Holistic Business

OK, might seems pretty obvious connecting this picture to the title of this post - the whole “make tons of money so you can do this everyday” - but it’s not (that’s not my style). It’s kind of a long convuluted circle I’ll try to navigate quickly. And, no, that’s not me!

Anyway, my family just spent a week at the Jersey shore sharing a house with some other family members. We all had a great time, the kids loved it, the whole nine yards. I didn’t do anything too much more strenuous than the woman in this picture all week.

So, the day comes when we have to leave, but there are other family members coming down and sharing the house the following week. They all said, “Oh, don’t be in a hurry to leave, stay awhile and have some drinks.” We got our cars all loaded up and my husband asked if I would drive (it’s only about an hour to home) so he could drink. I said, yea, fine, but this one whole side of my body is killing me. From a point on my back around my rib cage and towards my stomach. (To cut to the chase it really only seems like a pulled muscle, but I have been in unbelievable pain for the last 3 days - getting better slowly). But, anyway, he held off and although I started the drive, within 20 minutes I was in so much pain I almost agreed to let him drive me to the hospital. Fortunately, we were prepared, and he was in shape to drive, otherwise it would have been quite a pickle.

Now, since we’ve been home I’ve been watching the tornadoes. It did look like we, as a country, and our (ahem) leaders took some initiative this time and began with some preparedness. I really wish the best for everyone out there that gets slammed by these storms. We’ve had them a couple of times in my memory in NJ, but nothing that severe where I lived.

OK, now onto where I ended up in my head with all this. You should (or maybe you don’t) know that I am a Virtual Assistant. There is a huge, huge disparity in how “Virtual Assistants” model their businesses. Some are really tele-commuters, some are work-at-home secretaries, blah-blah-blah. It ticks me off as a VA to see this, but if you are a business owner reading this that is considering working with a VA, please read on. The old saying “if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck then it must be a duck” - does not apply here. You, the business owner need to be less focused on what the professional is calling themselves and zero in on WHAT THEY ARE OFFERING.
You NEED TO BE PREPARED. What looks like a good deal at the time (you can afford it, aren’t really sure how it’s going to work out anyway) - you are being extremely shortsighted.

I’ve had consults with clients who walked away when they heard my rate and how I work. They’ve told me that “for the time being” they are not looking to spend that much money, but hopefully the first VA they hire (at $15/hour or so) will help them grow their business to a degree where they could hire me - because they would really love to work with me and know I would do a good job.

Huh? What?

This is YOUR business. Play this through your head. A “VA” that charges low rates will not have the skills and business sense of one charging a higher rate because they have NOT INVESTED ANYTHING THEMSELVES IN THEIR OWN COMPANY. Is this really the person you want to hand your administrative work off to? Do you want to spend a miserable 6 months of trying to plunder along with them and after they’ve totally mucked everything up to the point that we have to start from scratch (and maybe you’ve lost people from your list in the meantime, too) and expect me to offer you the same package I did when we first spoke?

BE PREPARED. It’s your business, be prepared and manifest your growth by realizing that it will only happen with the right administrative partner and thank the Universe for having found them.

Isn’t Holistic Business all about seeing the parts in the whole???

Namaste ~ ~ ~

Technorati Tags: Virtual Assistant, manifest your growth, Holistic Business

The ultimate guide to producitivity meme was started by Ben Yoskovitz and I first read about it on Dawud Miracle’s blog.

Now I’ve been tagged by Jenn Givler.

The question is:

So what’s your secret to being productive?

Well, I have to say, at the time I read Dawud’s post, I was stuggling myself with productivity and staying focused. After having it rattle around in my brain for the last few weeks, just this week (and it’s only Wednesday morning as I’m writing this), I began to try out Dawud’s tip - and I’m lovin it!

I work in 50 minute increments. Then for 10 minutes - I leave my office. I spend 10 minutes doing something else. Not laundry, not dishes, not picking up the various things that get left all over the house. I go outside and look at my flowers, I pet and play with the dog, I sit on the porch and work on a crossword puzzle - but I do something I find relaxing.

After those 10 minutes - it’s right back to the office.

I always took short breaks before throughout the day, but having a schedule for them really seems to help. No more looking up and realizing 3 hours have gone by and my eyes feel like onions. I return after those 10 minutes anxious to pick back up where I left off.

At first I thought that was too often and was going to cause me to lose concentration. Now, it’s only been 2 days that I’ve done this, but so far it seems to have added time to my day.

Thanks Dawud - I’ll have to head over to your blog and thank you too!

One of my own tips is to always have a pad of paper and pencil nearby. I get struck with ideas when I’m involved in a relaxing activity and don’t seem to remember things as well as I used to. This time of year I like to garden. I find it very soothing to get my hands in the dirt. As I relax, I tend to get inspired. And I don’t remember things as well as I used to (did I say that already?). It drives me nuts to be doing something and have an idea that has me all excited and then an hour later be pacing back and forth in my office asking “Now - what in the world was it that I wanted to do/email/research?”

OK - my turn to do some tagging. Vickie Turley, Danielle Keister, and Shann Vander Leek - you’ve been tagged!

I’m doing the same thing I did the last time I was tagged. I’ve tagged two people I know quite well, and one who does not know me. Shann and I have never had a conversation, written or otherwise, but I do enjoy her blog and figured this would be a good opportunity to let her know and to say thank you for the Inspiration Widget! For those of you on a Mac, you know what a widget is. Well, Shann had a True Balance Life Coaching widget designed with inspirational quotes. I love it - thanks Shann! You can read about it and get the link for download here.

