| There are many reasons people give to want to | | | | you may want to rethink the pajamas idea. |
| work out of their homes. The main reason I | | | | Here are a few guidelines that are imperative for |
| hear? "I get to work in my jammies!" As a | | | | a Virtual Assistant working from home: |
| matter of fact, I think I may have even heard | | | | 1. Set a work schedule |
| that come from my own lips when I began | | | | Get up and get going! Don't fall into bad habits by |
| working for Project Virtual Assistant. | | | | working "when you feel like it." Sure it's great to |
| Virtual Assistants work from home. We produce | | | | work from home, but remember this is your |
| letters, memos, and complex manuals. We | | | | business and WORK is the vital part of keeping |
| develop databases, write reports and perform a | | | | your business going. |
| multitude of "office work." Virtual Assistants use | | | | 2. Take a shower and get dressed |
| our own supplies, computers, office space and | | | | Just because you are in your own home, don't |
| time to produce for other companies what they | | | | get overly comfortable. Get up, shower and get |
| are unable to efficiently produce for themselves. | | | | dressed. Working in comfortable clothes is ok - |
| Let's take a look at what that really entails. If you | | | | but don't do it in your jammies. Pajamas are for |
| are thinking about becoming a Virtual Assistant, | | | | sleeping and subconsciously your mind and body |
| you may think you have stumbled across the | | | | know this. Get dressed and you will be motivated. |
| best thing since sliced bread, and for some it is. | | | | 3. Nourish your mind and body |
| To determine if you are one of those chosen | | | | Take sufficient time to fuel your mind and body. |
| few who are capable of successfully working | | | | Make sure that you eat breakfast and lunch. If |
| from home you need to explore the deep, dark | | | | you jump into to working right off - you may |
| areas of your own psyche. Are you prepared to | | | | forget to eat and this will not help you to produce |
| face that? If so, here we go... | | | | your best work. |
| In the real world, your alarm clock goes off, and | | | | 4. Give yourself a break! |
| if you are anything like me, you hit the snooze | | | | You will be working at your computer all day long. |
| button for about 15 minutes, and then you arise | | | | Short stretch breaks, and even a brisk walk |
| to face the day. More than likely you make a pot | | | | outside will loosen tight muscles and refresh you. |
| of coffee, glance through the newspaper (online | | | | 5. Keep busy |
| or in hard copy), and hit the showers. In larger | | | | The great thing about being a Virtual Assistant is |
| cities, your time is dependent upon the train or | | | | its flexibility. However, it is imperative that you |
| bus schedule, the amount of traffic you will meet | | | | stick to your schedule - even if you have no |
| during rush hour or the child you must get off to | | | | assignments pending for the day. There is always |
| school. By 9 am, you have already "worked" | | | | something you can be working on - be it your |
| several hours and now you are headed to | | | | website, your database, or promoting your |
| another 8+ hours of "real" work. | | | | business. Don't rob yourself of your own hard |
| Now, you imagine yourself a Virtual Assistant, | | | | work and talent. Time off should be scheduled not |
| working from home: The greener side of the | | | | spontaneous. |
| fence. Alarm clock? Most likely, if you have | | | | Time management has been the key to my |
| children, you have a built in alarm that forbids you | | | | success as a VA with Project Virtual Assistant at |
| sleep past 5 am. But even so, the pace is more | | | | Companies that employ our services must meet |
| relaxed. You can check in with your work | | | | deadlines of their own, and call upon us to help |
| projects at any time, day or night, via your | | | | them with their goals. We have the realization that |
| computer. Breakfast with your kids and/or | | | | while "our time" may seem like our own, in reality |
| significant other becomes more of a reality. You | | | | it is dedicated to each deadline until completion. |
| can start work when you please, your only | | | | In short - the control you have as a virtual |
| deadline being that of your client. All your | | | | assistant is to keep focused on your goals and to |
| attention, for the period of that project can be | | | | pick and choose which projects work best for |
| focused on one task. As you progress, you will | | | | you. Starting out, this may not be an option, and |
| easily be able to take on several projects at a | | | | may become just as hectic and time consuming |
| time, and arranging the ones you choose around | | | | as going into an office everyday, but trust me, |
| your life and schedule. But think about it. How | | | | once you get your feet wet it won't be long |
| much can be accomplished in pajamas? If you are | | | | before you are doing the backstroke in the world |
| the type of person who needs immediate | | | | of the Virtual Assistant. |
| stimulation upon waking to get the juices flowing, | | | | |