Don’t give up!

Recent discussions at a VA forum were about how overwhelmed one member was feeling, trying to keep up with everyone else, but knowing she didn’t excel in a lot of the things that others do.  End result was she felt like she was beginning to burn out.

Starting up a business is no simple thing.  There is a lot to do and as the business owner you are now suddenly responsible for marketing, setting systems in place, making sure the bookkeeping is done, and working out what services to provide and locate clients.  Of course you are going to feel burnt out in very quick time if you try to get everything done at once.

The first thing you have to do is remember you’re only human and that you cannot be everything to everyone and that saying ‘yes’ to everyone who asks you for help is not going to do you any favours.  It’s important to take stock of what you can do and what you can’t do and then look to outsource, or seek help, in those areas you’re not equipped for. That means services you cannot provide to your clients and even things you might not be capable of doing for your own business.  In fact, you might have to consider there are some aspects of your business you can’t get operating straight away.

The Internet unfortunately has developed this belief that you should be able to get everything free, or damn cheap.  And many new VAs are told they should find their niche as quickly as possible.

May I say that you would be doing yourself a favour if you took things one step at a time and actually plan what you need to do and when you’d like to do it by.  If you’ve never run a business before, then find a coach, trainer or mentor, to help guide you on what is important to be done now, and what can wait till later.  Yes, there might be some costs involved but consider it an investment in your business and that coach, trainer or mentor may well save you money in the long run by showing you what you can do now and what can wait till later, or might not be needed at all.

Join some VA forums – they are free to join, and mix and mingle with others who are building businesses but also take stock of those who have been in the industry for quite awhile. Learn as much as you can from them.  And if you’re going to take advice, check out who it is that’s giving it first and make sure they’re qualified to give it.  Again, you could save yourself some money in the long-run and certainly a lot of angst in the short-run.

Finally – concentrate on what you really enjoy doing.  Don’t take on work just because it brings in funds if it’s going to bore you to tears or make you wish you never got started. I know how anxious you can get when starting but be prepared to stick with what you know and like and concentrate on that for the long-term.

Most of all, don’t give up. Success is usually just around the corner – you just need to get to the corner.