Victoria Fann

Victoria Fann is a transformational coach, group facilitator and teacher of personal development classes and workshops. She is also the author of "Creative Alchemy: Accessing the Extraordinary Power of the Muse to Transform Your Art & Your Life." You can learn more at www.victoriafann.com.

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Articles by Victoria Fann

• Utilizing principles from ‘The Art of War’ in your business

  Tuesday, December 08, 2020

  Being a business owner in 2020 has been extremely challenging. Many businesses have not survived. Others have pivoted. Still, others are hanging on by a thread. Perhaps it’s time for some advice from an ancient master of strategy, Sun Tzu, the author of the 5th century BC book, "The Art of War." What does war have to do with business? In times like these, everything. Many of the rules businesses have lived by and depended on have disappeared, having been replaced by the constantly shifting sands of mandates handed down by government officials. What advice would Sun Tzu give us all these centuries later? Here are some principles from his timeless book that may be helpful.

• Coffee or no coffee? An exploration of America’s morning beverage

  Tuesday, December 01, 2020

  In the United States, over 150 million people drink coffee every day with the average consumption being three cups per day. That’s approximately 450 million cups per day! We love our coffee. In fact, it is rare to go anywhere these days — even in the smallest towns — without running into some kind of coffee shop, many of them serving freshly ground coffee and espresso. With that level of popularity, it’s a given that coffee is embedded into our lives. But, is this a good thing?

• What is game theory, and why should it matter to your business?

  Friday, November 13, 2020

  Benjamin Franklin once said, "Games lubricate the body and mind." Maybe it’s time to start seeing business as a game; at least that’s what game theorists might suggest. Developed by mathematician John von Neumann in 1928, game theory, which could loosely be defined as the study of strategic decision-making, was originally associated with a branch of applied mathematics. Now, however, it has expanded to many other areas of study. So, how is it connected with business?

• Ringing in your ear? Here are some tips to help

  Wednesday, November 04, 2020

  There are few things in this world as annoying as a constant ringing sound in one or both ears. I know because I’ve experienced tinnitus, as it’s called, in my right ear for the past four years. It seems to come and go, and I suppose I’ve adjusted to it, but for many people it’s truly unbearable. In fact, there are more people than you might think affected by this auditory phenomenon. Fortunately, only 10% of sufferers of tinnitus need professional help. For the rest of us, we have to learn to live with it, because as of right now, there’s no cure. For our purposes, I will present some simple, no-cost or low-cost tips to help you cope with tinnitus.

• How micro actions produce big changes

  Wednesday, October 21, 2020

  A few years ago, I came across the life-changing book, "The Compound Effect: Jumpstart Your Income, Your Life, Your Success" by Darren Hardy, an author and the former publisher of Success magazine. He writes, "The Compound Effect is the principle of reaping huge rewards from a series of small, smart choices." He also says, "It's not the big things that add up in the end; it's the hundreds, thousands, or millions of little things that separate the ordinary from the extraordinary." Accomplishing big goals can be daunting, so we’re told to break things done into chunks. Even though that’s great advice, it can still feel overwhelming, which is why it’s best to break goals down into micro actions.

• 3 simple workarounds for when you feel overwhelmed

  Wednesday, October 07, 2020

  Many people these days are feeling disillusioned, shocked, vulnerable, depressed and full of dread. Any one of those feelings can be difficult to handle, but when you’re feeling a mix of those feelings, it’s overwhelming. Although some people are responding to personal circumstances, many of those feelings are triggered by the global events unfolding each day. None of us knows what we will face when we wake up in the morning, nor do we see a clear resolution in front of us. Therefore, we must find a way to navigate the overwhelming feelings.

• Beyond experts: The power of groups to inspire, guide and heal us

  Tuesday, September 22, 2020

  There are currently thousands of experts all over the world offering their ideas, opinions and suggestions about the problems in the world. All too often, we expect them, in one way or another, to solve our problems and to "save us" from what's causing us pain. It's clearly time for a change. The whole idea of experts leading us in a top-down system simply doesn't work. So, what's the alternative?

