People often make the mistake of categorising confidence as something you either have or don’t have, or as regarding it as something that can be lost in the blink of the eye. The reality though is that confidence is something you amass and work on. To use an analogy, your confidence is much like your bank balance, you must constantly work on building it and maintaining it. Every positive action can be seen as a deposit and every negative action, such as self-criticism or negative feedback is a withdrawal. Whilst that might sound somewhat daunting at first, the positive news is that whatever your situation or background, you can get to work on building your confidence right away. In this article we have compiled 3 activities which, if you start doing today will help you to build your confidence bank account. If once you’ve finished reading, you want to learn more about the tools and techniques used by psychologists to help boost confidence, have a watch or listen of this podcast with Dr Nate Zinsser, author of The Confident Mind: Activity 1: Cold Exposure Shame is one of the biggest barriers to confidence and it tends to rear its ugly head when we make promises to ourselves that we don’t keep. Like the New Year’s resolution we make to run 25k a week or read 5 books a month. One way that you can flip the script on that shame loop is by committing to small, daily actions that are hard but can be overcome. Cold exposure, AKA cold showers or ice baths, are a superb way to help you build your confidence. When you step into a cold shower or ice bath, every cell in your body will be telling you to jump out and grab a warm towel. If you can sit with that feeling of uncomfortableness for a minute, your body will relax and adapt. After that your body will be flooded with endorphins, the feel good chemicals, and you’ll go into the rest of the day not only with a mental boost, but with the knowledge that you can do hard things and overcome them. Activity 2: Playing Poker There are plenty of games that you can play to build your confidence, but of all of them, poker is perhaps the most accessible. If you are careful with your budget and don’t overspend, poker can be great for your confidence. That’s because it teaches you three key lessons, the first being that you need to stay focused and present at all times, ignoring that nagging voice in the back of your head trying to distract you. Secondly, it is a game that constantly puts you out of your comfort zone, pushing you to your limits and forcing you to trust yourself. Finally, it forces you to think confidently and trust in your own judgement. Activity 3: Cardio If you can run, if you are unable to do for whatever reason, then find a cardio activity that suits you and throw yourself into it. Remember at the beginning of this article when we discussed how self-criticism can act as a withdrawal from your confidence bank account? Well, cardio is one way to silence that voice of self-doubt and to show you that it doesn’t need to be listened to in the first place. If you aren’t a big runner or have a low level of cardio fitness, the first time you go out for a run or cycle you’ll feel great for the first couple of minutes. After that, when the blood is pumping and your lungs feel like they’re draining of oxygen, your mind will start to tell you that it’s time to stop and that you can’t carry on. If you ignore that voice of doubt and push on you’ll quickly realise that you are far more capable than you think. Make cardio a habit and within no time you’ll learn that negative, doubting voice in your mind is nothing but a faulty alarm system and not something you need to take any notice of. In Summary Now that you know confidence is something you can build and nurture, it’s on you to start choosing activities that help you with that goal. All of the activities discussed above are great examples of how you can silence that voice of self-doubt and have more confidence in your abilities and your capacity to cope. Aside from these activities, look for ways to move out of your comfort zone every day as by doing so, you’ll quicker boost your self-esteem and confidence. Then you can start to change the narrative you tell yourself from, ‘I’m not a confident person’ to ‘I’m strong enough to deal with anything’.

Written by: Aisha Saintiche , 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. I think most, if not all of us are very familiar with the line “you get what you give.” Well amongst several other key mantras I am employing for 2023, the title of the article reflects more than just a mantra, but an actual state of being! As we bring the first month of a new year to a close (which in it itself is so wild to think about) I can’t lie…I feel like this year is going to be a major year for me. Not just from the business side, but from the energy side – meaning, the energy that I’m, with intention, showing up with is directly connected to the blessings that have already appeared, and those that will come to fruition in due time. Now while I am operating on a high vibration, I am also aware that people around me aren’t. For an array of reasons (and most of the time it’s not purposeful or even a state they wish to be in) protecting my energy and not allowing the negativity of others to penetrate the mind, body and soul is my consistent act of self-love and self-care. And so, what happens when you find yourself in spaces, places and with people who are giving off an energy that frankly – you ain’t here for. What do you do? The easiest answer is to remove yourself from the space, place and/or person – but let’s be real, if it were that simple…I wouldn’t need to address this issue or write an article in hopes of providing insight on what I know can be a really difficult thing to do. Cause the truth is, too often the “takers” of our energy are things that we are deeply connected to – like work, family and close friends. Now this by no means requires us to stay connected because of the title they hold in our day-to-day lives, but boundaries are not always easily established and or enacted in these cases. What do we fear when it comes to protecting our energy? Why do we feel obligated or guilty for allowing others to drain us of our energy? What do we believe to be the consequences for making our mental, emotional, spiritual energy a priority over that of someone else’s? What have we experienced in the past that leaves us torn between protecting our energy and not wanting to “hurt” someone else’s feelings? As a coach, one of the interesting and common threads that I have experienced with my clients is the overwhelming sense of guilt they feel when it comes to self-care (in its authentic form – and when I say ‘authentic’ I mean beyond the messages, bubble baths and ½ day breaks we believe will address the stress of a 60+ hour life and work week). I don’t know about you, but I have operated from a place of depletion and exhaustion and no one…and I mean NO ONE should’ve been in that space with me – I was not kind. BUT because I operated with the mindset that selflessness was the act of self-care, that what I poured into people and work would be reciprocated in a way that I would become replenished and rejuvenated, resulted in me sweeping a bunch of shit off my counter in a fit of rage (true story and I actually can’t tell you what had me that heated…I just remember being pregnant with my third child and tired AF). My energy is as valuable as my voice, my body, my mind and my mental health. Without it, I am operating in low vibration – which is not a desired state. Now believe me, while I’m writing this as though sticking to and creating boundaries that I know are going to put up a wall for certain people not to penetrate seems easy, or is done without fear or apprehension, I know it’s not. But what I do know, what I have experienced, what I have witnessed, and what I have supported and coached people through is that not seeing the protection of your energy as an act of self-care can cause harm in a variety of ways. If you’ve been following me over the course of my own journey, or if you’re new to my space (totally off topic. But who remembers “MySpace” …lol) I believe self-care is the greatest conduit to achieving our optimal state of being? To show up as the best version of ourselves, requires us to place time and effort into nurturing and loving ourselves so what we are giving is the best of ourselves and not what is left of us. To do so, this then requires that we get clear and hold strong to our boundaries and the minimum standard by which any one person (and I apply this rule to everyone – kids, parents, siblings, family, co-workers, strangers) can engage with me. My responsibility is to let those around me know the value I hold for myself so that they understand how they need to approach me, how they need