Thida Aung is a relationship and life coach. She is also an interior designer and homemaker who loves providing service to people.
She says that, “I have a passion towards helping people and contributing something positive to their lives. I help people transform their lives from being nothing to being fulfilled and see them happy. And I love my passion so much that I made it my profession and now it has been 15 years that I have been helping many people over the globe and setting up my own company in 2020, TDA Coaching Group.”
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
I was born in a family with 9 siblings and because of this huge number, me and my family had to face a lot of economic household problems. There was less money to run the family and we couldn’t afford many of the things that the other families had. I was 10 years old at that time but I knew I had to do something to support my family’s financial conditions. I had the mindset of an adult at the age of 10. I used to wake up at 4 am to help my mother in cooking, I looked for different ways to earn money after school and supported my family in whatever way I could.
I knew staying in the same town would not give me bigger opportunities and scopes in life. So, I took a hard decision at the age of 19 to move out of my house and settle in the city. Through this, I could be able to explore new and bigger opportunities and earn more money. I successfully got a job and I also had a passion for singing, so started working as a singer in wedding events. I earned a decent amount of money from which I saved a little for myself and sent the rest to support my family.
Back then, I developed a keen interest in human psychology. I was very interested in knowing how the human mind works, about human behaviour, etc. I took up psychology as my honours but had to drop out of college due to lack of money and I had to leave my formal degree midway. After doing the job and saving money I still wanted to learn about this subject but I also had to send money to my family. At that time, I couldn’t afford to go for paid courses to study it as I had to support my family. But there is a saying – “Where there is a will, there is a way”. I skimmed out all the information available on the internet about human psychology. I learned from all the free resources, took notes from them and made myself a better version every day with every piece of information.
Learning is a lifelong process and even after getting married, I didn’t stop learning. I took up a lot of seminars related to money making, mindfulness, life and many others and I still attend them. My husband had a very good business and he used to provide me with everything. But, somewhere there was a goal in my mind to do something for the people. That is when I started coaching people. I started with my neighborhood. I reached out to all the people in my community to see if they needed help with their lives and started providing value as a counsellor for free. I was always looking for a way to help people in my family, community or anywhere even when I wasn’t in a sound financial condition. I also started my blog to showcase my expertise and knowledge and help people all over the world.
My role model was never any fancy public figure. For me, a role model can be anybody whom you can learn from. My role models are people that surround me – my husband, son, sister/brother etc. I learned a lot of things from the people living next to me, they have shown me some great positive aspects of life. So, I picked up and learned those from them and applied them throughout my life.
Was there any turning point in your life that changed your journey? If so, what was it? Please tell us the backstory behind it.
Ans- Yes, there was a turning point in my life. I involved myself in different occupations to finally discover my one true love. 15 years ago, I made singing my profession. I was earning a good amount of money, I released 3 song albums of my own. I was very happy then, but not long enough. I realised that singing is something I love but I am not willing to carry out this as my profession throughout my life. At that time, I also knew interior design and I used to get projects with good money. Despite that, I wasn’t happy. I started to ponder, what is that I truly want to carry out throughout my life. I didn’t have my answers.
But, I always had a thought to help people be happiest in their lives. Whenever I saw people not having good relationships with their partners, children, friends or workplace, I wanted to offer my solutions to strengthen their relationships. A good relationship is the foundation of a happy life. People start being happy when they have good and healthy relationships with their close ones be it mother, son, father, or anyone. When people are happy their minds are more nourished and they create and utilize opportunities in life. Once they are mentally healthy they also improve their finances. I always knew how to bring these changes into people’s lives and that is the reason I can stop myself from helping others.
This is the exact moment I discovered that coaching people about bringing transformation in their lives and relationships is my ultimate goal and I want to do this throughout my life. And from 1997, I started my journey.
I wanted people to let them know about my services and the transformation I bring into their lives. I started giving group coaching to people from my country. I started giving them certification for my courses. Later, I took into some of these people and formed the TDA Coaching Group to help bring transformation to everyone’s lives. I helped them deal with and recover from anxiety, depression, and relationship rebuilding. I also coached many people to thrive in their businesses. There are feedbacks from my clients where they see no possibility to improve their business – from having losses to debts and to rising as a warrior and seeing possibilities and making business transformations.
Tell something about your initiative or current role. What is it about, and what impact are you trying to make?
