METATALK
dedicated to forging a better workplace from within
FOR BUSINESS The people at the heart of organizations are the ones that address the challenges of today. We empower leaders to inspire innovation by bringing out the best in their people, creating a resilient company culture, and fantastic place to work. We use MetaTalk or critical questioning about how people think and communicate to uncover the the hidden dialog at the heart of belief systems which drive behavior. Our corporate wellness programs are unique in that they consider wellness in the context of diverse identities. [Schedule a Consultation]
FOR EVERYONE Designed to address the decline in mental health due to COVID19, MetaTalk includes an openly available social media platform with weekly insights, lessons, and a guided meditation hypnosis podcast. We offer personalized hypnotherapy sessions with hourly and package pricing. Beginner-friendly on your favorite sites, for those looking to increase focus, creativity, patience, and relax in the new normal.
If you value MetaTalk as a resource, consider supporting its continuance.
ULTIMATE WORKPLACE WELLNESS COURSE
Test your knowledge by answering the questions below. Revisit the reading to confirm your answers.
Summative Expectation: By the end of units 9 you have:
Used imagery to create a safe action space
Identified ways you feel depleted and taken tangible steps to build resilience
Aware of the signs of impostor syndrome and made an effort to grow confidence
Acknowledge signs of grief and have prepared coping strategies for loss
At the federal level, Congress considers a minority-owned business to be a business owned by anyone other than a Caucasian. The business MUST be owned and at least 51 percent controlled by one or more minorities. Women are not considered a minority. It is a self-certifying process, and no paperwork needs to be filled out.
Test your knowledge by answering the questions below. Revisit the reading to confirm your answers.
What are 3 signs grief is influencing the workplace?
What type of training should organizations have to address emotional needs?
[True or False] People experience the stages of grief in a specific order.
How might rituals around memories help in healing from loss?
Summative Expectation: By the end of units 4 you have:
Use imagery to create a safe action space
Identify ways you feel depleted and take tangible steps to build resilience
Aware of the signs of impostor syndrome and make an effort to grow confidence
Acknowledge signs of grief and have coping strategies for loss
Extend Your Knowledge
Thought Experiment: For the next 15 days spiritually reconnect by seeing passed differences to find common ground with the people and things in your everyday life.
How to Stay Connected WITHOUT Zoom
Checklist: 25 Things to Do When You Feel Lonely WFH
Loneliness in a Day: Activity Engagement, Time Alone, and Experienced Emotions
TIkToks
Extend Your Knowledge [Thought Experiment] For the next 15 days...
Extend Your Knowledge [Thought Experiment] For the next 15 days...
Extend Your Knowledge [Thought Experiment] For the next 15 days...
Extend Your Knowledge [Thought Experiment] For the next 15 days...
Location: USA on Eastern Time Zone. Language: English. Multilingual services come with an additional cost and time to arrange.
Extend Your Knowledge [Thought Experiment] For the next 15 days...
The basic skills include a working knowledge of record keeping; financial management; personnel management; market analysis; breakeven analysis; products or services; federal, state, and local taxes; legal structures; and communication skills.
Extend Your Knowledge
Thought Experiment: For the next 30 days imagine you are surrounded by a protective field that slows down stress or conflict inducing experiences, allowing you the opportunity to respond instead of react.
Pros and Cons Chart of Coping Modes
Extend Your Knowledge [Thought Experiment] For the next 15 days...
Extend Your Knowledge
Thought Experiment: For the next 7 days challenge yourself to find examples of the circle of life. Endings and new beginnings are an inescapable, natural part of life. Find a more hopeful path forward in appreciating the renewal of life in the every day.
Loss and Grief Amidst COVID-19: A Path to Adaptation and Resilience
Managing Bereavement around the Coronavirus
There are some definite advantages to starting out with a franchised business. There are many different types of franchises. Some offer fair value for what you pay, and others are rip-offs. Get legal or business counseling advice before purchasing a franchise. Approximately 40 percent of present-day retailing is done through the franchises. There must be some advantages to owning a franchise.
No. We do not accept direct delivery of packages, but we can assist you in setting up a UPS mailbox. You will need is two forms of identification. We cannot put the name of our company or staff on the box or setup billing. Our staff is not permitted to handle packages or remit payment.
