Written by: Katarzyna Dorosz, 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 we want to be successful in life, intellect alone is not enough. Intellect, knowledge, and ability determine whether you are suited for a job, but it is the ability to manage your emotions that gives you a chance to be the best at it. Most psychologists argue that the level of EQ is not genetically shaped. Emotional intelligence can be learned and developed throughout life. "Feelings and emotions are like waves – we can't do anything about them coming, but we can choose which ones we let through" ‒ Jonathan Martensson According to Daniel Goleman, emotional intelligence consists of: self-consciousness, the ability to recognize one's own emotions, self-regulation the ability to manage emotions, motivation the art of subordinating emotions to goals, and empathy the ability to understand the feelings and needs of others, to develop social skills the ease of establishing and maintaining relationships with the world. Jack Mayer and Peter Salovey mention four areas that make up emotional intelligence: perceiving emotions, supporting thinking, managing stress and managing emotions. An emotionally intelligent person is open to new experiences, can show affection adequately in any situation, easily establishes contacts with other people, copes well with stress, is assertive, believes in himself, is not afraid of criticism and risk. Emotional intelligence does not guarantee success and does not protect against crises, but it facilitates contacts with people. Classification of emotional competences: psychological competences – self-awareness, self-assessment, self-control social competences – empathy, assertiveness, persuasion, leadership, cooperation praxeological competence - motivation, adaptation, conscientiousness. More: KasiaSpeak.com Follow me on LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read from Katarzyna! Katarzyna Dorosz, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Katarzyna Dorosz is a leader in the field of brain performance, mental performance, and improving memory and quality of work. She is a world-renowned expert for senior and mature individuals who also conducts research on longevity. She is also a lecturer and author of several books. Katarzyna works with many prestigious American universities about attaining meaningful longevity in Life and how to maintain brain function. She also supports women around the world through motivational lectures. Her attitude and stubborn pursuit of purpose show how important changes and progress in life are. She is also the author of the TV Show "The Power of Life". During lectures, she uses the "Educational kinesiology and Emotional intelligence" and developed her own methods of exercises that provide excellent memory, concentration exercises as well as relaxation, and a set of physical exercises to improve the condition (adjusted to the age and flexibility of the body). In business training, Katarzyna uses the popular Japanese Kaizen method, i.e. a philosophy based on changing lifestyle ‒ an endless process of improving and improving the quality of the company.

Written by: Ayesha Joshi, Guest Writer You may even be thinking ‘How can I care about my wellbeing, when I have XYZ to do/look after’. It’s a word we see thrown about a lot these days. We see posters plastered in teacher staffrooms & around the office. We see it blazoned on company websites ‒ Promoting the wellbeing of staff. It has now become a sort of, buzzword. It’s the new hype & everybody is jumping on the bandwagon. It’s a word associated with mental health, exercise, meditation, mindfulness, nutrition. The word wellbeing can be associated with a whole heap of different scenarios. It can be overwhelming, confusing & where does one even start? Aside from seeing a therapist, a coach or ‘speaking to someone in the office’ (who you probably don’t want to speak to anyway), there doesn’t seem to be much in terms of ‘What can I actually do, to look after my wellbeing’. These five simple steps will help you achieve calm, clarity & peace within yourself. It’s a succession of bitesize & manageable steps that will allow you to look & feel great inside & out. There’s no such thing as an overnight transformation or a 30-day ‘fix’. True transformation comes from commitment, patience & finding out what works for you. 1. Check in Take a minute to check in with yourself – I find it’s best to do this in the morning as our days and schedules can be so busy. Ask yourself, how am I feeling today? 2. Self-love The next step is to treat yourself with kindness & compassion. It links in with checking in with yourself. Notice what feelings & emotions are arising within you. Whether they are positive or negative, notice them, breathe into them, and tell these emotions that you see them & you hear them. Thank them for showing up. This cultivates awareness & understanding of your internal state. It allows you to have better interactions with yourself & those around you. 3. Set an intention Again, this is part of my morning ritual. How do you want your day to look & feel? Do you want positivity & productivity? Well, call it in. It can sound something like this: Today will be a great day filled with positivity, productivity, laughter & love.’ – Fill it with all the qualities you want to have in your day. 4. Just for fun Try & do at least one thing you really enjoy, if not every day, then make time for that thing in the week & do it as often as you can. Whether it be reading a page in your favourite book, going for a walk, or listening to music. Find something you enjoy doing, something you can make time for & stick to it. Tell yourself what you will do & when you will do it. 5. Movement Moving your body, going on a walk or being in nature can do wonders for our physical & mental health. If you have a family member/s to look after, take them with you. Or combine it with the thing you enjoy doing. I love listening to podcasts on my walk, it’s a great way for me to get out into nature & do the thing I love. Our outer reality is a manifestation of what is happening within ourselves. It is important to take at least five minutes of our day to care for ourselves. It means doing one or a few things that will look after your mental, spiritual, emotional & physical health. Remember change doesn’t happen overnight. Find what works for you & stick to it. For more info follow me on Instagram and visit my website! Ayesha Joshi, Brainz Magazine Guest Writer Ayesha is a certified mindset coach specialising in Neuro-Linguistic-Programming (NLP) & Timeline Therapy™, based in Manchester, England. Her mission is to facilitate one's journeys into deeper healing & self-actualisation, enabling them to discover their true potential and inner power. Her empathetic nature and passion for self-development are what have formed the foundation of her business, which is helping others cultivate a space of pure self-love within themselves. Ayesha believes true transformation comes from within ‒ creating a bond within yourself that is unbreakable.

