I’m Back!
By Tishia Lee | April 7, 2008
The posts that I’ve made in the past have all been somewhat of a ‘theme’ - all about reasons I like working at home and how much of a blessing it truly is. Well guess what? Yep you guessed right if you thought I would once again be talking about why working at home is a blessing.
I didn’t plan on writing about this yet again but after being sick, then my son getting sick, then having internet issues I can’t help but mention it yet again how amazing and wonderful it is being my own boss and having flexibility with a work at home business.
I was able to take some time off when I was sick so I could get the rest I needed. I didn’t miss any project deadlines and I still kept my clients happy. I was able to work here and there as needed but rest when I needed too. Then when my son was sick for a couple days I was able to once again work here and there but take care of my son too.
Now as for the internet issues, I have no control over that and there wasn’t much I could do but I was able to run to my local library and email clients to let them know what was going on.
So what I’m once again trying to say is that - I’m blessed to be able to work at home! Only with the flexibility of being my own boss can I have the freedom to take time off and work here and there!
Topics: WAHM Life | 2 Comments »
Tough Questions, Real Advice
By Nell Taliercio | April 7, 2008
It isn’t healthy to work all of the time. In fact, there was an article written about bloggers who may have died because of how hard they worked. Did you just read that? Do you need to re-read it? DIED because of their hard working blog lifestyle. Frightening! Is that you? Are you working too hard or too much?
My advice:
Not only do you need to step back and evaluate how many hours you’re working, but you should also look at how stressful your job really is. Are you working with clients that make you want to pull your hair out everyday? Do you end your day crying or terribly upset? Do you go to bed exhausted? Maybe it’s time to change things.
How, though?
Look at what you’re being paid. Do you HAVE to work 8-10 hours per day (or more) just to get by? Up your rates! If you’re worth the rate change your clients will likely pay the new rate. Start somewhat slow. Don’t go from $15.00 per hour to $30.00 per hour without understanding you will lose many clients. If you go slower for existing clients they’ll likely stay on so long as they find true value in using you. For new clients, go directly to the new rate.
How many hours do you want to work? If you are working 40plus hours per week and you’re stressed and burned out and unhealthy then lets drop those hours back. Do you want to drop your hours in half? Do it! Up your rates to a level where you an drop your hours without losing income.
Incorporate passive income streams. Passive income is something you set up once(you will need to maintain it but not to the same level as a service job) and you make money when you aren’t sitting down working. You make money when you’re sleeping or playing…for real, this isn’t a scam. It’s called affiliate marketing. If you’re a VA or service business owner you could start by promoting affiliate programs that your clients would find valuable.
But what if you’re working hard all of the time because you want to and not because you have to?
What if you’re addicted?
This sounds like a bigger and more difficult problem but really…it isn’t.
In my opinion, you JUST have to DO IT. You have to force yourself to shut down the computer. You have to force yourself to eat better, get out of the house, go exercise, go out with your spouse and friends, go play with the kids more…just DO IT!
Once you change your working lifestyle for a certain amount of time you’ll likely break your addiction.
Here’s the key, if you’re healthy and happy outside of your work then you won’t want to be on the computer all of the time.
Your business shouldn’t be your life. Your business shouldn’t overtake your life. Your job or business (from home) should give you joy and freedom…isn’t that why we work from home? And for petes sake, if your work at home career is taking away from your kids you must make changes. We’re home for our kids…we need to create careers from home that will allow them to remain the priority.
How do you handle work burnout?
How do you break a computer addiction?
Do you have any stories or advice about this topic? Please do share in the comments.
Topics: Work at Home Life | 1 Comment »
eMail Time Management tips
By Aurelia Williams | April 5, 2008
Can you estimate how much time a day you spend just checking your email? Now tack on responding, sending new messages and filing things that come in and let’s not forget the endless deletion of Spam.
Be honest and please let us know about how much time you spend daily in front of your PC just for email purposes. Many people check their email on demand (meaning they just keep refreshing the email screen or open up an email and react to it as soon as their computer alerts them to the fact that they have a message).
