Inside The Mind of a Successful Virtual Assistant
An essential key to becoming a successful Virtual Assistant is having the right mindset. Understand that creating and maintaining this mindset will NOT happen overnight. It didn’t happen to me and it won’t happen to you. So don’t get frustrated with yourself. BUT, you can do this successfully if you start with the three steps I outline below:
1. Get Clear About Who You Are, Where You Are and Where You Want To Go
Having clarity about your strengths, weaknesses and goals is a key factor in becoming a successful business owner. If you are not clear on what you’re good at and what you’re not, you won’t know where to focus your attention and when to ask for help. This will keep you spinning your wheels and not making progress. If you have vague goals in mind (i.e., “I want to be successful”, “I want to become a millionaire”, etc.,), it will be difficult to outline specific steps towards accomplishing what you want. Invest the time and money in your personal and professional development, possibly even working with a coach, to discover who you really are, the REAL state of your business and how to lay out the path towards your success. Set your intention and follow the steps you have outlined for yourself to watch your dreams begin to come true.
2. Be Reasonable In Your Expectations of Yourself
Very few, if any, entrepreneurs find true success overnight. Lasting success requires hard work and determination along with steady progress. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment because you set your goals too high. too fast. Your business is one aspect of your life; it should never become your entire focus. Your family, self-care and personal interests all deserve equal attention. Living a balanced life will keep you sane and ensure that you are able to sustain your business for the long-term. Isn’t that the reason you started your business in the first place? To have the life you REALLY want? Keep your business in perspective and remember to enjoy the freedom it gives you.
3. Be Reasonable In Your Expectations of Others
No one person will be responsible for making or breaking your business. Understand that as you collaborate with colleagues or outsource certain tasks, the success of the project will largely depend on how clearly you articulate your needs, expectations and the details needed to make progress. Do not expect that others can read your mind or instinctively know what you mean. Realize that tasks will often take longer than you expect. This is particularly true at the beginning of a new partnership. It takes time to learn another person’s thought process and work style. Choose your partnerships wisely and be prepared to invest the time and energy to build a strong foundation for them.