Written by: Katie Scott, Business Reporter Brainz Magazine The chief executive of beer brand BrewDog has given out almost £500k of his own money to disgruntled customers after a Willy Wonka style promotion backfired. James Watt had hidden 50 gold cans in cases of beer but customers complained to the UK’s the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) when it was discovered that the cans were not pure gold. They were, in fact, made mostly of brass and only plated with the precious metal, reports The Guardian. The ASA upheld the complaints. Watt wrote on LinkedIn: “The initial tweets I sent out told customers of the prospect of finding ‘solid gold cans’,” claiming each one was still worth £15,000. “It was a silly mistake. Things started to go wrong when the winners got their cans.” He continued: “Those three tweets were enough to do a lot of damage. It blew up into a media storm. The gold can saga was headline news. The campaign launch morphed into a frenzy, with attacks coming in from all quarters. It got pretty grim. I should have been more careful.” He also admitted that the tweets were misleading and stated: “We were made to look dishonest and disingenuous and took a real hammering.” Watt explains that he has since contacted all of the fifty winners and offered them the “full cash amount” if they were unhappy with what the original prize comprised - keeping the can and receiving £15,000 in BrewDog shares. “All in all, it ended up costing me around £470,000 – well over two and a half years’ salary,” said Watt, who now owns 40 of the gold cans

Disney’s returning CEO Bob Iger has told employees that from 1st March they must return to the office four days a week. In a memo sent to all employees, Iger stated his reasons for the mandate, writing “...in a creative business like ours, nothing can replace the ability to connect, observe, and create with peers that comes from being physically together." Iger returned to Disney in November, replacing Bob Chapek. He immediately made some changes including replacing the head of the company's Media and Entertainment Distribution division, Kareem Daniel. The memo, which also praised recent successes, continues: “It is my belief that working together more in-person will benefit the Company’s creativity, culture, and our employees’ careers. Starting March 1, employees currently working in a hybrid fashion will be asked to spend four days a week on-site, targeting Monday through Thursday as in-person workdays. Stay tuned for additional details.”

Written by: Crystal Harrell, 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. Learning how to build wealth is a journey that starts with a simple yet powerful principle: making your money work for you. The idea is to put your money to work in investments like a retirement savings account or an emergency fund that will generate income and grow your net worth over time. But how do you build wealth and make your money work for you? The key is to understand the power of compounding, the magic of time, and the impact of consistency in investing. By starting early, you'll have more time for your money to grow, and the power of compounding will work in your favor. What Are The Key Tips To Help You Build Wealth Fast? 1. Understand Your Finances Understanding where your money is going has more to do with awareness than anything else. If you want to know how to build wealth, you first have to recognize the spending habits running your financial life. Here are a few tools to help you get started: Best overall free app: Mint. Best app for beginners: Goodbudget. Best app for serious budgeters: You Need a Budget (YNAB) Best app for small business owners: QuickBooks Online. Best app for business expenses: Expensify. 2. Start Investing Early When you invest money early into a 401 K, dividend-paying stocks, a retirement savings account, or any retirement fund, you capitalize on the power of compound interest. Investing wisely takes time and experience, so the earlier you start, the more you have to save for retirement. Investing into a 401 K, retirement account, or index fund is not a get-rich-quick scheme. However, they will produce some of your greatest assets. Let's face it, have you ever met someone who was a lasting millionaire after pursuing get-rich-quick schemes? 3. Automate Your Savings Automatically transferring money into a savings account can help ensure that you save money each month, even if you don't make the conscious decision to do so. This can be especially beneficial for people who tend to spend all their disposable income. Automating your savings is an easy wealth-building practice to set up and requires little maintenance. This can make it a good option for people who are busy or have difficulty remembering to manually transfer money into their savings account. 4. Seek Professional Advice When looking for a financial advisor, be sure to check their credentials. A professional with the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation, for example, has met certain education and experience requirements and has passed a rigorous exam. Similarly, a personal finance advisor who holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) credential has demonstrated a high level of expertise in investment analysis and portfolio management. Some financial advisors are paid on commission, which can create a conflict of interest if the advisor is incentivized to sell you certain products. Instead, consider working with a fee-only financial advisor, who is compensated solely by their clients and doesn't receive commissions from the sale of financial products. Also, find out if the advisor is a fiduciary, which means that they are legally bound to act in their client’s best interests. 5. Create Multiple Streams of Income The internet has created numerous ways for beginners to make money online. With platforms like Side Hustle Stack and the rise of blogging, it has become easier to create multiple streams of income. The average millionaire has around 7 streams of income. However, most of them did not start that way. They invested in one of two income streams and built on those over time. Some examples of potential income streams include rental properties, online businesses, and freelancing. 