Business Fit Magazine March 2020 Issue 2

Mar/Apr 2020

Changing Lives, Building Dreams Gala 12 March, 2020 Cipriani Wall Street, New York

Business Fit Who are we to pass

judgement?

www.businessfitmagazine.com

Empowering your

soul, body and mind

Clara Seren Amram With perseverance, aith, self-discipline and hard work nothing is impossible

S.H.E is an organization which functions at local, national and international levels to advance women in personal and business development. It focusses on equality for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and much more. Using SHE’s three pillars of Mindset, Body and Spirituality, we create business with amazing purpose aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for the world.

Join the Ambassador program now and become a leader for Latinas in your community Connect with us. Together is Better info@hispanasemprendedoras.eu | +32 468 21 88 87 | +1 (281) 703-1135 (USA)

Dear readers, This issue of Business Fit Magazine covers March and April and one day we love to acknowledge every year is International Women’s Day. It is an opportunity to take some time to appreciate all the beautiful work women have achieved over the past decades.

The 8th March is a global day when we celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It is also a day to mark the call to action in accelerating gender parity. The United Nations began celebrating this day in 1975. In some places it is seen as a day to protest, while in others it is used to celebrate. Either way, we here at BFM use this month to launch more than seven workshops around the world with our sister company S.H.E. As you may be aware I am the founder of the Seminar for Hispanic Entrepreneurs which has enjoyed exponential growth over the past two years. This year we are combining forces to support S.H.E and all those achievements with the magazine and will be at the following cities:

Madrid 5th March Antwerp 8th March Miami 17th March NYC 19th March together with Propanica and Prudential Colonia 26th March Valencia 28th March and last but not least…

30th March in Barcelona.

So please let’s celebrate together our achievements and keep growing. Remember, sometimes we have to weather storms, but if we persevere, we can get through the tough times and by achieving that, amazing people are created. xx

Verónica Sosa Publisher www.businessfitmagazine.com

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FIT FEATURES

Pashion Fasion - p26 Convicts to Entrepreneurs Winky Singh

Clara Seren Amran p12 Norma Camero Reno p32

The Invisible World of Nikola Tesla Igor Četojević p18

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LinkedIn - A Case Study Malish p6

What Gives Us the Right to Judge?

Adrian Baker p20 Breath Quotient - Observations of Breath Intelligence Dr Ela Manga & Viola Edward p38 Slow Down to Speed Up Candice Lapin p54

Success is Living on Your Own Terms Ismael Cala p30 Building Championship Teams Arnon Barnes p48 Using your Personal Brand Strategically Sabrina Pils-Matiasek p60

Publisher & Founder Verónica Sosa Business Fit International Advisory Board Viola Edward Vikki Thomas

REACH OUT For information on advertising or placing an article in Business Fit Contact us: Email: hello@businessfitmagazine.com editor@businessfitmagazine.com Phone: +32 468 218 887

Contributors Adrian Baker Arnon Barnes Candice Lapin Dr Ela Manga Igor Četojević Prof. Dr. Irmela Neu Ismael Cala Leo Collier Bett Malish Sabrina Pils-Matiasek Winky Singh Viola Edward General Editorial Coordinator Claire Morley Art and Design Director Leo Collier-Bett Graphic Designer Adverts Javier Sanchez

How to Empower Soul, Body and Mind Prof. Dr. Irmela Neu p56

The Better Globe Way Leo Collier-Bett p42

Copyright © 2020 by Verónica Sosa.

All rights reserved.

This Magazine or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher.

M-20318-2017

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Business

Why your business contacts are on and why it is time you join the crowd A Case Study

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We are very proud to have Maike Benner and Lilli Rohde, founders of Malish Consulting, as regular columnists in Business Fit. In this issue, they provide our readers with the knowledge they need to ensure a professional and successful LinkedIn presence.

How do you connect with people who you meet in a business context? I bet it is via LinkedIn. More and more you hear the question: Are you on LinkedIn? The platform has become an online business card.

We want to share our experience and development and show how you can make use of LinkedIn as an employee and entrepreneur. Both groups have different requirements, but both have one thing in common: the wish (or need) to connect with people in a business context.

Our motivation to get a profile on LinkedIn was driven initially by different aspects and we did it at a different stage of our lives when we were working in the food and beverage industry. Most people know LinkedIn – or LI - as a platform to upload your CV, look for a job or get contacted by a head-hunter. So, did we. Only after starting our entrepreneurial journey two years ago, did we learn about the vast opportunities and possibilities which are available for all of us on LinkedIn for no cost at all.

LinkedIn has not only become a vital part of our everyday marketing, networking and social activity, but is also ingrained in our coaching programme Compagneur as it helps both our employee (=compa) and entrepreneurial (=neur) customers. For more about our Compagneur concept refer to the Business Fit Magazine Article in the March issue of 2019.

We want to share our experience and tips on LinkedIn and allow you to learn from our mistakes and our now proven strategies, with which we could : • • • •

Attract attention from high profile headhunters (when still employed) Grow and develop our accounts (when setting up our own business Malish) Get noticed within our former industry and consult with former competitors Get customers and position ourselves as experts

LinkedIn for me as Employee So, let’s have a look on the opportunities YOU as an employee can create for your career development on LinkedIn. When I, Lilli, created my account in 2014 I had been employed for six years at the same company and was looking for a change within my career – thus was searching for a new job. I was bored by the typical job search platforms, where you searched for jobs and then applied on the company pages – each time with a different CV and cover letter.

During that time, LinkedIn popped up as a great solution. I uploaded my CV with a picture, and I waited for head-hunters and job proposals to come my way. I decided to create the profile in English only, although I was located in Germany.

But guess what, of course nothing happened. A few people started to send connection requests which I accepted, but for me at that stage it was absolutely not clear what else I could gain from this platform. Naturally, I did not spend much time exploring or trying to figure out the functionalities of it. Years passed; I never sent an invitation to anyone to join my network. I prided myself with the fact that all my connections – around 500 until 2018 – had approached me and I did not have to “lift a finger”, so to say.

My attitude within my corporate set-up was: if someone wants something from me, they should approach me. Thus, my main contacts were co-workers, management or customers of the company I was working for.

On a business trip to the USA, I realised for the first time, all my contacts wanted to connect on LinkedIn and a lot were reluctant to exchange business cards, as the connection on LinkedIn

Your LinkedIn profile is your online business card

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Business was more important to them. In Germany, in the meanwhile activity on LinkedIn became a sign for the company and its employees that you were searching for a new job. We made jokes if someone uploaded a new professional picture or added a skill or achievement – “oh I see soon he/she will leave us”.

Only after starting MaLish and getting into real networking did we understand the power of networks and gaining knowledge about all functionalities LinkedIn offers, I realised how many opportunities, meaningful connections and possibilities to position myself as an expert of my field, I had lost over the years. I want YOU as an employee to learn from my mistakes, so I am sharing the secret ingredient of LinkedIn which will enable YOU to:

the functionalities of LinkedIn or get a coach who can help you to set up your profile and create a LinkedIn strategy, depending on your need.

But most importantly connect with us – Lilli Rohde and Maike Benner and follow our company MaLish Connecting, of course by adding a personal message. We’d love to hear from you and get feedback.

LinkedIn for me as an entrepreneur All you have read above in the employee’s section is also true for entrepreneurs. There is no way around LinkedIn if you want to do business in the 2020s.

Get a new job/ reach the next level in your career Extend your network with qualified contacts Become an expert in your area of expertise

If you are an entrepreneur yourself, you might have heard about the importance of LinkedIn or even done some online courses on how to leverage it for your business contacts.

First understand that your LinkedIn profile is your online business card. People visiting your profile should immediately understand what you are doing.

Most likely you have been approached by other entrepreneurs wanting to promote their products and services to you.

• • •

• •

•

Get yourself a professional profile picture A background picture featuring your branch and/or area of expertise (if you are in the automotive industry a background picture of a cat would not show your knowhow) Let people know your field of expertise.

Mention not only your current position (ie. Sales Manager), but add also ie. Project Manager if you have experience in this position or if you want to receive offers for Project Manager positions Most important: start interacting on the platform. Share articles, comment on posts, write an article about a topic related to your job, a skill you have, a discussion relevant in your industry etc. Think about influential, important people and companies from your branch and start following them on LinkedIn. Go over all business cards you ever received and connect with the people on LinkedIn. Always connect with a personal message (no pro-LinkedIn version needed for that) to warm your old contact. Of course, you can be selective here, depending on the importantance/influence of these potential contacts but in my view, you cannot have enough business contact on LinkedIn. This is also a great opportunity to connect with customers you have struggled get hold of. Familiarise yourself with

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For us as entrepreneurs, there are two sides to consider on LinkedIn. First your personal appearance of you and your company and then the marketing and branding of it.

As most people struggle with setting up their personal profile and then working with it, I, Maike, will focus on this aspect of LinkedIn for this article.

It’s an absolute must to have a great LinkedIn profile for your reputation.

What Lilli and I notice in our Compagneur coaching is that the further down you scroll in

It’s an absolute must to have a great LinkedIn profile for your reputation

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Business people’s profiles, the more you see gaps and potential not being leveraged. Unfortunately, the decline in profile quality often starts after the top section. It goes without saying that you need an appealing picture of yourself and a professional background picture. Also, most are aware they should add their company name, title and mention the services they offer.

This is all good and essential, but the real work starts exactly after this part.

• •

using your own hashtags Look for an article outside of LinkedIn and post it on LinkedIn – also with a personal note Write your own article on LinkedIn

Any activity you do will show in this section and gradually help build your expert status. And not only there. Anything you post will appear in the feed of potentially anyone on LinkedIn. Anyone you ask? Yes!

