes Executive Council, Positive Performance Alliance, Wharton Executive Education Program, Executive Writer for Alternatives Watch and Brainz Magazine. She has an avid intellect, a keen understanding of human nature, & an uncanny ability to connect deeply with clients. Dr. Ceruto is hands-on, accessible, highly intuitive, compassionate & is told … pretty funny! One of her passions is traveling which she has done extensively. Dr. Ceruto is an avid sports enthusiast and watches everything from football to Formula 1 racing. She plays golf whenever she can and enjoys exploring other cultures. Dr. Ceruto has one son who graduated from Princeton University and is studying to become a corporate attorney. She also has an affinity for animals and is an adoring mom to her 1.5 pound Micro Cuban Chihuahua, Lolita.

Written by: Samantha Redd , Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. I sit here this morning in stunned silence. My daughter has just informed me that another one of her favorite YouTubers has committed suicide. It happens so often their friends immediately do “Fly Highs,” whether it’s memorial videos with those words or just mentioning it on their channel; they all know what to do. This generation has been through so much, and many of our children are crumbling under the weight. Moms have told me that their child as young as nine has had thoughts and even attempted suicide. So, on Suicide Prevention Month, I would like to talk about our children and suicide when there is a toxic parent in their life. I have met many mothers of high conflict divorce who have lost children to suicide. In addition, children with one toxic parent are most likely mentally abused and possibly even weaponized against the healthy parent. This manipulation takes a significant toll on the child, and we as healthy parents have to start the conversation with our children; just like anything else in life, we must create an in-the-moment plan for their safety. Suicide attempts in children tend to be spontaneous and not planned out like adults. We need to be there to ride the temporary storm with our children at the moment when these intense feelings happen. I will provide some helpful tips, but these work in conjunction with therapy, not in place of a good therapist. Develop a plan with your child. Such as, “I know you have these intense sad/negative thoughts, and I want to help you through them because they are not forever thoughts, even though it might feel that way. Are there some cue words or actions you do that let me know you are feeling that way?” Create a reason for a living list with them and discuss each one to create meaning. Let them have a list of adults they can call and give your child the suicide prevention number 988, or they can text 988 if they prefer. Create positive affirmations and write them down or post them throughout the house. I have stickers everywhere. Finally, if you are concerned about this, remove the temptation. Take anything that could be dangerous out and put them somewhere else. I hope we never have to deal with a successful suicide attempt, and it is one of the reasons I got into my business, to help parents protect their children. But unfortunately, it happens, and with these tips in your pocket, hopefully, it won’t happen to you. Follow me on Facebook , Youtube , or visit my website for more info! Read more from Samantha! Samantha Redd, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Samantha Redd is an expert in trauma recovery through using shadow work and her death doula training. She works with moms who are domestic violence survivors in high conflict divorce by using a mix of real-world experience and a unique view of spirituality to educate, heal, inspire, protect, and rebuild her clients and help them find their purpose. Samantha has a Ph.D. in Chemistry and uses her expertise in that field to help her clients understand the link between stress and sickness. In addition, she has dedicated her life to helping people recover from loss and find their way back to their true selves as a way of honoring the growth that comes with that loss. She is also the CEO of Decoding the System and has been helping people with grief for 20 years. Samantha is also a high conflict divorce survivor and wears a mask and pen name because she can only be present and a light for others by hiding in the darkness.

