Jan/Feb 2021
The importance of Emotional Intelligence It’s time to clean up and
nurture our planet The art of shapeshifting
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Dear Business Fit readers, Welcome my beautiful Business Fit readers, one year more, today we are celebrating our 5th Anniversary. We are so proud and happy as well we know that we are lucky as we are still running. The past year has been such a big transition collectively, and we were going through it cosmically as well. I know we were feeling it at varying degrees. There was anxiety and fear in the air, some plans got shut down and countries still in lockdown... but we are all here, alive, together during these challenging moments in history and evolution. So I want you to connect with that power to inspire you to move forward, that motivation is needed to continue, breathe and make the best of things you can. Last year my sister lost her business, we lost friends due to Covid-19, I was sick myself for more than three weeks, but I am still here today and we all have new opportunities with 2021. We are moving forward, together, caring about others, working for you to have valuable content . Where you can, get inspired and motivated to move forward; to contribute to a new world where we get rid of poverty, child abuse, where we can take care of our elders, where our children can live in harmony.
Here in Business Fit magazine we believe in creating a better world together, where we can co-create, collaborate, and reduce our conflicts of interest. Where we can have rights and equity. Let´s evolve and increase our sense of social purpose and direction, our quest for concrete and meaningful achievements in the world. It is all about making a difference by turning dreams, plans and blueprints into reality in a very different way. Take care of yourself first because you cannot give what you do not have. So care about your mind , your body, and your spirituality with us. Let’s be congruent. Please write to us if you want to participate in our amazing magazine
Verónica Sosa Publisher www.businessfitmagazine.com
FIT FEATURES
Pashion Fasion - p38 Supporting the Expansion of Women Socioculturally Lucas Escalada
Free Your Voice, Women of the World Paddy Kennedy p10 Emotional Intelligence Philip Sykes p22 Have you heard of the Rogers Adoption Curve? Vikki Thomas p42
John is in Crisis Jessica J. Lockhart p12
Health & Body
Make Your Body Your Best Buddy Izabella NIewiadomska p36
4
Maria Piastre p28
Resilience Opens Unexpected Doors to Love Oneself and Others Viola Edward p52
How to Combine a Corporate Job with Your Own Business Malish p6 Don’t Just Talk About Your Vision Arnon Barnes p14
Publisher & Founder Verónica Sosa Business Fit International Advisory Board Viola Edward Vikki Thomas
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The Power of Creativity Irmela Neu p50
Let’s Clean up and Nurture back Tanja Bogataj p46
Environment
Become the Creator of our Own Life Sandra Deakin p26
Architecture that looks good, feels good and performs well Alicia Ponce p18
Contributors Alicia Ponce Arnon Barnes Irmela Neu Izabella NIewiadomska Jessica J. Lockhart Lucas Escalada Malish Maria Piastre Paddy Kennedy Philip Sykes Sandra Deakin Tanja Bogataj Vikki Thomas Viola Edward General Editorial Coordinator Claire Morley Art and Design Director Leo Collier-Bett Graphic Designer Adverts Javier Sanchez
Copyright © 2021 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
5
Business
How to combine a
corporate
JOB
with your own business
6
Business Fit Magazine regular contributors, Maike Benner and Lilli Rohde of MaLish Consulting, explain how it is possible for you to start your entrepreneurial journey while still working in your corporate job. To start your own business as a side job while enjoying the security of a paying corporate job; this might be the million-dollar question in the year 2020 and those to come. In this article we will show our tricks and share our experience in making it happen for us and our customers. We are Maike and Lilli, two consultants from Germany. Germany is not very well known for its start-up scene. Quite the contrary. Many people in our country might respect business owners for their bravery and passion, yet hardly anyone would venture out to start their own business. What makes us different is that we did this unconventional step and are encouraging people to have a positive mindset towards entrepreneurship and starting their own company.
Our story
Until three years ago we both had secure and well-paid jobs in the German Food and Beverage industry that we both quit in order to find our destiny by founding our coaching and consulting company MaL!sh. We were totally convinced back then that - in order to start a business, you have to quit immediately. Only if you go all in and take full risk, will you be committed enough to form a successful business… What we know today: This is not true! There is so much you can do for your business part-time, so much you can build until one day you decide to transition over when you have built
There is so much you can do for your business part-time
a safety cushion for your baby business. Or just keep it as a side business and enjoy both: the security of a paying corporate job and the selfrealisation of your side business. A lot of employees are in jobs they are not 100% happy with. They lack recognition, drive, motivation while knowing there must be something else out there… Either a “better” job or their own business which would truly fulfil them and set them financially free. What Covid-19 has shown us: almost no workplace is 100% secure. Clinging to it makes you dependent yet taking on a new job makes you vulnerable as in crisis you could be asked to leave first. Also the work climate is not getting any better and work has changed: home office, no business trips, no trade fairs and you only meet your colleagues and customers virtually. Wouldn’t it be great to have a second pillar, an additional source of income you enjoy? Maybe you already have an idea - whether it’s a product, a service, an online course or a cupcake shop: it can be the basis for your side business. You feel there is an entrepreneur in you, and you want to find out if you have what it takes. You are looking for an opportunity to talk to like-minded people about your business ideas without prejudice and to put your idea into practice. NOW is the time to do so. Start your side business as a side hustler!
How can I start?
First of all, congratulate yourself, you have the guts to risk a change in your life. Do you have a business idea popping up from time to time? Start writing it down, write all ideas down. This helps you to get clarity and figure out what the idea is you want to proceed with. If you don´t have any ideas, then write down what you like doing or what you are interested/ talented in. This could be design(ing), shopping, teaching, learning, practicing or teaching sports, writing, photography, filming…. Still no idea? Ask people who know you well how they see you. Just be aware not all people, even if they love you, will approve of your venture and might hold you back. But it is still worthwhile getting insights into how other people see you. Now you have a fundament to build on. To start a side business in something you are passionate about or talented in is a great starting point for exploring business opportunities.
7
Business
Success is a journey and one you do not need to travel alone
8
We are coaching many people to develop their career or to start their business. Talking about career development, most employees are interested in better jobs, higher salaries, the next top position. They expect their boss to take care of their lives, progress and salary raise. This will not be an attitude you can pursue as a wannabe entrepreneur. During the last year we observed a shift, as employees realised their jobs are not secure anymore, no one is responsible for their own luck and they need a second pillar as back up.
But I do not have time for that
No, time is not an excuse! Time management can be learned and forms the basis for your success - whether in a day job or a side business. Make sure to invest in learning this skill. Go back to the Business Fit issue of July 2020 where we shared 11 tips from our book on time management you can implement immediately.
Become a Compagneur
In the last three issues of Business Fit Magazine we have introduced the Compagneur concept to you. Signature means we have collected all our years of experience in the corporate world and in entrepreneurship, have developed a standardised and formal coaching plan which we and our clients can use to reproduce consistent results. Now we are taking the best of the Signature Programme and optimising it to the Side Hustlers needs and requirements. The result is - we can help you to start your side business tailored to your individual situation, based on our successful Compagneur coaching concept. Here are some steps to become a successful Compagneur and Side Hustler: 1. The starting point for your side business is a meaningful LinkedIn profile which is not only important for your day job, but also a crucial tool for your side business. Together with you we create your personal LinkedIn profile and a LinkedIn strategy, tailored to your goals.
3. Personal Branding is the game changer. We know you could be afraid to go out there and talk about your side business immediately when still having your day job, but there are many ways to talk about your expertise and build your personal brand without your employer knowing about it. 4. Organisation of all parts of your life is key, especially when you have two hats on. Tools and systems tailored to you and your needs will help you to keep an eye on your side business, to organise your time well and to successfully expand your side business. 5. Selling and Follow Up are the secrets of successful businesses. To get coaching in these two areas is crucial and you can also benefit from this knowledge in your day job. Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed or pressured to have it all figured out. Success is a journey and one you do not need to travel alone. Many people have done it before you and can lend you a helping hand. We want to invite you to think about your future and make use of the opportunity to create a side business and be prepared for uncertain times. It has never been so easy and cheap as now, the momentum is there and it would be our pleasure if you reached out to us if you need support. More information about us can be found here: www.compagneur.com
We want to invite you to think about your future
2. Who are your avatar customers: where to find them and how to reach them is the second important milestone on the journey to a successful side business.