to engage with me and what I will not accept or tolerate. I am wired to pour into others so that they feel and see themselves worthy of their own time, love and effort – but you better believe that the energy and time I am pouring into you has been given to myself first, and so if you think you are going to drain me of my energy – prepare for that eviction notice quick quick! Ok I’m not that harsh…really, I’m not, but what I am, is unwilling to not take care of myself, not protect this invaluable commodity in the name of someone else’s happiness. Perhaps for some this may seem harsh, but I want you to ask yourself, in those moments where you have been drained, or operating from a low vibration, where you have allowed the negativity of others to overwhelm you -what could you have done differently? No matter how you slice the pie or try to make the narrative in your head not seem so harsh, what it comes down to is putting up boundaries that ensure the protection of your energy. I’ve always found it interesting how we will ensure we eat well, sleep well, drink water, get exercise (in some shape or form) but we’ll hesitate to put the same effort in removing people, places and things that we know don’t serve us…or we’ll up our game in the other areas of our life thinking that eating well will outweigh the energy being drained. Sorry…but because we are a whole being – all things must work in simultaneously. Not necessarily at the same pace…but the trajectory must be in alignment if not – well you know how you feel! I was once asked…let me be real…I am often asked how I stay so calm, how I appear level-headed even in stressful situations, how I remain unruffled by other people’s bad vibe or why I don’t kick off at situations that perhaps warrant a clap back? The truth is, and I noted it a bit earlier in this article – I am not expelling my valuable energy or time on people, places or things that in the long run don’t really affect me. Now you come for my kids, partner, family and close friends – imma show you energy…lol… (kidding, not kidding), but my peace of mind and self-preservation will win everything. Look don’t let the pressure of perfection overwhelm you as you navigate the world of self-care…just remember that in everything you desire and do for others, you are worthy of that same time and effort – only first. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Aisha! Aisha Saintiche, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazin Aisha Saintiche is a certified Health Coach and the founder and owner of MetoMoi Health. With over fifteen years of experience in Mental Health, Accessibility and Diversity and Inclusion, Aisha has used her experience as a strategic advisor and health coach to understand the complexity and intersectionality of the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual barriers that keep people from achieving their optimized health and wellness. Aisha also holds a Masters in Public Policy Administration and Law, as well as a certification in Change Management, Advanced Crisis Intervention and Counselling and Health Coaching. She is also an Integral Master for the Canadian Olympic Committee of Canada, and most recently she became a Published Author. Always seeking opportunities to bring about change, she is also an active member and Board of Director for the Woman Abuse Council of Toronto (WomanACT) and the Board Chair for Afiwi Groove School. https://linktr.ee/Metomoi

Written by: Jack Carmody, 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. Does it ever seem like people don’t listen to you? Like your words aren’t getting through? Whether on a personal or professional level, we all want to be heard and it can be frustrating when we feel like no one is listening. Now the hard part. If you want to see improvement in this area, your assumption must be that the problem lies with you. If you can have the humility to hold the mirror up and do some self-examination, you will be amazed at what can happen! Here are five reasons why people might be tempted to tune you out, and what you can do about it! 1 Too Much Talking, Not Enough Listening Ironically, the best path to being heard is to listen. Stephen Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, observed that persuasion starts with understanding. People are more likely to listen to you if they feel understood. Take the time to listen and ask questions. If the person you are connecting with feels like you understand them and their world, they are much more likely to listen to you. And if you do a good job listening, your words will be more informed, which makes it even more likely that you will be heard! Be quick to listen, slow to speak (James 1:19). 2 Talking When the Other Person is Upset Each one of us has a rational brain and an emotional brain. When we get upset, our emotional brain can overpower our rational brain. Most of us know this to be true, but fail to take it into account when communicating. Have you ever tried to have an intelligent conversation with a child who is having a temper tantrum? Good luck! Adults are no different. If you are trying to talk rationally with someone who is upset, they are not going to hear you. The apostle Paul has clear instructions here: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). When someone is upset, the best you can do is to engage them on an emotional level. Once they have calmed down, they will be much more willing and able to listen to you! 3 Talking When You Are Upset Talking when you are upset has several pitfalls. First, emotions are contagious, so there is a good chance your emotions will inadvertently spill over to others. Second, when you are upset, you are not thinking, and therefore not communicating, clearly. Becoming extremely upset can even kick in the body’s fight/flight response. This type of arousal can have the effect of functionally lowering your IQ. The key is to have some self-awareness and be able to recognize when you are upset. If you can take a minute and cool off, you will find that people will be more likely to listen to you. 4 Speaking to Someone Only When There is a Problem If the only time you talk to a particular person is when there is a problem, they are less likely to listen to you. Consider a parent who goes weeks without talking to their child about his/her grades. The grades take a dip, and the parent comes down hard. The parent has just created a negative interaction with their child, without having any positive interactions to balance it out. This type of interaction can easily communicate, albeit unintentionally, that the parent cares about the grades, but not their child. The path forward is to build relational capital. Engage people on a personal level. Take an interest. Ask questions. These actions make relational “deposits.” If you can build this sort of relational capital, people are much more likely to listen to you, especially if there is a problem. 5 Using a Hard, Versus a Soft, Startup Marriage researcher John Gottman observed that the success or failure of a conversation is typically decided in the first three minutes. In other words, how you “start” a conversation makes all the difference. He divided “startups” into two categories: hard and soft. A hard startup can be characterized by a raised voice, stern look, blaming/judging language, and being impolite. A conversation started this way will often either shut the other person down, or put them on the defensive. Either way, they won’t be listening to you! A better approach is to use a soft startup, which puts the focus on your feelings, and what you need. Be polite, express care and concern for the other person, and they are much more likely to listen to you. Conclusion So what if you think you are doing everything right, and you are still not getting the response that you want? Even then, it’s still probably you! I am partly kidding. It is certainly possible the other person needs to take some ownership of the situation. However, it’s always best to start with you, since that’s the only thing you can actually control. Negative communication patterns are hard to change, but if one person makes a positive change, the other person will often meet them. Follow Jack on his Facebook, Linkedin and visit his website for more info. Read more from Jack! Jack Carmody, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Jack Carmody is a licensed counselor in the state of South Carolina (US), a military chaplain, and an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America. Whichever of these "hats" he is wearing, his passion is to help people discover God's best for their lives. He is also the Veteran Coach for the TV show, "Military Makeover with Montel" which airs on Lifetime. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, running, and spending time with his family.