Written by: Anna Frummerin, 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. 8 years ago, I got cancer for the fourth time in my life. I decided that this time I will approach Big C (cancer) differently. The earlier three times I always tried to hide it from the outside world, I felt embarrassed. You know, the media can sometimes create the story that cancer is something you get if you don’t live a healthy life. I felt that was unfair because I have always lived a very healthy life, consuming nutritious food and regular exercise. I had two choices: Accept defeat and feel helpless and hopeless about my situation Focus on the positives, come out of cancer for the 4th time and do something meaningful for myself and others. I chose option 2 and went into the “Big C project” with an open mindset. I started a blog sharing my story with the world with the primary goal of writing my gratitude and acknowledgments for each day. Initially, it was just a routine I started to keep myself positive. Gradually, the audience grew, and I found that what I was sharing through my blogs was helping other people who also suffered from cancer and also bringing hope & faith into the minds of their relatives. Thanks to the internet, I could manage to help other people from the comfort of my home. They wanted help to be as positive and strong as I was, or at least as they perceived me to be. I wondered ‒ “How could I be the reason for someone’s hope and positivity when I am going through these difficult circumstances myself?” Interestingly, I was contacted by a TV channel, and they wanted me in one of the biggest cancer awareness shows in Sweden. The TV team lived with my family for some days and followed me and our life together. I opened up, we laughed, and we cried together. It was some very special days that I will never forget. It made me stronger and more proud of myself and my family. It made me realize ‒ If we can do this, we can do anything and everything. In short, what I learned is that we all have different challenges in our lives and in the end, those make us and shape us into who we really are. I am very thankful for mine and would never wish that I hadn’t gone through those experiences. If you like this article and would like to learn more about how I could help you overcome your challenges and shape the life you love, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or visit my website for more info! Read more from Anna! Anna Frummerin, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Anna Frummerin is a Leadership & Mindset Coach with a core focus on helping her clients achieve results by enhancing their mindset and improving their communication. As a 4-time cancer survivor, she has discovered through her own life experience what it takes to win in life no matter what the challenges are. She is a Certified NLP Leadership Coach, ICF Certified Executive, Life Coach, and Action Learning Team Coach and has dedicated her life to helping others become the best version of them. She is the founder of A New Approach (ANA) – An online coaching and training company serving clients across the globe. Her mission: Discover the "Hidden Champion" inside and win big at The Game of Life.

Gianluca Tognon is an associate professor in public health at the University of Skövde (Sweden) and the founder of the consulting company “The Food Scientist.” He is an expert in public health, nutrition, and food science. As a trained biologist with a Ph.D. in nutrition, Gianluca spent more than 15 years researching public health and nutritional epidemiology to understand the problems connected to unhealthy diets. He has also worked with the Choices Programme, which has set criteria for reformulating food products to better impact consumers’ health. He is now primarily focused on helping companies in the food and health industry improve their products, brand, and presence. Gianluca has consulted private companies, schools, organizations, and hundreds of private individuals who needed help with diet and health. He has presented at several conferences and events in Europe and the USA. More information about Gianluca is available on his website: gianlucatognon.com. Gianluca Tognon, Associate professor in public health and founder of "The Food Scientist" Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better. I was born and raised in a small village in the north of Italy. Definitely not one of those fancy places that you see on Instagram, but rather a place in the south of Milan, surrounded by corn and soy fields! I’ve always been passionate about science, and I remember that as a child, I was always curious to discover something new about the world surrounding me. It’s no surprise that I chose to pursue a career in science. Honestly, I would have loved to study astronomy, and actually, I’m still an eager consumer of blogs and videos about space exploration, not to mention an admirer of Elon Musk. However, I felt I wasn’t really gifted at math and physics, and therefore I chose my passion number two: biology. As a biologist, I worked first in the lab, and then I developed an interest in nutrition which brought me first to move to beautiful Florence in 2005 and then to Sweden in 2010, where I worked as a researcher in nutritional epidemiology. Recently I even obtained Swedish citizenship. