A Business Coach Tells How To Let Go Of Fear, Say No & Follow Your True Calling
Swapping a corporate career in Sydney for life in Bali running her coaching biz, Carly Taber shares her tips for following your "niggle"..
Carly Taber had the exact life she dreamed of as a teen. She had spent 8 years climbing the corporate ladder - successfully growing the marketing, communities and sales for leading Australian digital publishers, health and food brands - but her love for the job no longer fulfilled her, the daily grind became increasingly taxing and Carly craved for her work to have a truly positive impact.
She never imagined that completing her yoga teacher training in 2016 would forge the way to a new career path that would see her waving goodbye to the 9-5 and heading back to Bali to live and work amongst the palm trees!
Her initial intention was to scale her side-hustle (wellness website and community: casadekarma.com.au) and consult across digital, marketing & business. That evolved into where she is now; supporting conscious women and brands to build meaningful businesses through her coaching business.
We caught up with Carly to chat all things finding your purpose, how to cultivate a life that allows you to live up to your full potential, overcoming fear of failure and how to avoid burnout in those early days of starting a new business.
We also couldn't resist getting the low-down on all the best places to Eat, Stay & Play in Bali - because, hey, you just never know where "following your niggle" will lead you!
Many people let the fear of failure stop them from trying something new or launching their own business – what is your take on the concept of failure?
I totally get this feeling but I wholeheartedly believe in the saying, “there’s no such thing as failure, only feedback. You only fail when you give up”.
If fear is holding you back, ask yourself: “What’s the worst thing that could happen?”. Usually it’s not that bad, but if there is a worst-case, the next step is to come up with a solution for it, so you’ve got yourself covered!
Even if the feedback is that you don’t want to do something anymore - that’s fine (you probably weren’t going to want to do it forever anyway).
What is your advice to anyone thinking of changing careers or following that niggle in their belly?
That niggle is a calling - life’s short, act on it!
As we go through different life stages our priorities and passions change.
Just because you have done something a certain way before, doesn’t mean you can’t change your mind and do things differently, when you want to.
Practice letting go of worrying about what other people think of your choices - it’s your life, not theirs and as the saying goes, “those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind”.
I read the other day that people today are having on average 5-7 careers (with an average of 12 job changes). The world is forever changing and so can you!
What was the catalyst for you to make the jump from the corporate world and relocate to Bali?
I’ve always loved the idea of more freedom and flexibility. It had been on my mind as something I wanted to do but I honestly thought we never would. Then I did a yoga teacher training which turned out to be one of the most life-changing experiences I’ve had to date. I let go of veils of fear and became ready to take inspired action. Thankfully my partner was super keen on the idea too!
When did you know you wanted to be a Business Coach?
Colleagues and friends used to tell me I should coach in business, career and mindset having helped them in these areas over the years, but I never thought much of it.
However when I decided I wanted to veer away from corporate for a while, coaching and consulting seemed like the best option to allow flexibility in my location and hours.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your career before starting your coaching biz
I spent the first 8 years of my career in marketing and management roles, growing the brands, communities and sales for Australia’s leading digital publishing, health and food brands. This work allowed me to be creative, strategic and collaborative. It also facilitated my biggest passion - to travel well and often.
However by the time I reached my late 20’s my priorities and passions had naturally evolved. I was really into yoga and wanted for my work to contribute to the greater good. This lead me to start casadekarma.com.au on the side to feed my new curiosities and desires. And also attend a yoga teacher training in Bali.
What do you love most about working in the coaching space and did you imagine this is what you would be doing?
Seeing clients progress. Seeing them grow, learn, succeed and experience the wins that they’d not long ago dreamed about.
Did you always imagine this is where your career would take you?
Not at all! That said everything I’ve done has resulted in me being here.
Working to the point of burnout is a challenge for most entrepreneurs/ start ups - what are your tips for working smarter not harder?
