Monthly Archive for December, 2010

Oprah meets a TCI student !!

Published on December 20, 2010 in Personal Development. 1 Comment

I believe in dreams, but you have to take action” – Oprah Winfrey December, 2010

May I share a story with you, my fellow coaches?

My head is still spinning from the events of the past week. It’s all a little surreal and I’m still processing all of it…… my synapses are overloaded!

Last Friday evening I had dinner with Oprah.

I was incredibly fortunate to be invited to join my lovely friend, Megan Castran, and sixteen other guests for a ‘Taco Night’ dinner.

This is actually very much Megan’s story so I’ll give you run down on how this dinner came to fruition. Megan is a jeweller, a prolific You Tube video blogger (Jewel Chic channel) and she has a phenomenal following on facebook for her ‘Jewel Chic” page.

Megan and I met and developed our friendship while boxing at our training studio – we both have a competitive streak and spur each other on to fuel our desire to be fit, healthy and strong for ourselves and our families. Megan LOVES Oprah. Oprah inspires her, Oprah was the impetus for her jewellery business and Oprah is Megan’s passion. Megan has met Oprah a couple of times and on one occasion passed her business card to Oprah. Oprah kept it in her draw for four years with a promise that if she ever came to Australia she would look Megan up!
Oprah kept her promise.

Oprah arrived at Megan’s door (cue squealing, gasping and astonishment from myself and all my ‘Taco Night’ buddies!!), with two bottles of tequila. We had Taco’s, did tequila shots with Oprah, ate cake, danced to Ross Wilson singing ‘Eagle Rock’ (there’s a You Tube video of us dancing – I’m the not-so-groovy but wildly enthusiastic dancer in the pink dress) and Oprah conducted a round-table discussion on a range of topics which was filmed and will become part of the four ‘Australian’ shows.

Oprah is extraordinary. She was warm, funny, highly intelligent, down-to- earth and her presence is palpable. She is also very beautiful and smiles and laughs constantly. In coaching we refer to our ‘physiology’ – Oprah’s physiology is exceptional. Her rapport and ability to connect with every person in the room was unique and powerful.

I trust you will enjoy looking at the photo I’ve included with this article. It is a very special picture for me because I did have a private conversation with Oprah for a few minutes. Just Oprah and I. You can see us with our heads together. Our coaching training in ‘questioning’ came to the fore. I asked Oprah a question, and I think she was completely surprised. I could devote another whole article to this brief discussion with Oprah, suffice to say that I listened; I was curious, I was aware of my own physiology and instinctively matched and mirrored. I felt completely at ease in my conversation with her, and at the conclusion of the chat she asked for my name. My conversation with Oprah has had a profound effect on me.

But there’s more…..

Oprah then invited us to come to Sydney to see her show at the Opera House. We flew in a private Gulfstream 450 jet (worth 47million and only six months old) by Southern Cross Jets. Stayed in Potts Point and designer Camilla Franks dressed us for the show.

Tuesday morning saw our ‘Taco Team’ ushered into the second and third rows of the Opera House for the show. I was deeply moved by Terri Irwin’s interview when talking about raising children on her own; loved Jay Z discussing how RAP is a forum for young people to tell their story, and then we rocked to Bon Jovi. John Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora only meters away!

We were all then taken backstage to join Oprah and her Producers at the end of the show.

It was an incredible experience on so many levels. My gratitude to Megan for my invitation to be part of the Oprah Taco-Night is immeasurable. I am simply over-joyed to have witnessed her happiness and her dream come true.

It is now 12months since I sat in the room at TCI for my intake weekend.

The difference in me personally in the past twelve months is enormous.

There is much to share about my own story and my personal and professional circumstances, however one of the greatest changes in me is that I don’t dwell in the past anymore, I am just so excited about the future. What you focus on is absolutely what you get!

Thank you for taking the time to read my little story and share with me in some pretty exciting recent events.