Did you know that when you check your email non-stop and on demand it can interfere with whatever other tasks you need to accomplish. This is because usually people read the email, search for just the right way to reply, hit reply then sit and wait for something magical to happen (smile).
I usually suggest to people that they check their emails on a schedule (not a rigid one) but a schedule - a few times in the morning, afternoon and before quitting time should be just fine. If you are working on a project with others, you can even share your schedule with them or have them title the subject of the email in such a way that you can scan your inbox and go directly to where you are needed most. Also if you read a message and don’t have time to reply to it, be sure to mark that message unread or flag that particular message so that when you do have time to respond to the message you can clearly find it.
Make use of your folders in email system. Setting up folders and filing important messages in folders will save you time and a headache down the line when you are looking for that information later.
Special note: if you find yourself responding to different emails using the same response, create a response template and just simply cut and paste the response when needed instead of typing it over again. Of course you want to personalize the email but keep the *meat* of the email the same. You will save yourself a lot of time 
So, share with us and let us know how your email time management is going?
Personal Note – I’m just now getting to the point of “Letting Go” of a lot of my email duties. I have a Coaching Business, Podcast, and 3 other sites along with Managing affiliates and the amount of emails that I was trying to stay on top of was enough to make your head spin (smile). I am now training a VA to handle a lot of the email for me and I feel so much better.
Topics: Just General, WAHM Life, Work at Home Life | 7 Comments »
Learning How To Take the Initiative
By Nan Gomez | April 4, 2008
Yesterday, Chistina shared a post about learning how to say “No” and yes, it’s hard to do with us people pleasers but I’ve had to learn something else in developing my virtual assitance business.
I’m a pretty shy person. Keep to myself unless I get to know you then you can’t get me to be quiet but one thing that is really hard for me to do is take the initiative. Not when it comes to projects or work but to approach potential clients. I know clients aren’t going to come knocking down my virtual doors as it’s a very new company and so word of mouth hasn’t really gotten around yet so I’m having to learn how to Take the Initiative and go out and get those clients I want and can help.
I really like helping other moms with their businesses and projects but not knowing many makes it difficult. Networking on forums have really helped me in some aspects. I’m great with the people I already know online but tend to shy away from new people. Well, it’s time to stop that! I’ve been taking some advice from my pal, Tricia and approaching moms who post of forums saying they need help, or they’ve got this major project due or they are going to be out of commission for a while for whatever reason. Being shy is one of the self-destructive things that keep me from moving forward. So as of today, so if you post you need help or are looking for a va somewhere, watch out you just might get a message from me .
Topics: Just General, Virtual Assistance | 7 Comments »
Learning How To Say “No”
By Christina Lemmey | April 3, 2008
I’m counting down the days until the school year ends. During the course of the year, I discovered that I really spread myself too thin in my volunteer duties but that’s a part of who I am: a total people pleaser.
I already have a plan for cutting down on volunteering once September rolls around again but now I’m finding that I have to learn how to say “no” to some client projects and that’s much harder to do. People pleasers want to help everyone and want to be known as the “dependable one,” and saying “no” to someone is extremely difficult.
Part of being a VA is learning how to schedule your time effectively and learning how to be honest with clients about your capabilities. This week I had to tell a client, after quoting her a price, that I couldn’t do the task she requested in a timely matter. I was awfully embarassed but hopefully she understands that I didn’t want her project being held up because of my schedule.
Lessons learned: Think about your project timing carefully; consult your calendar; and don’t be so quick to press that “send” button.
Topics: Work at Home Life | 5 Comments »
Doing it for the paycheck…for now.
By Nell Taliercio | April 2, 2008
I meet many a Mom who comes to me in need of money right now. They need a jobby job at home in order to cover the bills. Or they want to start a VA business in order to cover the bills.
Often these Moms have bigger dreams than a job from home, though. Many times they’re super creative people who have a real lover for making things. They’d love to make money doing their passion, but don’t know how or it just hasn’t happened for them yet.
So they seek out ways of earning an income right now in order to pay the bills and bring them home with their kids. Eventually they may get into something more creative or maybe they’ll find they actually like service jobs from home.
In my case, I was simply looking for a steady way to pay the bills when searching for a job from home many years ago. And when I started my VA business it was the same thing. I needed to be home with my kids and this was the fastest way…and it happened to be something I was quite good at.