6. Continuously educate yourself The more you build your financial literacy, the easier it is to make more money and build more wealth. Additionally, financial literacy can help you become debt free over time. Having a good credit card balance is a great way to eliminate most debt. Not all debt is good. High-interest debt refers to debt that carries a relatively high-interest rate when you borrow money, such as credit card debt or personal loans. This form of debt is considered more costly than other forms of debt, such as mortgages or student loans, because the interest rates are typically much higher, leading to larger interest payments over time 7. Have a long-term mindset Having a long-term mindset when learning how to build wealth is important because it allows you to focus on the big picture and make decisions that will benefit you in the long run. It also enables you to weather short-term market fluctuations and economic downturns, which are inevitable. Also, if you decide to have your own business to help you make extra money and create a diversified portfolio, then long-term goals will help you stay on track when things become difficult. With a long-term mindset, you can make consistent, deliberate choices that will help you create accumulated wealth over time and achieve your financial goals. This mindset allows you to have patience and perseverance even during hard times. Additionally, by thinking long-term, you can plan for retirement and other future expenses, so you'll be prepared when they arise. Conclusion Saving money and investing in assets such as the stock market, retirement accounts, real estate, and mutual funds can give your money the potential to grow significantly over time. With a bit of patience and discipline, you'll be on your way to financial freedom. It's important to remember that building wealth is not just about having a lot of money, but about having the ability to live life on your terms, pay cash for what you want, and plan for retirement age without worrying about money. So, start building your wealth today by developing a financial plan and letting your money work for you! Also, note that financial advice varies based on personal situations and goals. It is important to seek professional advice before making any investment decisions and check their credentials. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Crystal! Crystal Harrell, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Crystal Harrell, MS, MPH is a Yale Ph.D. student, certified Academic Success Coach, motivational speaker, and bestselling author of Crystal Clear: A Journey of Self-Discovery (From Public Housing to Ivy League). As a high school senior, Crystal secured over $670,000 in scholarship awards, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Millennium Scholarship. She has dedicated her work to helping others achieve their academic goals. Through her books and education blog, Crystal’s story has impacted thousands of individuals worldwide and created a push for personal growth in academia. Crystal’s ultimate goal is to raise awareness of our human potential and show that it is possible to rise against all odds and live out your wildest dreams. Learn more about Crystal and her work at www.crystaltharrell.com

Written by: Mel Stanley, Guest Writer Women leaders are switching jobs at the highest rates we’ve ever seen—much higher than men in leadership. To put that into perspective: For every female director who gets promoted, two other female directors choose to leave their company. (https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/women-in-the-workplace) This has serious implications for companies seeking to level up and demonstrate their commitment to gender equality and diversity as women are already under-represented at senior levels The percentage of key roles held by women remains stuck at 25% with the CEO job still dominated by men. The further uptick in C-suite roles can be explained by the increase in non-executive roles held by women. These are often non-paid and centred on board oversight rather than having any decision-making power But if you are a woman working in a corporate, this is not new, news. We have been hearing this for years And all the investment in unconscious bias, mindfulness training and DE&I governance hasn’t shifted the dial one iota So how can women build their leadership profile and make an impact when they don’t hold a position of influence? If you are not offered a seat at the table…create your own table In other words, seize the initiative. Create a Personal Leadership Brand that will showcase your Leadership potential, prove your strategic skills and present your vision Here’s 3 ways to do that: 1. Define your own agenda There’s an inherent danger in hiring in our own image. Yet corporate cultures often dictate that leaders need to be of a certain type (and I don’t mean white, male and over 50) to thrive and be successful. The cookie cutter profile of leadership in an organisation might tempt you to compromise who you are and what you stand for. Don't go there, it's the quickest road to stress, burnout and failure Instead, set your own agenda and stick to it: What do YOU want to achieve? How do YOU want to make a difference? What sort of Leader do YOU want to be, what values will YOU embody? The world accommodates you for fitting in but rewards you for standing out 2. Thought Leadership Becoming a respected authority in your industry is an excellent way to position yourself and your Personal Brand for leadership Start by Being clear on your chosen area of expertise Be consistent, do not deviate Share your thoughts and ideas at every opportunity Create content in relation to your expertise Put yourself out there, be visible Pretty soon you will be recognised for your insight and expertise 3. Build and leverage your own networks Women have outstanding relationship-building skills but their networks typify friends, allies, and confidantes rather than broader groups of associates. This makes leveraging the relationships more difficult as they are personal rather than professional But there are ways to overcome this without sacrificing your integrity. For example you can create and lead your own specialist group to showcase your leadership skills and ingenuity. Operational Networks. These might be in the form of an internal committee or working group. For example connecting a group of experts committed to solving a problem, promoting a product or service or hosting a special event Strategic Networks. External professional networks aligned to your own career goals: For example, membership organisations populated by like-minded individuals Personal Networks. The many varied industry-based women’s networks are excellent examples of this. These networks can become very influential in engendering change, training, and mentoring. You don’t need a title, a big team, or permission to be a leader; but you do need to adopt a leadership mindset, speak the language of leadership, and assume a leadership position to make it happen For more info follow me on LinkedIn, Facebook and visit my website! Mel Stanley, Brainz Magazine Guest Writer Mel Stanley is a Personal Brand specialist working exclusively with aspiring, professional women wanting to transition into leadership roles She has 25 years experience of Marketing and Brand building in large UK network agencies and blue-chip Corporates. She secured her first of 2 Advertising Agency Board positions aged 33, finishing as a non-Executive Director to Smart Energy GB (a UK Government Board) before leaving her corporate career behind in September 2019 to set up FirstWoman Mel is an ardent supporter of female talent and gender equality. She has a firm belief that we need more women leaders in a position of influence to make decisions related to gender balance otherwise there will only be incremental changes to current working practices Through FirstWoman Mel uses her many years of Brand and Marketing expertise and leadership experience to help other women overcome their barriers to progression by helping them to develop an authentic and consistent leadership brand that positions them for success MelStanley@FirstWoman.Rocks