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.compagneur.com - malish.global/about/malish-business/
9
Mindset & Emotion
Free Your Voice,
Women
of the World
10
Professional speaker, speech and voice coach, leadership coach, and accent reduction teacher, Paddy Kennedy, talks about how women need to learn how to speak to be heard and to be seen to succeed in today’s world. “A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult.” Melinda Gates, For women to succeed in today’s world, it is more important than ever that we stand-up, and speak-up; that we speak not only to be heard but also to be seen. We can no longer defer to our male colleagues to take the lead; gone are the days of us remaining silent when we feel the urge to speak. Women hold up half the sky, as the saying goes. Now is the time for us to build up our confidence, to raise our voices, to speak-up to be heard and speak-up to be seen. But first, we must find our authentic voice! We must speak from the heart of the matter. Then, we must lift our voices up, so they resound loudly and clearly.
sound actually have the ability to create new thinking patterns in our audiences. This is the power of the spoken voice and is an influential and formidable tool for women when we speak. In this way, not only do we speak and are heard but we also speak and are seen! How do we do this? It is much easier than you might think. Holding back words or emotions can cause tension in your throat and jaw. We work to free your natural and beautifully unique voice. Through a series of vocal exercises and by answering deeply ‘evocative’ (from the Latin ‘to bring out the voice’) questions, we quickly begin to clear emotional blocks and tensions which are interfering not only in what we want to say but also the way in which we are saying it! “To free the voice is to free the person.” - Kristin Linklater
There are two critical and pivotal aspects to finding and then raising our voice. •
•
First, we must look deeply within ourselves to discover our truths, our values, those aspects of life we hold near and dear to our hearts. What we know what we hold to be True, Beautiful and Good. We can call this our Inner or Authentic Voice – the foundation upon which we stand and from which we speak to the world and articulate who we are and what we stand for at our deepest level. This is where the seeds of our vocal confidence are buried. Secondly, we need to develop our Spoken Voice. The human voice is the most magnificent of all instruments and yet it is the hardest of them all to play. We must educate the voice into the union of self and body. The voice which originates deep in the body goes far beyond the speaker. As a matter of fact, when we master the resonant qualities of our voice, the vibrations of our
It is more important than ever that we stand-up, and speak-up
Paddy Kennedy, is a professional speaker, speech & voice coach,
leadership coach, and accent reduction teacher. She is the Principal of her own International Communication company, Kennedy Communication Studio. Her clients come to her from over 90 countries, all looking for a better, more effective way to speak, communicate, and lead. She is considered a Global Thought Leader in the field of Voice and Communication.
11
Body & Health
John is in
CRISIS
Renowned international writer and speaker, Jessica J. Lockhart, gives an example of how Humanology, a discipline she has created, can help us understand how we see the world and ourselves better and take action to change if necessary.
12
John was really upset. Things had just not been working for him the last few months. Not only was he in trouble with his immediate boss and two of his colleagues, but also his wife had threatened to file for divorce unless things changed completely and very fast.
After almost ten years working for a small international airline, John had recently been promoted. Expecting to have the best years in his career, he soon discovered his views brutally clashed against those of his supervisor, who would not even acknowledge his suggestions, proposals and ideas. Furthermore, some of his former mates considered his appointment a big mistake because, in their words, ‘he did not really represent the company’s mission and lacked the necessary understanding of their culture.’ John was one of the few foreigners in the company. Having migrated from his native country with his family, he had devoted himself to climbing the company ladder in an attempt to guarantee stability and security. He had worked extremely hard for the promotion and his wife was starting to resent his professional devotion. Then, some months ago, he suddenly fell ill. He started suffering from uncontrollable anxiety and sudden panic attacks. He first sought the help of a doctor who wanted to prescribe medication. John refused as he was convinced he wasn’t sick but just tired. He then visited a psychologist but several weeks of working on his anxiety gave him no answers, so he hired a coach instead. Although he realised some of the introspection tools used did indeed help him understand part of the stress he was suffering, doubt immediately crept up on him as soon as he left the premises. What could he do? Nobody seemed to be able to help him! One day he was caught by one of the secretaries right outside the office building where he was hiding, sweating and shaking in fear and worry. ‘Are you ok, Sir?’ she shyly asked. When he didn’t answer, she resolutely opened her purse and handed him a card saying, ‘this person might be able to help you.’ John looked at the piece of paper and read: ‘James Urbin, Humanologist. Helping human beings.’ ‘What’s this?’ he asked. ‘I worked with him after a miscarriage. He really helped.’ ‘Thank you, but my situation is not like that, nothing seems to work.’ ‘I know, Sir,’ she said. ‘That’s what I used to believe as well. Just call him and talk to him. Have just one session to see how he works. You might be surprised.’ Realising things wouldn’t change on their own and with no more resources to use, that same
morning, John called the humanologist, who explained how he helped human beings know and understand themselves so they could then take charge of their own happiness, whatever that term meant to each of them. He added that he used a wide mixture of methods, strategies and tools from mentoring to coaching and many other disciplines in combination with his very wide life experience. ‘Humanology is different from other approaches because we don’t give you a “solution” but work together with you by applying whichever tools you may need at a given moment to reach the goal you set for yourself. In that sense, we work with the integral human being’ John found that explanation interesting enough to book a session with the man. When he arrived, he was feeling quite sceptical, as no professional had so far been able to help him fight the exhaustion and anger which consumed his days. The humanologists surprised him, though. Not only did he not tell John what he should do or feel, but also explored different topics and offered a set of practical tools. An action plan was jointly prepared for John, who left the premises feeling hopeful for the first time in quite some years. He had at least identified the root causes of his anxiety and realised he had a lot of power to change his life. There was no judgment, no questioning, just grasping the reality of who he was. He soon learned to understand not only himself but also the behaviours of others and why he had so many difficulties. He questioned and changed some of his beliefs, understood his basic needs and how he used masks in his professional and personal interactions. His views of human beings underwent some deep changes and new perspectives and ideas helped him expand his worldview. As a result, his communication with his superior and his colleagues quickly improved, as did the relationship with his wife. Understanding his own humanity and that of others proved the key to unblocking himself and improving his overall performance in life and at work. Humanology works with and for human beings in every aspect of life.
Renowned international writer and speaker, Jessica J. Lockhart created a whole new discipline which studies and explains human beings called Humanology. Honorary Doctor in Humanities by the World Humanistic University in Florida, USA and fellow of the ACCPH in the UK, she also directs the International Institute of Humanology with twin seats in Switzerland and Panama. Email: jessica@iih.world Web: www.iih.world
13
Business
Don’t just talk about your vision
14
International speaker, author, investor and Business Mentor, Arnon Barnes, shares with our readers how to get your team involved with and excited about your vision in order to turn it into a reality. As a business owner it is important to have a clear vision backed up by a solid action plan. Your role is to convey your vision in a way your team is able to understand it and act on it which in return will enable the business to move forward. Great leadership is all about seeing and developing a future you and your team are excited about. Some leaders however have great ideas, but are unable to convey them effectively, thus making it difficult or nearly impossible to turn these ideas into a flourishing business. In this article I am going to be sharing my view on the importance of having a vision and how to effectively communicate it to your team.
Everything has meaning because of the meaning we give it
The bullseye
Your vision serves as a bullseye to which everyone in your business is moving towards. You, the leader, need to continually be pointing to this bullseye reminding everyone this is where they are going. Business is dynamic and can be chaotic at times, and team members can sometimes get caught in the daily tasks. Therefore, you have to frequently show your team the bullseye. Incorporate it into your team meetings or just make it a monthly event for everyone in your company. You see, everyone needs a reason why. They need to know what they are working towards.
15
Business
Write, image, talk
Your team consists of different kinds of people. Some people understand things through reading, others understand through hearing and there are those who understand through visual images. Of course you want everyone on your team to know what your vision is all about. Therefore, it is important to have your vision communicated through all three of these mediums. Write it down, make a visual like a power point or vision board and of course present it by speaking about it. It may sound like a lot of work, but why would you want to take the risk of someone not getting it?
and entrepreneurship. You need to put effort into this. Give your team clarity on where they are going and get them excited. Without your team you won’t be getting anywhere near your bullseye. You owe it to them and to yourself to put as much effort as you can into these points and create a positive future for everyone onboard. Want to meet and work with Arnon? Join one of his upcoming webinars? For more information about classes or coaching check out his website www.arnonbarnes.com or contact his office via info@arnonbarnes.com.
Everything has meaning
One of my teachers always says; “Everything has meaning because of the meaning we give it”. Your vision might mean something to you, but it might mean something entirely different to your team members. Whatever the case may be, it is important to have each team member express their meaning. Create a safe space in which each team member is able to repeat the vision in their own words back to you and what it means to them. This strengthens the connection they are going to have with it. This connection is so important because without it, people easily lose the willingness to push through when adversity arises.
Give your team clarity on where they are going and get them excited
Excitement
As a leader you yourself should be the one most excited about where it is the company is going. Have you ever been in a situation where someone asked you to come with them in the most enthusiastic way and you blindly followed them without even knowing where it is you are going? I am sure you have. Why is that though? It is kind of absurd if you think about it. It all boils down to excitement. You see, this trait is contagious and infectious. It is a high energy vibration and people find it hard to resist because subconsciously it gives them hope for a brighter future. Be that beacon for your team. A compelling vision will help you and your team overcome all the inevitable obstacles of business
16
Arnon Barnes 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 7 years Arnon has personally trained and coached more than 90,000 people from well over 65 different countries. Arnon is an explosive international speaker, author, investor and one of Europe’s leading and most exciting business mentors.
