Tales My Mother told me..Tale 2 : "Your mind is powerful"

Welcome to tales my Mother told me...

Tale Two: "Your Mind is Powerful"

Illustration by Anthony Van Lam

This week I want to share with you a story about my mum when she was a little girl.

The story took place in her new home over 70 years ago. Mum was adopted by her aunt and migrated from China to Vietnam when she was only 8 years old. In her new family there were also 5 other children who were also adopted. My grandparents did not have any children of their own so therefore they wanted lots of children to bring noise and joy to their big home. Unlike the other 5 children, mum was alone, her parents and siblings were all still in China, she was lonely and scared in this new family.

Mum was the newest member to the family and it was difficult for her to adjust to this new life, new family and new place and the worst part of all she missed her family terribly.  Her life was not easy in the beginning as she was bullied by an older boy whom I called Uncle Quin. Uncle Quin also has a sister and who was younger than my mum and her name was Aunty May.

Uncle Quin would pick on my mum a lot and whenever there were house tasks to do he always insisted mum had to share the work load with him.  One day, his job was to fill up water in the two huge ceramic urns. He was not happy that he had to do it all by himself and so he made mum fill up the water urns with him as mum was the eldest girl out of the children and he was the eldest boy.

The other children all yelled out to him and said "that's not fair, Big Sis is a girl and smaller than you, you can't expect her to carry water from the well with the heavy buckets and the water urn is bigger than her. There is no way she can do that”.

He grinned and said "well that's too bad! She still has to do it even if she can’t and no one is allowed to help her".

So my mum was left with this big task ahead of her and she had no idea how to get the job done and the more she thought about how big the task was the head chatter in her mind confirmed that it was too hard and too big a job for her to do. She was crying the whole time as she tried to get the water from the well.  Crying for her mum back home and crying for her help.

"Don't cry Big Sis" said a little girl, it was my Aunty Le. Your mum is not here, she can't help you and I am sorry we can’t help you either. We are too small and too weak. Why don't you have a rest, your mum wouldn't like to see you like this. Then mum stopped and started to think back at what her mum said to her before she left home. "My dear child, I won’t be around you from now on, so make me proud, there will be times when you don't feel so good away from home so just remember this "be strong for me, my love, if you are strong, your mind stays strong and you can do anything you want if you believe in yourself".

Mum then stood up tall and walked to Uncle Quin and said "Stop picking on me just because I am new to the family and because I am small. I know you are bigger and stronger than me and I’m not here to compete with you. I may be small and weak and yes it will take me longer to fill up the water urn and that’s okay as I have the time, even if it takes me till midday to finish  the job and I will get it done.

With the heavy bucket, mum filled it half way each time and slowly poured the water into the urn. Although it did take her awhile, she did it and eventually filled up the urns. She achieved this because she changed her thought process.

"We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think"- Buddha

So, from this tale, I learnt that our mind is incredibly powerful. Your life and your business is a reflection of your thoughts. When you think about that, there is nothing that is too hard or easy…your thinking just makes it so’

Buddha also said "The mind is everything. What you think you become".

In life and business if you think you are weak and hopeless then you are formed by your thoughts. Just like mum, she thought she couldn’t do it in the beginning until she reframed her own mind and instead of giving up she became determined. Her goal at the time was to fill the urn with water and the task was bigger than she could chew so she filled the bucket halfway and slowly she was able to fill the urn until it was full. Just like your business lifestyle if you have a big goal and it’s too hard to achieve, what you can do is to break down the goals to sub goals and into small tasks so it makes it easy for you to manage, so you don’t get discouraged, overwhelmed and end up procrastinating.

Have you heard the funny joke about how to eat an elephant? One bite at a time!

So if you throw away those harmful thoughts and negative actions and cultivate all the positive thinking and goodness you CAN change and inspire your business lifestyle and the world you live in.

Please share your thoughts and leave your comments here or leave a comment on ArtSHINE Facebook page.

Tune in next Friday for tale 3: "The Importance of Self Understanding"

More Tales My Mother Told Me...

Volume 1:

Tale 1: "When You Help One, You Help Thousands"

Tale 2: "Your Mind is Powerful"

Tale 3: "The Importance of Self Understanding"

Tale 4: "Being Compassionate"

Tale 5: "Finding the Inner Calmer In You"

Tale 6: "The Magic Pen"

Tale 7: "Here comes the Fair- Weather Friend"

Tale 8: "Confidence & Competence"

Tale 9:"Being Present"

Tale10: "Chicken scratches for what it gets"

Tale 11:"I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done"
Tale 12: "Frog In The Well"

Volume 2:

Tale 1: Pulling Up the seedlings to help them grow
Tale 2: Grind an Iron Pestle into a Needle

Tale 3: Talking about army on paper.

