I was fortunate enough to have a mentor my first year in business but once our year was up finding another mentor (one who did not charge) was like looking for a needle in a haystack. So I tapped into all my social networks from Facebook to Twitter, from LinkedIn to my Virtual Assistance Community and what I discovered was an accountability group of like-minded business owners that was the perfect fit for my business.  

In fact, I find that the group collectively serves as a mentor, mastermind and professional resource. And more than a few times, they’ve helped me “keep things in perspective” (also known as talking me off the ledge).  So much so that I want to share a video with you from some of the experts in my accountability group and what it means to them and their businesses.

Enjoy!

While going through AssistU’s Virtual Training program, which was 20 intensive weeks requiring commitment and focus, I encountered not just change within myself, but a flood of changes in my life and circumstances.  I was married, had a grown daughter who lived out of state, had a full time job, a photography (note card) side business, a house full of pets including one who was 17 years old and in poor health, had an aging parent who needed help getting to appointments and I was preparing for the VTP final exam.  That challenging exam was released on a Friday evening and was due early Monday morning.  A month before the test, I uncovered some unexpected and hurtful deceptions by my spouse which ultimately led to divorce.  A week before the test, a family member (who I would protect with my life) called me to tell me that she was physically attacked when she was left alone on her first day on her new job.  The night before the test, another call came from a dear relative about an uncertain living situation.  The morning of the test, I had a doctor’s appointment to take care of a scary health issue that I learned about in that same whirlwind month of change.  As soon as I left that appointment I raced to a phone to call my family member to find out that they spent the night in their car with all of their belongings and two pets. Later that day the test was released and despite all that had happened in the month leading up to it (and was still happening, and yet to happen), I knew that I could only control what was in front of me and allowing all of these events to distract me from the one thing that was in front of me would have only wasted all those months of work.  So I focused.  I made sure those I loved were safe and that I had done all that I could.  Then I put my blinders on to the outside world and pushed aside my hurts and fears and I looked only at what was in front of me.  It paid off, as by keeping my goal in front of me, I passed with flying colors.  Five months later, I was laid off from my full time job and the aging cat who had been hanging on so long, passed away the same month that I lost my job. 

Some changes we choose (to start a family or a career change), while others we don’t (health issues or a job layoff).  Either way, they say the only thing that’s constant is change.  While, unfortunately the above examples that happened during a very condensed span of time, were all seemingly negative, not all change is negative.  And not all change that is contrary to the way we would have planned it has negative results.  What change is, is constant and to be expected.  We are ever-evolving beings constantly being refined and polished. And when we’re not changing, the people around us are.  Technology changes, our planet is changing.  Here where I live in Colorado, our ever-changing weather has earned the phrase “If you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes.”  Things change.  People change.  Just the word “change” evokes strong reactions with people.  When fear strikes at the thought of change, it’s because of the perceived pain that might accompany the change; it takes us out of our comfort zone.

While I wouldn’t have chosen to uncover betrayal and go through a divorce, the alternative would have been to live a lie.  Happy, but living in an illusion.  Change had to happen before more damage was done and so I could eventually heal and move forward.  And I knew I wanted to be a Virtual Assistant and had already gone through the Virtual Training Program, so the job layoff became the catalyst for starting my business.  If we don’t embrace change, we remain stuck.  If we’re not changing, we’re stagnating.  We learn, we grow, and we change.  And it’s okay.  Once I realized that change is constant and not something to resist or be feared, the more I was able to embrace it. . . dare I say, sometimes appreciate it. Change can just be a new door opening to better opportunities. You can still control how you react and the support that you have in place. Change isn’t always something to rebound from, but can be something that propels you to greatness, or at the very least will make you stronger.  And since others are going through change, your experiences will better enable you to help them survive their experiences.

Many years ago, a professional coach came into our organization to talk about change because we were going through downsizing and other disruptions.  She said something that has always stayed with me.  She used the analogy of a trapeze and how the most stressful part of change is when you let go of the first trapeze bar and have yet to grab hold of the new bar swinging toward you.  That in-between period of limbo and not knowing what is going to happen next is when we feel our fate is out of our control.  But after that brief moment, when we have something new to grab onto, all is well.   So if you feel you’re in the midst of change and want to practice embracing it, go to iTunes and download Cha-cha-cha-changes by David Bowie and try to find the positives in where this change is taking you.

For further reading, I recommend the book “Who Moved My Cheese?” which is a very quick read (about 90 pages) about a maze, cheese, and two mice named “Sniff” and “Scurry” and two “little people” named “Hem” and “Haw.”  Here’s a summary.

