It’s been awhile…

Sorry about that. I had grand plans and time-lines for this site and all that it was going to accomplish but life got in the way. And guess what?! That has not necessarily been a bad thing

Each entrepreneur’s journey is different, the path they choose, the aha! moments that come and the direction their life starts to take. Mine went from crazy busy 24/7 to 20/7, decided I need to sleep at least some!

I have had many aha moments in the last few months, at times if felt like blinders being pulled off so I could start to see the vision for my business clearly for the first time in a long time and even more importantly, I was getting excited about it. There are changes I am making personally in my own life and my business is morphing and growing to flow with it. I’m slowly learning to create a business that works around my life and not making my life work with my business. Some days I am winning, some days I am taking a few steps back but thankfully mostly forward at this point.

There are definitely people to thank for helping me get those blinders off… my business coach Justin Lukasavige and all the professors and members over at Free Agent Academy. Having that support and group of people to tap into their expertise and experience has been an incredible experience. The best I have experienced in all of my group coaching programs.

So what does this mean for From VA 2 VA? It means a re-focus on content, resources and reviews from my experience and yours. The membership site option will be coming back soon but in a different form, I’m still working on those details and will have more on that soon. It is a format that I am excited about and looking forward to sharing with you.

Aha Moment #1

One of my BIG! Aha moments has been that I enjoy partnering with creative people instead of always trying to go it alone. So if you or another VA you may know might like to get involved in a project like this send them on over, I would love to talk with them more about what the goals are and how we might be able to collaborate on this project.

Aha Moment #2

Another aha moment or better description would probably be a slow awakening was to take the DISC Profile Test and the Strengths Finder test to get a clearer picture of my strengths and that has opened my eyes in so many ways. If you are in a business that is growing faster than you can control or if you are like me and realized you have a business that is not working and are feeling at a loss or overwhelmed on what do do next, these two tests can really help you start clearing the cobwebs and start to chart a course of action.

But remember that we can’t do it alone, working virtually tends to make us forget that. Find someone you can talk to, someone who can help you brainstorm about your business and give you honest feedback and the kick in the rear when you need it! I’m still working on the idea of setting up a Virtual Assistant Mastermind group so if you are interested and think it might help you get back on track, let me know I would love to talk about it with you.

The Virtual Assistant as Leader

I don’t know about you but, I have a hard time seeing myself as a leader. Some VA’s do, but it is a role I have resisted taking on, it’s uncomfortable to even think about it. It also makes me ask the question “Why does this make me so uncomfortable?” and “Why do I prefer to stay behind the scenes?”.

The answer?

This is where I am comfortable and I’m not required to take chances and risk too much.

I’m reading Seth Godin’s book “Tribes” and in it he gives one of the best descriptions as to why we resist leadership that I have ever read.

Here he talks about the discomfort of leading.

“Leadership is scarce because few people are willing to go through the discomfort required to lead.”

Then he writes:

“It’s discomfort that creates the leverage that makes leadership worthwhile.”

It makes me wonder? What leverage am I missing out on by not stepping up to the plate? How many opportunities have passed me by and will pass me by if I don’t shove myself out of my comfort zone?

Then he writes a list that grabs my attention:

“In other words, if everyone could do it, they would, and it wouldn’t be worth much.

• It’s uncomfortable to stand up in front of strangers.
• It’s uncomfortable to propose an idea that might fail.
• It’s uncomfortable to challenge the status quo.
• It’s uncomfortable to resist the urge to settle.

When you identify the discomfort, you’ve found the place where a leader is needed.”

One more thing that caught my eye…

“If you’re not uncomfortable in your work as a leader, it’s almost certain your not reaching you’re potential as a leader.”

Yikes! He is so right (even though I really wish he wasn’t), when we stick with the status quo, we are not stretching ourselves and reaching for our full potential.

What about the fear? That is also part of the discomfort, especially when it is a fear of being wrong, failing or worse being criticized or laughed at (insert shiver down spine…).