One of the core sections - the about section – is often a blank space or a repetition of prior work experience. But what makes LinkedIn great and much more than a recollection of the past, is this section. Here is your space to talk about yourself, to introduce yourself and who you are. What are your drivers, what is your vision and your mission? How do you help others? Why should people consider doing business with you?

•

You can work with text, bullet points, emojis (if that fits your brand), upload pictures, documents and videos of you and/or your company.

That’s all for free and will open doors you had never dreamed about.

My first glance when studying the quality of a new contact is the next section, called “articles and activities”. The amount of posts shared, and articles written, indicates whether that person is an expert in the area he or she claims to be. Also, here you can see exactly how many followers they have. I don’t know about you, but if someone calls himself or herself an expert in Marketing, Sales, Networking or is a public speaker, I expect them to have a 4-digit number of connections.

I would not be surprised if you have not noticed or paid close attention to this section and are now wondering what to do in it. It’s pretty easy: start now to become an active member on LinkedIn. Depending on your time, your knowledge, your degree of comfort with sharing your opinions in public, start at the beginning of the list below and work down. When you arrive at the end you will feel at ease opening up to your network and you will receive more connection requests than you can possible reply to. Start by: • • •

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Liking a post you find on LinkedIn Ccomment on a post or article you find on LinkedIn Share a post/article you find on LinkedIn and add your opinion or write a quick summary

• • •

Your network connections follow you and will see your post in their feed Anyone subscribed to the # you are using Anyone following the people you have tagged who are not your friend but follow the tagged person People following the company/product/ author media agency you shared in your post

My final tip for today is the experience section.

You must ALWAYS have a current position at a company. If you are self-employed you must create a company page first and then add this as your current employer. Do you know how unprofessional it looks when you are listed with no company on LinkedIn? It does not matter if you link your official url, have a great homepage and amazing products, top turnover and a bunch of employees. While you don’t have a company profile linked to your experience section you are not professional. I state this especially clearly, since it takes just five minutes to set up a company page and is for free. No need for an official government proof or registry, no need for a profile page with lots of info and news…. Just add a profile and a background picture – at least for now (more to come in another article) and you are good to go.

We hope our passion for LinkedIn has sparked interest in you and would love to see you active on it and become part of our community. We both post and write articles under our name, but also share content on our company page Malish Connecting and via our group called Compagneur. Let us know if you need more information and we’d be happy to assist.

Maike Benner and Lilli Rohde founders of MaLish Consulting, an international business consultancy and coaching company. Combining their experiences and strengths in people management, financials, tools and system, communication and leadership MaLish offers a variety of services for companies and individuals. www.malish.global/about/malish-business

Interview

Clara

Seren Amram

inspiring, educating and creating awareness of living a wholesome healthy and happy life.

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Inspiring people to live a healthy and happy life Clara Seren Amram, incorporates her knowledge of Holistic Healthy Living, Law, writing and perseverance to live a balanced life and encourages others to follow her Clarita’s Way to achieve the same goals.

Who are you?

I am Life. I am energy. I am Air, Earth, Water, Fire, Ether. I am a part of nature. I am one of the most “special” of all animals because, as in other human beings, I have been given a mind and the willpower to choose, to discern, to fulfill a purpose in this life, here-now. I am part of a large group called Humanity. We come from the same place and when the time comes, we all will go to the same place. I believe that the difference we can make in this world is thanks to this physical vessel called body, that you and I were granted.

Therefore, by looking at this beautiful machine or vehicle bestowed on all people, by giving it the necessary value, love, care and respect, we thank the Supreme and Unlimited power which created us for being alive. We thank LIFE for the gift of being. I am very fortunate that I grew up in a very Mullticultural home intertwined with nature, benefiting from the gifts of Mother Earth. With immense gratitude I live the miracle of motherhood with my two children. Everyday I learn a lot from them and this adds a lot to me.

Let me tell you more about my backround. At the Age of 17, after graduating from High school in Caracas Venezuela, my parents gave me the privilege of sending me to a “Finishing School in Switzerland. There I not only learnt languages, Etiquette, Protocol and Haute Cuisine; and I had the chance to meet so many wonderful girls from all over the world and some of the friends I made then, are my friends for life. Upon my return to Venezuela I studied Law and two months after graduating from Law School I married and moved to Turkey. Here I got my Equivalence Diploma

Living healthy is a choice and we have that choice

from Istanbul Law School. I continued my studies and got a Master in Law and International Relations and a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Diploma from IIN in NY. When people ask me where I am from, I wholeheartedly say I am a citizen of the World. I can speak five languages fluently, Spanish, English, French, Hebrew and Turkish :) Combining my formal studies with my passion I launched my brand CLARITA’S WAY in 2008 and published several books about Healthy and tasty Living.

How do you take care of your body, mind and soul?

Body, spirit and mental health are a whole and all three must be in balance. We must love and honour the body given to us. Integrating body, mind and soul. Integrity means that what we think, we do and we say is aligned with our highest truth. Being kind to ourselves and everyone around us. Sharing and creating meaningful moments with my family and my beloved ones.

Feeling GRATEFUL from when I wake up in the morning until I go to sleep at night.

Water is my biggest ally, as well as effectively communicating with my body. I choose nourishing wholesome foods which are compatible with me at that present moment. Yoga, meditation, music and dancing, spending time in Nature, Acupuncture, Bioenergy, Natural remedies, sharing, acts of kindness, prayer (faith) are all vital to me.

Living healthy is to live a happy, stress-free, hopeful, full life with an abundance of love and respect. Living healthy is a choice and we have that choice. Health is wealth. Being healthy is to stay in balance by creating physical, spiritual and mental integration. I try to apply this to my life and reflect it to those around me.

What is your major discovery in life? And how has it influenced your life?

The biggest discovery of my life is to realise the amazing creation LIFE is. The bountiful Gifts of Mother Nature to all living creatures. The Interconnectedness of everything and everyone.

Actually, I discovered this when I was a very little girl. Also I am fascinated with the miracle of birth and Motherhood.

Photo credit: Nurhan Artar

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Interview Tell us about a time when things didn’t go the way you wanted and how you dealt with it?

I stop and listen to myself, my higher-self. Create moments of stillness and calmness to be able to ground, centre and connect myself. We are part of Nature, we are the Universe, the cosmos, the miracles but sometimes we forget that and get out of balance. By re-aligning ourselves with the flow of life we can get the messages and guidance that we need. Sometimes I choose to be alone with myself and sometimes I just surround myself with nature, my greatest source of inspiration.

I do walks in the forest, practice mindfulness, breathing, meditation, yoga and above all stay very hydrated with pure, clear water.

What is your favourite quote?

The phrase “love and honour your body”.

Because if you love and honour your body, you can give goodness, positive energy and health to your surroundings. One must first love and honour the ‘self’. You cannot find the source of happiness and peace outside, in fact, everything is in us. I also like the sentences “When there is a will, there is always a way” which emphasises positivity and resourcefulness and “Nothing is impossible” which reminds us that there is always a solution to be found in life. While there is life, there is always hope.

Which woman inspires you and why?

Women who have faith, who have self-love and self-respect. Women who are true to themselves as well as to others. Women who are compassionate and passionate about their dreams. Women who are kind and generous as well as disciplined, with a sense of responsibility.

Women who are happy and radiate goodness, positive energy and well-being to their surroundings. Because one must love and honour the self first. Those who search the source of happiness and peace outside of themselves cannot find it as, in fact, everything is within us.

The woman who acts with the awareness of this and illuminates her surroundings with her light is an inspiring woman. A woman who is truly herself.

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What was the inspirations behind Clarita’s Way?

Clarita was the name my family and friends gave me when I was little. While all the children were eating sweets, Clarita was eating onions, raw onions! Clarita was listening to her body and acting with her instinct and intuition. Clarita took the information from her body and used it, and always continued on this path. When she grew up, she made it a philosophy and a way of life. Her family, her immediate surroundings benefited from her suggestions and this form of sharing increasingly continued and Clarita’s Way was born.

Clarita’s Way is the name of a journey of discovery that guides people in creating and developing the balance of soul, body and mental health. In this journey, you first realise the value of your Self, and then discover ways to treat this precious self fairly and responsibly. In Clarita’s Way, “Good Life Cycle” which includes physical, spiritual and mental integrity is transformed into practices in life by including the themes of Nutrition, Health and Law.

Tell us about your journey from Peru to Turkey.

Every day, at every moment, everything, everyone teaches us something

I was born in Peru and when I was three weeks old my parents brought me to Venezuela where they were living and that is where I grew up. I am the eldest of four children, three girls and a boy. I grew up in the Jewish community of Caracas in a very multicultural family. From my Mother’s side my grandmother emigrated from Russia to Peru before the Second World War. My grandfather went to Peru from Poland. From my father’s side, his mother was from Edirne in Turkey and his father from Bulgaria. Call it Divine Destiny or coincidence I met someone from Turkey and after marriage, I moved to Istanbul where my father was born. There is a saying in Yiddish (my mum’s first language before Spanish): “It was Bashert” which means it was meant to be.

My roots called me, and I came and I love this country. Every day, at every moment, everything, everyone teaches us something, if we are open to receive it. I am very grateful

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Interview

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How challenging was it becoming the first South American to register with the Istanbul bar?

Yes, it was a real challenge for me to move to my ancestral land of Turkey after marriage. I didn’t know a word of Turkish because my father left this beautiful land when he was only eight years old. I learned the language from scratch and received the Equivalency Law Diploma from the Istanbul University and got accepted to the Turkish Bar Association, becoming the first South American woman member. It was the result of great effort,perseverance,support and believe in me. In this process, Clarita’s Way became my light and guide.

