Virtual Assistance vs. Just Another Employee

I have recently read several blog posts regarding thoughts, attitudes, common sense, mutual respect, and how these can and will affect your virtual assistance business.

Never forget, this is a BUSINESS and is YOUR BUSINESS! Danielle Keister is an excellent advocate for this mentality, as is Stacy Brice. I continue to learn from them and, hopefully, grow and strengthen my boundaries. Danielle and Stacy have discussed what a VA is and is not. I can safely say, that I am a VA. Not a bookkeeper and certainly not a web designer. Do I cross over boundaries – sure. Do I hold to boundaries – sure. I apply a *Depends* theory. Always good for me? Not necessarily. Is it good for the clients? Sometimes. Sometimes not.

Through the last couple of years, I have strengthened my boundaries regarding hours, getting a better handle on telling clients an honest deadline, telling them if I cannot do something, and now the biggie! Actually taking some time off and being unplugged.

I will be going to New Orleans for the International Association of Administrative Professionals International Convention at the end of July. I have already told my clients I will be gone and unplugged. For those that know me, this is like Step 4 in an intervention program! Quick! Pass the laptop!!

I truly admire Danielle and Stacy as leaders in the virtual assistance industry and know what I need to do as a business owner. I must admit – it is hard for me sometimes. But, I keep adjusting and morphing into what I want to be. I can safely say, I do not beg for business and pretty much target only the ideal client.

Is it easy to shift from an employee mindset to a business owner mindset? This can be really, really hard! But, if you get into a wonderfully supportive and highly intelligent group of VAs, you will have a support system beyond compare.

When is Enough Enough?

As VAs and individuals, we seem to always be helping people. But, when is enough enough?

How long do you step in and rescue before you are completely fried or ticked off? I just read a newsletter from Josh Coates, Mozy founder referring to The Day of the Triffids (1962). Now, I am a die-hard B-grade or even C-grade science fiction movie addict. Love them! I had not heard of this one, but I am going to go get it.

Basically, Josh brings up the question – what is your responsibility to help others? Especially if they are blind and you are the only who can see the real picture (all the people except the Hero was blind in the movie)?

How often do you find rescuing others? Especially if it starts to wear on you; interrupt your life; stop you from reaching your goals; and generally become irritating. This happened this weekend at a three-state event that others were supposed to be organizing. And, what happened? I ended up covering what they should have done, and doing way too much! The downside – I was irritated and ticked off. The upside – I learned a lot about myself, others saw what was going on without me saying anything, and I am committed to making some changes in me.

I admit it! I am an enabler. Just ask my husband or children.

My goal is to stop before I rescue someone that has become a habitual blind person and think before I speak. My question to people when I go on strike (I have gone on strike as a mom before) – is to say, “Just pretend I am dead.” Now, this does not mean I look entirely the other way. I will still do my best to be a hero to others and help them out.

But, my goal is to reduce my enabling personality and let others deal with the Triffids, if necessary.

How would you deal with your Triffids?