17
Environment
Architecture that looks good,
feels good and performs well 18
Founder and principal of APMonarch, Architect and author, Alicia Ponce, explains to our readers how it is possible and important to design buildings responsibly and in harmony with the environment. The year 2020 will be a year the world will never, ever forget. We have been faced with a global invisible airborne virus, faced with civil unrest, and faced with a growing climate change crisis. For many of us, our places of rest, work, learning, and healing merged suddenly under one roof. Like many families across the globe, my family of four had to adapt to a virtual world overnight. As founder and principal of APMonarch, and as a mother of two young children, this pandemic has been a daily reflection on family, busines, and of course, architecture. Put simply, this means designing architecture which looks good, feels good and performs well.
Buildings can positively impact our mental and physical wellbeing
Architecture which looks good evokes feelings of inspiration, wonder and a sense of pride. For the past 13 years, APMonarch has worked on many LEED Certified buildings including elementary schools and higher education. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is one of the leading green building certifications in the world. LEED exists so that buildings are designed responsibly and in harmony with the environment. It prompts us to explore. How can we improve access to natural daylight in every single room? Is it possible to salvage construction trash into a new building material treasure? The answer is yes! In these projects, we are charged with the task of identifying the opportunities and challenges within its unique building site. Add the pandemic experience, we also design with a keen focus on how buildings can positively impact our mental and physical well-being. Designing buildings which feel good takes us on a journey of careful listening and investigating design solutions like biomimicry and renewable energy. Biomimicry is defined as “innovative design inspired by nature”. It is a term coined by biologist Janine Benyus. Solar panels are a prime example. Just as leaves from a tree absorb the energy from the sun to grow, solar panels also absorb the sun’s energy to create clean energy to electrify our buildings. It is not uncommon
Alicia Ponce holding a turtle shell: Alicia studies nature’s resilient systems and incorporates them into her designs
Photo Credit: APMonarch
19
Environment
20
Chicago Community Loan Fund: Salvaged wood wall and bike rack designed for the Chicago Community Loan Fund
to find architects working very closely with biologists to understand nature’s systems. We also pay close attention to designing green roofs to reduce heat absorption on a roof, healthy air quality and clean sustainable water use in and around our buildings. The pandemic has unveiled the disproportionate impacts on vulnerable populations, it has exposed the need to protect people from risks both inside and outside. What we see are plenty of opportunities to design healthy and equitable communities. We have heard that green buildings may sometimes appear to be intimidating because of the unfamiliar, but if we take a look at nature’s resilience, we have the potential to mimic its proven systems. After all, we are nature too. Looking toward a post-COVID-19 future and an accelerating climate crisis, buildings which perform well are those that, for example, reduce the carbon footprint, use clean renewable energy and sit equitably within their neighbourhood. How does one know if a building performs well? You may experience a higher sense of comfort and lower utility bill! There are also many thirdparty certification systems awarded to buildings which meet certain requirements. Like LEED, which is a voluntary system of sustainable strategies from which to choose, there is the Living Building Challenge (LBC) certification, where buildings are awarded certification only after proving performance of listed imperatives. LBC not only considers the importance of energy performance and healthy materials in a building, but also fosters important factors like equitable engagement in a community. As a result, our fully bilingual team of architects and sustainability professionals have had success designing healthy environments. We not only engage with the client but with the community where we are building. Recognising the benefits of this process and taking advantage gives way to a beautifully designed solution. Other green building certification systems have been created across the globe to aid in creating healthy buildings and communities. In the US, we have the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) which focuses on the constructability to provide optimum air quality and comfort of a home. The WELL and fitWel certifications have a focus on the
Carbon neutral buildings are on the rise
health of people in a commercial building. They certify projects by ensuring healthy air and water while creating an equitable work experience. These certification systems challenge architects and owners to push the innovation envelope by seeing beyond the building alone. Carbon neutral buildings are on the rise and every day we are dared to design a building that is regenerative. Why shouldn’t we? Just as trees provide the necessary oxygen we need to breath, why can’t we create buildings to regenerate the clean air, water and soil nature needs? We are at a place where we can enjoy the co-benefits of designing healthy. I am hopeful we are just turning the corner to find a COVID-19 vaccine so we can rest our minds from a virtual world and return to the human connections we all need. When this happens, APMonarch takes it as a prime responsibility to design buildings to co-exist in harmony with the environment. In 2021, APMonarch will continue on a path toward a number of innovative projects in the US and Mexico impacting places like film and entertainment to schools, hospitals and civic institutions. While these projects may appear to be challenging at times, I can’t deny the fact that they are fun, inspiring, and above all, possible!
Architect and author Alicia Ponce is the founder and principal of APMonarch, an architecture firm with a keen focus on sustainable and highperformance design. She believes that everyone has the right to a space that brings them joy. Since founding APMonarch in 2007, Alicia’s team of bilingual architects and sustainability professionals have supported many clients in designing radically better projects. www.apmonarch.com designhealthy@apmonarch.com
21
Mindset & Emotion
What is
Emotional Intelligence
and Why Does It Matter? Leading etiquette trainer and consultant, Philip Sykes, explains the importance of emotional intelligence not only for our interactions with other people, but in being able to manage our own emotions positively.
22
When it comes to success and happiness in life, emotional intelligence is just as important as our intellectual ability. Some would say even more so, as skills such as empathy, self-awareness and active listening drive not only our interactions with others but also our ability to manage emotions in a positive manner. We are all familiar with the concept of IQ (Intelligence Quotient), which measures a person’s cognitive intelligence by calculating a numerical score in a series of standardised tests. Emotional intelligence – or EQ as it is also referred to – is harder to assess as there is no universally accepted benchmark for evaluating it.
What is Emotional Intelligence?
The dictionary defines emotional intelligence as: ”The capacity to be aware of, control, and express one’s emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.” According to Dr Travis Bradberry, the awardwinning author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0, people with high EQs balance good manners, empathy, and kindness with the ability to assert themselves and establish boundaries. He goes on to argue that EQ is twice as important as IQ in helping you achieve your goals and, by capitalising on our emotional skills, we can transform our personal and professional lives .
How Does EQ Relate to Etiquette and Good Manners?
Those who possess high emotional intelligence are more adept at judging social and business situations and adjusting their behaviour accordingly. In etiquette terms, this means having the self-awareness to relate to others in an empathic way and treat them with respect and kindness. By contrast, people who are not emotionally intelligent frequently let their emotions drive their actions. For example, after a stressful day at work, they may express their anger by shouting at their children when they arrive home. An emotionally intelligent person would be able to recognise the children’s noisy play is not the root cause of their feelings and refrain from letting the workplace stress spill over into the home environment.
Emotional Intelligence in The Workplace
Understanding what emotional intelligence is and why it is important in the workplace is crucial in today’s highly competitive world. Cultivating EQ in your day-to-day interactions with work colleagues, partners, clients or employees encourages better teamwork and communication, increases motivation and paves the way for a more productive work culture. In his research, Bradberry found high emotional intelligence among 90% of top performers but only 20% of bottom performers. These top performers were more adept at managing their own impulses, showed empathy towards coworkers and displayed clarity of thinking even in tense and chaotic situations. However, as many as one in four UK business leaders claim that emotional intelligence is still undervalued when it comes to hiring new employees. A study by recruitment firm Robert Half U.K. revealed that many organisations do not currently assess EQ during the recruitment process despite its recognised value in corporate environments.
How Can You Improve Your EQ?
While some people are naturally more emotionally intelligent than others, the good news is that, unlike your IQ, your EQ is highly malleable. By adopting emotionally intelligent behaviours you can train your brain to build pathways which turn them into habits. Before long, you will begin responding to your surroundings with emotional intelligence without even having to think about it. Emotional intelligence is a key module in our etiquette classes for both adults and children. Our trainers give students the tools to develop skills such as self-awareness, empathy, effective communication and self-regulation. These skills have far-reaching benefits both for the students themselves and their families, friends and other people they come into contact with, in their daily lives.
Philip Sykes is the leading etiquette trainer and consultant with a global
reputation for professional excellence with over 25 years’ bringing the transformational power of etiquette to the forefront of clients’ business and personal lives. He established The British School of Etiquette in 2013. He regularly appears in British and international media as an etiquette expert and commentator on modern manners and behaviour.
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Spirituality
Living a life
you were meant to live‌ The art of shapeshifting your reality
Life transformational specialist and an inspirational speaker, Sandra Deakin, offers us some simple tools as a gentle reminder of our own inner creative power, especially in these challenging times. We humans are such powerful creators. Only‌ In challenging times, we tend to forget that we have access to this inner creative power, and instead we submit to the victim inside ourselves.