About the Author:

Merri is a Virtual Assistant, AssistU graduate, and an active member of the AssistU community. She is a former AssistU Community Guide and Rocky Mountain Chapter Host and was recognized with the Volunteer of the Year award in 2010. More recently, Merri was nominated by her AssistU community for the 2011 Most Supportive Community Member award.  As the founder of Here2Assist, Merri is a business owner and virtual resource who is able to partner with small businesses and entrepreneurs across the world. She steps in to manage the time-consuming back-end and administrative details and collaboratively helps to move her clients forward toward their goals. This allows business owners to step out of the work that previously consumed them, giving the self-employed back the time to pursue their passions and grow their businesses. Merri is a Colorado native, loves digital photography, hiking, nature, rescuing animals and exploring Colorado’s ghost towns and Bed and Breakfasts. 

More information about Merri and virtual assistance can be found at http://www.Here2Assist.biz/

Things do not change; we change.

We have expectations.

Expectations of what our life should be, could be, what people should be like, what our marriage should be, how our children should be (as well as other people’s children!), and more.  Yet, how often do our expectations get a pail of cold water thrown on them? Often, I would guess if your life is like mine.

One of the most consistent expectations is that we should expect change. Change is inevitable. It can come with pretty wrapping and bows or it can come with coldness and stealth.

It is how we deal with change that makes us who we truly are as we traverse the world we have been given. Do you embrace change? Do you run from change? Do you fear change? Or, do you react with a mixture of fear, embracement, and perhaps a bit of joy after you get through the fear? Unfortunately, there is no one sure way to travel safely through change.

Most of us are pretty predictable when it comes to handling change, whether it is good or bad. Handling negative changes is most difficult and does tend to bring out the worst in us before it brings out the best. We may cry, yell, sink into a pit of despair, act like nothing has happened and continue to operate, or function in a stupor until our brain has fully comprehended what is going on.

There are many ways to learn how to cope with change. You can use affirmations; you can look for solutions; embrace it; run from it or just ignore it. Most people have a combination of reactions or coping mechanisms to deal with change – good or bad. One of the best examples I have read is from Seth Godin’s book, Linchpin. Imagine you are a diamond cutter looking at a large raw diamond. Do you envision what that diamond will look like? Can you see its possibilities? Do you see the cut of the diamond? The clarity? Or do you simply see a lump of processed, pressurized coal? Maybe a pretty paperweight?

When you face an unexpected bump in the road, do you immediately shut down and complain or do you see how you can turn the situation around? For example, your flight home is cancelled and you are anxious to get home to see your family. What would you do? Would you yell at the airline counter staff? Go to the bar and wait? Or, do you distance yourself from the situation. Actually disengage from the outcome and breathe? Would you find another way home? Rent a car and share that car with other passengers from your flight? Would you rent a charter airplane, sell seats to other bumped passengers and get home with little cost to you?

Since change is inevitable, try embracing it the best you can. What would happen if you surrender to the change? Would your life eventually improve? Chances are you won’t know that answer for a while, maybe years. Some ways to cope with change:

• Give up blaming. Blaming others. Blaming yourself. Blaming is really a waste of time. But, we all do it. After all, it is extremely difficult to look at yourself as a cause of that irritating change.
• Give up complaining. Usually, if you are the one complaining about the way a ball bounces, you are the one who dropped it. Learn to replace complaints with requests and taking action. Make sure the actions will lead you to your desired outcome.
• Disengage from the outcome. Learn to step back and maybe say, “Isn’t that interesting?” Hard to do but if you are not tied to the outcome, you might be able to adapt to the change with grace.
• Start a success journal. If you start writing down your successes in a journal and get hit with one of those awful cold and stealthy changes, take it out. Read it. Know that it will get better.

There are many ways to deal with change. Find the ones that work for you. The ones that keep you sane. The ones that will move you two steps forward for each step backwards.

Expect the unexpected.

About the Author:

Kyle Sheldon-Chandler has been in the administrative support field for more than 20 years. She graduated from AssistU in 2003 as a Virtual Assistant. Kyle loves the ‘virtual’ flexibility of her career and the wide variety of individuals who she meets and works with. In addition, Kyle has a BBA and AA in Business Administration/Management.

She discovered the virtual world of administrative assistance through an article by Anastacia Brice, Founder of AssistU, in the IAAP OfficePro magazine. After doing her research, she jumped in with both feet and has not looked back. She loves the flexibility of being a VA, as well as getting to work with some of the greatest people in the world. She has recently accepted the Alumni Director position with AssistU.

