Monday 29 July 2024

Navigating Work-Life Balance: Tips for Thriving as a VA


I've just celebrated my second business anniversary since starting as a Virtual Assistant (VA) in July 2022, and I’ve learned a lot about the importance of balancing work and personal life. Becoming a VA has allowed me to be my own boss and focus on social media, a passion of mine. However, it also comes with its own set of challenges. Here are some tips and tricks I've picked up along the way to help you thrive as a VA while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

1. Establish a Routine
A typical workday for me starts at 9/9:30 am. I kick things off by checking my emails and WhatsApp messages for any client updates. From there, I dive into creating social media content, writing blog posts, and sending out email marketing campaigns. Having a structured routine helps me stay organised and ensures that I cover all my tasks efficiently.

Tip: Use tools like Toggl for time tracking to keep tabs on how much time you’re spending on each client and task. This not only helps with billing but also keeps you aware of your time management.

2. Set Clear Boundaries
One of the keys to maintaining work-life balance is setting clear boundaries. I make sure to turn off from work at 5 pm to enjoy my personal time. Clients know that I am available from 9:30 am to 5 pm, and any messages sent after that time will be addressed the next working day.

Tip: Communicate your availability clearly to your clients and stick to it. This helps manage their expectations and respects your personal time.

3. Create a Comfortable Workspace
I work from home at a desk in my bedroom. To stay productive and comfortable, I keep water and snacks nearby and use a desk fan during the summer. Having a dedicated workspace helps me stay focused and separates work from relaxation areas in my home.

Tip: Invest in a good chair and desk setup to avoid strain and ensure you’re comfortable throughout your workday.

4. Prioritise Self-Care
Balancing work and personal life isn’t just about managing your time; it’s also about taking care of yourself. I make sure to do my skincare routine, eat well, and get some movement in by going for walks or doing workouts during my lunch break.

Tip: Schedule breaks and self-care activities into your day. This helps reduce stress and keeps you refreshed and productive.

5. Stay Organised
Organisation is crucial for a VA. I use Asana and Trello to keep track of my clients’ tasks and deadlines. This ensures I don’t miss anything important and can manage multiple clients efficiently.

Tip: Find the organisational tools that work best for you and integrate them into your daily routine. Consistency is key.


6. Market Yourself Consistently
When starting out, it took me five months of solid marketing to land my first client. Consistent marketing is essential to building your client base and growing your business.

Tip: Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Keep marketing yourself through various channels and be persistent.

7. Unwind and Relax
After a day of work, I like to unwind by watching TV shows like Taskmaster, Brooklyn 99, NCIS, or various documentaries. Having a way to relax and disconnect from work is vital for maintaining a healthy balance.

Tip: Find activities that help you relax and make time for them every day. Whether it is watching a show, reading a book, or going for a walk, make sure to unplug from work regularly.

Balancing work and personal life as a VA is an ongoing process, but with the right strategies, it’s definitely achievable. By establishing a routine, setting boundaries, prioritising self-care, staying organised, marketing yourself consistently, and making time to unwind, you can thrive in your VA career while enjoying a fulfilling personal life. Here’s to your success and finding that perfect balance! Want to see more of what I do? Check out my website. 

How do you manage your work-life balance? Share your tips in the comments below! Hope you have a great day and keep safe :)

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Monday 22 July 2024

My Ultimate Country Music Playlist


I love country music a lot, and last year I even got to see Luke Combs perform at the O2 which was amazing! I find new and old songs from the genre all the time, so some of these you may have heard of before. Click any of the titles to get taken to a YouTube video, so you can check them out for yourself. Hope you like them!


Had another month of being obsessed with all of these songs!! Like any of the songs above? Let me know! Hope you have a great day and keep safe :)

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Monday 15 July 2024

July 2024 Playlist


I've been listening to a lot of music over the past month so I thought I would create this little list of all the songs I've enjoyed. Click any of the titles to get taken to a YouTube video, so you can check them out for yourself. Hope you like them!


Had another month of being obsessed with all of these songs!! Like any of the songs above? Let me know! Hope you have a great day and keep safe :)

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Wednesday 10 July 2024

Business Growth: When and How To Do It*

Some people start their businesses planning to conquer the market, but they’re exceptions. Most people are pretty happy if they achieve any level of success. However, while you might have had modest ambitions when you first started, that’s not to say that you can’t step things up if the opportunity arises. In this day and age, the sky’s the limit when it comes to success if you have the right tools, and there’s no inherent reason to stay small when everything is telling you otherwise.


Of course, expanding your business does come with risks, so it’s not a decision you should make lightly. In this post, we’ll outline some signs you may be ready to expand, as well as offer some handy tips on how to do it. 