Written by: Mira Taylor, 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 word irrational has become one of those taboo words that most people believe describes a state of mind that we are intended to avoid. Yikes! As an integrative therapist and wellness consultant I can’t think of anything more damaging to the psyche of an individual or a business entity than to remove this type of thought and not practice or engage with it. One of the places that it is considered extremely taboo to think irrationally is in the business sphere. There is an unfortunately pervasive belief that thinking irrationally is unhealthy and that irrational thoughts and the irrational half of the psyche will damage or harm one’s business or personal success when worked with. To redefine and accept the importance of the irrational mind and thought process within one’s life and in business especially let’s consider some important defining points around irrationality that most are remiss of in their understanding of it. Firstly, the irrational mind is the believing part of the mind and is therefore the part of the mind or psyche that is the most spiritually centered and creative part of how we think and experience life – in this way it is the root of divine experience and awareness. The irrational mind (as the spiritually creative center of the psyche) is also the part of our self that is most connected to our intuition and inner-voice or that part of ourselves that speaks from the heart, knows itself and its deeper more divine and transcendent truths most genuinely. I'll give the example of the many individuals in life who have found success in career fields and businesses that many others told them were ridiculous or a way that they would never make money, be successful with, etc. The list of these sorts of individuals is basically endless and includes all spheres of human experience – from inventors and artists to industry moguls and media and political influencers. These are also the individuals throughout human history who have worked with and honed the irrational and believing/ spiritual part of their psyche to be able to hold onto a deep and often irrational sense of self-belief that has been the inexhaustible emotional resource that has allowed them to not only dream but actualize their dreams. The irrational part of the mind or psyche is also the part of the psyche that is most attuned with emotional energies – the underlying energies of creation and the creative process that we are intended to be aware of as a spiritual sense that is necessary for our most intelligent mind to be able to align with and navigate the journey of life with. As an integrative therapist and wellness consultant I have seen so many individual clients and businesses who struggle with things such as imposter syndrome and self-belief because they don’t spend enough time cultivating and balancing themselves with irrational thoughts and creative imaginal experiences. The more time you spend honing and developing your irrational mind in balanced awareness with the rational intellectual or reasoning mind the more you are able to access a more evolved state of conscious awareness and intelligence. This state of conscious awareness ultimately allows you to align with your higher purpose and create a perspective that is free of concern for your success because it has created the strength of believe necessary to be able to observe and release such notions. One of the other important aspects and truths of the irrational mind (as the emotional and creative mind) is that it is completely necessary for imaginal and creative thoughts. How many successful individuals or businesses do you know that are either lacking or devoid of these two abilities? Probably none. Since most of the existing definitions of irrationality are derogatory or disparaging toward it as a part of the human psyche and intelligence, I wanted to make sure to include definitions in this article that speak to the importance of the parts of the irrational mind – such as creativity, imagination and inventiveness. Creativity (noun): The ability to produce original and unusual ideas, or to make something new or imaginative. Invention (noun): The act or process of inventing by the productive and creative imagination. Imagination: The act or power of forming mental imagery or visualizations of something not yet known or present to the senses in an exterior way – something never before wholly perceived in reality. Creative ability in regard to one’s capacity to confront and deal with a problem successfully resourcefulness. The thinking or active mind has an interest as an emotional state. Scientifically and spiritually we ultimately understand that irrational thought and irrationality is the part of the mind that is creative, imaginative, and inventive and is therefore unlimited by the constructs of existing ‘reality’. It would be entirely impossible for us to evolve and adapt as a species without an active engagement and development with this part of our consciousness and as a part of how perceive and to experience life. The same is true for business entities and the business industry generally as an extension and active expression of humanity and the human experience. The truth is that the most successful and evolutionary person(s) and business(es) on the planet and throughout human history have been the ones to think outside the box (or to think irrationally) in a way that allowed for new ideas, concepts, and inventions. It's important to understand that the irrational mind is also the mind and intelligence that connects us to the most wholly realized and divinely intelligent mind of the body – the mind that includes the heart mind or the emotional mind. This emotional mind and the availability of the heart to be the lead to the logical mind in the conversations of intellect and intelligence (most especially in creative endeavors) is what also allows for a healthy development of emotions such as courage, fortitude and compassion. These aspects of the super intelligent and divine mind are the emotional (irrational) part of our most evolved state of conscious intelligence and are necessary for individuals and businesses to be able to be brave and bold about believing in themselves and their ideas. The people and businesses who have been willing to think from an emotional, irrational, and spiritually centered state of mind and who know how to effectively develop and work with the emotional (irrational) mind have always brought humanity to a space of important advancement and have been the people and businesses who have changed the world most for the better. Not so bad to think irrationally, I guess. Even science understands at this point that without the irrational and emotional mind being intentionally developed it leaves little room for success in business or personal life because the rational non-emotional part of our mind only knows how to analyze logically – it doesn’t know how to trust or connect emotionally to the energetic and spiritual dynamics of business or personal life. Imagine trying to have an energetically connective relationship with someone who doesn’t think or make room for emotions as a part of their intelligence – it’s basically impossible. Now think about trying to invent something without the emotions of passion, purpose, wonder, creativity, or hopefulness? These are all emotions that are a part of a properly developed and practiced emotional (irrationally intelligent) mind and are key factors to our abilities with inventiveness and innovation. These are the emotions and parts of our intelligence that are not limited to the existing believes and concepts that are present societally, culturally, or scientifically and allow us to evolve as a species. Whether people want to admit it or not – the irrational and spiritual mind is also the intuitive mind (when properly developed as a part of our larger intelligence) and is also proven to be the most efficient part of our psyche. In fact, it is so efficient that scientific research in the fields of consciousness, neurology and cognition are still trying to understand how the emotional (irrational) mind works with such an amazing amount of speed and efficiency when properly developed. The speed and effectiveness of this intelligence admittedly still seems implausible to some (even from an aspect of science) and yet it is understood as being evidenced in its effectiveness and speed as a responsive part of our intelligence – meaning, we don’t yet fully understand how it works but we know that it works… very well. Some simple ways that individuals and businesses can incorporate a regular practice of developing the irrational and emotive mind can be as simple as having abstract art around the office or putting on regular workshops in the office where individuals can perform or practice abstract art together – whether with therapeutic intention or not. Businesses and business leaders can also change their linguistic style in meetings to induce and promote more of an irrational and emotionally intelligent mindset around conversations that have to do with the business and business projects. Examples: “What does your gut tell you about this project or partnership?” and “How does everyone feel about this concept – what would you add or take away to it to help it feel better to you and others?”. Leaders can also ask questions that help them better understand what appeals to the emotional intelligence of the individuals who they work with and who help keep the business successful. Examples: “What has inspired you lately and what felt the most inspirational about it?” “What are some of the moments in your relationship with this company and company leadership that helped you feel a part of something bigger than yourself?” Leaders can also get specific in asking about what emotional and linguistic styles have worked best for the company and the individuals who work there during meetings and through taking the time to have an individual and organic conversations with those who work at and with the company. Examples: “What language style and approach do you feel has worked best for you when we have been working on projects or business relationships together?” “What are some of the mentors, leaders, coaches, teachers and alike in your life who you have found to be the most inspiring and engaging as a leader and why? What can I do to provide this leadership style and emotional engagement for you? Another wonderful way to promote and develop irrational thinking and emotional intelligence in business and personal life is to cultivate a sense of symbolic awareness within the business and the minds of business leaders to appreciate the existing diversity of thought and perspective that is present within their business. When a business is willing to engage with a symbolic sense of itself it also helps to develop a more open mind to the ways that the business and business mission or purpose are being perceived. Examples: Asking leadership and employees of the business what such things as the business logo, brand identity and purpose symbolize or represent to them and why? Asking what the individuals and employees want the company to symbolize to themselves, other businesses, and the company/ client base and why? Asking how connected, inspired, and motivated individuals feel about the symbolic representation(s) of the business and if they feel that the business actions are congruent with its symbolic expression? Interested in working with an integrative therapist and wellness consultant who can help you create a more emotionally intelligent mindset in your business or personal life so that you and your business can be more attuned and engaged with the irrational mind for your total wellness and success? Visit here to learn more and schedule an initial consultation with Mira. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Mira! Mira Taylor, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Mira Taylor is an Integrative Therapist, Subconscious Medium & Organizational Wellness Consultant who focuses on guiding clientele toward total wellness by combining concepts of psychology, spirituality, philosophy, and sustainable life practices. Mira is a member of the International Association of Therapists and master certified in Modern Applied Psychology, Cognitive Remodeling Therapy, Subconscious Integration Therapy, Mind-Body-Spirit Wellness, Wellness Linguistics, and Archetypal Psychology.

