Fear, Adversity, Inspiration & Celebrating Life
This weekend I had the fun of celebrating my youngest sister’s 30th birthday. You may have seen her on our site here… she also happens to be my bookkeeper!
She has had an incredible year of being diagnosed with breast cancer, an intensive round of Chemo Therapy, 2 rounds of Radiation as well as a surgery mixed in. This has entailed countless hours of traveling to a hospital up here in Portland (that is about a 4.5 hour drive one way for them), lots of doctors appointments and days of being totally and utterly exhausted from it all.
Not only is she coming through with flying colors both she and her hubby are inspirations to the rest of us on how to deal with adversity and and keep an incredibly positive outlook on life and what it is throwing at her.
It has been a complete and utter wake up call for the rest of us on how precious life is and knowing when to slow down, take a break and enjoy the moment. It has been also a call to faith, entrusting her to God and His loving care. We know that there are lessons to be learned through this journey and doing our best to be open to them and take them to heart.
For me it is to realize that I do not take enough time off, that I am not giving time to me and my family to rest, rejuvenate and refill instead of always going, going, going. An echo of this years theme of simplifying.
So one of the things I will be sharing throughout the rest of the year is to show examples of slowing down, even if for just a few minutes to enjoy the sunny day, walk the dog, listen to beautiful music or my favorite… walking on the beach.
As entrepreneurs we usually are work-a-holics and are in desperate need of an intervention… and I don’t mean this as a flippant use of words. We go and go and go trying to get it all done wondering where the day, week and month went all while trying to keep our head above water as we run our business(es). Many times this does require a hard knock on the head, a good shake to bring us into awareness of today and has to be done and what can wait.
It is also learning to work through the fear of… what if I can’t get it all done? I must do it all myself to make sure it gets done right. It is a fear of letting go in order to move ahead.
So I invite you to take this journey with me of learning to set boundaries, or at the very least enforce the ones already in place!! Enjoy today, take a deep breath and celebrate life!
I’ll be posting a few pictures soon of “Aimeepalooza” with roasted pig, tiki lights, leis and live music! Plus tent city as we converged on her home, what a blast!
Re-Inventing Your Business
There has been a lot of talk these days about re-inventing your business. It is 2010, the “new economy” and all that. And yes there is a lot of truth in the thought that the economic climate we are in creates a need to streamline, get more focused, watch our dollars and cents etc.
But guess what? We are entrepreneurs!
We have tons of new ideas, projects to take on, something new to learn – entrepreneur is synonymous with change and it is time to embrace it, learn from it and grow from it. We are always re-inventing, streamlining and moving forward to something new.
Now for me personally (and for many of the entrepreneurs I know…), the truth is I get bored! Just ask my Mom, I have been that way since I was a kid and I doubt it is going to change any time soon. As an adult and as a business owner, I am learning to accept that this is just the way it is, so why not take advantage of it and work from that strength?
Recently I have been doing a lot of reading on ADD/ADHD and specifically adults with ADD/ADHD, who are entrepreneurs. Several members of my immediate family were recently diagnosed and it got me curious. We compared notes and I had several “aha!” moments explaining a few things about me… especially the getting bored easily and never able to have just one project going at one time because, you guessed it, I get bored with just one!
In the past couple of months I have been working with my doc on this and doing even more reading on managing my time, my thoughts, project lists, ideas and did I say my time? The more I read about it the more I am convinced that while it is something to address and manage it is also a gift.
- My list of ideas that “need” to be tackled is never ending
- It is a great asset when brainstorming with clients for new ideas on marketing, web design, product development
- There is a never ending list of new things to learn, new skills to develop
So back to the Re-inventing Your Business idea…
As an entrepreneur it is important to keep up with the trends in your industry, what your clients are wanting, discovering new ideas, developing new skills and most importantly keeping you interested! If you are not maintaining a high level of passion in your business it is time to step back and take a look at what is happening.
Do you need to tweak your product line or your list of services? Do you need to try a new avenue of marketing to reach an entirely new group of people? Do you need to get involved in a group that supports you, energizes you and gets you and keep the creative juices flowing?
For me that group has been the Free Agent Academy and my business coach Justin Lukasavige (also professor at FAA). An incredible group of people who willingly share their knowledge, offer feedback and also let you when you are not stepping up to the plate. Right now we are working on branding and business planning. It is exactly what I need right now.
I resisted at first because planning is not my favorite thing in the world, but I’m finding it to be an incredible challenge and an opportunity to examine my business with a fresh set of eyes and a whole new list of ideas. Especially through the lens of my strengths and weaknesses, it is helping me be more me in my business.
These ideas will be coming out over the next couple of months and I am getting excited about the possibilities and opportunities on the horizon.