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25
Spirituality
become quiet and start listening with the ear behind the ear. And yet...hasn’t the pandemic given us exactly that opportunity… To go inward and listen…
We humans tend to be lazy - we love to stay in our comfort zone
In my own reality, I experienced how my life shifted from being an overly emotional woman, always pursuing love and happiness outside of herself, towards being an emotionally balanced person who creates her best life from a deeper knowing inside herself. Ever since I became conscious of my own creative power, no matter how hard the news and social media try to get me off track, I manage to stay close to my inner being at all times. It gives me such freedom and peace to always act from that centred place inside myself. This took me years of practice, commitment and devotion and it is a continuing lifelong journey. Still so worth the ride. Today I experience so much more health, vitality, joy and prosperity in my life, because my outside world has become an extension of my inner world.
It often breaks my heart to see many people staying stuck in their “victim role” for years, instead of using the obstacles in their life as opportunities to grow into a brighter, stronger and more resilient version of themselves. After years of inner transformation, I am deeply convinced life always wants to give birth to a brighter and more awakened version of ourselves and even humanity. Take the humble seed which has all the potential within itself to transform into a beautiful blooming rosebush. But to become that strong rosebush, it needs to meet all the right conditions in the outside world. It’s all about listening to a deeper voice within (call it intuition), and constantly acting from that deeper silent knowing. Once you become aligned with that silent whispering voice inside of yourself, the whole universe starts conspiring with you to make your dreams come true. The challenge in these times of loudness and social media is finding the time and space to
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Does this mean life does not happen? Of course obstacles still appear along my path. Because life wants me to keep on growing and evolving. Only I don’t get blown away by them any longer. Sometimes I still get shaken, but it takes me half an hour at most to collect myself and find my balance and inner strength again. Because I can constantly fall back upon my inner power. And let’s be honest: we humans tend to be lazy we love to stay in our comfort zone. So every now and then we need this little wake-up call from life to make us grow and evolve into that next best version of ourselves.
So how did I shapeshift my reality?
I became very much aware of my own power of choice. At any given moment in life, we get to choose: do I cower into my victimhood, or am I the heroine of my own story and do I transform this challenge into an opportunity? I stopped pointing my finger to the outside world when something went wrong and started asking myself: “What is the deeper lesson here? What brighter version of myself do I need to become to transform this obstacle into an opportunity?” I had to go deeper inward and look at my own
needs. What did I need to become a happy and fulfilled woman? I started writing down these needs and acknowledging them (instead of pushing them away). I discovered a deep need for love and connection. Instead of looking for this in the outside world, I asked myself on a daily basis: “How can I fulfil this inner need today?” Sometimes it would simply be by giving myself a pat on the back. Other moments it would be allowing myself to relax and do nothing that day, without feeling guilty about it. I started going into nature frequently. Connecting with nature helped me connect with my true nature and my body. When I would need more flow in my life I would connect with water, when I needed more foundation I would connect with the deep earth underneath my feet. It became very clear to me who I was and what kind of life I wanted to create for myself. I noticed that many of us don’t even know who they are, let alone what kind of life they would love to create for themselves. Once I started writing down my goals and dreams, a hundred little voices started appearing in my head: “Who does she think she is… Aren’t you dreaming too big here… You’re not good enough…” Instead of pushing these voices away, I embraced them with all my love. I knew they had always been hiding in my subconscious mind to protect me and let me stay in my comfort zone. But now they were no longer serving me, because I had chosen to grow into that next best version of myself. The more I focused on my higher goals, the more these sabotaging voices started evaporating. I started asking myself on a daily basis:
• • •
What would this brighter version of myself think? What would this better version of myself feel like? What would this more vibrant version of myself look like?
Little by little, I started taking steps towards my goals.
Once you start moving towards that direction of your brighter life, obstacles will come up to the surface. These are the moments in which most of us tend to give up and go back to our old way of living. Yet it is in these challenging moments that life is helping you master your creative power so you can shapeshift your new reality. Take the beautiful rough gemstone that is being shaped into a dazzling diamond; it also needs a sharp outside force to be shaped into the perfect form so it can shine brighter. Thus, you will need to become fearless and brave in this reality shapeshifting process. Once you start becoming this new you, letting go of old beliefs and thought patterns, increasingly feeling your inner power, inner abundance and worthiness, bit by bit, life will mirror you, your inner treasure, by sending new people and projects along your path, which resonate with you and bring you inner joy and fulfilment. You will feel with every cell of your body you are on the right path. You will wake up being grateful for life, and this gratitude will attract even more joy and abundance in your life. And before you know it, you are becoming the conscious creator of your own life.
You will need to become fearless and brave in this reality shapeshifting process
Sandra Deakin, is a life transformational specialist and an inspirational
speaker. She teaches worldwide about how to become the creator of your best life. She has worked in media from the age of 14, inspiring people to live their brightest life. Today, she has her own podcast, Brightspotsradio. linktr. ee/sandradeakin . www.sandradeakin.com
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Interview
a i r a M
e r t s a i P assion. p a g n i d Inc. fin g d n n i a n fi y r e t R s an indu Metallix g f n o i r t e n v e o d i c Dis he Pres t h t i w w e An intervi
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Maria Piastre worked her way up from inside salesperson in the male-dominated industry of precious metal refining to Company President within 12 years, we find out more about this determined Latina’s journey in her interview.
Who are you?
My name is Maria Piastre. I was born and raised in Cali, Colombia. In 2000, I migrated to the US and started a new chapter in my life. I got married and became the mother of two boys. Life with my family has been one grand adventure. I am so proud of the two brilliant, bold young men my husband and I raised. In 2004, thanks to the unconditional support of my family, I was able to graduate in Economics from Kean University. In 2005, I joined Metallix as an inside salesperson where I found an ecosystem more in line with my professional and personal goals. In 2017 I was appointed Company President after only 12 years working in this male-dominated industry of precious metal refining. Ambition fuelled by passion has always been a driving force for me, but I never imagined being President. The precious metals industry is known to be male dominated, so as a woman breaking ground presented challenges, but with such challenges come satisfying rewards. I represent a minority; I am a woman, Latina, and immigrant, but the judgments and labelling by others merely fuel my ambition because before others believe in you, you must believe in yourself. The only limits are those you set for yourself. I always believed discipline, dedication, empathy, resilience, and desire would overcome challenges to achieve the proposed goals. I always seek to have the understanding and unconditional support of my family, my parents, and my mentors. Discovering new challenges is daunting, involves uncharted risks and sacrifices, but I know facing challenges will open opportunities to infinite possibilities and greater rewards.
What has been your biggest mistake in business and what did you learn?
and invariably on reflection, there are always improvements. We learn, grow, and build on past choices. A particular project which comes to mind was one with a new associate, looking back at the decision taken too quickly before doing all due diligence. The tight timeframe restricted the selection process for key service providers and in-depth consultation with risk exposure experts. This experience taught me never to rush such a decision, research is king, and to always consult with experts from different fields to evaluate risk versus returns, and only then can you make an informed decision. Get to know the people, their drives, and perspectives because although we may have different objectives, we should share the same goal. Being a Company President does not give you all the answers to business, however, it places you in a very privileged position of accessing the guidance of the skilled professionals within your team before taking that important step. I am privileged to work with some of the industry’s leading authorities within precious metals refining and now we implement a very rigorous analysis and risk prevention protocol to safeguarding the company’s reputation and financial stability.
How do you take care of your body/mind and soul?
When a person exercises, sleeps well, and takes care of their nutrition, their feelings, or the way they face their day to day everything is different. I take care of my body and try to exercise it daily and sleep at least seven hours a day. I have an exercise routine and I am strict with my schedules.
Diversity enriches each and every one of us
A mistake is not a word I use, preferring to reevaluate the choices I have made and learn from the reasoning behind those choices. In life and business, we make decisions every day,
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Interview I take care of my mind by focusing on positive thoughts and preventing the negative from affecting me. Every day I wonder how we can make Metallix a better company.
Which woman inspires you?
Quite a few, but if I have to choose one, I identify with Isabel Allende. This Chilean writer is a prolific author and avant-garde feminist in Latin America. Her works are examples of strength, overcoming, struggle, and resistance. Apart from literature, Isabel’s work is remarkable. Her charisma as a speaker and communicator inspires me.
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What is your typical workday like?
My daily routine starts with exercise. Despite my busy schedule, I prioritised my training and found a way to fit it in. I realised the more I exercise, the more I get into it, and the more I see results and pushing for the next level. After my exercise, my day can go in a multitude of directions. Despite all that, I will always find time to schedule family time. I call my mom in Colombia every day. She and my father play a vital role in my life, my best source of emotional support. I have called my parents daily over the last 20 years.
