Recently my husband was chatting to someone who has been working at home for the past year or so now. At first it was exciting for them and they were very focused on what they were doing. But, more recently, they're finding it hard, can't focus, not feeling productive and feeling very alone. They're losing their motivation. My husband told this person that he and I both also work at home, and we have each other for company. But he's only been at home, himself for just over two years, whereas … [Read more...]
Mature aged but not ready to retire?
My husband and I were having a discussion the other day. It was about retirement and the fact that someone we knew hadn't been able to retire because of a financial challenge that had taken place. We felt that was a shame and it probably came because of some bad financial advice. We discussed others we knew had had similar challenges in the past. In recent years the government here in Australia have made it clear they want people to work till they are 70 years of age but in some industries, … [Read more...]
New affiliate program now set up!
Some of you will remember that I asked many months ago about affiliate programs? I badly needed to find a new one as my old one was abused by fraudsters about 4 years ago. Took me sometime to realise I really needed to get it happening again. Well, finally, I bit the bullet and narrowed it down to about three over the Christmas period and have decided upon iDevAffiliate. Turns out to be a great system with videos at every step of set up. Also the support there is great and responsive … [Read more...]
Virtual Assistant Industry 21 years old
Did you know that the Virtual Assistant industry, here in Australia, is now 21 years old? It would be safe to say that it's probably the same worldwide too. For my own part, I started my business in 1994 and then began a network in 1996 - originally known as The International Home-based Secretaries Network, we changed to use the term 'virtual assistant' when it became obvious that was how the industry was being viewed as more work was being handled via email and the Internet. We've … [Read more...]
New things happening!
I've been going through a lot of new things of late. And have discarded old things. After 15 years with BNI, I left late last year. I was in need of something new. I felt like I'd learnt all I could and was looking for more, although I wasn't sure what. A few months earlier I'd joined a local Rotary Club and am their Secretary. I joined at the right time. Their former secretary had taken ill and couldn't continue with the role so I came along just when they had a real need. Since then I've been … [Read more...]
The day I stop learning is the day I die
"The day I stop learning is the day I die". Dorothy Brimble My grandmother told me this when I was just 14 years old. No idea what we were talking about at the time, but she was a lady that taught herself a new word from the dictionary regularly through her life, did crosswords, hand wrote out music just to keep her hands working well and because she loved the way the notes played on the bar lines and the curves of the treble and bass clefs, played multiple instruments, wrote stories and spent … [Read more...]
Health & Fitness and Being a VA
Do they mix? Some years ago I wrote about the importance of getting outside and about vitamin D deficiency. And another about the size of our shadows. I probably haven't covered this topic as often as I should. I, more than anyone, know how easy it is to stack on the weight when you're sitting in front of a computer at least 5 days a week and not venturing outside much at all. To get something to eat is just a walk to the kitchen which is in the room next door. Hardly any exercise … [Read more...]
Site update
We hope you like our new look site. Some updates are happening behind the scenes too. If you have any questions, suggestions or would like to give a testimonial, we'd love to hear about it. This VA Network has been in operation since 1996, the second in the world. We have seen so many changes since that time, for the industry and there are VAs in many countries around the world now. We don't all operate the same way, nor do we charge the same rates. We have a myriad of experiences, … [Read more...]
It’s all about building relationships
You know, it is worth shopping locally - not just online. Yesterday I went down to our local fruit & veg because I knew today was going to be very hot. I go there weekly so the staff are getting to know my face. The owner recently had a birthday so I asked him if he had a good birthday? I saw it on their Facebook page. Then I commented on their new website and how lovely it is. They started asking questions about me, where I live, what do I do? I explained about being a Virtual Assistant and … [Read more...]