There are many Federal and State laws that regulate wages, hours, discrimination, safety and benefits. Many of the laws are applicable depending on the number of employees, whether you have contracts or subcontracts with the Federal government, if you employ veterans, and whether or not you provide benefits to name just a few. Every business/employer is different so be sure to check the state and federal websites for all the requirements.
Some Helpful Websites:
www.dol.gov/
www.mass.gov/
www.irs.gov/
www.uscis.gov/
www.dol.gov/ebsa/compliance_assistance.html
www.eeoc.gov/
www.osha.gov/
To register as an employer, you need to obtain a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) by filing IRS Form SS-4. You will also need to register for state income tax withholding and for unemployment contributions if you meet your state's threshold. Employees will need to complete, and you will need to maintain a file of, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate W-4 obtained from the IRS, and Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 obtained from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Obtain workers’ compensation insurance from your business insurance carrier.
Note this process is different than retaining independent contractors. Ask you consultant about the important distinction between contractors and employees.
An existing business is already established in the market. It has existing, and hopefully loyal, customers. You avoid the hassle and expense of creating awareness of and demand for your product or service. The key is making sure that the business fits your desires and capabilities. Is it the kind of business you want? Can you afford it? Can you operate it?
To determine financing needs, you should first prepare a business plan with a complete set of financial projections, including a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. With a properly completed business plan, you will have identified your funding needs. Banks will lend to some business start-ups if they are satisfied with your business plan, your level of equity investment, the collateral you have to pledge to the loan, and your credit history and experience. If your request is denied, ask your bank if they would consider the loan with a guarantee from the Small Business Administration (SBA).
There are several ways to protect your business. They include:
Patent—a property right granted by the government to the inventor to make, use, and sell the invention for a given period of time
Copyright—protects your literary or artistic work; allows you to sell, give away, or show your work (copyrights must be tangible and physical)
Trademark—name, mark, symbol, or motto, legally restricted to the use of the owner or manufacturer, that identifies your company and/or its product
Trade secret—information that you do not want known by your competition because your business would lose significant advantages
Objective: COVID has made finding a safe, peaceful place a challenge. Feel locked inside your home? Feel stress or anxiety when reentering the world and the office? In this unit find your safe, peaceful place in the space of your mind so that you may calmly engage in your physical environment.
We welcome your feedback and look forward to engaging in a community of practice. If you value MetaTalk as a resource, consider supporting its continuance though Patreon or CashApp.
Once you have taken care of your building and equipment needs, you must also have enough money on hand to cover operating expenses for at least a year. One of the leading causes of business failure is insufficient start-up capital. Consequently, you should work closely with your consultant or accountant to estimate your cash flow needs.
No. While we do support a variety of human resource functions we do not print or mail checks.
Website Email Automations. One of the simplest things to do to capture customers who are ready to buy. Someone lingers on your blog post - automated email offering a solution for their demonstrated interest. My personal favorite, customer abandons their cart. Email: Did you forget these? and here are some other products you might like (based on the items in your cart).
Objective: COVID has substantially increased unemployment rates leaving many feeling hopeless as they struggle to survive and provide. In this unit we’re going to reframe rejection and reinforce self-worth with the goal of building resilience to face challenges.
We welcome your feedback and look forward to engaging in a community of practice. If you value MetaTalk as a resource, consider supporting its continuance though Patreon or CashApp.
Objective: Social isolation and virtual meetings can have an impact on confidence because it keeps us from experiencing those smaller daily interactions which gives that ego a bit of a boost. In this unit we’re going to reinforce concepts that build confidence with the goal of bridging the conceptual understanding to a real-world call to action.
We welcome your feedback and look forward to engaging in a community of practice. If you value MetaTalk as a resource, consider supporting its continuance though Patreon or CashApp.
Show don't Tell! Clients will seek you out if you use the LinkedIn platform to be a resource, demonstrating your expertise and what you have to offer. LinkedIn is further developing the platform to increase its sociability with enhanced video features, stories, etc. Use them as a resource and others will see you as one- converting connections into sales.
