Had a super Happy New Year/catch-up chat with my best friend in SG that went from around midnight to one plus in the morning.
A meaningful phone conversation. It's the next best thing to being there in person.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Had a fantastic evening at C's place last night.
While Calvin, C's hubby and their boys and our girls had a ball in the toy room, C and I talked about her goals for 2012. The importance of the 'why'. How to ensure her goals don't go the way of most New Year's resolutions.
At the end of the two hours, I showed her what the available options were and took her through each of them. She asked how much private coaching would cost and I named the figure.
Speaking out my value with confidence reinforced my perception of what my work is all about. Perception is reality. Whatever we name takes on a life of its own, for good or ill. So why not speak what adds to the quality of life and choices of others?
I have now completed two Make 2012 Your Best Year Yet presentations, which means I am halfway through the challenge my NLP trainer Alice set us.
In Jan, I will do at least one more free workshop, maybe at the Plaza library and/or Point Cook library.
Then on to the next phase of my 2012 one-to-many strategy...
Paid workshops. Small group parent coaching. Private coaching.
While Calvin, C's hubby and their boys and our girls had a ball in the toy room, C and I talked about her goals for 2012. The importance of the 'why'. How to ensure her goals don't go the way of most New Year's resolutions.
At the end of the two hours, I showed her what the available options were and took her through each of them. She asked how much private coaching would cost and I named the figure.
Speaking out my value with confidence reinforced my perception of what my work is all about. Perception is reality. Whatever we name takes on a life of its own, for good or ill. So why not speak what adds to the quality of life and choices of others?
I have now completed two Make 2012 Your Best Year Yet presentations, which means I am halfway through the challenge my NLP trainer Alice set us.
In Jan, I will do at least one more free workshop, maybe at the Plaza library and/or Point Cook library.
Then on to the next phase of my 2012 one-to-many strategy...
Paid workshops. Small group parent coaching. Private coaching.
Monday, December 19, 2011
A month ago, I was wondering how I would fit it all in: hosting 3 groups of visitors from SG who were to be our house guests over a period of 3 weeks, which overlapped with my commitment to crew at the Dec Intake weekend at TCI and my 7-day NLP Practitioner training.
Tomorrow, the last of the visitors goes home.
And I managed to keep faith with my commitments.
The past 3 weeks have delivered so many valuable lessons about integrity, serving, generosity, behavioural flexibility, being true to self...
I've made new friends through my NLP training and crewing with TCI, and I know our lives will continue to intersect in meaningful ways.
Our house has gone strangely quiet, the Christmas tree and presents have been sorted, and we are looking forward to a well-deserved break. The kids are revelling in sleep-ins, play dates and fond memories of our visitors, especially their cousin Chloe. The most memorable time for the girls is when she came to stay.
Put two four year-old girls together and imagine the amount of mischief and joyful noise...
Miss J keeps wanting to go to SG to visit Chloe, while Chloe's mum tells us she wants to come back to Aus, haha. We are tentatively planning to holiday together next year or 2013.
On Sat night, our two families got together on Skype and it was hilarious watching the two girls 'messaging' each other - with a good deal of help from the mums. "How to spell ____?" And so on.
Tomorrow, the last of the visitors goes home.
And I managed to keep faith with my commitments.
The past 3 weeks have delivered so many valuable lessons about integrity, serving, generosity, behavioural flexibility, being true to self...
I've made new friends through my NLP training and crewing with TCI, and I know our lives will continue to intersect in meaningful ways.
Our house has gone strangely quiet, the Christmas tree and presents have been sorted, and we are looking forward to a well-deserved break. The kids are revelling in sleep-ins, play dates and fond memories of our visitors, especially their cousin Chloe. The most memorable time for the girls is when she came to stay.
Put two four year-old girls together and imagine the amount of mischief and joyful noise...
Miss J keeps wanting to go to SG to visit Chloe, while Chloe's mum tells us she wants to come back to Aus, haha. We are tentatively planning to holiday together next year or 2013.
On Sat night, our two families got together on Skype and it was hilarious watching the two girls 'messaging' each other - with a good deal of help from the mums. "How to spell ____?" And so on.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
HXUC held church council elections on 13 Nov and I am now Secretary.
It's v strange how it happened.
My good friend Kat nominated for the Asst Sec position, and asked if I would consider being Sec.
I had been dead set against being considered for CC because I heartily disapprove of meetings. Meetings are the worst time wasters, and don't I have enough on my plate with coaching triads, webinars, p/t work and ferrying the girls to and from school and after-school activities?
But when a respected brother who had nominated for Treasurer announced, "I propose Serena Tan for Secretary", and someone else said, "I second", I had to quickly decide.
I turned to confer with hubby. As usual, he said it was my decision to make. How helpful is that?!
I decided - against all logic and reason - to say yes. [Say Yes, Then Work Out How is one of our coaching mantras.]
Afterwards, my boss asked if I had felt "ambushed".
I reframed it to him (and myself) thus: secretarial work is an extension of the admin work I'm already doing for HXUC. It's something I can do. And it involves minute taking and dissemination once a month (or less, if my boss has his way and meetings are held only six times a year).
So...one more facet of my post-migration identity falls into place.
It's v strange how it happened.
My good friend Kat nominated for the Asst Sec position, and asked if I would consider being Sec.
I had been dead set against being considered for CC because I heartily disapprove of meetings. Meetings are the worst time wasters, and don't I have enough on my plate with coaching triads, webinars, p/t work and ferrying the girls to and from school and after-school activities?
But when a respected brother who had nominated for Treasurer announced, "I propose Serena Tan for Secretary", and someone else said, "I second", I had to quickly decide.
I turned to confer with hubby. As usual, he said it was my decision to make. How helpful is that?!
I decided - against all logic and reason - to say yes. [Say Yes, Then Work Out How is one of our coaching mantras.]
Afterwards, my boss asked if I had felt "ambushed".
I reframed it to him (and myself) thus: secretarial work is an extension of the admin work I'm already doing for HXUC. It's something I can do. And it involves minute taking and dissemination once a month (or less, if my boss has his way and meetings are held only six times a year).
So...one more facet of my post-migration identity falls into place.
Am grateful for the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone this week.
First, our regular house guest Annie brought her friend C for the trip. Have surprised myself by stepping easily into the role of hostess and helping her settle in and get acquainted with our household routine. It certainly helps that C is one of those very easygoing types who prefer following to leading.
My inner coach has also stepped up to the plate, noticing things C says, how she says them, asking for clarification, always curious, non-judging and ready to challenge surface comments for the intent behind them. Annie has commented that I've asked some very interesting questions.
Second...since starting J at Paul Sadler, I've yet to form a bond with any of the mums there. They all seem to know each other and to stay in their little cliques. The weekly routine of meet-and-greet at the pool can make the quieter ones feel left out.
But today, I finally met someone I could click with.
A Lebanese mum whose youngest daughter joined J's class for a make-up lesson. She sat two seats away from me, and when our eyes met, she smiled. That gave me the courage to smile back and initiate conversation.
Before I knew it, we were chatting easily about school, daycare, raising teen and pre-teen daughters, strict moral and parenting standards, languages...The stuff parents bond readily over.
I looked over at J and her classmates in the pool...and discovered she was chatting with my new friend's daughter. Felt so proud of J and so in awe. At her age, I would never have dared to talk to someone I'd never met. And there they were, chatting naturally like they were already friends.
Don't know if I'll ever see the family again, but one thing's for sure. When we do, we'll just take up the thread of the conversation and carry on from where we paused.
And it'll be effortless.
First, our regular house guest Annie brought her friend C for the trip. Have surprised myself by stepping easily into the role of hostess and helping her settle in and get acquainted with our household routine. It certainly helps that C is one of those very easygoing types who prefer following to leading.
My inner coach has also stepped up to the plate, noticing things C says, how she says them, asking for clarification, always curious, non-judging and ready to challenge surface comments for the intent behind them. Annie has commented that I've asked some very interesting questions.
Second...since starting J at Paul Sadler, I've yet to form a bond with any of the mums there. They all seem to know each other and to stay in their little cliques. The weekly routine of meet-and-greet at the pool can make the quieter ones feel left out.
But today, I finally met someone I could click with.
A Lebanese mum whose youngest daughter joined J's class for a make-up lesson. She sat two seats away from me, and when our eyes met, she smiled. That gave me the courage to smile back and initiate conversation.
Before I knew it, we were chatting easily about school, daycare, raising teen and pre-teen daughters, strict moral and parenting standards, languages...The stuff parents bond readily over.
I looked over at J and her classmates in the pool...and discovered she was chatting with my new friend's daughter. Felt so proud of J and so in awe. At her age, I would never have dared to talk to someone I'd never met. And there they were, chatting naturally like they were already friends.
Don't know if I'll ever see the family again, but one thing's for sure. When we do, we'll just take up the thread of the conversation and carry on from where we paused.
And it'll be effortless.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Who is my boss?
God Owns My Business
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
10-09-2011"So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? (Luke 16:11).
Although he was an innovator in the reclamation of silver in the photographic process, Stanley Tam of Lima, Ohio, is best known for his commitment to Jesus Christ. A large sign adorning the home of United States Plastic Corporation proclaims "Christ Is the Answer," and Tam's widely read book, God Owns My Business, describes how he arrived at the conviction that he should legally make God the literal owner of his business.
