Perspectives

I wrote the other day about consultations and how they should be fun, not something to dread. To see what I wrote, click here - http://www.abalancedalternative.com/blog/?p=58. Today I start some tips on how to enjoy your consultation - and in the process, learn about yourself and others.

The first thing I’ve learned is to relax. I am human, the prospective client is human, what am I so afraid of? That was brought home to me recently during a Landmark forum weekend. We all run around being afraid, but the truth is, the rest of the world is afraid also. So we’re all running around being afraid of each other. If we can remember that fact, it’s not near as scary.

One of the main things I try to remember as I’m doing a consult is that this could be good not only for the client, but for me as well. What will this client bring into my life? What new things will I learn? What new friendships will I forge? How will this affect not just my career and my life at this point, but in the future?

If we can remember why we became VAs and bring that passion and energy into the consultation, it will be great! And trust me, enthusiasm is infectious. The more you are passionate about what you do, the more the client becomes passionate about working with you.

See you soon to talk about the next tip in making consultations fun! Talk to you then.

Vickie

I have 5 consultations over the course of 3 days. You see, I have one opening in my business for a new client. I told one of my existing clients of my need and she posted a request on a listserve of which she’s a member. Man, did it do the trick! I had five inquiries in the span of about 30 minutes and set 5 consultations.

First, I have to say Thank You to Andrea Howe at BossaNova Consulting. She’s one of my clients and the one who made the post. And I must say, she made me sound amazing! LOL! But that’s the kind of person she is, always overly generous. What a great client to have!

But the reason I decided to write about this is the consultation process itself. I did two of them today and they were so much fun! It made me think back to when I was a new VA and how I dreaded the consultation process. I was always so scared of what they might ask me, how I might respond, what would I say to screw it up. But I’ve learned a lot since then.

Over the next few days, I plan to write about the things I’ve learned about consultations. These are just little tips to help you along. Who knows - maybe you’ll be the next one to have 5 consultations. Let me know how it goes.

Follow my next few blogs and let me know if they give you any ideas about how to make your next consultation fun! And from a client’s perspective, if you’re having fun, they will have fun. Remember, it’s just as nerve-racking for them as they are trying to figure out the best VA to put their trust in. It’s a win-win for both parties when you just relax, be yourself, and let the words flow.

Talk to you soon!

Vickie

I told you at the beginning of the week that I was jumping into the social networking scene. I was going to create a Facebook page.

Well, I haven’t got that far yet, but I did go to my LinkedIn and Plaxo profiles and I updated them. I then joined Twitter. It’s amazing how many colleagues I found on just these three sites.

I look forward to seeing what this does for me. If nothing else, it will be nice to reconnect with colleagues I haven’t spoken to in awhile.

How about you - have you Twittered yet?

Vickie

I’ve come to the conclusion that this social networking thing is here to stay - and not just for the social part. It’s now an important and integral part of successfully marketing your business.

I think one of the reasons I’ve been “dragging my feet” on this is my age. Isn’t that awful to say? But it’s the truth. I’m part of the older crowd - the one where you never combined personal with business - the one where you never became “friends” with your boss - the one where there were rules and boundaries and neither were ever crossed.

It’s hard to let go sometimes, even when you know the progress is good. I have clients who I consider good friends. That’s been a big change for me, yet it’s been such a wonderful experience for me. I’ve found that many of the old “rules” were put in place for one reason - to keep people apart and separate. And I’ve found I don’t like that. It’s so limiting.

Being a VA for the past 3 years has opened my eyes to so much more of the world. I have been able to make so many new friends from all over the globe, all through the Internet. I have been able to grow so much simply by tossing the old rules out the window and being open to new experiences.

So my newest commitment is to social networking. I plan to get a Facebook page and see what happens. But I’ll need your help. I’m still an old dog - but I’m learning that I can be taught new tricks!

How about you? Have you jumped into the social networking yet? What have been your experiences? I’d love to hear from you - especially you “old dogs” out there.

Vickie

People think about success in usually the same way - if you’re rich, if you’re a jetsetter, if you’re a moviestar, if you’re traveling constantly and making great sums of money, you’re a success. But I’d like to talk about success in an individual way.

I believe success is different to every person. I believe you determine what your success looks like - and it’s different from anyone else’s picture.

Mine looks like this: I run my own business (actually two of them), I get to work with the people I choose to work with who have the same passion about what they do that I have in what I do. They respect me and my boundaries. They are amazing people and I feel privileged they have decided to work with me as their VA.

I am able to work the hours I want to work and the days I want to work (most of the time anyway). I am able to do the things I love. I am able to work from my home office. I am able this week to be with my mother who is having surgery.

