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Who knew being a Virtual Assistant could be so much fun?!

Back in March 2009, when I first launched my business I thought it would be pretty cool working from home and being my own boss, and of course, those things are wonderful, but I didn’t realise how much fun it was going to be as well!...

How to feel happier at work

Being happy at work is related to how much you like your job, but there are some small steps you can take which will help boost your mood.Making sure you feel comfortable, combined with sprinkling a few small pleasures throughout your day and using your time wisely, can all contribute to more happiness when you are at work....

Keeping in touch

An effective way to keep in touch with your clients and prospective clients is by writing a business newsletter.Newsletters are a great way to let people know that you are still in business and still around....

Getting creative

After just over two years in business, somehow I seem to have 'fallen' into creating websites for my clients.I have always been pretty creative (I'm crazy about art and interior design) and when I was working in the 'real' world co-workers used to refer to me as the 'Layout Queen'.I guess it's just that I like things to look good on a page!...

Introducing Curly from Shirley, The Christchurch Dog

A new publishing venture aims to become a million-dollar miracle for Christchurch, New Zealand. 'Curly from Shirley, the Christchurch Dog' is a children's book, which will raise funds for the 'Garden City' and help locals to recover from a massive earthquake....

A Summer Wrap @ Valley de Sol

My Virtual Assistant was absolutely thrilled to be part of A Summer Wrap @ Valley de Sol, which was an intimate outdoor music concert, held on 19 March 2011 and put on by the Howick Business Brunch, BNI Group (Business Networking International)....

Happy Second Birthday!

Happy Birthday to My Virtual Assistant!  Celebrating two years in business (already!) today!I would just like to say thank you to my wonderful clients, networking groups, friends and family - I wouldn't have made it this far if it wasn't for your support and belief in me!...

Ideas going down the drain

I wish someone would invent a waterproof notepad!I am constantly coming up with wonderful ideas when I'm in the shower.I've conjured up everything from awesome speeches, and emails to songs, business articles and even blogs, whilst enjoying a hot, steamy shower and then lost them all as soon as the taps are turned off!...

Do you lack discipline?

I came across this great article today, written by Leo Babauta.Leo talks about things we can do when we lack discipline.Lack of discipline can apply to any of us at any time in our personal lives, but it can also have great relevance to small business owners or people who work from home....

Thinking about starting your own business?

Some people have a great idea for a business but don't do anything about it.Drafting up a business plan is a pretty good place to start and it can be prepared in a weekend. If you have been putting your business ideas on hold, why not just take that small step of putting a business plan together and see how it looks?Now that's not too scary, is it?...

The Today Show interview on VA's

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Low cost way of finding new staff

Now here's an idea!If you're looking for new staff, a low-cost and effective recruiting tool is probably right in front of you!...

Wishing you a happy 2011

While enjoying the summer holiday and thinking about New Year's resolutions, I stumbled across the following story about Jim Carrey:...

When two is definitely better than one

Back when my old computer decided to give up the ghost, I decided to replace it with a lovely new laptop.Obviously, my laptop gives me the freedom to continue working in other locations apart from my home office and, when necessary, I can use it for off-site presentations and client meeting...

It's that time of year again

Yes, once again, Christmas is just around the corner...With only a few weeks to go before Christmas Day and the start of a fresh New Year, my partner and I are already planning summer trips away on our boat (remember - we are in the Southern Hemisphere!)What plans have you made?...

Promoting your business in 2011

With 2011 fast approaching, it's time to think about what you can do to keep up the momentum of 2010. Maybe your website hasn't been updated for a while?  Remember - fresh and relevant website content will also help your Google rankings!...

Take care of your shop window

Websites should never be static entities, they need to grow with your business.Your website should be treated like a working document - forever requiring fine tuning and adjustment....

Mark your mark

Getting your name out into the world doesn’t have to be difficult.Writing topical media releases and informative news articles are a great way to gain credibility within your industry....

Words to live by

Here are 35 tips I stumbled across, written by Hugh Macleod, cartoonist, author and CEO of a South African wine company.So you want to be more creative - in art, in business, or whatever..?...

Get rid of your hats

More often than not, enabling yourself to move your business onto the next level you need to delegate some tasks.Even though you know in your heart how right this advice is, you’ve probably grown accustomed to going it alone....

It's amazing how things turn out

Back in March 2009, when I first launched My Virtual Assistant, I figured that a lot of the work I’d be doing would be things like typing meeting minutes, letters and reports.Not that I mind doing that kind of stuff, but it’s funny how things turn out....

Take time out to look at rainbows

Some days are just rain days, but some are rainbow kinda days! Don't ever let yourself get so busy and so wound up in your own world, that you don't have time to stop, look up into the sky, and take time out to enjoy the beauty of a rainbow....

Call in the cavalry

Are you a person that often says “if only...”?When you continuously dwell on what could have been, instead of dealing with what is now, you’ll find it difficult to move forward in your business. Instead of wishing for something, take the time and the steps to make it happen....

Do you have the time?

When you hire a plumber, do you think you should have to learn how to do plumbing as well?How about when your car needs fixing, is it necessary for you to also know how to fix it? ...

Stick to doing what you do best

The best way to figure out if you need help from a Virtual Assistant is to work out what your business strengths and weaknesses are.Whenever you find yourself doing something that drains you or doesn’t come naturally, try writing it down on a list. ...