The Virtual Wire

Numbers: 4701

Was it only two weeks ago that E and I were on a train, on the way home from Ottawa? How many times have we been on train "4701"? Over the past few years, I'd say 10 or more times. And every time, save perhaps one, it was about the journey...

And so I'd like to use the "journey" as a metaphor in discussing numbers, and this will be the first of several posts concerning numbers (or journeys). Every journey is like a delightful new game!

Just as when (both E and I) had decided to take AssistU's Virtual Training Program (VTP), so did we make a conscious decision to board another train. In the case of the VTP, it was a journey neither of us had been on before. In the case of the train, it was one we'd taken many times. In both cases, the journey counted large. The goal of each trip was different: in the first case, to acquire real-life skills (communication, Law of Attraction, business plan creation, and more). In the second case, the goal was to arrive in Ottawa (or in some cases Montréal). In both, there was a sustained and focused effort to be awake and very conscious so as not to let the journey go unnoticed.

Every facet of the journey counts: yes, even ones that strike us as negative. Not only do we learn from all experiences, we learn--if we have the option and awareness--to avoid repeating mistakes in the future. On a personal note, I want to know what my friends, family, students, and clients (in my virtual assistance business) think of me; 'good' or 'bad'. At least then, information in hand, I can make an intelligent and informed decision about whether I need to eradicate the 'bad', or augment the 'good'.

So I want to do 4701 again, just like I want to keep on the AssistU journey. Both things are possible, though now in different ways. Do you have a number--and a journey--you'd like to talk about?

The education piece

A huge part of my life, since the late 1980's, has been my other career hat: that of the trainer, presenter, and teacher. My interest in being on that end of education came about because I had a very keen interest in computers, and I had some university exposure to communications studies (public relations, public speaking, interpersonal skills, etc.). The two seemed to form the perfect blend in the late eighties. My first break was with the head office of a national drug store chain, and my first crack at teaching in a classroom environment came about with Seneca College, when I joined their continuing education faculty.

The richness in the classroom, and while spending time (and learning) with my teaching colleagues, does have its parallels; in fact, one of them is the richness I experience with fellow virtual assistants. The best place to do either is in person. Two weeks ago, I did both! I had an interesting conversation with Cynthia (a fellow teacher and friend), and many great conversations--and connections--with virtual assistants, while presenting at and attending FoVA 2009. FoVA itself, by the way, provided me with the opportunity of education and virtual assistance. Nice.

The education piece I'm speaking about can simply be called sharing. When both teachers and students are in abundance, have abundance to share, and have desire, the mix is extraordinarily rich.

Having been a trainer, presenter, and teacher for so long has brought one immensely important fact home: some teachers don't know what they are--but should--and many students, myself included, should take advantage of the teachers who are already there for them.

Positive and negative mindsets

I am not sure about the purpose of this article, but I just wanted to talk about the strength of negative or positive mindsets.

I interviewed with a client recently who wanted someone to manage her radio show and social networks.  She said to me more than once in the interview that these avenues “do not make money for me” and that if she spent time doing them she would have to allot herself time in her schedule as if she was her own client, and “she wasn’t prepared to do that.”  Now I am not saying that either of these statements are wrong, but it is the approach and the mindset that sounds off.  

For instance social networking activities are supposed to eventually increase revenue, so although they don’t make money now it is an investment that reaps rewards down the line.  Maybe she was partly thinking that, which is why she wanted a VA, but that is not what she said!  Also I agree that she should not be doing this work because she should be working with her clients, but to say that she is “not prepared to treat herself as a client,” again illustrates that she is in the wrong mindset.  

I remember coming away from this conversation thinking that she would struggle to get success with her social networking because of her mindset and subsequent energy that she was putting towards it.  I would confidently say that her mindset needs to change, wouldn’t you?

Fighting feelings of isolation

Since beginning my VA practice and establishing my home office, I knew I would need to develop plans to ensure I would not easily become overwhelmed with feelings of isolation.  I confess, I was quite diligent in those early months, and found ways to meet my need for interaction with others. It was working beautifully!

I enjoyed my monthly networking meetings, and made engagements with other business owners to meet at a nearby cafe' or enjoy lunch together.  I regularly visited hot spots and worked from my new local library branch. My first client was local, and we regularly met together, sometimes at her office. 

Additionally, during those earlier months, I was engaged full-time with caring for my elderly parents, and that ensured lots of time out at various doctor's offices and provided occasions to simply be 'out and about.'  Another helpful practice has been to engage a few favorite colleagues and regularly interact via chat and sometimes a phone conversation does the trick.  Staying connected with a couple of industry-specific communities and forums has been helpful as well.  Joining a local ladies' oriented fitness center was a good idea, too.

As life and business progressed, circumstances changed.  During this past year, I realize now that I've not been as diligent about this matter.  As a result, feelings of isolation have crept up.  It's been a struggle for me lately. 

I'm working on making some adjustments, and will follow through with my plan to "get out" on a regular basis. It's a good self-care practice, too, and definitely worth the effort.

I'd love to hear from those of you who, too, fight this fight.  New Ideas and perspectives are welcome!

The invaluable benefits of really knowing ourselves

Much of my attention this week has been focused on this topic.  As well, I had a heightened awareness of the fact that so many individuals, unfortunately, have not yet spent adequate time and work in making these amazing and necessary discoveries about themselves. A good while ago I blogged about this here, and titled it, "Discovering the best in you!" 

I think it's worth re-reading, and thus the reference and link here.