Tam, who has traveled throughout the country and world to testify about his Christian faith, is one who is willing to "put his money where his mouth is." Although his business success could have made him a millionaire many times over, he and his wife, Juanita, draw only modest salaries from U.S. Plastics. All profits are channeled through the Stanita Foundation, with those funds designated for a variety of Christian ministries, primarily overseas missions.
In the fall of 1954, Tam was speaking at a revival meeting in Medellin, Colombia when God confronted him in a supernatural way. God let him know He wanted him to turn the business over to Him completely and become His employee. So, on January 15, 1955, Stanley Tam ceased being a stockholder in either of his companies, States Smelting and Refining Corporation or United States Plastic Corporation.
In order to do this God had to deal with one area in his life.
"I have always enjoyed making money, and God knew that. Had He left me undisturbed in this area, I could have become a proud, materialistic, self-centered spiritual misfit. In asking of me the submission of the greatest drive of my life, He removed a blighting influence and replaced it with an inner peace and satisfaction such as I could never have known otherwise. I don't think there is such a thing as a part-time Christian; we are all in full-time ministry. We each need to ask God to take our vocation and make it a ministry. And if we ask Him, He will do it."*
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
10-09-2011"So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? (Luke 16:11).
Although he was an innovator in the reclamation of silver in the photographic process, Stanley Tam of Lima, Ohio, is best known for his commitment to Jesus Christ. A large sign adorning the home of United States Plastic Corporation proclaims "Christ Is the Answer," and Tam's widely read book, God Owns My Business, describes how he arrived at the conviction that he should legally make God the literal owner of his business.
Tam, who has traveled throughout the country and world to testify about his Christian faith, is one who is willing to "put his money where his mouth is." Although his business success could have made him a millionaire many times over, he and his wife, Juanita, draw only modest salaries from U.S. Plastics. All profits are channeled through the Stanita Foundation, with those funds designated for a variety of Christian ministries, primarily overseas missions.
In the fall of 1954, Tam was speaking at a revival meeting in Medellin, Colombia when God confronted him in a supernatural way. God let him know He wanted him to turn the business over to Him completely and become His employee. So, on January 15, 1955, Stanley Tam ceased being a stockholder in either of his companies, States Smelting and Refining Corporation or United States Plastic Corporation.
In order to do this God had to deal with one area in his life.
"I have always enjoyed making money, and God knew that. Had He left me undisturbed in this area, I could have become a proud, materialistic, self-centered spiritual misfit. In asking of me the submission of the greatest drive of my life, He removed a blighting influence and replaced it with an inner peace and satisfaction such as I could never have known otherwise. I don't think there is such a thing as a part-time Christian; we are all in full-time ministry. We each need to ask God to take our vocation and make it a ministry. And if we ask Him, He will do it."*
Does God
own your business or your work life? If not, why not make that decision
today and let Him use your work life for His glory.
*Adapted from "The Complete Christian Businessman" an interview with Stanley Tam Wolgemuth & Hyatt, Publishers, Inc.
Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.
*Adapted from "The Complete Christian Businessman" an interview with Stanley Tam Wolgemuth & Hyatt, Publishers, Inc.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Just had an incredible lightbulb moment while listening to Marcia Wieder.
My focus for the past 3 months has been about how can I get paying clients, how can I have recurring and abundant income, how can I market myself and reach more people who are looking for what I can give.
And by the way, did I mention that my job is making a positive difference in the quality of people's lives?
What if it was the other way around...
"I help people fulfill their dreams, and in taking care of them, my own dreams are fulfilled."
As vocal awareness expert Arthur Joseph puts it, the right order is SURRENDER - SERVE - SOAR, not SERVE - SOAR - SURRENDER.
My focus for the past 3 months has been about how can I get paying clients, how can I have recurring and abundant income, how can I market myself and reach more people who are looking for what I can give.
And by the way, did I mention that my job is making a positive difference in the quality of people's lives?
What if it was the other way around...
"I help people fulfill their dreams, and in taking care of them, my own dreams are fulfilled."
As vocal awareness expert Arthur Joseph puts it, the right order is SURRENDER - SERVE - SOAR, not SERVE - SOAR - SURRENDER.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Why Did I Bother?
On Tue, I went to my first ever Wyndham Biznet function.
My accountant encouraged me to go.
So did a school mum whose accounting firm is represented.
And a bank executive I met at the Small Biz Festival last month.
And the Biz Devt Officer at council, who even explained what to expect on the night and how to make the most of networking opportunities.
Trouble was: I had no idea how to dress up for the occasion.
It's been 6 years since I've had to present myself as a professional person. Since coming to Aus, I've attended ONE wedding, and that occasion caused me quite a few internal dramas too because I realized all the young people were naturals at the eyeshadow, mascara and hair curling/straightening stuff. And I'm clueless.
10 minutes to leaving time, I was still fussing over outfits and trying to get my face to look made up and my hair to behave.
Why did I never pay attention to these important life skills when I was in my 20's?
Oh but wait, I wouldn't have known who to ask anyway. And my job didn't require me to put my best face forward too much.
Hubby told me to just relax and go have a good time.
And in the end, that's just what I did.
My coaching muscles got a pretty rigorous workout too.
I practised my listening skills (very hard when you're doing the "Do I look okay?" "Wonder what they think of me?" self-talk) and focussed on being 100% present.
I asked questions that showed curiosity about the other person.
I embraced the fear of not belonging, and ended the night making some fantastic one-on-one connections with people who looked friendly and approachable.
When they asked who was new, I raised my hand, took the mic and introduced myself and my coaching business. I could feel my face burning as I spoke, but I made the effort to be as articulate and authentic as possible and to let my conviction shine through.
Afterwards, several people told me I had spoken really well and that the issues I had raised were common problems we experience and they could think of friends etc who could really use my services.
One of the highlights of the evening was discovering that the guest speaker - retired minister of the church and author Noel McCrea - was someone I knew.
We'd met 2 years ago at the gym and were in the same Body Balance class every week for several months.
I loved his friendly smiles, his energy and attitude, his friendliness towards the other members, and the way he fully participated in every class.
Until I dropped out.
Noel never forgot it, and when he rose to deliver his speech, he made it a point to acknowledge his friend "Serena - the gym dropout".
Instant notoriety!
It was great to be able to go over to his table and say hi to him, his wife and friends, and to see the fantastic support and encouragement they gave him: positive feedback on his speech; helping him collect the money for book sales... What a great way to live at 82!
If I do no other business networking, I think showing up regularly to Biznet and contributing through it would be a very doable way to establish my presence in the community.
My accountant encouraged me to go.
So did a school mum whose accounting firm is represented.
And a bank executive I met at the Small Biz Festival last month.
And the Biz Devt Officer at council, who even explained what to expect on the night and how to make the most of networking opportunities.
Trouble was: I had no idea how to dress up for the occasion.
It's been 6 years since I've had to present myself as a professional person. Since coming to Aus, I've attended ONE wedding, and that occasion caused me quite a few internal dramas too because I realized all the young people were naturals at the eyeshadow, mascara and hair curling/straightening stuff. And I'm clueless.
10 minutes to leaving time, I was still fussing over outfits and trying to get my face to look made up and my hair to behave.
Why did I never pay attention to these important life skills when I was in my 20's?
Oh but wait, I wouldn't have known who to ask anyway. And my job didn't require me to put my best face forward too much.
Hubby told me to just relax and go have a good time.
And in the end, that's just what I did.
My coaching muscles got a pretty rigorous workout too.
I practised my listening skills (very hard when you're doing the "Do I look okay?" "Wonder what they think of me?" self-talk) and focussed on being 100% present.
I asked questions that showed curiosity about the other person.
I embraced the fear of not belonging, and ended the night making some fantastic one-on-one connections with people who looked friendly and approachable.
When they asked who was new, I raised my hand, took the mic and introduced myself and my coaching business. I could feel my face burning as I spoke, but I made the effort to be as articulate and authentic as possible and to let my conviction shine through.
Afterwards, several people told me I had spoken really well and that the issues I had raised were common problems we experience and they could think of friends etc who could really use my services.
One of the highlights of the evening was discovering that the guest speaker - retired minister of the church and author Noel McCrea - was someone I knew.
We'd met 2 years ago at the gym and were in the same Body Balance class every week for several months.
I loved his friendly smiles, his energy and attitude, his friendliness towards the other members, and the way he fully participated in every class.
Until I dropped out.
Noel never forgot it, and when he rose to deliver his speech, he made it a point to acknowledge his friend "Serena - the gym dropout".
Instant notoriety!
It was great to be able to go over to his table and say hi to him, his wife and friends, and to see the fantastic support and encouragement they gave him: positive feedback on his speech; helping him collect the money for book sales... What a great way to live at 82!
If I do no other business networking, I think showing up regularly to Biznet and contributing through it would be a very doable way to establish my presence in the community.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
My triad with VO and LM has just wrapped up.
Can't believe we've actually done 9 sessions and had 2 mentors listen in. What a journey it's been coming up with a realistic coaching scenario every week for 9 weeks.