As an active member of the International Association of Administrative Professionals Association, she served as the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 Colorado-Wyoming-Montana Division President. She was honored with the Distinguished Division President in 2008. She has held the Book Cliff Chapter offices of Vice President (2 years), President Elect, and President (2005-2006).

Kyle lives in Grand Junction, CO, and loves to fish, camp, hike, and ride her motorcycle or dirt bike in the desert of Utah. She and her husband have 3 children and 3 grandchildren, along with an assortment of boxers and cats.

Ok.  So I still need to declutter my office desk.  It always seems to be the last thing I declutter.  Maybe it’s because I use it daily.  Here’s what it looks like right now but I AM working on decluttering it.

Anyway, I LOVE to keep things simple so I devised an easy 3-step process that has worked for me over the years. It’s so simple and guaranteed to work that I just have to share it with you.

I simply start with a large empty box, laundry basket, or whatever storage container I wish to use, and gather up all the items I haven’t used or touched in over 6 months. I then sort them into 2 separate piles:

• Keep
• Donate

Any item I haven’t used or touched in over 6 months but IS needed for future reference is placed in the “Keep” pile. Any item I haven’t used or touched in over 6 months and IS NOT needed for future reference is placed in the “Donate” pile.

Next I take the items placed in the “Keep” pile, box them up and place them in storage until the time comes to use them. This way they are not taking up any extra office space and I know exactly where they are when I need them.

To finish up I get rid of all the items in my “Donate” pile and dispose of them either by:

• donating items to another small business owner/non-profit organization
• simply trashing items; usually items that would be of no value to anyone

Practice this 3-step process every 6 months and you’ll be amazed at how much more efficient you will work in your uncluttered office space.  And if you want to take it a step further why not GO GREEN in your home office?  Check out “11 Ways to Go Green in Your Home Based Business” to get started now!

I have to run now and go declutter my office desk!  And if you are in the process of decluttering your office space feel free to share your before and after pictures on the wall of my Facebook page.

About the Author:

Katrina Chesney is Founder & President of Portable Hands, a Virtual Assistance firm that provides leverage for small businesses.

You too can STEP IT UP a notch and stop doing just enough to get by in your business!  Watch my latest video to discover 3 success secrets you can apply right now!

Feeling compelled to act with SPEED to leverage your business for success and growth?  Take advantage of my free consultation to learn exactly where to start.

Today everyone is “Going Green” from big corporate companies run by CEOs to home-based businesses run by today’s rapidly growing number of entrepreneurs.

Home-based businesses have a “Green” edge over big corporate companies because work is performed from home and requires no transportation.  No transportation converts to reduced fuel consumption and eliminates pollution generated by various means of transportation.

On a larger scale, most home-based businesses are not looking for ways to create new energy or the next electric car.  They are leaving this up to the larger corporations and focusing on other ways to ”Go Green” and continue their efforts to “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.”

1.  MAKE USE OF EVERY INCH OF YOUR PAPER
Don’t toss bad copies or old copies you no longer need.  Instead use the blank side for scratch paper, take phone messages, jot down reminders, or create lists.  Think of the paper as a one-sided notepad.

2.  DONATE OLD MANUALS AND HOW-TO-GUIDES
Instead of letting old manuals and how-to-guides from your beginning days as an entrepreneur continue to clutter your office, why not give them away?  Contact local workforce development groups, Chambers of Commerce, Small Business Development Centers, charities, or libraries about donating any manuals and guides you no longer need.

3.  RECYLE OLD OR OUTDATED COMPUTERS AND ELECTRONICS
Don’t dump your old or outdated computers and electronics in the landfill.  Instead take them to an electronics waste recycling center in your local area.  Sometimes referred to as “e-Cycling Centers”, these facilities will accept any computer or consumer electronic waste that runs on electricity or batteries, working or not. Virtually 100% of all items are recycled and converted into new products so nothing goes to the landfill.  Visit Earth911 to find an e-cycling center near you.

4.  USE ECO-FRIENDLY AND 100% RECYCLED OFFICE PRODUCTS
Use eco-friendly and 100% recycled office products like paper, envelopes, packaging material, office furniture, the list goes on and on.  Check out the “Buy Green Guide” from Office Depot or contact your preferred office supply vendor for a list of their green products.

