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Casual Articles - How To Be Your Own Virtual Assistant
Watching the Chicago White Sox win the World Series for the first time since 1917, I was struck again how wondrous this beautiful sport still can be. The purest American game, baseball teaches so many of the values we appreciate in all areas of life. Hard work, doing the little things, hustle, overcoming adversity and never quitting are lessons we learn playing Little League baseball.My firm specializes in small business development and boot strapping entrepreneurs. The virtues we see in every baseball game are directly applicable to success or failure for inventor
Instead, plan on the unplanned. My guideline is to schedule working on only one "big" project per day. I allow two separate email sessions totaling 90 minutes. Finally, I usually plan an hour for taking care of little paperwork and handling the unexpected. That's it! I'm famous for getting lots done, and launching a steady stream of new products and services (all in support of my 6-figure a year business) so clearly, it's a system that works!
Tip #5 Streamline one task right now
It's easy to get into a habit that undermines your efforts. "I'll take care of it later" will only add to feeling overwhelmed. Choose one task that makes you groan and simplify it.
You may need to set up a different filing system, a different time of day t
Most people think finding a job is a challenge while most employers believe that finding the right person for the job is the challenge. The truth of the matter is that both hiring and job hunting are challenging and stressful. However, on-demand recruiting is a new option for employers looking for employees with specific skill sets. On demand recruiting software is available that helps employers find exactly what they are looking for. And, the recruiting software is customizable to the employer. There are many pros and cons to on demand recruiting as with anything. A coup
There is no doubt about it, having a virtual assistant (plus bookkeeper and even a personal assistant) will help you focus on what you do best. I have someone take care of our grocery shopping, errands, and product fulfillment. Plus, I have my regular virtual assistant Kathy; I'm hiring another "technical" assistant, Kristie, and one more person to help me with P.R. tasks I'm not getting to.
But what if your budget can't stretch quite that much? How do you gain the momentum of hiring help, without spending any money right now?
While nothing substitutes for having an extra pair of hands working on your behalf, here are 5 simple tips to organizing your work day so you gain some of the same advantages you would by hiring an assistant.
Tip #1 Answer email JUST twice a day
Email is a time-sucking fiend, ready to drain you (sorry, I couldn't resist the Halloween reference) of precious focus, energy, and time you could spend marketing for new clients, or serving existing clients.
Think "chunking" here. Schedule email like any other appointment. What to do in between? Close your email program and turn your speakers off so you don't hear that little nagging, "you've got mail!" computer beep.
Will this take discipline? Yes. But the feeling of freedom and control is almost instantaneous, making it well worth it!
Tip #2 Return phone calls only ONCE per day
Like email, being at the beck-and-call of your telephone is guaranteed to make your day hectic and crazy. I like to make outgoing calls early in the afternoon so they will be returned later that day. This way, I can work on projects first thing without getting distracted.
What do you do when the phone rings? If you're working on a project, ignore it! I know, I know. It's sounds tough because you really want to "be there" for people. You will be. Just a little later in the day.
Tip #3 Give yourself twice the lead time for projects than you normally do
Would you wait until the last minute, then hand a project over to your virtual assistant? Of course not! So why would you wait until the last minute for your OWN projects?!
Double the amount of time you estimate a project or task will
take. Then start it twice as early as you would normally. If
that sounds like it's impossible to do, then it's time to take a
serious look at what's running your business (likely a hefty
measure of adrenaline with a splash of drama—but that's a topic
for another article!
Doubling your lead time and time allowed will not only make your life easier now, it will make you a better client when you do hire your virtual assistant!
Tip #4 Leave an hour unscheduled every day for the unexpected
Why not take a hint from great virtual assistants, who plan on the unplanned? If every moment of your day is already accounted for, then the unexpected will throw you off course.
Instead, plan on the unplanned. My guideline is to schedule working on only one "big" project per day. I allow two separate email sessions totaling 90 minutes. Finally, I usually plan an hour for taking care of little paperwork and handling the unexpected. That's it! I'm famous for getting lots done, and launching a steady stream of new products and services (all in support of my 6-figure a year business) so clearly, it's a system that works!