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’ve had the opportunity to work with scientists from all over the EU. I even got an invitation to speak at Harvard about my research a few years ago. However, I’ve always been fascinated by entrepreneurship, and that is why I have also founded a company to work as a consultant in the food, health, and nutrition industries. As for my interests, I love traveling (I can’t wait to go to Japan in December!), cycling, cooking, and… well, cats! What is your business name, and how do you help your clients? My company is called “The Food Scientist,” and I help private clients who need guidance to eat healthier and regain control of their body weight. I also work with cooking classes and team-building activities with cooking because I believe that a healthy lifestyle is a goal that cannot be reached by eating canned foods and pre-cooked meals. I often work with men and women of different ages and backgrounds who have one thing in common: they have been struggling with their weight for their entire life. My work is to teach them how to stop relying on popular diets and learn how to gain better control of their body weight. I also work with non-professional athletes, a group of people who tend to excessively rely on very high-protein diets not always aware of the potential health risks. What kind of audience do you target your business towards? Recently my company has co-founded two startup companies: food4future in Sweden (which is working on establishing a new line of functional food products) and MurgeEat in the UK, a new smartphone application for the restaurant industry. Therefore, I started to extend my audience and network to entrepreneurs who want to disrupt the health and food industry, where there is a huge need for innovation. On the other hand, I’ve never stopped teaching and doing research, and I’m currently employed part-time at the university of Skövde (Sweden). I’m currently writing a research project on diet, BMI, and depression. I’m also involved in the establishment of a new research consortium that will investigate several research questions connected to COVID-19. I’m also planning to apply to the scientific committee of the “Choices International Program,” a foundation that has developed a nutrient profiling system to guide food and health policies in different countries in Asia and Africa. What are your current goals for your business? What would you like to achieve for yourself and your business in the future? My immediate challenge is to work hard to grow the two startups my company co-founded. Food4future recently launched its first functional food, a high-protein and high-fiber bread that we called “Piada” which has had incredible success from the very beginning. On the other hand, with MurgeEat, we plan to apply to the European Union, hoping to be awarded the innovation fund. I am also working so that my work as entrepreneur will be more interconnected with my research activities. That is why my company will soon develop a new smartphone application that I plan to use in the research studies I mentioned before. Since I also have invested a lot in online communication over the years and reached thousands of people through my website and social media, I’d like to continue this work too. My dream is to start a new Youtube channel and be more active on Linkedin and Instagram. Who inspires you to be the best that you can be? I try to learn from everyone since I believe we all have something to teach, even if they are not always aware of that. And then it’s just that I love what I do, and I am surrounded by a lot of motivated people who push me to always walk outside of my comfort zone. What is your work inspired by? I listen to what people say, no matter if it's clients, family, friends, or someone I met for the first time. I think we have lost the ability to listen to other people, and we are too concentrated on ourselves. Instead, when you start listening to other people, you get a lot of new ideas and inspiration. And besides, you might even discover that some of your friends need help or a person to talk to. Tell us about your greatest career achievement so far. I would say it’s the fact that I managed to have an academic career while at the same time serving hundreds of clients and contributing to the founding of three companies. If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? In the diet and health industry, there are a lot of actors (companies, gurus, you name it) that give the same unsubstantiated advice to everyone, asking them without any scruples about the possible consequences. I’m thinking about the many popular diets that, in most cases, are only copycats of the low-carb diet that Dr. Atkins proposed in the ‘60s but presented with a new angle (the paleo diet, the blood type diet, etc.). These diets have only contributed to generating a lot of frustrations among the people who have tried them. I also hope there will be more regulations regarding dietary supplements, which are not regulated as pharmaceuticals, despite having potential side effects and no proven positive effects. Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today. A few years ago, I was working mostly as a researcher and only occasionally as a self-employed nutritionist. At some point, I had burnout. I realized that the main cause of that was a job that wasn’t giving me any satisfaction at all, and it had evolved into a constant source of disappointment and frustration. One day I finally resigned. After that, I applied for several positions, and finally, I got a good job at a large multinational company in Lausanne. The salary was super good, Switzerland is undeniably beautiful (and I love the Alps), and the job was perfect for me. But accepting a corporate job would have forced me to stop all my side activities like blogging and working with clients. And that is when I realized that I didn’t want to be a corporate guy, so I decided to go back to academia. This time I chose a part-time and have more time to dedicate to my clients. Since then, this solution has worked incredibly well for me, and now I’m working on a research project where I will use a new coaching app that my company will develop. Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Gianluca!