Written by: Lisa David Olson, 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. Whether you are preparing to launch a book, your own podcast, or your new business of knitting skirts for dogs, podcast shows help your brand to be ‘seen’ online. Now that you are applying to be a guest, let’s ensure you have what it takes to be the one invited back for more! I’ve had a podcast nearly three years, and I also guest on other shows. I adore being interviewed because there are times I’ve heard myself say something in a new way. That’s why I keep paper and a pen nearby, to capture fresh thoughts. You never know when a host will lead you to respond with a thought that could be your next keynote or book! Let’s prepare you for the podcast that is in your future. If you aren’t sure how to find a show that is seeking new interviewees, check for groups on social media. I have had a lot of success through Facebook. There are other groups around that charge a fee, and I've tried those as well. Let your friends, family, and clients know you are seeking to be a guest. Cast the net wide. Once you land that interview, go through this checklist to prepare to be a stellar podcast guest: Ask the host or show’s assistant how long the interview goes and if it will be in audio only or also video. If video too, set up lights in front of you so you are not a dark silhouette on their screen. Also, ask if you are allowed to mention your products or services. Then get them links ahead of time, for their show notes, as well as your bio and professional headshot (photo of your shoulders and adorable face). Homework – listen to a few of the show’s episodes. This way you get a feel for the host’s style, and you can refer to an episode if it works in your conversation. This is great for the host’s listenership. Then make sure to leave a review. This is how shows are ‘seen’ online. It’s respectful to do your prework and leave a review in exchange for the exposure you may get from being their guest. Make sure you are in a quiet space. I always lock my office door to keep my dog out. She will try to get my attention or bark at something scary (like a baby bunny or a leaf in the wind) and ruin the audio. This goes for keeping out cats as well. Yes, kitties are not usually as noisy, but for some reason, cats jump up and then flash their parts to the webcam. No one wants to see Mr. Fluffy’s fanny. An external microphone is a great investment if you plan on continuing to guest on podcasts, and it’s also nice to have for the increase of zoom meetings. It doesn’t have to be a big mic that blocks your face on-screen. Mine is a small one that I clipped onto a cell phone stand and it sounds great and isn’t in view. If you don’t have an external mic, let the host know, and make sure to sit close to the mic source on your phone or laptop. That is not ideal, but it’s better than sitting far away and having that tunnel vibe going on. I once had a guest who used the built-in mic on her earbuds, and we had to start the recording over because that tiny mic picked up the sound of it brushing on her shirt. Why do people wear headphones? Is it to look totally, like, hip? Well, possibly, but the technical reason is to reduce any echo or feedback from the sound coming in through your device. When the other person speaks to you, it picks up on your mic and can affect the audio. Headphones for both the guest and the host is best to keep the audio clear. It’s important to keep your answers as if the show is audio only. This means if you hold up your book, instead of saying, “This is my book cover”, you will instead say, “I’m holding my book up and the cover design is red with an upside-down rainbow and the title reads... “. This way if the host uses an audio clip, or only posts audio even though you were told it would be video, it’s better for listeners. And keep in mind, some audience members may be sight impaired, so you are being proactive with keeping the information more obtainable for the audience. Silence your cell phone and close out all other apps or devices that are open on your computer or cellphone. This will stop alerts from sounding during the interview (we’ve all heard this happen). It also seems to help the connection, too. I once had a guest from Germany (I’m in the United States – in Minnesota) whose connection was not working well. She suggested I check if I have other windows open on my device. And I did, so I closed them out and we were able to record the show. I am grateful that she knew that hack. I’ve been a performer and speaker for over two decades. This next tip is about your voice. Keep room temp or warm water nearby. Not soda or anything with sugar in it. Sugar will make you have to clear your throat because it creates a coating. Don’t have ice in your drink because of the sound and cold is not great on the throat for speaking. It’s nice to have a soft coaster to set your glass down to avoid the ‘clunk’ that can occur. K.I.S.S.: Keep It Short, Sweetie. Don’t have long answers when responding. Leave room for the host to interject questions and set the pace of the episode. At the same time, if you want certain information shared, be sure you are clear before the recording. Be careful not to speak when the host is talking, because that is an editing nightmare. You have the perfect sentence to pull out but then both of us talk together and it’s ruined. After the show is uploaded and live – share the heck out of it! Post on all your social media platforms and add it to the list of appearances on your website. Tag the host, tag the show, and share a fun or interesting quote if the host doesn’t do that. Guests who do this are seen as the elite people who do the work and help a show grow. Also, leave a review for their show if you didn’t do so before you were a guest. Let me know which tips resonated with you, and of course, tell me what I may have left out. I love to learn, and I appreciate the hundreds of podcasts I’ve been fortunate enough to guest on. If you know any genuine weirdos, send them my way for my podcast, called Stranger Connections with Lisa David Olson. Oh, and leave a review, won’t ya? Lisa David Olson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Lisa David Olson is a Business Humorist, speaker, author, podcaster, TEDx Speaker, speaker trainer and performer who shares how humor saved her life. Her interactive style and improvisation-for-real-life flair demonstrate how humor is a genuine connector. Olson’s two decades of improvisation and performing are pivotal to coaching workplace teams or play-shops for adults.

