The Virtual Office Source

Autumn is such an obvious change of seasons, with the magnificence of the color changes that nature brings. Recently it has made me realize that a lot of things are changing in our world. I, for one, am seeing changes in my business. Do you have a business that changes with the seasons?

Many businesses are seasonal. Yours may get busier as the weather turns colder, or slow down through the winter. Either way, are you prepared to handle the changes? I don’t happen to have a seasonal business. It just so happens that my business took on a sudden growth spurt. That’s not a bad thing at all; but now I’m jumping through hoops to deal with it. Being prepared is the key to better handle changes as they occur. So what are some things you can do to be prepared?

Use down time to get things in order for the busy times.
Build a network so you have resources available when you need them.
Get ahead on the things you don’t have time to keep up with when you are busy.
If you find yourself overwhelmed and unable to manage it, hire help.
Try to keep a steady work schedule so you don’t become lax during the down times.

These are some of the things I’ve learned about coping with change. If you are reading this, I hope you find these tips useful.

I sat on my deck Saturday morning and meditated. It was magical. It was as if time stood still, and the electricity of the energy of the Universe was all around me and in me and through me. I took in the golden glow of the autumn aspen leaves; the fiery red and orange of the scrub oak; the gentle breeze; the rising sun on my face; the scent of fresh mountain air.
 
And as I sat there, I was reminded that along with the change of the season, I am also seeing changes in my life. My business has all of a sudden exploded. I asked the Universe for this to happen a month ago, and received what I asked for, as is the Law of the Universe. But am I ready for it? It is most definitely making me realize that I have to be flexible enough to change with it—to adjust for it.

Change is always good. I embrace it as Life’s vehicle for teaching us how to grow and expand. It can certainly be challenging, but so rewarding when you get through the challenge feeling good about, not only the outcome, but the journey. Change always happens. But it sometimes it takes something such as my experience on my deck Saturday morning to be fully aware of it.

When I left Corporate America and started my virtual assistant business, I found out that time management in a virtual world is different than in an office environment.  I needed to learn how to restructure my day to be the most productive. 

Back in the old days, time management meant using shorthand to take notes and carbon paper to create duplicates.  The personal computer changed all that.  It’s only gotten better and better from there.  Today, administrative professionals have technological tools to help them organize their work day.

Some of the time management techniques I used when I worked in an office environment included things like: making sure that when I got up from my desk, I ran all of the errands I needed to while I was already up and about; sorting the mail into stacks before I opened or distributed it; converting as many paper documents to electronic documents as I possibly could.  I’ve always enjoyed looking for ways to streamline a process.  I came up with some pretty crazy ideas; but I was usually lucky enough to have bosses that allowed me the rope to try out my ideas, and they always worked.

When I started working from home, literally all of my work was done on the computer.  This meant that many of my time management tactics no longer applied.  It was very frustrating for me, since I had been always very good at organization and time management.  I just couldn’t seem to get a handle on it.  I finally decided I needed to take a couple of days over a long weekend to just work on getting things organized and develop a routine. 

• First – my computer:  Up to this point, it had only been for personal use.  Now, it was my primary work tool.  I set out to organize my desktop, documents, files, etc, to help me to work more efficiently.  I deleted files and uninstalled programs I didn’t even remember saving or installing, which freed up space I didn’t even know I had.  I ran my computer maintenance regimen.  Whew, that was a lot, but soooo worth while!  My computer now runs faster and smoother than ever before.
• Next – my calendar, task list and email:  I had things here, there and everywhere.  I consolidated everything into Microsoft Outlook and organized folders, lists and daily schedules.
• Software:  After that, I took inventory of the software applications I was using, and what I would need to add in order to be productive in my virtual environment.  I was now responsible for all that, instead of the company I worked for, as it had always been in the past.  I researched what I could use that was free of charge, and added the higher quality applications as I was able to afford them.
• Backup system: Finally, I had to devise a backup system for my computer.  I never really worried much about it before.  But I couldn’t risk losing valuable work, as it was now my livelihood.  OK; that’s one less thing I have to worry about.

After all that, I was ready to go to work.  But, even though my work day went more smoothly after having done these things, I found I still had some work to do.  I was still not making the most of my time; I had to look for additional ways to improve my system.  After experimenting with different things, I have finally narrowed it down to some things that work very well for me.