Working 100% from my computer and internet connection has allowed me to create a passive business now that I’ve stepped away from full time service work from home. I do enjoy many aspects of what I did and what I do now.
But, I’ve always been a creative person. As a young child my imagination led me to writing my own book. My how I wish I would have kept that notebook. How fun it would be now to read over the story I created.
I’ve always loved photography, as does my Mother. You should see the amount of photo’s I have laying around! If I was creative with scrapping you’d see a large impressive collection of scrapbooks, but that seems to be the one area I lack creativity in!
I painted and drew and was fairly good at it. I took art classes and found them to be very stimulating. I loved reading and using my imagination. I could spend hours reading and could finish a book in one or two days, if it was a really good read. I even tried my hand at crocheting as a youngster.
I’ve always loved singing, but have felt I couldn’t carry a tune in a basket. Although now that I’ve grown up and can appreciate certain talents I have I don’t think I’m such a bad singer after all.
I’ve recently wanted to get into knitting and sewing. I come from a long line of women who use their hands to create. My Mother is a truly amazing artist and photographer… how I wish she would have believed in herself enough to pursue that as a career. My Granny was a sewer and crocheted many beautiful items. I happen to have her sewing machine and a couple of her blankets. And my Grandmother knit and did needle point. Even my Grandfather widdled … I still have miniatures that he lovingly created for me as a child.
My point? Don’t be surprised, if one day you see me living my passion to be creative in some way. The funny thing about life is you never really know where you’re going to end up. The older I get, the more in touch with God I become, and the more fun I allow myself to have with my boys the more I awaken that creative side.
You know, you may start out as a lawyer and then find that your heart isn’t in it. You then close up shop and become an actor.
Or you might have gone to school for a long time and obtained a fantastic degree in a career field you’ve always yearned for and then have your first child, quit your dream for a career, and fall in love with stay at home life where you can do arts and crafts with your children all day.
Even if you need to get a job right now it doesn’t mean you can’t follow your passion wherever it may lead you. And who knows, maybe you’ll get a job from home and find that it’s just what the doctor ordered!
Topics: Telecommuting | 3 Comments »
Networking 2
By Donna | March 23, 2008
Definitely - networking is key to being a freelance. I’ve had the pleasure of working with a VA that I met through the forum. Most of the work I’ve found has been through the forum. On-line networking is great, but equally important is networking with people in your community, former bosses, small business owners, etc. Keeping in touch with a former boss has helped me land a long-term freelance position. One of my first “clients” before I was even a full time WAHM was a former co-worker. Even an old college classmate has been a source of periodic projects. Not only to you have to participate in on-line networking, but also sit down and think about the people you personally know you might be able to benefit from whatever service you have to offer.
Topics: Freelancing, Just General | 1 Comment »
Networking for Success
By Nell Taliercio | March 22, 2008
Networking has played a significant role in my success from home. I’ve met business coaches via networking. I’ve met great friends via networking. I’ve gained jobs from networking. I’ve grown a VA business quickly via networking. And I’ve found JV partners via networking.
I’m surprised by how many people don’t see the value in networking. For example, our forum at JustOnlineJobs.com, where we have over 4,000 members and only a tiny fraction of that actually participate. Some are simply joining to spam the forum and never get approved, but many simply lurk around.
It’s okay to lurk until you know that a forum is a good fit for you, your needs and personality, but eventually you need to get active in order to see the benefits of networking with like-minded, successful Moms (and non-moms).
So what about you? Do you network? Have you found networking to be important in your career from home?
Topics: Just General | 3 Comments »
Efficiency Tips for the Writing Parent
By Melissa Ingold | March 22, 2008
Lack of progress, dissolving motivation, and seemingly endless distractions are just a few hurdles in the life of a writing parent. At times, it becomes overwhelming and leads you astray for days or even weeks, not writing a single thing. The life of a parent writer is far from dreary and definitely challenging, but the end result is certainly worth it.
