A member of a VA chat forum mentioned that he was looking forward to going virtual fulltime and hoped it would happen by the end of this year (2006). His comment took me back about 14 or so years ago, to a mentor in my life who was also a doctor in psychosomatic medicine outside of our business connections. He taught me about the RAS. The reticular activation system (RAS) states that our minds are drawn towards what we think about. Have you noticed how when something in particular is on your … [Read more...]
It is the World WIDE Web!
I often have to remind people I converse with via email and chat forums, or perhaps those who write articles that are meant to be read widely, that we are in the WORLD Wide Web and not the Country Wide Web. In fact, I've kind of made it my personal quest so I hope in reading this it prompts you too, to think about this. What do I mean by that? Writers frequently forget that readers may be in a different country when they refer to a number of things such as currency, dates, temperatures, … [Read more...]
Happy New Year for 2006
Well, I've spent several (quiet) days exploring the world of blogs and a little the wiser now. I've added more links to the right of this blog and I also welcome those who have recently subscribed - please do let me know if you have anything you'd like to know about being a VA or using a VA. I've also started a family blog - for those of you who know me and/or members of my family. Or, perhaps you're just a bit curious about my life outside of my business. Anyway, I hope you've spent the … [Read more...]
Love/Hate Relationship With Quiet Times
Why is that when things are so hectically busy I long for a quiet time to start that new project or idea and then end up starting it anyway because I can't wait? It often means I'm on my computer till midnight to get it up and running, and then not being able to switch off my mind when I finally go to bed. And then when the quiet time does come (usually between Christmas and New Year, or just before the end of the financial year when people don't want to spend any more money) the 'new project' … [Read more...]
Why Use a VA?
Why would you use a Virtual Assistant? Consider the following: 1. You want or need regular or ad-hoc administrative support but don't have suitable office space, a spare desk, a spare computer, the relevant software, or perhaps you just highly value your space and don't want to share it. 2. You can't afford to pay for someone xx number of hours a week as well as their superannuation, taxes, workcover and other insurances, and leave loading. 3. You don't want to give someone else the key to … [Read more...]
Blogging for the general public – TAMT
I've been learning about Blogs for a couple of months now and joined a chat forum to learn more about it (see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ezinesandblogs/ if interested in joining). I want to see the Blog I write to be one that will assist those learning about the Virtual Assistant Industry to understand it better, what it is, how people can become a VA or how a client can use a VA. The chat forums available for VAs are very useful (see http://www.allianceforvirtualbiz.com for a list of VA … [Read more...]
Spirit – Of Adventure & Achievement – TAMT
I have a collection of cards that are meant to be topic stimulators in meetings and I find them great for posts to this blog. The topic this week is: Spirit - Of Adventure & Achievement What does Spirit - Of adventure & achievement mean to you? To me it means having the spirit to venture forth and try things out, to be willing to have a go at something for the sake of adventure but also for the sense of achievement after that thing is completed. To know that even if you are not fully successful … [Read more...]
Networking – Information and Relationships – TAMT
One of the things I love about networking the most is how relationships can develop. Good friends, good information, good business. Developing a business as a VA requires networking both online and offline. It's important to get a good mix of the two. Some are so desperate for the 'virtual' thing to start happening that they overlook the importance of laying foundations - and often those foundations need to be on solid ground, not cyber space. Getting in the middle of the networks that your … [Read more...]
110% – Give Your Best – TAMT
What does it mean to give 110%, to give of your best? I believe it means taking something further than most people would. I believe it means to give or do as much as you can for the task at hand, and then a little more too. In this day and age of rush, rush, rush, people tend to take short cuts and say 'that will do' when often it barely meets the client's needs. As VAs it is important we demonstrate to our clients that we are prepared to give 110% - that we will treat their business as our own … [Read more...]