• Big one – email: I organize my mail, just as I did when I worked in an office, only now it’s all on the computer.  I flag high priority mail for follow up or handle it then and there, file it, print it, forward it, or delete it.  If it requires adding something to my calendar, I do it right away so I’m sure not to forget to schedule it in later.  Good, that’s out of the way!  I do this first thing in the morning, and then usually check it a couple of times throughout the day.
• Have a schedule: Having a schedule of my day laid out first thing in the morning is important for me.  I know what I need to get done and have a pretty good idea of how long it might take me, so it’s not that difficult to schedule my day.  I use my Outlook calendar and set a pop up reminder so I’m sure not to miss or forget anything.
• Don’t forget family: It took some time get my family used to the fact that, just because I’m home, doesn’t necessarily mean I’m readily accessible.  I still have a job do to, and a timeframe in which to complete certain tasks.  Once I made it clear that my work time is “do not disturb” time, they completely understood, and my work day now has far less interruptions.
• Oh yeah – interruptions: that’s another thing I had to get under control.  Although it was hard to do, I got in the habit of turning off my cell phone, closing my email, putting my desk phone on ‘do not disturb’, holding off on doing the laundry, etc.  For me, an important factor of time management is giving my full focus to what I am working on.

It continues to be a work-in-progress.  By nature, I’m always looking for better and more efficient ways of doing things.  I don’t imagine that will ever change.  But, it works much better now than it did before.  I have actually time to take on new clients!

Here’s to your success in your business.  I hope you have found some useful tips here.

Have you ever had something happen that, at the time, you thought was the absolute worst thing that could ever happen; only to realize months later that is was the best thing that could have happened, because it ultimately led you to something better?

I’ve learned to live my life by The Law of Attraction. I’m sure you’ve heard the term, but what does it mean? I had heard it for years, but never really took the time to explore it until recently. It sounded good—like something I might like to have, but that’s about as far as it went for me. I kept plugging along with my life, making wrong choices, acting wrong, thinking wrong. I’m so grateful that a now know better!

The Law of Attraction, simply stated, says that whatever you think about is what you will get. That sounds easy, right? Well, there is a little more to it than that, but basically, that’s it. If you think positive, good things will happen to you. By the same token, if you have a negative attitude, guess what…bad things are going to come your way. If you don’t believe it, just try it. Test it for yourself. If you think and act positively, it can’t fail.

But then, one might ask, “what about when something bad happens in my life, what’s that all about?” You’re thinking positive, you’re acting in a positive way and you’re maintaining a great attitude. Why would something “bad” happen to you? Think of it as a step in the process—a means to an end. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, although it might seem like it at the time.

Here is a perfect example: You’ve just lost your job. It happened suddenly and unexpectedly. You are devastated and wondering what you are going to do now. I’m actually speaking from experience. When that happened to me, my world was turned upside down for a time. Today, I am extremely grateful that happened to me. I had become disenchanted with the job anyway, but it was a living so I stuck it out. Only a short time after I lost that job, wonderful opportunities opened up for me. Had I not been in my current “predicament” those opportunities would not have presented themselves. Or, if they had I would have dismissed them. I am so much happier with my circumstances today than I was before. I am thankful every day for the loss of that job.

The lesson here is, don’t get discouraged when things happen that don’t seem to be getting you what you want. Everything happens for a reason. Just hold on to your positive thoughts and it will all turn out the way you want it to.

If you are a business owner who is not using social networking to brand your business, you’re missing out on a great marketing opportunity. But it can be overwhelming figuring out which social networks to use. It’s a jungle out there; there are literally thousands of sites, with new ones coming online every day!

Here are a few tips to help you determine where and how to begin. Some of the social networks are so popular that they are household names. Now, some of these might be great for your business, but don’t jump right in just because they are the most popular. They may not be the best ones for your business. Before deciding, consider the following tips:

1. Identify your niche market and where they might hang out. For example, if you sell children’s clothes, you probably want to target moms.
2. Spend some time doing research. Find networks that consist of your target market. How big is the network is and how does it rank in the search engines. There’s no point in joining network that doesn’t get any action. 
3. Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to develop a plan. Choose three or four networks you think will be of most benefit to your business.
4. Create a great profile on each one. When you meet someone in person, your first impression is usually a lasting one. In a virtual world, people’s first impression of you is your profile. It should be complete, informative and professional. Although, it’s fine to add a personal touch; it doesn’t have to be all business.
5. Whew-now you’re set. Make sure you participate in the discussions regularly. Daily maintenance doesn’t really take much time out of your day once you’ve got everything in place, but it is important.

