Posted on October 6, 2008
Filed Under Business, Change, Discussions, Quotes, fear | Leave a Comment
Last week we talked about change, and havingthe flexibility to change. This week I would like to shift our Quote Topic to Fears. Many of us are afraid of change, and we allow our fears to keep us from instituting change. So let’s spend this week discussing fears and overcoming them. This will lead into next weeks Quote Topic of Dreams.
A timid person is frightened before a danger, a coward during the time, and a courageous person afterward.
- Jean Paul Richter
Let’s break these down into how these three types of people work in the business world.
Timid - This person will more than likely never become a business owner. I just can’t see how they would be able to take the first steps in establishing a business, such as figuring out what their talents are, how to turn their talents into a business, how to get their business out there and market it, etc… I envision this person a someone who dreams of a business idea, but never actually steps out and puts it into place.
Coward - This person is a little harder to identify. I envision them as someone who takes the steps to open their business, but is too afraid to let go of the reigns and let the business go down the path it is meant to. They may be afraid of growth, expanding their business model, success, failure, etc. This fear holds them back. Maybe they don’t quit their day job. Or they don’t take the large client that would mean bringing on new clients…
Courageous - This person goes for it. They may not even take time to analyze the risks when something pops up. They are continually following a new path, expanding their business model, quitting their job to work full-time on their business (even though they don’t have any clients or even a website). Don’t get me wrong, these people are not dumb and reckless, as I envision them making long range plans, and not turning down a path that doesn’t seem right. They are just the ones who “feel” it in their gut, or do a brief analysis, and they go for it.
Be truthful with yourself. Which of these are you? My guess would be if you are here, then you are either the Coward or the Courageous. Please don’t take any of these as negatives, because truthfully, we need to have some of each to have a functioning society. The Cowards would be great partners for the Courageous, because they could reign them in a little. The Courageous on the other hand, would drag the Coward along.
I personally think I fall into the Courageous. I am a doer. I get an idea, and I go in feet first. When my head actually gets to the idea, sometimes it is mad at the feet for not consulting it first. I love my business, the winding and different paths that it has taken, and I look forward to all the new paths in my future :)
Your turn - Which one are you? Once you address this question, we can move onto addressing your fears, as it will be different for each “type” of person.
Until tomorrow,
Courageous at Heart (and Feet)
Patty Benton
JERPAT
www.professionaladminteam.com
www.virtualvacoach.com
www.virtualbizgroup.com
Posted on October 2, 2008
Filed Under Business, Discussions, Issues, Virtual Assistants | 7 Comments
Recently I was invited to take a survey that intended to find out more information about virtual assistants – a survey about virtual assistants created by a virtual assistant to be taken by other virtual assistants. Great idea in theory, right?
Needless to say, I was excited to take the survey. I think the more statistics we can pull together, the greater we can grow our industry. I answered the first series of questions, and one of the questions was very interesting and got me thinking. The question was something along the lines of, “Virtual Assistance is the profession of ADMINISTRATIVE experts who work in ongoing, collaborative relationship with clients providing administrative support across the board.”* Of course, I marked the answer “disagree,” because I offer more to my clients than just administrative support. Unfortunately, I was booted out of the survey and was not able to finish the rest of the survey. I hope that I was not just booted out because of my differing opinion as that would make the study (and any statistical analysis of the results) completely invalid.
This question started me thinking…
What is the definition of a virtual assistant?
The International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA.org) defines a Virtual Assistant (VA) as:
“A Virtual Assistant (VA) is an independent entrepreneur providing administrative, creative and/or technical services. Utilizing advanced technological modes of communication and data delivery, a professional VA assists clients in his/her area of expertise from his/her own office on a contractual basis.”
Please note that they specifically mention administrative, creative and/or technical services, not just ADMINISTRATIVE. They also specify that the VA assists clients in his/her area of expertise. This does not mean specifically administrative. While most Virtual Assistants do offer administrative tasks to their clients, most do not specialize in general administrative tasks.
But we should not be limited by the definition of an administrative assistant. We shouldn’t be tied into defining ourselves right now – or at the very least not “setting in stone” any definitions we use for now. As technology advances, and more small business owners and consultants partner with VAs for their needs, we will keep redefining our new industry.
“Traditional thinking is all about ‘what is.’
Future thinking will also need to be about what can be.”
~ Edward de Bono
Read full article at http://www.virtualvacoach.com/newsletter/9-08.htm
I would like to open this post up to all virtual assistants and those who work with virtual assistants in an open, professional conversation about, “What is a Virtual Assistant? And what services are clients looking for when they are looking for a Virtual Assistant?”