Written by: Hayden Orme, 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. As we all know, the title of “CEO” is an esteemed position. It’s a deeply rewarding role, and being a leader also comes with immense responsibility and pressure. It can be draining to be the person in charge, which is why it’s so important to embrace being an “Empowered CEO.” This is a mindset coupled with daily practices that invite balance and alignment to a leadership role. Since starting my entrepreneurial journey, I have had to truly work on and integrate these practices as part of my daily life. “Being an empowered CEO is not a final destination, it's a daily practice.” – Hayden Orme As a driven and passionate entrepreneur, it is far too easy to get swept up in the daily grind, trying to do it all. Especially as a CEO, you tend to get this idea that if you want something done right, you must do it, and do it with a sense of perfection and superhuman productivity. That’s the path towards the version of “success” we’ve stereotypically had modeled for us. As Brené Brown said, “Burnout is not a status symbol.” We are all human, after all, and even the most Empowered CEOs have ‘those’ days. However, if you let ‘those’ days take hold, they will pull you along the fastest road to burnout. I truly believe that you can have great success and not have to sacrifice your family life, values, joy, and mental health in order to get (and stay) where you want to be. Stepping into and claiming your space and authority as an Empowered CEO is a way of conducting business that allows you as a leader to free yourself from the rat wheel of trying to do it all, striving for unattainable perfection, while running in circles, chaotic, stuck in chronic overwhelm. It gives you the permission to embrace help, delegate optimally, and let your team do their jobs while you have the time to do more of what you do best and more of what you love. This not only leads to your business growth but your holistic success. It also promotes inner reflection and rest and reintegrates the human element into a very demanding role. Since developing this concept and embracing becoming an Empowered CEO, I have seen more personal and professional growth than ever. My business is growing and scaling consistently and intentionally; I am happier doing more of what I do best and have the balance between doing the things I love. My team is happy and dedicated to our mission, and we’ve developed a working culture that allows everyone to thrive within their respective zones of genius. This mindset and model really are something I have to work on daily, however, as it truly is a journey. It’s not a destination, it’s a daily practice. When the journey feels especially challenging This rang especially true for me the other day when I felt like my business was running me more than I was running it. Yes, even Empowered CEOs are human, and we all have ‘those’ days. When the alarm goes off and your typical rise-and-shine outlook is absent, and it feels like you could hit “snooze” 50 more times and still not feel rested. When you've somehow unexplainably over-committed yourself and your calendar is back-to-back, and you're certain that the internet gremlins have it in for you. On top of that, you feel frustrated with yourself for not delegating more (because you know better), and you end up working a 13-hour day. When nothing is precisely “wrong,” it's just challenging because you're tired and just out of sorts. You're thinking about 1,008,489 things, you're on Zoom all day, and no matter how hard you try to multitask, your mind feels like it's having random bouts of spontaneous combustion, making you forget your train of thought at least 29 times. Those days when you just feel downright OFF Instead of feeling like you're at the helm of your ship, you maybe had a rogue wave crash over you and catch you off guard; you’re left soggy, drenched, and bruised, and it's too cloudy to dry off quickly due to an acute lack of sunshine. These days are inevitably going to happen, even to an Empowered CEO. Empowerment, balance, and alignment don't mean perfection and it’s not about reaching a destination. As we know, a great Captain doesn’t just set sail to get from point A to point B. They love the job because they live to be out at sea. It’s the same with being a CEO. In business, there is rarely an “endpoint;” the magic lies in the journey, satisfaction, and joy you have running your company and working with your team. However, when you’re deep in the trenches of your bad day, it can be hard to remember the steps you need to implement to climb out. As a recovering perfectionist, I have a proclivity for relapsing from time to time, making me forget about my Empowered CEO practices altogether. Thankfully, I have a truly amazing crew that holds me accountable and reminds me when I start to slide back into the trenches. On that particular day, they reminded me that these kinds of days are not necessary and do not need to be happening anymore. There is absolutely no reason for me to be overbooked and overwhelmed in my business. Perhaps I even subconsciously created this reality because the connotation of “boss” lends itself to suffering in some way ‒ ring a bell for anyone? Sometimes, THOSE days happen because something inside us lets them happen; we have been conditioned to believe that SUCCESS EQUATES to BURNOUT AND SUFFERING. Owning and running a business provides the opportunity for a lot more self-work than I thought it would. If you decide to embrace your holistic success, you can challenge and debunk the limiting beliefs that have held you back in the past because they are just that ‒ limiting! Sometimes, on days like these, they try to resurface with vigor, like whack-a-mole, but that’s exactly why I have my Empowered CEO practices in my arsenal. A bad day doesn’t have to turn into a spiral Upon remembering who I currently am, the evolved (albeit temporarily askew), Empowered CEO version of myself, I was able to really listen to and embrace my crew's advice. I asked for help in working in some extra “me” time into my schedule and immediately ensured that I re-triaged my upcoming days, leaning on my executive assistant to handle this for me. I was reminded to take a breath, pivot, and to re-empower! After the laptop closed that night, I