One year Review & Rebranding Survey

May 28, 2010 by Tia · 8 Comments
Filed under: Business, Conscious Creation, Inspired Action, Intention, Passion, courage 

Hey you!

I really appreciate you.

For being here, for reading, commenting, letting me into your world.

You are very, very awesome and I’m honoured by your presence, THANK YOU!

If you’ve been reading a while, you may have noticed that this blog’s growing up. If you’re new here, read on anyways to see what’s happening.

I’ve been thinking of rebranding the Coach T.I.A website since it turned 6 months old in Sept 09 and it’s all coming to a crucial point – Inspired Action is leading to this next step.

(When it started a year ago, we (the blog and I) were both finding our feet and talking about our passions, which included and still do, Law of Attraction, Inspired Action, Personal Development, coaching etc).

As time’s gone by, I’ve also become quite interested in other topics like -

  • Creating relationships using the Power of Social Media
  • Tribes – finding, creating and being a part of something bigger
  • Entrepreneurship & Business building
  • Living a life of courage and authenticity
  • Boldness! Standing out and making a stand for core values
  • Being Intentional – in personal & professional ways

The scope is broader and wider now.

So even as I prepare to launch a new site (on social media for coaches), I’m rebranding this one to reflect the year’s learning that I’ve grown into.

Now, I really need YOUR help to suss out what you want more of, what you need less of, what YOU WANT, period.

Because you are the reason this blog and website exist.

The changes I make, will reflect you as much as they do me. So please, pretty pretty please take 30 seconds of your time now to answer 5 short questions in this survey.

Thanks, SO looking forward to your input on this one. You rock! Tia

Click here: Review & Rebranding Survey 2010

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Mac vs PC – A Social Media Revelation.

May 26, 2010 by Tia · 17 Comments
Filed under: Business, Inspired Action, Intention, Marketing & Branding, happiness, love 

I bought my first ever laptop, an HP, 2 years ago.

Back then, I considered an Apple Macbook briefly but then thought the better of it cos it seemed an awfully over-priced, cute but scary contraption to me.

Twice the amount of $$ for something that does “pretty much the same thing” as a-half-the-price PC?

No thanks, suckers!

And then, 2 days ago, my HP died. I’d never gotten a virus or had any trouble (apart from the stuff that started when I dropped it!) so was planning to get another one when I decided to throw out this question on Facebook:

Which would you choose –  a Mac or a PC?

If you’re a Mac user, why are you so crazy about it?


Within minutes I had a few responses, within a couple of hours, about 40 comments with conversations going back and forth (with 1 or 2 advocating a PC). I did the same on twitter and got over 30 well thought out responses in favour of Macs.

Now, I’ve just finished reading Tara Hunt’s “The Whuffie Factor” in which she talks about how Apple has built not just a company, but a tribe of dedicated, loyal, near fanatical Mac users.

Don’t worry, I’m not about to start preaching the tech / usability aspects of MacBooks here (I’ll save you that spiel).

Instead, I really want to highlight the experience that I had and what I got from it, so we can see the power of a unique offering & strategy in creating a strong community & business success.

It was a great lesson in seeing first hand the level of engagement, interest and sheer passion for a company unlike any other.

Here’s what I realised.

1) Social Media is powerful and fast!

I always knew that but holy cow! Within a couple of hours I had real information, right down from what people loved about their Macs to what software to get (iworks) and what I could do without (MSOffice for Macs), how long the battery lasts, to whether I needed one-on-one lessons (no).

If I’d tried googling this information it would’ve taken me way longer and I still would not have gotten the amount of feedback, information and help that my Facebook and Twitter friends gave me instantly.

Plus, I TRUST these people and their opinions cos I’ve intentionally surrounded myself with them.

Q Tip: Are you using social media intentionally? Do you trust the people you’re connecting with?