Back left to right: Raphael, Maria and Marcos Piastre and in front Enzo Piastre. Taken in Washington D.C.
The most important title I have is mom-in-chief. My sons are at the centre of my world. On most nights, we get together and have dinner as a family. It is time we all enjoy, a time to watch our nutrition and talk about the ups and downs of our days and connect as a family.
What is your favourite quote and why?
“Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.” Franz Kafka Specially the second part of the quote....follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly....
Tell us about your Paid Maternity Leave policy.
Metallix prides itself on being a forward thinking, progressive company caring about our employees and their families. With that in mind, I introduced a new company policy; Paid Maternity Leave for all eligible employees. In the United States, only 12% of women in the private sector have access to any sort of paid maternity leave. During the first stages of motherhood where new mothers are dealing with a baby who is not sleeping through the night, medical bills, day care concerns and postpartum issues; the last thing we wanted for our Metallix mothers was to have the additional stress of not receiving their full regular pay.
How have you had to adjust since COVID-19?
2020 has seen the impact of COVID-19 on businesses globally, and Metallix has been no exception. Business models once tried and tested no longer applied, and the way to survive and grow in this new economic market would be through technology. Metallix has always made a significant investment in equipment and applied sciences resulting in the Metallix Precious Metals Refinery becoming a world-class facility. This now needed to be the approach to sales and communication. With travel and face-to-face meetings no longer possible, video conferencing and social media platforms have been our tools in which to maintain stability in our supply chain. Metallix has an experienced team of buyers providing materials management guidance and support, managing social risks to protect our employees, suppliers, and the community. Metallix strives to provide exceptional customer service with world-class facilities which continue to achieve excellence for our customers.
How important is Diversity in the work force?
I believe in a multicultural workforce, diversity enriches each and every one of us and this makes us a better company. And is not just about race and origin it’s about the freedom to be accepted for who you are, live your life and not be judged on background, gender, cultural differences, sexual orientation or political party. I have made it clear on all levels there will be zero tolerance on bullying or discriminatory acts of any kind.
31
Interview
Ambition fuelled by passion has always been a driving force for me
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Maria and Kristian Diaz Metallix Mechanical Reduction Department Manager
We pay all eligible employees their full salary for up to eight weeks after childbirth, instead of only receiving partial pay through state’s shortterm disability program. Often through shortterm disability programs, you may have to wait 30 days or more before receiving any benefits. Through our new policy, there is no disruption to receiving the full weekly pay while recovering from labour. Metallix believes in the importance of family and we wanted to show the company’s commitment to our employees’ financial and personal wellbeing.
What are your thoughts on gender dynamics in the workforce?
The best place to work is the place you can be at your best, to learn and be rewarded on individual merit, where the only limits are those you set yourself. As an immigrant to the US, I know only too well the challenges some will encounter, especially for minority groups. The road will not always be smooth, and regardless of your cultural background, you should believe in yourself, your self-worth, your ability to succeed and that your qualities will always shine through to achieve rewards. And I incorporate this ethos into my leadership. As President, one of the most important responsibilities is to establish a vision, a longterm mission with short-term objectives. These will ultimately determine the expectations for the company’s culture and core values which will lead Metallix at multiple levels ensuring alignment throughout. Equally, recruiting talent and nurturing Executive growth for succession planning is key to building sustainability and industry expertise. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, I have witnessed and experienced many changes over the last 12 years and have been influential to many changes myself. Through our values, Metallix is a multicultural employer with promotions based on ability, not gender, and an environment where there is no place for discrimination or bullying. For more information on Metallix visit their website: www.metallix.com
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The Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Economic Forum goes virtual
The Women Economic Forum will have its grand virtual summit in May 2021 to inspire and transform the digital world The WEF, Women Economic Forum, is an international platform which creates a space for women from different countries to become leaders, to increase their commercial opportunities and to augment their personal influence, and this time around, focusing our efforts on the digital world. The WEF network is comprised of more than 100,000 members and inspirational women from more than 150 countries: entrepreneurs, authors, thought leaders and amazing celebrities create our global connections to propel the potential for entrepreneurship and leadership of women.
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Our grand virtual conference of the Women Economic Forum will take place on the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th of May, the first edition of this type and the biggest stage of women lecturers of the world. This virtual event will foster conversations, connections, and collaborations of women and men committed to contribute to the development of the region through innovations, leadership, culture, sport, gender equality, sustainability, entrepreneurship, use of digital tools, and transformation of the markets in the midst of the pandemic and post pandemic era. In its first digital version, the event hopes to get together more than 150 world leaders highlighting the participation of women personalities like Viola Edward, a transcultural psychotherapist, business consultant, and social entrepreneur; Beth Marmolejos, Director of Finances,
President of Prospanica New Jersey and social activist; Valerie Prttsetyo, international lecturer, philanthropist, and founder of Independent Women Summit; Marcela Berland, political advisor to more than 10 presidents and has worked with renowned brands like Bloomberg, Airbnb, WeWork, Audible, Marsh & McLennan, United Airlines, Novo Nordisk, Nissan, among others; Vikki Thomas, quantum healer, intuitive guide, and founder of Align Your Life with Magic, an incubator supporting women from their essence and HIT-Talks LIVE, a global platform of hope, inspiration, and transformation; among others. The participants who inscribe and join this international summit of high-quality lecturers will have the opportunity to strengthen their business project through conversation panels on entrepreneurship and innovation as a path to empowerment; how to impact the 4.0 revolution; successful women scientists in a sustainable world; leadership, roles and economic development in the Caribbean; and the influence of women and their impact on sports, culture and fashion. “The WEF Caribbean develops strategies to promote inclusion and the role of women in different sectors of the region’s economy. We create an ecosystem where women will be able to conduct business beyond border barriers. Each woman will be able to see and grow her company in the digital world, creating connections and collaborations of world calibre ”, says Johanna Salgado, Director of WEF Caribbean. Johanna Salgado is also a member of the group of experts of the Americas Competitiveness Exchange on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ACE), a regional program of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Inter-American Competitiveness Network (RIAC). She has a Master’s Degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from the Universidad del Rosario - Colombia, a Master’s Degree in Leadership from the EADA University of Spain and the Entrepreneurial Leaders program at the University of Babson College in the United States. This renowned Colombian businesswoman is among the seventy social entrepreneurs of the World Bank.
for new opportunities to develop innovative and technological processes to support professionals in today’s dynamic business environment.
Why can’t you miss this international virtual summit? We created a digital space to share experiences and knowledge which promote the productive projects of thousands of women in the region using technological tools. These meetings allow us to be more assertive in decision-making, in public relations, promote the capacity for political participation and influence on environmental sustainability, and create communication and networking channels to work as a team. The Women Economic Forum (WEF) is an international platform enabling women and leaders from all walks of the world to expand business opportunities and enhance their personal influence through networking. The source of inspiration comes from the experiences and knowledge shared by the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, authors, opinion leaders and celebrities. Eminent dignitaries and leaders have supported and spoken from the WEF platform including Heads of State, Nobel Prize recipients, Ministers, Royalty, Presidents, Ambassadors, Diplomats, Celebrities and a whole new generation of young entrepreneurs. As a residual value, the venue of each of our 32+ events have remained connected in perpetuity with the WEF, ALL and their network of over 100,000 members as a source of collaboration and consulting, forming a great family of entrepreneurs and philanthropists. So, we anticipate an extraordinarily positive impact in this new event for the world which has no limitations or borders. Everything is within the reach of a good network connection and click to let yourself be infected with great ideas to revolutionise the way of entrepreneurship in the digital economy. SHE, (Sociedad para Hispanas Emprendedoras) and Business Fit Magazine are our media sponsors for the WEF Caribbean event. Verónica Sosa, founder of both magazines will be speaking at our WEF event. More to come about our speakers in the BFM March/April issue.
Johanna has more than thirteen years of experience in the strategic definition, launch and implementation of new initiatives and projects in Latam and the Caribbean. She is always looking
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Body & Health
These are the concerns of some of my clients, friends and of my own, not long ago. It is important to be aware of how the world has changed dramatically over the last 20 years. The use of internet and social media added to the increasing pace of work and life, changing the way we communicate and impacting our professional and personal relationships. Our roles as men and women have blended and the dynamics in our relationships have shifted. Driven by ambitious career and lifestyle goals, many of us are taking on more responsibilities. All of these have resulted in increased stress for both men and women, putting extra pressure on us all, and have taken a toll on our physical, mental and emotional health.
Make Your Body Your Best Buddy Lifestyle Strategist, Performance Nutrition and Wellness Coach, Izabella NIewiadomska, advises our readers to focus on taking care of the health and the needs of their body, to reduce stress, maintain good health and enjoy life. Have you ever felt guilty about taking time to rest? Or maybe you are thinking, I can’t afford to relax when there’s still so much work to do? Or perhaps you felt tired, but kept working, afraid that if you take some time off, you may be perceived as weak or incompetent by your boss or others?