How did you successfully combine practicing law and promoting Clarita’s Way?

Clarita’s Way mission is to inspire, educate and create an awareness of what means to live a wholesome healthy and happy life. In Clarita’s Way, Balance is key as well as “one size doesn’t fit all “and that includes physical, spiritual and mental integrity transformed into practices in life. This includes the themes of Nutrition, Well-being, Health and Law. The training I have received over the years and the experiences I have added to my life have enabled me to create these three themes, together with the crucial legal component. I repeat: ”it is everyone’s right and duty to be healthy and happy”.

How do you see yourself in the next three years?

I see Clarita’s Way’s delicious and nutritious products everywhere. I see all my books translated to many different languages. I see myself travelling even more around the globe to share with other beautiful souls this positive, practical, delicious, colourful, healthy way of life and I see myself collaborating with many other like-minded entrepreneurs whose mission is also the Wellbeing of our Planet. I see myself laughing, dancing, singing, expanding, sharing, all with one common denominator: LOVE and purpose.

Body, spirit and mental health are a whole and all three must be in balance.

Clarita’s Way is my passion turned into action.

My hobby became my work, my mission, my purpose. With Clarita’s way I have the chance to practice the Law of Life, the Law of Nature and the law of the Universe.

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Body

The Invisible World of

Nikola Tesla

– and how it can save your life

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Specialising in energy medicine, Dr. Igor Četojević, takes a look at how the inventions of Nikola Tesla have let to Energetic Medicine, helping to restore balance in the body.

Click a button and turn on your TV. Watch your kids play with remote controlled cars. Read this article over WiFi. What does this have to do with Nikola Tesla? Visit his museum in downtown Belgrade and see a model of a remote-control boat he tested in New York at the end of the 19th century. His patent, granted in 1889, led the way to the development of wireless technology.

Tesla proposed a wireless system to deliver not only telephony, sound and picture broadcasts but also transmit power over long distances and free of charge. Although never accomplished his ideas led to many innovations which we now take for granted and paved the way for new fields of medicine which are just beginning to be utilised more widely. As a medical doctor and specialist in Chinese Traditional Medicine it is my pleasure and privilege to be at the forefront of the exciting field of Energetic Medicine.

Tesla explored the connection between energy and magnetism. His work led to the medical applications such as the EEG (electro encephalogram) and EEC (electro cardiogram) as well the CAT scan and MRI diagnostic devices. As computer technology developed, expanding the use of subtle electrical signals, the wisdom and knowledge of ancient cultures which stressed the non-physical aspects of humans has begun to be used and accepted in contemporary healing arts.

By recognising the vital mind/body/spirit connection and following the insights of Nikola Tesla and the technology he innovated, I employ cutting-edge technology which qualifies and quantifies the subtle energy comprising each and every one of us. Healers through the ages have been aware of the “Body Electric”.

Throughout the twentieth century numerous medical devices attempting to measure and treat physical symptoms using this subtle energy were developed, but it was not until computer technology became faster and more accessible that a truly viable system came into existence.

Following the line of physics explored by Tesla and Einstein we have come to look at the world in general and the human body in particular in a very different way from the previous (Newtonian) model. As Tesla knew and on which he based his work, everything is energy. Through my experience with energy therapy (Biofeedback/ bio-resonance), I have observed its efficacy in identifying the causes of diseases and imbalances which adversely affect one’s quality of life. By interfacing with a person’s own innate knowledge through the electro/magnetic body, the device provides the required frequency of vibration to restore balance and remind the body of its optimal state.

I have always had great respect and admiration for my countryman, Nikola Tesla. As a healer and medical practitioner, I owe him my gratitude for instigating the process which led to the tool that allows me to help a great many more people find their way to health and happiness.

Healers through the ages have been aware of the “Body Electric”

Based in Cyprus and Belgrade, Dr. Igor Četojević specialises in energy medicine, Applying his knowledge (spanning conventional and Chinese Traditional Medicine) in conjunction with high-tech biofeedback has produced remarkable results for his patients. He is a leading biofeedback practitioner, frequently treating top-ranking sportsmen. www.drIgor.org - icetojevic@gmail.com

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Mindset & Emotion

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What Gives Us the

Right to Judge?

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Mindset & Emotion

Certified mindfulness meditation teacher, Adrian Baker, takes a look at how easy it is to judge people without truly understanding the reasons behind their behaviour. He asks us to practice mindfulness meditation and think about the way we judge ourselves and others.

The more I watch my mind in meditation the more clearly I see how easily judgments arise: about myself, about others, about circumstances and experiences. About everything.

We think we’re in a position to know, to judge. By judgment I’m not referring to the myriad ways in which life asks us to make decisions. We reach a fork in the road: do we go right or left? In our business or our personal life, do we make decision A or decision B? That kind of discernment (a form of judgment, absolutely) is necessary.

But if we want to live a more fulfilling and happy life it’s worthwhile suspending our judgments for a period of time to understand how our minds work. That’s one important aspect of meditation: an absence of judgment. Judgments can and do block our ability to see clearly: we think we already know, so our mind is like a clenched fist, without any space in which wisdom can arise.

Specifically, in this post I’m referring to judgment as moral condemnation.

What are some of the ways in which you judge yourself? Judge others?

Some of us draw the conclusion we’re less worthy than others; some of us think we’re more important than others. Sometimes we slip into feeling inferior to others and in other situations we’re deluded into thinking we’re superior. In either scenario, this judging mind misleads us into a sense of separation from the common humanity of others. It’s that sense of separation which is the source of so much of our suffering.

Our minds divide people and experiences into dualistic categories: good/bad; right/wrong; worthy/unworthy. Our ego wants to grasp after experience, to possess it, to put experiences and people into a box so it can manufacture an illusory sense of security—all in the vain attempt to deny the one thing which is truly undeniable: most of life is outside of our control.

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Our genetic inheritance, the environment into which we were born and raised, how we were parented, any number of other variables in early childhood—factors which play a huge role into shaping the person we are today: all occurred without our consent. Yet they nonetheless shape how you will act in any given moment.

After practicing meditation for long enough, you will eventually have to concede to yourself the thing you’re trying to resist all along: you can’t even control your own mind. You can’t stop your mind from thinking; you can’t control the type of thoughts your mind produces, the emotions or feelings you experience.

The judgments which arise in your mind also arise all on their own, without you consciously and deliberately willing them into existence.

Though you may try to push them away, they get stored somewhere, deep in your unconscious, deep in your body.

However, you can choose to observe your thoughts, feelings and judgments—to observe them with a curious, open mind and compassionate, loving heart, rather than to unconsciously identify with your judgments, and rather than to believe in everything that appears within awareness. This is the essence of mindfulness meditation: observing what happens in the present moment without judgment.

We’re very quick to judge, but rarely do we judge our ability to judge—not only to consider if we have the right to judge, but even assuming the

Judgments can and do block our ability to see clearly

latter, can we possibly be in a position to know enough to judge others, even ourselves?

To be in a position to truly pass moral judgment on another, we would have to be in a position to understand all of the life circumstances and conditions which made this person into who they are today. You would also have to be in a position to know and judge all of the circumstances and factors which made you into who you are—a position of omniscience and objectivity that is every bit as impossible for you to have about yourself as it is for other people.

For example, when someone is rude to us in passing there is a tendency to take it personally, and in taking offense we pass judgment on this person. But we don’t know what might have just happened to that person to account for their rude behaviour. Perhaps they just got into an argument with their significant other or were fired from work or were themselves mistreated by someone else.

More significantly, you have no idea what kind of life this person has had up to the very moment in which you just interacted with them. The most significant portion of people’s conditioning comes early in childhood, and of course was thus entirely out of their control. If they didn’t receive love and kindness as a child, it’s likely the case they’re not skilled at extending love and kindness to other people or to themselves as an adult.

Some powerful examples of this come from what we know about the thin line between victim and perpetrator in the vicious cycle of abuse: as many as 30%-40% of people who were abused as children grow up to become abusers themselves (“Breaking the Cycle of Abuse,” The Guardian).

The article continues: “When you look at the evidence, what comes as a big surprise is that it’s the very start of a child’s life that matters most...by the age of three, nurses can identify those children who will go on to become violent offenders. By three, these children are 10 times more aggressive than the most peaceful children.”

We inherit systems of beliefs—from our religion, our culture, our parents—which powerfully shape our moral intuitions and judgments about the world. Each of us are also born with our own temperament, which directs our behaviour in particular ways. Even if you received a good

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Mindset & Emotion

education, were taught critical thinking and have an inclination towards independent mindedness, all of your thoughts, decisions and actions in the present moment were shaped by all of the causes and conditions which led to this present moment, the most significant parts of which you had absolutely no say in deciding.

When we begin to see deeply into the ways that causes and conditions shape people and events--the interdependence of all phenomena-compassion and forgiveness arises, for all beings, including ourselves.

While contemplating these ideas does have big societal level implications, I’m not asking you to engage in moral or political philosophy, but instead to turn your attention inward: to take a moment to pause and notice how easily and quickly your mind tends to form judgements about others and about yourself.

What are some of the ways in which you are quick to judge yourself? When and why do you tend to judge others?

to answer the question with another thought.

Just allow it to drop down into the depths of your being and ripple outward, like a pebble falling into water.

After sitting in silence with this inquiry practice for 5-10 minutes, then journal on any thoughts and feelings that start to arise.