Tale 4: Being Persistent

Tale 5: A Poet’s Writing Skills Decline

The Power of 5- Part 2 - YouTube

Have you ever wondered which social media outlet you should jump on? 

Which one is effective and will benefit your business?

Where to start one?

What to do?

How to engage?

Last week we gave you a snapshot of how Facebook works. Today our discussion is about Youtube and how you could leverage Youtube into your art and design business.

Youtube has an audience size of 880 million (Australia 10M). It is a video sharing website. It is ideal for you to generate content and video clips. More and more businesses are participating with in this media as we are very visual and it connects well with the majority of people. You can video tape yourself demonstrating how to do a certain task such as showing a range of painting techniques or even demonstrating how to do a certain task. Instead of just a writing blog, you can also choose to do a video blog too.

Advantages:

Youtube is considered as one of the best methods in promoting your brand, your products and your services. Many business owners would use the video as a way of showing their client testimonials. 

There is a massive audience for you to target and a great opportunity to talk to your ideal customer in the form of tutorial video sessions. 

Disadvantages:

Traffic is limited to site. Difficult for you to redirect back to your website or blog.

Where to start:

Set up a Youtube account which is free.  Your account can be linked with one of your existing Google accounts. Once you have an account you can post your video clip. 

How to engage:

The best way to engage with your audience like your clients is to "like" their videos and leaving a comment.

What to do:
To leverage what Youtube has to offer you also need to familiarise yourself with its key features:
 
"Like" button- You can vote for the video UP or DOWN with the "Like" or "Dislike"


"View" is like a reader count. It records and shows how many viewers have viewed the videos.

Want to learn more about planning your social media for your business the ArtSHINE way?

It’s as simple as 1... 2... 3...

1: Like  ArtSHINE's Facebook page

2: E-mail Quantum Compass: thepowerof5@QuantumCompass.com.au  for  your discovery session.

3: Contact Vinh for a no cost, no obligation coaching 

session:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ArtShineDiscovery

Phone: +61 0410 636 138

E-Mail: Vinh@ArtSHINE.com.au

Skype: VinhVanLam

life instyle designer show event at Royal Hall of Industries & Hordern Pavilion Sydney, 23rd-26th February 2012

SELECTIVELY SHOWCASING THE BUSINESS OF DESIGN

"Life Instyle’s boutique trade event delivers a mix of beautiful designer brands sourced from a diverse range of companies featuring homeware, giftware, lifestyle and kids products. We offer a unique trade only event dedicated to showcasing a collection of products that demonstrate creative excellence and design within a beautiful shopping environment.

All Life Instyle exhibitors are selected by jury for their high calibre product and demonstrated commitment to good design. 

Visitors, such as local and international buyers, interior designers, stylists and the media, looking for the most exclusive brands in the country, enjoy the relaxing ambience and open floor plans that have become the trade mark of Life Instyle.

Some of the key features that set Life Instyle apart include;

• Offering buyers a stylish alternative to the main stream gift fair

• Showcasing up to 300 selected exhibitors and 500+ brands under one roof

• Featuring Kids Instyle, the best in kids fashion and designer accessories

Register to Visit | View Exhibitors | FAQ| Handbook

GETTING TO THE SHOW
VENUE
Royal Hall of Industries & Hordern Pavilion
Entertainment Quarter
Errol Flynn Boulevard (access via Lang Road)
Moore Park, Sydney.

Opening Hours

Thursday	11am -9pm
Friday Images & Source: http://www.lifeinstyle.com.au	9am - 6pm

Close Up Interview with Photographer & Producer Anousha Hutton

Tell us a little about yourself and what you do.

I’m a photographer, director, producer.

Who (or what) inspires you to do what you love in your own creative business?

I love working with people primarily, learning about them, working with them.

Telling stories inspires me also- making people question themselves, entertained and happy is very rewarding.

Where do you get your inspiration from when you  do your shoot?

Usually before a shoot I’ll imagine what character I think people are, and shoot them how I see them. It’s fun playing dress up and bringing a theatrical aspect to photography. I am also inspired by music and sound- now moving into directing music videos it’s a great marriage between visuals and music.

Tell us about your very first job and what path have you taken since then?

My very first job in photography was assisting the director of British vogue, robin derrick, at 17. He was the one who encouraged me to go to college and study photography.

