I don't get e-courses and coaching!

As you know, I love learning and trying out new things so when ecourses came about I just figured that it was a great way to continue my love of learning. I was kind of surprised though the other day when a friend told me that she didn't fancy it, and what it came down to was that she didn't really understand it!

So here is my take on them from both taking and building ecourses…

What do they entail?

Well, they vary from course to course but generally there is usually a membership are that you can log into. Inside there are modules of content which is usually in the form of video, audio of PDFs. The better courses that I have done, have some kind of homework and a requirement such as posting in the forum.

Some courses also have live calls so you can ask questions with the person running the course, which is a great way of getting some 1:1 time if the course leader doesn't usually do coaching or has a very expensive coaching package.

To give you a better idea:

B-school - focus on business

6 modules

Each module has the content delivered in audio, video and PDF + fun sheets (PDF fillable sheets)

Weekly live call (or maybe it was every 2 weeks?)

Facebook support group

Plus bonus materials

Lifetime access

My Organized Chaos - focus on Mamas getting organized

9 modules

Content delivered as audio or video (video content is kept shorts for busy mamas) + PDFs

3 Live calls

Facebook support group

Plus bonus materials

Lifetime access

Clear The Clutter - focus on decluttering your home

15 emails delivered per month
PDF check sheets
Facebook support group
Yearly subscription

Blog To Kindle - Focus on turning a blog into a kindle book

20 steps with screen flow videos
PDF worksheets
Bonus resources
Facebook support group
Lifetime access

Lucky Bitch - Focus on abundance and money

6 modules PDF fun sheets
Bonus materials
Facebook support group
Lifetime access

So as you can see they all have a similar feel to them even though the content is completely different.

The other thing I wanted to touch on was coaching - now I admit, I used to dump coaches in with shrinks and think it was very much an American 'thing' But really a coach is just the same as a teacher or tutor, someone who guide you in the right direction, helps you when you are stuck and cheers you on when you accomplish and achievement. 

There are coaches for all kinds of stuff and they come in all shapes and sizes. Some focus on the woo-woo stuff, others are more grounded and practical. I tend to be drawn to the ones that have a good mixture of both. All the coaches I have worked with and all the ones I have as friends, work with coaches themselves. They are working to improve themselves or their business and they are willing to invest in themselves. 

It took me a while to 'get it' and I think finding the right coach for you is crucial. I also feel that if you are struggling with something, no matter what it is, finding the right person to help you can make a HUGE difference. 

I have learned and benefited from all the courses I have done, some more than others but I have yet to take a program that I have regretted. Funnily, I nearly signed up with one lass, but she was very pushy and salesy and although I really needed help with the content she was providing, my gut wasn't happy with her as a person. So I walked away. I learnt after that she had been the same with other people, so I didn't feel so bad! A good lesson on following your instinct!

So…have you every taken an online course or worked with a coach? How was it for you?

And don't forget to enter the giveaway - loads of amazing coaching and courses in the prize winning bundles! Click HERE to enter.

Inspiration Sunday with Desiree East

This Sunday I want to introduce you to a new friend, Desirée. 

Desirée’s life style, work ethic, and approach to influencing those around her creatively, is eclectic in that she is constantly inspired by an endless combination of elements from a variety of sources: nature, music, art, culture, dance, photography, surf, travel, and of course, the beautiful people who surround her in her daily life. Desirée resides in Ventura County, CA with her loving, supporting husband, Brendon and their beach dog, Moana.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.... 

Hi, my name is Desiree East (family and friends call me Des or Desi, and my husband has a plethora of nicknames, too!) I am originally from the beautiful islands of Hawaii, and currently live in sunny California. I am an Independent Design Professional by trade, and a Visual Artist and Educator by heart. I have recently been certified as a Creative Coach, so that I can share the creative goodness to everyone I meet and teach them how nurture their inner artist, in life, as well as on the canvas...I wear a lot of hats, but as long as I am sharing the creative process with others, I am a happy gal!

2. Where do you get your inspiration from?

Nature, Surfing, and Dancing...Music :)

3. Tell us about your business?

I love connecting people to Nature through the creative process of Landscape Design...that is my bread and butter. I also LOVE to travel and meeting new people from different cultures --- and, as you can tell, I enjoy teaching and sharing the creative process with others. I would like share this creative bliss through online classes and creative retreats and workshops, on both a local level and global level, through my Creative Coaching Practice.