Every human being needs to gain a very healthy relationship to their own mind

Pause right now. When you’re in a safe and quiet place to do so, sit in silence and contemplate one of these questions (start with one; then try the second question in the next session). Don’t try

24

Adrian Baker is a certified mindfulness meditation teacher, trained by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. In 2010, he moved from the US to Thailand, where he discovered Buddhism and meditation. A restless explorer by nature, Adrian enjoys helping others discover that which they are seeking most can only be found within. www.adrianbakermeditation.com - adrianbakermeditation@gmail.com

Pashion Fashion

Convicts to Entrepreneurs 26

Business Fit Magazine are proud to support Winky Singh in her project Fashion for a Cause to enhance the lives of female prison inmates in India to give them income while serving their time and to help with employability once they are released. Winky recently visited Cyprus to participate in an activity organised by WED Women’s Entrepreneurship Day and the celebration of the independace day of India. Showcasing the new collection produced by the inmates of Tihar Prison.

Winky Singh is the Founder of ‘Fashion for a Cause, Charity on Wheels’; Winner of National Mentoring Day and ‘International Mentor’ for Mentoring Women in Prison to develop from ‘Convicts to Entrepreneurs’ by learning a new trade.

Winky Singh’s vision ‘Convicts to Entrepreneurs’ is to work with the women inmates of Tihar Prison with a focus on enhancing the lives of women in prison. Commercialising and branding prison manufactured products with a view to increasing product outreach and consumption. Imparting skills and training which are marketable and financially viable with a view to enhanced income generation while in prison and employability on release. The women make designer garments inside the prison utilising all the resources and materials produced inside for commercial retail.

Tihar Prison also called Tihar Jail and Tihar Ashram, is a prison complex in India and the largest complex of prisons in South Asia. Run by the Department of Delhi Prisons, Government of Delhi, the prison contains nine central prisons, and is one of the two prison complexes in Delhi, along with a district prison at Rohini Prison Complex. It is located in Tihar village, approximately three km from Janakpuri, to the west of New Delhi, India. The surrounding area is called Hari Nagar.

The prison is styled as a correctional institution.

Its main objective is to convert its inmates into ordinary members of society by providing them with useful skills, education, and respect for the law. It aims to improve inmates’ self-esteem and strengthen their desire to improve. To engage, rehabilitate, and reform its inmates, Tihar uses music therapy, which involves music training sessions and concerts. The prison has its own radio station, run by inmates. There is also a prison industry within the walls, manned wholly by inmates, which bears the brand Tihar. As of

27

Pashion Fashion

December 2012, Tihar jail has 10,533 inmates against the sanctioned capacity of 5,200. Though the figure is down from around 12,000 in 2006, the prison remains seriously overcrowded.

On the 25th of January 2020, at the St Rafael Resort, Limassol, Cyprus, Her Excellency of the High Commission of India (Cyprus) warmly honoured the formal event: WED: Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Cyprus Global Ambassadors. The event was put together

by Janice Ruffle, Viola Edward and Stephanie Georgiadou in the honour of the Republic day of India. The evening was spent listening to entrepreneurs who focus mostly on the wellbeing of people.

Winky Singh, was invited for the event in order to showcase her new collection designed by the inmates. As of 2020, this is her third International showcase, the first two being in the UK. With her participation at WED in Cyprus, she declared that her aim is to create global awareness on the matter, also to increase sales and reach of the hard work of the inmates across the world. Through the evening, we witnessed her new collection being modelled. The collection consisted of coats, scarves and skirts. Each garment is a unique single piece and is created with organic fabric. Along with the showcase of her collection, we also heard her talk about her organisation – Charity on Wheels and saw a brief documentary about it.

Viola Edward, a member of Business Fit Magazine Board is the honorary President of Charity on Wheels

Each garment is a one off and is created with organic fabric

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Winky Singh started her journey back in 2000, on a small scale, making custom-made gowns and ethnic wear for her near and dear ones. She would hold exhibitions every now and then and soon ended up finding International recognition. Today she is the CEO of Ministry of Design – Women’s wear brand as well as Charity on Wheels (NGO dedicated towards ‘Fashion for a cause’) winkysingh19@gmail.com - www.ministryofdesign.in

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Business

Success is

Living on Your Own Terms

30

Habits of successful people vary from individual to individual

We are always honoured to feature our regular contributor, Ismael Cala, and in this issue of the magazine, he gives us some insight on what is needed to be successful while being true to ourselves.

At some point, all of us have been curious to know how successful people act in their daily lives. We believe that there is a recipe we could apply to our own life and turn it around, but it is not that simple: the habits of successful people vary from individual to individual.

First of all, we have to define habits before starting to talk about them. Charles Duhigg believes that habits are actions we unconsciously repeat often.

Every habit is composed of a signal or trigger which activates it; it is marked by a routine, which is just a sequence of actions executed when perceiving that signal, and a reward or prize the brain receives and reinforcing the fact that the habit is remembered.

According to a study from the University College of London, the brain needs 66 days to establish a new habit and make it automatic, without having to resort to willpower. Personally, I consider that success is something totally subjective, that is, it has a different meaning for each one of us. That’s why I always say that being successful is living on our own terms.

However, there are some keys to establish habits to bring us closer to success. First, successful people stay motivated. That is, they visualise their goal with a high level of detail, trust in themselves and show initiative. They don’t choose the easiest option, they are imaginative, exercise their ability to create new solutions to the same problems, are active, go from the analysis to action, they are enthusiastic and do what they love to have an inexhaustible source of energy.

But there is something more. Successful people practice self-control and incorporate into their lives the routine of meditating or mindfulness; they focus and concentrate their energy on their goals without being distracted by irrelevant things; they are persistent, never give up; they reject limiting thoughts and put in perspective the difficulties to obtain creative solutions.

When I explained how to implement these habits in our great annual event “En Cuerpo y Alma” (In Body and Soul), I had my mind set on the stories of success of some of my mentors: Oprah Winfrey, Mirtha Legrand, Steve Jobs, Emilio Estefan... And, at the same time, I put in place the goals for the next year, which must become, without doubt, the best year of our lives. Always keeping in mind that success is living on your own terms!

Ismael Cala is a life and business strategist, best-selling author, and international speaker specialising in personal development and mindful exponential leadership. The New York Times identified him as “the Latino Larry King”. He is a member of the National Speakers Association (NSA), USA. Founder and president of CALA Enterprises Corporation - focusing on leadership, mindfulness, happiness, productivity, and excellence. www.IsmaelCala.com

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Interview

Norma

Camero Reno Leaving a legacy of service to others, of changes, of human rights, of freedom and democracy

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Human Rights lawyer Norma Camero Reno talks about her desire to leave a legacy of service to others, of changes, of human rights, of freedom and democracy and her goal of having a great impact on other people especially women through kindness, respect, value, and most of all education.

Who are you?

My name is Norma Camero Reno a woman of humble extraction but with great desires of overcoming and acquiring knowledge in order to help others by educating them and taking them by the hand when necessary.

I always felt the need to approach the needy and defend their rights and I think this was because of the example of having a mother with very high values where respect was the main word in each of her relationships whether they were friendship, or business. What motivates me most in all this is to see when something that you have done or have initiated helps others but above all to do this without selfishness, thinking that you can be transforming the lives of others for the better. My motto has always been “changing lives, one person at a time” because it is not the quantity but the quality of that change in the future of a person. What inspires me most is to leave a legacy of service to others, of changes, of human rights, of freedom and democracy, always remembering the importance of sharing something in which you are good, whether it be love, knowledge, financial aid, respect and equality always remembering that in the same measure that you give thus you will receive.

I am a Venezuelan attorney graduated from Santa Maria University with a Master degree in International Business Law from Stetson College of Law, I have been living in The United States for forty happy years, I was married to Dr. Herman Robert Reno and I have three daughters Sandra Ponce, Monica Ponce and Amra Farcheg and one stepdaughter Angela Reno, and I am very proud of them all. I believe they are superwomen and an example to others. My purpose is to have a great impact on other people especially women through kindness, respect, value, and most of all education.

I am from Venezuela, I was born in a little town called “El Tigre” a place built when oil was found and the first office of the Petroleum Company was opened called “Oficina No, 1” (Office No. 1)

I am a very proud mother of three wonderful daughters and two beautiful grandchildren who make me very happy. My family and my friends love and trust me with anything and I consider this one of my major achievements.

You do not gain trust without hard work and effort in everything you do. I believe in honesty, trustworthiness, and truth and I try to live by those standards. Once you gain people’s trust you have half of the work done. I have worked for my community for a long time helping them in any way I can, especially when it comes to defending their rights. I have also been awarded many times for the work I have done for my people, for my Hispanic community and trying to be the voice of those who are not heard. I also have been part or founder of different nonprofit organisations in the Hillsborough County area and also helping those who wanted to start a new non-profit and they need help with the Bylaws, mission and vision of their organisation.

That is something I really love to do since I get to know wonderful people with the same desire to help others as mine.

What is the single best piece of business advice which helped shape who you are now and why?

The best advice I can give anybody in any kind of business or relationship is “respect and trust” if you have that powerful combination everything falls into place. Talking with the truth, sharing information, respecting the other person opinions, and especially listening to what the other person has to say is a sign of success; also, do not be afraid to fail at something, that is a way of learning and improving and do not forget we have all been there.

Does “Balance” in life exist for you? If so how do you achieve it?

“Balance” in my life? I am still not there, I keep hearing my friends saying: “Norma stop doing so many things, take time off, how do you handle so many things at the same time? I see you in four different places in one day, how do you do it? And my answer is “I do not know”, I guess my desire to help, to learn, to educate, to inform, keeps me inspired to continue trying to achieve my goals. But, Balance is not here yet hahahaha.

Photo credit: Elsa Obediente Photography

33

Interview If you were in the jungle what kind of animal would you be?