made time for myself; the exhaustion was real, but I set the intention to ground myself and realign before going to sleep. I got my diffuser fired up with some 'wicked' good essential oil/aromatherapy action. I lit some candles, opened all the windows, and breathed! I also made the conscious decision not to cancel an upcoming haircut that I was going to sacrifice for more time at work (now that was an Empowered CEO move). Then I stretched and meditated for 10 minutes before bed. Dolce far niente! We all have ‘those’ days, but that one day doesn’t have to spiral you into detrimental, limiting mindsets and habits that set you back, burying you IN your business. You have the power to release those days and choose to come back to a place of balance and alignment. This can simply mean allowing your crew to support you, taking some time for intentional self-care, and accepting the fact that while you’re a leader and CEO, you are still human. Giving yourself grace can be the key tool needed to climb out of the trenches and return to your empowered self. Once I realigned, I was reminded of how truly blessed I am to be the captain at the helm of a business that I love and about which I’m truly passionate. I want to make the intentional choice each day to show up for my business, and my life, from a place of greater abundance. My clients and crew deserve that version of me, and I am determined to build a successful company that fuels many fires (including my own) rather than burning them out. It’s a process, and it takes daily practice, but I truly believe that you can have great success and not have to sacrifice your family life, values, joy, and mental health in order to get (and stay) where you want to be.. So, let ‘those’ days just be a day and not a lifestyle. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or visit my website for more info! Read more from Hayden! Hayden Orme, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine For over a decade, prior to launching her own business (Handled. By Hayden & Co.), Hayden supported top executives and teams at companies such as Partners Healthcare, Brightcove, Inc., Novartis and McKesson. She most recently managed the office of the Chairman and CEO of McKesson (a Fortune 5 company at the time). Now as an entrepreneur herself, Hayden leverages her corporate experience and her unique “get it” factor. With her intuitive and pragmatic approach, she will guide you through detailed directions to orchestrate the growth you want to create for your brand and business. Supplementing over 13 years in the corporate world, as a licensed 50-Ton Master Merchant Mariner, Hayden has captained yacht charters and delivered private sailboats. During her tenure managing and growing a Boston-based charter company, Hayden was awarded “The Top 10 Meeting Planners” by Women’s Business Boston and also featured in Boston Business Journal’s “On the Move” for Business Services. Hayden was recently added to the Brainz CREA Global Awards list for 2021. Her dynamic professional history culminates in a very unique ability to anticipate needs, recalibrate for change, multi-task, manage multiple demands, strategize, envision and execute the best path forward with a keen intuition, a discerning eye, compassion, trust and reliability. Hayden and her team of uniquely experienced consultants, executive assistants, project and digital marketing managers, and graphic designers collaboratively guide and support their clients, empowering the CEO within every entrepreneur. Working with Hayden is a unique experience. With her you know you’re not alone; you have a trusted confidant and guide to help you grow your business and step into your own CEO confidence factor. Hayden is passionate about animals, dedicating time to volunteer with various animal rescue leagues wherever she has lived. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the non-profit Craniocervical Foundation, is an international speaker, an international bestselling author, and lives in New Hampshire.

Written by: Rhyana Ebanks-Babb, Guest Writer Since the pandemic, week in and week out, I hear from a range of people about how difficult it is to find balance and be happy. With frequent waves of shocking news, worldwide, it can be difficult to get up each day, be optimistic and endure the week ahead. Even looking forward to the weekend can be daunting for some as it either tends to be a short lived, escapist mini-break from reality or dedicated time to focus on the negative. This is why maintaining our mental health, especially during difficult times, is such a priority. Even more so if the things that interrupt a routine, mindset or emotional disposition increase in frequency and are prolonged. So if gaining mental health can be so difficult, how do we achieve mental wealth? I define mental wealth as having good and positive mental health where you are able to manage stress while having optimal emotional, psychological and social wellbeing ‒ but supercharged by being in a state of abundance: state of fullness, overflow, enduring supply and having more than enough for yourself to thrive. Now, I know this may appear unrealistic as our ‘mental well’ can run dry. However, by having a mindset of knowing when to fill your own cup once the supply is running low, having the discernment to act and the practical tools to do so, is where you begin to move from mental health to mental wealth. So here are 4 low maintenance, science-backed tips you should incorporate into your week to boost your mood, get those happy chemicals flowing and find balance. WRITING Write a to-do list - planning is a proactive coping mechanism and when the week ahead is planned, it helps to organise your tasks, maximise productivity, gain clarity on competing priorities and acts as a tool for mental organisation. I like to think of it as mental feng shui, a perfectly fitting analogy as feng shui relates to “human life being connected to and flowing with the environment