Written by: Janifer Wheeler, 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. Have you got big-ass intentions for 2023? I don’t know about you, but I intend to launch The JOYFull BadApp, get back to diversity & inclusion consulting, and spend two months living and learning in the UK. I also intend to crochet an afghan, master the Kalimba and learn more German. I want more date nights, walks on the beach, and hikes through the forest. On a personal, I intend to reconnect by disconnecting, meaning I will spend more time with the people I love and get my sorry ass off of social media! Think about your intentions for 2023. What’s on your big-ass audacious dreams list? No matter what you want from the next 12 months, you need a system because ain’t nobody got time for guessing, hoping, and wishing for shit to happen. Create Structure with Systems Systems are the key to success in manifesting anything in life and business. With an organized, intentional system, things can get done easily and efficiently. Plus, creating a structure with systems will help ensure that you don’t miss any critical steps. Whether organizing your workspace or setting up customer onboarding processes, having a system in place will save time and energy so that you can focus on what matters most – growing your business while avoiding burnout! Know What Systems You Need When creating systems for your business, it pays to know what type of systems you truly need. There are different types of systems, such as administrative systems, marketing systems, customer service systems, sales systems, productivity systems, etc., all of which can help streamline operations and increase efficiency in different areas of your business. Knowing which system is necessary for each task makes it easier to manage all the shit you are doing while keeping everything organized. By the way, your systems should align with you, your values, and your work style. Do Less – Be More: Automate & Outsource When Possible Let’s face it—we all have limited hours in our day and only so much energy at our disposal (all hail caffeine!). That means you need to use your resources wisely by focusing on high-impact activities only and outsourcing anything else (HELLO Jamie, my amazing virtual assistant!). The idea here is not only to work smarter but also to work less so that we can enjoy life without feeling guilty about taking breaks or watching Netflix (treat yourself). What does it mean to Do Less and Be More? It means that instead of investing a lot of time and energy into something that isn’t working or doesn’t serve you, you outsource that shit to someone better equipped to take care of it. This could be anything from accounting to marketing, laundry, house cleaning, or food prep. Once you have identified the right system for each result or intention, the next step is finding ways to automate or outsource them whenever possible. Automating tasks like email follow-ups or social media posts can free up more time for other activities like creating content or launching new products/services. You might even have MORE time for your kids and spouse. MORE room in your schedule for coffee dates or lunch with girlfriends. MORE opportunities for self-love and self-care. Systems are sounding pretty good so far! Outsourcing specific tasks where necessary can also be beneficial since it allows you to focus on your JOYFull Zone of Genius and leave the other shit to someone else. When you introduce automation and delegation to your intentions, there will be LESS to do and MORE time to BE whatever you want in 2023. Although intentions are fluid and flexible, they need some structure to be successful. Setting up systems and schedules is essential to ensure your intentions are actualized and that you achieve what you want in 2023. By creating intentional systems, you can create MORE of what YOU want – MORE freedom, MORE time with friends and family, MORE energy for passion projects and creative endeavors, and MORE JOY. Creating structure with meaningful processes and systems helps streamline things so that nothing falls through the cracks and, more importantly, you don’t feel overwhelmed by trying to do everything yourself! For more info on The JOYFull BadApp, join our Friday 411 mailing list. We don’t spam or send out lots of bullshit as we respect the inbox. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Janifer! Janifer Wheeler, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine After retiring from teaching, Janifer Wheeler realized she had a bigger calling. She now brings her 20+ years of experience in education to the production industry to help entrepreneurs and teams find the proverbial work-life balance by following her JOYfully method. She’s also founded The JOYFully BadAss Academy, where they teach people how not only to do more but enjoy every minute of their workday — without taking any excuses or guilt home with them either (we know what it’s like). Give me 30 days, and you won’t regret it! Click here to learn more.

Written by: Nicole Lucas, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. If you’re tired of leading boring, unproductive meetings that lack purpose, this article is for you. You’ll learn five steps on how to lead productive and purposeful meetings that people will enjoy being a part of. Promise! Picture the scene with me for a moment as we engage in a create-your-own adventure scenario. You’re sitting quietly at your desk, focused on the task at hand, when all of a sudden you hear a notification go off. It’s your calendar app. Your pulse quickens as you pick up your phone, with your hands shaking you see a meeting invite and immediately think: A. Ugh! B. Cool! I can’t wait! C. Fine, but this better not be a waste of my time. Which one would you choose? Your answer is most likely based on your experience with meetings. If you’re among the group who chose A, you’re likely to have been invited to meetings that left you feeling drained and unproductive. If you chose B, you may be among those who have participated in purposeful and productive meetings. If you chose C, you may be among those who have experienced both sides ‒ you’re not necessarily opposed to meetings, but you also don’t approach them with anticipation; you might call yourself a willing pessimist when it comes to meetings. Stats show that the average professional spends between 4-12 hours a week in meetings. One report that I found recently stated, “Everyone hates meetings.” While another report stated that many believe meetings are a waste of time and that facilitators don't value the time or input of those who are in attendance. Gosh, those are some dire stats! Can you resonate? As far as the stat about spending between 4-12 hours in meetings, for me it’s more like 12-16 hours a week. So I guess I’m above average; although, I’m not sure some would consider that a good thing in this case! So can meetings be redeemed? Can we create a culture where meetings are not only extremely productive but also enjoyed by the people who attend them? Yes and yes. I know this because I’ve witnessed them for myself and I’ve also led my fair share of productive and purposeful meetings in the past. Do you know one of the biggest reasons meetings fail to be purposeful and productive? Because people don’t prepare well enough. So in this article, I’m going to give you five steps to leading productive and purposeful meetings; meetings that people will enjoy being a part of. Consider The Purpose (The Why) There’s a key moment in the mind of a leader where they must decide if a meeting is necessary or not. The best way to do this is to answer the following questions: Is there a problem to solve? Is there a decision to be made? Is there buy-in or support to be gained? Are there relationships to build? If you can answer yes with regards to the item you have on your mind, then a meeting is necessary. For example, let’s say the item on your mind is that your team is struggling with areas of communication. We can quickly see that a struggle with communication is a problem to be solved, so having a meeting with your team will help you bring this problem to their attention so that it can be addressed. Consider The People (The Who) Let’s say your organization needs to launch a new product. The purpose of the meeting checks the box on the fact that the product will solve a problem; therefore, there are decisions to be made and buy-in and support to be gained. But who should be invited to the meeting? With the example of a new product in mind, in this case, it’s key for all of your stakeholders to be in alignment with this new product; therefore, the initial meeting must begin with them. From there, another meeting may be held with the leaders or directors of the team or teams of people that will be responsible for bringing this new product to reality, for them to understand what this product is and why it’s important. Next, the leaders and directors of the team(s) should have another meeting with the individuals who will be responsible for the tasks that will culminate in the final product. The leaders must cast vision to these individuals so that they may understand the what and why behind the work that is being asked of them. Many would say that a good rule or guideline is to keep your meetings smaller. The more people you have the harder it