Written by: Patrick Batson, 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. Anyone who has managed a team, department, or entire business understands. Optimizing results and minimizing risk in an era of rapid change is a daunting task. Yesterday’s celebrated formula for success easily becomes tomorrow’s misstep. However, a reliable constant does exist—it’s just hidden in plain sight. Love vs. Fear At its core, a firm is a collection of individuals interacting with one another to accomplish shared objectives. Most of humanity learns the fundamental formula for successful human interaction before we can even speak coherently. Parents, caregivers, and children’s programming teach us first to be kind, honest, generous, compassionate, cooperative, and forgiving—all universal values based in love. However, when we enter the firm, we often allow fear-based emotions to take precedence. It's easy to see why. In the years between preschool and employment, we are taught that life is a competitive sport requiring constant action, tough choices, and no display of vulnerability. We witness successful people openly criticizing or ridiculing others. We are exposed to countless half-truths under the banners of "marketing" and "PR". Financial success is constantly modeled as the primary goal. And through the ubiquity of social media, we are trained to seek constant positive attention. Such fear-based values are embedded in the corporate cultures of many of the world's most admired firms. We must compete with colleagues for attention, opportunity, and resources. We embellish the truth or make unreasonable commitments to win the deal. We fail to speak our truth when directed to act against our personal integrity. We endure toxic of levels of stress because we are told that’s what it takes to get ahead. And we ignore the pangs of our hearts when they whisper, “This can’t be right.” In short, a fear of failure, retribution, or irrelevance keeps us from boldly practicing the one constant we have known all our lives. Rethink What’s Good for Business Is this good for the bottom line? That may depend on your own definition of “good." But common sense says that when a universal constant exists in the realm of human relations, it’s logical to apply that constant regardless of the relationship. That means talking about and modeling love, honesty, compassion, and forgiveness as core values in the workplace. In fact, ignoring the one thing we have always known would be folly in an uncertain world. Before dismissing that statement as Pollyanna or utopian, consider that only two years ago nobody would have believed productivity would actually go up if employees were allowed to work from home en masse. However, COVID-19 forced many companies around the world to do just that, and a number of recent studies on the impact or remote work to productivity have shown surprisingly positive results. As businesses grapple with the challenges of recruiting and retention in the post-COIVD world, one of the most impactful things they can do is reconcile core human values with core corporate values. A recent Gallup poll found that employee satisfaction and engagement have declined since late 2021. One of the primary reasons is the need to feel cared about at work—especially among millennials and Gen Zers. In a world where the desire for meaning is so strong, firms can help employees find more of it by bringing love out of the closet and into the center of our organizational cultures. In fact, a recent study by GreatPlace to Work found that feeling genuinely loved in the workplace is a primary characteristic of highly productive employees. Simply put, love is good business. Feed the Soul, Spur Motivation If a firm is a collection of individuals with souls working toward the fulfillment of a shared mission, then intentionally doing what is good for the soul will only benefit the firm in the long run. Encouraging success through the practice of love-based values, and modeling those values at the highest levels of management, even in the face of a challenging business climate, is what will motivate individuals to work passionately toward the firm’s goals in the coming years. As the human consciousness continues to evolve toward greater alignment between the head and the heart, customers and employees will expect nothing less than the truth they have known their entire lives. Firms that recognize this and take the bold step of building a culture centered around love-based values will have an advantage over those who cling to the fears of the past. For as we move further into this age of transparency, organizations that openly model love-based values will most easily capture the hearts and minds of all their stakeholders. If you want to learn more about how to live through love rather than fear, check out my latest book, Higher Choices and How to Make Them. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Youtube, or visit my website for more info! Read more from Patrick! Patrick Batson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Patrick assists people on their journey of awakening to higher consciousness. Drawing upon decades of study and practice of Spiritual wisdom, as well as executive-level management and modern family life, Patrick serves as a guide for bridging the physical and Spiritual worlds. He has authored two books and publishes a monthly blog of channeled content on topics common to the human experience, as observed from the perspective of the Higher Self. Through his healing practice, Patrick helps clients connect with their Higher Mind. By bringing unconscious, limiting beliefs into alignment with the Higher Mind's vision of wholeness and abundance, clients are able to amplify and accelerate positive life changes.