Tip #5 Streamline one task right now
It's easy to get into a habit that undermines your efforts. "I'll take care of it later" will only add to feeling overwhelmed. Choose one task that makes you groan and simplify it.
You may need to set up a different filing system, a different time of day to
WHAT'S On The Page?Typically, a Western audience reads from top to bottom and left to right. That doesn't necessarily mean information has to be placed on a page in that order. As readers, we look at a page and attempt to figure out what is the important message on the page. If everything is shown the same way, same size, same spacing — no importance is established for anything on the page. It looks foreboding and unfriendly.BUILDING HierarchyWhen you look at many well-designed ads, there's a headline that is big and attention grabbing, maybe a large
Tip #1 Answer email JUST twice a day
Email is a time-sucking fiend, ready to drain you (sorry, I couldn't resist the Halloween reference) of precious focus, energy, and time you could spend marketing for new clients, or serving existing clients.
Think "chunking" here. Schedule email like any other appointment. What to do in between? Close your email program and turn your speakers off so you don't hear that little nagging, "you've got mail!" computer beep.
Will this take discipline? Yes. But the feeling of freedom and control is almost instantaneous, making it well worth it!
Tip #2 Return phone calls only ONCE per day
Like email, being at the beck-and-call of your telephone is guaranteed to make your day hectic and crazy. I like to make outgoing calls early in the afternoon so they will be returned later that day. This way, I can work on projects first thing without getting distracted.
What do you do when the phone rings? If you're working on a project, ignore it! I know, I know. It's sounds tough because you really want to "be there" for people. You will be. Just a little later in the day.
Tip #3 Give yourself twice the lead time for projects than you normally do
Would you wait until the last minute, then hand a project over to your virtual assistant? Of course not! So why would you wait until the last minute for your OWN projects?!
Double the amount of time you estimate a project or task will
take. Then start it twice as early as you would normally. If
that sounds like it's impossible to do, then it's time to take a
serious look at what's running your business (likely a hefty
measure of adrenaline with a splash of drama—but that's a topic
for another article!
Doubling your lead time and time allowed will not only make your life easier now, it will make you a better client when you do hire your virtual assistant!
Tip #4 Leave an hour unscheduled every day for the unexpected
Why not take a hint from great virtual assistants, who plan on the unplanned? If every moment of your day is already accounted for, then the unexpected will throw you off course.
Instead, plan on the unplanned. My guideline is to schedule working on only one "big" project per day. I allow two separate email sessions totaling 90 minutes. Finally, I usually plan an hour for taking care of little paperwork and handling the unexpected. That's it! I'm famous for getting lots done, and launching a steady stream of new products and services (all in support of my 6-figure a year business) so clearly, it's a system that works!
Tip #5 Streamline one task right now
It's easy to get into a habit that undermines your efforts. "I'll take care of it later" will only add to feeling overwhelmed. Choose one task that makes you groan and simplify it.
You may need to set up a different filing system, a different time of day t
Let me ask you a question…Is it safe to assume that you’re one of those people who wishes to make a ton of money, sitting at home in the same clothes you woke in this morning because you don’t want to work the normal nine-to-fiver.LET’S FACE IT…WHO DOES?There’s a certain benefit of financial independence that comes with being an online affiliate marketer that you just can’t get with your normal day-job.As an Affiliate, you have the opportunity to prove you have what it takes to get the job done through your marketing efforts…and you are rewarde
Like email, being at the beck-and-call of your telephone is guaranteed to make your day hectic and crazy. I like to make outgoing calls early in the afternoon so they will be returned later that day. This way, I can work on projects first thing without getting distracted.
What do you do when the phone rings? If you're working on a project, ignore it! I know, I know. It's sounds tough because you really want to "be there" for people. You will be. Just a little later in the day.
Tip #3 Give yourself twice the lead time for projects than you normally do
Would you wait until the last minute, then hand a project over to your virtual assistant? Of course not! So why would you wait until the last minute for your OWN projects?!