So I've just said yes to LB who recently put out a call for help, and will be coaching her triad. We start on Monday.
My triad with NB and JN has just completed its 3rd session after several interval breaks, and this Fri, we'll have our first mentor coach on board. Exciting.
My other triad with JW and YH - which has been the most challenging and uncomfortable for me - will complete its 6th session tomorrow and then a new mentor coach comes on.
To prepare for Friday's 4-way call, I've finally joined the iPhone club. My iPhone 4 arrived yesterday after a week of playing tag with TNT. Got my new micro SIM card from Vodaphone at the Plaza and rang Three to get it activated. The customer service guy says my iPhone will be in service after an hour. After that comes the fun part: playing with my new phone. Might need the help of my teenage friends to get it up asap.
I realize I'm loving this coaching triad busyness. Saying yes to coaching another triad will give me an additional 9 hours of skills practice.
Hubby says I should be getting more paid clients instead of pro bonos. That's easy for him to say!!
Can't believe we've actually done 9 sessions and had 2 mentors listen in. What a journey it's been coming up with a realistic coaching scenario every week for 9 weeks.
So I've just said yes to LB who recently put out a call for help, and will be coaching her triad. We start on Monday.
My triad with NB and JN has just completed its 3rd session after several interval breaks, and this Fri, we'll have our first mentor coach on board. Exciting.
My other triad with JW and YH - which has been the most challenging and uncomfortable for me - will complete its 6th session tomorrow and then a new mentor coach comes on.
To prepare for Friday's 4-way call, I've finally joined the iPhone club. My iPhone 4 arrived yesterday after a week of playing tag with TNT. Got my new micro SIM card from Vodaphone at the Plaza and rang Three to get it activated. The customer service guy says my iPhone will be in service after an hour. After that comes the fun part: playing with my new phone. Might need the help of my teenage friends to get it up asap.
I realize I'm loving this coaching triad busyness. Saying yes to coaching another triad will give me an additional 9 hours of skills practice.
Hubby says I should be getting more paid clients instead of pro bonos. That's easy for him to say!!
Friday, August 19, 2011
The Magic of Not Knowing
I love serendipity.
I love the magic that happens when you let go and just trust in the right people and opportunities to flow to you.
On Wed, I was due to meet with the rep of a local newspaper to discuss a possible spot in a feature they are doing. Had no idea what it was about or even how he found me but said yes anyway.
So I rock up to Werribee Baptist before 2 pm and no one's there. I chat with the admin lady, who like me works p/t for the church, and start forming a lovely rapport with a lovely individual. Our conversation ends with her inviting me over for a cuppa the next time I'm at work.
I wait another 15 mins, and conclude that said person must be stuck in traffic or lost his way in the rain or maybe in an accident (oh dear!). When I get home, I call and leave a voice message for the person asking if he's okay.
I also decide that I'm going to let go of the outcome of this and not try to chase up on the matter.
Today, I get a call from said rep to find out what happened on Wed. Turns out he went to the Anglican Church on Synnot St and wondered why it was closed! We had a good laugh and right there on the line I felt a warm fuzzy feeling and the beginnings of rapport forming.
We've now made an appointment to meet up next Wed. Same time, same place, and this time he promises to look up the address and have my mobile number with him.
I finally got to ask him The Question: how'd you get my number?
"Oh, from the Council database."
"The Business Directory?"
"Yep, that's the one."
There's a good reason why the Business Development Officer at the Council kept encouraging me to get on the database, and I've emailed to let her know she was right!
I love the magic that happens when you let go and just trust in the right people and opportunities to flow to you.
On Wed, I was due to meet with the rep of a local newspaper to discuss a possible spot in a feature they are doing. Had no idea what it was about or even how he found me but said yes anyway.
So I rock up to Werribee Baptist before 2 pm and no one's there. I chat with the admin lady, who like me works p/t for the church, and start forming a lovely rapport with a lovely individual. Our conversation ends with her inviting me over for a cuppa the next time I'm at work.
I wait another 15 mins, and conclude that said person must be stuck in traffic or lost his way in the rain or maybe in an accident (oh dear!). When I get home, I call and leave a voice message for the person asking if he's okay.
I also decide that I'm going to let go of the outcome of this and not try to chase up on the matter.
Today, I get a call from said rep to find out what happened on Wed. Turns out he went to the Anglican Church on Synnot St and wondered why it was closed! We had a good laugh and right there on the line I felt a warm fuzzy feeling and the beginnings of rapport forming.
We've now made an appointment to meet up next Wed. Same time, same place, and this time he promises to look up the address and have my mobile number with him.
I finally got to ask him The Question: how'd you get my number?
"Oh, from the Council database."
"The Business Directory?"
"Yep, that's the one."
There's a good reason why the Business Development Officer at the Council kept encouraging me to get on the database, and I've emailed to let her know she was right!
Thursday, August 04, 2011
Accomplishments and Fun Things To Come
This week, I...
- had a chat with a dear lady who came to see me about coaching because she thinks she can do more with her life (did I mention she's 70+ yo??)
- called two people to account over their personal and business standards (when I normally would have shrugged it off because I wanted to avoid being confrontational)
- opened my business bank account
- connected with various lovely business owners on FB and bought a birthday present off one of them for my BFF (hope she loves it!)
- offered a free Personal Goal Setting session to all my FB likers (just another way to reach out!)
- received a surprise thank-you gift from an overseas client, to say she appreciated the pro bono coaching I've given her
- attended an ATO seminar, acted as if I was the host and initiated conversation, gave away biz cards, made my 30-second elevator pitch in new ways and got to know some local womenpreneurs
- got Jim's Mowers in to remove the weeds and tidy the backyard so it looks much more presentable and inviting
- finished in the office today so I have tomorrow afternoon off while Miss J is at kindy...yay :)
- had a surprise accountability call from TCI which made me feel so validated and positive about my biz
- signed up to crew for the Dec intake with TCI (a huge step because there's no changing your mind once you say yes, it's gonna mean 3 11-hour days, I'll need solid childcare arrangements, and I am thinking of stepping up enough to drive myself to the city and home since it's daylight savings)
- added my details to the I Am A Business Owner In Victoria group on FB
- coffee chat tomorrow with a delightful young friend who has shown a great interest in my coaching journey
- appointment with Wyndham Council on Mon to see the biz devt officer about all the resources and opportunities available to new biz
- tomorrow night's needs assessment phone session with someone I met at a seminar more than 2 months ago and developed a rapport with
- working out my biz vision and mission statement after tonight's webinar with the ever-helpful and generous coach Meg Filip.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Step Up!
Throughout my training with TCI, we coaches have been exhorted to Step Up.
This is a phrase that hasn't been part of my vocab till now. Just another thing I've never really thought about.
Then yesterday when I was in the office, my boss came up to me to deliver his last-minute instructions before taking off for the next five weeks. And he said I had to Step Up To The Plate now that I'm paid staff. His idea of stepping up includes chasing people to make sure they follow through with what they are supposed to be doing. (And I thought I'd signed up just to do filing, produce the weekly newsletter and arrange duty rosters!)
I can tell you right off that telling people what to do is one of those things in my Don't Like folder, from back when I was in a leadership position at work. I'd much rather work on my own and accomplish my own goals, thank you.
But now I find myself Stepping Up in new ways.
This week, a fellow coach raved about how she loves my career website because it's so organized and informative and thorough. We got talking about how I might be able to help someone like her who is time-poor and doesn't write effortlessly. So tonight we're having a further chat to discuss how I can provide her with content for her new website.
For me, Stepping Up means not just saying yes to the opportunity to turn my writing skills into a possible niche, but also recognizing that if I want to help my friend create an effective online presence, I have to start learning all about social media and SEO and all the techie stuff I've put on my Someday list.
It's not enough to be just a good writer of content; I need to be a great writer - one who knows all about which keyword to use and where - for the benefit of my clients.
And guess what happened?
As I went through my inbox last night, I clicked on an email by David Riklan of SelfGrowth.com, and it was a video presentation by Ryan Deiss about his partner Kate Buck Jr, some successful Social Media Manager. Riveting story...but the best thing about it was its timeliness. I'm being offered an opportunity to learn all about social media marketing and to even have my own biz if I want. All the templates, audios, videos and support I need come with the package if I say yes.
So what did I do?
Said yes of course.
I want to learn about FB marketing and how to position myself and my brand so I can be found online. Last I looked, my new FB biz fan page had just 11 likes. Not enough to have my own username (you need 25 likes at least). Very sad. This is feedback (not failure!), so what do Ineed to do about it to become someone that others would happily click the Like button for even if they don't know me?
That's partly why I said yes to Kate.
And if I can succeed at creating a strong FB and Twitter etc presence for myself, imagine what I could do for my clients!
A coach who also provides writing services and helps her clients create a strong online presence so their businesses can soar.
How cool is that?
Then this morning, I received an email from an ex-client asking if I could teach her how to pray.
And I thought, wow, spiritual coaching - another niche?
And I am having to Step Up again.
Because other than the Lord's Prayer and what I've learned from years of being a Christian, what do I really know about prayer?
So I did the next best thing. I made a time to chat more fully over the phone, and meanwhile you can be sure I'll be reading up everything I can about prayer and how to pray effectively.