Well, sometime ago I took a test and it said I would be an “Elephant because they put their extraordinary size and strength to good use, shaping the land around them to suit their needs and other animals’ as well. The elephant is a symbol of strength and power. It is also praised for its size, longevity, stamina, mental faculties, cooperative spirit, and loyalty� These were the words written on the test I took, but, I would have loved to have been a Bee which I believe are beneficial due to their pollination process which helps to provide food and helps nature feed other species.

Who has supported and influenced you on your life journey?

Without doubt my late husband Dr. Herman R. Reno and my mother Patricia Camero were the two most influential people in my life. From them I learned how to be strong, caring, honest, ambitious and loving. My mother taught me

34

You do not gain trust without hard work and effort

the importance of sharing everything you have whether it be knowledge, love, time or money.

I remember her words every day “whatever you give, you shall receive it double” and it always worked for her and for me also. From my husband I learned the importance of having knowledge, continue my education and fight for what I believe but most importantly “to never give up” on anything especially if It was defending my rights and those of others. I also learned from him that life was easy and we humans make it difficult and I appreciate those words every day of my life. I feel blessed to have had those very special people in my life

What is your next milestone?

I want to continue fighting for freedom and democracy whether it is in my country of origin Venezuela or the country I chose to be my own, The United States. I believe there is nothing more important than freedom, to have the right to choose how you want to live your life, the right to vote, the right to decide what you want to study, your type of government, and most importantly the right to defend those rights inherent to you as human being, and also given to you by your Constitution. Sometimes you take those rights for granted ignoring them and that is when it becomes dangerous and others take advantage of your lack of attention and care for them. I have seen countries going through that and they have lost everything especially their freedom and democracy. I consider myself a fighter, a warrior against those regimes which have destroyed people’s lives. I’ll continue this fight until my last breath.

Tell us about Casa Venezuela

Casa Venezuela Tampa Bay was a dream I have along with my good friend Javier Torres. It was a time when Venezuela’s students were being killed in the streets fighting for their country, for their freedom and many Venezuelans were fleeing the country because they could not find jobs, food, and medicines. We decided to help those who were in need and that is how CVTB was created.

As a human rights fighter for the Venezuelan people, what sort of issues are you encountering?

The biggest issue was how we could get that help to Venezuela facing a regime which did not want that help to get there. I am a firm believer in God and I put my trust in him and everything started

to fall into place; politics, joint ventures, meeting wonderful people who were willing to go the extra mile to get the help there. Today, I can say that we have a home where we all meet, create, talk, and sacrifice time and money for others.

I must thank people like the Carrasco family Foundation, the members of CVTB and even those who have been there and are not now, for dedicating their efforts to free Venezuela.

You have received a number of awards, what were they for?

2010 Hispanic Woman of the Year from 7 Dias Newspaper – a group of us initiated a fight to have Hispanic representation at the County Commission or Legislative Power in Hillsborough County. Also, helping people in our community with a secret organisation composed by incredible people who did not want anybody to know about it; and feeding people with a group called Angels on Wheels.

2010 Hillsborough County/Sheriff Advisory Board Best Hispanic Citizen of the Year Award – Serving my Hispanic community with different non-profit Organisations 2012 Florida State Fair Hispanic Wall of Fame Nominee 2013 Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – Volunteer of the Year Award 2015 Tampa Hispanic Heritage Woman of the Year Award – Community activism 2018 SHE Award in Amsterdam– Human rights award defending the rights of those who are not heard 2018 Tertulia Café Literario The heart of Town Award- long-time success defending the Hispanic community and working with other non-profit organisations 2018 Prestige Award – community outreach 2019 Prestige Award “woman of the year” – human Rights 2019 Centro Tampa “Community Warrior Award” – award where I was elected by the people of Hillsborough County by votes I just received an email from “I AM NO CINDERELLA” an Italian non-profit organisation where I will be receiving a Human Rights Award in 2020

35

Interview

36

Whatever you give, you shall receive it double

What are the current projects you are working on?

During 2020 my life is taking a turn into politics.

I have decided to slow down the work I have been doing for years in my community and start working on preserving democracy and freedom in the United States. So, I’ll be helping those freedom fighters preserve the western civilisation and stop communism which is spreading all over the world. I believe we must fight against those who do not want our country continuing to be a Republic where our rights are respected. I will continue this fight until communism is eradicated from the face of the earth.

There is nothing more important than freedom

37

Mindset & Emotion

38

BQ-Breath

Quotient

Observations of Breath Intelligence

Integrative medical doctor and leading voice in the field of mind-body medicine, Dr. Ela Manga, and Breathwork therapy expert and pioneer of Breathwork and mental health fitness, Viola Edward, introduce to our readers the Breath Quotient - a non-invasive method for assessing the health of the body/mind system.

Breathing is far more than the exchange of air.

It is a language. It is a reflection of the quality of life force as it is expressed through the body, mind and heart. Every breath we take mirrors our conscious and unconscious thoughts, the emotions, feelings and sensations we experience in every moment. The breath can also be a reflection of deeply held emotional trauma, of habitual patterns of tension which have been carried from the moment of conception, or the experience of birth and the conditioning imprinted by family, culture and the journey of life.

Observation of the subtle nuances of our breathing patterns is simply the most obvious and measurable way to observe the mental and emotional fluctuations reflected in our physiology. Through our awareness of the breath as a support for mindfulness and presence, we are offered an entry point to help release unconscious breathing habits which hinder clarity and balance.

Breath Intelligence (BQ) is an experiential set of breathing parameters we can observe and track in ourselves. It can also serve as guidelines

for mentors, coaches, therapists and health practitioners in the assessment and monitoring of the breathing characteristics of people they are working with and supporting.

Acknowledging that our breathing reflects our physical, emotional and spiritual health, the BQ - Breath Intelligence system has been developed as a simple multidimensional guideline for anyone involved in the vast field of conscious breathing, whether to improve and enjoy health, enhance physical performance, develop emotional intelligence and deepen selfawareness. It is another step closer to quantifying one’s relationship with breath, and thus life itself, a quality which usually cannot be measured.

BQ - Breath Intelligence is a non-invasive method for assessing the health of the body/mind system, following progress without the use of equipment or wearables. Using these parameters to become aware of the subtleties of respiratory rate, rhythm, volume breathed and breathing patterns opens up a clearer picture of the underlying mental, emotional and physiological states. Knowledge of the effects of conscious breathing practices enables powerful support to the body’s natural pull towards balance, homeostasis and harmony.

Please note: • Any technique or set of breathing exercises which are being practiced should ultimately serve Breath Intelligence.

• These parameters should not be seen in

39

Mindset & Emotion

isolation, but rather in the context of all the other parameters.

• Certain conscious breathing practices will seem to override the guidelines below, but are used for very specific purposes of emotional release.

• It is recommended you use BQ - Breath Intelligence together with someone who has some form of breathwork training and who is able to guide you.

Every breath we take mirrors our conscious and unconscious thoughts

• Disclaimer: These set of parameters are general indicators and do not replace a formal medical diagnosis or treatment.

1. Resting Respiratory Rate.

In general, a resting respiratory rate between 8 to 14 breaths/minute while seated indicates that the body’s autonomic nervous system is in balance.

The higher the resting respiratory rate, the more likely it is that one is in a state of sympathetic overdrive. The RR naturally diminishes when lying down or when being observed. The objective is to get a picture of the person’s habitual breathing patterns during everyday activities.

Our respiratory rate is very responsive to stress, temperature, artificial stimulants and medication and can be a good indicator of how the body is responding to various stimuli.

2. Nostril breathing at rest.

Breathing through the nostrils during everyday activities and when at rest is a natural choice.

There are also situations when it is very natural to breathe through the mouth, such as when yawning, sighing and when we require more oxygen during singing and exercise. Habitual mouth breathing whilst at rest, leads to what some call ‘over breathing’, this can fuel the stress response and impact cellular respiration and metabolic function. Habitual breathing through the mouth may indicate an underlying medical condition such as chronic sinusitis or nasal septum deviation. It may also occur as result of a breathing habit that has developed over time.

3. Abdominal expansion on the inhale.

As we inhale and the lungs inflate, the abdomen will bulge out. As we exhale and the lungs deflate, the abdomen should naturally retract. If this pattern is reversed, with the abdomen being sucked in on an active inhale and pushed out on the exhale, it may indicate a compromised

40

diaphragm function or pattern of stress that causes the inhibition of full lung expansion. This can be corrected by training belly breathing.

4. Abdominal vs. Chest breathing.

A common suboptimal breathing pattern is the overuse of smaller and less efficient accessory muscles in the neck and shoulders. These muscles are designed to support the diaphragm when there is an increased demand for oxygen.

If there is a pattern of chronic tension in these muscles or the diaphragm is weak, the accessory muscles become chronically overused. We see this pattern of breathing exaggerated when someone is instructed to take in a deep breath.

We observe the neck and shoulder muscles tensing, with the shoulders moving up towards the ears, or we notice the chest moving more than the belly when we breathe. Chest breathing results in a high effort to energy ratio. In other words, too much effort is being used to breathe with a poor energy yield and this leads to fatigue.

5. Posture that supports breathing.

Postural habits from prolonged sitting, injuries, certain illnesses, negative thinking patterns, chronic stress, addictive habits and psychological trauma can have a big impact on the way we breathe. Patterns of tension and contraction build up in the fascia restricting breathing and the free flow of energy through the energetic pathways of the body. It is important to become aware of how these postural mannerisms are related to our breathing patterns and to learn how to release them through postural training bodywork combined with breathing practices.

The ability to fully relax the body on a conscious exhale without holding residual tension is a sign

of good Breath Intelligence. So is the ability to sense that the whole body is involved in breathing and not just the lungs and feel that the body can expand in three dimensions when we breathe, top to bottom, back to front and side to side.