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The events of 2020 forced us to slow down, to reflect and evaluate our way of life, yet caused additional stress for many. The pandemic helped us to realise the importance of health, the value of human kindness and brought many changes and innovations to the ways we work and run businesses. As I write this article, I believe now more than ever before we need to turn our focus on taking care of our health and the needs of our body, to give it what it needs, so we can reduce stress, maintain good health and enjoy life. Jim Rohn used to say: “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” I think sometimes we forget our physical body is a big part of who we are. The trillions of cells your skin, heart, brain and all your internal organs are built from, are your body, are You, are Me. I became truly aware of my body when at 23, I was taken to the hospital paralysed with a loss of speech. It was a strong panic attack, the first of the many I later experienced. I was young, strong and healthy, but I underestimated the impact of prolonged stress, tiredness and inadequate sleep on my overall health, while I was building my career as a journalist in a male dominated environment. I wrote about it in “Your Health Is Your Greatest Wealth - Don’t Lose It Chasing Success” which is a chapter in an international bestselling book “Pay It Forward Series – Notes To My Younger Self” Vol1, which I’ve co-authored.
What I learned to fully regain my health I now use to help others. Remember, your body is a living organism and in order to survive and thrive, it needs oxygen, water, balanced nutrients and the ability to eliminate waste.
already dehydrated. And when your Best Buddy is dehydrated, you can feel tired even when you are rested. So, Hydrate. Drink an extra 1-2 glasses of water, in addition to your usual daily amount. Medical research shows that staying well hydrated helps boost our natural energy levels.
Today I invite you to Make your body your Best Buddy. Listen, when it whispers. It knows what is best for you. Listen when it gives you signs and wants you to pay attention to its needs. Listen, or your Best Buddy will make you listen…but I wouldn’t want you to experience that. When your Best Buddy screams, you would wish it would whisper.
3. EAT - Have you eaten today? Have you skipped any meals? When you are busy working, you may not always remember to eat. Tiredness in this case could be a sign your body is deficient in some nutrients and your Best Buddy is simply hungry. Food helps deliver the nutrients our body needs to survive and thrive. We generate natural energy from the food we eat.
The key word is BALANCE. Be aware when your body is out of balance. TIREDNESS is one the first signs of imbalance.
So, if you haven’t eaten today or skipped a meal and now feel a bit tired, then treat yourself to a delicious nutritious snack or a nutrient dense deliciously healthy meal (combination of protein, complex carbohydrates, fibre, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals)
When you wake up feeling tired, or feel lethargic later in a day, it means your body is out of balance. When you’re knackered after an exercise session, or you can’t focus on words you’re reading, your body is out of balance. Working harder when you are tired, is often counterproductive. In a state of tiredness, you are not as efficient or creative as at your peak state and it usually takes you longer to complete the task. When you are tired here is what I suggest you do.
1. BREATHE - Stand straight, open a
window or go outside to get the fresh air. Take 10-20 deep, slow breathes. This will help increase the level of oxygen in your blood stream to support the process of generating energy in our body. Breathe in, counting silently 1,2, 3 and breathe out, counting slowly 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. If possible, go for a short 10-20 min walk. Many studies show walking boosts energy, brings calmness and has a positive impact on your physical and mental health.
2. HYDRATE - If your lips are dry or the
4. REST – When your Best Buddy whispers, I’m tired, don’t delay, don’t second-guess, just have some rest. Science shows many health benefits of 15-20 minutes meditation or a nap to restore your energy and focus. Sometimes though, you may need to sleep longer to fully recharge your batteries. John Gray in his book “Beyond Mars and Venus – Relationship Skills For Today’s Complex World” writes about fascinating research which shows how the more driven, focused, goal oriented, physically active or challenged we are, the more testosterone we produce in the body. Great news for most men and not so great news for most women. Yes, the increased levels of testosterone help women to be strong, fit, achieve goals, etc, but at the same time it creates a hormonal imbalance and more stress in the body. Rest and relaxation, among other things, help women to produce more oestrogen, restore balance of the levels of masculine and feminine hormones and de-stress.
colour of your urine is dark yellow or orange, your Best Buddy is telling you that you are
Izabella Niewiadomska is a Lifestyle Strategist, Performance Nutrition and Wellness Coach, Bestselling Author, International Speaker. For over 28 years she’s helped people with proven strategies leading to vibrant energy, delicious health, longevity and high performance. She believes what you choose to Eat, Think, Feel and Do, impacts your health, happiness, relationships and the quality of your entire life.. totalwellness@btinternet.com
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Pashion Fashion
Lucas Escalada supporting the expansion of
women socioculturally
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Internationally renowned fashion designer from Equatorial Guinea and founder of Ideal Woman, Lucas Nguema Escalada, seeks to transform society through awareness, learning and the acquisition of social, cultural and educational values. Lucas Nguema Escalada created Ideal Woman in 2014 as a sociocultural project aiming to promote the empowerment of women showing the worth of Equatorial Guinean women, and how to accentuate this positive image so it may be an inspiration and reference for future generations. Ideal Woman is an organisation whose purpose is to transform society through awareness, learning and the acquisition of social, cultural and educational values. From a young age, Lucas was seeking his life purpose and has strived to be a light for others. It was not an easy road, but after many years he realised his life purpose was to use his qualities and talents to create a platform at the service of others. Lucas has been a great promoter of the culture and fashion of Equatorial Guinea, through his platform, he has paved the way for many young artists and entrepreneurs in this society and increased their professional possibilities. He has participated in numerous national and international fashion and beauty events. He was the first runner-up of Mister Santa Isabel 2005. Jury and designer of beauty contests (Miss Africa USA, Miss Equatorial Guinea, Miss Santa Isabel, Miss Independence Equatorial Guinea USA) and one of the hosts of Miss Tourism 2013. His passion for Art and humanitarianism inspired him in the world of fashion. He began his career as an actor, writer, director, and model before becoming a fashion designer and founder of Ideal Woman. He was the first Equatorial Guinean designer to represent Equatorial Guinea at the International Festival of African Fashion (FIMA), founded by the fashion icon Alphadi, which took place in 2018 in Morocco. He has recently created an exhibition and sale of artistic works from Equatorial Guinea aiming to promote arts and creativity and to support those most affected by the pandemic COVID-19. The event took place in his fashion house, a new place of reference of fashion, culture and tourism of Equatorial Guinea.
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Pashion Fashion
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Having been surrounded by strong women in his family, Lucas found great inspiration from them. He learned that perseverance, consistency, resistance and insistence, faith in God, surrounding yourself with people who bring the best of you and above all improve the lives of others are very important for any dream. Working on Ideal Woman he has gotten to know many wonderful people who made the project a reality. Bisila Bokoko has been a great mentor and his sister Evangelina, one of the first people who he shared the idea with, has been a great support. Women like Marisol OvonoNchama, Patricia Obiang Lima, Virginia Maye, Concepcion Esuba, Librada Ela Asumu, Nuria Beholi, Isabel Eraul, Frida Ndong, MilagrosaObono, Guillermina Mekuy, MaiteModu and his family all helped him to arrive at his place of purpose. He also feels it vital the younger generation, especially young girls, understand the importance of role models. One of the objectives of Ideal Woman is to create synergies between Equatorial Guinea and the invited countries. Empowerment of women, women’s rights or gender equality is a necessity in all countries. He believes we all benefit from the tools which help improve the social and economic status of women. Ideal Woman is like a complete package, because it not only empowers women, but also society.
Empowerment of women, women’s rights or gender equality is a necessity
empowerment of women and the commitment to equality in Equatorial Guinean society.
Ideal Woman is a platform for the empowerment of women, also in order to promote the culture and tourism of Equatorial Guinea. It is a great tool for international solidarity and a great contribution to improve the image of the country.
In the 2019 Ideal Woman edition, they received 25 renowned international guests, including Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, Guest of Honour, Luis Miguel, BisilaBokoko, Nathalie Lenoff, Mai Atafo, Grace Wallace, Brune magazine and others. The presence of each of these guests marked a promotion of the Equatorial Guinea culture and tourism to more than 20 million people, but it has also left something positive in their hearts about the country. According to Agatha Ruiz de la Prada in her interview with Hola y La Semana magazine ¨My fun and unforgettable trip to Equatorial Guinea has been one of the most magical of my life¨
In recent years, thanks to the Ideal Woman platform, the culture and tourism of Equatorial Guinea has benefited. During previous editions of Ideal Woman around 80 international participants took part thanks to the collaborations of Ceiba Intercontinental, Martínez Hermanos and other local companies. This project was of utmost importance for its impact and orientation towards the population and especially for Guinean women; without forgetting the influence on business promotion, tourism and culture of the country at a national and international level. It also made visible the commitment of the sponsoring companies with education, the
With the help of Viola Edward, their consultant and speaker, Ideal Woman has been able to expand even more internationally. With the 2020 Ideal Woman edition, they carried out two days of Virtual Conference with the participation of more than 25 international speakers, among them were: Verónica Sosa, Saskia Harkema, Jessica Lockhart, Teresa Egaña, Layla Edward, Maria Garcia and Emma Torres and women who have made a wonderful impact in Equatorial Guinea Guillermina Mekuy, Matinga Ragatz, Concha Esuba, Monica Bivini, Sara Mba, Gema Jones, Olivia Garcia, Inmaculada Bela, Karen Abe and as always Bisila Bokoko.
