On 20 September 2018, a variety of people who live, work and network in Camberwell (Camberwellians) gathered together to share their tips on The Business of Transformation with others at Barolo Trattoria, Level 1, 885 Burke Road, Camberwell.
The discussion began with a short presentation from Juliet Martine. Here are their tips (paraphrased from notes by Sue Ellson).
Transformation is made up of two words, trans meaning change and formation meaning structure. It is important to be transformed on the inside and out. Had to let go of everything to move to Melbourne from Sydney – everything looks, feels and sounds different and had to detach from what I am and to be of service. I help people clear blocks that have been holding on to in relation to health, relationships, career, business etc to help people find their heart calling.
- Listen to your heart – check in, a lot of people use their head which is full of parental programming, influence and approval. No need to grow up, can be forever youthful.
- Will be fears that come up – change involves moving beyond your comfort zone. Expansion can trigger stories about whether or not we are good enough, adequate or bold and thinking that others are more qualified – follow your heart and not let fear control you, it is a part of change
- Ask for help – you are not meant to do everything on your own, we do not live on a desert island. Recognise when you need support or assistance or are finding things difficult and work with a coach or mentor to let their light shine and allow the transformation. It is an exciting opportunity. I was initially so resistant to moving south to Melbourne, everyone thought I would go north to a warmer climate. Had a soul calling, but many people live in the rational world – I was called to be here.
- If you have a yearning, don’t ignore it – once I signed a local lease, my soul was singing. Embracing change daily can be enlivening and help make life a big adventure.
- Adopt a mantra – ‘I embrace change daily.’
Antony Malmo – Director Education & Research at Allos Australia
Many people live according to frames. I thought I had figured out social faux pas’s after living overseas for a long time but have always found that there is more to learn, especially when I returned to Australia.
If people feel that a change has been imposed, they are less likely to like it, but if they feel in control of the change, then change can be perceived as okay.
Rochelle Morris – Interior Designer
Be true to yourself, don’t think about what others do, if you try to change, it can come across as fake. Stay original.
Amanda Mao – Freelance B2B bilingual Chinese Medical Writer and Translator
Coming from China, no experience of being a freelancer so it was a big change. There can be a fear that you may never get out, but one day you will get out into the light.
Eric Drinkwater – Lecturer at Deakin University in Exercise Sports Science
Moved from Bathurst NSW to Perth WA and felt a long way away and very socially isolated, but never been happier since moving to Melbourne.
Embrace change by playing the long game. You may not necessarily make the best choice, but just keep working at it and it will eventually work out.
(No step is ever wasted, something in it to propel you forward and the value will appear later. Juliet)
Rob Chiarolli – Business and Leadership Coach
Grapes to wine is a transformation (in my business name). Works with human behaviour by creating a structure and process for change – but you need to have a clear vision and keep the end in mind.
It is step one for transformation. What does it look like? Not shoot arrows in the air as it won’t form something.
Jacqui Hutton – Graphic Designer, Marketing, Social Media and Google
Never wanted to go into a 9-5 job but rest of family has never had their own business, but I want to make a difference. Feels like it would be depressing to only do one thing.
Although currently freelancing, want to work towards working in a big company where the message can reach a lot of people every day. Transformation is about constantly changing and I feel completely different.
Dedicate and sacrifice to learn every day, despite family members’ concern. Keep going and look at your heart and ask what do I need to do to change myself for the positive and what do I want to achieve or feel.
Need to accept various happy and sad emotions and do this now and work towards what you love to do.
Melanie Scott – Service Dog Trainer
More time with a dog can create less stress and I teach people to transform their life with a dog.
Can calm and enhance a person and their family life. A service dog can help people with autism (calm), dementia (stop leaving a room), wheelchair (pick up things), epilepsy (identify seizure onset) etc.
Ray Orr – Run MBE and four franchise locations – outsourcing production, telephone, printing, couriers
Can’t pigeon hole people into Generations – like Gen Z to determine how they will respond as everyone is an individual. Need to help business owners transform and learn to outsource.
People often have a secretary but they have to create work for the person to do each day to keep them busy. Trust us to give work and go ahead and do it – can often be better with a big company and smaller company can grow and get on with it.
A lot of people do not value their time. Have lived in 24 houses in 10 cities – a lot of transformation doing that and also managing six general managers and a float on the stock exchange.
Anthony Hohtoulas – Business, Property, Litigation, Wills & Estates Lawyer
Lawyers don’t like change but we are currently going through tremendous change with online conveyancing and there are legal, ethical and practical issues that have gripped people with fear but once they learn the process, calms them down and the sun comes up the next day and everything is okay.
Every business changes, whether you are an employee, contractor, freelancer. We need to evolve. There is always a start, middle and end.
Practice has changed over the last 20 years. Harder to accept change if it is mandated, better if it is voluntary.
Leanne Findlay – Aviation Safety Professional and End of Life Companion Advocate
Would like to have had someone beside me when I went through two gradual losses to help me with my feelings, like birthing doulas but end of life companions. Want to change cultural ways in the future.
Exciting space as only 30% of people are religious and everyone else needs to know what and why with dying. Funerals do well but need more grief literacy.
Ray Usanto – Personal Assistant helping people with Technology and Assistant Accountant
Whole life has been a transformation. Studied in Australia, went back to Indonesia.
Need to set goals. If not sure what to do with your life, still set a goal as you can always change and adapt in the future. Make sure you find the right person to guide you through change.
I was struggling and Sue Ellson suggested freelancing as an alternative. Always working to improve myself. Started getting involved in gaming and came 3rd place Agent17805.
Sue Ellson – Independent LinkedIn Specialist, Camberwell Network and Newcomers Network Founder
Need to keep challenging the mind to keep it healthy. Chose to attend and present at a Poetry Slam in Hawthorn – became extremely nervous despite having been training and presenting for many years as the audience were already raving fans and wanted to hear the poetry. Need to feel the fear and do it anyway. Also started writing more poems and read out ‘Love Yourself.’
Register for the next Camberwell Networkers event on the Third Wednesday of the Month between 5:30pm and 7:00pm here.