The best tip for reducing cart abandonment is to streamline your checkout process. Reduce the number of fields and clicks it takes to make a purchase. Social media sites are getting in on this game by offering in-site purchases from their social feed.
Key Concepts
Action Space: The area in which an individual moves and makes decisions about their life. The living city is the principal locus of action space and enabler of social change.
Autobiographical Memory: a complex blend of memories of single, recurring, and extended events integrated into a coherent story of self that is created and evaluated through sociocultural practices.
Bio-informational Theory: how information about emotions is contained in associative memory networks that include action information (motor programs) and connections to subcortical motivation circuits.
Emotion: a natural instinctive state of mind deriving from one's circumstances, mood, or relationships with others.
Imagination: action of forming new ideas, or images or concepts of external objects not present to the senses.
Mental Imagery: A natural, yet special, way of thinking that involves the senses. Images are thoughts you can see, hear, smell, taste or feel, and include memories, dreams and daydreams, plans and visions, and fantasies.
Motivation: reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.
Positivity: thinking in an optimistic way, looking for solutions rather than focusing on the negative
Subconscious: the part of the mind that is not currently in focal awareness.
Reading
A notable goal would be self awareness and discernment in our thinking. Overthinking is not inherently bad. It can be indication of a greater issue or complexity associated with an action. When we catch ourselves overthinking, we need to pause and ask why. Is it anxiety? Uncertainty? Under-thinking or letting your subconscious be your guide can also be problematic. Our subconscious is fast and vastly knowledgeable, but it often takes shortcuts and can be heavily influenced by bias. Nobel Prize winner and author Daniel Kahnerman offers a sound solution in his book Thinking Fast and Slow. We need to hone discernment in our thinking to know which actions can be guided by our gut (or subconscious) and those that we need to deeply examine.
Key Concepts
Disorienting Dilemma: an experience that does not fit one’s expectations or make sense, requiring some change in core beliefs to resolve.
Objectivity: lack of favoritism toward one side or another, freedom from bias.
Perfectionism: a broad personality style characterized by one's concern with striving for flawlessness and perfection and is accompanied by critical self-evaluations and concerns regarding others' evaluations.
Persistence: a course of action in spite of difficulty, opposition or discouragement.
Purpose: the central motivating aims of your life which guide life decisions, influence behavior, shape goals, offer a sense of direction, and create meaning.
Rejection: the act of not accepting, believing, or considering something or someone.
Resilience: the ability of a person to adjust to or recover readily from illness, adversity, major life changes, etc.
Self-Compassion: being kind to ourselves in instances of perceived inadequacy, failure, or general suffering.
Self-Worth: the sense of one's own value or worth as a person; self-esteem; self-respect.
Shaming: cause the feeling of inadequacy.
Vulnerably: being open to moral attack, criticism, temptation, or harm
Mental Agility: the ability to think nimbly with speed and ease to solve problems and be creative.
Toxic Positivity: excessive overgeneralization of a happy, optimistic state across all situations, denying, minimizing, or invalidating the authentic human emotional experience.
Reading
The military develops a strong sense of duty, loyalty and comradery. Before you leave the military start building your LinkedIn profile and make connections. Use the expertise and resources of the transition services provided by your branch. The number one challenge veterans have on LinkedIn is translating their military experience into secular terms, but every military MOS has job descriptors- use them. Use the profile of your non-military counterparts to see how they position themselves. Use the "ready to work" icon on LinkedIn- this lets recruiters know who you are and your industry. Do not be afraid to ask to connect and then work those connections. Connect with other former and current service members and explore ways to work with local, state, and federal agencies- this is your primary supportive network. Then branch out from there.
BONUM asks that 30% of the project be paid upfront, 60% at the project milestone and 10% be paid upon delivery. As a small business this supports healthy operational cash flow and minimizes the impact of any delayed unpaid invoices.
We're happy to work through a third party settlement organization to hold 100% of funds in an escrow account until delivery. (additional fees apply)
Key Concepts
Chaos: behavior so unpredictable as to appear random, owing to great sensitivity to small changes in conditions.
Cognitive Closure: the desire to eliminate ambiguity and arrive at definite conclusions.