Here are a couple of other things to remember: First and foremost, never try to sell your products or market your services in your social networks. This is a complete turn off to people, and you will undermine your efforts by doing this. Instead, your discussions should consist of content that is of interest to the reader. In this way, you are building a reputation as an expert in your industry. This is what will ultimately attract people to your website.

Secondly, keep your social networks to a manageable number. It’s better to manage a few networks well, rather than have so many that you don’t have time to keep up with them all. That’s why it’s important to do the initial research and planning. Of course, you can always hire a specialist to research and manage them for you, but it’s still best to keep it to a manageable number.

I hope you find these tips helpful. Happy networking; I wish you all the best of luck in your business!

Getting new clients or customers is only the first step to success. You might be building your list at a phenomenal rate, and if so, that’s great! I’d like to know your secret. But the key is converting those leads to sales. How do you accomplish that?
 
Before the World Wide Web, people were pretty much limited to do business with whoever happened to be in their local vicinity. Now people have so many choices that if they don’t like the way you do business, it’s easy enough for them to find someone else. There are some things you can do to ensure that your leads convert to sales and stay with you.

• Customer service is incredibly important. Be personable. You don’t have to be their best friend, but people generally like to do business with someone they receive pleasant, yet professional communication from.
• Develop trust. Studies have proven that most people will do business with someone they know, like and trust. Your initial response when they sign up on your list should not only be welcoming and personable; it might also include an offer for a free or discounted introduction to your services.
• Provide a variety of options for your clients. People like to have variety and choices available to them. Have services or products in different price ranges. Everyone might think what you have to offer is the best thing in the world, but perhaps not everyone can afford it. Another thing I like to do is offer different payment arrangement options.
• Communicate, communicate, communicate! The saying “out of sight, out of mind” is so true. Stay in touch, either by a monthly ezine, monthly specials, etc. This will keep them coming back.
• Stay positive and upbeat. The signals you send out in your thoughts are exactly what will come back to you. We each create our own environment. You have complete control over yours, so always be aware of your thoughts and your attitude. If you find it’s not right, do whatever you have to do to change it then and there.

There you have it—my formula for success. I hope you find it useful in your business.

I watched the sunrise this morning—something I haven’t done in quite a while. It was very exhilarating! I watched the purple hues turn to white; and the tree line and mountain ridge in the distance come into focus; and the first hummingbird of the day appear at the feeder—barely more than a silhouette in the early dawn. I sat on my deck and felt privileged, as though Mother Nature were sharing a secret with me—and only me.

I used to watch the sunrise every morning. That was in my past life, when I still had a regular J-O-B. I would get up earlier than I needed to, just for that little pleasure, before getting ready to go to work. It always makes me feel so alive, so connected to the Energy that surrounds us and is in us all. I’ve really gotten out of that habit since I started working from home.

I don’t know about the rest of you out there, but I rarely take the time to “smell the roses.” It’s all too easy to get so caught up in my daily routine and concerns that I completely forget to. Watching this morning’s sunrise really reminded me how important it is to take time to enjoy life; to live in the moment, for the moment!

I will be taking more of those magical moments for myself. They are there for the taking, for everyone and anyone who wishes to take advantage of them. All we have to do is be conscious of it and take the time to notice.

I hope you, also, will take the time to smell the roses, watch a sunrise, meditate on the clouds, star gaze, or whatever else in this precious Universe touches your heart. I think you’ll find that dealing with those daily routines and concerns in life is much easier because of those moments you gift yourself with.

I’ve learned a lot about perseverance over the past few months. In fact, more than I ever thought I would want to know. One major lesson I’ve learned is its’ similarity to patience. I don’t know what Webster’s says about either one, but I would bet they have almost identical definitions. Another thing I’ve learned is that I have a knack for it—always have.

As a child growing up, I was always perceived as having a patient personality. It wasn’t until I reached adulthood and got caught up in the “adult stress syndrome” that a child doesn’t normally realize, that I felt I lost it. I often wondered how I could lose it, when I knew I had it when I was younger. Come to find out, I never did lose it; I just lost sight of it temporarily.