Double the amount of time you estimate a project or task will
take. Then start it twice as early as you would normally. If
that sounds like it's impossible to do, then it's time to take a
serious look at what's running your business (likely a hefty
measure of adrenaline with a splash of drama—but that's a topic
for another article!
Doubling your lead time and time allowed will not only make your life easier now, it will make you a better client when you do hire your virtual assistant!
Tip #4 Leave an hour unscheduled every day for the unexpected
Why not take a hint from great virtual assistants, who plan on the unplanned? If every moment of your day is already accounted for, then the unexpected will throw you off course.
Instead, plan on the unplanned. My guideline is to schedule working on only one "big" project per day. I allow two separate email sessions totaling 90 minutes. Finally, I usually plan an hour for taking care of little paperwork and handling the unexpected. That's it! I'm famous for getting lots done, and launching a steady stream of new products and services (all in support of my 6-figure a year business) so clearly, it's a system that works!
Tip #5 Streamline one task right now
It's easy to get into a habit that undermines your efforts. "I'll take care of it later" will only add to feeling overwhelmed. Choose one task that makes you groan and simplify it.
You may need to set up a different filing system, a different time of day t
The lazy days of summer don’t have to slow you and your business down when you take these steps to prepare in advance. This time-tested Summer Preparation Checklist will ensure your sales and sponsoring keep rising along with those summer temperatures.1. Plan now for your kid’s summer schedule so you don’t find yourself in the middle of June without any options. Schools and city recreation departments offer a wide variety of programs your kids will love. Start planning your kids' summer schedule now as some of these programs fill up fast and can vary considerably i
Double the amount of time you estimate a project or task will
take. Then start it twice as early as you would normally. If
that sounds like it's impossible to do, then it's time to take a
serious look at what's running your business (likely a hefty
measure of adrenaline with a splash of drama—but that's a topic
for another article!
Doubling your lead time and time allowed will not only make your life easier now, it will make you a better client when you do hire your virtual assistant!
Tip #4 Leave an hour unscheduled every day for the unexpected
Why not take a hint from great virtual assistants, who plan on the unplanned? If every moment of your day is already accounted for, then the unexpected will throw you off course.
Instead, plan on the unplanned. My guideline is to schedule working on only one "big" project per day. I allow two separate email sessions totaling 90 minutes. Finally, I usually plan an hour for taking care of little paperwork and handling the unexpected. That's it! I'm famous for getting lots done, and launching a steady stream of new products and services (all in support of my 6-figure a year business) so clearly, it's a system that works!
Tip #5 Streamline one task right now
It's easy to get into a habit that undermines your efforts. "I'll take care of it later" will only add to feeling overwhelmed. Choose one task that makes you groan and simplify it.
You may need to set up a different filing system, a different time of day t
A counteroffer is a ruthless and potentially hazardous renegotiation of your salary with your current employer, which occurs when you threaten to leave for employment with a competitor. Although the counteroffer is almost always a lose- lose proposition for the job seeking candidate and the employer, we see candidates entertain the notion all the time.When you accept a counteroffer from your present employer think about the impact on your current situation and the long-term future with that employer. Also consider whether you are truly the winner in this employme
Instead, plan on the unplanned. My guideline is to schedule working on only one "big" project per day. I allow two separate email sessions totaling 90 minutes. Finally, I usually plan an hour for taking care of little paperwork and handling the unexpected. That's it! I'm famous for getting lots done, and launching a steady stream of new products and services (all in support of my 6-figure a year business) so clearly, it's a system that works!
Tip #5 Streamline one task right now
It's easy to get into a habit that undermines your efforts. "I'll take care of it later" will only add to feeling overwhelmed. Choose one task that makes you groan and simplify it.
You may need to set up a different filing system, a different time of day to take care of it, or ask for help from someone you know. You'll buy yourself a lot of new time and energy by streamlining a task that was really getting to you.
As soon as you can, hire an assistant for even just five hours a month of support (believe me, that five hours will turn into ten+ of renewed energy and focus for YOU!). In the meantime, follow these tips to be your own virtual assistant and you'll put more focus into your day, starting right now!
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