That's my definition of Stepping Up.
This is a phrase that hasn't been part of my vocab till now. Just another thing I've never really thought about.
Then yesterday when I was in the office, my boss came up to me to deliver his last-minute instructions before taking off for the next five weeks. And he said I had to Step Up To The Plate now that I'm paid staff. His idea of stepping up includes chasing people to make sure they follow through with what they are supposed to be doing. (And I thought I'd signed up just to do filing, produce the weekly newsletter and arrange duty rosters!)
I can tell you right off that telling people what to do is one of those things in my Don't Like folder, from back when I was in a leadership position at work. I'd much rather work on my own and accomplish my own goals, thank you.
But now I find myself Stepping Up in new ways.
This week, a fellow coach raved about how she loves my career website because it's so organized and informative and thorough. We got talking about how I might be able to help someone like her who is time-poor and doesn't write effortlessly. So tonight we're having a further chat to discuss how I can provide her with content for her new website.
For me, Stepping Up means not just saying yes to the opportunity to turn my writing skills into a possible niche, but also recognizing that if I want to help my friend create an effective online presence, I have to start learning all about social media and SEO and all the techie stuff I've put on my Someday list.
It's not enough to be just a good writer of content; I need to be a great writer - one who knows all about which keyword to use and where - for the benefit of my clients.
And guess what happened?
As I went through my inbox last night, I clicked on an email by David Riklan of SelfGrowth.com, and it was a video presentation by Ryan Deiss about his partner Kate Buck Jr, some successful Social Media Manager. Riveting story...but the best thing about it was its timeliness. I'm being offered an opportunity to learn all about social media marketing and to even have my own biz if I want. All the templates, audios, videos and support I need come with the package if I say yes.
So what did I do?
Said yes of course.
I want to learn about FB marketing and how to position myself and my brand so I can be found online. Last I looked, my new FB biz fan page had just 11 likes. Not enough to have my own username (you need 25 likes at least). Very sad. This is feedback (not failure!), so what do Ineed to do about it to become someone that others would happily click the Like button for even if they don't know me?
That's partly why I said yes to Kate.
And if I can succeed at creating a strong FB and Twitter etc presence for myself, imagine what I could do for my clients!
A coach who also provides writing services and helps her clients create a strong online presence so their businesses can soar.
How cool is that?
Then this morning, I received an email from an ex-client asking if I could teach her how to pray.
And I thought, wow, spiritual coaching - another niche?
And I am having to Step Up again.
Because other than the Lord's Prayer and what I've learned from years of being a Christian, what do I really know about prayer?
So I did the next best thing. I made a time to chat more fully over the phone, and meanwhile you can be sure I'll be reading up everything I can about prayer and how to pray effectively.
That's my definition of Stepping Up.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
What Does Success Mean To You?
On tonight's Conversations With A Master Coach webinar, the facilitator asked how we celebrate the successes and little milestones on our coaching journey.
I'll just blog about mine here.
I can think of at least two successes I want to give myself a pat on the back for today.
One. I had a Parent-Teacher Interview this afternoon and couldn't really think of what to ask Beth's teacher, except to give her a heads up about the possibility that we might be changing schools next year.
She was understandably taken aback, concerned and sorry at the prospect of losing an academically inclined student, but fully understood that there are some decisions we just have to make.
Confession: I am and have always been a sook. The kind of person who cries over other people's sad stories, when watching sad movies, or because the other person is crying. I can't trust myself to hold it in and maintain a dignified appearance, however hard I try to program myself internally. I'm just wired that way.
But today, as I watched the panorama of emotion unfold on the teacher's face and read in it compassion, kindness and sincerity from one human to another, I felt a surge of power from within.
The imbalance that usually puts me on edge when I'm in the presence of an authoritative figure...Gone.
The physical tremors and feeling of coldness that usually come over me when I feel I have to defend or justify my actions...Gone.
The tears that automatically well up when I'm on the receiving end of someone's pity, which somehow triggers a "Poor me" reaction which makes me feel even more helpless and hopeless...Gone.
In its place was a sense of personal power, purpose and focus. I was actually able to manage my state and communicate as one equal to another. That to me is amazing because I tend to be easily overawed by others, especially authority figures like teachers, officials, religious leaders, and just anyone who seems supremely confident and certain of themselves.
Our little 15-minute chat went overtime because we were both so intensely in sync - for the first time all year - talking not only about Beth, but also about what I am doing in terms of career and studies. The teacher's curiosity gave me the opportunity to share about my coaching training and what coaching means and how it helps others. I was even able to give her a link to where I post the articles I write.
Two. I decided to email the teacher to say thank you.
But I didn't stop there, as I normally do.
I decided to make a reference to what we'd discussed by inserting two little 'P.S.'es: a link to my career website with a request for feedback, and an invitation to chat further about how my coaching knowledge might help the school community.
That latter bit, the call to action and the implied putting myself out there ("This is me, Serena Tan, doing what I love and looking to share it with those who are ready and willing to change"), is another milestone for me.
I have spent most of my life being invisible by choice, for fear of being in the spotlight. But I know I am doing myself and others a disservice if I fail to let my light shine. So even though I feel the fear (of the unknown, of not being good enough etc etc), I am doing it anyway.
Embracing the uncertainty.
Saying yes and working out how as I go along.
Forcing the ripple effect with one conscious, purposeful act.
Just to see where it leads.
Because I want to know where playing at 100% will take me to.
And if it doesn't work out, it's not failure. It's only feedback, nothing personal.
Two simple acts inspired in part by the life-changing training and resources TCI has given me.
This - to me - is Success.
What is your definition of Success?
I'll just blog about mine here.
I can think of at least two successes I want to give myself a pat on the back for today.
One. I had a Parent-Teacher Interview this afternoon and couldn't really think of what to ask Beth's teacher, except to give her a heads up about the possibility that we might be changing schools next year.
She was understandably taken aback, concerned and sorry at the prospect of losing an academically inclined student, but fully understood that there are some decisions we just have to make.
Confession: I am and have always been a sook. The kind of person who cries over other people's sad stories, when watching sad movies, or because the other person is crying. I can't trust myself to hold it in and maintain a dignified appearance, however hard I try to program myself internally. I'm just wired that way.
But today, as I watched the panorama of emotion unfold on the teacher's face and read in it compassion, kindness and sincerity from one human to another, I felt a surge of power from within.
The imbalance that usually puts me on edge when I'm in the presence of an authoritative figure...Gone.
The physical tremors and feeling of coldness that usually come over me when I feel I have to defend or justify my actions...Gone.
The tears that automatically well up when I'm on the receiving end of someone's pity, which somehow triggers a "Poor me" reaction which makes me feel even more helpless and hopeless...Gone.
In its place was a sense of personal power, purpose and focus. I was actually able to manage my state and communicate as one equal to another. That to me is amazing because I tend to be easily overawed by others, especially authority figures like teachers, officials, religious leaders, and just anyone who seems supremely confident and certain of themselves.
Our little 15-minute chat went overtime because we were both so intensely in sync - for the first time all year - talking not only about Beth, but also about what I am doing in terms of career and studies. The teacher's curiosity gave me the opportunity to share about my coaching training and what coaching means and how it helps others. I was even able to give her a link to where I post the articles I write.
Two. I decided to email the teacher to say thank you.
But I didn't stop there, as I normally do.
I decided to make a reference to what we'd discussed by inserting two little 'P.S.'es: a link to my career website with a request for feedback, and an invitation to chat further about how my coaching knowledge might help the school community.
That latter bit, the call to action and the implied putting myself out there ("This is me, Serena Tan, doing what I love and looking to share it with those who are ready and willing to change"), is another milestone for me.
I have spent most of my life being invisible by choice, for fear of being in the spotlight. But I know I am doing myself and others a disservice if I fail to let my light shine. So even though I feel the fear (of the unknown, of not being good enough etc etc), I am doing it anyway.
Embracing the uncertainty.
Saying yes and working out how as I go along.
Forcing the ripple effect with one conscious, purposeful act.
Just to see where it leads.
Because I want to know where playing at 100% will take me to.
And if it doesn't work out, it's not failure. It's only feedback, nothing personal.
Two simple acts inspired in part by the life-changing training and resources TCI has given me.
This - to me - is Success.
What is your definition of Success?
Monday, July 18, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Received some positive feedback from my boss and our Church Council chairman over the weekend.
It's a great feeling and makes me want to keep doing better in my new job.
My boss is going to be overseas the next couple of weeks, which I means I'm in charge of publishing the newsletter and running the office.
I've started compiling manuals and procedures to help me keep track of where everything important is, so everything continues to run smoothly in his absence.
Lots of gray areas and new questions keep popping up. Steep learning curve. But with God's help and the help of my church family, I know I can nail this. I'm gonna focus on the opportunities in the challenge and on making a difference in the wellbeing of our leaders and the running of our church.
It's a great feeling and makes me want to keep doing better in my new job.
My boss is going to be overseas the next couple of weeks, which I means I'm in charge of publishing the newsletter and running the office.
I've started compiling manuals and procedures to help me keep track of where everything important is, so everything continues to run smoothly in his absence.