Lucas Nguema Escalada is an internationally renowned fashion designer from Equatorial Guinea. With his creations he seeks to go further, contribute to Equatorial Guinean society and the entire world and show the worth that every woman carries within herself. In addition to his role in the world of fashion, Escalada also studied political science and economics at the University of Houston.
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Mindset & Emotion
Have you heard of the
Rogers Adoption Curve?
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HIT-talks founder, Vikki Thomas, talks to us about how understanding the Rogers Adoption Curve is helping her find the right group of people to adopt her ideas and understand more the many aspects of cultural change. Rogers Adoption Curve describes how new innovations and ideas are accepted and adopted by groups and cultures. One part of this theory which resonates with me is: There’s a reason why some people wait for the party to get big before joining. Some people just don’t like being the first ones there, others do. In society, the theory suggests there are five types of people, or we can say five stages:
1. Innovators 2. Early Adopters 3. Early Majority 4. Late Majority 5. Laggards We could look at this as the stages of a product’s life cycle.
Innovators — these are the risk takers, highly educated, prosperous people. They are always trying those new beta apps, technologies, and lifestyle habits.
I believe we are all energy and we follow the laws of nature
Early Adopters — also risk takers and
highly educated, but more leadership orientated than innovators. Usually community organisers who are informed, less prosperous, and more connected with their tribes (i.e. popular). Early adopters are the movers and shakers. They push the idea out into broader culture. Where the innovators nurtured and matured the idea, these guys push it out of the nest.
Early Majority — less risk taking, tending
to be more conventional with a willingness to accept new ideas. They are active in their community, knowledgeable about social trends, and have an influence over their following or tribe. These are people who arrive to the party on time. They are not afraid of change, but they don’t go after it. They expect change to come to them.
Late Majority — usually traditional and said to be less educated and less socially active. Unsurprisingly, this group age is older. They show up to the party late. Showing up at a party isn’t fun for them. Change isn’t fun for them either. Unlike the early majority, who allows change to come to them, the late majority is more likely hide from it. They will push against change if it doesn’t fit neatly into their worldview. Laggards — the oldest and most traditionalist of the stages, this group will fight against change. They are connected to their community, but not in a way which encourages transmission of new ideas. They either eventually accept the change, grumbling to their graves, or they’re forced to accept it. Which one are you? Which category does your ‘gut’ tell you that you fall into? My opinion isn’t aligned in its entirety to any of these statements, and it could be said to be somewhat dated, however, it does give us some awareness and a measure. I found when sharing an amazing opportunity, a new concept or the right idea to the wrong group (a group which doesn’t like change or who is in fear, or in competition or in the wrong vibration) then it more often than not, led to failure.
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Mindset & Emotion
I am using the concept of The Rogers Adoption Curve to help me find the right group of people to adopt my creations, concepts and ideas and to understand more the many aspects of cultural change. To accept change and something new there are five stages we subconsciously go through.
1. First, we want to understand the offering, concept, idea. 2.
Then we want to be convinced the offering, concept, idea is valuable (to us or others).
are involved from the start, being part of Guiding the New World will be pivotal to sharing it with everyone else who hasn’t already accepted the concept. Thanks to the Political Informer and Seth Godwin for more insight into this topic. How are you sharing your ideas, concepts, opportunities or visions? Are you positioning yourself ready for the New World? Why not become a HIT-Talks New World Guide and be part of our community- our family?
3. When we are convinced, through tangible or even gut feelings, faith or trust, we will commit and embrace the offering, concept, idea.
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4. Then we apply the offering, concept, idea and use it in our life or business. 5. So once we reach the final acceptance (or rejection) and validation of the offering, concept, idea we are delighted to share with others. I like to think of this as the five stages of germination.
alkshow:
I made the mistake, as I was growing HIT-Talks of trying to bring the offering, concept, idea to everyone! I was asking for acceptance or validation of the concept before following the initial four stages.
believe as we are all energy and we follow the sts, Ilaws of nature, so we can’t “jump” to the flowering/ leaf stage without going through the process. s each, But we can collapse timelines and journey the spectives process on quicker. However, that journey needs to be aligned and we need to be in alliance with the right network, the right people, the innovators and early adopters, and even the early majority.
e tion mation
I know in my gut, in my soul, that ultimately, HITTalks will become so popular and accepted by the masses, that the early adopters, or people who
Your44Host Vikki Thomas
Vikki Thomas is the founder and host of HIT Talks. Her background is in finance and business in the corporate world and she also made her successes as a multiple business owner and private property investor. However, she was called to do something more and embarked on a new journey five years ago - her search for meaning and to live her life mission. Hello@hit-talks.com - www.hit-talks.com
Environment
Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Clean up and
Nurture Back 46
Leadership and Transformational Coach and Consultant, Tanja Bogataj, is passionate about nature and the environment and here she gives us some ideas on what we can all do to live more sustainably. I am writing this article still inspired by the Female wave of change Global conference #ReshapeTheFutureNow experience (September 26, 2020, www.femalewaveofchange.com). One of the pillars we were working on was environment. I have been passionate about nature and environment all of my life. Professionally, I have been working for many years in the public policy sector in the field of spatial planning and environment. Also now, being among entrepreneurs and serving as a leadership coach, I keep inspiring people to connect with nature and become sustainability advocates. Personally, my passion and love for nature comes from, among other things, the fact that I’m from Slovenia, a small country in Europe, with rich biodiversity and well preserved natural resources, where people love to spend a lot of time in nature. A thought that this treasure and luxury would be gone one day is almost incomprehensible. Preparing for the above-mentioned conference, I went through some statistics. I’m not referring to it to scare you, but to inspire you to take it as a reality check and an opportunity to re-commit to your pro-environment practice.
A glance on our habits and behaviour: I’ve selected a few numbers to show our habits on how we currently live and create. According to The World Counts, we dump 99% of things we purchase within six months. The world generates at least 3.5 million tons of plastic and other solid waste a day, and each year 2.12 billion tons of waste (Source: The World Counts). Every day around 8 million pieces of plastic make their way into our oceans (Source: Our World in Data). It is estimated there are 12.6 million deaths per year due to an unhealthy environment (Source: World Health Organization, October 2020).
From this selected data we might conclude we live in a world of waste and consumption, and we are overexploiting our resources. However, here and now we can make different choices on how we live and create.
One Earth - Our Home The first shift needed is to start acting like we, people, are part of the environment, and not apart from it. For this shift to happen, we need our feminine energy to take the lead, so we care enough to care enough, by: • • •
•
taking care of the environment and our health by integrating pro-environment daily practices on all levels. deepening our humanity by making better choices on how we live and taking responsibility for our choices. adjusting our economy by using a circular economy model, developing sustainable business models, changing demand and supply patterns, and develop financial instruments to support these adjustments. using and upgrading available knowledge, data and experiences by investing in education, research, innovation, development and implementation of better solutions.
The three principles of Clean up and Nurture back practice: I suggest three principles in our Clean up and Nurture back practice: Principle 1: Breathing life into The important shift in caring enough for our home will come from our inspiration to act in this way. The word inspiration comes from the Latin root ‘inspire’ which means breathing life into. This is exactly what needs to happen in our changed behaviour. We need to stop taking life from, and instead, start breathing life into. For this to happen, we need to clean up what we are dumping and nurture back our relationship with nature.
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Environment
Principle 2: Raising awareness and improve As a coach, I like to use Maya Angelou’s quote ‘Today do as best as you know how to, and when you’ll know better, do better.’ I’m a strong believer that what we are aware of, we can also change. We are often not fully aware of the consequences of our choices and actions on environment.
On a professional level you can be a sustainability trendsetter with the following five set of activities:
Let me give you an example: We all wear clothes, and when we wash them the water from the washing machine goes into rivers, and eventually we drink this water. With this water we also drink micro plastic. Designed filters to clean the micro plastic from water are already available, and there is knowledge on how to do it. What’s missing is the market for this filter, and a demand to adjust the whole system.
•
Principle 3: Leading by example and our zones of impact The basis for this principle is in the ‘power of one’ and utilising our zones of impact (family, friends, colleagues in workplaces, business partners, society etc.) by being an advocate for a change.