6. Speech.

We can learn to use the breath to power and modulate the rhythm and tone of our voice. The ability to maintain the strength and volume of our voice, even at the end of a breath and the capacity of speaking long sentences on a single breath are signs of Breath Intelligence. A good test is to shout “Hey!” If the belly pops out, rather than contracting inward, it indicates that the diaphragm is collapsing under the weight /force of the voice.

7. Physical exercise.

A good indicator of Breath Intelligence is when we can unconsciously and consciously coordinate our movement with our breathing and can engage our breath in strategic ways to guide or support a physical action. This is usually observed when we are engaged in strenuous activity such as lifting a heavy object or are training at the gym. For example, when someone is doing a crunch they should exhale while crunching to support and maintain consciousness of the body movement.

8. Responsive Breathing.

A sign of high BQ - Breath Intelligence is when the breath feels free and is flexible and adaptable, rather than maladaptive and reactive. A reactive pattern would be when we stop breathing when we’re listening, concentrating, texting or holding an emotion. Responsive breathing adapts and flows in a way that serves whatever activity we are engaged in without holding the breath. For example, one should be able to breath continuously during the feeling and the expression of emotions such as anger, sadness, fear, joy and happiness.

9. CO2 tolerance.

Good tolerance to carbon dioxide in the blood will prevent over breathing and will support calm breathing at rest resulting in improved cellular respiration. To score and assess CO2 tolerance, we can time how many seconds we are able to hold the breath after a normal exhale before feeling the first urge to breathe. A good BQ - Breath Intelligence indicator is the ability to hold a comfortable pause of 20 seconds after a normal exhalation. The longer we are able to hold the pause, the greater our tolerance to carbon dioxide and the more efficient cellular respiration will be. This test is best done first thing in the morning on waking. Note that conscious breath holding as a test is different from unconscious breath holding which would indicate a suboptimal breathing pattern.

10. Yawns and Sighs.

Both yawns and sighs are natural ‘Recovery loops’. They are inbuilt physiological reflexes which boost parasympathetic activity (relaxation response) and are part of the body’s natural way of maintaining homeostasis. The expanded inhalation of the yawns and the one which precedes a sigh maintains the integrity of lung expansion. These reflexes can also be used consciously as a technique to aid relaxation and release tension. However, continuous and habitual yawning and sighing which is out of context could indicate dysfunctional breathing pattern, underlying illness or psychological stress.

We acknowledge, honour and thank our many teachers, clients, fellow practitioners and friends, who have all contributed to the development of BQ - Breath Intelligence.

We look forward to nurturing BQ - Breath Intelligence as it evolves and grows as we do. © COPYRIGHT ELA MANGA AND VIOLA EDWARD 2020

Dr. Ela Manga is an integrative medical doctor and leading voice in the field of mind-body medicine. She has dedicated her career to using breathing as medicine and as a tool for personal growth and transformation. Founder of Breathwork Africa and author of BREATH- Strategising Energy in the Age of Burnout. She lives and works in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Viola Edward is a Breathwork therapy expert, and multi-awarded Mentor.

Pioneer of Breathwork and mental health fitness in the workplace since 1993, she is convinced that the practice of Conscious Breathing is at the core of every person’s wellbeing. Co-owner of Kayana Breathwork and GRIT Academy, Author Breathing the Rhythm of Success and Who Makes the Bed?, co-author of eight more books. - www.mindfulnessprograms.org

41

Environment

The

Better Globe Way

42

Business Fit Magazine designer, Leo CollierBett, tells us about the work he underwent in Kenya to support an outstanding initiative to help the battle against poverty, corruption and desertification in Africa.

I’m very fortunate in my line of work that I get to collaborate and engage with many different products, brands and industries. Supplying, designing and creating promotional material for luxury brands, individuals and corporations provides a wealth of opportunity for creative expression and exciting projects whilst also regularly reminding you of the impressive ingenuity of people in their progressive business ideas, products and technology. However on a rare occasion you are introduced to something particularly special, something which can make such a significant impact on the future and how we develop. From all the previous projects I have been involved in, there is one that stands out completely, a company called Better Globe.

Myself and a colleague, Andrew Radford, had recently finished covering the visual media at a run of property exhibitions, when we were introduced by a client and a couple of attendees to a remarkable man called Rino Solberg.

A native of Norway, Rino is a very accomplished entrepreneur and more recently promotional speaker, with a fascinating history, (one I do not have enough words to explain to you but recommend you track down). A long standing personal connection with Africa and growing frustration with continually being faced with the horrendous effects that corruption and unethical business have throughout the continent, prompted Rino to come up with a solution to try and tackle these colossal issues.

Over a crackled Skype conference call Rino first introduced us to Better Globe and then a proposal on how we could help.

Better Globe is an example of truly sustainable business

43

Environment

The Better Globe Way

Better Globe is an organisation created to help the continual battle against poverty, corruption and desertification in Africa... not a small goal...

The whole experience was a dramatic and special one.

44

Firstly Better Globe is a business, not a nonprofit or a charity, this is part of its ingenuity, it’s an ethically focused, sustainable business.

Promoting benefits for all involved.

The concept is a simple one, swathes of Africa are plagued by desertification caused through regular drought and rampant deforestation, Better Globe have spent years in development and research to ensure they can grow strong forest crops in arid and semi-arid areas where little else can grow. They are continually developing vast plantations, dramatically enhancing and repairing the local environment, whilst at the same time employing and training the local communities to be involved and ultimately run the plantations. They work with local farmers as ‘outgrowers’ setting them up with equipment and crops so they can develop their own land.

Some Sobering Facts: • The continent of Africa makes up 20% the world’s total land area • Africa remains the only region in the world where poverty and hunger are still increasing despite 50 billion dollars in charitable donations • 80% of Africa’s farmers live on less than $1 a day • Only 2 out of every 5 children have access to proper education • 40% of the total population lacks clean drink water • Over 2 thirds of Africa consists of desert or semi-desert area • Almost 90% of the original forest has gone from Western Africa • For every tree planted an average of 28 trees are cut • Each person in the west uses a minimum of 200kg of wood per year.

• Desertification affects 65% of Africa’s population

45

Environment

So where does the money to do this come from?

Simple, an investor buys a tree and over time gets a healthy return on their investment.

Mukau – African mahogany Primarily Better Globe plant Trees called Mukau in Swahili. The Latin name is Melia volkensii. Originally, it grew wild in Kenya and some of the neighbouring countries.

Mukau is unique because it thrives in dry semi-desert areas while providing a very high quality wood. It is in many ways similar to the well-known Mahogany tree.

Botanically speaking, Mukau is the same species as Mahogany. It has all the commercial uses that the mahogany tree has. Moreover, it is fast growing and is expected to be harvested after 20 years.

46

The principal works because the inital sale value of a tree to an investor is far more than it actually costs Better Globe to plant. Becuase of this when one tree is bought several others are planted along side, years later some of trees are sold for different purposes and this creates far more than its initial sale value. Then the profits not only go to the investor but also back into developing and growing the company. Profits also support Better Globe’s charitable arm, Child Africa, which tackles corruption by bringing free schooling and housing to communities across Kenya and Uganda, which need it. It supports Better Globe’s micro-financing program, which works to help individuals and groups from poor and isolated communities to start, run or develop there own businesses.

In essence it is an example of truly sustainable business, sustainable for the environment, sustainable for employees and investors and sustainable for Africa!

The proposal Amazed by the concept Andy and I were enthralled and when we were asked if we would be prepared to play our part in promoting the company we hastily agreed. A company named IPP sponsored our travel and Better Globe our stay and we offered our services to make a promotional documentary film about the concept and impact of Better Globe.

The whole experience was a dramatic and special one. I fell in love with East Africa, the landscape, the culture and the people.

It was one thing to hear about Better Globe and what was being done but another to actually experience it. We visited the vast exuberant plantations, met the revitalised communities which have benefited from micro-financing, schools, training and employment and witnessed first hand the positive impact. We felt it important everyone should be made aware of this incredible work.

There was one moment I felt really encompassed this emotive experience. One day whilst travelling to a plantation one of the forest managers pointed out a small gathering in a dried up river bed. Around 10-12 people and a handful of donkeys had come from as far as 30km on foot to dig in the bed for drinking water. Water so dirty

that if you or I were to drink it we would without a doubt be very ill. It was an incredibly humbling experience both Andy and I were devastated by yet another example of the horror of poverty which seemed inescapable throughout Kenya.

However, we quickly realised the mood was not one of despair but paradoxically, one of joviality and excitement, it was a social gathering of people. It made me think however bad I may think my life has been at times I have never not had access to clean drinking water, and here was a group of people in circumstances I would class as dire, being optimistic, enthusiastic and having fun. I guess my point is when you see charitable appeals on television asking for contributions the horror of poverty is obvious and impactful and very real. What doesn’t come across is the resilience and strength of mankind, these people and communities given the the right opportunity will quickly change their circumstances. Better Globe helps make this a reality.

In an ever changing world where we refuse to learn from the past and continue to damage our environment and the wealth gap between rich and poor continues to grow, it will take companies and concepts like Better Globe to change our future. We need them. And lots more of them!

Leo Collier-Bett runs a company providing digital media design and

promotional media services to luxury brands covering a range of different industries. Former owner of Prestige Travel Magazine Leo has an exrtensive background in the mediums of print, web, photography and film. www.efendifilms.com - leo@efendifilms.com

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Business

How to Build a

Championship

Team

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Explosive international speaker, author, investor and one of Europe’s leading and most exciting business mentors, Arnon Barnes, explains to Business Fit readers the importance of developing and investing in your team.