- New services
- New packages
- New ways of doing business
This should be enough to keep me from getting bored in the near future, hopefully…
How have you re-invented your business? Small changes or major overhauls?
Your Virtual Assistant Partner
This is an interesting concept… one that has different connotations for different people.
Last night I was researching and surfing the net for ideas and ran across this article from Karyn Greenstreet with tips and ideas on finding and working with a virtual assistant. In this article she talks about the idea of the Virtual Assistant as a partner, it made me stop and think.
“Some VAs are taught that they should be a “partner” with you in your business. On the surface, this sounds great. However, I have heard too many horror stories about VAs who did things without asking permission, from modifying website text to changing established class titles”
When I am talking with clients, both perspective and current, are we clearly defining that role together?
Personally I consider myself to be a partner in the success of my clients business. But! I think that the term partner needs to be defined.
I like this definition of partner from Wikipedia:
“A friend who shares a common interest or participates in achieving a common goal.”
And this one from Dictionary.com:
“A person who shares or is associated with another in some action or endeavor; sharer; associate.”
Each of these definitions include the word share and that is a key part of my own personal definition. As a virtual assistant my role is to support you, my client, using my skills and expertise. For some clients that means an occasional project here and there and for others it means stepping up to a bigger role of working in their business on a daily basis.
Being a partner also means getting to know your business and being able to say, “Here is what I can do for you” and not just asking, “How can I help?”. There is a difference.
As a virtual assistant who works closely with a client you see and understand the dreams, the goals and the overall big picture. When you commit time and resources to that big picture you have a vested interest in helping them succeed.
You understand their vision, you see what needs to happen and can create a suggested plan of action to get them there. As a VA, this is an exciting place to be.
It does not mean the VA takes over and makes the decisions, it does mean we tap into our education and knowledge to share with you tips and strategies that we see would make a positive impact on bringing that vision to life. Together we decide if this is a course of action that will work.
The word partner is a collaborative word, not an independent word.
How do you define the word partner?
What an incredible gift
I’m blessed….
I don’t take the time to acknowledge that nearly enough but I am blessed in owning and running my own business. I have a virtual assistant practice that is doing well and I have the opportunity to grow it, remain where I am and change what I need (or want!) to change, it is my choice as simple as that.
For over 15 years I worked with a company – (13 years as a full-time employee and the remaining time part-time employee and independent contractor). But last week I had to say good-bye to lots of people I have knows for years as the company closed it’s doors. It was hard… after 15 years these were members of my family, I am worried for many of them, especially in this economy. I know many will land on their feet no problem and will find incredible opportunities in front of them but you can’t help wondering what will happen to them.
When I first heard the news it made me take a step back and realize what an incredible position I am in. I have a viable business, I have been busier in the last 8 months then I ever have been before and the business is growing. In the last month I brought on new team members to help out and new changes are in the air. The opportunities in front of me are mind blowing at times. Now I will have even more time to focus on the direction of The Blue Jeans VA…. I have several ideas, but where to start! (more on that later…)
Even in this economy as things change and constantly in motion, being an entrepreneur is an incredible gift. What is your favorite part of being in charge of your future?
Small business owners and boundaries – How
So, how do you start putting boundaries in place?
This is a muscle that has to grow and be strengthened – so just as in lifting weights, start small!
Can you block off a few hours during one morning a week to get stuff done around the house? Block off the weekend to spend time with the kids. Or even block time off every few weeks to get caught up on running the business!
Here is what I would recommend and how I have started to put boundaries in place for me.
1) Calendar: Pull it out and put in appointments for the next 3 months. That includes vacations, doctor appointments, kids soccer games, birthday’s… any time where you need to, or want to be available. This is a simple small way to start practicing with boundaries.
These are important enough to be written on your calendar so they are important enough to honor and make sure that you keep that appointment.
If three months was easy and felt good, go wild and fill out another 3 months!
2) Take time off: Gasp – take time off, shut down email, phone AND the computer! Yep that’s right. For some just taking off a few hours one morning a week is a huge accomplishment and about all they can handle. Great! Start somewhere.
3) Take more time off: Bigger Gasp – you mean take more then a few hours away from the office?! Absolutely! Now that you have practiced taking a few hours, TAKE A WHOLE DAY. I know feels strange doesn’t it?
Here are just a few of the benefits:
- Increased productivity
- Increased creativity
- Clearer head
- Less stress
- Better health
- ….I could go on
The benefits of exercising the boundaries muscle and getting into the habit of actually stepping away from the desk and the business are unbelievable. I’m just beginning to see the potential myself.
I started with taking Sunday off, that day I’m not allowed to work. Next step was reducing my Saturday hours and I do pretty good on this one… mostly. Third step was blocking off 1 day per month to get away from email and client work to concentrate on my biz and tackle personal projects with looming deadlines.