•
•
• •
develop and encourage a sustainable practice and business model in your company (no paper business, sustainable supply chain, alternative energy use, people friendly working place etc.) as a leader acknowledge sustainable practices and encourage good practice (example: Environmentalist of the month, Bonus for sustainability etc.) have sustainability team building with your team (cleaning the area, collecting and recycling waste, volunteering in environmental organisation etc.) partner up, support and/or donate to environmental organisations and sustainable innovative solutions be an advocate for sustainable practice in your community.
My daily 5+ for the environment As entrepreneurs we have an important and impactful role in our communities. I encourage you to become an ambassador of sustainability in your company and community. On a personal level I suggest developing and integrating a daily 5+ pro-environment routine. Five means five pro-environment habits and activities, such as: •
• • •
using eco-friendly products, reusing, recycling (for example using recycled shopping bag, choosing products with less packaging, using natural food packaging etc.) using sustainable ways of transport (bike, car sharing, public transport etc.) taking care of the way you use water - no wastewater, rainwater harvesting etc spending some time outdoors (walking, exercising, gardening etc.)
We need to stop taking life from and start breathing life into
5+ routine practice means that you will inspire others around you to follow suit and you’ll multiply your positive impact on the environment.
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Tanja Bogataj, M.Sc. is a Leadership and Transformational Coach and Consultant, Founder and Practitioner of #bepowerfulandfree approach, Female wave of change Ambassador for Slovenia. I believe in people’s endless abilities to learn, improve and create. I think nature is our master teacher, guiding us to our truth and wellbeing. www.tanjabogataj.com | tanjabogatajcoaching@gmail.com
Spirituality
The power of
creativity Regular contributor and Specialist in Intercultural Communication Prof. Dr. Irmela Neu, shows us how the power of creativity can help us find a win-win situation when we are faced with challenges.
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“Creativity“ means we create something spontaneously - artists may come to mind when we think of creatively but being creative has a much broader meaning. First of all, it has a dimension in our daily life. We constantly have to make decision of all kinds. When we are narrow minded, under stress maybe, then we only focus on one possibility; very often we just go for something we already know, as it is simply anchored in our mind. In a certain way, we are held captive in our own tradition; on the other hand we are able to change our habits by activating our creativity. In our professional life, it is a precious tool to handle what is happening in a controlled way. It enables us to be active. Therefore, we need to develop one fundamental ability: communication. The more we dominate emotional management, the more we can express our expectations, wishes and requirements. “Emotional management“ means to identify, discover feelings and emotions and then find the right way towards a suitable solution. Heart, brain, hand and vital centre work together and the more harmonious they do it, the better it us for us and for our surroundings. To create a win-win situation can only happen if we evolve our creativity. This means to listen mindfully to each other, to detect the message, to understand it. Then we may suggest a solution not against the proposal, but by variating it, by finding new combinations and aspects. Once again, we need to separate the emotional part and the intellectual one, so we can discover new ways of reaching a common goal. Our emotions are a very good indicator of what is going on; nevertheless we should liberate ourselves from them in order to find a good compromise. Therefore we need our brain.
Let us take a look at how we can enhance our creativity:
First exercise:
In a quiet moment, put your hands on your heart, thank him for his permanent activity and ask it, what it needs. Feel it deeply and write the messages down. Then ask yourself what makes you happy and what makes you unhappy. Identify it as precisely as you can and write it down. Feel the emotions which arise, then ask yourself what you should and how you can change it. What do I need? What are the necessary steps? What are the consequences? Write it down or make a design or a mind map or whatever you feel like.
Second exercise for the harmonisation of ourselves:
The movement of an eight is very powerful. Cross your arms and make an eight stretching out- and upwards, the centre is your heart. Make the same exercise of an eight on both sides. Breathe deeply inhaling and exhaling in harmony with the movements. Create your own sequences, maybe with music. After a while you will notice the calming effect of this exercise and the benefit of being harmonised; it is like a platform which allows you to let grow your creativity.
Let‘s go further:
In general, the business world is dominated by masculine attitudes of hardware - rapidity, effectivity and last but not least (sometimes stronger, sometimes smoother) fights. Businesswomen very often adopted these values themselves. It is time now to change this: by nature, a women is provided with a better faculty to balance, calm down and bridge in case of (hidden or open) conflicts. With her creativity she might find highly creative solutions – the best way to reach to a win-win situation. Creativity creates synergetic effects – let‘s go for it!
In our life, we may have some contradictory tendences. On one hand we would like to do something, we feel obliged or pressed, and eventually that we are a victim. On the other hand we don‘t have the power to change it. A certain confusion steals our energy. What we need, is to harmonise ourselves.
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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Mindset & Emotion
Resilience opens unexpected doors
to love oneself and the other
Breathwork therapy expert, multi-awarded Mentor and member of Business Fit Magazine advisory board, Viola Edward, talks about how resilience helps us transform a traumatic event into positive changes and that positive thinking boosts emotional intelligence. There is a consensus among some thinkers on the three main characteristics of what I call organically resilient people:
- They accept without judging or blaming the reality that surrounds them - They deeply believe that life has meaning - They develop a great capacity to improve With the evolution of the first mentioned quality, resilient people are able to identify the causes
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of problems to avoid reliving them again. In the face of adversity, they can focus on the crisis, appeasing impulsiveness, to keep their centre in high pressure situations. With faith in life, optimism, and confidence in your own abilities you can flourish. The gifts and abilities of each person emerge as lifeguards in times of storms. Life makes itself felt. Believing life can be better thrives on empathy with the feelings and emotions of others. Together is better. With the third mentioned characteristic, resilient people develop a positive vision of the future driving them in the search for new opportunities and relationships making them more successful and satisfied with the life they have lived.
Beyond the words
Adversities are part of life and, seen from a positive learning perspective, they activate our resilient skills.
Our capacity to transform a traumatic event into positive changes, through: •
•
•
Self-perception of the resources and skills which are developed when facing an unwanted event. This awareness of the gifts that emerge increases self-confidence, generating, like a dopamine, the feeling of being prepared to successfully exit any event which may happen. Recognition of the support of others. One of the good things about resilience is verifying that we are not alone in the world, rather we can feel strengthened thanks to companionship, empathy, and the help of others in any of our areas of action. Communication is one of the pillars of resilience. It stands as the art which is when we learn to listen to what they tell us without words. It is called active listening when, in addition to listening to the heart of the other, we try not to think about how we would do it. Thus, we help the other give himself the answers his superior intelligence has ready to dispel his doubts.
Unsuspected doors
Traumatic events with serious risks can be keys to unsuspected doors. There is a transformation in the enjoyment of things, people or situations which were not previously perceived as important, such as love for oneself and for the other as an essential part. Rewarding emotional connections fuel the will to live. It has been shown that people who maintain loving relationships with family or friends develop higher levels of resilience than those who lack an emotional support network. Emotional support is an essential factor. Having and trusting people who love and support us makes us much more resilient than trying to go it alone. The famous book by psychiatrist Victor Frankl “Man’s Search for Meaning”, has love as a fundamental piece to maintain the will to live. Frankl experienced the tragedy of the concentration camps of Nazi Germany during the Second World War, with love for his wife being the key to overcoming terrible adversities. “The salvation of man is only possible in love and through love.”
Positive thinking boosts emotional intelligence. A positive attitude is needed so as not to “throw in the towel” in the face of the disadvantages which can happen to us. Daniel Goleman, author of the book “Emotional Intelligence”, explains how the ability to know and recognise one’s own emotions makes one aware of himself. The author talks about emotions which provide us with skills to face stressful events and turn them into personal development. One is motivation because it drives achievement beyond expectations. Another is self-control or the ability we must appease our emotions, so they do not overwhelm us. It also speaks of empathy with the other as the ability to relate to others. Positive thinking does not mean escaping from reality so as not to live what is adverse to us. Organic Resilient people are down to earth, they feel painful situations, but they are able to see beyond those moments and they do not lose heart. They know what their strengths are, what resources they can count on, and what their goals are. Realising that nothing is completely positive or negative, they strive to focus on the positives to enjoy the challenges. These people develop a mix between optimism and realism, as a kind of motivational perfectionism.
Coping with crises
Facing crises as an opportunity to generate changes will allow us to consolidate a positive self-assessment which includes self-confidence, courage, and determination. Be aware of our strengths and limitations and above all, keep the focus on the objectives. We resilient people know that adversity is not eternal.
Emotional support is an essential factor
Viola Edward is a Personal and Corporate Advisor and multi-awarded Mentor. Humanitarian, 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 GRIT Academy and Kayana Consulting, Author Breathing the Rhythm of Success and Who Makes the Bed?, co-author of ten more books.
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Society of Hispanic Entrepreneurs 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 SHEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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)
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