Not only that–recent events in my life have taught me the importance of mindset in regard to my ability to persevere and have patience. I have made positive thinking the absolute focus of everything I do in life anymore. As a result, I don’ find having patience to be a challenge or a struggle at all—therefore, positive things are happening in my life. Are they happening as fast as I’d like? Well, it doesn’t even matter, because I’ve redeveloped my ability to persevere until I get what I want. I have a new mantra; I live in “Universal Time.” I realize, and now understand, that everything happens exactly the way it’s supposed to happen; but in ITS’ own time; not MY time.

Two major happenings in my life have led me to this reawakening: The first being the sudden and unexpected loss of my job last fall. At that point, I decided to start my own business working from home. I had no idea how I was going to do that. I put my complete  trust and faith in the Universe–and in “Universal Time” it is all falling into place beautifully.

The second major happening is when I woke up one morning and decided I was no longer going be a slave to the thyroid medication I had been taking for the past 25 years of my life. I just quit taking it—just like that, cold turkey. Now…it’s worth explaining here that I have tried numerous times over the years to get off that medication. I tried quitting cold turkey; I tried weaning myself off; I tried mixing concoctions of teas and such. Within a very short amount of time, I was back on my medication every time. This time has been different. “What’s different?” you might ask. Well, it’s my mindset! It is totally positive this time around, whereas it wasn’t before. I was still all caught up in “adult stress syndrome.” I have been off my medication now for about two months, and I feel better than I have at any time over the past 25 years!

So you see, I have truly found the ability to persevere and be patient that I had lost track of for a while. Living my life by Universal Time is the key, and one I don’t intend to ever lose again!

You–reading this, may or may not take anything away from it. But it does my heart good to share my story. I hope that you find some inspiration from it that you can put to use in your life. If not, then I would ask you to please share it with someone who might!

I’m sure you’ve heard the term, the law of attraction. But do use it in your life? If you do, it is very likely the greatest asset your business will ever have. It will seemingly work miracles. You’ll find yourself wondering why you haven’t tried this before.

I recently had the distinct pleasure of reading The Science of Getting Rich, by Wallace D. Wattles. What I learned was astonishing. It beautifully puts into words a perfect philosophy to live ones life by. The law of attraction is based on this philosophy. Simply put, the law of attraction states that “if you really want something and truly believe it’s possible, you’ll get it.” Of course, there is a science to it, as Wattles’ book explains in great detail.

I have always been a firm believer that energy attracts like energy. If you have a negative outlook on life, negative things will happen to you. Opposite to that, if you always think positive and find a positive aspect to every situation, positive things will naturally come your way. In thinking back to certain happenings in my life, I realize this to be true. Now that I am consciously aware of it and deliberately practicing positive thinking, guess what? Well, good things are happening—both in my personal life and in my business!

I’m here to tell you that this very definitely works. I’m not rich yet, because I’ve only recently begun putting the power of positive thinking to use in my life. But I am well on my way.

I hope you will join me on the journey!

We always hear about having balance in our life—you know, mind, body & spirit. But, do you have balance in your business? If you are an entrepreneur, you probably focus on one or two primary things in your business. To have the greatest success, don’t forget to look at the whole, big picture.

Of course, your main goal is to make money. So you put all of your energy into getting more clients or customers. Or you put all of your energy into producing new products. Or you put all of your energy into networking. That’s all well and good, but what about:

• Customer service—do you have procedures in place to handle customer inquiries? What about keeping in regular contact with your customer base?
• Maintaining financial records—not necessarily the most enjoyable part of business for me, but necessary.
• Tracking your statistics – do you know where your business comes from and what does or doesn’t work?
• Building relationships—do you network and connect with potential JV partners or business associates that can help you grow your business?
• Manage people resources—do you really know all that your contractors or employees are doing and how they’re doing it?
• Managing projects—do you wonder why projects you start sometimes fail? Perhaps they are not being properly coordinated and managed.
• Marketing—a huge part of a successful business; it deserves a fair proportion of your time.

Now you’re beginning to see what I mean by having a balanced business. If you handle all areas of your business proficiently, your income will increase that much faster. If you don’t have the knack for a particular area, or you just don’t have the time to juggle it all, hire help. It’ll be worth it in the long run.

I encourage you to take a step back and look at your business from a distance. Make a list of all of the aspects necessary to run your business successfully, and then determine which areas are lacking. Brainstorm what you can do to improve in those areas.

I wish you great success in your business!