This is my definition of success. I live a joyful life, I have a wonderful family, I have the best clients in the world, I have a business that is new and thrilling and challenging every day, I have an amazing team member who is my pride and joy (you make me happy, Tracey DelCamp), and I am able to be with my family when the need arises.

So I ask you today to think about how YOU define success. Is it the definition that everyone has created for you? Or is it your definition? Think about what you want in life and make it happen. That is success!

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Vickie

I can’t let another day go by without letting everyone know how thankful I am to my clients.

My clients are the cream-of-the-crop. They are the type of clients we all, as VAs, wish we had. They are kind, courteous, respectful of my time, and most of all, they have a passion for what they do - which makes my job easy. When they are passionate about what they do, it makes it easy for me to do what I do. It makes it a joy to work with them each and every day.

Last year was a break-out year and I know 2008 is going to be even better! To my clients - I say a great, big thank you for 2007 and I look forward to what 2008 holds in store. We are going to do great things together.

Have you thanked someone lately? I have a wonderful friend, mentor and client (thank you, Andrea at BossaNova) who talks about a grateful list all the time. Write down your grateful list. Then, when you’re feeling blue or having a bad day, you can look at that list and have something to be grateful for. Try it and see how it works for you. Who knows, it may change your life!

Vickie

I know, don’t freak! I didn’t die, I didn’t fall off the face of the earth, I simply got busy and stopped blogging! After much urging from some friends (and especially my VA), I’ve decided to try and get back in the game. I can’t guarantee how much I’ll do it, but I promise to be more active than I have been in the past 3 months.

Today I want to talk about resolutions. I wrote this article in The VA Blueprint’s latest newsletter and I thought it was pretty good.

It’s a New Year and what do most people start a new year off with - Resolutions! Yes, the word that brings dread and feelings of loss to most of us. Because let’s face it - what do we do with resolutions? We throw them out within the first couple of weeks. We’ve resolved that we are a failure at resolutions.

My thought is to change your mindset about the word.

Resolutions is just another word for goals - yet goals seems to have more action behind them, more weight behind them. So call it whatever you like but the main point is to DO something, take action.

Don’t just say, This is a new year and I’m going to _____________.

Instead say, This is a new year and I’m doing __________.

You see, you are already moving; you’re shifting; you’re doing something; you’re taking action, instead of just saying you’re going to.

Be resolute this year to take action! And let us know how you do.

Vickie

I can’t wait to tell you about the next FREE teleseminar that The VA Blueprint is having. Read about it below, then contact Suzanne or I if you have any questions. We’d love to have you be a part of this great seminar.

Do You Need a Success Story? - Thursday, December 13^th at 8pm EST

Join us as we interview three highly successful VAs on their tips, secrets, and insights! They are spilling all the beans and you will want to hear it live!

Also, learn about The VA Blueprint, our January Kick Start Classes, and how your success is just around the corner.

This is a call you will not want to miss. Get inspiration, education, and insights from the best in the business!

All moderated by Suzanne Evans.

To Register send a blank email to: acct1-287808@autocontactor.com.

Suzanne and Vickie

“The VA Dream Queens”

I wanted to start out this week a little differently. Instead of starting worrying about all that has to be done this week, especially today, I decided to concentrate on the good things in my life, such as being able to own my own successful VA business, working with ideal clients who I appreciate and who appreciate me, and just sharing a laugh.

There have been many studies showing that laughter is good medicine. It helps you stay healthy and don’t we all need a good dose every now and then. So today is for laughter.

I was going to make this great point about how perspective and perception is everything. And how sometimes we are fooled into thinking we have the perfect relationship (whether business or personal), but we end up kissing a monkey.

But let’s just enjoy instead. Be thankful you’re not kissing a monkey today. Have a good laugh and reflect on all you have to be thankful for.

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Vickie

I’d like to tell you about the next free teleseminar from The VA Blueprint.

The Truth About Your VA Future -November 15, 2:00 pm EST

Join the VA Dream Queens in this ‘no holds barred’ conversation about:

• Your future as a VA
• What you can expect to happen
• How you can get there
• What it takes to achieve success

The cost of this teleseminar - $ FREE

We’d love to have you join us as we talk about virtual assistance and your future in this exploding industry. Do you have what it takes? How can you be the best VA? How do you distinguish yourself from all the other VAs out there?

To sign up, go to acct1-283617@autocontactor.comWe look forward to having you on the call.

Vickie and Suzanne - The VA Dream Queens

P.S. Sign up for our new ezine, The VA Dream. You can find it at our website at www.thevablueprint.com