Lots of gray areas and new questions keep popping up. Steep learning curve. But with God's help and the help of my church family, I know I can nail this. I'm gonna focus on the opportunities in the challenge and on making a difference in the wellbeing of our leaders and the running of our church.
Meeting mortgage broker next week to sign docs for refinancing of home loan.
Had some misgivings after we gave him the green light to go ahead with loan application. After all the reading we've done, realized we (still) didn't really understand x-collateralization, line of credit vs offset vs redraw, standalone loans, implications of mixing personal funds with investment funds...
In the midst of getting a second opinion from a mortgage broker who is himself a property investor.
On the home front, bro-in-law and real estate agent called today to say they were at HDB for the first appointment. As our sale is a 'negative sales proceeds' transaction, we have to refund the $5k downpayment and deposit to HDB. Am getting BIL to pay first and we'll ETF him the money.
Buyers have asked to have the flat early to begin renovation. The agent has advised that we say yes subject to buyers assume responsibility for anything that might go wrong before settlement, and also get their contractors to clear any belongings still there that they don't want.
It's great to have a professional and ethical RE agent on our side for a change!
Had some misgivings after we gave him the green light to go ahead with loan application. After all the reading we've done, realized we (still) didn't really understand x-collateralization, line of credit vs offset vs redraw, standalone loans, implications of mixing personal funds with investment funds...
In the midst of getting a second opinion from a mortgage broker who is himself a property investor.
On the home front, bro-in-law and real estate agent called today to say they were at HDB for the first appointment. As our sale is a 'negative sales proceeds' transaction, we have to refund the $5k downpayment and deposit to HDB. Am getting BIL to pay first and we'll ETF him the money.
Buyers have asked to have the flat early to begin renovation. The agent has advised that we say yes subject to buyers assume responsibility for anything that might go wrong before settlement, and also get their contractors to clear any belongings still there that they don't want.
It's great to have a professional and ethical RE agent on our side for a change!
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
How good is this?
Just received an email from LearnOutLoud.com offering a podcast by Joyce Meyer.
Can't remember why or how, but I was listening to some Paraliminal CDs by Paul Scheele in preparation for tonight's coaching session, and thinking how about feeding myself spiritually by listening to audio recordings of God's Word.
I know Koorong has recordings of the Bible in mp3 downloads and CD format, but they are usually read by guys, and I specifically wanted a female voice.
More specifically: a mellow, listenable female voice.
And the first female Christian that came to mind was...Joyce Meyer.
I've never heard her speak. I only know of her through friends who are fans of her books.
Now I'm going to listen to her podcast and find out if she's the one.
Just received an email from LearnOutLoud.com offering a podcast by Joyce Meyer.
Can't remember why or how, but I was listening to some Paraliminal CDs by Paul Scheele in preparation for tonight's coaching session, and thinking how about feeding myself spiritually by listening to audio recordings of God's Word.
I know Koorong has recordings of the Bible in mp3 downloads and CD format, but they are usually read by guys, and I specifically wanted a female voice.
More specifically: a mellow, listenable female voice.
And the first female Christian that came to mind was...Joyce Meyer.
I've never heard her speak. I only know of her through friends who are fans of her books.
Now I'm going to listen to her podcast and find out if she's the one.
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Coaching: 2nd session
Just finished my second coaching session via Skype.
This time I prepped myself by listening to classical music. Found a great new station: Venice Classic Radio.
I also made sure I was open to Client talking about what was on her mind rather than what I had planned. When she apologized for going off track, I assured her she was not off track at all, and simply affirmed her desire to tackle that particular issue.
Some comments from client:
wahhhh..... good idea! I will do that!
okie I will keep your tips in mind. Thanks so much! I feel so much relieved!
Client is to email me the homeplay assignment from last week and her feedback on tonight.
This time I prepped myself by listening to classical music. Found a great new station: Venice Classic Radio.
I also made sure I was open to Client talking about what was on her mind rather than what I had planned. When she apologized for going off track, I assured her she was not off track at all, and simply affirmed her desire to tackle that particular issue.
Some comments from client:
wahhhh..... good idea! I will do that!
okie I will keep your tips in mind. Thanks so much! I feel so much relieved!
Client is to email me the homeplay assignment from last week and her feedback on tonight.
Just trawled through the Sg Employment Act and was disappointed to find that the provisions do not deal with what happens when an employee is discriminated against or subjected to verbal abuse in the workplace.
It's all about what's in the contract of service and disputes over money.
Will have another look at it again in case I missed something.
Am curious to know what legal recourse, if any, an employee has if he/she has a boss who habitually uses vulgarities at work, tells dirty jokes in the hearing of staff and shows displeasure if the offended employee walks out.
It's all about what's in the contract of service and disputes over money.
Will have another look at it again in case I missed something.
Am curious to know what legal recourse, if any, an employee has if he/she has a boss who habitually uses vulgarities at work, tells dirty jokes in the hearing of staff and shows displeasure if the offended employee walks out.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Just completed my first coaching session since I started the Dip in Life Coaching with TCI. The student support people are very pleased for me that I've gained a client even before the Intake Weekend next month.
I've set myself a starting goal of 100 hours to prepare for a full-time career in coaching the best out of people.
My thoughts after last night?
I feel awesome! THIS is what I am meant to do.
Here's how I prepared myself.
Listened to Extraordinary Living and Coaching Starter Kit CDs.
Watched Sharon Pearson's video clips on the Dip Life Coaching page on TCI website and took lots of notes.
Just before the session (8.30 pm SIN time/10.30 pm MEL time), I started feeling sleepy. That was a bit of a worry.
So I did some stretching, listened to Paul Scheele's Paraliminal CD on Focus and Concentration.
And fell asleep.
When I awoke, I felt a bit guilty, but guess what? I felt so refreshed as well. Wasn't expecting that actually.
As I type this close to midnight, I am still feeling alert and awake.
One more thing I did: I actively implemented Sharon's advice.
Ex: when you're thinking about what question to ask next or stress that you may ask a wrong question, it becomes about you, not your client. You're letting your ego, your fear, your need for control, get in the way. Your client is not paying you for these things. They want change, solutions, to feel better than before your session with them.
Here's what my client said when I asked for feedback at the end of our Skype session together:
I feel fantastic! Thank you very much! :)
To wrap up, I left her a gift beyond what my coach training has advocated, but which I feel strongly about because of my Christian faith. I reminded her that her true identity is based on what God thinks of her, and that He loved her enough to send His Son to die for her.
Her response?
WOW Awesome!! Thank you v much Serena.
I've set myself a starting goal of 100 hours to prepare for a full-time career in coaching the best out of people.
My thoughts after last night?
I feel awesome! THIS is what I am meant to do.
Here's how I prepared myself.
Listened to Extraordinary Living and Coaching Starter Kit CDs.
Watched Sharon Pearson's video clips on the Dip Life Coaching page on TCI website and took lots of notes.
Just before the session (8.30 pm SIN time/10.30 pm MEL time), I started feeling sleepy. That was a bit of a worry.
So I did some stretching, listened to Paul Scheele's Paraliminal CD on Focus and Concentration.
And fell asleep.
When I awoke, I felt a bit guilty, but guess what? I felt so refreshed as well. Wasn't expecting that actually.
As I type this close to midnight, I am still feeling alert and awake.
One more thing I did: I actively implemented Sharon's advice.
Ex: when you're thinking about what question to ask next or stress that you may ask a wrong question, it becomes about you, not your client. You're letting your ego, your fear, your need for control, get in the way. Your client is not paying you for these things. They want change, solutions, to feel better than before your session with them.
Here's what my client said when I asked for feedback at the end of our Skype session together:
I feel fantastic! Thank you very much! :)
To wrap up, I left her a gift beyond what my coach training has advocated, but which I feel strongly about because of my Christian faith. I reminded her that her true identity is based on what God thinks of her, and that He loved her enough to send His Son to die for her.
Her response?
WOW Awesome!! Thank you v much Serena.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Invitation to see Dr John Demartini
What hubby is going for that I'd like to go for if it wasn't on a week night in the city!
====================================================
Dr Demartini had a vision to connect with ‘A-List’ celebrities whose work he admired.
Many would be daunted by the idea of meeting personally with these mega-stars. After all, you can’t just call them up for coffee.And they’re highly guarded by ‘gatekeepers’.But, Dr Demartini wasn’t daunted.
He created a list of the ‘A-Listers’ he wanted to meet. Then he applied his ‘Influence Secrets’ and was able to meet…not one of them… not two of them….or even three of them.
But he personally met every single one of the celebrities on his list.
Some of them even became clients. And these were not ‘B grade stars’. These were people like Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone. He even appeared in a movie with Hugh Jackman.
This is the highest level of influence - to set an intention and make it happen fast.*******************************************
Click here to join Dr John Demartini at the Secrets of Influence event - FREE
*******************************************
Imagine if you could master this skill. You could meet who you want…when you want…and then influence them ethically for ‘win-win’ results…in your health, wealth and relationships.
This sort of skill is rarely taught. And those that have this ‘gift’ often don’t know how to explain how they do it! They just do it.