May I conclude by extending my appreciation and gratitude to Sharon, Joe and all of the TCI team. It has been the learning, the guidance, knowledge and support provided by TCI that has been a huge factor in my recent events. Also, a very special thanks to my own coaches, mentors and friends who have supported me throughout the year – Hay Lam Yau, Shiona Long and Laura Hanu.

I would like to conclude with something that Oprah shared with us after the cameras were switched off…. She reminded us about the laws of motion – what we put out will determine what we get back, and that we must Dream Large, Have Deep belief and take Massive Action.

I have this feeling that there’s more to come so stay tuned!

Best wishes for a safe, happy and prosperous New Year.

Pauline

Oprah and Pauline Chat

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The 3 Biggest Mistakes Coaches Make Coming Up To Christmas

Published on December 7, 2010 in Life Coaching. 0 Comments

1. Not Proactively Dealing With any Christmas Dramas Your Clients Have Before They Come Up.
The reality is, most people and businesses are either insanely busy over Christmas, or ridiculously quiet. Either way is potentially risky for your coaching relationship. You need to actively chase any of the possible objections, and get them out of your client’s minds so they stay keep hangin’ with you into the new year. As I always say to my clients “have the chat” which simply means pick up the phone and let them know why now may be the time they need you most!
2. Calling Off The Chase For New Clients Too Early.
Did you know that nearly all coaches stop looking for clients right about NOW..
That means you have a golden opportunity to up your ante…”.
If you are going to go surfing, take in some Ashes or hang with the kids and take some time out then good for you….
But if you want clients, you need to continue using the great tactics we teach you right through until new year. Only stop hunting when you don’t want more clients. There is never a slow period in coaching – there is just a slow period in your mindset…
3. Not Building An Awesome Pipeline of New Clients For The Start of 2011.
You do not need to start the new year from scratch.. Think about it, the break is just like a longish weekend and you simply must keep momentum..
What are you doing to continue getting leads and looking after the leads you already have?. Can you invest just a few hours to build a plan for the break so your coaching wheel keeps turning? Your New Year will start with a bang if you leave this year with a plan…
 
Perhaps it’s time to talk with Kirby and develop your plan for 2011?

Cheers and have an awesome day!
Glen Murdoch (Doc)

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Hel Chat

Published on December 7, 2010 in Life Coaching. 0 Comments

Another week and another 7 days packed with action at The Coaching Institute. One of the highlights for me was greeting our newest students at their Foundations of Coaching Success weekend and being part of a room of people who were moving towards a new and exciting future. Congratulations to you all and welcome aboard! Please be sure to drop me an email from time to time, sharing the highlights of your journey as you face new and exciting boundaries… and blast through them with joy.

Sharon rocked the house in another 5 Day Closed Door Mastermind training. This membership group were buzzed as they set up and launched on-line sales and the room was filled with cheer as they then acknowledged the new leads they were attracting. When was the last time you attended a business seminar and launched your business live in the training? I have to say it had never happened to me prior to joining Mastermind. I was chatting with some of our members on the last day of their training and the overwhelming feedback was how amazed they were that Sharon shared so many inner secrets as to how her own business is structured and executed. To have the back door stage pass to the biggest rock concert in town is a rare gift- and it was truly appreciated by the group. Well done guys, the Mastermind team at The Coaching Institute salute you and look forward to hearing of your ongoing growth and success.
To complete the week that was, Sharon then immersed herself into the Mastermind Selling From The Stage training. The students left The Coaching Institute with the keys to creating a million dollar year, and boy were they excited! This was the first time Sharon has delivered this training and she was playing at 110% (as always). To model Sharon as a trainer will guarantee ongoing success for any trainer; no matter how high the workload or new the content is to deliver, she is always 100% prepared and ready to go. No excuses, no hesitation, no doubt…
Christmas is coming, and I look forward to seeing many of you here at The Coaching Institute Christmas Party this Thursday at 7pm. If you have not yet RSVP to let us know you are coming, now is a great time to do so admin@thecoachinginstitute.com.au Be sure to vote for your favourite mentor, facilitator, fellow student, trainer, coach & connect leader, TCI team member no matter if you can attend the party or not. The team here are primed ready to celebrate your success and ongoing journey with us and to acknowledge stand out performers will be our pleasure. TOYS TOYS TOYS… If you are coming along and would love to donate to a worthy cause, Sharon Pearson and her team will be delivering toys to the children of the Women’s mission this week, so if you would like to add to Sharon’s gifts, bring along toys (unwrapped please) and Christmas tree and we will be delighted to deliver them. (Toys must be brand new and if requiring batteries, please attach the correct size and quantity of batteries to the toy.)