Posted on June 1, 2008
Filed Under Business | Leave a Comment
Are you thinking of moving to the next level in your business? How can I move on and leave what I know? Sometimes the security of what we have can make it hard for us to move out of our comfort zone. How do you get the guts to move on? It comes when we decide to become brave and step out in the unknown.
Bravery is a learned behavior and we can only become brave by taking action. By becoming brave in small ways we become brave in big ways. Why not start by mapping out your plan of action. Write a commitment to be brave. This does not mean that you will change anything at the moment.
You have to be committed to getting the guts to become brave and to step out of your comfort zone. Take it as a challenge. This challenge focuses on choosing to be brave, choosing to do things differently. Taking on this challenge will allow you to experience your life in new ways.
Take action and become the entrepreneur you want to be. Be brave – experience the transition of a lifetime!
Sheila Edens
sheila@sheerelegancevirtualassistant.com
Posted on June 1, 2008
Filed Under Business, Coaching | Leave a Comment
I truly believe that all business owners should have a coach to help guide them through the waters of business as well as help to hold them accountable and stay focused and driven.
Recently, I was talking to a potential coaching student about coaches she had in the past. We talked about the what was “lacking” in the programs she had participated in. She stated that the information was great, but the “coaches” did not know how to present or guide her.
So, you want a coach, but how do you know what to look for?
I know that it is highly controversial if a coach should be certified, and I am not here to debate it at this time. What I would recommend is checking out your coach’s background. I do not believe it is enough to have 20 years experience in the corporate world, and then come and then become a coach, training others on the experiences learned in coaching. A “true” coach should have some type of educational background, a background in training, or some kind of training course on training/coaching.
Coaching is more than just giving information. It is guiding, supporting, and understanding how to help clients get what they want out of life and business.
So, when you are looking for a coach, interview them and make sure they have some sort of training or education background.
May your virtual journey be blessed,
Patty Benton, BA, Certified Life Coach
www.moretime4u.org
www.virtualvacoach.com
www.virtualbizgroup.com
www.actatwork.com
Posted on May 15, 2008
Filed Under Business, Goals | Leave a Comment
Goals are an amazing and powerful driving force in a business. I believe with all my heart that if you have goals set, along with an action plan for each goal on how to achieve your goal, that you will continue to grow! You will develop and expand in your business as well as your personal life.
Honestly, this is just a brief synopsis of my belief, and if you would really like to explore it deeper and get full guidance of what I mean, you can join our Beginner’s Failure is NOT an Option group, in which goals are our guiding force through the program, http://www.moretime4u.org/virtualvacoach/nofailureB.htm
But this isn’t the reason I am posting this blog. I am posting it because I want to introduce you to one of my clients, Sue Brenner. She has been an amazing mentor to me, and has some wonderful goal strategies. She is conducting a free tele-seminar on accelerating your goal success on the job and at home. I have attended these sessions, and they are fantastic. I really encourage you to attend her seminar and get filled up on some great advice! The details are below.
I hope that you are taking steps to enable your business to grow substantially by continually analyzing your goals and the direction you are heading!
May your virtual journey be blessed,
Patty Benton, BA, Certified Life Coach
www.moretime4u.org
www.virtualvacoach.com
www.virtualbizgroup.com
www.actatwork.com
——————————-
Details on Sue’s Upcoming Tele-Seminar
Dear Patty,
May is here, and with it has come many exceptional questions for my next ‘Ask Sue Brenner’ tele-seminar on Thurs, May 29th at 5pm Pacific/8pm Eastern.
By now, you’ve probably heard about these ‘Ask Sue’ calls.
On these calls, I answer specific questions that will help you accelerate your goal success on the job and at home.
And the best part is that EVERY question I answer on these calls are questions submitted from individuals just like YOU.
In fact, you have the opportunity to ask me your most pressing question too.
Hopefully, your question will be one of a handful I’ll pick to answer during this month’s tele-call. Simply hit reply and respond to this question: What is your number one question about achieving your goals?
Or, if you need to register go to…
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Take 60 Seconds to Register for this
No*Cost Tele-Training and
Submit Your Question Now:
http://www.suebrenner.com
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
The call will not only be packed full of unique and thought-provoking questions, but it will also have clear action steps and strategies to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals.
You will be able to put your learning to work right away!
If you have a schedule conflict, please still go ahead and send me your question. When you do, I’ll give you information on how to access the call recording as a back-up option.
I hope you’ll join me on this powerful call. We’re going to have fun sharing insights on how we can create the lives we want AND deserve.
Dedicated to your success,
Sue Brenner
http://www.suebrenner.com
P.S. Feel free to pass this invitation along to a friend or colleague who could benefit from this complimentary tele-seminar.
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