The good news is Dr John Demartini is going to teach exactly you how to master the magic of influence - step-by-step at the Influence and Leadership Masterclass in your city.*******************************************
Click here to join Dr John Demartini at the Secrets of Influence event - FREE
*******************************************
See you there,
Greg
P.S. Last time Dr John Demartini came to Australia nearly 2000 people flocked to see him. This time could be even bigger as news of his genius spreads.
Grab your FREE Ticket now while there’s still time
Click here to join Dr John Demartini at the Secrets of Influence event - FREE
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
What is Money? (extract from Business Lyceum e-Letter by (J.F.) Jim Straw
What is MONEY?
Until you finally learn and accept the fact that ANYTHING (and I do mean anything) you can exchange for SOMETHING ELSE is money, you will be doomed to a life-long futile search for something you already have.
Now ... let me tell you a true story about George. He "borrowed" a whole factory.
George is a real person, but, since his company is still in business and I'm sure he wouldn't want a bunch of crazy telephone calls interrupting his business days, I have not given you his last name or where his company is located. I've also used "generic" terms to describe his business; rather than the specific product lines, just in case you're in the same kind of business and might recognize him from clues in his story.
When I first met George, he was a successful manufacturer of an industrial product. -- That's a product that is sold to other manufacturers who use it to manufacture other products.
One day, in my office, over a cup of coffee, we were swapping war stories about our various business activities. After telling George how I had started my business, he told me how he had "borrowed" a whole factory to start his business.
Before he was a manufacturer, George was a salesman; selling the same industrial product he later started manufacturing. He was a pretty good salesman and made enough to support his wife and 7 children comfortably but not lavishly.
George had always dreamed of owning his own factory. He had approached a number of lenders, but had always been turned-down. The money he thought he needed was just too much for his provable limits.
By the way, one of the reasons George was a successful salesman was because he was (and is) a meticulous record keeper. He made it his personal responsibility to take exceptional care of his customers. And, his customers knew they could depend on him because he had proven it over and over again in their dealings.
When George celebrated his 40th birthday, he started considering where he had been, where he was, and where he wanted to be. If he was going to make his dream come true and own a factory of his own, he had better get moving, or he would be too old to enjoy it later.
Taking a look over all of the packages and proposals he had prepared for various lenders over the years, George made a list of all the things he thought he needed to get his factory going. After he had that list, he went through it again and again. Each time, he eliminated more and more of the nice-to-have items, until he had a bare-bones list of only the most necessary items. That list included:
1) Incorporation of the business.
2) A building to work from.
3) Office equipment & supplies.
4) Manufacturing machinery.
5) Employees.
6) Raw materials & supplies.
7) Operating cash.
Everything on his list could be had with "cash," but George didn't have, and couldn't get, that kind of cash. So, he "borrowed" all of it, one piece at a time, until he had all of it.
To get started, George felt he had to, first, incorporate a business.
Since George didn't have cash for the attorney fees, filing fees, etc., he talked to a friend of his who was an attorney. After George explained that he was going to manufacture the same product he had been selling for about 20 years, the attorney prepared the corporate charter, paid the filing fees himself, and agreed to act as Secretary of the corporation for ten thousand shares of the company stock (out of 1,000,000 authorized shares). After all, he knew George could sell the product and make a profit, if he could manufacture it.
George's proven skill of selling the product had gotten him one item on his list. -- Only 6 more to go.
Down the road from George's home, there was an old run-down mill building. It had a railroad siding, loading docks, and even a set of old truck scales, but it was really in a sorry state of disrepair.
George had driven past that old building thousands of times. He really hadn't noticed it until he started looking for a building for his factory. The only real reason he noticed it even then was because, after pricing buildings for rent or purchase, he had all but given up on finding a building he could afford.
The owner of the building lived in a house on the other end of the property. The old building had been there when he bought the property, about 10 years before. He had meant to do something with the building, or tear it down, but he just never got around to it.
After a number of conversations, the owner agreed to let George use the building for a period of 2 years, rent-free. During that time, George would repair the building, make it usable & presentable, and clean up all the debris that had accumulated around the building. At the end of 2 years, George would either vacate the building leaving all of the improvements, or he would enter into a rental agreement with the owner at $1,500 per month for the next 3 years.
George had his building -- but -- it was far from being serviceable.
Working nights and weekends, with help from his wife & children, George managed to get the building cleaned-up; inside & out. At work, during the day, he enlisted the help of other salesmen. At church, on Sundays, he enlisted the help of his friends.
As time went by, more and more of his friends helped-out with the painting, wiring, plumbing, and general fix-up of the building. And, a friend of a friend, who worked for the telephone company, even put in an extension of George's house telephone; since it was less than a half mile from George's home. -- The old building took on a new life; to the amazement of the property owner.
While George and his friends were working on the building, his brother-in-law closed a small branch office of his Insurance Brokerage. Since his brother-in-law didn't have a place to "store" the excess office furnishings, George told him about the factory. -- George borrowed the office furnishings, including an almost-new typewriter.
George was well on his way. He had his business structure, building and office, but an empty factory doesn't produce much products.
Because George had worked in the industry for a good many years, he knew most of the manufacturers. So he knew that two of the manufacturers had replaced some older, out-dated equipment with brand-new equipment over the past two years. -- Maybe one of them would have some used equipment he could get.
Talking to the two manufacturers, George discovered that between the two, they had enough old equipment to set-up one full production line. Although neither of them would agree to let George just "use" the equipment, they both agreed to allow him a one-year option to purchase. -- George would move the equipment to his location and at anytime during the year, he could pay for the equipment or arrange financing. If George did not buy the equipment within one-year, he would be required to reimburse the companies for the use of the equipment at a set rate per month on each piece of machinery, and pay all cost involved in returning the machinery (if he didn't have someone else to buy it).
Actually, the manufacturers were so glad to get the machinery out of their buildings, they used their own labor and trucks to deliver the machinery to George at his building.
It's one thing to have machinery, but yet another to operate it. Especially when you don't have any cash money to cover payrolls for employees.
Talking to some of the machine operators at the other factories, George made a deal with 3 of them to run his machines for him in the evenings and on weekends. And, since he didn't have any cash money to pay them salaries, he made an agreement with them to pay them a percentage of each order produced and shipped. This way, they would get their pay as soon as George was paid for the products they produced.
After he had his machinery installed and ready to operate, and had his signed agreements with his part-time employees, George went after the Raw Materials and supplies he would need to manufacture his product.
By showing the suppliers of the Raw Materials and Supplies through his factory, George was able to get them to agree to ship their materials and supplies on a 90-day billing. That meant he would have 90-days to pay for those materials after the materials were delivered. But, George could only get the materials he would need to fill each order. Therefore, he would have to show the suppliers confirmable Purchase Orders before they would ship the goods.
George quit his job and went on the road selling the same products he had been selling for years -- but -- this time, he was selling for his own company.
As George got Purchase Orders from the buyers, he took them to the Raw Materials Suppliers so they could be confirmed. -- The raw materials and supplies were shipped on the agreed-upon 90-day billings.
When the raw materials and supplies were delivered, George notified his part-time employees. They produced the product and shipped it to the buyers.
Even though George invoiced his customers on a net 30-days basis, there was a time lag between billing the customer and receiving payment. During that time lag, some things that George couldn't borrow had to be paid for with cash money. Such things as electricity and gas were increasing in direct relation to the amount of manufacturing being done. And, the freight lines that delivered the product to George's customers required cash payment or George's product wouldn't be delivered.
To get the cash money he needed to cover operating costs, George ran a classified ad in his local newspaper; something like this:
Although the response to the ad wasn't very big, George showed each of those who responded his new factory, the purchase orders he had in hand, and delivery slips & invoices on the product already manufactured and shipped. George sold enough of them some of his stock at $1 per share to cover his cash operating cost until the cash started coming in from the billings already made.
George had "borrowed" a whole factory.
When you finally accept the fact that money is ANYTHING you can exchange for SOMETHING ELSE, you may be able to do even greater things than George did. All you have to do is break your desires down into their basic component parts. Then acquire each of those component parts using someone else's money in whatever form it may take.
Of course, you should ONLY use someone else's money for things you really need. Beyond that, you must always remember that when you do use someone else's money, you take on a responsibility far beyond any you would bear using your own money. If you mis-use someone else's money, you will pay penalties that could be disastrous to your financial position for many years to come. And, it doesn't matter whether the money you use is "cash" or something else of a tradable value.
Believe it or not, I have just revealed to you some of the most powerful tricks, techniques and methods used in the world of business and finance. - Tricks I have used over and over myself to build my own fortune. - The beauty of those methods is that anyone can begin using them immediately to achieve financial independence. But, I'm not going to itemize and annotate them for you.
If I were to itemize and annotate the various and many tricks, techniques and methods, you would simply nod your head and never use the information. But, if you really want that knowledge, you'll read and re-read this report until the knowledge you seek strikes you like a bolt of summer lightning.
Anyone can get all of the money they need; someone else's money, when they finally learn what money really is.
Am watching a DVD presentation: How To Open A Coaching Session by Sharon Pearson.
Am learning so much about...
Am learning so much about...
- why not to worry if I don't know what to say
- how to sidestep the trap of 1-2-3 questions from the client
- why you should speak up in moments of uncertainty
- when is the right time to point out a truth
- why a question I can't answer may not be a bad question
- the goal of coaching is to ask the unexpected
- the value of having inner certainty before I coach
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Am saturating myself in the TCI materials.
