Question of the Week: Where do Virtual Assistants find good mentors and/or mentoring group?

Where do I find good mentors and/or mentoring groups?
D.K. – Florida, USA

Having a group of like-minded colleagues to support you in growing your business is crucial to your success as a Virtual Assistant. The great news is finding a supportive mentor (or group of mentors) is easy! Following are a few tips on finding a mentor (or group of mentors) to assist you in building your business.

• Search for a group lead by seasoned professionals who have already achieved the success you are seeking.
  
• Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. There are others before you who have developed a strategic formula and you want to put yourself in a position to learn from them.
  
• Access the tone of the group/mentor. Look for one where the members (or leader) readily share information, tips and resources. You want to be involved with individuals who run their business with a spirit of abundance, not a competitive “lack mentality.

To get the support you need, here are three organizations to help you:

1. www.EAtoVA.com – This is one of the very reasons I created EA->VA! To support, mentor and coach aspiring and new VAs to create successful business of their own. Write me with your questions at EAtoVA.com and look for the answers in my newsletter and on the blog. Also, feel free to comment on the blog posts. Let me and your colleagues know what you think, where you’re at and how we can support you.
   
2. AssistU (www.EAtoVA.com/AssistU) – The premier training organization for Virtual Assistance. The Admissions Team is an outstanding resource and can offer guidance and support as you begin this journey. Upon acceptance into the VTP (Virtual Training Program) you gain access to the community portal where you can interact with ALL of the AssistU VAs and Trainers. This is my FAVORITE part of AssistU! The spirit of support and collaboration there is second to none.
3. IVAA (www.IVAA.org) – I joined IVAA when I first started my practice and the investment has paid off time and again. This group of VAs is deeply committed to supporting one another, sharing information and supporting newbies.

Also, you may want to consider hiring a Coach to support you. Working with my coach has made a monumental difference in my business and I see the value in every conversation we have. Working with my coach gives me a wonderfully safe place to share my triumphs, fears, questions and concerns. I will begin offering coaching services in January 2009 so stay tuned for details on that.

Above all, make it your business to setup some type of support for yourself. Whether it’s one of the organizations I mentioned above, a coach, a trusted, support friend or spouse, get your support system in place so that you’ll have a cheerleader pushing you towards greater success!