around it”. Therefore, planning ahead can help aid the flow of your week, through the art of mental feng shui. Write your thoughts - journaling is great for self-exploration. It can help you gain clarity about what impacts your mental health, recognise the signs of when your mental health is declining and seek solutions to address it. There are so many benefits and reasons for why I journal, which are listed below: Justified and judgement free Openness to express Understand new ways to feel Reality of your situation Needs and wants safely explored Assess the risks in your life Lifelong wellbeing aid Write affirmations and positive statements - this is a very personal practice, one that I have used for many years. Incorporating mantras into your morning routine is a great way to start your day with intuitive positive self-image, can build upon your self-confidence, promote your self-worth and encourage good self-esteem when used for a period of time. Some affirmations for the start of the week that spring to mind are: Great things are coming my way Today is a great day to be awesome all over again New week, new blessings are coming my way Overall, science highlights that writing is a great tool for emotional expression and good mental health. EXERCISE Physical activity and exercise have mountains of evidence on their profound effect on your mental health for a number of reasons. From helping you to maintain physical fitness, setting and achieving goals, lowering the stress hormone, Cortisol, to name a few. Increased physical activity, whether it is small or elaborate, is like an antidote for declining mental health, even if it is 30 minutes a day. Developing a light fitness regime is one of the first recommendations anyone with poor mental health would be advised from any support service. It has been proven to help with anxiety, depression, loneliness and also can help with sleep regulation which are all factors that can impact your mental health and wellbeing. Here are 7 different types of exercise that you can complete either by yourself, with friends or join a group/class for morale. These are examples, however I encourage you to choose a variety of exercises for each day of the week. I am also a big believer in utilising free or low cost techniques as practising self-care should not be a financial burden. Walking - naturally increases your energy levels Yoga - supports strength improvement, balance and flexibility High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) - can improve oxygen consumption Tension Release Exercises (TRE) - reduces stiffness, muscle aches, tightness and pains Body weight lifting - strengthens your muscle development in a healthy way Swimming - helps to maintain a healthy weight, heart and lungs Dancing - better coordination, flexibility and motor fitness ENGAGEMENT Engagement is a tricky one because we can over engage or become non-engaging very easily. For example, being engaged in a news story can provide the information needed to be informed about a situation. On the other hand, having a non-engaging attitude towards the news can leave you un/ill-informed. Additionally, over engagement can turn into an anxious obsession. My recipe is to set a 2:1 ratio, engage in 2 news stories, then 1 thing non-news or media related. Essentially, balance is key! I like to engage in my surroundings by regularly going outside and connecting with nature. Research from the Mental Health Foundation shows that nature is a critical factor in supporting good mental health, preventing distress and maximising our wellbeing through how much we notice, think about and appreciate our natural surroundings. Even simply looking at nature through the window has major gains, both on your vision and on your mental health. This is especially helpful if you are limited in mobility or confined to a particular area of the house/office for long periods of time. Engagement in mood boosting activities such as books, uplifting and powerful music or a range of different scents are naturally helpful to shift your mood. Engage in things that bring you joy. I like to sing, dance and create new things such as a dish I haven't made before. Cultivating joyous experiences can significantly improve your mental wealth as it also supports the exploration of your creative talents. Engaging with people or animals is vital as we require connection to maintain our mental health. If you make new friends, hang out with old colleagues, connect with distant family members or even walking a dog, connection, whether virtual or face to face can be beneficial. Engagement is a required activity to promote good mental wealth throughout the week but remember that striking the right balance is key. Over or under stimulation and engagement can adversely impact your mental health, and in turn, your ability to gain mental wealth. KINDNESS Kindness is the universal language of love and to this, I adopted an ethos that kindness is my currency. While the term 'currency' is an economics term that's defined as 'a system of money in common use within a specific environment over time', the energetic currency of kindness is free, everywhere, all of the time. I have interpreted it to mean kindness never depreciates in value, is always in circulation and should be the standardisation and default of any being ‒ regardless of the situation in which it is shared with others. Kindness multiplies with the more people operating within its energetic exchanges. The more kindness available for us all, the smoother the world goes round ‒ well so I like to believe. It is a permeating and perpetual energy that I choose to exude, leaving a legacy of kindness through the interactions and teachings of kind acts that I will leave behind for future generations to come. Evidence shows that being kind or even witnessing a kind act, activates our emotional soothing system which increases the production of your Oxytocin hormone, also known as the ‘love hormone'. Additionally, the