Well, here are the “rules” of this project from Ben’s Instigator Blog:

1. Write a post on your best productivity tips. Challenge yourself by picking your single best productivity tip (although this isn’t a requirement; you can give us more if you want!)
2. Include links to other people that have written posts, or include their tips in your post with proper attribution.
   

   Note: I’m not asking that you link to everyone in the group writing project meme; pick the ones you want to connect with. You certainly can link to everyone, but it’s not a requirement. I like leaving more decision making power in your hands so this isn’t just a link grab, but you’re thinking about what your audience & community wants to read about.

   A link back to this post is appreciated though, to help spread the word!

3. If you use Technorati Tags then tag your post “ultimate guide to productivity”.
4. Tag others in your post to spread the meme. Tag as many people as you like!
5. If you link back to Instigator Blog and email me I’ll make sure to include at least 2 links back to you. But this isn’t a requirement, it just helps me keep track of what’s going on.

Technorati Tags: ultimate guide to producitivity, Ben Yoskovitz, Dawud Miracle, Jenn Givler, Vickie Turley, Danielle Keister, Shann Vander Leek, True Balance Life Coaching

This free teleseminar is being sponsored by the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce.

As usual, it’s going to be great, enlightening, and more than definitely worth your cost of time.

Our guest expert this month is Jim Logan, Marketing Consultant.

Several things we’ll discuss:

• The three things your prospective clients consciously or subconsciously think about when deciding whether or not to purchase your services;
• The most important thing to highlight when describing your service;
• Why the least valuable thing you have to offer your customer is your time;
• How to increase your hourly rate without billing by the hour;
• How to differentiate your service from your competition and attract your ideal client

This seminar is being sponsored by the VACOC, but is not only open to Virtual Assistants - it’s for any independent service provider.

For more information or to register: http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com/teleclass-registration.htm

So, sign up and give your holistic business a shot in the arm - hope to “see” you there!

Namaste ~ ~ ~

Technorati Tags: Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce, Jim Logan, Virtual Assistants, holistic business

Are you an enlightened entrepreneur, holistic business support professional, spiritual coach, or lightworker looking for a place to post and read business building articles?

Are you a healer in need of some direction from the pros about growing your business?

If so, you’ve got to come on over to Holistic Business Networking.

I’ve added some features to the Holistic Business Networking forum. As an active member of the forum, you will be able to add your article to our homepage as well as download articles written by other members. All you have to do is register, get active, and then email me your article. No cost whatsoever.

I’m also going to be highlighting moderators on the homepage linked to their Web site. So, not only do you have the potential to make new connections on the forum, but you are getting a backlink to boot.

The forum is relatively new, so there has not been a lot of activity, but more members will fix that! I really think this can be a great opportunity to network, learn, grow - and build bridges between healers and those that can support them.

If you haven’t checked the forum out, we’ve got topics specific to coaching, Web design and blogging, marketing and networking, administrative support, and bookkeeping. There are forums for specific healers to hang out with each other, as well as just some plain old fun and informative sections.

So - all that’s missing is you! Come on over and let us get to know you!

Namaste ~ ~ ~

Technorati Tags: enlightened entrepreneur, holistic business support, spiritual coach, lightworker, Holistic Business Networking

There is an interesting blog tag game going around now “Where do you hang out online?”

I’ve been tagged by Yara Nielsenshultz of Red Pepper Writing. I’ve only just met Yara (turns out we have more than 1 mutual friend in this virtual world), but I’ve got to say I love her writing. Thanks Yara! Oh, you can read Yara’s blog here.

Anyway, the basic rules of this game are as follows:

• Tell who tagged you (and by all means include their links),
• Write a description of where you spend your time online (include links), and
• Tag some more people.

I spend a lot of my online time at the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce. Not only is it the best online resource for VAs, but for anyone interested in working with a VA they’ve got a ton of information and a directory. FYI - it’s not easy to get listed in the directory, so you’ll only find the top-notch professionals there.

My new favorite place to hangout is turning out to be Holistic Business Networking. This is a networking forum that I recently started and my main goal is building bridges between practitioners and business experts. Of course, it is specifically for those in - or those that work with - holistic businesses. If you fit that description - come on over and join - it’s free!

I recently discovered Lime.com. There is so much information there that I’m taking it in little pieces. If you are interested in healthy living, organics, green and sustainable practices - you’ve got to check it out. I actually plan on blogging about it in more detail in the future.

OK - got to do some tagging of my own.

Jenn Givler, J. Givler Coaching - I also spend time at Jenn’s online group Powerful Entrepreneur. Sorry Jenn - I’ve been reading, just haven’t had the time to post recently!!

LauraLee Sparks, The Simple Solution - LauraLee is a fellow Virtual Assistant and a real gem. Love ya LL!

I’m also going way, way out on a limb and tagging someone I don’t know. Or, I guess I should really say he does not know me!

Dawud Miracle - Healthy Web Design. Dawud and I have a client in common and I’m seeing his name more and more as the designer on some great sites (Mark Silver, Judy Murdoch, and my client Matt Hugg). His blog is awesome. ALL BLOGGERS need to especially read his post about the nofollow campaign. I’m going to install the plugin as soon as I’m done with this post (oh, and after I email Dawud to introduce myself and let him know I’ve tagged him, I sure hope his reaction is not a groan to be heard ’round the world).

So - hope all I’ve tagged have the same fun with this as I have and hopefully I’ve shared some resources here that you find useful.

Namaste ~ ~ ~

Technorati Tags: Yara Nielsenshultz, Red Pepper Writing, Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce, Holistic Business Networking, Lime.com, healthy living, organics, green and sustainable practices, Jenn Givler, J. Givler Coaching, LauraLee Sparks, The Simple Solution, Dawud Miracle, Healthy Web Design