• Can’t afford a life coach? 3 simple techniques you can use to coach yourself

  Wednesday, September 02, 2020

  In this time of great unrest and uncertainty, it can be a lifesaver to hire a life coach who can offer support and guidance and maybe even an idea or a strategy or two. But not everyone can afford one. Not to worry. You can coach yourself. Sure, it's not going to be the same as being accountable to someone else or receiving outside support or encouragement. But, using the three techniques below, it will be pretty close.

• Are you ready for the passion economy?

  Wednesday, August 19, 2020

  As unemployment has skyrocketed and remote working is becoming mainstream, many people are questioning their career choices. One solution seems to be catching on in greater numbers these days: pursuing one's passion. This idea isn't new. What's different now is that there is much more support; so much so that some are referring to making a living doing what you love as the "passion economy."

• How to work with a resistant client

  Thursday, August 06, 2020

  If you've been in business a while, you've inevitably encountered a few resistant clients along the way. It's one of the most challenging aspects of being in business. Sometimes, the resistance is so strong, it can even make you question why you're still in business. Unfortunately, it's easy to fall into the trap of taking a client's resistance personally and start second-guessing yourself.

• Ready to take the leap to being vegan?

  Tuesday, July 14, 2020

  Though the number of vegans in the U.S. isn’t large — only 3% of the population — the vegan and vegetarian market is expected to be worth $5 billion this year. Obviously, something is changing. I suspect this is due to the increased awareness of the many benefits of not eating meat, eggs, dairy and any food that contains them. If you’re thinking about becoming vegan, here are some things to consider.

• Does your business feel irrelevant? Here’s what you can do

  Tuesday, June 30, 2020

  There are periods in a business owner's life when the products being sold or the services being offered grow stale and cease to feel relevant. Sometimes this can happen with the overall mission of a business. The tides turn. Interests change. Passion wanes. What's popular and trendy loses steam. It can feel daunting to even consider small changes, let alone do a major pivot. Perhaps staying relevant doesn't require reinventing your business. Maybe it’s more straightforward than that.

• As close as your own breath: A simple — and free — way to improve your health, memory and mood

  Wednesday, June 17, 2020

  We breathe approximately 25,000 times a day, and 30-50% of us are doing it improperly. Almost as many of us have respiratory issues and illnesses that affect our sleep, brain function and overall health. How could this be? Breathing happens in the body automatically without us having to think about it. That’s exactly the problem. Most of us are not conscious about this essential bodily function.

• Mastermind groups: A perfect solution to today’s uncertainty

  Thursday, June 04, 2020

  Years ago, I was invited to join a women's mastermind group. It took place each week and followed a well-defined format that included a brief guided meditation; check-in; a designated amount of time for each member to share successes, challenges and receive input and support; and finally, intention-setting for the coming week. I found it inspiring, empowering and extremely helpful because it held me accountable and offered me genuine support and solutions.

• Sunshine: Nature’s free medicine for body, mind and spirit

  Wednesday, May 20, 2020

  Over the years, sunshine has gotten a bad rap. The fear of ultraviolet rays leading to skin cancer has often resulted in people not getting enough exposure to the sun. This is unfortunate, because sunlight is one’s of nature’s greatest and most abundant gifts. Research has shown there are proven emotional, cognitive and overall health benefits linked to catching some rays. Because of this, many doctors are now adopting the viewpoint that the advantages of regular sun exposure (without sunscreen) may balance out and even outweigh the risks.

• 5 key changes that will make your business more resilient

  Wednesday, May 06, 2020

  During the pandemic, the businesses that have been hit the hardest were nonessential businesses dependent on physical customer contact. This has forced many of these businesses to take a good hard look at their business model. Before, they may have been vulnerable to a natural disaster, but few ever expected that a pandemic would forcefully close their doors. What's being discovered is that it’s become necessary to let go of many of the old ways of doing things and even pivot when necessary, which may mean that a business may resemble nothing of its former self. So, what does that look like?