Pexels - CC0 Licence


Your Customer Numbers Look Good


There are plenty of signs that you may be in a position to expand, but some are misleading. For instance, a lot of sales does not necessarily mean that you should expand. One metric that can be useful to look at is your customer retention rate, which is a pretty big indicator that your business works. It’s good to get first-time customers, but it’s even better to have customers who come back. If those numbers have been steadily increasing, then you might be able to think about growth.


Explore Opportunities 


There’s more than one way to grow. You might decide to open a branch of your business in another location, either elsewhere in the city or in a completely new zone. You might look internationally, add more goods/services to your business model, partner with other companies, or expand your team of staff. As we said, growth can come in various forms. Explore the opportunities available to you and see what makes sense. 


Free Up Working Hours


It takes a lot of time and effort to expand a business, almost as much as getting your business started in the first place. If you’re planning to grow, then look at taking some tasks off your ‘to-do list’; the extra time you gain could make all the difference. If you already have employees, then working with a payroll outsourcing company would make sense. You can also outsource IT, marketing, and legal tasks.


Work With A Financial Advisor 


Unless you’re a trained accountant, you probably won’t have the expertise to really understand whether growth makes sense or not. Having an accountant or financial expert look over your numbers can be extremely useful since they’ll tell you where you stand from a financial viewpoint. 


When It’s Right, It’s Right 


There’s unlikely to be an out-and-out obvious sign that you should expand. It should come down to a mix of wanting and having to grow. While it’s more important not to rush into things, it’s sometimes just as valuable not to play things too safe. There’ll always be a risk that your plans won’t come off, but in many cases, it’s a risk worth taking. In any case, taking a few risks here and there is part of what running a business is all about. 



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*Collaborative Post

Monday 8 July 2024

How Can A VA Revolutionise Your Business?


In today's fast-paced digital world, businesses of all sizes are turning to virtual assistants (VAs) to help them streamline operations, increase productivity, and scale their businesses efficiently. But what exactly is virtual assistance, and how can it benefit you? Let's explore the fundamentals of virtual assistance and how it can revolutionise how you run your business.

What is Virtual Assistance?
Virtual assistance involves outsourcing administrative, creative, or technical tasks to a remote assistant who works remotely, typically from their home office. These tasks can range from managing social media accounts and writing blog posts to handling email marketing campaigns and organising inbox clutter. Virtual assistants leverage their skills and expertise to support businesses and entrepreneurs in various capacities, freeing up valuable time and resources to focus on core business activities.

How Can Virtual Assistance Help You?
As a virtual assistant with experience spanning since July 2022, I've had the privilege of working with a diverse range of small businesses, including career coaches, beauticians, cheesemongers, bakers, dentists, doulas, property companies, and more. Here's how virtual assistance can benefit you:

Social Media Management: Struggling to maintain a consistent online presence? A virtual assistant can handle all aspects of social media management, from creating and scheduling posts to engaging with your audience and analysing performance metrics. With expertise in platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest, I can help you build a strong online presence and connect with your target audience effectively.

Blog Post Writing: Need fresh, engaging content for your blog but don't have the time or resources to write it yourself? Let a virtual assistant take care of your blog post writing needs. From topic ideation and research to writing and editing, I can create high-quality, SEO-friendly blog posts that resonate with your audience and establish you as an authority in your industry.

Email Marketing: Email marketing is a powerful tool for nurturing leads, driving sales, and building customer loyalty. However, managing email campaigns can be time-consuming and complex. As a virtual assistant, I can handle all aspects of email marketing, including creating and designing email campaigns, segmenting your email list, and analysing campaign performance to maximise results.

Email Organising: Is your inbox overflowing with unread emails and spam? A virtual assistant can help you regain control of your inbox by organising and prioritising emails, responding to inquiries, and flagging important messages for follow-up. By keeping your inbox clean and clutter-free, I can help you stay focused and productive throughout the day.

Get Started with Virtual Assistance Today!
Whether you're a busy entrepreneur juggling multiple responsibilities or a small business owner looking to streamline operations, virtual assistance can provide the support you need to achieve your goals and grow your business. With my expertise in social media, blog post writing, email marketing, and email organising, I can help you save time, increase efficiency, and focus on what matters most - running and growing your business.

Ready to experience the benefits of virtual assistance firsthand? Get in touch today to discuss how I can tailor my services to meet your specific needs and help you achieve your business objectives. Together, we can take your business to new heights with virtual assistance!


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Monday 1 July 2024

July 2024 Wishlist


Another month, another wishlist. I like to make these now and then so I can visualise what I'm after at the moment, and can then *hopefully* go and buy them once my clients all pay me! Here is what has caught my eye for July!




What's on your wishlist for July? Let me know! Hope you have a great day and keep safe :)

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