5.  MAKE USE OF NATURAL SUNLIGHT
Use natural sunlight by placing your desk near a window.  Then TURN OFF THAT LIGHT!

6.  REPLACE YOUR LIGHT BULBS WITH ENERGY-EFFICIENT FLORESCENT LIGHT BULBS
Energy-efficient florescent light bulbs save energy and they last a lot longer than regular light bulbs.  Be sure to check your local regulations about proper disposal of light bulbs.

7.  TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER, PRINTER AND  MONITOR
Save energy by turning off your computer, printer and monitor when they are not in use, including any power strips.  Also set your computer to energy-saving mode.

8.  DOWNSIZE FROM A DESKTOP COMPUTER TO A LAPTOP
Downsize from a desktop computer to a laptop without giving up your large screen monitor.  Most new laptops connect directly to LCD monitors.

9.  GO PAPERLESS
Send faxes and emails right from your computer.  Also get into the habit of scanning your office documents and shredding the paper copy.  And to prevent loss of data should your computer crash, use one of these vendors to make secure online backups:

• Mozy
• Cabonite
• Dropbox

10. SUPPORT VENDORS WHO HAVE GREEN POLICIES IN PLACE
Purchase from vendors who already have green policies in place.

11. ADD A PLANT TO YOUR OFFICE SPACE
Keep your air clean and fresh by adding some green to your office space with a plant.  Here’s a list of 15 houseplants determined by NASA to be effective in improving indoor air quality.

About the Author:

Katrina Chesney is Founder & President of Portable Hands, a Virtual Assistance firm that provides leverage for small businesses.

From a business standpoint, self care is essential in creating a successful business.  You have to be in the business of putting yourself first so you can be the best at what you do.  You can start by taking small steps like exercising regularly, eating well and getting enough sleep.

When was the last time you slept late, pampered yourself, treated yourself to a 30-min massage, had a lazy day, or just let your hair down without a care in the world?  Successful entrepreneurs know that self care is essential in creating a successful business.  Kathy Santini, a leading authority on success principles, explains why.

I’ll be the first to admit that I need to incorporate more exercise into my overall self-care regimen.  But I DO shop, read, garden, take in live concerts, dance, sing, visit my hair stylist, and get manis and pedis on a regular basis.  Most recently, I went to a live Eric Benet’ concert at the Trade & Convention Center in Chattanooga, TN.  I was ready for some down time, everyone was dressed to impress (I love dressing up), and the socializing and dancing were great!  I even ran into a few colleagues I had not seen in quite some time and we decided to have lunch in the very near future.

l-r: Alesha, Sharon Kelly (hostess of Eric Benet’ concert event), and Me

Eric Benet” performing live with his band

A few weeks prior, I attended a live concert in Dalton, GA featuring Soprano Jennifer Sparks. I enjoyed learning about concert etiquette and listening to Jennifer’s lovely soprano voice.  It was very captivating!

l-r: Me & Jennifer Sparks

Soprano Jennifer Sparks accompanied by pianist Kris Carlisle

Such activities allow me to let my hair down and break away from my business for a little while.  When I return to work I am always refreshed and recharged.  Plus, the way I see it…I work hard so I deserve to play HARD!  It makes me a better me!

Are you a successful entrepreneur who follows a regular self-care regimen?  What does your self-care regimen include?  Share your story and join the discussion.

About the Author:

Katrina Chesney is Founder & President of Portable Hands, a Virtual Assistance firm that provides leverage for small businesses.

Let’s take a look at 3 ways technology can boost public relations:

1. The Electronic Newsletter, often referred to as an “ezine”, is a newsletter that is electronically delivered to a list of email addresses using email marketing software such as:

• Aweber: www.aweber.com
  - 30 day money back guarantee
  - $1 for 1st month / $19 month up to 500 subscribers
  - Price increases based on number of subscribers
  - Price includes unlimited email  & auto-responders
   
•  Constant Contact: www.constantcontact.com
  - 60 day free trial
  - $15 month for up to 500 subscribers
  - Price increases based on number of subscribers
  - Limited auto-responders
  - Additional features extra (online surveys, event marketing)
  - Most user friendly & best templates
   
• - Vertical Response: www.verticalresponse.com
  - $10 month up to 500 subscribers
  - Price increases based on number of subscribers
  - Limited auto-responders
  - Additional features extra (online surveys, postcards)
  - Offers pay-as-you-go option to purchase email credits for the number of emails you want to send

Benefits:

• Cheaper than a printed newsletter; monthly & annual pricing options, annual pre-pay discounts, and non-profit discounts available.
• Faster delivery time; goes straight to recipient’s email inbox.
• People are used to receiving electronic newsletters.
• Can be integrated with Facebook and Twitter.

