Question of the Week: Scheduling and Time Management

Q.  One of the things that interests me the most about Virtual Assistance is the flexibility.  I want a flexible schedule.  Is that something that can be managed, or would I still be stuck with a regular 9-to-5 situation?

A. When you’re building your business, keep in mind that it’s YOUR business.  One of the things we will be stressing over and over again is about creating standards around how you operate YOUR business, including when you’re available and who you work with.

Many times, because we come from a background where our work and boundaries are dictated to us by our boss or employer, so it may not easy to think about or wrap our head around the idea that we actually get to make this decision.

So, when you decide to start your Virtual Assistant business, you have to say to yourself, “These are the hours I want to or can work.  This is the rate I’m going to charge.  These are the types of services I offer.” Whatever you decide is okay.  You should never change your standards to suit your clients.  Nor should you work with clients who ask you to change or don’t respect your standards.

The ideal clients that will be attracted to you and that you will be best suited to serve are those who fit that.  If you decide you only want to work between midnight and 6:00 a.m., the ideal clients who come to you will be perfectly content with that.

You have to approach this standard from a place of saying, “This is my business.  I’m going to make it work for me.  It needs to be flexible.”  Then, whatever you decide, make sure you stick to that.  If that doesn’t work for a client, that’s okay because there will be a whole flock of people who will be perfectly happy to work with you whenever you’re available.