• 15 thought-provoking questions to help you make major life changes

  Wednesday, April 22, 2020

  For many people, returning to the lives they lived before the quarantine either isn't possible or isn't desirable. While for some this may be viewed with despair or dread, some are seeing this as the perfect opportunity to make big changes. In fact, this long period of social isolation can be an excellent time for assessing your relationships, living situations, work and overall life choices. In this article, I bring you the following thought-provoking questions to help you make the most of your exploration for the future.

• Making healthy food choices during quarantine

  Thursday, April 09, 2020

  Many of us have become adept at social distancing, washing our hands regularly, sanitizing our groceries and packages, and using Zoom to stay in touch with family and friends. Perhaps many are even making healthy food choices, but given the level of anxiety and uncertainty, I know that lots of people are stress eating and drinking. While sugary, high-carb foods and alcohol may offer a temporary feeling of relief, they wreak havoc on the immune system and over time contribute to feelings of lethargy, brain fog and exhaustion.

• How to stay connected (and have fun) while quarantined

  Wednesday, March 25, 2020

  Let's admit it: being quarantined — whether voluntary or mandatory — is difficult. Those who are living alone are in total isolation. Those who live with others are now together 24/7. Both extremes have their challenges. What they have in common is not being able to get together with close friends, family members, co-workers, neighbors, customers, students and so on. As the novelty of being home all day wears off, it's natural to feel frustrated, restless and lonely. This is when we need to find some creative ways to stay connected and, hopefully, have a little fun. Here are some suggestions to get you started.

• How to turn your suffering into an ally

  Thursday, March 12, 2020

  No one likes to suffer. Whether it's physical or emotional pain, we'd much rather avoid it, and often go to great lengths to do just that. But what if instead of trying to escape the experience, we looked at suffering as an ally that has come into our lives bearing gifts? I know that might sound trite or insensitive. But bear with me. Having personally experienced my share of intense suffering, I wouldn't dream of sugar coating it. Rather, my intention is to show how navigating suffering can be the way a surfer rides a wave.

• How being present can change — and possibly save — your life

  Thursday, February 27, 2020

  Sit down in any cafe, ride in an elevator, look in people's cars when they are stopped at a stoplight or observe college students walking on campus, and you'll notice one thing: the majority are checking their phones and not focusing on the present moment. As so much of our lives is now dominated by screen time, we've moved far away from living in the present. Even when not looking at a screen, many of us are lost in thought thinking about something that happened in the past or worrying about something that might happen in the future.

• Minimalism: A shifting of our priorities or an empty, fashionable trend?

  Monday, February 17, 2020

  Have you caught the decluttering bug yet? From Marie Kondo to websites based on minimalism, from tiny homes to van life, from the rise of the sharing economy to co-working, it appears that this trend is here to stay. But why is the desire to scale down and purge suddenly so inviting? One possibility is that it’s a reactive pendulum swing away from decades of unbridled materialism.

• Simple, proven ways to improve your memory

  Friday, January 31, 2020

  The thought of losing your memory is terrifying. I've witnessed this firsthand — my mother and my two grandmothers all had dementia. In the hope that we don't fall victim to the same fate, my sisters and I have become obsessed with finding strategies to keep our memories intact. Fortunately for us, research on the brain has helped discover ways to strengthen memory capacity. Here is a brief summary of some of the research out there.

• Considering giving up alcohol? You’re in good company

  Thursday, January 23, 2020

  For years now, people have been abstaining from alcohol during the month of January. This trend follows the typical pattern of people wanting to focus on health after holiday indulgences and failed resolutions from the previous year. Once the month is over, many return to their previous habits. This year is different. Now, there is a major trend toward eliminating alcohol altogether. So, why now?

• 10 health hacks for 2020

  Thursday, January 09, 2020

  A new year is upon us and with it typically comes the desire to get healthy. Here are some health hacks to give your healthy resolutions a jump-start! For example, if sitting is the new smoking, then it's essential to find creative ways to move. Instead of setting aside time to stretch or move, double up! Stretch while waiting for your coffee to brew in the morning, take a 10-minute walk during your lunch break, do yoga while watching television or talking on the phone, dance while doing housework, etc.

