The Virtual Wire

First Friday Pep

I started off February a bit down in the dumps. Not because of any one thing, but more because I had been ill a few times in January which:

1. Slowed me down with my work projects 
2. Made me realize that I need to be practicing more “self-care” 
3. Highlighted that the two above were in conflict, i.e. to catch up on my projects, I am unable to practice enough self-care.

So as I pondered the semantics of my dilemma, I became more down as the solution appeared elusive. So I stopped thinking about it and just started to create a better outcome. And in the usual theme of our first Friday post (albeit it is coming a bit late this month) I would like to share some motivational quotes that helped me to think beyond my present position and think positively towards February. 

"You are not a failure. A failure is someone who does not try. When you try, you may not hit the target, but at least you gave it your every effort and now have the opportunity to try again. That is what true success is." Copyright © 2010 Gilbert De Marco 

"The best way out is always through." Robert Frost 

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall." Confucius 

"We are still masters of our fate. We are still captains of our souls." Winston Churchill 

As I found the quotes that resonated with me, I realized that what I felt that I needed was motivation to get me up and on track. I hope if you ever feel a bit out of sorts that these quotes will resonate and help you too.

So you're hoping to gain influence?

Everywhere we look, that "cry" for significance can be felt. Have you seen it, sensed it, felt it?  I imagine it comes from a longing deep within ... well, uh, that's another story for another time and place. 

In the solopreneur and microbusiness world (where I fit), there seems to be an enormous amount of striving to be heard by the masses. Equating real influence because of the number of followers or friends acquired is the acceptable mindset (at least it seems that way for many). This is more than puzzling to me.   

I appreciate hearing straight talk when it comes to the role social media plays in business and beyond. And, I came across this post by Brent Leary, which I thought hit the target spot on! He nails the matter of  "appearance of influence vs. real influence" very nicely, in my opinion.

If you're wondering about this subject, I think you'll be glad you spent a few moments reading his post.

What it takes to take a vacation

So I hope that you all have planned for some time off this year. If you are a solopreneuer, that could mean that you totally shut down your office and no work is done. This equates to lost revenue, customers not being taken care of (and could possibly find a different vendor), etc. So how do you avoid that issue and keep the business running when you are gone? Hopefully you are a solopreneuer that has a plan!

I am gone from the office quite a bit every year to participate in mastermind group meetings, professional development seminars, etc. As a virtual assistant, I can't afford to lose that revenue or have customers leave because I am not available for a long stretch (more than just a couple days). It happened earlier in January when a family member died. I knew that it might possibly happen soon (you just can't exactly predict these things), but I put my plan together beforehand. I have a very trusted friend that is also a virtual assistant (thanks Cheryl!) and I updated her every couple of days on what was happening with my clients. I  kept my project management program updated (thank you Central Desktop) and I informed my clients what was happening and that I had a plan. Cheryl knew that I would contact her and she would have access to my computer, my files, my project management, etc. If clients needed something she would be able to find it, handle it, and the customer was happy. Fortunately, the timing worked out that I didn't need Cheryl to handle very much and I only took one day off (although I was a little slow for a couple more days--nothing that affected my clients).

So start thinking now about upcoming vacations or even unplanned time out of the office (who hasn't had a sick kid?). Your clients will be pleased to know that you have a team and a plan so that you don't become a bottleneck in your client's business when you have to take time off unexpectedly.

• Do you have a trusted person that you can give access to your computer and files?
• Ask that person if they would be your backup and then brief them on your business (where are files, logmein details, client names, project management software used...).
• Make sure you have notified your clients about your plan and how it works (and get permission to have someone have access to their confidential files).
• Write out your plan and check for missing parts.
• Keep your backup person informed on at least a monthly basis on new clients, large projects, etc. so they aren't in the dark.
• Make sure the backup person knows your subs/VA team so she can use them as a resource as well.
• Keep the projects rolling while you are gone by being sure that everyone knows their role in the projects and how to get questions answered while you are gone.
• Make sure your computer backup system is working (in case of a fire or natural disaster). I use Carbonite and Mozy on my computers.

Now go plan that vacation and have fun, or know that you have things covered in a unexpected emergency. I know I sleep better at night knowing I have my plan in place and it works!

Oh, and some suggested reading for that vacation:

The Four Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss. He has issued an updated version with lots of new stuff. Since I am in a different place mentally from the last time I read it, things sunk in differently.

Another good read is The Answer by John Assaraf and Murray Smith. This book is a great read all about mindset shifts, how the brain works, and the law of attraction. It gets pretty technical at times and I do have to reread things twice, but it has definitely changed the way I think about my business (and my life).

Sharing a load’a knowledge

Yes typical British slang, which is usually used when people are talking about money, i.e. “I’ve got a load’a dosh” translates into “I’ve got a lot of money.” I know I am being silly, but I just felt like it today.  

This title signifies how I feel this month, especially after the sort of year I have had. In 2009 I invested in a fair amount of training, some still to be completed, and so I started 2010 feeling completely full to the brim with knowledge and now my task is to disseminate this to my clients. 

Continuing in the theme I started last week, looking at my client experience, I also realised that part of this which straddles both strategy and implementation for my business is to work out how I would cohesively share my knowledge as my bank of experience grows. 

Part of this will be solved through my monthly newsletter, and simply the work that I do, but more from a client experience I also realised that I need to improve or establish my business processes so that my clients can truly benefit from all what I have know and how I can help them grow their businesses. It is quite pointless for my client to ask me about a marketing funnel, without me having some sort of process that might help them create or review their own marketing funnel – do you get my drift? 

So I intend to create or develop some questionnaires for my business around some of the more common and basic business building activities like: 

1. Building a website - I use a form which I purchased from VACOC - it doesn't appear to be there now but contact Danielle Keister and maybe she provide it for you.
2. Delving into and developing a social networking strategy 
3. Bio, keyword and business description exercise 

This is just a few that came to mind. Just ways for me to share my “load’a knowledge.” Want to share how you express your knowledge?

Something more to think about

"You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him."

     --James D. Miles

I found this to be evident in my own experience, unfortunately.  Perhaps, you have as well. 

To be completely and fully aware of how we view and treat our fellow human beings takes deliberate effort. 

It is effort well spent, I believe, and will certainly reap good and positive results. 

Certainly, more and more of us are becoming increasingly aware of this fact and are committing to act upon it.  That's my hope.