My path started in photography in London, I got my BA from camberwell arts in photography, once I graduated I moved to toronto. I assisted some of the top photographers in north america at westside studios. Then, moved to california where I have developed more skills in other areas like producing, I’ll always shoot photography though, for the rest of my life. It’s the only thing I know I’ll do forever.

Describe a typical day in your creative business?

Waking up, answering emails, writing emails, making calls. I’ve been doing a lot more producing work recently so it changes depending on the assignment. Usually, I produce everything I shoot.

As an Artist, what is your biggest frustration?

Money.

Can you please tell us about how do you connect with other artists, and your audiences (i.e. how do you network)?

I just get chatting to people and build friendships wherever I go, sometimes you meet the most inspiring people at a coffee shop rather than an actual networking event. I try to seek inspiration and contacts from unexpected places.

What advice can you offer other creative people who are just starting out and following their passions?

Do what you want to do, make the art you want to make, and most importantly actually follow through with it. Procastination is one of the most popular routes people take through the creative process, stick with an idea give yourself a deadline and make it happen.

What dreams do you still want to achieve or fulfil in your life?

I would like to produce feature films that are globally recognized and awarded. 

What is your proudest moment so far?

Leaving an office with people crowding round a computer watching my work, that made me proud.

Who do you most want to meet and why?

Obama and Michelle, because they are an inspiration.

What is the most important lesson in life that you have learned?

When people are difficult, smile and be nice, Then they are more likely to do what you want then.

Where do we find you and your  service?

www.anoushahutton.com

facebook.com/anoushahuttonphotography

facebook.com/anoushahutton artist  page

Inspirational Quote of the wek

"If we wait until our lives are free from sorrow or difficulty,
then we wait forever.
And miss the entire point".

~ Dirk Benedic

Tales My Mother Told Me...Tale 1: "When you help one, you help thousands"

"When you help one, you help thousands"~my mother

When I was a child, I learnt things through my mother’s eyes. I gained wisdom & insights from mum naturally and unconsciously.

Back in the early 70's, my parents had a manufacturing business and mum & Dad were always taking in lots of workers and giving them refuge and treating them all as family members, giving them shelter, food, clothes, job and even money to help their families too. Most of the young workers were from country towns where there were no opportunities for them to get work.

We also had a lot of elderly women come and visit us on a regular basis and we called them aunty this and aunty that. At the time I was really inquisitive and wanted to know what the relationship between us and those aunties were. It turned out some were related to our family and most just lived in the same village where our grandparents came from. They often came to see mum to get a job for their children or grandchildren or money to support their families. 

I vividly remember this one particular old aunty who came to see mum quite regularly and always bringing along things to sell. Those items you could actually buy from a local supermarket such as pickles and sauces etc. But Mum always bought from her and always gave her more money than what the items were worth.

As a child I spent a lot of time with my mum and I did not understand why mum was doing things the way she did.

One day I asked her “Mum why are we always taking care of someone’s children and why are you always giving more money than what it’s worth to old aunty and even she told you that you were giving her too much.

Why Mum?

She looked at me and gave me a smile and stroked my head and said my dear little one “When you help one you help thousands”

I looked at mum puzzled.

What do you mean by that mum? I asked

Mum started to explain the meaning to this quote.

My little one, just remember that we are connected with everything around us. When you hurt things or people around you, it harms you back. When you help others, you also help yourself. When you help someone in need you are actually helping him and the people that are connected to him like his family. By giving him a job you are giving him a future and he can offer a brighter future for his family too.

Old aunty is a single mother. Old uncle passed away and left her with 10 children. She is a good mother who works very hard to raise her children. Her business is visiting people's homes and selling food items. Buying things from her will provide food on the table for her children and sending them to school so her children will have a better future and old aunty can retire early and her children can look after her.

My little one, every act has consequences whether good or bad. This is the basic principle behind the concept of karma.

So from this learning, I apply this principle to our business and coaching to our clients.

Food for thought for you to apply this to your business lifestyle:

• By helping others you also help your business. A great example is when you are in a networking event where you connect with other businesses and you form a relationship with them and you get the opportunity to help them by referring their business. In turn, they too refer business to you.
• Offer your expertise such as teaching or running an art class, or a creative workshop where you are sharing your skills and knowledge with others. It gives you creditably where you can connect and inspire your audience and because you are offering your expertise you are exposed to many people who resonate with what you do and they will find you to buy your product or use your service and they even tell others about you.

