I have the most amazing clients in my Virtual Assisting business. They all inspire and motivate me, and they lift me up. They’re incredible. They’re, quite simply, positive happy people who are a joy to ‘be around’ (virtually – since most are out of state), and to communicate with. It’s a pleasure to do my job each day, and most times it doesn’t feel like ‘work’, but more like I’m helping out a friend. I am truly grateful for them.

I’ve become quite skilled at getting a feel for whether a potential client would be a good match for me, whether the services they need are ones I enjoy providing, whether they will contribute to my joy – or whether they will add stress and dread to my work day. And I have learned how to say no, and to get over the feeling that I’m disappointing someone if I don’t agree to take them on as a client.

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As anyone who knows me well can attest – I’m not a fan (putting it nicely) of the term WAHM (work-at-home mom). Yes, it’s what I am as a Virtual Assistant, but no, I don’t think that being a mother, and working from home HAVE to go hand in hand. I love and am proud of both aspects of ‘me’, but I fail to see why it matters that I announce that my office is in my home, and that I’m a mother. In fact, part of my grand vision for my business is to have an office that is out of my home, an awesome staff, and many more amazing clients.

So, while I make great strides toward my grand vision, yet work here in my home office – I’ll admit on days like today when we’re having a major rainstorm, and the kids are out of school on spring vacation – I sure am grateful to be working from home.

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Quite often I am asked what a typical business day for me and my company is like. And, since not every day in my own company is the same, it’s certainly true that no day for one VA would be similar to a day of another VA. We all handle clients with different needs and we offer different services, as well. But here’s a quick glimpse into what a typical day for me is like. Since my Monday is winding down, and it’s still fresh in my mind – I’ll talk about a typical Monday. I say “typical” but truly there are differences in every day, which is one of the reasons why I love what I do so much!

I’m an early riser. I generally wake up each morning at 5:00am. I get my coffee and immediately get to my office. I spend a few minutes writing in my gratitude journal, my evidences journal and visualizing how I intend for my day to go. Now, I know that’s not necessarily part of what I do AS a VA, but its part of who I am and how I run my business so I think it can stay in here. <smile>

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As a Virtual Assistant, I am often alone in my office, for days at a time, without seeing anyone in person. It’s easy to get into a routine of wearing sweat pants or jeans, to maybe take a shower certain mornings – or maybe not. It’s easy to work in comfort and know that no one will be knocking on my door. Too easy!

However, I recently attended a 2 – day networking event in Boston called The Women’s Congress. This was slated as the largest business to business event in the country targeted to the women professionals who drive today’s economy. There were amazing keynote speakers, and panelists, and many exhibitors. And it was, for me, an actual chance to meet people, talk to other like-minded business women and learn from the great line up of speakers. In the weeks leading up to the event I made appointments to get my hair and nails done. I made sure I had some professional outfits that fit well. I know that my professional work speaks for itself, but if I set an initial ‘bad’ first impression, I might not get the chance to let people know more about me and my company.

It may be unfortunate, but it is the hard truth that we will sometimes judge people (and be judged ourselves) on first appearances, so it is important to acknowledge this and not use the excuse that “I want to be me and I don’t care what other people think”.

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