Confidence: a feeling of self-assurance arising from one's appreciation of one's own abilities or qualities.
Fear: the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.
Impostor Syndrome: feeling inadequacy, self-doubt and a sense of intellectual fraudulence despite evident success and needing external proof of competence.
Insecurity: deficient in assurance or confidence, beset by fear and anxiety.
Self-Talk: a person's inner voice which provides a running verbal monologue of thoughts while they are conscious.
Uncertainty: epistemic situations involving imperfect or unknown information
Reading
As a conscious company, BONUM believes in fair pricing practices and transparency. Our pricing is competitive with the market to meet the needs of our clients while making a profit to contribute to our community, staff, and investors.
As a conscious company our contracts are written with balanced terms to meet the needs of both parties.
If you pay an independet contractor or company $600 or more during the tax you will need to issue a 1099 unless you hire them through a “third party settlement organization” like Upwork or Fiverr.
The third party settlement organization (under Section 6050W) reports to the IRS and generates a 1099 if the contractor's total earnings meet the reporting threshold. The organization also collects the information needed to show how much you paid annually to the third-party settlement organization.
Please see confer with your accountant
The Business Proposal & Plan packages come with a 30 minute strategy session. Full business development and strategic planning sessions have quoted pricing.
The exact elements included in your company description can vary, but most commonly include:
Company name: The official name of your business as registered in the state where you do business.
Type of business structure: Sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership or corporation.
Ownership or management team: Names of the key people behind the company.
Location: Where is the company headquartered?
Company history: When was the business started, what inspired you to start the business, what need does your company fulfill?
Mission statement: A clear statement that represents the purpose of your company.
Products/services and target market: A brief overview of what you plan to sell and to whom.
Objectives: An outline of what you want to accomplish in the immediate future based on the data in the rest of the business plan as well as future growth goals.
Vision statement: A statement about how you envision the future of the company.
Core Competencies: this should not be everything your business is able to do. Use bullet points and short statements of your expertise as it relates to your target agency's specific needs.
Differentiators: list unique factors and benefits of your products or services that set you apart from the competition. How is your business best suited for the needs of the targeted agency? A clear statement that relates to the specific needs of the agency can help the customer understand why they should choose your firm.
Past Performance: list past customers for whom you have done similar work, show benefit to the customer and provide contact reference. Pictures are worth a thousand words and save space if relevant. If past projects do not relate to the targeted agency's needs, do not list them.
Company data: include one or two short sentences of your company description, including number of employees and capacity. Also list DUNS, CAGE Code, NAICS codes, and any set-aside eligibility that your business holds, such as Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), 8(a) Certification, HUBZone, or Small Disadvantaged Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).
Contact information: show contact information, including website and specific person's name. Readers will visit your website for more information; make sure it is constantly updated and provide "hot link" for direct access. List a professional email. Government agencies many times block Hotmail, Yahoo and Gmail accounts as junk mail. Your internet provider will typically offer professional addresses with your subscription.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Example (please note, statements are ideally one page)
Reflective Writing
Write down situations and places throughout your life when you have felt the most safe and comfortable. Highlight the characteristics these places and situations have had in common.
Write down the situations and places in your current work routine which trigger stress or anxiety. Highlight the characteristics these places and situations have in common.
Brainstorm intervention ideas to minimize each trigger
Listening
Reflecctive Writing
Rate yourself from 1 to 5 (1 = strongly disagree; 5 = strongly agree):
I’m usually optimistic. I see difficulties as temporary and expect to overcome them.
Feelings of anger, loss and discouragement don’t last long.
I can tolerate high levels of ambiguity and uncertainty about situations.
I adapt quickly to new developments. I’m curious. I ask questions.
I’m playful. I find the humor in rough situations, and can laugh at myself.
I learn valuable lessons from my experiences and from the experiences of others.
I’m good at solving problems. I’m good at making things work well.
I’m strong and durable. I hold up well during tough times.
I’ve converted misfortune into good luck and found benefits in bad experiences.
Convert your scores with the following key:
Less than 20: Low Resilience — You may have trouble handling pressure or setbacks, and may feel deeply hurt by any criticism. When things do not go well, you may feel helpless and without hope.