Kristi Peck creates a legacy of love. As an Intuitive Life Coach, a Spiritual Mentor, and an author, she works with adult children to heal the ancestral shadow and liberate the lineage of dysfunction. From conflict to connection, Kristi helps estranged daughters find a higher purpose and establish a new partnership paradigm in the family system. Kristi has been trained as a Master Life Coach in Jungian Psychology, Eastern Philosophy, and Social Neuroscience, as well as mediumship, energy, and channeling of the angelic realm. She has additional certification as a Jungian Relationship and Dreamwork Specialist through the ICF Accredited Creative Mind University. For over 30 years as an educator and coach, Kristi has helped people reclaim their sense of self and the power to make purpose-impacted choices. Kristi believes we are whole and our greatest superpower is believing in our own agency of strength and courage. She loves sharing stories that captivate and inspire people to take adventurous leaps of faith beyond old conditions and outdated influences. Kristi is the author of Coming Home – A Love Story, and the podcast host of Living the Liminal: Braving the Edge. She has a wealth of transformational life experiences and her warmth and vulnerability have been described as a “soft-toughness”. Kristi is fierce in her compassion to learn, opens her heart to courageous choice-making, and deeply understands the human dynamic. Her passion for living life consciously is a game-changer. Kristi Peck, Intuitive Life Coach, Spiritual Mentor and Author Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better. Hi there! I am Kristi Peck or rather I am a coffee drinker, lover of learning, and shopper who loves to hang with friends and her family while laughing hysterically at the joys of her life. I have been described as a walking encyclopedia and a red bull for the soul by those I have worked with as clients. My gift is to see others as their true light and support each person to create a legacy of love. I am passionate about healing the ancestral shadow and liberating our lineages from the generational trauma that exists. I want to educate a partnership paradigm as a means for our family systems to become more dynamic and harmonious. I am a mom to 4 children, now mostly adults, and have been married for 27 years. I decided to estrange from my family of origin many years ago which has elevated my work today. I am fierce in my compassion to learn, open my heart to courageous choice-making, and deeply understand the human dynamic. My passion for living life consciously is a game-changer. What kind of audience do you target your business towards? I work with women who are estranged from their families of origin. This does not necessarily mean they have no contact. It means there is a felt conflict and I help them make a self-connection. Going forward, decisions become aligned with that self-agency of personal power and authenticity. I wrote a book – Coming Home: A Love Story – that helps my clients witness the process of becoming aware which is the initial phase for determining your value and worth, in addition to learning to trust and feel safe in their environment and with their relationships. I host a podcast – Living the Liminal: Braving the Edge – where conversations are shared about what it means to be brave and courageous, as well as using our intuition and instinct to better our lives and that of others. I help women acquire the Archetypal Advantage – a new way of achieving success and leadership that uses dreamwork and archetypal synchronicity to release the chains of the shadow in the psychic imprint. What would you like to achieve for yourself and your business in the future? Me, I love exploring how to practice the work and learn more about myself. Witnessing ourselves and how we relate to our life is powerful. As my children are getting older (I have 2 adult children and 2 off to college in the fall), I am rediscovering all new aspects of who I am. My work is to inspire and educate the family system to become partnerships so that the relationships are more symbiotic, meaning parents and children learn from each other and there is an authentic relationship where both can evolve, thrive, and be nourished to become true to who they are. I want to help more people break free from the ancestral shadow and generational patterns that limit, isolate and separate from the truth of who people are at the heart. Who inspires you to be the best that you can be? My husband and children along with their friends inspire this work. My own story inspires this work. There is no other good feeling than to feel free, valued, and worthy to be who you are, to trust in all parts of life, and to feel safe in the environment and with those you love. We are meant to see and live beyond the physical limitations of the world so that we are orchestrating with a divine intelligence that supersedes the basic sensory system to a more advanced state of awareness. The here and now inspires me, as well as the infinite potential of possibility also inspires me. Tell us about your greatest career achievement so far. Watching my children break free of the generational limitations that I grew up with and seeing the freedom in their choices to become the best version of who they are is an incredible success. Also, for me, are those that include an AHA – a holy awakening – for a client or friend. When a person begins to see the truth of who they are is a profound moment like no other. It brings such pleasure, joy, and continued inspiration. Writing a book was super cool and I am planning to write another one. Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today. There have been many pivotal moments. My children have taught me and prompted me to go inward as a means to resolve a conflicted thought, idea, or belief. They will say something so profound and it will open me to explore where my own limited perception originated. They challenge me to be a better person and this helps me witness my own shadow and how I show up in relationships. My marriage of 27 years has led me to a deep understanding of how powerful love can be in helping us to become authentic. The inner dynamic of challenges and good times converge to elevate a more inspired relatability and a love that is conscious. The moment I used my own voice to say, “No more.” was profoundly life-altering. Pain can lead to purpose. Meaning can derive from hurtful actions and love is not only physical presence. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Kristi!

