When It's Time to Turn Down the Perfect Project

Yesterday, I had to tell a prospective client that I was not the best choice for her next project. It really hurt me to do that, because this is someone I would LOVE to work with, and her project is a perfect fit for what I do.

One thing I have learned this year, though, is to manage my time carefully. If I don't value it, no one else will either.

These days, with my neck injury, I only have a few hours a week I can do any activity at all. I can choose to spend that time maintaining relationships with the wonderful clients I already have. Or I can put it all into a new client, a new project, and let everything else fall by the wayside.

I've decided for me, the right thing to do this time was to say no to this "perfect" project. Because if it was really a perfect project for me, the timing would be perfect too.

10 Critical Tips for Clearing Office Clutter

I haven't been able to work very much these past few days, due to a neck injury. Thank goodness for my awesome Virtual Assistant who keeps everything under control when I can't!

But I found this article that was recently published on my article directory, and thought I could type long enough to share it with you. :) As 2008 is winding down, it's a good time to declutter our offices, our minds and our businesses. Enjoy!

10 Critical Tips for Clearing Office Clutter by Janet Nusbaum, The Organizing Genie

Having trouble finding your desk amidst the clutter? Follow these easy steps, consistently, and you'll experience greater focus and productivity as a result.

1. Define the purpose of each space in your office and be sure that everyone who shares the space understands how it is to be used.

2. Keep only high-use items on your desktop - computer, telephone, project files, good lighting, notepaper, stapler, To Do list, calendar/planner, and only what you are working on right now.

3. Use vertical space around your desk effectively - put photos and calendars on your wall, not on your desktop.

4. Organize supplies in a desk drawer organizer or supply drawer within “fingertip reach” of your desk chair.

5. Place a wastebasket, recycling bin, and/or shredder where you process your mail.

6. Trim the F.A.T. - File, Act, Toss. Professional Organizer, Barbara Hemphill tells us that the only choices we have for dealing with paper is to File it, Act on it, or Toss it.

7. Create zones in your workspace for incoming and outgoing paper, filing and a work surface. Resist co-mingling each zone.

8. Create an Action File System and place all "action required" items in the system. The Action File System works in-conjunction with your calendar. Simplified Spaces can help you implement this system in your office or home.

9. File non-action required papers in an accessible "reference file system"

10. Schedule office clean-up/organizing on your calendar, or you will always lean toward a competing priority. Face it … most of us would prefer to do about anything else than to spend a day organizing their office or home.

Being clear about what activities you want to perform in your workspace and where, having clear surfaces in which to work, and the tools you need to perform those activities in easy access, will significantly improve what you're able to accomplish in a day. In the process, you'll reduce your stress level and free up time and energy for what matters most.

This is an preview from our upcoming booklet "The Simplified Office - A Complete Guide to Clear Office Clutter for Good!

Janet Nusbaum, AKA The Organizing Genie, an Organizing Consultant, Speaker, Coach and author of 'Mom, Can I Help Around the House?' helps individuals, families and businesses organize life and navigate transitions. Grab a copy of Janet's FREE special report "Shelf Life of 75 Common Household Products" here, http://www.TheSimplifiedHome.net. Get even more help deciding what to keep and what to toss by visiting her blog - http://www.TheOrganizingGenie.com.


Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

The Best Investment for Your Virtual Business - YOU!

Did you happen to read my interview with Laurie Neumann yesterday? I told you she had asked about my average working day... Ha! I'm still waiting for one.

She also asked what advice I had for those who want to begin working from home too. My response was something like, "Don't be afraid to spend real money on your business."

Many new online business owners I meet are looking for free resources and free advice. You can find some good stuff for free, I'm not denying that.

But if you want REAL success, you're going to have to pay for it.

At the beginning of 2008, I decided to stop playing around with my business, and take it seriously. For me, that meant spending some serious money. As a result, WAHM Articles has grown immensely this year - beyond even what I anticipated when I first made my plans.

I didn't spend money on fads and gimmicks. Not on fly-by-night designers.

Instead I invested in:

• a training program designed by someone who has credibility in my industry, and whom I trust.
• coaching with the best business coach I could find for my needs
• a professional-looking logo for WAHM Articles, designed by someone with a good reputation, that many of my online friends recommended
  
• outsourcing jobs that took a lot of time away from my core business, to people who could handle them better than I

Yes, I spent a lot of money. But I also have a lot to show for it - including an income that can pay for those investments.

Before others will take your business seriously, you have to take it seriously. And, often, that means seriously investing in your training and growth.

A Day in the Life of a Real Virtual Assistant

When I first began dreaming of my Virtual Assistant business, I had a mental picture of what my days would look like.

• Calm and controlled
• Moving smoothly from task to task
• Regular breaks for tea, lunch, and walking the dog.

Apparently, I forgot I have two kids that we teach at home.

"What does a real Virtual Assistant's day look like?" is a question I commonly hear others ask. And it's a fair question. They want to know what they're getting into, what they can expect.

But as many times as you ask that question, and as many different people as you ask, that's not the question you really want answered, is it?

Aren't you really wondering, "What will MY day look like, when I'm a Virtual Assistant?"

You can do all the background research you want, but ultimately, YOU decide what your day as a Virtual Assistant will look like.

You decide how your day looks when you select which services to offer, how you will interact with clients, how you will market yourself, how you'll fit your business around the rest of your life.

In a recent blog interview, I was asked to describe an average day in my Virtual Assistant business. If you want to find out what a day in my life looks like, you can read my answer here.

Not sure if it will help you plan your day, but it's an honest answer!

VAccolades from VANetworking

A few weeks ago, I received an exciting email from VANetworking, THE place for Virtual Assistants to connect online.

I had been selected as a recipient of the VAccolade Business Entrepreneur Award.

It was a very cool feeling to be recognized by my peers in that way. :)

Know what was even better?

• The increase in traffic
• The new clients
• The added credibility being recognized by such an influential group can give you.

Does your VA business deserve VAccolades too? Why don't you join us at VANetworking and find out?