4. What led you to start your Creative Coaching business, ‘Dharma Creates Bliss’?

To make a very long story short, in 2009, my husband and I had made the unfortunate decision to walk away from our home. Our landscape and design business was directly tied to the failing housing market, and we took a big hit. Let’s say it was a blessing in disguise, as it allowed us to focus on the things that were the most important in life...not the shiny cars, the big house, or material things, but the little moments that make up our beautiful life in general. So, instead of feeling sorry for ourselves, we scaled down, sold nearly half of our possessions, put everything in storage, took a sabbatical and did some travelling (you can read all about our crazy adventures and beautiful life lessons on my blog).

During that time, I also knew that I had put many years of creative energy on the back burner...I enjoyed using my creativity for landscape design, but I never made the time to really create art, for the sake of creating art --- for myself, to nurture my artist within. And so that was the catalyst for starting my blog. I felt very vulnerable sharing my art with the world, but I was craving it. It was the best decision I had ever made, and I’ve never had so much fun.

I wanted to find a way to connect with more people from around the world --- kind souls, creative spirits, and the like --- just for fun. I realized I LOVED it so much. I fell in love with blogging and connecting with artists on a global level...

While travelling, I had come across the beautiful and inspiring Whitney Ferre, author of The Artist Within, and discovered her Creatively Fit Coaching Program. I applied for the Coaching Program, and before I knew it, I was certified as Creative Coach. I love every minute, and I knew the second I connected with Whitney, that it was a perfect fit for the direction I wanted to go.

5. What does an average day look like for you?

Well, now that my husband and I are back home from our travels, we have been slowly settling in and getting back on our feet. Our Landscape & Design business is now back and stronger than we could have ever hoped for. My average day looks something like this: wake up early for a morning surf; come home to work on design projects; planning up and coming creative coaching gigs; teach art and/or coaching; meet with design clients in afternoon/evenings; and create art during free time and on the weekends. My schedule is quite full, but pretty flexible, depending on what needs to be prioritized. I feel extremely grateful in so many ways.

6. What is the one thing about your job that makes your heart sing?

Being able to play with markers, paints, pastels, and basically having creative freedom definitely makes my heart sing!! BUT, helping other people’s heart sing through the creative process brings me the greatest joy...that’s my passion. That’s what lights my heart on fire.

7. Share a secret with us that has never been shared online before 

Hmmmm...sometimes, I tend to do mini food dances when it’s time to eat --- I don’t know why. It just happens. And sometimes, I don’t even know I’m doing it until my lovely husband points it out. I mean, who doesn’t get excited around deelish food, right?!

To celebrate my new creative coaching practice, ‘Dharma Creates Bliss’, I have been asked to co-lead the Purpose Project. The Purpose Project is a year-long, online creative journey, where we explore our chakras and the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water. It is a completely open, non-judgmental, heart-led, loving and supportive experience. The Purpose Project is anchored in the belief of all involved that we have the unlimited potential to expand into our most authentic, infinitely creative, and empowered, purposeful selves. Led by Whitney Ferre (Author of The Artist Within and founder of Creatively Fit), and a team of Life and Creative Coaches. I will be there with the team, coaching along the way…would love to see you there! Our journey began on JANUARY 15TH, but there is no deadline to join. Once you sign up, you will have access to each month as it is delivered.

You can find Desiree:

website : http://DesireeEast.com

Facebook : http://facebook.com/DesireeEastArtist

Twitter : http://twitter.com/DesireeEast

Pinterest : http://pinterest/DesireeEast

I have a gift for you...

Well, to be honest, for only 5 of you! The next 5 people to sign up for the My Organized Chaos e-course gets a complementary coaching session with me.

Yep. you get to bend my ear for and hour and afterwards I will give you feedback, ideas, tips and solutions to help you and your family get back on track.

Now, until recently, I was a coaching skeptic. I thought it was a load of old mumbo jumbo and a waste of time... then I signed up for b-school. When I hit that Pay Now button I promised myself that I would get out of my comfort zone and try anything and everything that came my way. 

I have and a whole new world opened up to me. I have had a few coaching sessions, with different people and each one I have come away with something valuable. For example, Jenn Morgan, a branding expert helped me figure out why I was having such a hard time writing the copy for my new website and Beth Hayden gave me ideas and direction of how to make better use of my Pinterest addiction! 

Having someone to sit and listen to your problem and I mean really listen and then give you good, solid advice on how to go about fixing it is really amazing. I know most of use have a whinge when we hang out with our friends but having a mates half-an-ear whilst you are wrangling a bunch of kids just isn't the same. I rarely come away with a solution to the problem, and really it isn't my friends fault, it isn't their area of expertise and she has her own things to whinge about!

For the coaching session, which will be done over Skype. First I will send you some questions to answer then we will have our chat, I will give you some help and feedback there and then and also follow up with a email.

Sounds good, doesn't it?

So, all you have to do is pop over to My Organized Chaos and sign up! GO...