increased Oxytocin aids production of the natural antidepressant, Serotonin, which relates to your happiness. Kindness is proven to decrease anxiety and depression, but more importantly plays a huge role in lowering stress ‒ all of which positively impact your mental health. Research tells us that even the smallest act of kindness can help improve your mental wellbeing. The NHS website states that kindness creates positive feelings and a sense of reward, aiding in your sense of purpose and self-worth while helping you to connect with others. It is important to note that giving kindness to others is just as important as self-kindness. Dr Kristen Neff's work states that practicing self compassion is “acting the same way towards yourself when you are having a difficult time, fail, or notice something you don’t like about yourself”. This practice is grounded in acceptance, mindfulness and forgiveness which support your ability to regulate your emotions, develop emotional intelligence and support sustained mental wealth. Dr David Hamilton’s research highlights further benefits, as he states kindness makes you happier, is good for your heart, slows down ageing, improves our relationships and is contagious. So engaging in kindness, either with others and with yourself, seems like a no-brainer. Even for personal gain, both parties reap the rewards, so let's make happier days for everyone. Acts of kindness can include: Helping someone with a chore Being gentle with yourself Listening to a friend Donating to charity Volunteering at a local community centre Taking a mini break away from your desk I hope you have found this helpful. Now it's time to put the knowledge into practice and have a great W.E.E.K! For more info follow me on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, and visit my website! Rhyana Ebanks-Babb, Brainz Magazine Guest Writer Rhyana is a qualified Mental Health First Aider, an award-winning Mental Wealth Advocate, mentor to young girls and university graduates. She considers herself a non-clinical mental health and emotional wellbeing practitioner where she provides tools for self-help, self-healing and self-care practices and solutions through her project ‘The PLANN’. Having worked in the health and social care sector for over 12 years, both front line support and as a strategic change consultant, she has extensive experience and a passion for social justice, community psychology and advocacy around issues that impact them. Rhyana supports people to build resilience from everyday life adversities through advising on their self-care education, solutions and practice. She is a volunteer show host for Black Mental Health Matters and a contributor to Talking Mental Health as a mental health writer. Rhyana is in the process of reviving a family-run charity, Creative Arts Productions, that focuses on building the healing power within local communities using creative mediums such as poetry, song, dance, music and arts. To get in touch with Rhyana, check out her work and follow her on social media: https://www.plannweg.org.uk/helpful-links References: Writing as Therapy: https://www.psycom.net/mental-health-wellbeing/the-healing-power-of-writing The Basic Principles of Feng Shui: Tips for Creating Balance in Life and at Home By Anjie Cho: https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-feng-shui-1275060 Random Acts of Kindness ‒ The Science of Kindness: https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/the-science-of-kindness The Act of Kindfulness: https://brightblueday.com/blog/the-act-of-kindfulness/ NHS.UK website ‒ 5 ways to wellbeing: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/five-steps-to-mental-wellbeing/ Currency: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Currency Mental Health Foundation ‒ Mental Health Awareness Week 2021: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-06/MHAW21-Nature-research-report.pdf Mind ‒ Physical activity and your mental health: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/physical-activity-and-your-mental-health/about-physical-activity/ Self Compassion ‒ Definition of self-compassion: https://self-compassion.org/the-three-elements-of-self-compassion-2/ Positive Psychology ‒ Benefits of journaling for depression, anxiety and stress: https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-of-journaling/ Mental Health Gov ‒ What is mental health: https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health Why kindness is the new currency: https://www.everybodyroar.com/all/why-kindness-is-the-new-currency Happier Human ‒ 45 mood-boosting activities to lift your spirits: https://www.happierhuman.com/mood-boosting-activities/ Mental Health Foundation ‒ how to look after your mental health using exercise: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/how-look-after-your-mental-health-using-exercise Mayo Clinic ‒ Maintaining mental health during challenging times: https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/maintaining-your-mental-health-during-challenging-times/ BBC News ‒ How planning helps us to cope with uncertainty: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200720-how-planning-helps-us-cope-with-uncertainty