20-30: Some Resilience — You have some valuable pro-resiliency skills, but also plenty of room for improvement. Strive to strengthen the characteristics you already have and to cultivate the characteristics you lack.
30-35: Adequate Resilience — You are a self-motivated learner who recovers well from most challenges. Learning more about resilience, and consciously building your resiliency skills, will empower you to find more joy in life, even in the face of adversity.
35-45: Highly Resilient — You bounce back well from life’s setbacks and can thrive even under pressure. You could be of service to others who are trying to cope better with adversity.
Think about situations where you have felt depleted. Do you see any pattern? Identify two resilience skills you would like to develop. Write one goal for each of the skills. Identify potential obstacles in developing these skills.
Listening
Reflective Writing
Complete the following sentences:
A unique skill I have is…
My coworkers say I excel at…
I enjoy working on projects that…
I feel comfortable at work when…
I am proud of this accomplishment…
A positive statement I could say to myself to be reminded of my power is...
List 3 traits you like about your[work]self. Describe what the traits look like. Explain why the traits matter. List 3 traits you admire in others. Describe what the traits look like. Explain why the traits matter.
Listening
Test your knowledge by answering the questions below. Revisit the reading to confirm your answers.
[True or False] Mental agility is the ability to react and respond at the same time.
[True or False] Negative feedback is a reflection of who your really are.
Why is tying your purpose to one thing problematic?
Where can you find people for your support network?
Summative Expectation: By the end of units 2 you use imagery to create a safe action space and identify ways you feel depleted to take tangible steps to build resilience.
Test your knowledge by answering the questions below. Revisit the reading to confirm your answers.
What are 3 signs of impostor syndrome?
[True or False] Cognitive closure is the need to resolve uncertainty
What is positive self-talk?
How could perfectionism relate to a lack of confidence?
Summative Expectation: By the end of units 3 you have:
Use imagery to create a safe action space
Identify ways you feel depleted and take tangible steps to build resilience
Aware of the signs of impostor syndrome and make an effort to grow confidence
Test your knowledge by answering the questions below. Revisit the reading to confirm your answers.
[True or False] Mental imagery is an uncommon sensory experience which required direct stimulus.
How can you rewrite your present, negative autobiographical memory to be more positive?
How might a vision board increase goal setting and motivation?
What are the 3 ways imagery used in problem-solving?
Summative Expectation: By the end of this unit you have a clear image of your peaceful place incorporating the 5 senses and can recall the imagery when triggered.
Extend Your Knowledge
Thought Experiment: For the next 7 days imagine your life has a safety net. If something negative happens this strong, cozy net catches you and sends you back up- providing you with unconditional support in your pursuits. Imagine what you could accomplish unbounded by fear.
40 Ways to Find Peace of Mind and Inner Calm
Stop Chasing Someone Else's Purpose and Find Yours
Unlocking Your Purpose Workheet
TikToks
Extend Your Knowledge
Thought Experiment: For the next 15 days exercise blind optimism. Even as an experience could be interpreted negatively, give the benefit of doubt and find the positive- creating the feeling of being on a winning streak. This minimizes the impact of setbacks.
Find Your Ikigai Worksheet (Passion + Mission + Vocation + Profession)
Authentic Happiness Questionnaires
Self-Compassion Break Exercise
TikToks
Extend Your Knowledge
Thought Experiment: For the next 30 days celebrate incremental success. Find value in the small victories. Break larger goals into smaller milestones. Reward yourself and celebrate to continue your winning streak.
2 Day Challenge: Practice looking into the eyes of others, strangers or aquantinces, until they break eye contact. This isn't a staring contest, however, practice with people of greater confidence, status or larger in size. If someone questions your intent, say you thought you saw an old friend.
Gratitude Cup: Workplace Gratitude PDF
31 Powerful Affirmations for Every Area of your Life
TikToks
This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment- always seek the advice of your mental health provider.
How does this guide compare to our workplace wellness services? BONUM solutions are customized to our clients to be a transformative experience, which involves:
(1) understanding your needs (2) setting goals, objectives and measures (3) designing client-centered curriculum and immersive activities (4) delivering the program in a dynamic format
SCHEDULE Session or Consultation