Ans – I am the founder of TDA Coaching Group and the head coach of the company. My role in this company is very influential and powerful because I have to solve the big puzzle to assign every project to my mates. Also, this role is full of responsibility, not only supervising the company but helping my clients achieve their goals. I provide life and relationship coaching to my clients. My main goal is to bring a positive change in them where they start embracing all the possibilities of their lives.
The main services I designed for my clients are –
- Relationship course – Designing your relationship
It is designed for people who –
- Are afraid to love again
- Can’t get over past relationships
- Feel stuck in the present relationship
- Want a committed relationship
- Have the same ending in every relationship
- Are looking to have effective communication with their partner.
- Mindfulness course – Living being mindful
It is for people who –
- Feel lonely, are stressed
- Have higher anger issues
- Live with anxiety
- Live with guilt
- Overthink with negative thoughts & emotions
I offer a helping hand to anyone silently suffering and dealing with these. I am starting my new batch of these two courses in May 2023.
I would love to help my readers see life from a positive perspective and bring a peaceful mind, self-confidence, sound sleep every night, happiness every day, authentic communication, improved social relationships, restored trust and more financial opportunities.
- 1:1 Coaching Session – Includes Discussion for advice, private consultation and transformational coaching
It is for people who need urgent guidance and solution for concerns related to –
- Relationship – For family/ romantic/ workplace relationship problems
- Parenting – For child-parent relation problems
- Marriage – For unfulfilled and unhappy married couples
- Mindfulness – For anxiety, depression, anger issues, etc.
- Self-development – For discovering identity, career building, practising ownership, getting more clients
This 1:1 coaching session is for everyone who wants to solve their problems and also wants to have a taste of my courses. It acts as a window for the life you desire and can achieve through my courses.
Listen YOU – Subscription service for professional coaches and leaders in all sector
Performance Transformation – For employees and workers willing to develop corporate skillsets.
I want to create more life and relationship coaches all over the globe to replenish the mental health of all people. Because there are tons of people who provide information and coaching on money making but it is the mental health and relationships that are ignored most of the time. When someone is mentally healthy, they are automatically focused on money-making activities and flourish more.
Everyone has their own set of challenges when starting an entrepreneurial journey. Still, the most essential part for others to learn is how you deal with those. Would you like to share with us your challenges and your coping mechanisms?
I had a lot of challenges in my entrepreneurial journey. Having theoretical knowledge and applying the on field is completely different. Theoretical knowledge, when applied practically, needs a lot of time to produce results because there are many hardships.
When I was new to this profession, people online didn’t pay much interest. They would read my posts on Facebook and attend webinars but didn’t care to send feedback. People were ignorant because as a new coach, I didn’t have any testimonials from clients. And testimonials are needed to show my credibility and get more clients. And because of this reason, I gave free coaching to people for 2 years and asked for their testimonials in return. I was patient because it was my dream to do it as a profession. Later, people found value in my classes, they saw the transformation in their lives and they started to opt for my paid courses.
The 2 years of free coaching taught me so much in life. I was more polished in my skills and I was very confident about my skill expertise that what I am providing the people for free, will bring possibility and growth in their lives and relationships.
While the global pandemic of COVID-19 is associated primarily with adversities, it has also brought about a true boom in startups, with successful entrepreneurship in many countries. The pandemic has impacted all of us in one way or another. Would you like to share your experience on a personal and professional level?
Ans- COVID-19 has indeed caused a terrifying situation worldwide but it was also a period where business shifted to online mode and people started making good money. I started my company in 2020 and it had also faced the COVID-19 wave. As I started new I had to reach out to more people to get clients. But we all were locked inside the house and so I thought that this was the only opportunity to shift my business online and reach out to people. I thought not to be upset about the current situation but instead, use it as an opportunity to create.
Initially, I wasn’t much bothered about digital media but then I was curious to learn everything about this digital world. I also learned digital marketing to support my services online. I was getting better at my business. As I was involved in the digital world, I started creating more. New ideas came in and I started implying technology to show my expertise to people online. I started organizing online classes, consultancy and meetings over Zoom calls. I created and expanded my courses for people suffering from anxiety, depression, lack of self-confidence, struggles in relationships etc. I also started giving solo classes to my clients. Digital platforms have helped to increase my visibility and people now see me as a credible person.
