| So you're thinking of starting your own personal | | | | want to wake up every morning excited to start |
| assistant business. Or maybe you've already done | | | | your day, keep your values at the forefront of |
| so! Well, I'm going to tell you something that is the | | | | your mind any time you have to make a choice. |
| most important first step in starting any business. | | | | Too often we make decisions based on what we |
| To set yourself up for success, you must first | | | | think we should do, or based on what everyone |
| know your values. So if you're just starting out I | | | | else is doing. Instead, ask yourself "Is this in |
| encourage you to sit down and do this simple | | | | alignment with my values?", "Will this make me |
| exercise that will help get you moving in the right | | | | happy?", "Will this improve my quality of life?", "Is |
| direction. Or if you are already in business, but | | | | this important to me? " I guarantee that if you |
| maybe you skipped this first step, it's never too | | | | consistently make decisions (both business and |
| late to go back and assess where you stand and | | | | personal) that help you live your life by your |
| how you can tweak your business to better suit | | | | values, you will be inspired and motivated to live |
| you and the life you ultimately want to live. | | | | each day to the fullest! |
| Exercise: What Are Your Values? Start by taking | | | | Put this into practice as you build your personal |
| a piece of paper and writing down all of your | | | | assistant business. You can use this simple |
| values. What do you value? Maybe you value joy, | | | | exercise to make decision after decision, and to |
| freedom, flexibility, open communication, honesty, | | | | create a successful and profitable business that |
| family, prosperity, etc. You may fill up an entire | | | | you love. For example,maybe you are having |
| sheet of paper, or maybe even two or three! | | | | difficulty deciding what services you will offer. |
| That's ok. The most important thing to do is | | | | Perhaps you are an excellent bookkeeper, |
| brainstorm everything you value and write down | | | | well-acquainted with bookkeeping practices and |
| all the the things that you hold to be of high | | | | tools. Maybe you feel this will be an easy sell |
| importance to you in life. | | | | because your resume speaks to this strength, or |
| Now what I want you to do, is take whatever | | | | because you already do this type of work for |
| time you need to narrow this list down to your | | | | one client who is happy to recommend you to |
| top 5 values,no more, no less. It may take a little | | | | others. Additionally, you are compensated well for |
| while to whittle down your list, but what you will | | | | your assistance in this area and it seems like a |
| find is that when you are forced to decide what | | | | quick, easy way to increase your revenues. |
| is of the greatest importance to you in life, you | | | | But ask yourself this... is offering this service in |
| will really have to think about who you are and | | | | alignment with your values? Maybe you value |
| what type of life you wish to lead. When you are | | | | being challenged, or you value the presence of |
| left with your top 5 values listed on a simple | | | | joy in your life. But each time you sit down to do |
| sheet of paper, it may surprise you what you | | | | the bookkeeping for a client, you are overcome |
| see. Or maybe it would be exactly what you | | | | with dread and boredom. While you are really |
| expected. Either way, it is important to know | | | | great at this particular task and it is profitable for |
| where you stand. | | | | you, it is not in alignment with your values and |
| I was in business for 5+ years before anyone | | | | you find yourself,instead of enjoying your work, |
| ever suggested I do this exercise (thank you Ali | | | | feeling trapped by it. Now that you recognize this, |
| Brown)! It changed my life! It truly shined a light | | | | you have the opportunity to create change! |
| on what was important to me and it made me | | | | You are a solo-entrepreneur running your |
| re-think what I wanted my life and my business | | | | business, your way! Make it work for you. The |
| to be. This simple exercise inspired me to make | | | | only person who has the authority to question |
| some big changes. | | | | your decisions is YOU! So make sure you question |
| So now you're thinking, how is this going to help | | | | your own decisions. Be sure to make the right |
| me build my personal assistant business, right? I'll | | | | decisions for the right reasons. This will not only |
| tell you. Every time you are faced with a | | | | positively impact your level of fulfillment in life, but |
| challenge (and as an entrepreneur this will be | | | | it will also open the doors to joy and success in |
| frequently) or any time you need to make a | | | | your business, positively impact your bottom line |
| decision and are unsure of the answer, I | | | | and give you the opportunity to have a greater |
| encourage you to recall your top 5 values. The | | | | and more positive impact on your clients' lives. Be |
| direction your business takes should be based on | | | | sure to keep your values in mind at all times as |
| the aggregate of smaller decisions made in | | | | you grow your business and make the decisions |
| alignment with your values. | | | | that will create a business you love for a life you |
| If you really want to build a successful business | | | | love! |
| that you believe in and are proud of, and you | | | | |