2) Create an offering – service or product – that inspires fierce loyalty & passion

If you’re a Mac user, you know this already. If not, here’s what I mean (comments on my facebook query):

“Mac Mac Mac!! I got my first one two years ago & will NEVER go back to a PC!” – Laura
“Mac all the way-no question. Nuff said :) ” – Garry
“I think you’re working with creative entrepreneurs and leaders? Most use the Mac :) ” – Shane
“No one has ever earnestly turned to a fellow human being and said, “Hey, have you considered Windows?” Not in the real world at any rate.” – Cole

Q Tip: What’s something you can create that is compelling to your clients / readers/ buyers?

3) Engage your tribe such that THEY do the marketing for you

By the time I walked into a Mac store, I knew exactly what model I was going to get and what extra S/W I needed, so didn’t require any hand holding. In and out, easiest buyer experience ever (er.. apart from the hard pitch on a 3 year guarantee which wasn’t from Apple but the store person.)

As you can see from all of the above, Apple’s really got their backs covered.

Another great example of this is Jeannette Maw, the GoodVibeCoach. She’s attracted a group of people (including me) who love and adore anything she creates cos she inspires us, has unique products and services, gives her time and attention generously and shares her wealth.

Q Tip: What can you do to inspire and engage your “tribe” today?

To conclude, this experience was really fun and enlightening and I came away with some great insights.

Oh and a brand new 13.3 inch MacBook Pro, the sexiest, sleekest, silveriest, most gorgeous machine ever.

Ladies & gentlemen, boys & girls, behold the latest convert to the tribe of “once you go Mac, you never go back”.

Head over HEELS, madly in love with Mr Maccu Singh (go ahead, giggle, that’s his name & I’m sticking with it ;)

Thank you my friends, Facebook, Twitter, MasterCard and Apple for your help.

(In an upcoming post I’m going to talk about how a little book on Feng Shui made this happen, and how it’s changing my life all around. Stay tuned.)

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Curious: Is there a brand, person, product or service that you can’t stop talking about or promoting passionately? What do you love about it / them?

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Entrepreneurship & The Girl + Freelance Camp Vancouver

May 17, 2010 by Tia · 5 Comments
Filed under: Life YOUR Way, Passion, life coaching 

I just realised that Coach T.I.A turned a YEAR old last month and I forgot to celebrate.

The day I started this blog came and went without any fanfare.

Had I remembered, I’d have taken the time to pat myself on the back and congratulate myself on this journey.

You see, I am an Entrepreneur.

I didn’t know that a year ago.

Back when I finished coach training, started this blog, started my business, got certified and immersed myself in social media, I didn’t know that.

I do now.

Back then I thought that once I’d finished my coach training, everything else would just fall into place. Clients would find me, I’d happily write my blog every week, send out my newsletter every 2 weeks, grow my subscribers and readers, create eBooks and start a radio show.

Some of it happened like I imagined, some didn’t.

No one told me about the huge learning curve, or the moments of wanting to run away from it all to a safe cushy job somewhere where I could switch off at 5pm. Granted it’s rare when I feel like that, but it happens sometimes.

Being an entrepreneur is exciting, frustrating, tricky, energising, exhausting, insomnia inducing, gratitude inducing to say the least.

On the one hand there’s all the freedom in the world to wake up when you want, take afternoon naps, go for a walk in the middle of the day, and make your own schedule.

And on the other, there are those sleepless nights when your (ok, ok, my!) mind is full of ideas and plans for your business and sometimes, paralysing fears of doom and dismal failure.

If you’re someone who works from home, here are some tips to keep you sane:

  • have a network of trusted people to lean on
  • talk about your experiences, highs and lows
  • make sure you’re not going it alone!
  • get yourself some coach / mentor support
  • remember the big picture – your why (know your reasons)
  • connect with fellow entrepreneurs & share learnings

That’s just what I’ll be doing next week as I join a bunch of very talented and enterprising professionals Vancouver’s First Freelance Camp for Entrepreneurs on Sat, May 29th, from 9am – 4pm.

What’s that you ask? From the horse’s mouth:

  • An open agenda that participants create on the day of the event
  • All about discussion, interaction & learning
  • Share your freelancing experience & discuss challenges you’re facing
  • Get experience-based answers to your questions
  • Network, meet potential clients and/or partners
  • Explore different approaches to freelancing

Doesn’t this sound so innovative and exciting?