will be to manage time and have productive conversations. This is especially the case when you’re trying to solve problems or make decisions. However, if the meeting is for team building, then you’ll want your entire team there! Consider The Agenda (The What) Next, you’ll need to determine what to cover in the meeting. To do this, it’s helpful for you to start with the desired outcome or what you hope people will walk away having learned, experienced, or committed to. For example, let’s say you want to form a weekly standing meeting. The why or the purpose behind the meeting is to discuss upcoming items, projects, or events so that everyone is on the same page. The who or the people to invite are your team. The what or the agenda could be things such as: Check-in (5-10 minutes) A brief check-in to see how everyone is doing. This will help you stay connected on a personal level. Primary Focus (30 minutes) To discuss the upcoming items or projects for the next two weeks. Each person shares a progress report and brings any problems or issues up for discussion. Everyone leaves in agreement on the next steps if necessary. Upcoming (10-20 minutes) What’s coming up that we need to start working on? As you consider the agenda, it’s also a good time to decide if you should assign pre-work for your team to complete before they attend the meeting. It’s important for you to be clear with them and to communicate the level of participation you’re expecting so that they can come prepared to engage fully. Remember, if you don’t tell people what you expect, you can’t expect it from them. Consider The Setting (Where and When) The nature of the meeting should influence the location and the timing. For example, if you’re talking about something confidential, find a place to meet where the conversation won’t be overheard or interrupted. If you’re talking about something strategic, you might want more of a formal setting like a boardroom where people can sit at a table and discuss things easily, with a whiteboard or large screen to help with collaboration. If it’s a meeting for the sake of building relationships or team building, you might want a more casual setting. As far as timing goes, consider a realistic length, and don’t push the time longer than what you scheduled. Honor people’s time and schedule another meeting if it’s really necessary. The timing of the day should also be considered. If this is a strategic meeting you might consider scheduling it earlier in the day when people’s minds are more alert and clear. A post-lunch strategy meeting around 2 pm could mean that your team might hit a mid-afternoon wall of brain fog, which may not result in the best participation. This is the case for my team at least. However, based on your team’s personalities and the type of work you do, 2 pm may be just fine for a strategic meeting. You’ll need to experiment and learn through trial and error, so don’t stress out about it, just pick a time, plan well, and see what happens! Consider The Outcome (What’s Next?) At the end of every meeting, your team should know if there’s an action to commit to, a deadline to meet, a future follow-up, etc. People shouldn’t leave the meeting without knowing what’s next and what’s expected of them. Meetings aren’t the easiest thing to lead, they take preparation and practice. But if you follow these five steps, you’ll be on your way to preparing and leading productive and purposeful meetings that people enjoy participating in. I’ve done it. You can too! BONUS: If you want to up your game even more, I have a FREE ONLINE COURSE called Lead Better Brainstorms. So if you find yourself leading team brainstorming meetings or if you often have to brainstorm solutions on your own, this free course will help you grow your skills in this area. Visit thecreativelevel.com/onlinecourse to see what others are saying and to enroll today! Lastly, if you want help developing your leadership skills, visit my website to learn more about the ways I can help you take your life and leadership to the next level. You don’t need a formal education to lead a team or to navigate situations effectively, you just need a leadership coach that can teach you how to become an influential leader that people will love to follow. I can help. Let’s get started! Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Listen every Monday to The Coffee and Creative Leadership Podcast for more insights on leadership and team culture development. Read more from Nicole! Nicole Lucas, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Nicole Lucas, is the Founder and CEO of The Creative Level, a leadership coaching and consulting agency with the mission of helping individuals and teams reach the next level in their life and leadership. She is also the creator and host of the Coffee and Creative Leadership Podcast. With a Bachelor of Science in Leadership and over a decade of experience in leading individuals and teams, Nicole finds great joy in providing people with the essential and practical tools to become healthy and skilled influential leaders.

Written by: Dr Wayne C A Wright, 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. 10 years ago, something happened that changed my outlook on business and life. Let me explain more! The business breakfast event that I hosted was a success. The customers that came along were pumped and fired up to leave the venue and ready to make a difference in the business with the learnings and insights of the morning. I packed up, adrenaline pumping, and truth be told, a little smug from the instant feedback from the customers who left the building. It was a good. No! It was a great morning. As I walked to the car, laden down with all the equipment and stuff that I had to provide for the event, I did not feel right. I was unusually out of breath and a bit heady. I got into the car, waited for my body to calm down and fortunately was able to drive safely home. When I got home, that is when things got a bit weird ‒ and quickly! To cut a long story short, my leg had ballooned to three times the size on my calf. Overnight the thigh part of the same leg had ballooned up too. An urgent appointment and subsequent same day scan identified that I had a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). I had not travelled for several months, so unsure of what triggered it. Needless to say that subsequent treatment and a chat with the consultant told me the blunt truth that the DVT was so severe that I could have died if I did not reacted as fast as I did. For me, I know how this happened. The many, many years of long 12-hour work stints, sitting at my desk, travelling all over the world, not too much exercise and very little daily water intake, added to not being at my best physically and also mentally, had taken its toll on my body. So this is what I did to change my life, which in turn changed my business for the better. I valued the importance of looking after 'me'. I had one body, so get real about looking after it I cut out going to bed late and sought to get at least 7h a night of sleep I eat my main meal earlier in the day (most of the time before 6 pm) to ensure that I did not go to bed late on a full stomach I book a short break once a quarter (4-day long weekends) and one holiday (at least a 10-day break) once a year. These are diarised and non-negotiable I spend time in the morning at least 3 times a week on an exercise routine I spend the same time in the morning preparing my mind, meditating, praying and ensuring that my focus is positive on the things I need to do for the day I am ruthless now on doing things that give me the biggest impact on my time and energies. Or investing time in the people who will benefit the most. This impact and focus meant that I was able to do much more as my mind was sharp, clear of fogginess and my body was able to cope with the stresses and demands of running several businesses. I sleep better too. Finally, I thank God to be alive to be able to see, hold and play with my first grandchild. So do not make the same mistake I made. Because unlike me you may not have a second chance! If you want to know more about the importance of rest and relaxation for the business leader, then have a look at the chapter on the same topic in my book '10 Commandments of Business Growth' on Amazon, in Book, Kindle and Audible versions. Click here to get your copy Contact us if you would like support as a business leader to know how to dodge the bullet and so get a better balance in your life and business. Click here for more information and a chat that is FREE. Follow me on LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dr. Wayne! Dr Wayne C A Wright, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Dr Wayne Wright has worked in some of the most celebrated corporate entities as well as fast growing medium sized businesses at senior and board levels. His experience is in the building of businesses from the bottom up with a clear understanding of the strategic elements essential in driving successful growth. With a scientist background he is named on 9 patents. Wayne has investments in healthcare businesses in the UK and US and for the last 20 years has led [W]sq solutions, a small boutique entrepreneur coaching organisation that works with fast growing businesses in accelerating growth and profitability.