Here are a few tips to help you stay on track and maintain your motivation:
Download a free minute timer like the one at http://www.pc-tools.net, and use it. You can set it for any amount of time you like. So if you have 15 minutes to sit down and write before running errands, use the timer and it will pop up on your computer screen when the time has elapsed. Chances are you will find yourself spending a lot more then the allotted time writing.
Join a local writers group in your area. If there is no such group, you may want to do a search for an online group who shares your interests. You will be pleasantly surprised at the amount of support you receive by being a part of a group that has similar goals. You’re bound to find many members in a particular group who are successful authors, and the advice they offer is priceless. It’s an all around great place to ask questions, get willing interviewees, or just to hang out and have fun.
Schedule in time to write. No matter how much you think you don’t have the time to write, you do. You need to decide how important your career as a writer is, and if it’s something you absolutely have to do, then MAKE time to write. If you plan to do the laundry and dishes while the kids are napping, use half that time to write and then the remainder doing chores. If it doesn’t all get done right then, don’t worry about it. You can finish it up later that night or tomorrow if you have to. The reality is; you can’t be a writer if you don’t write.
Get out of the house and write. If you have kids that are in school during the day, take advantage of the free time to go to the library or coffee shop. Sometimes a simple change in atmosphere will get your creative juices flowing, and your pen scrawling. If you’re unable to get out of the house without your children, talk to your spouse or another family member about having a couple of hours to yourself in the evening once a week. Whether you go out for a walk, sit in the park or coffee shop, you will be amazed at how refreshed and energized you’ll feel afterwards.
Use the resources available to writers. Like most stay at home parents, you’re likely on a budget and have convinced yourself that don’t need those books, software or courses for writers. If you deny yourself the tools of your trade, you may be missing out on pertinent information like writing markets or grammar essentials. And stocking your office with writing must-haves doesn’t have to be expensive. Scour used books stores, yard sales, e-Bay, your local classifieds, and even your library for writing books and software. Search for websites that offer free information and resources, like Brady Magazine, and signup for their mailing lists to keep up-to-date.
Try not to let the chaos swallow you up. You cannot be a stay at home parent and not experience moments of complete chaos. Don’t spend all your time trying to tamp down a losing battle, instead, just go with the flow. Ignore the toys, shrieks, bickering, laundry, dishes, barking dog, and just write. This is your life and there’s not much you can do about it. Just let it go and deal with it all at the end of the day the same as you would for any other job. The sooner you start treating and talking about your writing as job, the better you’ll feel.
Don’t feel guilty for the time you spend writing. Instead think about the advantages of being at home rather than at an outside job. You get to be the one to kiss boo-boos and wipe tears, read stories, do crafts, or even take off to the park for two hours after lunch. You can work in between everything else, so don’t allow yourself to feel that familiar guilt when you do work. If you need to, situate your office in the most frequented area of your home, like a rec room or living area. This allows you to be at the centre of the action, on hand when you’re needed and the kids will feel better knowing you are right there. If mom or dad is sitting at the computer in the spare bedroom, the kids are bound to continually parade through so they know exactly what you are doing, distracting you to no end. So try putting yourself where they are, and you’ll be surprised by how much more you get done.
The most important thing I can tell you is this: You are not the only parent writer in existence, so don’t give up no matter how much you want to at times. It’s truly worth the sacrifices and stress, and nothing compares with seeing your work in print and getting a check in the mail for doing what you love.
Topics: Freelancing | 2 Comments »
First Day Back at Work
By Nan Gomez | March 21, 2008
So after a really difficult week of being sick and running back and forth to the emergency room five times in a matter of just a few days, I am back to work and off to work with a bang. I received an email today from someone looking for a VA. It’s always nice to have someone approach you rather than you having to search out clients.
Unfortunately, I didn’t feel as though I could perform the task needed, I’m glad I was considered. I’m going to take getting back into the work routine slowly but surely. It certainly has been a roller coaster ride, with me and the kids sick but we are on the mend and ready to get rolling again.
I do feel bad for my son though, poor thing spent his spring break sick with a fever and in and out of the emergency room. :( Hopefully this will be the end of the sickies for us for a while. We’ll I’m going to get working on my new project. Talk to you soon!
Topics: Virtual Assistance, WAHM Life | 2 Comments »