The trick is knowing how to spot them. And if you’re use to seeing challenges as well… challenges, this can be a difficult mind shift to conquer. But if every problem has a solution, then every challenge has and opportunity.
The prequisites:
That’s the real challenge.
In your current or previous job, were the front desk/ receptionist person? Did you answer phones, receive packages, greet guests, respond to email correspondences? Were you literally the physical first encounter of your company and was responsible for all came with that role? There’s more money in that than what you’ve paid.
Seriously.
Ever heard of a VA or Virtual Assistant? It’s basically a remote receptionist. All the work you’ve done but remotely. And for multiple people. You can work from home, a coffee shop or where else. There are platforms you can sign up with to be a VA or market yourself out independently and charge your own rates.
First things first, know what VA services you want to offer. This is where you are in control of what you do and how much of it you do. Maybe you don’t want to answer phones anymore. I know that feeling. Maybe you want to just email, send emails, respond to emails, just email all day. Fine. Maybe you’re great with people logistics and can effectively manage a calendar. Feel like dropping off packages to be shipped? Add that to your list. Secondly, do you want to offer all your services to all clients in need of a VA? Or create tier package offerings. The more services in the package, the greater the fee. Like a premium subscription.
Lastly, think about how will you market yourself. Do you want to just sign up on one of those platforms that has already curated the clients for you and you agree to accept whatever payment is offered? Or do you want charge your own fees, but have to handle all the marketing (and payment collection, and follow ups) yourself?
Writr out the plan, the fee scale, the marketing approach, which services you’re willing to offer and just getting one client. Test drive that client. Are you able to meet their deadlines, stay on top of their requests, adequately follow through? Now, think about what you do differently that would your selling point. What is something special you bring to the table? Got it? Now execute!
Think about the people in your life right now. Who are those that you genuinely feel energized around? Who makes you fill uplifted? Something about them always makes you feel good about your dreams, your ideas or even just you.
Okay, now think about those people who, yeah, you hung around with but, you guys were more like the tv-watching types or shooting the breeze. Nothing got accomplished but that was also the expectation.
Now think of places and activities that inspire you. That feed your soul. And conversely, think of places and things that feel more like a chore to do or partake it. Things that you do because feel obligated to, you always done it so you continue to do it, or for no real reason at all.
Your designed environment – the people, the places, the spaces you create – all play a role in how you cope with stress, how you handle rejection and setbacks, how manage your time, how you treat yourself and your overall success. Your environment is a big deal. From your apartment to your best friend, from your office to your tribe. It shapes you, it steers you. It reflects your direction.
Building the best possible environment for our needs requires us to be intentional about who is in our lives, what we’re willing to tolerate, and what we need to grow and develop and create. Do you require peace and quiet? Do you need someone to talk over your decisions with? Does some background sounds and music help, like a little smooth Jazz? Are more of social coffeehouse type? Are friend dates essential for you?
Curate an environment essential to your success.
I don’t know about you, but December is hitting differently this year. And not because the first half of 2021 felt much like 2020 with less restrictions. But rather that, for the first time for me, I feel like some chapters are finally coming to a close. Some endings I’ve been waiting for. Others I’ve just accepted their end.
But with all these closing chapters, some real opportunities await on the other side, some new chapters are begging to begin. And I’m waiting. I’m getting myself ready to take those plunges. Step outside my comfort zone and see where that magic really lies.
And I hope the same for you. Let today, this happy Friday, show you what chapters to end and which ones to start writing.
You don’t have to get it right the first time. You probably won’t. You probably won’t get it right the first few dozen times. Even better. But no matter how many times you have to reset, keep resetting until you are postured to take off.
Your time’s coming. Just keep resetting.
Female, Single and Hustlin 