Written by: Gayle Terzis, 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 ever found yourself stuck in a job that you hate? Have you always wondered why can't you find happiness at work despite your best efforts? As an executive and career coach, I have seen this story repeat itself many times. A lot of my clients report feelings of dissatisfaction and frustration, with a high percentage of them considering a career change. And they are not alone. According to the survey done by Workplace, 67% of employees are unhappy at work with only 33% thriving in their overall well-being. ¹ What are the reasons for this unhappiness in the workplace and how can you solve it? Maybe happiness is not the answer: The average person spends around 90,000 hours ² at work during their lifetime, which means that having positive feelings towards your job is crucial to leading a balanced life. But what if I told you that looking for happiness at work is not the answer? Rather, finding meaning in your job is what you should actually thrive for. Why? Because happiness is a fleeting emotion that comes and goes depending on the circumstances you are facing and the situation you are in. Meaning on the other hand, is a powerful motivator that can keep you going even when things get tough. So, what can you do to find meaning in your job and eventually feel satisfied? 4 steps to find meaning in your job: 1. Don’t focus on the paycheck only: There is a misconception about the fact that more money equals more happiness. But a lot of employees find themselves dissatisfied with their jobs, despite having bigger paychecks. When I was working in banking and finance, I had a high-earning position, but I was not happy because I felt that my work lacked meaning. This is one of the main reasons that made me quit and become an executive and career coach, a job that fulfills me and brings me joy. During my career as an executive coach, I have encountered a lot of people like me, who decided to switch careers and follow a path that is meaningful to them. Many employees are even ready to take a pay cut to do more meaningful work and increase their satisfaction levels. ³ When looking for a job, consider the options that are available to you. Keep in mind that taking a job that provides you joy, on top of the other benefits you are looking for, should be a key element in your job search. 2. Know yourself, your values, and what motivates you: Knowing what activities you enjoy and which ones you don’t, can help you know what to focus on, but also what to delegate. Do you like preparing reports but hate oral presentations? Then, try swapping the tasks you don’t like with a colleague who is willing to take on the presentation part in exchange for you working on the reports. Do you like to strategize but do not like to work manually on time-consuming tasks? Find out which software you can use that can do the tasks for you. Knowing yourself and the activities you enjoy can help you better manage your time thus maximizing the hours you spend working on something that you love and minimizing the activities you don’t. This could also be helpful to you when you are searching for a job: it will help you find work that suits your personality. 3. Work on achieving work-life balance: This is key to feeling fulfilled. Regardless of how satisfied you are at your job, not having a proper work-life balance is bound to take its toll on you. Therefore, creating a life outside of work that brings you happiness and fulfillment is crucial in helping you maintain healthy boundaries within your work environment. It could also be helpful to have something to lean on during tough times at work. Exercising, going out with friends, and spending time with your family are also important parts of our lives that can bring us happiness and make us feel grounded outside of our working hours. Feeling like we are not spending our lives working is an important component of feeling satisfied. 4. Don’t be afraid of change: So, despite your best efforts and all of the advices that you have applied, you are still feeling dissatisfied at work? Then, maybe it is time for a change. First of all, you should consider what is bothering you: are you feeling bored in your current position and would like to take on new challenges? Then, talking to your boss about working on new responsibilities could be the answer. Do you feel like it is time for you to seek a position in another company that will better fulfill your needs? Update your resume, and start job hunting. Do you feel like you need a career change and do not know where to start? Then, turn to an executive and career coach who can help you figure out your next steps. Conclusion: We all want to be happy in life, and being happy at work is a big part of it. But happiness is a fleeting sensation that will leave us feeling dissatisfied if we are constantly chasing it. Therefore, changing our mindsets to focus on a job that we enjoy that brings us a sense of purpose is more stable and can go a long way. Ironically, it can also contribute to us feeling happier at work. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Gayle! Gayle Terzis, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Gayle Terzis is an Executive & Career Coach and the Founder of Boost Up. With a background in banking, Gayle spent over ten years in the corporate world working on diverse missions, including the development of the first program dedicated to the financial empowerment of women in the Middle East. However, she started feeling that her job was lacking meaning and purpose, and she was automatically less happy at work. She found coaching to be her calling. She quit her job and got certified by the ICF Executive & Leadership Coaching program. Today, Gayle helps ambitious career-focused people connect with their better selves in order to reach their full potential and achieve meaningful goals faster; while having a balanced, healthy, happy, and productive life. References: [1] https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx [2] https://www.gettysburg.edu/news/stories [3] https://hbr.org/2018/11/9-out-of-10-people-are-willing-to-earn-less-money-to-do-more-meaningful-work