There's so much! The Starter Kit that came in the post last week, the members' resources on the website (videos, mp3 recordings, schedule of webinars), Free Yourself From Fears With NLP by Joseph O' Connor.
Today, I had my Personal Success Goal Setting chat with Coach Lisa.
I heard myself say the most incredible things...
3 months from my Intake weekend, I want to have set up my coaching practice.
6 months from my Intake weekend, I want to have recouped my Diploma investment.
When you're in a safe and supportive environment, the fear factor is greatly reduced and conversely, you rediscover the courage to be extraordinary.
Just need to remember to ACT on everything I'm learning.
There's so much! The Starter Kit that came in the post last week, the members' resources on the website (videos, mp3 recordings, schedule of webinars), Free Yourself From Fears With NLP by Joseph O' Connor.
Today, I had my Personal Success Goal Setting chat with Coach Lisa.
I heard myself say the most incredible things...
3 months from my Intake weekend, I want to have set up my coaching practice.
6 months from my Intake weekend, I want to have recouped my Diploma investment.
When you're in a safe and supportive environment, the fear factor is greatly reduced and conversely, you rediscover the courage to be extraordinary.
Just need to remember to ACT on everything I'm learning.
Thursday, May 05, 2011
A Success Formula For The Ethical Individual
I full realize that no wealth or position can long endure, unless built upon truth and justice; therefore, I will engage in no transaction which does not benefit all whom it affects.
I will succeed by attracting to myself the forces I wish to use, the cooperation of other people.
I will induce others to serve me, necause of my willingness to serve others.
I will eliminate hatred, envy, jealousy, selfishness, and cynicism, by developing love for all humanity, because I know that a negative attitude toward others can never bring me success.
I will cause others to believe in me, because I will believe in them, and in myself.
From Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill
I will succeed by attracting to myself the forces I wish to use, the cooperation of other people.
I will induce others to serve me, necause of my willingness to serve others.
I will eliminate hatred, envy, jealousy, selfishness, and cynicism, by developing love for all humanity, because I know that a negative attitude toward others can never bring me success.
I will cause others to believe in me, because I will believe in them, and in myself.
From Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill
Monday, May 02, 2011
Towards Serena, Life Coach
Just had my first conversation with Coach B from The Coaching Institute.
Am impressed with her listening and affirmation skills and inspired by stories of Dip students who started taking paying clients immediately after the Intake weekend.
We're going to have another conversation on Wed. In the meantime, I've committed to enrolling in the Dip of Life Coaching and to discussing with hubby how I will attend the 17 or so face-to-face training days that are part of the curriculum.
Am impressed with her listening and affirmation skills and inspired by stories of Dip students who started taking paying clients immediately after the Intake weekend.
We're going to have another conversation on Wed. In the meantime, I've committed to enrolling in the Dip of Life Coaching and to discussing with hubby how I will attend the 17 or so face-to-face training days that are part of the curriculum.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Expanded version of Psalm 121
This is an experiment.
I have a vision of someday creating a ministry aimed at women who are depressed and discouraged. Music will feature hugely in this ministry because it is one of God's gifts to me and I want to use it to sow hope and encouragement.
In the footsteps of the Preacher in Blue Jeans who advocates that we should discover, develop and deliver our talents, I am now at the delivery stage, trying to find ways to get my music out to those who will hear.
Hence this video.
To the techies: I'm not sure if I should adopt a talk-to-the-camera approach like what the pros do on Youtube, as the focus is meant to be on the message and the music. Your thoughts please. :-)
Be Blessed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d1MNHNS-gc
I have a vision of someday creating a ministry aimed at women who are depressed and discouraged. Music will feature hugely in this ministry because it is one of God's gifts to me and I want to use it to sow hope and encouragement.
In the footsteps of the Preacher in Blue Jeans who advocates that we should discover, develop and deliver our talents, I am now at the delivery stage, trying to find ways to get my music out to those who will hear.
Hence this video.
To the techies: I'm not sure if I should adopt a talk-to-the-camera approach like what the pros do on Youtube, as the focus is meant to be on the message and the music. Your thoughts please. :-)
Be Blessed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d1MNHNS-gc
Friday, April 29, 2011
Losses and Gains
A long time ago, I could pray aloud in a group setting.
I could pray fluently, articulately, with the words pouring out of me by divine inspiration.
Words of power, conviction and passion.
Now when I pray in a group setting, my words are stilted, uncertain and sound trite and repetitive to me.
I may have endeavoured to keep up my personal development, but there has grown a huge yawning gap between what I know and what I communicate when I open my mouth.
I wonder if being a SAHM for 5+ years has not somehow robbed me of the ability to think and articulate clearly. I certainly felt sharper as a working person than I do now.
I feel saddened by my regression, and yet I know all is not lost. He still speaks through me and uses me, but in different ways.
In song for instance.
I am (still) thinking about how I can get my music out to people in church and to friends who believe. I am thinking particularly of women who are desperately seeking encouragement, who are finding life hard, and who want to know that God has not forgotten them.
I could pray fluently, articulately, with the words pouring out of me by divine inspiration.
Words of power, conviction and passion.
Now when I pray in a group setting, my words are stilted, uncertain and sound trite and repetitive to me.
I may have endeavoured to keep up my personal development, but there has grown a huge yawning gap between what I know and what I communicate when I open my mouth.
I wonder if being a SAHM for 5+ years has not somehow robbed me of the ability to think and articulate clearly. I certainly felt sharper as a working person than I do now.
I feel saddened by my regression, and yet I know all is not lost. He still speaks through me and uses me, but in different ways.
In song for instance.
I am (still) thinking about how I can get my music out to people in church and to friends who believe. I am thinking particularly of women who are desperately seeking encouragement, who are finding life hard, and who want to know that God has not forgotten them.
The Most Common Regret
'Those who work with the elderly report that at the end of life, the most common regret is not over what we did, but what we failed to do: the chance not taken, the business not started, the invention not patented, the dream not followed, the talent not nourished, the novel not written, the product not tested, the trip not taken, the apology not offered - so much music that died, bottled up inside us, because we were too timid to let it out!'
From an email by Sharon Pearson, founder of The Coaching Institute
From an email by Sharon Pearson, founder of The Coaching Institute
Friday, April 22, 2011
Dreams and Visions
Some gentle nudgings over the past two days...
I would love to use my musical gift to start a healing and encouraging ministry for people who are feeling disheartened, disconnected and alone.
The songs God gave me in Oct 2010 and Feb this year could serve as a starting point. They are intentionally Scripture-based. What better way to nourish and uplift a brother or sister's soul and spirit?
Think of how David ministered to a troubled King Saul with the harp, and how as humans we are naturally wired to respond to music's soothing and healing qualities.
I would love to use my musical gift to start a healing and encouraging ministry for people who are feeling disheartened, disconnected and alone.
The songs God gave me in Oct 2010 and Feb this year could serve as a starting point. They are intentionally Scripture-based. What better way to nourish and uplift a brother or sister's soul and spirit?
Think of how David ministered to a troubled King Saul with the harp, and how as humans we are naturally wired to respond to music's soothing and healing qualities.
The Reason We Rejoice
Today was a very significant day for the Tan household.
It was our first Good Friday service at SDA, our congregation's spiritual home for the next 52 weeks, and also our first Combined Good Friday Service at Wyndham Leisure and Events Centre.
Being in a tiny room with just one guitarist, one drummer and a keyboardist (me) and rows of chairs - no pews - reminded me of my MYF and VCF days. Really, what more do we need to worship God meaningfully?
At the combined service, I was overwhelmed by the number of people present. All these my brothers and sisters from churches all over Wyndham. People I might have met in the Plaza or at school or on the street but never knew were fellow believers.
I loved the seamlessness of the musos (the mark of true professionals) and the way each pastor spoke masterfully during his allotted time, then made way for the next person.
Each led in his own special way, and each exhibited the sincerity, conviction and authenticity that to me is evidence of God's grace at work in his life.
I was particularly bowled over by the pastor who reminded us that in Australia, there are only two days in the year when Coles, Woolworths and Bunnings are closed: the day Jesus died, and the day He rose again.
Amen to that eternal and unchanging truth!
May all who have yet to say yes have that opportunity to do so before Jesus returns.
It was our first Good Friday service at SDA, our congregation's spiritual home for the next 52 weeks, and also our first Combined Good Friday Service at Wyndham Leisure and Events Centre.
Being in a tiny room with just one guitarist, one drummer and a keyboardist (me) and rows of chairs - no pews - reminded me of my MYF and VCF days. Really, what more do we need to worship God meaningfully?
At the combined service, I was overwhelmed by the number of people present. All these my brothers and sisters from churches all over Wyndham. People I might have met in the Plaza or at school or on the street but never knew were fellow believers.
I loved the seamlessness of the musos (the mark of true professionals) and the way each pastor spoke masterfully during his allotted time, then made way for the next person.
Each led in his own special way, and each exhibited the sincerity, conviction and authenticity that to me is evidence of God's grace at work in his life.