Most people start entrepreneurship because they are either done with their hopeless job, they’ve had enough of working for idiots, or they have a dream and want to make it a reality. They are convinced that they can do the job better, faster, more efficiently and for a better price. So, they start their own “business” and go for it.

In the last six years I have trained and coached more than 80,000 entrepreneurs and business owners, from more than 65 different countries and from my experience the leap these selfemployed workers make from being an employer to being their “own boss” is a huge challenge.

However, what they do not yet understand is that the real challenge only comes when they grow from a “one-man-show” to being the owner of a company. The reason? In order to grow from an independent entrepreneur to business owner, you have to do one thing; build a team!

First, when you have a team, or you intend to build a team, it’s important to know one thing: The fact that people work in one organisation, under one roof and get paid from the same bank account, does not mean that they are a team.

Maybe you just have a group of individuals who show up every day to fill their 9 to 5 until they are 67. What you ultimately want to create is a championship team. A group of A-players who complement each other.

But where to find these people?

Well, it all starts the moment you put out the job offer. The moment that text hits the worldwide web it’s going to attract certain players. What you are putting out is what you are going to attract.

For instance, when I’m hiring a salesperson, I want this person to have a certain profile. I don’t want to be attracting fluffy players who are going to break down after their first 10 rejections. I let my communications be that filter. What I do is use strong, direct language. This communication

What you ultimately want to create is a championship team

style will weed out the weak and filter the type of players I am looking for. Why? Because I can train skills and talent, but I can’t train attitude.

An additional way to strengthen this attitude concept is to perturb the player during their interview. You don’t want to stretch them so much that they run for the hills, but just enough to see how they are going to react when things get tough. Reason being, you only really get to understand a person’s character when the pressure is on. Better to establish these characteristics in the beginning than four or five months down the line.

When I was in the army, I learned what it meant to be part of a championship team. I learned how they were made and how they stick together. I have translated these values and principles and use them in my companies.

So, what’s the difference between a normal team and a “championship team”? For me that’s a “Code of Honour”. A Code of Honour is a set of rules, values and responsibility which each team member must abide by. A Code of Honour is not made to make everyone happy, but rather to create a safe environment in which people can express themselves and do their best work. It restricts non supportive behaviour and makes room for supportive behaviour. It keeps the standards high and creates an efficient culture within an organisation.

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Business

investing in your team has a huge impact on the growth and stability of your company

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When I receive a call from companies and organisations which want to transform their team from a good team to a “championship team”, I first help them develop a Code of Honour. I will share some of the most common points that are important to most companies in their Code of Honour: • Never abandon a team member in need.

• Open, honest and direct communication.

• When in doubt, take action.

• Everyone must sell.

• Celebrate all successes.

During my work with many business owners, CEOs and their teams, I’ve learned the most important thing you can do is invest in your team and their development. This has a huge impact on the growth and stability of your company.

My favourite story is that of a CEO who went to his CFO and said; “We have to teach, coach and invest in our team. Train and care for them.” The CFO asked; “But what if we train them, coach them and invest in them and they decide to leave us?”, upon which the CEO responds; “What if we don’t do it and they stay?”

Remember; In an organisation without a code of honour, without rules; When the shit hits the fan and challenges arise, people will create their own rules and you as a business owner will be left behind on a rudderless ship, and that’s an expensive price to pay.

Want to meet and work with Arnon Barnes live?

Join one of his next upcoming events in Europe.

For more information on the event, or coaching, contact his office via info@arnonbarnes.com or check out his website www.arnonbarnes.com.

Arnon started his first business at age 11 and built and sold his first multi million euro company by the age of 28! In the past 5 years Arnon has personally trained and coached more than 90 000 people from well over 65 different countries from all over the world! He is an explosive international speaker, author, investor and one of Europe’s leading and most exciting business mentors. www.arnonbarnes.com info@arnonbarnes.com

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10Tips Growing your business is a must if you are going to survive. Business Fit Magazine offers you some tips on how you can achieve growth in 2020.

1. Attract new leads with information marketing

Produce free downloadable information packs for potential customers in exchange for contact details. Never be afraid of giving information upfront, by sharing with your customers you are empowering them and drawing them closer to your business.

2. Follow up on existing leads

So many businesses don’t follow up on leads as much as they should and sometimes not at all.

Create a follow up procedure and plan to keep in touch with potential customers and stick to it!

3. Increase order size

Learn to upsell and cross-sell. Find complimentary products your customer can buy from you. It’s far easier to sell more to existing customers than to find new ones.

4. Keep your employees and your customers happy

Hiring and training new employees is time consuming and expensive, make sure your current employees feel valued and you will receive loyalty in return. Keep in touch with your customers ask them questions to ensure they are happy and what changes they would like to see from your company and products.

5. Research the competition.

Make sure you are aware what your competitors are doing, if they are achieving success from a campaign, take advantage of it and emulate their strategies.

6. Create a customer loyalty program.

A successful loyalty programme can increase sales, helps you retain existing customers and coax new ones if they have an incentive to spend their money with you.

7. Always over-deliver

Over-delivering doesn’t need to be something ‘big’, but if your customer feels you have gone the extra mile they will return and tell others about you.

8. Stand out

Make sure the message about your product or service stands out, unique first impressions are vital to attract new business. Your message must speak to them about how you can solve their problem, even if they don’t know they have that problem yet!

9. Identify new opportunities.

Analyse new opportunities in your business by understanding your demographic better. There are likely dozens of new opportunities you could pursue immediately with the proper amount of analysis.

10. Form strategic partnerships.

Strategic partnerships with the right companies can make a world of difference. It could allow you to reach a wide range of customers quickly.

Look out for complementary companies and propose opportunities for working together.

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Mindset & Emotion

Slow Down to

>>SPEED UP

How slowing down might be the answer to our growing sense of panic and perfection Life coach for kids and young teens and CEO of the successful learning company – The Ladder Method, Candice Lapin, explains how by making micro-shifts in a child’s environments, behaviours and mindsets, young people can thrive It’s easy to believe that the answer to starting the year off right is to focus on results, especially in our new culture of Perfection.

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In fact, mums are taught to believe you have to speed up, do more and jam more into your already packed days. But the answer to combatting that pressure to go, go, go is to do the opposite--SLOW DOWN!

Why Slow Down?

When I started my business working with kids and teens, I saw them struggle to build better habits because they tried to do everything faster, all at once, or perfectly on the first try. The end result was always paralysis and then defeat.

Why aren’t we built to be able to take on more?

Professors Paul A. Kirschner and Aryn Karpinski* articulate that when you think you are multitasking, you are instead “switching quickly from one activity to another.” Humans can only do things simultaneously that are “automated.” You can walk and chew gum. But you cannot text and do homework at the same time.

You might be thinking “How on earth do I slow down?”

People tend to focus on goals which seem unattainable. This is why diets fail. When the goal seems outside of ourselves, it feels further away.

The answer to reaching the goal lies in feeling what your life would be like if you were already there!

Building a Success Mindset

When your kids are doing well, it feels relaxed, joyful, and focused. If you sat and imagined it, it would feel like you had the happiest child on earth. But how do you cultivate that peace of mind daily?

You might be thinking, “I have a child who has serious difficulties, what on earth is this woman talking about?” My team and I have taken some of the most difficult and distressed students and turned them around by slowing them down:

1. Cultivate an Image

Write out your own goals and sit quietly to feel what it would be like to already embody that person right here and right now. Visualising is absolutely powerful. But telling your brain that you are already there is the next level!

Sit down with your child at the beginning of each semester to identify their goals. Then have them visualise what it would feel like to already reach them!

Rinse and repeat this exercise weekly or even daily.

2. Plan the Week Out

Write out your child’s school calendar and schedule of assignments each week. When you have a child who is struggling and feeling overwhelmed or disorganised, this tool is a game changer. There are no surprise quizzes to make them stressed in class. There is no confusion at the end of the day, hectically finishing projects they forgot about.

They may need help with this at first. I suggest modelling this. Or if you struggle with disorganisation yourself, bring in a neutral third party--teacher, tutor or coach.

3 Focus on one task or project at a time

If you have a child who struggles with inattention or gets antsy when faced with assignments, slowing down will feel awkward or frustrating.

What we have seen is that when your child slows down to create quality work, they inevitably pick up speed as they master what they are doing!

We call this “the slow down to speed up method.”

You master the habit and it becomes part of you.

You may or may not have heard about the ground-breaking book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck. Dweck is a Stanford professor who found that when we focus on the process of growth rather than on results or grade outcomes, we get to where we want to go! Often, I have found when kids realise that life is more like an experiment, where they can make mistakes and fail, they become more and more relaxed! The more relaxed they are, the more easily they learn and actually embody the child who was on their goal setting sheet to begin with! *(Kirschner, Paul A., et al. “Facebook® and academic performance.” Computers in Human Behavior, vol. 26, no. 6, 2010, pp at 1237-1245).

Candice Lapin is the author of Parenting in the Age of Perfection: A Modern Guide to Nurturing a Success Mindset now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. She also runs The Ladder Method, a meta-learning and academic tutoring company that serves families in Orange County, Los Angeles and New York and is now available internationally through online distance learning. - www.candicelapin.com - www.theladdermethod.com

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Spirituality

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How to empower

Soul, body & mind Specialist in Intercultural Communication Prof. Dr. Irmela Neu, looks at the connection between soul, body and mind and gives us some exercises on how to honour our heart and to be less judgemental.

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Spirituality

It may be strange that there exist techniques to link soul, body and mind. We know, that in martial arts body and mind, the mental and physical side of our human being are closely interlinked – but what about the soul?

