Stay Focused when Life Gets in the Way

Stay Focused when Life Gets in the Way

by | Motivation, Scale, Specialize, Start

Staying Focused

I don’t know about you, but the first quarter of 2018 has been a challenge for me.

Why?

Because life got in the way of my business.

Has this happened to you?

Between a lingering illness and family issues, my first quarter goals went unachieved and are now second-quarter goals.

I have to admit I was angry, disappointed and discouraged… but I know it’s all part of the journey on the path to achieving my dreams.

It’s easy to get discouraged when you look at everything you planned to do and got ZERO accomplished, and you have to keep pushing out your deadlines. Not fun!

But… it’s important to stay the course. Every step forward is a step closer to your dreams.

So, you may have a misstep or even a back step but don’t let it stop you. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get back on the horse. For only you can make your dreams a reality.

Stop letting life get in the way. Try a few of these helpful tips:

  1. Look at how far you’ve already come. You wouldn’t have made it this far if you let life stop you.
  2. If you have a Success Jar, read what you’ve accomplished. If you don’t have one – create one. Here is a blog post all about them.
  3. Stop beating yourself up because you’re not where you “should” be yet.
  4. Don’t compare yourself to others or where they are in their journey. They have their path and you have yours.
  5. Never stop trying. You’re not alone in your struggle – everyone has to deal with distractions.
  6. Your thoughts determine how you feel. If you think you’re overwhelmed, you will feel it. Work on changing your thoughts.
  7. Ask yourself “What’s the alternative?” In other words, what will I do if I stop trying? Will I achieve my dreams? As Jiminy Cricket said, “Let your conscience be your guide.”
  8. Unplug for a day or two. Sometimes getting away from it all is the best cure.
  9. And remember… you’re important; without you, there is no business. Take care of yourself!

How do you handle life’s hiccups?

I’d love to hear your comments. Please take a moment to leave me a comment and share your thoughts.

Please share if you know someone who might benefit from this information. The share buttons are below the post.

If you’re looking for more details on how to start or scale your VA business including how to specialize by learning in-demand skills, join my FREE VA Training Vault. It’s over 8 hours of how-to video training for Virtual Assistants that want to create a successful business.

Thanks for reading!

Enjoy your day – Susan

Do You Have a Success Jar

Do You Have a Success Jar

by | Motivation, Scale, Specialize, Start

A Success Jar

We are always so busy looking ahead that we forget to stop and look at how far we have already come. It is easy to lose sight of what you’ve accomplished when you are concentrating on what is left to be done. One of the best ways I’ve found to remind myself of how far I have come in my entrepreneurial journey is to use a Success Jar.

What is a Success Jar?

It is a simple jar that holds all of your successes, accomplishments and celebrations! It is a great method for fighting your fears and removing self doubts!

Here is how to create your Success Jar!

  • Find a glass or plastic jar. It can be a jelly jar or a pickle jar, small or large.
  • Decorate it with ribbons, bows or anything else your heart desires.
  • Every time you accomplish anything – no matter how small – write it down on a sticky note.
  • Fold up the sticky note and add it to your success jar.
  • Once a week, open your Success Jar and read all you have accomplished.
  • Celebrate.
  • Take the previous week’s sticky notes and add them to a plastic zip bag. At the end of the year, read them all and celebrate how far you have come. You will be amazed!

Remember, becoming a Virtual Assistant is a journey not a destination. Take time to enjoy it, embrace it and celebrate.

What do you think?

I’d love to here your comments. Please take a moment to leave me a comment and share your thoughts.

Please share if you know someone who might benefit from this information. The share buttons are below the post.

If you’re looking for more details on how to start or scale your VA business including how to specialize by learning in-demand skills, join my FREE VA Training Vault. It’s over 8 hours of how-to video training for Virtual Assistants that want to create a successful business.

Thanks for reading!

Enjoy your day – Susan

PS – What is one of your Successes from this week – please share!

How Do You Manage Your Fear?

How Do You Manage Your Fear?

by | Motivation, Scale, Specialize, Start

How many of you have a strategy to manage your fear?

Or, does it manage you?

Remember, fear is what stops most people from living their dreams and achieving their full potential.

So…I pushed past my fear and did my first ever video blog on fear. It’s not the best quality and I need better lighting but I’m putting it out there anyway.