Written by: Arthur Gluzman , 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. Let’s assume you’ve come across a fantastic job opportunity. You update and polish your resume, create a fantastic cover letter, and list your references. Everything is going great; you have everything ready except for one aspect. So, what makes you stand out among the rest? You may have an excellent resume, an extraordinary cover letter, and some solid references. Good for you – but who’s to say that the other candidate’s credentials aren’t the same as yours? If you really want to seize that opportunity, you’d have to prove to the employers your worth. It would be best if you went beyond the standard and the norm and provided them with something they wanted. It all comes down to convincing the company that you are what they need. Here’s how: 1. Submit a Pain Letter Instead of having a standard cover letter, be bold and submit a pain letter instead. Usually, the contents of a pain letter are the problems and issues the company faces, and how, if employed, you can provide a solution to these problems. This demonstrates the level of commitment you have for the company and your drive to contribute – which is what most companies look for. 2. Utilize an Insider This is considered an underhanded move for some, but for others – it’s a wise and resourceful move. Don’t rely on the recruiter to get an interview; instead, if you know someone within the company, create a connection with the person and ask for a referral. Then, let that inside person refer you, as this always yields a higher success rate in getting employed. 3. Showcase Your Skills A resume can only take you so much. Why not add a portfolio where you can support your claims within your resume by showcasing your skills and achievements? For example, if you’ve done tons of writing for your past employer; when you submit your application, insert a few samples of your past work. You can bring the portfolio if you get called for an interview, but that’s a huge IF. So, to increase your chances of showcasing your work, why not build an online portfolio that is accessible by your potential employers, therefore allowing them to view the portfolio when reviewing your application. 4. Demonstrate Your Value Online portfolios are a great addition to your application, but you can go even further than that. Demonstrate your value to the company by submitting additional documents. Think of what the company needs and develop a unique idea around that – then propose that idea to the company. Doing so will demonstrate your deep knowledge of the company and show your eagerness to contribute. 5. Be Bold in Asking Questions If you finally land an interview, congrats! You are one step away. Preparation is key but remember that an interview isn’t one-sided. It’s a conversation, and it goes both ways. Hence, have questions prepared for your interviewers. Questions that would help you determine whether the position is right for you, as well as show the interviewer your dedication to pursuing the opportunity. Get That Job! As cliché as it may be, everyone is unique. It’s just how you carry and communicate that fact to your employer. There’s no better way of standing out than being yourself. Most importantly, if you need help getting your dream job in just 90 days, kindly check out Arthur Gluzman’s Free book titled ‘How to Get Your Dream Job in Any Economy.’ This book chronicles a proven step-by-step plan that has been designed to help professionals get their dream job or position in any economy. The Free Book Can Be Downloaded Here. Follow me on LinkedIn and visit my website for more info! Read more from Arthur! Arthur Gluzman, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Arthur Gluzman, the founder is the CEO of a million-dollar recruitment company and a career coach. For more than 20 years, Arthur has coached and helped various individuals to get their dream jobs within 30 days. He has also helped top reputable companies recruit the best talent in their organizations. Using his 20 years of recruiting experience, he has helped CEO’s, CFO’s, VP’s, and Talent Acquisition Pros who are looking to hire and retain the best professionals and executives in the known Universe. "I encourage you to take your career to the next level. I believe it’s time for you to receive expert assistance in pinpointing your hidden strengths and passions while building unshakable confidence. Build your brand as an expert in your industry, just like any other leading expert. You will never feel stuck, undervalued, unappreciated, unrecognized, or underpaid ‒ Ever again in your lifetime. So…"

Written by: Tajana Velikinac, 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. Overall thinking is a bad habit. When we think too much about something, we start losing productivity and we can lose our opinion and don't know what we want and what is good for us. Some big, important life decisions take time, but not too much. Also, if the decision has already been made, sometimes people also have that second guess, Did I make the right decision, could it be different, what would happen if I chose another option, etc.? Of course, each decision carries a different course of events and sometimes changes destiny and is always that different option. We always have a choice. Analysing some situations or cases in some period of time is fine, but when we focus on something and are not decisive longer period may negatively affect mental health. We all overthink sometimes, but it is important to prevent it, to avoid making behaviour of it. Some of the signs of overthinking are; Anxiety, Having the worst scenario in your head, Having lots of negative thoughts, Feeling mentally tired, Second-guesting your decision, etc. Overthinking is not focusing on the solution; you are rather stuck in some problem with negative thoughts and questions like why is this happening to me? I can’t handle this anymore! Instead of focusing on the solution, all energy is in a negative state. When we try to make some decision and analyse from all angles, taking too much time, and looking for a second opinion, it’s more likely that we are wasting our time. How to prevent overthinking Practice mindfulness Mindfulness is mean being present and aware of where you are and what you do without overreacting. Try to concentrate on what you are doing at that given moment. If you are having a meal then focus on your food, on taste, and how you eat, sometimes is good to count bites and focus on chowing. Meditate Meditation is not clearing your mind from all negative thoughts it’s focusing on breathing and being calm. Focusing on breathing and not giving any negative thoughts attention, let them come and go. Change negative thoughts When we trying to make some decision or go somewhere, have a meeting, call your partner, etc., we can have this worst scenario in our head. Next time when you are stuck in this negativity ask yourself, is this real? Is this my imagination that I manifest? Do I want that to happen? How can I focus more on positive things? Similar to when you meditate even if some negative thoughts come to you, find something else more positive to focus on. Imagine beautiful flowers, sun and sea, or anything else that make you calm and happy. Gratitude Being grateful in everyday life can bring only more things to be grateful for. It makes us stay more positive, focusing on all goods. When some bad situation happens even if is not that important we usually share it with others and concentrate on that, but what if you do the same when something positive happens to you, it could be exchanging smiles with strangers, giving some lovely feedback to some workers in the shop, praise yourself, etc... options are endless. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Read more from Tajana! Tajana Velikinac, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Tajana is an international Empowerment Coach and motivational teacher. Teaches people about awareness and supports them in their life challenges. To be aware of yourself means to know yourself, not what others have taught you. It is a process of rewriting your unconscious mind. Love yourself means to accept yourself as you are.