Written by: Denys Khromov, 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. Do you know what is the biggest mistake that many startups make? They focus exclusively on their product or service and forget about branding. Indeed, what you provide to your customers has to be top quality but branding is the driving force behind the process of recognizing and scaling any business. There are several important steps when it comes to branding, from understanding your business's unique selling point (USP) to pinpointing your target audience, and you need to know how to get it right. It is a mistake to think that branding is just a name or a logo. A brand is all about the identity of the business, its values, story, tone of voice, attitude, beliefs, and soul. Of course, it is important to create an image and a name for the startup but you need to dive deeper to introduce your uniqueness to the world. “Proper branding is the key to your startup’s success.” 5 important parts in branding a startup There are a few important things that you need to know about branding and how to make it right for your startup. 1. Ideology The first thing is ideology. In other words, the positioning of your company. To build it right, you need to know exactly what your business is like and what emotions it evokes. You also need to think of the USP and make it super clear for people who know nothing about your company (yet). Plus, explore the market, identify your target audience and learn everything about them. A quick tip: the narrower your target audience, the greater the chance of hitting the bull's eye. 2. Story Once you have found your audience and niche, you need to introduce your startup as a person with its own character. Come up with a catchy name, create a story and then sell it. It's no secret that startups take time to be recognized by people. However, building your brand story and the right storytelling will help you a lot. The story has to be filled with real emotions, so make it memorable but reliable. As for naming, it has to be short (not more than two or three words) and speak up for either your business core or your business uniqueness. The name, image, vision, and look of your branding messages have to be carefully elaborated and clear to your target audience. This step is very important when you start working on your branding strategy. 3. Identity Next comes the visual – logo and identity. Keep in mind that the visual has to reflect your unique idea and be likable to the people you target. If you sell handmade unique bags for women, you don’t have to be focused on the audience that purchases mass-market bags for men. 4. Communication Now, let’s talk about communication which also has to be clear and unique. You have to find your tone of voice and know how to maintain long-term communication with your audience and potential clients. In order to succeed you need to use multiple channels. Try to use non-standard media besides the old ones like TV or outdoor. Today, there are so many other channels that you can use, like social media, emails, website content, blogs, guerilla marketing and so on. Use digits and letters because they are consumed better, and enriched with images and colors. It is essential to build emotional connections with your clients because this is how we make them trust you. Do not be afraid to show yourself in the most non-standard way! Believe us, people like it when you are different from others! Be brave to impress the audience but make sure you look solid at the same time. “Do not be afraid to show yourself in the most non-standard way!” When you just appear on the market, you already have so many competitors, so that is why you need to have a sketch of branding from the start. Branding helps you generate familiarity, new customers and also returning ones. It is not a secret that people prefer to come back and buy again if they liked your product. But first, you have to reach out to them and be unique to stand out from the crowd. Once you get the order, make sure your service or product is trustworthy and the client will be 100% satisfied when ordering from you. If one client likes you, be sure that this person won’t hesitate to refer even more potential customers to you! This is how well-done branding works in tandem with a quality product. 5. Brand consistency The last step to take before you launch is to be absolutely consistent with the whole brand. Make sure the positioning of your brand is clear and reflects all benefits of your business. Also, you need to be absolutely ready with the planning of the year, as well as with all social, PR, and creative communication. Another good thing about branding is that it improves your staff’s pride and job satisfaction. Clearly, people who work for a business that has strong branding are more eager to work better and they are proud to be a part of something unique. They want to ensure the startup’s success and are more willing to work. But also, don’t forget to show your employees that their efforts are appreciated and you genuinely value them. “People who work for a business that has strong branding are more eager to work better.” As you can see, startup branding is extremely important from the very beginning of your company’s path. You need to introduce the business to your target audience in a clear and unique way. Well-done branding is the key factor to the success of every company as it establishes you as a reliable and interesting company. Follow me on LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Denys! Denys Khromov, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Denys Khromov is an inspirational leader in the IT world, his passion of resolving complex problems and ability to scale operations for high-demanding companies is amazing. Worked with Forbes 500 clients with zero-failure and extreme satisfaction. During the free time loves to read books, play chess and tennis.