Knowing when to learn, what to learn, how to learn and what to spend on learning??

Earlier in the year I discussed what I thought were good places to spend my learning budget on this year.  But I realized that to make my final decisions I had to ask myself the 4 questions above:

1. When to learn?
   Looking at my schedule I looked at how Q1 has panned out for me, and what availability feels comfortable to fit (this changes periodically), i.e. do I have free time in the mornings, afternoons or evenings, when it is more natural and productive for me to be doing my client work, when does my brain feel open and susceptible to learning new things, in the morning, afternoon or evenings.
   For me I actually realized that right now, morning and evenings are my most productive work times, so there is flexibility in the afternoon, and that is when my brain tends to be in learning mode, as that is when I naturally look for new things, and play (which is my definition of learning). 
   So classes need to be between 2pm-5pm GMT.
   
   
2. What to learn?
   Shall I learn how to grow my business, or how to develop my business? 
   Actually this is an easy one for me because I know that I am technically gifted and love the technical aspect of my business.  Also learning business development works better for me in practical, forum type discussions rather than theoretical learning.  I need to hear and learn about the nuances of communication, making the wrong or right decisions and how this has impacted the business and life, but for technical skills theory and practical are both suitable – I just love this stuff.  So with technical being the leader the main thing was what is relevant right now.  Through our referral system, and my own experience with clients, I often see people asking for shopping cart, ezine services, website development and social networking skills.  I am by no means saying this is an exclusive list of present requirements, far from it, these are the technical skills I am already strong in and therefore appeal to me when I see a request.  So rather than learn something totally new, it makes sense to develop these skills further.
   So for me I want to learning shopping cart, ezine services, blogging applications, website development and social networking skills.

Learning from one another - a valuable resource

I've met and worked with many small business owners throughout my life.  In my VA practice now and while working in the "brick and mortar" world, I've learned a great deal from these extraordinary, entrepreneurial-minded business owners. I am grateful for my experiences, and continue to learn from these every-day exchanges, which I find invaluable.

An important matter that affects the small business community in a critical fashion, is the issue of health care coverage.  Regardless of the unique perspectives through which we each view this concern, I think an important factor (and one not easily attained) is finding good, credible information on the topic.

For such a resource, I've found "Fixed for America" to be a great help. You'll find a ton of information on their site - here's an example of their 10 Principles: Small Business Principles for Healthcare Reform page.  I'm in the process of continually reading, researching and learning more - I know I'm not alone.  After all, I hope, we're together learning and growing - and positively affecting one another as we progress onward.

Over-communication can be a good thing!

Our Chief Visionary Officer and VA guru Stacy Brice, wrote about communicating with clients in her blog recently.  As always I am learning new ways to improve.  So I reviewed past misunderstandings and identified how more prolific communication may have stopped this misunderstanding from happening.  This article resonated with me, as I felt that I definitely did not communicate enough with my clients.  It is funny I believe I am a good communicator, but at the same time my weakness is that I am not prolific.  I realize that there are many situations when I have been thinking about or mulling over projects or tasks to be done, or getting on with work and just expect that my client who is 3,000 miles away knows this.  Sometimes what seems like a simple suggestion will make the world of difference, and I always keep my mind open. I read Stacy’s blog and I honestly agreed that this is a simple, yet essential part of an effective relationship, and what I realized is that this is something I work on with my family, but not so much in my business.  

Increase Your Earning Potential

You have heard the phrase, "Knowledge is Power". Sure, knowledge is power and a lot of other things. In the Virtual Assistance industry, knowledge is earning potential.

Investing your resources into your personal and professional development will likely position you in a better light to prospective clients.  

Let me give you an example. Many people are using ezines to keep in touch with their contact database. Being knowledgeable about ezine assembly and distribution and updating contact databases will add value to your service offerings. Maybe the prospects in your target market have other needs that require a different kind of knowledge. But whatever your goals are in business, continue growing in knowledge and skill so that you will increase your value in the industry.

What training have you taken in 2009 thus far? Have you been to any workshops, taken ecourses, or even hired a business coach? We should always look for ways to expand our thinking and knowledge because we work virtually. Working virtually requires keeping up to date with technology. Keeping up with technology means adding new things to the knowledge that we have now. Do you have plans to add to the skills that you have?

Here is a way to get on the path of increasing your knowledge. Think about what skills you have now. How can you improve those skills? What do you need to do in order to add value to what you already know? Next. think about some skills that you do not have, but wish to develop. How can you acquire that knowledge? Are there workshops, teleclasses or tutorials that you can get involved in?

Think big about the growth that you want to have in your career. Apply yourself to expanding your skills and knowledge. Increase your earning potential!

More than a "quote" to remember

To focus on and fully embrace a worthwhile mindset that evokes one to action is a true challenge.  Most certainly a worthy endeavor, but, nevertheless, it takes work - labor - energy - persistence - imagination - and a continual struggle. 

As a business owner, an independent solo-preneur, a team-player, a caring individual, and citizen of this planet, it is imperative that I recall and acknowledge the "much good" brought about by those who have passed this way before me. I have much to benefit from understanding what I can about their stories.  We have been given so much!

This quote carries a great message:

"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.

Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value.

I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death."

- Thomas Paine, "The Crisis", 1776

To "grow brave by reflection" - to be fully aware and guarded so that my "heart is firm" - this is the  essence of the mindset I wish to embrace each and every day.  Oh, what a daily and worthwhile challenge it is!