• Why you need to know about telomeres

  Tuesday, December 10, 2019

  Many of us know that long-term stress can affect our health, but did you know that it can also impact aging and longevity? Welcome to the world of telomeres. I first learned about telomeres in 2016, when I worked for a human potential physician that specialized in optimizing health through lifestyle changes. He was one of the first physicians in the country that built his practice around the awareness that lifestyle and behaviors impact one’s genetics.

• The undeniable health benefits of writing

  Wednesday, November 20, 2019

  I've been writing most of my adult life. I've been working with writers as a group facilitator and teacher for 30 years. In my experience, I can assert with confidence that writing changes lives. Studies have shown that writing has many health benefits. According to researcher and professor James Pennebaker, co-author of the book, "Opening Up by Writing it Down: How Expressive Writing Improves Health and Eases Emotional Pain," writing about life's challenges helps us heal physically and emotionally.

• Are IV vitamin drips right for you?

  Thursday, November 07, 2019

  Have you joined the IV drip craze? If so, you’re not alone. At the beginning of 2019, Good Morning America called IV vitamin drips one of the biggest health trends of the year. Doctors, nurses and entrepreneurs are getting in on the action. As a result, IV bars, lounges and clinics are popping up along with mobile units that come to your home or office. They’re offering everything from hangover cures to beauty enhancers and immune system boosts. Loyal fans spend thousands of dollars to get punctured, sometimes several times a month. But are they the miracles that they’re touted to be?

• A new way to improve your health: Move to a wellness community

  Wednesday, October 23, 2019

  Given that the average person spends 90% of their time indoors and loneliness has become epidemic, it makes sense that real estate is responding by changing the way it builds. In addition, the attention given to wellness is growing, so health-conscious homebuyers want to live in a place that supports their values. Also known as wellness lifestyle real estate and wellness communities, this new trend will be a $180 billion industry worldwide in 2022, according to a report by the Global Wellness Institute.

• CBD: Beyond the hype

  Friday, October 11, 2019

  Is CBD going mainstream? It sure appears that way. I live in the Western North Carolina mountains near Asheville, and CBD seems to be everywhere. Every time I turn around, I see another store selling some form of the beloved remedy. In the midst of all the buzz and media frenzy, many of us are wondering: Is there really something to CBD? Or is it just the latest health craze that, like lots of fad diets and quick-fix remedies, will come and go?

• The upside of grief

  Friday, September 27, 2019

  The loss of a loved one is a major event in one’s life. There’s no way to prepare for it or to lessen its emotional impact. It’s one of life’s inevitable natural disasters, leaving families in varying degrees of shock, disagreements over the deceased’s possessions and myriad casualties from regrets over things said, left unsaid or undone to the daunting task of adjusting to life without this person. There’s not much good to be found at the end of someone’s life…or is there?

• A simple health tip with wonderful benefits is right outside your door

  Wednesday, September 11, 2019

  An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report states that the average American spends 90% of their time indoors. Given that indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air, this isn’t good for our health. Since many of us work on our computers all day and work indoors, it can be easy to fall into the habit of going from our home to our car to our workplace back to our car and home, perhaps with some stops in between and little or no time at all outside. In today’s world, our desire for comfort often overrules our body’s need for fresh air, sunshine and exposure to the natural elements.

• Exercise can help relieve depression

  Wednesday, August 28, 2019

  In her TED Talk, "The brain changing benefits of exercise," Dr. Wendy Suzuki, neuroscientist and author of the book "Healthy Brain, Happy Life," says, "Exercise is the most transformative thing you can do for your brain." Moving our bodies helps our mood. It’s akin to taking an internal shower. Getting the blood moving flushes out our systems and brings oxygen to our muscles and organs, providing us with detoxifying benefits and endorphins. This connection between exercise and mood is especially important given that approximately 17% of people in the U.S. will suffer at least one major depressive episode during their lifetime.