– also parts of our brain - which transport the information given by impulses (like emotions) to our interconnected nerve system. “To be rational” means: to give priority to our thoughts, plans, to the sciences – to all, which can be “proved“.

Many philosophers in different parts of the world have – probably since the very beginning of human mankind – developed theories about our “soul” Let‘s focus on the essence.

In western societies, we are used to giving priority to our brain. In other systems of values - like for example Buddhism -, the activities of our mind are compared with monkeys who jump nervously and restlessly from one place to another. Our mind has the tendency to be unquiet, to react by running constantly away from what influences all cells of our body.

Our soul connects us with the universe, the cosmos and is located in our heart. Indeed, this “motor” of our existence is linked to the universe and ourselves – due to the fact that it is serving two circulations: on one hand the circulation of our blood, on the other the circulation of our lungs. Both are served by inhalation and exhalation.

Through inhalation, fresh oxygen from the element air is transported (by our blood) into our cells, used air is transported (by our blood) to the lungs and given back to the air by exhalation.

The trees transform this CO2 into oxygen; they produce and give us this stock of oxygen we need to breath – a complete circuit. What a lovely cooperation between trees and all beings who need oxygen. It is such an intelligent wonder, which really deserves our deepest respect and admiration. Our heart is the coordinator of this wonderful intelligence.

Exercise to honour your heart: Put your hands on your heart, one over the other, close your eyes, breathe deeply in and out. Thank your heart respectfully. Ask it, what it needs and wants to be happy. Images may arise, words, sounds - something unknown or new or something which was hidden in you. The messages from our heart are soft, very often drowned by the much louder voice of our brain or furious emotions. Open your eyes, reflect on what you have experienced, write it down.

Whenever you feel stressed, respire breathe deeply keeping in mind the message(s) from your heart. This exercise may last only a few minutes – with some practice you will feel and notice consciously the benefit of the lovely contact with your heart.

Our mind is more than what we reflect or think.

Usually, we consider that it is identical to our brain, the neocortex, but it is much more. The human body disposes of parts like the glands

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Mind and body react on our emotions. When we feel stressed, the corresponding hormones are activated; they inform our mind – and the machine reacts. Our mind receives information or orders – finally, from our state of being, our emotions. Of course, the mind, our thoughts influence the body: a circular system. The close link between emotions, body and mind becomes evident when we focus on the reactions of our body in specific situations: fear turns us pale and our hands become sweaty. Rage – blood flows to our face “an enraged red“, the body becomes tense. For sure, you have experienced it yourself: our body and mind reflect our emotions.

Being aware of this interconnection, “emotional intelligence“ is so important. In addition, we have a lot of hidden patterns which are very often in our subconsciousness. How can we discover them? There is a clear answer: By observing ourselves – what we think, talk, feel, how we act.

Our mind is more than what we reflect or think

“Discover yourself“ is an old, well known principle.

It sounds easy, but it is not simple. Who wants to admit that “bad feelings“ like hate, rage, jealousy, greed etc. are conducting us? The good news: these feelings or even patterns can be transformed.

The first path of transformation is to detect them honestly by observing ourselves. The second path is to accept all our emotions without any classification of “good” or “bad”. The main two questions are: “Do I feel good/bad?“ “Am I the prisoner of a dynamic which brings me deeper into a spiral of misery?” If so, we need our brain, our willingness to reach a “full stop“. Our intelligence will guide us to find wise solutions – by aiming to calm our monkey brain and listen to the soft sound of our heart. Therefore, the above mentioned exercise is very useful – even more, when we breathe deeply in and out; we invite our heart to talk to us…..let‘s listen to its advice….

Doing this, we really can develop our full emotional intelligence as the ability to discover the range of our emotions. The prerequisite to reach this is to really accept all of what we detect. By doing this, we become the actor in our life. Above all, in a professional context, we do not re – act “like this”.

We establish a distance by breathing deeply. We are aften asked to justify something, sometimes in an aggressive way. We may fall into this kind of trap and become a victim. By giving us the time, space and inner peace to act, we are master of the situation. The more we dominate this, the more we can act – even with a sense of humour.

Laughing is the best way to relax tensions!

Do we become “rational machines” without spontaneously communicated emotions? Not at all. When we act with empathy, we just balance what we think, feel and do – in an emotionally intelligent way. Emotional intelligence means, that our mind, heart and soul are in harmony.

Once again: We become the actors in our life!

judgment – become a neutral observer. You will reveal your proper criteria and patterns of your judgments. The more you are balanced and in harmony with yourself, the more you will discover the benefit of separating observation and judgment. This contributes again to your inner balancing – in a circular way.

In addition, you will discover that judgments are always linked to cultural habits….very important in a globalised world! Just start observing carefully in a relaxed way, breathing deeply, and enjoy it. It will make you feel the close relationship between soul, body and mind. Good luck!

Laughing is the best way to relax tensions!

Exercise to distinguish between observation, feelings and judgment: Observe people in the street and be aware what you are thinking, feeling and judging. Example: “Oh, her/his clothes do not really suit her/him….” etc. Instead, describe her/his clothes without

Prof. Dr. Irmela Neu, from the University of Applied Sciences, Munich/

Germany, specialised in Intercultural Communication in Spain and Latin America and has been published in this field. She has worked with UNESCO in the field of Education. She focuses on seminars in Mindful Communication and in body-based teachings to open our heart, combined with Mindful Communication. She holds a Black belt in the Korean martial art of Taekwondo.

Her message: Life is lovely. - www.Irmela-neu.de

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Business

Using your

Personal Brand

Strategically Serial entrepreneur, international business strategist and coach, Sabrina Pils-Matiasek, gives Business Fit Magazine readers 11 tips on how to unlock great potential and attract the right people by using your Personal Brand.

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Always wanted to attract the right people? Use your Personal Brand strategically and you will unlock great potential!

First, let’s clarify what a personal brand is and why it will unlock great business potential for you:

Your Personal Brand is what others say about you, when you are not around. It is what they understand and can communicate to others.

It represents the emotions and expectations you trigger from others, who know you. Your personal brand is your greatest asset to establish relationships and trust! People always buy from people. Company brands are only successful, if they manifest themselves through human values, experiences and emotions. This must start from top management and should be adopted by every single employee. The branding must be consistent in order to be understood, to meet expectations and to establish trust.

So, your personal brand implicates clarity about your values, promise and solutions and the communication of it! The greatest brand does not come to life, if nobody knows about it and consequently unfortunately nobody can benefit from it.

Your personal brand implicates clarity about your values, promise and solutions

Do not see true Personal Branding as vanity, selfinfatuation or arrogance. You are the tool and facilitator of your clients, in order to solve their problems and achieve their goals. If you manage to be client-centric in everything you do, you will unleash great success!

So, how do you build and use your personal brand strategically? Follow these 11 steps in three consequential domains:

Clarity

1) Figure out what you really want and why. Do you live your own life or are you trying to meet someone else’s expectations? What makes your heart sing and what are you particularly good at?

How could others benefit from that?

2) What do you and your business (want to) stand for? What is your unique selling proposition, so what differentiates you from others? Why should they come to you, not someone else? What are your attributes, values, emotions and the experience and promise you and your business deliver? How can you express that visually and verbally?

Strategy

3) Who do you most like to work with? Describe this person in great detail of what is relevant to you, in order to deliver great results. What are their socio-demographic characteristics, their interests and motivators, their struggles and frustrations‌? Know this type of person insideout!

4) What is your ideal client’s fundamental problem? Bring it to the point. Know why this is such a big problem for them and the further consequences it can have. Understand and describe it better than your ideal client could it on his or her own.

5) How can you help to solve it? What is the solution to this problem? What is your process or methodology? Let them picture their life with this problem being resolved and give them a taste of how positive that feels and what other doors this can open for them. Mention your how (process) and that this is what they will get once they become your customers.

6) Make the conceptual synthesis: Find a way to combine 1) & 2) with 3), 4) & 5)! Only then, your offer will be great, can truly change something and will achieve great demand and appreciation.

Implementation measures

7) Where and how can you best reach your ideal prospects? There is a multitude of channels and formats where you could address your ideal prospects - on social media, print and online press, radio, TV, networking event, via partnerships, yourself speaking on stages, word of mouth / referrals...

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Business

In general, think of where and how you can best showcase your credibility AND can have a twoway conversation with your audience.

That means, whenever possible, make the move and A) Speak about your brand and how your customers benefit from your offer B) Demonstrate what your brand stands for and what results you achieve for your customers C) Have someone else speak about your brand and how they benefited from you Another hint: Aim for C) before B) before A) since C) has the strongest effect!

Speak about your brand and how your customers benefit from your offer

8) What message and trigger? Here comes your personal story, after focusing on the clients’ problems and how you can help to solve them.

Make it authentic, keep it simple and deliver on it so that others can repeat your messages and refer you.

9) Showcase your credibility and establish relationships! Branding and Marketing have the intent to open up conversations first, then to build trust via relationships, only then sales are possible.

10) Make the sale! Don’t be afraid to actually sell. Many entrepreneurs incorporate the very important rule to give value first. However then, very often they miss the point when the prospect is keen on buying. You help people by giving them what they need, so don’t be shy to name your price and start delivering!

11) Continuously measure and improve! Branding, communication and actually doing business successfully requires continuous feedback, innovation and testing and implementation of these changes in order to stay competitive and keep customers happy.

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Sabrina Pils-Matiasek is a serial entrepreneur and international business strategist and coach. She supports aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners to establish their authentic expert authority brand within 10 weeks through her Sabrina PM 1:1 Accelerator Program. Sabrina has more than 10 years of experience in marketing and sales and a proven success record with her numerous clients across multiple industries. www.sabrina-pm.com | branding@sabrina-pm.com