I was particularly bowled over by the pastor who reminded us that in Australia, there are only two days in the year when Coles, Woolworths and Bunnings are closed: the day Jesus died, and the day He rose again.
Amen to that eternal and unchanging truth!
May all who have yet to say yes have that opportunity to do so before Jesus returns.
Friday, April 01, 2011
According to some reading I did some time ago, the Australian Quality Training Framework requires that all life coaches must be certified by 2012.
So I am focussing on life coaching courses that are nationally and internationally accredited.
Found these providers online:
The Life Coaching Academy
The Coaching Institute
Professional Christian Coaching & Counseling Academy
Life Coaching Institute of Australia
The Life Coaching Academy offers a Cert IV in Life Coaching for $5990. You also have the option of a 3-, 6- or 12-month payment plan.
However, LCA has now decided to run its courses exclusively in Gold Coast.
One down.
The Coaching Institute has an impressive website that's easy on the eye, informative and intuitive.
The Cert IV in Life Coaching costs $4995 (Express) or $5491 (deposit $1495, $77 weekly in 12 months).
The PCCCA, which is founded by US-based Dr. Leelo Dianne Bush, offers a Certified Christian Life Coach course for 2900USD, with a 5- or 10-payment plan.
LCIA offers a Cert IV and Diploma in Life Coaching by correspondence. What I like is that you also get to do electives called Specialty Streams: Executive, Business, Workplace, Health and Wellness, Career and Life Cycle Coaching.
The Cert IV is $2950 upfront or $285 x 12 (months).
Additional costs depend on the number of Specialty Streams you do. Cert IV + 3 streams = $4435 or $285 x 19.
Decisions, decisions...
So I am focussing on life coaching courses that are nationally and internationally accredited.
Found these providers online:
The Life Coaching Academy
The Coaching Institute
Professional Christian Coaching & Counseling Academy
Life Coaching Institute of Australia
The Life Coaching Academy offers a Cert IV in Life Coaching for $5990. You also have the option of a 3-, 6- or 12-month payment plan.
However, LCA has now decided to run its courses exclusively in Gold Coast.
One down.
The Coaching Institute has an impressive website that's easy on the eye, informative and intuitive.
The Cert IV in Life Coaching costs $4995 (Express) or $5491 (deposit $1495, $77 weekly in 12 months).
The PCCCA, which is founded by US-based Dr. Leelo Dianne Bush, offers a Certified Christian Life Coach course for 2900USD, with a 5- or 10-payment plan.
LCIA offers a Cert IV and Diploma in Life Coaching by correspondence. What I like is that you also get to do electives called Specialty Streams: Executive, Business, Workplace, Health and Wellness, Career and Life Cycle Coaching.
The Cert IV is $2950 upfront or $285 x 12 (months).
Additional costs depend on the number of Specialty Streams you do. Cert IV + 3 streams = $4435 or $285 x 19.
Decisions, decisions...
Saturday, March 26, 2011
This morning, I had my usual dilemma: should I or should I not go to dance class.
All because hubby had a working bee at church. Which meant I would have to take Miss J to music class with me. And make sure she was quiet and meaningfully occupied throughout the 1.5 hour class.
Which also meant I wouldn't be able to do my own thing...Read. Uninterrupted.
It worked out ok in the end. Miss J behaved perfectly. The teacher seemed a bit testy today though. Barked at students who played out of turn. Barked at students who played the wrong notes.
He gave Beth a (well deserved) lecture on the state of her Minuet in G, which she has steadfastly refused to practise. Her effort made me cringe.
Her excuse? "I was practising Intrada."
To which the teacher responded: "Perhaps the Minuet is too difficult for you? Perhaps I should find you an easier piece...like Grade One?!"
Afterwards, I gave Beth a mini-lecture of my own. She grinned (!!!) and agreed that she had indeed deserved the rebuke from her teacher.
Her bo-chap attitude made me wonder how much pride she really has in doing her best.
But back to dance class.
The group was smaller than usual, and it was the nice instructor, not the strict one. Which was great cos it meant beginners like moi got more attention and encouragement than otherwise.
I actually managed to keep up with the teens, which felt great! And I finally figured out the "leap" and "turn" components of corner work. The only thing I still struggle with is the "spin", where you have to spin across the room really fast with your eyes on a fixed object. That one made me so dizzy I had to crouch down to regain my balance.
We also learned a new move today - the pirouette. Shall have fun practising it at home.
Near the end of our Janet Jackson Black Cat routine, the instructor said to me, "Well done. You nailed it."
High praise indeed.
All because hubby had a working bee at church. Which meant I would have to take Miss J to music class with me. And make sure she was quiet and meaningfully occupied throughout the 1.5 hour class.
Which also meant I wouldn't be able to do my own thing...Read. Uninterrupted.
It worked out ok in the end. Miss J behaved perfectly. The teacher seemed a bit testy today though. Barked at students who played out of turn. Barked at students who played the wrong notes.
He gave Beth a (well deserved) lecture on the state of her Minuet in G, which she has steadfastly refused to practise. Her effort made me cringe.
Her excuse? "I was practising Intrada."
To which the teacher responded: "Perhaps the Minuet is too difficult for you? Perhaps I should find you an easier piece...like Grade One?!"
Afterwards, I gave Beth a mini-lecture of my own. She grinned (!!!) and agreed that she had indeed deserved the rebuke from her teacher.
Her bo-chap attitude made me wonder how much pride she really has in doing her best.
But back to dance class.
The group was smaller than usual, and it was the nice instructor, not the strict one. Which was great cos it meant beginners like moi got more attention and encouragement than otherwise.
I actually managed to keep up with the teens, which felt great! And I finally figured out the "leap" and "turn" components of corner work. The only thing I still struggle with is the "spin", where you have to spin across the room really fast with your eyes on a fixed object. That one made me so dizzy I had to crouch down to regain my balance.
We also learned a new move today - the pirouette. Shall have fun practising it at home.
Near the end of our Janet Jackson Black Cat routine, the instructor said to me, "Well done. You nailed it."
High praise indeed.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Answered Prayer
After days of to-ing and fro-ing over the missing OTP, with both Auspost and Speedpost seemingly unable to assist, I finally received the news we had been hoping for from our agent in SG.
"I have just called speedpost, they managed to receive the item today afternoon!!.... So I should receive it either tonite or tomorrow
I will inform the buyer's agent now and will do the necessary."
This came 5 mins after I'd replied to her earlier email to let the buyers know we intended to honour our original agreement. They were apparently worried that we might change our minds, which would portend having to go through the househunting process all over again, when they had already sold their own flat.
Hubby and I had discussed and suggested to our agent that perhaps the buyers could wait for us to arrive in SG to re-sign the OTP if it really remained missing.
We must commend the customer service officer that I spoke with this morning - Michael.
Of the 3 officers I spoke with in the last two days, he has been the most helpful and compassionate. He took down my details and our agent's, promised he would initiate an investigation as our promised delivery time clearly exceeded the 2-4 business days guideline, allocated us a case number that we can use to track the progress of the investigation, and promised to contact Speedpost to find out what had happened.
We are guessing that it is his enquiry and contact with Speedpost that enabled them to suddenly retrieve our documents from their system.
Most importantly, this officer was the one who enlightened us as to how the EMS courier system works. Apparently, our documents left Melbourne and arrived in SG on the same day (a fact not mentioned by the other 2 officers) because flights between Melb and SG are direct.
So the delay has all this while been on the part of the SG side i.e. Speedpost. Without this clarification, we were unable to point the finger of blame at anyone.
While all this drama was going on, I remember thinking that perhaps God had other plans for our flat, and I prayed that we would remain within His will whatever happened.
Thanks be to God for His grace and provision. He really does take care of all our needs.
"I have just called speedpost, they managed to receive the item today afternoon!!.... So I should receive it either tonite or tomorrow
I will inform the buyer's agent now and will do the necessary."
This came 5 mins after I'd replied to her earlier email to let the buyers know we intended to honour our original agreement. They were apparently worried that we might change our minds, which would portend having to go through the househunting process all over again, when they had already sold their own flat.
Hubby and I had discussed and suggested to our agent that perhaps the buyers could wait for us to arrive in SG to re-sign the OTP if it really remained missing.
We must commend the customer service officer that I spoke with this morning - Michael.
Of the 3 officers I spoke with in the last two days, he has been the most helpful and compassionate. He took down my details and our agent's, promised he would initiate an investigation as our promised delivery time clearly exceeded the 2-4 business days guideline, allocated us a case number that we can use to track the progress of the investigation, and promised to contact Speedpost to find out what had happened.
We are guessing that it is his enquiry and contact with Speedpost that enabled them to suddenly retrieve our documents from their system.
Most importantly, this officer was the one who enlightened us as to how the EMS courier system works. Apparently, our documents left Melbourne and arrived in SG on the same day (a fact not mentioned by the other 2 officers) because flights between Melb and SG are direct.
So the delay has all this while been on the part of the SG side i.e. Speedpost. Without this clarification, we were unable to point the finger of blame at anyone.
While all this drama was going on, I remember thinking that perhaps God had other plans for our flat, and I prayed that we would remain within His will whatever happened.
Thanks be to God for His grace and provision. He really does take care of all our needs.
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