One of my clients has been writing in her blog about something called A Hero’s Journey.  Ever since she has introduced this concept to me, I have heard about it in several different places – including Star Wars. 

Seriously, I was watching a show on the History Channel the other day about Star Wars and they actually talked about the Hero’s Journey, specifically the part about a Hero (Luke Skywalker) needing his friends and allies (Han Solo, Yoda and The Jedi Masters, etc.) to make it through his Journey (saving the Republic, finding good in his dad, etc.).  Anything that is referenced in a Star Wars movie has to be good – right.

The part about using your friends and allies got me thinking – this ties right in with my previous post about needing a team.  When I originally wrote that post, I was thinking in terms of strictly on a business front.  But there is much, much more to it than just that – at least there is for me.

One of my journeys is to grow my VA business into a world class company (more to come about this in future posts).  Along this journey I already know that I am going to need to align myself with several allies to make this happen.  It is not just business allies that I will need, but personal ones as well.  For example, most of you know I have two young children.  In order for me to get my work done, take phone calls, have meetings, do business planning, and keep my sanity, I need to rely on Grandma and Grandpa to take the kids from time to time.  I am very fortunate this happens on a regular basis.  So for me, some of my allies are on a much more personal level. Without the support of my family, I would not be able to do what I do - and I thank them for that.

What about you?  Who is on your team?  Do you have friends, family, allies that you can count on to help you get through your Journey?  I encourage you to stop and think about all the people who have helped you get to where you are today – and THANK THEM!  Oh, and May The Force Be With You.

What happens to your business when you are not there to manage it?  Does the thought of a vacation with no computer or phone access give you the willies?  Have you ever had to take a few days off for what ever reason and wonder how on earth your clients will be taken care of?  After all, how can your business possibly survive without you, right?

Most of us didn’t set out to be a slave to our businesses, but it happened any way.  Although one of my main goals is to help my clients to actually take some time for themselves, some much needed down-time, I find it hard to practice what I preach.  After all, it was just last summer that I insisted on choosing a campground with WIFI so I could take my laptop with me.  And when I went to Disney this year, yep, you guessed it, my “office suitcase” was larger than my personal one.  What is wrong with me?

Trust me, after the last few weeks of absolute technology horror – no computer, then no email, then no internet access, I had to learn the hard way what the importance is of having a team that can support me when I am away from my office, for what ever reason and any length of time. 

At the present time, I have four members to my team – all of whom I would be totally lost without.  My team is made up of all Virtual Assistants, 3 of whom I have doing daily tasks, and the other for project tasks.  While fighting with the technology demons, I contacted my two main team members and they stepped in, contacted my clients on my behalf, and made sure any open tasks were still getting taken care of. 

Stay tuned for next weeks post on how utilize a team that can help you to take back  managing your business instead of it managing you………

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could pick and choose who your clients were? Well why cant you? Knowing who your ideal clients are can make that happen.

Although it has taken me some time, and many revisions, I now have a clear idea of what characteristics my ideal clients need to possess.

My ideal clients need to:
1. Understand the concept of working with a VA – now this does not mean they need to have heard of what a VA is, but I am not going to waste my time having to explain over and over what it is that I do and the value of my services.

2. Understand that I do not work for them, but rather with them.

3. Know where they want their business to go. I only work with those who have a vision for their business.

4. Have a passion about what it is they do. I can’t believe in, nor help to support a client if they don’t truly believe in themselves and the service(s) they offer.

5. Have a thriving business. I will not work with new, start-up companies. There are VAs that work exclusively with new companies. If you are one of them, and are interested in their services, please let me know and I can put you in contact with them.

6. Be able to delegate – my ideal clients are those that don’t necessarily care how the tasks get done as long as they are done to the specifications that are requested.

7. Have more than one-time tasks needing done. I do not provide “project work”. I work on retainer basis only.

8. Understand that my VA practice is based on a Christian faith. Although my clients do not need to have the same faith as I, their needs to be a respect and understanding of from both parties.

To get started on creating your own target market or ideal client specifications, you may find it easier to write down the characteristics of people you don’t want to work with. That is what I had to do. I knew I didn’t want to work with people just starting out in their business, people who need to “watch over my shoulder” all of the time, and people who couldn’t understand that I am a business owner, just like them and that I am not just their secretary.

One thing you need to keep in mind is that this is a list in progress, and it is definitely not set in stone. From time to time, I have come across someone that appealed to me for one reason or another, but they didn’t fit into my ideal client specifications. I go with my gut when that happens. As I grow, and my clients grow, my ideal client specifications grow as well.

Once I was able to get a clear idea of they types of people I wanted to work with, my business took off. And more importantly, I can tell almost right away when talking with a potential client if I want to work with them or not. This has saved me a lot of hassle in the long run and it will for you as well.

Have you ever felt so drained of energy that you didn’t even want to make the effort to breathe?  I know I have.  I find myself getting caught in a rut where all I seem to be doing is spinning my wheels.  Trust me, that is exhausting. 

If you ever find yourself in this same situation, and who doesn’t, I found this interesting analogy written by Larry Julian, author of God is My CEO that was very helpful:

“When you are burned out, we drain others.  Conversely, when we have an overflowing spirit, we inspire and energize others.  We simply cant take burnout lightly. Perhaps a simple analogy will help us move in the right direction. Sometimes, we, like a car, have trouble getting going.

Diagnostic Step: Check whether the following symptoms exist

• My battery needs charging. (I have difficulty getting started in the morning)
• My idle is set too high. (The pace of my life is too hectic)
• I left the lights on overnight. (I don’t stop thinking about work when I go to bed.)
• I’m riding rough and need a tune up. (I’m not as effective at work as I would like to be.)

Repair Step #1: Charge the battery

• God is the source of my prayer and strength. Pray, give thanks, and gain perspective. One simple exercise is to count your blessings (literally). When you’re feeling particularly stressed, take a moment and rattle off a list of the things you are thankful for. “

Repair Step #2: Set the idle at the right speed

• Live the pace that’s right for you, not the world’s pace. Make the important things important and simplify your life by cutting back unnecessary externals.

Repair Step #3: Turn off your lights each night

• Put closure on each day. Create time to rest daily and weekly and make sure a good night’s sleep seperates each day.

Repair Step #4: Get a tune up

• Create a daily rejuvenation plan for the mind, boyd, and soul. Make sure each day has a morning, afternoon, and evening break.

Repair Step #5: Take a ride in the country
 

• Sometimes all we need is a change of scenery. It could be that a small break or vacation will do the trick.
• Sometimes, we may need to change our environment.
• If you perform Steps 1 through 5, and you still find your energy drained, you may need to find another environment, one that will rejuvenate your soul.