It doesn?t matter what kind of business you want to run, the truth is, you always have to run it. Being a self-starter and having the ability to motivate yourself daily to do even the necessary tasks you don?t love is crucial to building a successful business. If you are someone who struggles with time management, organization and sticking to deadlines, it will be extremely difficult for you to find success as a Virtual Assistant. Your clients are counting on you to meet your deadlines, and get their work completed when you say you will, and if you can?t do that, the client relationship won?t last.

One of the hardest things about working for yourself, and working from home especially, is staying motivated and on task. If you work from home, there is usually something else that could be done. It is important to set yourself up with a designated workspace that allows you to focus and avoid distractions. Be consistent, and if you have the ability to do so, set yourself up a schedule for your day that allows for regular breaks. Doing this will make it easier to stay on task while you are working, and will help you avoid distractions.

I have been an executive administrative assistant for over 20 years, and I can honestly say I am very good at what I do. I have come across assistants who have been in the field longer than me, and I am more technically savvy.  It does not matter if you are an assistant in the office or if you work virtually, you have to be good at what you do, and must be a self-starter. More so as a virtual assistant because you are a solo operation.  In the office, you might get away with not reaching a target or deadline, but when you are in the business for yourself as a virtual assistant, you have to be able to do the things you said you can do, and be able to produce and meet deadlines.

 

Once you have launched yourself into business as a Virtual Assistant, always go back to your why. Why did you start? What was it that made this business the one for you? Allow yourself to be passionate about what you do. Offer services that you enjoy, and that you are good at. Price yourself well and it will be easier to find motivation on those days when you?d rather be anywhere else. If you are consistent in your message to yourself, you will be consistent in the quality of your work, and your clients will come back time, and time again. Starting a new business is hard, no matter what business you are in. Give yourself the best chance of success by using your self-motivation, your desire to succeed, and by doing what you do best, every day.

 

How to successfully launch your VA business?

 

You have to be dedicated, driven, focused, have the stamina to fail, and get told no over and over again. It is no game when you are trying to live the life you want to live for you and your family. Your family is depending on you to make this happen. Be ready to put in the work! When you take your business seriously and you bring excitement, happiness, and a sense of true purpose to your life, others will see it. Are you willing to make a few sacrifices along the way? If you said, ?Yes?, then you are ready and willing to work hard to go after it!

 

Motivate Yourself

 

No one said that being a business owner was going to be easy. If you are thinking that right now, I suggest you stay at your 9 to 5.  This is why I talk about having passion first. Having the passion, knowing your purpose, your ?Why? and genuinely wanting to help others will help you stay motivated. Motivation will give you the second wind you need to get things done. However, sometimes it doesn?t work for the moment, but having people around you for support, that is ?Team You?, will help you get back on track. If you do not have a support person, I highly suggest you start networking and find people in the virtual assistant industry or any other entrepreneur to help you stay accountable and cheer you on when you are down and out.  I call my Dad every time, and sometimes he calls me, but once he hears the okay voice, he puts me back on track. If you?re challenged with getting something started or complete, find things like affirmations or a motivational speaker to listen to from time to time to give yourself some encouragement to keep going. When you are trying to reach those long-term goals, make sure that you have clear and manageable goals so that you maintain your motivation throughout the process.

 

Avoid distractions

 

I am a single mom so avoiding distractions can be challenging, but I have worked it so that I will not be distracted when I am trying to get things done at home. It is tough sometimes when you are running a business from home. Some of us have family or for those who live alone, we can get distracted from thoughts, behavior our DEVICES, social media; all play an important part in our daily life but can hinder our focus. In order for you to stay focused and get things done, you should ensure that you are working in an area that will help you avoid distractions.  Having a dedicated workspace that your family members know that is off-limits, pick a time that you work at your best, schedule time to work on projects or task when your children are at school, every night create a list of things you need to get done the next day and try to stay off social media while you are getting things done.  This was one of my biggest problems because I have a Facebook group and other groups that I am the ambassador of; therefore, I have to tune out of my social media for some time to get some work done. The point is removing those distractions!

 

Stay consistent

 

I struggled with this in the beginning stages of my business.  I was so excited I kept jumping from idea to idea or would start a project and never finish because I started another. I was all over the place.  I felt overwhelmed, defeated, and I did not have a clear direction on what I needed to do for my business. I have been an executive senior assistant for over 20 years and I had to stop and re-evaluate myself.  I had the key to consistency for years by setting and achieving my goals at my 9 to 5.  I was the queen at setting the goals and making things happen which resulted in repeat promotions.  If you struggle with consistency, start by determining how you want to be more consistent, keep yourself motivated, and accountable.  It may take you some time to master it, so set up small goals to achieve and if you can consistently achieve them, you will be productive throughout the process.

 

Be blessed, stay focused, and live the life you want!