Written by: Mariette Jansen, 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. They are on the rise. Yes, it is a buzzword. And an insult. Or a compliment. That is what the real ones take it for, as they don’t care. But how many people do know what narcissism really entails and are using it in the right context? What is a narcissist? The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders defines narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) as a condition in which people: Have an inflated sense of their own importance Believe they are superior to others Believe they are entitled Have a strong need for admiration Are extremely confident Exploit others for personal ends Demonstrate hostility toward those who challenge them I would add to that they show a complete lack of empathy. Narcissists will always prioritize their own success and glory over any kindness or sympathy. One in five The Cleveland Clinic (one of the best hospitals in the USA) has determined that up to 5 percent of the population has NPD and narcissism is one of the top 10 personality disorders in the United States. Other research suggests that 17-20 percent of the population has NPD, which translates as one in five. These data are bound to be inaccurate because narcissists rarely seek treatment as they see themselves as perfect. Which 20% of your colleagues, managers, or board members fit the bill? Recognising a narcissist within the workplace is important to keep yourself safe, manage your expectations around your work and achievements and recognise the moment when you have to get out. Typical behavioural traits to watch out for: Narcissists behave with confidence and arrogance, never take responsibility for anything that goes wrong, and are quick to blame others even if it is their own fault. They will, however, take the shine when something has gone very well, even if it wasn’t down to their efforts. They are the opposite of team builders, as they are easily exploiting others for their own gain. They will not be held back by the human aspect of relationships or the impact of their decisions on the well-being of colleagues or employees. Their lack of empathy makes it easy to make ruthless decisions. They will put people and institutions at risk for their own sense of power and importance. Being challenged or criticised is taken extremely badly. Anger, aggression and hostility are natural reactions. And… watch out, because they will aim to punish the challenger. Their belief in their own excellence means they won’t take advice easily. If they do, they’ll twist it and pretend it was their idea. Because of their grandiosity, they feel above the law. Often leading to fraudulent or illegitimate choices. More interested in their image, income, power and position than the organisation’s interest. They are controlling and manipulating to get what they want. Both people and systems. They are good at creating confusion and chaos, only to then stand up as the ‘saviour’ or hero. They will sing their own praises. Endlessly. Never those of others. They hide information, are non-transparent about their business activities, but are keen to get as much information from others as possible. Narcissists make excellent first impressions. They are charming and charismatic, and this enables them to access high-status positions. When an organisation hires narcissists in management positions, the culture changes fast. They will make sure to get rid of the people who don’t comply with them and hire their ‘flying monkeys’ instead. Flying monkeys enable the narcissist and are employees, chosen for their support instead of their skills. Enablers who admire the narcissist and go along with their manipulation and values. The take-over strategy The narcissist ‘hooks’ their followers through a pattern of behaviour. The emotional abuse cycle contains three stages. The first is ‘Idealization,’ where the enabler is being ‘love-bombed’: told how smart, creative, and perfect they are, treated with respect, extra bonuses, promises and anything else that makes them feel good. This is followed by the ‘Devaluation’ stage, where the narcissist starts to diminish and insult the enabler. It is done in a subtle way, creating confusion through inconsistencies: professional and personal criticisms, sneering, changing the goal post and undermining confidence. The enabler gets nervous, starts to self-doubt and becomes more dependent of the narcissist. This stage turns into ‘Discard’ stage, where the narcissist lashes out and loses the subtlety. They behave bluntly, nasty and rude, leaving the enabler in a state of desperation. And then… the narcissist turns to ‘Idealization’ again. Much to the relief of the enabler, who can stop questioning themselves about what happened as all is well. Until the narcissist enters the next stage, and so the saga continues. The emotional abuse cycle creates a dependency in the enabler, called the Trauma Bond. A physical and emotional addiction to the good feeling of the ‘Idealization’ stage. It is this that keeps the flying monkeys hooked and the narcissist safe. What if you recognise your co-worker or manager as someone on the NPD spectrum? They won’t change, so don’t spend energy on that option. Don’t upset them by challenging them. Never believe what they tell you. Always check out if they are speaking the truth. Don’t share important information as they will use it for their benefit, not yours or the organisation. Be alert, notice diminishing comments and don’t take those on board. It is a problem if a narcissist is part of your working environment. Don’t underestimate their influence and start looking to move away from them. You will never beat them. They have the mentality of the fighter who needs to win at all costs. Their focus on this and their lack of empathy help them to make choices that will lead them to be on top. Choices a healthy person will never make. And that makes them the winner. Sadly, everyone else, including the organization is the loser. Find out who are the narcissists in your workplace via this quiz. For more info, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and visit my website! Read more from Mariette! Mariette Jansen, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Dr Mariette Jansen is a successful coach, therapist, and blogger for over 20 years. Also, author of best-selling self-help book 'From Victim to Victor' for victims of narcissistic abuse. She grew up with a narcissistic mother and had several romantic relationships with narcissists. Her mission is to empower and educate on life skills, narcissistic abuse, and thinking patterns. She offers a free coaching session via her website. Originally from the Netherlands, she now lives in the UK.