It’s about ACTION not PERFECTION.

My goal is to release one a week on Wednesday’s.

Since I can talk all day this will be easier than writing a blog!

What do you think?

I’d love to hear your comments. Please take a moment to leave me a comment and share your thoughts.

Please share if you know someone who might benefit from this information. The share buttons are below the post.

If you’re looking for more details on how to start or scale your VA business including how to specialize by learning in-demand skills, join my FREE VA Training Vault. It’s over 8 hours of how-to video training for Virtual Assistants that want to create a successful business.

Enjoy your day – Susan

Are You Motivated?

Are You Motivated?

by | Motivation, Start

Staying Motivated

I remember when I first started on my Virtual Assistant journey, how hard it was to stay motivated when:

  1. things were not moving fast enough
  2. things were not going my way or
  3. I was stuck in “Analysis Paralysis”

I know this can take the wind out of your sails and even have you doubting yourself.

But Remember… “The Beginning is Always the Hardest”.

The beginning of anything is always the hardest, whether it is starting a business or learning to ride a bike. The key is to keep trying & never give up.

Here are 5 simple tips I use to stay motivated:

  1. Take baby steps – take action. Because every step forward, no matter how small, is one step closer to your dreams. I use the mantra “Action NOT Perfection”.  (I’m a recovering perfectionist and find myself not doing something because “it’s not perfect”.)
  2. Take a break. Sometimes it helps to remove yourself from the situation and do something you enjoy. Take a walk, play with your kids, read a book or anything else that takes your mind off your troubles.
  3. Take a look in your Success Jar. Remind yourself just how far you’ve come. We seem to always be fixated on where we have to go and forget how far we’ve already come. Remember…it is a journey. Click here to read more about creating a Success Jar.
  4. Talk to others. Reach out to other Virtual Assistants – it helps just to share your thoughts and feeling with others. Find a local group of Virtual Assistants or join a VA group on social media. We’ve been there and are glad to help.
  5. Remember your “Why”. We all have a reason “why” we are pursuing a VA business. What is yours? Your reason is one of the most powerful tools you can use to help you stay focused & motivated no matter what challenges you face on your journey. I created a Vision Board so I can look at my “Why” when things get tough – it really helps me stay focused and motivated.

These are a few of the things that I do when life is not going my way. Give one or all of them a try!

What do you think?

I’d love to hear your comments. Please take a moment to leave me a comment and share your thoughts.

Please share if you know someone who might benefit from this information. The share buttons are below the post.

If you’re looking for more details on how to start or scale your VA business including how to specialize by learning in-demand skills, join my FREE VA Training Vault. It’s over 8 hours of how-to video training for Virtual Assistants that want to create a successful business.

Thanks for reading!

Enjoy your day – Susan

Starting a VA Business

Starting a VA Business

by | Motivation, Start

Where Do I Start?

Are you still thinking about becoming a Virtual Assistant but you’re a little hesitant because you don’t know where to start? Do you think you have the skills and the mindset all in the right place, yet you can’t find that first gear to set the wheels in motion. Fear not! We’ve all been there when we started our own VA business, so you are not alone.

Here’s a secret…The most important question you can ask is:-

“Where do I start?”

Already you have found first gear and you’ll quickly find out how smoothly you move into second, third and so on. By reaching out to other Virtual Assistants for their guidance you have just given your business a huge boost because the wealth of knowledge that will be shared with you will be amazing.

It’s also important to keep in the habit of asking questions. Nobody will ever think you are silly, annoying or a pain in the rear end. Instead, you will be giving others an opportunity to showcase and share their knowledge and prompt a thought to those that have not yet considered that element of their business.

Questions get you further in life and as good ol’ Dr Seuss once said:-

“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”

So get out there and ask the ‘most important question’ you will ever ask in your VA business, and if you want to get in touch with me to ask it directly, I would love to hear from you. I have plenty of answers to share.

What do you think?

I’d love to hear your comments. Please take a moment to leave me a comment and share your thoughts.

Please share if you know someone who might benefit from this information. The share buttons are below the post.

If you’re looking for more details on how to start or scale your VA business including how to specialize by learning in-demand skills, join my FREE VA Training Vault. It’s over 8 hours of how-to video training for Virtual Assistants that want to create a successful business.

Thanks for reading!

Enjoy your day – Susan

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