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Part 1: 5 Misconceptions of a Freelancer in the Virtual Assistant Industry

5/13/2020

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I know when I first came into the freelancing game as a Virtual Assistant, I was like there is no way I am going to be at the caliber of these veterans.
 
The information was overwhelming: business processes & systems, legal, clients, hardware, software, attending webinars on such a regular that it was becoming another full-time job.
 
Have you just ever been so overloaded with information that your brain is either a mumbled mess and/or you cannot recall one thing that was said to you?
 
That is where I was at – I was then further discouraged thinking about the moola I was going to need to start building my little empire.
 
Then one day, I ended up joining one of my first ever VA Facebook communities and I couldn’t believe the generosity of the VA-terans. That is what I call them. The ones that remember when they first started and wanted to pay it forward to the newbies coming on the scene.
 
From all the discussion back and forth, I quickly noticed recurring misconceptions coming up that was causing my own analysis paralysis. 

It overwhelmed me to the point that I just wanted to say forget it, this is why I am going to share the
​5 misconceptions that nearly killed the dream of becoming  my own boss:
Misconception #1
I Need A Lot of Money to Invest in Training & Technology
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​Anyone that is usually pursuing a career has the primary piece of hardware to get started they need to get started: a laptop or desktop, tablet, or for some a mobile device (yep you can connect a keyboard to an iPhone or Android). As I started off at the beginning, initially a lot of my training came from Facebook groups, signing up for free webinars/workshops, doing Google searches for non-commercial templates, et al.
 
I was only able to officially start paying for official certification training through Freelance University (FreeU) (formerly known as VAClassroom) approximately 3 years into my business – it is the one investment to this day that I ensure is included in my budget every year for professional development.
 
And speaking of Google, they have comparable web-based applications to Microsoft through Google Suite and guess what they start at the best price: FREE with a Google account. You may just need to pay a small fee for having the business email features, and I mean small under $10.

Misconception #2
I Need to Have a Specialized Skillse
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​When I came into this industry in 2015, my skillset was like jambalaya,
was a blend of administration, finance, and management 
from my learning and professional background.
 
Nothing special, but more than enough to get me started and that’s all you need as well.
 
Although frustrating, in hindsight I am happy that I didn’t come in with a specialized skillset because for someone that needs variety, this would have stifled my hunger to learn and grow.
 
The advantage for me not coming into the industry focused on a specific service allowed me to:
 
1.  Figure out what I hated doing as an employee and not make it apart of my service offering.  It definitely was trial and error, but when you have your own business you call the shots, its amazing #oprahvoice and;
 
2. Then mastered the skills that were imperative to doing the work I love.
 
Don’t get me wrong I am in a position now where I transitioning from a Virtual Assistant to an Online Business Manager (OBM), which is specialized, but the role entails me being able to serve my ideal client, be compensated fairly for my related experience, doing some different every day, and wake up feeling blessed and fulfilled to be able to help entrepreneurs and organizations to get focused on what they need to be in order to get the life they deiire.

Read the the final set of misconceptions here.
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Sustain & Thrive Series: A Servant's Heart

4/10/2020

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When I started my business in 2015, I knew nothing about working virtually.

The only reason it even came on my radar was because I was interviewing for a full-time employee position at the time. The Director in the interview asked me if I preferred to work in the office or at home. I looked around the room to see if  there was  recording device, because I honestly thought it was some behavioural question related to integrity.

I went home and googled "working from home"  and I began to find all these articles about telecommuting.  I was like "Okay, this is REAL!".  This is when the light bulb went off for me.

Being a single mother, I have always had to have an additional income stream. My daughter was starting her first year in university, I needed to be able to make extra money, but working outside the home 16-18 hours a day, 7 days a week, was no longer an option.

My initial plan was to just a post a simple resume writing advertisement on Kiiji, but I  came to quickly realize that this was really God's plan not my own. By time I knew it, I was on the Service Ontario website getting my Master Business License instead. And that is how Above All Admin Support Services was born. 

From March to September 2015, not knowing a dang thang about being a business owner, I began to plan how I was going to make it happen.

We are all going through this season of calamity as a human race and with Easter upon us, two words have been playing in my mind and heart: sustain and thrive. 

As I am witnessing many I know starting over due to the fall out of COVID-19, ​it brought me to reminisce about the 3 questions that got me on my way. They were not difficult questions and they may not have been the "right" questions, but I will tell you they were enough to realize my dream could become a reality.

On this weekend, I hope to bless somebody with the hope and inspiration they may need right now to  see and believe this setback is getting them up for the ultimate comeback.

Join me Saturday and Easter Sunday, as I share the 3 questions that has allowed my servant's heart to pursue God's purpose on my life to support career seekers, businesses, and entrepreneurs.

Enjoy your Good Friday! God bless.

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2019: The Year of L.O.S.S.

3/7/2020

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First and foremost, if you are reading this I want to say thank you to the Most High for me bringing me into this new year and new decade. I have never experienced a year as I did in 2019.

I watched so many friends and family experience loss of loved ones. Even when you expect it – it does not make it hurt any less. Even as time goes on - it still hurts, but you do your best to be comforted by the memories and remember how blessed you were to have them as part of our life when they were here.
​
Not only in death, but loss was experienced in relationships and friendships - and this is where I want to elaborate on the significance of the title. In 2019, L.O.S.S. represented for me:

Liberation - This was my realization word for 2019. I didn't fully accomplish this, but surprisingly enough my car accident was the catalyst that forced me to really face how important freedom is to your mindset and your well being. 

Outgrowing - I very much value forgiveness and redemption, so in most instances I have let people overstay their welcome in my life. It has taken me literally more than 1/2 of my life to realize how unhealthy this has been. I understand now that not every person is meant to stay in your life. It doesn't mean you don't wish them well, it just has to be from a distance.

Seeking - I had been on a search to reconnect with the My Lord and Saviour. The deficiency of this relationship left me feeling like I was truly in the desert, but as the strongholds (fear, shame guilt, anxiety, depression) diminish, I started to feel his presence more and more with me. 

Self - Awareness. Care. Love. Compassion. Discovery. This is where my 2019 ended for me, so what's in store for this new year, new decade?

An elevated me - as a coach, friend, woman, mother, daughter, sister, and boss. 

I am ready.

I am ready to choose that, from 2020 and beyond, I am personally and professionally living an abundant life of W.I.N.S.:
​
  • Wellness
  • Insight
  • Next Level
  • Serving

What are your wins for 2020 and beyond? I want to hear from you, share your comments here with the hashtag (#allidoiswin). God bless!
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