If you live in Vancouver or know someone who does, I highly recommend you bring yourself or send them along to this Unconference of local Creatives and Entrepreneurs.

Lets drink endless coffee, learn, share and connect! Check out the site for more information & see you there.

Oh, and a Belated Happy 1st Birthday to Coach T.I.A! We’ve only just begun… how about you?

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I Can Do ANYTHING!

May 13, 2010 by Tia · 17 Comments
Filed under: Conscious Creation, Inspired Action, Life YOUR Way, Passion, happiness, love 

I am SO inspired by this little girl!

Had to share this video which is quickly going viral on youtube. It’s so awesome!! If she can do it, so can YOU! And me.

I think I’m going to do a 7 day daily affirmation in front of the mirror just like Jessica and see what happens… join me? :D

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How To Make a Change Once & For All

May 11, 2010 by Tia · 11 Comments
Filed under: Conscious Creation, Inspired Action, Intention, Life YOUR Way, Tuesday Tips 

The Moment of Truth

Make it more important than anything else.

There, I gave it to you upfront.

The # 1 thing you need to do if you want life and circumstances to change in any way.

You can stop reading now.

Seriously, I mean it. If this makes perfect sense to you and you are READY, that’s all you need to do!

If you like to read about real life examples, read on.

Positive changes start with not just your thoughts, behaviours, actions, words, beliefs, choices, but..

DECISIONS.

Followed by a commitment to that decision.

  • You first decide what you want.
  • Then you commit to it.

Without these two steps, you can be guaranteed to find yourself on a hamster wheel, running around in circles, lots of movement but no real progress. Nothing wrong with that if you’re a hamster.

Change will happen whether you want it or not.

Progress will only happen when you commit to it.

Since I evaluated & re-prioritised my values (the one thing I implemented from Tony Robbin’s Awaken the Giant Within) to include health and fitness as # 1 a few weeks ago, my life is starting to resemble the woman expressed in those values.

I’m not saying things changed overnight, but pretty darn close!

With each week that passes I’m almost automatically making better choices that reflect what’s important to me and make me feel good.

(Like choosing salads over fries for the first time ever, ensuring I eat a healthy breakfast, finding out the best times to work out, starting my day earlier and earlier as time goes on. Occasional Nutella binges allowed).

For all my life till now, that was never important to me. It was a year long process till the day I FINALLY decided it was vital to the kind of life I want to live – energetic, alive, vibrant, joyous, engaged, happy.

When you live a life by your values, you consciously make small choices that propel you in that direction and pretty soon, those choices become second nature.

To date, this is the easiest way I’ve found to do what’s really important to me. One step at a time till it reaches critical mass and a firm unwavering conviction in my mind about the excellence I want to create.

Which then leads to instant decisions faster than the blink of an eye.

Good or good enough in some areas of my life is no longer enough.

  • With my body, I intend the healthiest, fittest, sexiest body I can have.
  • In my work, I intend to be the most fulfilled and successful I can be.
  • In life, I intend happiness, fun, love and vitality.

And so on.

There is GREAT power in committing to the life you want and if like me, you’ve been flirting with, but never committed to these desires, you’ve got a long wait indeed.

If you’re waffling back and forth, saying you want to lose weight, find a new job, rejuvenate your relationship, travel the world, become an entrepreneur, create passive income, go on a holiday – whatever it is that you’re wanting, there’s one BIG reason you’re not getting it.

It’s not a priority yet.

The GOOD news is that the day you decide this “thing” is a priority, something you want more than anything, you’ll find a way to make it happen, and way quicker and faster than you could ever have imagined.

Till then, you’ll just make excuses like I did. Which is just fine too, as long as you’re aware that you aren’t ready to make progress or change.

You have GOT to be in control of your experiences – whether you choose to live an “OK” life or a “GREAT” life, YOU get to decide. Whatever else you take from this post, please definitely take that on board, k?

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Would love to hear from you – is there something you want more than anything but haven’t made a priority yet? What’s your process like to get the things you want? Thanks for sharing!

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