Written by: Cynthia Appiah, 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 a transformational life coach, I have the privilege of working with ambitious people who are destined for greatness, but often times, they have a difficult time finding their purpose. Throughout the years, people have approached me and asked me the question: “ How do I know or find what my purpose is?” To help answer this question for my clients and the many people who have asked this, I have created 7 helpful tips I share with my clients and other ambitious people who find difficulty in identifying their purpose. I am a believer in God, who is my source of living ( some identify it as pure energy, the universe, Allah, etc.). Whatever you call the “source”, and in this case, for me, it’s God. I believe God has given every person what they need to succeed in life so that we all can live abundantly. Therefore, I will start this piece with a bible verse from Romans chapter 12 versus:6–8. “6 We all have gifts. They differ according to the grace God has given to each of us. Do you have the gift of prophecy? Then use it according to the faith you have. 7 If your gift is serving, then serve. If it is teaching, then teach. 8 Is it encouraging others? Then encourage them. Is it giving to others? Then give freely. Is it being a leader? Then work hard at it. Is it showing mercy? Then do it cheerfully.” I believe one of the reasons we are on this earth is to use our God-given gifts to enhance the lives of others. Once you have identified your gifts, it opens the door to your purpose. Here are my 7 helpful tips on how to identify your God-given gifts that will open the door to your purpose. Tip 1. Identify all your interest. Identify everything you love to do and everything that just comes easy and write it down. Take this time to brainstorm and truly focus on what makes you happy and focus on what skills and talents come easy to you without hesitation. Tip 2 .Pray about it or meditate to help calm your mind and center you. If you are a believer, praying helps you stay grounded and focused. Some meditate to help them become more centered. In this state, what you have identified in tip number 1 becomes visibly clear and the answer will start to appear for you. Tip 3. Ask your friends & family for guidance. When you surround yourself with friends and family who are supportive and encouraging and each one loves to see you win, their opinions and perspectives can help you further identify your gifts. Sometimes friends and family can help point you or identify some of the great characteristics that can help you come closer to identifying your gifts. They can help you answer questions such as: *What are some of the great things about you? *What do people admire about you? Tip 4. Narrow Your List Using what you have identified in the previous process, narrow your list of talents, skills, and interests you have identified. Tip 5: Come back to the list with a fresh set of eyes Out of college, I held a job as a healthcare marketing and administrative assistant for a healthcare policy agency. Every time I created a project and presented it to my manager, she would say, “ Cynthia, good job, but let’s come back to it and look at it with a fresh set of new eyes.” What she said was so excellent, and as an adult and a life coach, I have implemented this thinking in everything I do. Apply this thinking to the list you have narrowed. Coming back to your narrowed list with more clarity can help you become closer to identifying your gifts that will lead you to your purpose. Tip 6. Number it from 1–10 Using your narrowed list of skills and talents you have identified for yourself, number your interest and the things you love to do with ease from 1–10. If you did not give your identified skill or talent a 10, remove it from the list. What you have removed, can still be a gift, but it is not your passion that can provide you with the tools needed to lead you to your purpose. If it is a 10, that is a passion and will be more purposeful to follow. Tip 7. Create an action plan for your purpose Look through the list you narrowed and does anything your friends or family say about you match up with what you have identified? Was there a common skill, passion, or talent that was consistent? Use the list you have identified to create an action plan to unleash your purpose. This tip takes a lot of self-discovery. It is very important to do this with clarity, so take your time to get to the result you are looking to achieve. Here is an equation I have developed to empower you to live your purpose. Passion+ Cultivate + Persistence + Share with the world to enhance the lives of others consistently = Purpose A person’s passion often times is tied in with their gift. If you cultivate and persistently pursue your God-given gift and share with the world consistently, you have reached your purpose. In conclusion, every person on this earth has a gift, and being able to share that gift with the world is what makes you unique, and honing in on that gift is what can empower you to unleash your purpose. The path to self-discovery and following the tips, I have shared with you today will help you get to the results you are looking to achieve and unleash your God-given gift that will lead you to your purpose. Submit questions you have on how you can identify your purpose, to info@beautyfromwithincc.com Cynthia Appiah, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Cynthia is the host of Cynthia TV, a Pageant Competition Expert, social media content creator, motivational speaker, mentor, and life coach. As multi-talented diva, Cynthia has helped her clients break through the obstacles that seem to be holding them back, while empowering each person to GET THE CROWN in life. She has spent 10 + years helping individuals to create a lifestyle of success and balance. Her goal is to use her entertainment platform to inspire ambitious women and pageant beauties to embrace their beauty from within. She feels fortunate to have found her calling and is passionate about making a difference in other peoples' lives. Life's too short to be unhappy, unsure, or unfulfilled.

Written by: Christy Roberts, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Life is meant to be fully lived, it’s why we are here. Imagine your life is a Hollywood movie and you’re the writer. You can scribble it out, tear it up and start again whenever and wherever you like. Keep perfecting it, keep changing it, write well and edit often. Living an extraordinary life doesn’t just happen, we create it. We are born full of limitless possibilities and potential. We are born with curiosity, optimism, love, and adventure. Our minds have the capacity of the most powerful computers on the planet, and we are the operators. To reach our potential we must learn to fly, unlock the chains and restrictions that hold us back and set ourselves free of our inhibitions. This is what you were born to do, it’s why you’re here! It’s your life, so create your masterpiece There are many layers to this conversation, including: Learning to free the residual build-up of the trapped emotional pain we all carry. Learning to free your mind from the beliefs that limit you. Creating more empowering beliefs. Finding your authentic self ‒ the person you were always meant to be before life came along and changed you. Discovering who you are meant to be and what you’re truly capable of. Connecting with the things that motivate and inspire you. Unearthing the pathway there, mapping it out, and creating your own unique blueprint. Taking the actions needed to create the life you want. Never settling for less, stopping, or giving up. Always remember, you don’t have to do this on your own. Self Directed Healing is a very effective natural therapy for releasing deep emotional pain and clearing limiting beliefs. Working with a Life Coach will guide you in the right direction toward your goals. It will fast-track your results and keep you focused and accountable. Investing in yourself and improving your life is the best investment you will ever make. Did you know that only 2% of people are living their life by design? Most people drift into an ordinary, mediocre existence, i.e.: Making do Getting by Being reasonably happy Doing OK Not blinging in bliss ‒ but content Do you want to be in the 2%, living your life with passion and purpose, but have no idea where to start? Are you ready to level up? Then read on … The 7 Steps to Living with Passion and Purpose Living with meaning and purpose is like rocket fuel for humans. In a nutshell, here’s the higher level process I follow when working with clients: Identify where you are now Decide what’s most important to you Clarify your future vision (what is your purpose?) Recognise your blocks, hurdles, and challenges Work towards healing and removing the blocks Plan a pathway, your map, toward your future vision Take small and consistent actions. Your purpose must align with your values and beliefs. Goals that are aligned with who you are as a person, with your values and your beliefs will naturally connect with your intrinsic motivation and create passion and purpose. What do you want? Setting your expectations and creating a blueprint, helps you get clear on what’s important to you, and acts as a guide for where you need to focus and concentrate your efforts. Well-set goals can be incredibly motivating, and as you get into the habit of setting and achieving goals, you'll find that your self-confidence builds. Brainstorm: What do you want? Here are some examples: Do you want to be the next CEO? Do you want a promotion? Do you want to grow or start your own business? Do you want to be a leader and help others? Do you want to have a balanced life? Do you want a better relationship? Do you want to improve your love and sex life? Do you want more quality time? Do you want to lose weight? Do you want to heal an injury? Do you want to improve your health and fitness? Do you want more money in the bank? Do you want to finish some studies? Do you want to give back to your community? HOT TIP: Consider how you’ll feel when you achieve these goals. Give yourself time to feel those feelings, in your body. Meditate, visualise and write it down, always connecting with the feelings. Ultimately, the goal you are seeking is really about the feeling you’ll get when you achieve these things, it’s not the actual