I’m addicted now and plan to continue to exercise my boundaries muscle and start taking more time off, start getting back to my hobbies, playing with my dog and being available to my family without stressing out – what a novel idea!
The word boundaries sounds so confining and stifling but guess what, it really is just the opposite for many, it has been for me. Putting boundaries between your personal and professional life is actually quite liberating!
Small business owners and boundaries – Why
Yep, boundaries. That is something I have been thinking about and just recently read a blog post by a colleague that got me thinking.
As a small business owner it is so easy to get caught up in the day to day details and forget to come up for air. Then there is technology. Technology that allows just about anyone to find you anywhere, anytime…. personally I love technology, but to a point.
There comes a time when you have to put your foot down and tell yourself, hey it is okay to take some time off! I’m finding the more I give myself permission to do that, the more I get done and the the chance to get re-energized for the next project.
Why boundaries:
1) Give your brain a break: That is one of the things I think is hardest for entrepreneurs – turning off the brain and let it start to quiet down. Allowing the flurry of ideas slow down so you are not constantly thinking and analyzing at 1000 miles per hour (no wonder so many of us get insomnia!)
2) Get a fresh perspective: When you start putting boundaries in place you start to see your business, and your role in it, from a different point of view. You start seeing the big picture again and get reconnected with your goals and vision for your business.
3) Enjoy your family: Putting boundaries on your time at work (whether that is a home office our you leave the house to get to the office) allows you to relax, get some down time with the family and have some fun. When you are fully present with your family (and friends too!) and not constantly consumed with business, your connections with them grow and deepen.
There is nothing so frustrating like waiting for someone to FINALLY get off the computer so you can go run those errands you have been putting off, go to that family outing you have been planning, go play at the beach, play a game with the kids….. sound familiar!
If you notice the boundaries I am talking about here are self-imposed, boundaries that you need to place on yourself. This can be oh so hard to do, but sharing from personal experience is oh so rewarding!
What areas do you need to start putting boundaries in your business life?
Getting started in online video
I’m having fun with a service called Animoto, especially for those of us who do not like to get in front of the camera. Yup, working my way up to that one 
. For now having fun creating videos for The Blue Jeans VA and for my clients. I look forward to sharing more.
What’s so great about being an entrepreneur?
There are some days you just gotta wonder, what really is so great about being an entrepreneur? Long hours, for many low pay and little to no free time.
So why do we do it?
What keeps us getting up in the morning and moving forward to the next client, proposal or project?
Most of the time I am thrilled to be in the position I am now but when there are days when the deadline is looming or their are a million tasks coming into my inbox that I start wondering.
Then I come across something like this and once again I am reminded, how cool it is to own my own business, to be working on my part of the American dream.
Shine – A Big Film About Small Business
This film is being put together by the founder of Biznik, talking to entrepreneurs from around the globe about owning your owns business and the impact it has on both the world around you and on You!
One of the quotes in the movie trailer is:
“Be the change you want to be in the world ( Ghandi ) and I think that is what entrepreneurs are all about”.
What an awesome way to think about my business and why I am doing this work. I had to stop and think about that for a moment and digest it and realize how powerful that statement really was.
From the Mom & Pop store around the corner to the guy who drives the ice cream truck each summer, most of us are doing what we do because we love it. We love the challenges, the joy, the heartache (okay maybe not so much that part…), the journey of being an entrepreneur and the differences we can make in the lives of our colleagues, peers, family, friends and neighborhood.
How powerful is that?
What is an entrepreur?
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines entrepreneur as:
“One who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise.”
And Wikipedia defines it as:
An entrepreneur is a person who has possession of an enterprise, or venture, and assumes significant accountability for the inherent risks and the outcome. It is an ambitious leader who combines land, labour, and capital to create and market new goods or services.
When we decide to start a business it is very easy to not to think about the risk and look at the new opportunity through rose colored glasses. To see only the opportunity and the challenge.
You know what I don’t think that is such a bad characteristic for an entrepreneur. Read more
What is the plan for your business?
Having a plan, we hear that all the time. We hear the importance of having a plan, goals for your business and how important it is for the growth and success of a business.
But…
How many of us actually have a plan? If you have a plan is it written down? Does it have action steps? Does it account for both the long and short term?
These are questions that I have been asking myself. As I have mentioned before, 2009 is a year of growth and changes, keeping up with these changes and creating a plan that is in alignment with my values is important to me.
There is a book I read years ago that has a title that always stays with me, “Growing a Buisiness Creating a Life”. As a small business owner who works out of my home, the two are intertwined and making sure that the two align feels somewhat tricky at times.
To help me create a plan and stay on track I am thinking a business coach is a resource that I want to take advantage of.
Join me for a preview call of the Fast Track to Lifestyle Business with Melanie Benson Strick. On May 5th & 7th.
