How is your mindset?

Periodically I feel the need to touch on this subject. I see business coaches talking to other business people about this also.  The importance of your mindset when running a business.

As with any industry, it’s not just about how well you do a particular thing, or how much you know about it, it is also about your ability to run a business, deal with people, and not quit when the going gets tough. Because it does get tough from time to time.  I can’t say it’s ever been easy, but I can definitely say it’s been rewarding.

Having the right mindset when operating as a Virtual Assistant is very important. For the most part, you are working on your own, in your home office, and you won’t have someone you can turn around and talk to, ask questions of, or defer to when something goes wrong. The buck stops with you!

For all that, joining Virtual Assistant networks is a great thing to do as it allows you to mix and mingle with your peers, learn from your peers and share information as you gain more knowledge and experience.

One very important thing to remember is that a client, is a client, is a client. They are NOT employers.  They don’t tell you how much you should be paid for the work you do – as you will set the rates for your charges.  They won’t be paying your taxes, insurances, sick leave or other aspects of your business expenses.  You will be paying those.  Personally I feel if they’re not paying those expenses they don’t have the right to say how much you should be paid (note: the word ‘paid’ is another employee type mindset, as opposed to billing or charging a client).

It is equally important for VAs to remember they are not employees and need to shift away from that mindset. Boss-employer/employee to service provider/client.  A very different mindset. And how you conduct yourself and deal with these people will make a big difference. If you’re apologetic, looking for confirmation, and not prepared to give advice when the client needs it, it’s hard to consider what the relationship is.   You need to be confident about what you can do for the client, the type of services you offer and what your charges are.