7 ways to stay happy as a virtual assistant

Making the decision to start your own business as a virtual assistant and offer your tiptop organisational skills is a big step to take. While making money is obviously the goal for any start-up company, it’s important to be happy doing what you do. Here are a few tips for finding the right balance.

1 Manage your time
Most people decide to start their own business because it offers them the chance to decide their own hours and work flexibly. However, if you find yourself working more hours than you did at your old office job, it may be time to look at your productivity. Manage your tasks well and you’ll have more time to get new clients on board, at which point you can consider hiring more members of staff to spread the work.

2 Consider your income
Many virtual assistant businesses “fail” in the first couple of years because people decide they’re not making enough money. If you’re passionate about making your company successful you’ll be willing to make a few sacrifices and live within your means. How much money do you really need to live? Is there something you can give up, even if it’s just until you start earning more?

3 Find your passion
It’s really important to decide why you want to start your own business before you do it. Do you actually enjoy doing the things a virtual assistant does? If you’re not passionate about being successful as a VA then you’re never going to love your job and that makes finding the ambition to get out and work that much harder.

4 Don’t forget your friends and family
No matter how stressful things get while you’re getting your business up and running, don’t let it interfere with you personal relationships. Make time for your family; get out to see your friends every now and then. No amount of money is worth ruining your life.

5 Network
One of the greatest things about the virtual assistant industry is that everyone is in it together. We’ve heard many times that VAs are about “collaboration, not competition” so you can be sure that networking with other VAs can only lead to learning opportunities and advice rather than ferreting away trade secrets.

6 Keep learning
Just because you’re the boss of your company doesn’t mean you can rest on your existing skills. Continue learning at every opportunity – you never know when something you’ve learned will come in handy.

7 Look after yourself
It’s hard to work if you’re ill, so take care of your health above all else. If the stress gets too much, take a break to focus on yourself and go back to work with a clear head. Eat healthy food, get some exercise and learn to recognise when you’re reaching your limits.

Read the original article by Gary C Bizzo for Equities at bit.ly/2ek80IK