Depending on what your goals are, I believe that to a large extent being and feeling busy is a choice. And it’s certainly not a badge of honour.
These are my favourite 6 tips:
Reframe your mindset & switch the language you’re using: Eg, rather than saying “I don’t have time” or “I’m too busy” you could say: “I’m choosing not to do that because X is my priority right now” or, “I’m committed to other projects next week, however I could do” “My calendar is full” (aligning the busyness with your calendar, not your self).
Prioritise your tasks and time: So your energy is spent on that which is going to make you money now or quantifiably help in the long run. Using the priorities quadrant is a great tool for this.
Follow the “touch it once” rule: An old but goodie productivity hack. With any task that comes across your desk: 1) do it now, 2) decide when you’re going to do it, 3) delegate it, or 4) delete it.
Automate! This may be the biggest game changer of them all and my favourite to teach clients to implement. Systemising your marketing (and general operations) will save you hundreds of hours, offer your clients/customers a better experience AND help generate more income with ease and flow!
- Practice saying no: Get in the habit of declining things that clog your calendar and aren’t directly related to your goals.
- Block out time for your personal non-negotiable [priorities] first: Then add your work into your calendar around these things (entering them based on their priority).
What inspires you, drives you and motivates you to succeed?
Work-wise, I’m deeply motivated and driven to support heart-centred women (and brands) create their dream business and life.
I’m also inspired to live a life that feels intuitively good. Most 90 year olds don’t regret “not achieving more”, they regret “not loving more”. Creating shared memories, exploring passions, experiencing new things and being content are things I’m motivated by.
What are your top five tips to fellow entrepreneurs or startup businesses?
Treat it like a business: If you treat it like a hobby it will stay a hobby. Invest wisely in the business and yourself.
Get the right support: You’ll get to where you want to be a hell of a lot faster with support of fellow entrepreneurs and a coach, than you will on your own.
Get laser-focused on what matters: On what’s going to make you money, so that you can stay in business in the long run. For example, there’s probably a faster way to grow your brand and profits than hanging out on social media as much as you are. Or focusing so much on growing your tribe that you forget to nurture those who are already engaged.
Don’t let perfect get in the way of good: Start with the minimum viable product, put it out there, see what works and grow it based on that feedback.
Work on your inner dialogue: Overcoming fears and making ongoing mindset upgrades is going to help you grow faster than if you don’t. This is an ongoing practice of getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. What scares you today, won’t tomorrow.
How do you unwind?
Yoga, eating & drinking out, spending time at the beach with a book or good company, watching the sunset and drinking coconuts, and going to the movies!
Where are your fave places to Eat, Stay and Play in Bali?
Gosh, this question could be a whole interview in and of its own!
Here’s a few of my personal favourites in Canggu:
Food
The Shady Shack & Peloton - cafes for best smoothie and salad bowls
Milu by Nook - for the decor & view
Copenhagen - for a fun brunch
Parachute for croissant and coffee
Ulekan for Nasi Campur lunch
Lacalita or Two Fingers for dinner (both Mexican)Pampering
Colors for mani/pedis with epic nail art.
Spring Spa for hair treatments
Amo for facials
Orchid Spa for massagesYoga - Desa Seni
Sunset drinks - La Brisa, The Lawn or any locally-run beach bar.
Beach days - Laying on a bean bag under an umbrella at one of the local beach bars.
The coconuts are always cold and the local food is delish!Stay - in a villa via Airbnb
For more check out
· 18 Best Restaurants in Canggu
What items do you treasure most?
I’m not that into material things!
What’s next for you?
Loving and living in this current phase! More creation with people and brands who want to create a positive impact on the people around them or the world we live in.
I expect we’ll Australia will become our base again eventually, but not sure when (or where) exactly. Watch this space!
Follow Carly...
Website: carlytaber.com
Instagram: @carlytaber
Facebook: @carlytaberbusinesscoach