With the transparency that is needed in today’s business, the opportunity to hear a harsh word, a criticism or a derisive “LOL” is more possible then ever. No wonder we resist! BUT guess what? There is also a greater chance of hearing “Thank you!”, “I so agree”, “I needed to hear that”, or “I have been thinking that very same thing”.

We are missing out on connecting with others, leading our tribe, when we do not step up into that position.

So what are we going to do about it? How are we going to get comfortable about being in a state of discomfort? Are you ready to join me in stepping out of the shadows and leading your tribe?

Then maybe it is time for you to join me in the “VA Biz Builders Mastermind” group? This is a beta group I am putting together that will be limited to a small group of VA’s and virtual support professionals who are ready to connect with others, grow their biz, step up to the plate and lead.

Sound interesting? Sound like it’s time for you? Contact me today for more info, the group is starting soon.

Success Groups & Masterminds

I just had this article come through my inbox and loved the name Success Groups. What a fresh take on the name Mastermind Group. Kerry Beck is someone whom I have followed and admired for quite some time, she and her husband Stephen are excellent examples of a family who have developed a heart based, values based business that is highly successful.

They practice what they preach and as a result have successful businesses and have children following in their footsteps. What great examples to pay attention to.

How Can Success Groups Help Your Business?

by Kerry Beck

Interaction with other entrepreneurs could be the number one activity for true success in a home based business. Isolation is a killer! So, what should you do?

When you have someone with whom you discuss your goals and dreams, you have someone who can check up on your activity to see if it matches your goals. You also have a fellow entrepreneur who can help you solve problems, motivate you and encourage you to choose the right activities each day as you work your home business. There are many other reasons you should have an success partner. Let me give you a few to ponder.

1. Accomplish more goals
When you make your goals public with an success partner, you are much more likely to follow through with the activities needed to meet those goals. When I tell someone that I want to launch a product by a certain date, I don’t want to look inept. I want to look successful So, I will work as hard as necessary to complete that goal. For me, putting a goal on the calendar and discussing it with Steve is a fantastic way to make sure we succeed. Steve is my success partner, but not everyone has a success partner at home.

2. Right thinking for success in your business
Have you ever heard that your perspective on life is similar to the 5 people you are most around. When you spend time with success partners, you will begin to think like they do. When your success partner is a home business entrepreneur, you will be encouraged to think outside the box, like they do. The right type of thinking is imperative to succeed in a home based business, especially when you are working on your own at home.

3. Motivation and encouragement when times are tough
Success partners are terrific at motivating each other when times get tough. When you are working alone at home, it can sometimes be hard to keep going through difficult problems. A success partner is great at encouraging you during those tough times. Success partners are also helpful in motivating each other to complete tasks and project for long-term success. You need other people to succeed in life or in your business.

4. Brainstorm best solutions to any problem
As entrepreneurs, we all encounter problems in our business. Success partners are great to discuss solutions. In your discussion, you have the opportunity to brainstorm alternative ways to handle the problem. In this way, you have several possible solutions to a specific problem. Then, you can look at each solution and decide which one works best. Steve & I have each other. We often leave the house and discuss our problems. As we talk through solutions, we come up with other possible ways to work out our problem.

5. Less likely to quit
Do you ever feel like quitting on your home business? We all have those days when everything falls apart and we want to “throw in the towel”. When you have an success partner, you can call them when you are down. At that time, they can encourage you to keep going. We all need others to keep us motivated so we won’t quit. When Steve is down, I am usually up. When I am doubtful, he is usually positive about our business. That’s what success partners are all about.

Do you have an success partner? If not, you need to get one to encourage and motivate you to keep up the good work.

If you don’t have a success partner, consider joining our Couple Next Door Master Mind. Over the next few weeks, we will be putting Master Mind members together as success partners, in groups of 2-4. To find out how to become a CND Master Mind member, check out his site: http://www.CoupleNextDoorMasterMind.com

We can’t wait to see how Success Partners help you succeed in your home business.

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Copyright Kerry Beck, 2009

Kerry Beck focuses on teaching others to make a living through giving. Find out how your family can make a difference through giving now by going to http://www.CoupleNextDoorCards.com.