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OCTOBER 12, 2009
ISSN 1947-105X | Vol. 3, No. 41
Don't forget to add "newsletter@virtualassistantnetworking.com"
to your email friends list so you won't miss future issues!
STRESS BUSTERS ISSUE
In This Issue:
A Note from Danielle...
"Aaaargh!" (Hair pulling; sound of teeth gnashing). Know what
that is? It's the sound of someone who lost their groove and can't seem
to get it back. I promise it will pass, and I've got some tips to make
it sooner rather than later.
Yours in goodness and success :)
 Danielle
Keister
Founder & Virtual Assistant Expert
Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce
This
week I'm grateful for...
 Marisa
Moleiro. Marisa's great eye for detail helped me so
much in proofing and editing my new book. Her probing questions helped
me clarify some concepts and make it even better! Thanks, Marisa!
We Love Hearing From You!
 “Thanks—I
just listened to the whole program, and found your guidance really useful
and also inspiring, not only the practical aspects but new perspectives
on solopreneurship (taking control of your own business, and so forth).”
— Gerry Fifer
on the VACOC
Guest Expert Teleseminar with Danielle Keister on 9/17//09.
How did YOU like this issue or a past teleseminar?
Was it insightful, helpful or informative? Have topic ideas you'd like
to see covered in the future? Let us know!
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FEATURE ARTICLE -
How to Get Yourself UN-Stuck
![[man in jar]](http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com/newsletters/images/maninjar.jpg) Ever
run into a roadblock where you just can't move forward? You're humming
along on a project and then, bam—you're stuck. Big brick wall. You
can't figure a problem out, you're not sure what the next step is, or
your well of creativity seems to have suddenly run dry. Yeah, happens
all the time to (literally) everyone.
Finding yourself in that place can be completely frustrating
and stressful, especially when you're really excited to release the work
into the world (and not to mention possibly being on that impractical
little thing called a deadline). But never fear, as I always say! There
are some tricks you can pull that will have you unstuck in no time.
- Do something else. Take a break from the task that
has you stuck and focus your attention on another project entirely,
especially if it's one you can finish without any stumbling blocks.
Sometimes the satisfaction of successfully completing something
is enough to get your mojo flowing again.
- Change your scenery. Sometimes when I get stuck,
it's because I've accumulated too much clutter or disarray. That kind
of thing can niggle at you, take up mental space and zap energy. What
helps is taking time-out to straighten things up, maybe bring in some
fresh flowers and open the windows. Or heck, just get out of the office
all together and go sit at a cafe.
- Go for a walk. Doesn't matter what the weather is—a
jaunt with umbrella and galoshes can be just as fun and invigorating
as one in the sun. The point is to get out in the fresh air and get
your blood moving.
- Get someone else's input. Two heads are often better
than one. A fresh set of eyes can help you see something in a new light
or that which may have been in front of you the whole time.
- Read something inspirational. Are there books or
magazines that never fail to get you pumped? Go hang out with them for
a bit.
- Sleep on it. Sometimes just putting the project to
bed for the night does wonders. It's amazing how often a brilliant new
idea or the solution to a vexing problem will appear to you in the light
of a new day.
- Trust. Don't be fooled. You can't rush creativity.
It's controlled by magical forces that only deign to let us harness
them at their whim. So try to relax and comfort yourself with the fact
it will return precisely when and where it is supposed to. ;)
RESOURCE: I haven't read it myself,
but I have heard so many great things over the years about the book "The
Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. It offers techniques for
overcoming writer's block that thousands of devotees swear by.
 About
the Author: Danielle Keister is an author, business advisor and
innovator in the Virtual Assistant profession. Through her organization,
the Virtual
Assistance Chamber of Commerce, she is passionate about helping
Virtual Assistants grow stronger, more financially successful practices
that lead them to greater personal happiness, freedom and client satisfaction.
An administrative professional of 20+ years and veteran Virtual Assistant
of 12+ years, her no-nonsense approach to business development has gained
her recognition as one of the leaders in the field.
© Copyright 2009, The
Portable Business™. All U.S. and International rights
reserved. You may print this article for personal use or republish it
online only if it is left unaltered and used in its entirety, including
bylines, links, copyright notice, resource and author information. Contact
the author for any other permission.
-
VACOC NEWS -
Take the 2009 Annual Virtual Assistant Industry Survey
UPDATE 10/12/09: 492 participants
so far—almost at the halfway mark! We're shooting for 1,000 so if
you are a VA, be sure and take the survey and keep those promotions going.
They really, really help. And if you are a client, please forward this
email to your Virtual Assistant. :)
Each year, the VACOC conducts an industry-wide survey with the purpose
of taking a representative, group snap-shot of those who are in the business
of providing ongoing administrative support. Virtual Assistants
who participate get the survey results report absolutely free!
Our goal this year is 1,000 participants. Judging from past years' surveys,
the report will be about 75-100 pages chockful of useful, fascinating,
eye-opening data. So don't delay—the sooner we hit the mark, the
sooner YOU get your copy!
Take
the survey >>
- VACOC NEWS -
Join the VACOC Virtual Assistant Ethics Pledge
 Did
you know the VACOC offers Virtual Assistants the most highly used and
respected ethics pledge in the industry? Lots of VAs use our Virtual Assistant
Ethics Pledge on their websites to demonstrate to clients their commitment
to integrity and excellence in business. If you are a Virtual Assistant
reading this ezine, you can, too!
It doesn't cost a dime--just your promise to honor and abide by these
ideals. Simply place the badge on your website and you're good to go!
The coding includes a link that opens the full Ethics Pledge in a new
window so you don't have to type everything out yourself. How convenient
is that?
Click
here to get your badge today!
- VACOC NEWS -
New Service for Clients: Quickie Gigs™
 The
VACOC has a new service for clients we call Quickie Gigs™.
Here's the idea:
The core business of a Virtual Assistant is providing one-on-one, ongoing
administrative support to clients they work with in long-term, continuous
relationship. We always encourage clients to go that route because it's
where you are going to reap the most rewards in terms of value, continuity
and cost-effectiveness. However, if you have not yet found your right
Virtual Assistant or you are between Virtual Assistants, but still have
occasional tasks and projects you'd like completed, we can help you out!
Quickie Gigs™ is for simple, straightforward administrative
tasks and projects that can be completed and turned-around in a day or
so (24 to 48 hours) with no fuss, no muss. All you do is fill out our
online form with the project specs and once the preliminary account set-up
is completed, we'll get to work right away. Simple as that! For
more information, be sure and check
out our Quickie Gigs™ page.
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SCRATCHING YOUR HEAD? Have
you been wondering what this administrative solution called Virtual Assistance
is all about? Not to worry! The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce
has written an online guide to answer all your questions: The
Client's Guide to Virtual Assistants.
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qualified, competent and reputable Virtual Assistants to come to you instead?
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Find a Virtual Assistant Today
 You
don't have to live in overwhelm! Find
yourself a great Virtual Assistant today, and go from struggling
by yourself to enjoying more time, freedom and success.
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