The key message I learnt from this is when you open your hands to help others, make sure it's your full intention and you do not expect anything back in return. You help people because you want to! The act of helping people and expecting something back in return will only disappoint you and make you feel resentful because you are seeking a form of "What’s in it for me".

"Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find inner peace"-Buddha

If you are openly helping and do not expect anything back, you will be surprised when you are in need of help as there will be people who will openly help you back in return.

This feeling is the most grateful one... believe me I have experienced this many times and I am very thankful & grateful for it.

I hope this tale can inspire you to review the ways on how you think in life and in business. Helping people to get where they want to be and to see them grow and succeed is the most rewarding feeling you can experience

So when was the last time you helped someone?

What was it? And how did you feel?

Please share your thoughts and leave your comments here or leave a comment on ArtSHINE Facebook page.

Tune in next Friday for tale 2: "Your mind is powerful" 

More Tales My Mother Told Me...

Volume 1:

Tale 1: "When You Help One, You Help Thousands"

Tale 2: "Your Mind is Powerful"

Tale 3: "The Importance of Self Understanding"

Tale 4: "Being Compassionate"

Tale 5: "Finding the Inner Calmer In You"

Tale 6: "The Magic Pen"

Tale 7: "Here comes the Fair- Weather Friend"

Tale 8: "Confidence & Competence"

Tale 9:"Being Present"

Tale10: "Chicken scratches for what it gets"

Tale 11:"I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done"
Tale 12: "Frog In The Well"

Volume 2:

Tale 1: Pulling Up the seedlings to help them grow
Tale 2: Grind an Iron Pestle into a Needle

Tale 3: Talking about army on paper.

Tale 4: Being Persistent

Tale 5: A Poet’s Writing Skills Decline

The Power of 5 Part 1 - Facebook

Have you ever wondered which social media outlet you should jump on?

Which one is effective and will benefit your business?

Where to start one?

What to do?

How to engage?

Today, we are going to talk about the power of 5 in the social media world. We will give you a snapshot of each one and how you can learn to leverage the power of 5 into your art and design business.

Here is the power of 5:

• Facebook Audience size 950 million
• YouTube  Audience size 850 million
• Twitter  Audience size 170 million
• LinkedIn Audience size 150 million
• Google+  Audience size  90 million

These are the power of 5 we would highly recommend for you a designer, an artist, a crafter and a creative professional to participate in if you seriously want to grow your business and increase your ideal audience.

The next 5 weeks we will cover each of the five and provide you with a great foundation for your business lifestyle so that you can decide which social media route you would chose for your art and design business.

Now let's look at Facebook and it advantages & Disadvantages.

Facebook has the largest audience size of 950 million (Australia 11M). It's the largest social network in the world. You are there to connect with people by creating a profile and exchanging messages or chat with one another on line.

Advantages:

Facebook is fantastic in promoting your brand, your products and your services. Massive audience for you to target and a great opportunity to find your ideal customer for your business.

Disadvantages:

Not so SEO (search engine optimisation) friendly and strict T & C.

Where to start:

To set a business page for your business, you need to have a personal profile account first. You can't use your personal account for your business. If you do, you are breaching the T & C of Facebook.

How to engage:

Once you have a business page created, you can add your business information such as logo, photographs and videos. You can add your upcoming events and invite your audience to come along. You can link Facebook back to your own website too.

To expand your business and focus on your ideal customer you can join relevant groups on Facebook to build relationships with your ideal customer.

What to do:

To leverage what Facebook has to offer you also need to familiarize yourself with its key features:

"Like" button- click like if you want to let people know what you like, this could be a post or a business page you like.

"Poke" is more likely used for personal and we wouldn't recommend it for business use. It has a flirtation gesture and more suited for the personal.

"Tag" is use when you want to highlight a photo or a video with text to identify one of your friends.

"Status" is where you can let people know your thoughts and actions by posting a comment.

Tune in next week, we will talk about YouTube and how it can help you with your marketing strategy for your art and design business.

Want to learn more about planning  your social media for your business the ArtSHINE way?

It’s as simple as 1... 2... 3...

1: Like  ArtSHINE's Facebook page

2: E-mail Quantum Compass: thepowerof5@QuantumCompass.com.au  for  your discovery session.

3: Contact Vinh for a no cost, no obligation coaching session: www.quantumcompass.com.au/freecoaching.ph 

Phone: +61 0410 636 138

E-Mail: Vinh@ArtSHINE.com.au

Skype: VinhVanLam

Twitter: @VinhVanLam