I thought I would end this week’s section with another story. So settle down and get comfortable with a cup of happiness (whatever your beverage of choice may be). But first… I am pleased to report that I completed the planting of my vacant garden bed on Saturday. For 5 hours in driving rain I was out in my undies (well as near as) spreading soil, planting plants and loading mulch. I love being out in the rain and can share that my happiest days on a beach are when on it alone in the driving rain, and it was like a tropical storm on Saturday, warm and wet. The garden looks amazing – more than could be said of my appearance by the end of the project. The sense of achievement was wonderful and I immediately reflected upon the remaining jobs on my ‘to be completed’ list. “They will stay a list unless I plan them into my action schedule” I thought… so yes, I did just that.

Any hooo… Friday night was my youngest son’s Christmas Dance concert. He was in 3 dances and the concert was 4 hours of ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and theatre. Tiggy loves to dance and has done so since he was 3 and is the 2010 Peter Allen in the making. He danced his little heart out and loved every minute. This kid lights up like a Christmas Tree when he is on stage and dances through every moment off stage. His booty shake in the disco section brought the crowd to a roar. To my pleasure and surprise the event was extremely professional with amazing costumes and standards of consistency. I watched as group after group of varying ages and skill levels entered and exited the stage, dancing and prancing their hearts out. The energy and commitment to the message of the piece was something that grabbed me the most. These kids showed me that they ‘got’ that dance was telling a story, not counting the steps. I was moved to tears by the solo contemporary piece of a VCE student who achieved perfect scores in her exams and choreographed a story of war torn Germany from a child prisoner’s point of view.

I was caught up in the moment and the whole experience had my mind wander. I caught myself reflecting and questioning. If there was a ‘thing’, what will the ‘thing’ be that separates the group of kids from the dancer who goes on to be a star, from those who give up, shuffle for fun or teach others… Will there be a star? If there is, what makes the star? Is it the talent or the dedicated hard work or a mixture of the two?

I looked at the faces of those kids who were so obviously talented as they flew across the stage and took time to noticed their confidence. I wondered if the kids with less confidence had possibly more talent but were too shy to show it! Were there kids whose parents were ‘encouraging’ them to dance when maybe their heart was elsewhere?

As my mind meandered through all these endless questions I had an ‘ah ha’ moment. This stage with all of the children upon it of different sex, age, skill and level of commitment were a mirror of society. In this one concert, at this one dance school there was a micro community that reflected any sub set of the greater community. The aspirations of many were on display but the mindsets were hidden. Or were they! The kids were united under one vision: to dance, and yet how they applied themselves, what they took onboard or rejected from their training, how and if they rehearsed and who they were choosing to be as they performed was what separated them. Just like students at The Coaching Institute, athletes in a team, employees in a company… As a coach there was a business opportunity here to coach aspiring dancers to have the mindset of excellence. As a mother there was an opportunity to realise that Tig’s destiny is his to create, and his alone. As an individual there was an opportunity, to realise that every day is a gift and every decision shapes my destiny and time waits for no man, so get making decisions that align purpose with destiny. My destiny is mine to make. What about yours?

Happy Coaching and please keep the feedback coming so I know what you want to see more or less of in this newsletter (helentreloar@thecoachinginstitute.com.au)

P.S: When was the last time you dropped along to your local Coach & Connect? See this section of the newsletter for more information. There are some amazing people running these groups and the feedback from them has been extremely positive.

Hel

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