Personally, what I feel is – to love your close ones, and be happy with them and yourself. You should always stay connected with your family and loved ones. Always pretend to be in a pandemic so that you always stay connected with your family. At times, you never know when someone leaves you forever and you start regretting the fact that you didn’t spend much time with that person. No matter how busy you are, always take out time to connect with your close ones.
Your journey and your vision are very inspiring, but are there any achievements or accomplishments you would like to mention?
My greatest achievement is my clients’ transformation with my coaching and consultancy. The second achievement is the feedback from my clients after they complete my courses. My clients are my topmost priority. I talk to them, know them and I show them the possibilities they have in their life. I guide them to whatever level they want to achieve in their life.
For instance, some people stopped seeing any possibility of happiness in their lives and wanted to give up on life, I guided and showed them what they couldn’t see. Today after a few sessions with me, they told me they want to live and create whatever they wished in their life, they see possibilities now. Clients’ transformation is a gift to my services. I want to build more and leave behind this life-changing material for the generations to come.
I am a TV speaker and also get featured on a radio show back in my country Myanmar.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
I want every woman around the world to see and realize their individualistic value. The woman is the provider of a family who carries a child within her and raises the whole family. A woman has so much energy in herself and sadly the majority of them are not even aware of it. Most women don’t see their value because society doesn’t talk about women’s value in the service sector. But as a woman, you should be proud of yourself and recognize the core values within yourself.
Women tend to forget their core values while providing for others but now the times are changing. I see women seeing their values and slowly spreading out their wings in every field be it business, defence, health, etc. And there will be more participation of women in every sector in the coming years, especially business. Women are now more conscious of starting something on their own. She may be a homemaker but now she has realized her individualistic value and wants to thrive in the business sector as a woman. Every woman in the world should involve herself in a side hustle not only to provide for their family but also to have the self-satisfaction of being a woman and being an all-rounder.
What’s the most important thing you have learned in your personal life and professional journey? What is your motto in life?
Ans- The most important thing that I learnt in my personal life is that one’s lifestyle is a temporary thing but who you are is permanent. But 90% of people think that their lifestyle defines them, whereas reality is the opposite. When the lifestyle changes, you are caught with insecurities, concerns, victimisation and every negative aspect you name. A change in lifestyle changes a person’s mood and generally, it is perceived that a change in lifestyle means YOU are changed. But, I learnt this lifestyle can be anything, it will fluctuate but who I am from within will never change. One should be able to distinguish oneself from their lifestyle. It’s just a part of their life and not their whole life. One should never get influenced by what has been posted on social media because no one posts their true self. As human beings, we all automatically compare ourselves with others as long as we live. Every time we compare, we get to acknowledge that we are individuals and we are unique in many ways.
Focus on saving energy, which means not having too many activities but when you act, it should be effective and with attention.
In my professional life, the most important lesson is that if I own an online business, I have to be seen by people. I will have to provide them. I will have to know what people are struggling with in life so that I relate that to my product/service. I give hope and guidance that there are plenty of possibilities which they are failing to see in life. I give out everything without any selfishness to bring their transformation. Work genuinely and the hard work speaks.
My motto in life is to create possibilities in human life. I want every human being should see their possibilities and start to create a good life achieving all their goals. Goals can be financial, relationship and even mental peace. When you achieve your desired goals everyone is happy and I want to be the reason for this happiness. Hence, I want to replenish the human mind.
- Women are a growing force in the workplace worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women’s leadership today?
Ans- I see a huge transition from women being graded a lower position by society to women’s leadership now. Society has always suppressed women and it still tries to do so but women today, have the enthusiasm to do something on their own and they are breaking through the odds. As a woman, I am proud to witness this victorious scenario that men and women are walking together and women are flourishing and fulfilling their goals.
With your grit and determination, you are making a considerable impact, breaking through, and serving as role models for many budding entrepreneurs. What would you like to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
You can listen to society but you do not have to agree to it. You should make decisions according to your workability. You are the one who will have to face everything in life. Life is short – listen to your heart. Do what your heart says. Achieving your goals will be difficult because nothing in life comes easy but you will have to work step by step without losing your patience. Work with integrity and focus on the aim.
Trust yourself and the process. Do your task every day without a gap. Today you might see that you are in the same place but this hard work will speak out loud after a year and you will see that you achieved your goals.
Don’t work 24×7 but wholeheartedly when you do it for 3 or 4 hours.
Consistency and hard work is the only key to breaking through and achieving the desired goals.