Tips:

• Publish regularly and provide valuable content.
• Create an opt-in form to use on your web site or blog.  Include a free giveaway or incentive for those who subscribe to your newsletter.
• Don’t purchase email lists.  Build your own targeted list from the ground up.

2. Make Use of Free Social Networking Sites

• Twitter is limited to 140 characters. Use it as a way to let your targeted audience get to know you.
• Facebook is more interactive. Use it to build more intimate relationships with your target audience (group, fan page, discussion boards, videos, links, photos)
• LinkedIn is great because you can recommend the work of professionals you’ve worked with and they can recommend  you and your work.

3. Web Video Marketing allows you to take a direct to audience approach with your message.

• You can embed or link to video on your web site, blog and social networking sites.

Ways to Use Your Web Video:

• offer reviews & tutorials
• record presentations or special events you’re included in; be sure to ask for permission
• introduce your office staff
• product demonstrations
• create welcome video for home page of web site
• highlight what makes your product/service unique
• create video posts for your blog if you don’t like writing

How to Record Your Web Video:
The Flip is a small portable high definition video camera that provides web ready video.  For under $200 it provides a quick easy way to record & publish video content online.  Free video editing software included; accessories available.

Tip:
Host your videos on YouTube.  It’s the 2nd largest search engine on the web.

All 3 methods:

• the electronic newsletter
• free social networking sites &
• web video marketing

are affordable, cost effective ways technology can boost public relations.  

Would you like to develop a public relations plan for your business using these same 3 methods? Get started today!  Contact me directly to schedule a free 30-min consultation.

About the Author:

Katrina Chesney is Founder & President of Portable Hands, a Virtual Assistance firm that provides leverage for small businesses.

If you really and truly want to be a successful entrepreneur, or whatever your heart desires, you must first be passionate about your dream. Just like 15 year old Lauren Alaina, of Rossville Georgia, whose American Idol Nashville audition aired last night. She didn’t let the mere thought of the hugely successful Beyonces and Lady GaGas of the world stunt her passion to sing. Singing is what she loves, is very passionate about and is her natural God-given talent. It’s WHO she is!

After last night’s episode of American Idol, my phone began ringing off the hook when Lauren Alaina received the last golden ticket of the day to Hollywood.

For those of you who may not know, Rossville Georgia is where I live and it’s a simple little town with sports being the biggest past time. Everyone knows eveyone.

I am good friends with one of Lauren Alaina’s neighbors, and as we chatted on the phone last night she recalled Lauren Alaina always singing since a very young child. Anywhere was a stage for her whether she was outside playing with neighborhood kids or just hanging out and singing with her cousin Holly. Talk about PASSION!

Here’s a clip of Lauren Alaina’s American Idol Nashville audition from last night. I’m not making this up, this young lady can really sing! Randy said she was the best they’d seen all day, J-Lo cried, and Steven Tyler joined Lauren Alaina in singing a short duet of one of HIS songs! 

As you watch this clip, ask yourself one question. Are you passionate about pursing your dream or have you become stuck and unfocused? 

Are you taking advantage of all the opportunities available to you in helping you to realize your dream? Lauren Alaina’s passion to sing landed her a golden ticket to Hollywood! Where will your passion lead you? Contact me directly to schedule a free 30-min consultation where we’ll explore enhancement techniques that can transform your passionate dreams into reality.

About the Author:

Katrina Chesney is Founder & President of Portable Hands, a Virtual Assistance firm that provides leverage for small businesses.

1.  Get People to Beat a Path to Your Door. 
If you are good at what you do, with proper marketing you can put together the elements that will draw people to you.

2.  Establish a Niche.
Whatever stage your business is in, focusing it as tightly as possible on one or two specialty areas will make it easier for you to attract clients or customers. 

3.  Gain Entrance Through Gatekeepers.
Find and use gatekeepers as a source of regular business. They can make getting business easier and quicker.

4.  Position Yourself as an Expert in Your Field.
The better known you are for being an expert in your field, the easier it will be to attract business.  Being an expert in your field means people think of you first.

5.  Become a Premier Marketeer.
Take the time to develop a marketing campaign tailored for your business. Premier marketeers are successful in attracting business because they have a concerted marketing effort that does not leave this process to chance.

About the Author:

Katrina Chesney is Founder & President of Portable Hands, a Virtual Assistance firm that provides leverage for small businesses.