• Yoga isn’t for everyone — here’s why

  Wednesday, August 14, 2019

  Yoga is more popular than ever. According to a 2017 National Health Interview Survey from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, the percentage of adults doing yoga in the U.S. jumped from 9.5% in 2012 to 14.3% in 2017. The Yoga Alliance reports that Americans spend $16 billion on yoga classes, clothing, equipment and accessories each year. As with any type of fitness program, injuries are possible. In fact, some people should avoid yoga altogether, or at the very least, be careful about which postures they do.

• Are you feeling stressed all the time? You may have Complex PTSD

  Thursday, July 25, 2019

  Most of us have heard of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is associated with a traumatic event that often gets triggered by some experience that brings up the intense emotions associated with that trauma. Symptoms include agitation, anxiety, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, and obsessive thinking. But what if there is ongoing or chronic stress? It may be what is called Complex PTSD. Complex PTSD typically arises when the trauma has happened over a significant period of time.

• If you’re too much of a people-pleaser, here’s how to fix it

  Thursday, July 11, 2019

  Are you a people-pleaser? Do you have a difficult time saying no? Do you put others' needs first and yours second? Do you have a difficult time being honest about what you want or need? You're not alone. We all do it to some degree. Because we are part of a family, a community and a culture, there is a lot of pressure to fit in, conform and not rock the boat. This can become a pattern, and it can feel daunting to change it because it feels normal, even if it’s also harmful. These simple steps can help you move in a new direction.

• Healthy eating at work: It may save your life

  Tuesday, July 02, 2019

  Poor eating habits and work seem to go hand in hand. Just ask my sister. She’s worked in the corporate headquarters for a large retailer for the past 10 years. I asked her how easy it was to eat healthy there. She said that it depended on what level of healthy I meant, and broke it down into three levels.

• The wonder of the vagus nerve and how it impacts your well-being

  Wednesday, June 19, 2019

  What is the vagus nerve? A 2013 article in Frontiers in Psychiatry describes it this way, "The vagus nerve represents the main component of the parasympathetic nervous system, which oversees a vast array of crucial bodily functions, including control of mood, immune response, digestion, and heart rate. It establishes one of the connections between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract and sends information about the state of the inner organs to the brain via afferent fibers." What does this have to do with stress? Everything.

• Alone, but not lonely: The rejuvenating benefits of solitude

  Thursday, June 06, 2019

  While loneliness is an epidemic in this country with half of Americans admitting they feel lonely, being alone isn’t all bad. In fact, it’s good. I’m not talking about extreme isolation here, which can severely impact mental and physical health. Instead, I’m talking about good, old-fashioned quiet time. However, with smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, computers, and most recently AI, are we ever really alone? A new field of study called interruption science, which studies how interruptions affect human performance, found that, on average, we are interrupted every 11 minutes and that it takes almost 25 minutes to recover from a phone call.

• If you haven’t tried EFT, you’re missing out on a great stress reliever

  Wednesday, May 15, 2019

  For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), it is a healing modality that involves systematic tapping of specific end points of the energy meridian system to diffuse the intensity of stressful emotions and create a state of overall well-being. EFT was founded by Gary Craig, who learned Thought Field Therapy from Dr. Richard Callahan, a clinical psychologist, in 1991. Four years later, Craig released his first EFT training and guide. Since then, numerous studies have shown that EFT works.

• 10 tips for beginning meditators

  Tuesday, April 30, 2019

  The number of people meditating in the U.S. is growing. A recent National Health Interview Survey found that, between 2012 and 2017, meditation by adults increased from 4.1 percent to 14.2 percent, while meditation by children increased from 0.6 percent to 5.4 percent. In addition to the obvious perks, such as increased calmness and emotional well-being, regular meditation may also reduce numerous physical symptoms such as high blood pressure, digestive issues and other stress-related illness. Given that there are so many different approaches to meditation, here are 10 tips to help you get started.