thing! For example, do you want to feel more joy, love, freedom, and inner peace? This is the real goal, all the other ‘stuff’ is simply the vehicle to help you attain it. SO … if joy, love, freedom, and inner peace are the ultimate destination you’re seeking then why isn’t everybody working towards getting there? It’s because we don’t know how. We’ve never been shown or taught these skills. So many of us are stuck in the relentless, day-to-day, hamster wheel of life, and we’ve lost our vision, our way. The distance between your dreams and your reality is called focused action. Taking Focused Action … Consider: What is something that you can do right now or today, each day, every day, and just do that. Keep moving towards your goals. When it comes to living on purpose, it’s important to set goals in the key areas of your life, e.g., health, career, relationships, wealth, and interests. Download our free Goal Setting Workbook now to get started. Get excited, this is totally doable, and keep going … One of the reasons I'm successful in business and in life is that I don't give up. The minute you give up, that's it, game over. I'm very connected to my bigger purpose and vision ‒ my WHY. I regularly work on the belief systems and emotions that limit and block me. I work on getting really clear on my goals. I decide on the strategies I'm going to implement to help me reach my goals. I work to continually develop and improve my skills. I review my goals regularly, and correct course if needed I stay focused and take consistent action. Decide to take action. What we focus on is what we get. If you want results, you need to act. What happens when you’re ‘off course’? In an ideal world, we set our goals, map out the steps, take action, get some momentum, take more action, and reach our goal. However, that’s not usually how life works. It’s rarely that straightforward. When it comes to your life and the goals you set yourself, the trick is not to worry about making a wrong decision, it’s learning to course correct. How do you know when you’re off course? When you’re not living on purpose? The 2 most obvious signs are: confusion and unhappiness Notice your pain and triggers. How are they showing up for you, and what set them off? Mental and emotional pain or discomfort is saying – “Hey, that’s not it!” This is a good thing, notice them, and see them as indicators. This is your internal compass or guidance system. It’s your body telling you to course correct. It’s all feedback, so PAY ATTENTION! If and when things dive and you find yourself off track, don’t give up! Just pay attention and course correct ‒ it’s simply feedback. Remember: the past cannot be changed, and the future is the direct result of what you do right now! Next steps: Download our free Goal Setting or Procrastination Workbooks. Check out my Brainz article on: 9 Smart Goal Setting Questions You Need To Ask Yourself. Listen to our Podcast on Overcoming Self Sabotage. If time management is a challenge for you, I encourage you to come along to our Master Your Time ‒ Master Your Life FREE MasterClass Or check out our self-paced online program Master Your Time ‒ Master Your Life. Need some help, then reach out ‒ we offer free discovery calls. We’ll discuss where you’re at, where you want to be, what needs to change, and how working with a world-class Coach & Healer could be the next step to fast-track your results toward living your life with passion and purpose. Your life is so precious, don’t waste it. The POWER is in your hands. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Christy! Christy Roberts, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Christy is the Global Self Directed Healing Practitioner Trainer, an award-winning Coach, and Grief Educator with over 20+ years of Human Resources and Organisational Development experience. She helps people journey through the toughest of life’s challenges, like grief, trauma, anger, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, fear, overwhelm, stress, and burnout. Christy is passionate about unlocking our human potential, transforming mindsets, and supporting people to get out of their own way and live their ultimate lives by achieving the success and results they desire. She provides Coaching, Self Directed Healing, Workshops, and Educational Resources that positively impact people, leaders, and workplaces. As Founder of Creating Change, she is driven to make a change in our society and culture, so that we are more authentically connected to ourselves and living with passion and purpose.

Written by: Tony Martignetti, 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. Do you have the influence you want in your career, life, and relationships? The old school of influence comes from force. This is where people must be commanded, put in their place, and punished if necessary to get them to comply or get on board. But history has repeatedly shown that whether it’s your nation, your coworkers, or your kids, force takes a lot of energy and, in the end, almost always fails against our human nature to resist. Influence, however, is power WITHOUT force. What carries the most power is when people see you as someone who is clear in your message, authentic in your voice, and aligned in your actions. When leaders live this way, their reputation begins to precede them, which is an indication that they have become rich in “social capital.” When people hear about your merits from others, they begin to trust and admire you before they even meet you. But here’s the deeper cut. When you carry yourself in a way that raises the bar for how others around you show up in the world, they start to follow you, trust you and are loyal to you, not just because they like you but because you carry a quality that has them “want to be like you.” That is ultimately what it is all about and why learning to be a leader of positive influence is an evolutionary journey. As Lao Tzu famously said, “The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.” And the journey to being a powerful and influential leader starts with how you respond to the next thing that comes up for you to deal with. Something to think about as you go through your day. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Tony! Tony Martignetti, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Tony Martignetti is a trusted leadership advisor, experience creator, author, podcast host, and speaker. He brings together over 25 years of business and management experience, formal training, and extreme curiosity to elevate leaders and equip them with the tools to navigate through change and unlock their true potential. He loves guiding people to find clarity in their lives so they are energized, fully present, and unstoppable. When leaders unlock their potential and lead from a place of inspired purpose, they impact and inspire everyone around them. He has dedicated himself to helping people live inspired lives. Before becoming the founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of Inspired Purpose Coaching, he was a finance and strategy executive with experience working with some of the world’s leading life sciences companies. Along his journey, he also managed small businesses and ran a financial consulting company. Tony is the host of The Virtual Campfire podcast and the author of "Climbing the Right Mountain: Navigating the journey to An Inspired Life."

Written by: Gina Lokken, ICF PCC, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Ever feel like you're just going through the motions as a leader? Not sure how to get your team to engage and get excited about what they need to do? Enter the vision board. Some of you may be thinking, "Vision boards? That seems like a poor use of company time." But I'd challenge you to reconsider that perception. Vision boards are not only a fun way to get your team to step outside the formal patterns of everyday work habits but also an opportunity to create a unified sense of direction for the new year. You'd be surprised at how much fun dreaming together as a team can be and how motivating it is when you're all moving in the same direction with clarity and purpose! To plan your own team vision board for 2023, follow these steps: Gather the team and explain the concept of a vision board. A vision board is a visual representation of what you want to achieve in the future. It can be a collage of pictures, quotes, and other things that inspire you and show what you want to achieve as individuals and as a team. Set a date for the vision board session. This is a great team-building activity, so choose a time that works for everyone. Encourage team members to bring materials that inspire them and represent their goals. These can include images, quotes, and other elements they want to include on the board. Set up a large workspace where the team can lay out their materials and create their vision boards. Encourage team members to be creative. Encourage them to dream big and include things on their vision board that may seem out of reach at the moment. Take turns sharing your vision board with the team. As team members learn more about each other's goals, they should be encouraged to help and support each other. Hang the completed vision boards in a central location where the team can see them every day. This will help keep the team motivated and focused on achieving their goals. Check-in with the team regularly to see how they are progressing towards their goals and make adjustments as needed. By creating a team vision board, you can make planning for 2023 fun and energizing. It's a great way to bring the team together and get everyone excited about what the future holds! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Gina! Gina Lokken, ICF PCC, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Gina is passionate about helping female entrepreneurs, business professionals, and leaders infuse God into their everyday personal and professional lives so that they can become the person He designed them to be. She firmly believes business and faith do not have to be separate, and business does not have to be boring. Gina specializes in strengths-based leadership and team building, creating cultures of joy through neuroscience practices, leadership and communication training, and creative coaching methodologies that propel her client's past what they originally thought was possible!