This is my all time favourite saying and I am a huge advocate in believing that attitude is everything. My take on this saying is that if you start to think like a success you will be a success … if you start to act like an expert others will soon see you as an expert.

Please don’t see this as a saying that means you should pretend you know what you are doing because that is just a recipe for disaster.

Simply put this saying means that you can’t be something until you start acting, thinking, talking and breathing like that something.

In my business when I started to act the way I thought a successful VA would act, talk the way a successful VA would talk and think the way I thought a successful VA would talk my business took off and soon others saw me as one of those successful VAs.

So next time before you go to tell someone about your business or about your product, view yourself as having the most successful business and/or product … you will be amazed by the results!!

Many of us have gone into business to allow us more time to spend with our children, but do you involve them in your business with you? Even when you have young children getting them involved can lessen some of the stress of trying to balance home and work.

The simplest way to involve your children is to explain to them in age appropriate terms exactly what it is that you do. As your children grow teach them a little more of what you are doing and involve them in little aspects of your business. As your children begin to understand what it is that you do and more importantly why you do it, you will see their respect for your business will increase.

For my business, it was important that my children (6 and 9) said more than “my mom plays on her computer all day” when asked what I did. My son will proudly tell others “my Mom is a Virtual Assistant and helps her clients run their businesses”. He can even answer the question … “A Virtual what?”!! I also, try to get my kids involved by discussing my day at dinner in general terms. I tell them about new projects and clients and about meetings that I have attended. They understand the meaning of running a small business and the sacrifices and rewards that are all a part of keeping me “at home” and available to them.

I am sure that once you take the time to include your children in your business they will gain a new respect for what it is that you are doing and why you have chosen to do that. My children know that if they do not support me and respect my “business time” then I may have to give up my business and get a “job” outside the home. They are not willing to sacrifice the things that being a small business owner has provided to them such as mom being home every night after school.

Just as importantly it will be fundamental that you let them know that family time is important too and you can do this by not focusing on anything but them during family time. Once you begin to get your family involved in your business and a factor in your success, you will be well on your way to creating a truly thriving business and having a true balance of home and work.

Many colleagues often ask me about blogging and how they can get started. I found this really great article that I wanted to share with you about how to get started with a business blog. I know for myself blogging has become somewhat of an addiction and I thank goodness for Heather that she introduced me to blogging.

Here is a link to the article for you to enjoy:

Blogging for Business: 7 Tips for Getting Started.

We often hear the term “ignite your passion” or “fuel the fires”. As a business owner, determining what fuel it is that ignites your passions and fuels your business to thrive is a key goal in your success. For myself, my fuel is my children.

Three years ago, while on a parental leave, I realized that I was tired of my children not getting off the bus to my face each night. By the time I would get home from work and pick them up at daycare it left very little time for homework and family time before it was time to be thinking of putting them to bed. I began to do some research into stay at home careers and the rest is, as they say, history.

Every time I struggle within my business I simply remind myself why it is that I started my business and why I am doing what I am doing … this alone gives me the strength to conquer any obstacle. I know that my children will reap the benefits of having me home with them each and every day.

The next time that you are feeling overwhelmed or feeling frustrated as a business owner I invite you to look to your fuel and remember why it is that you are in business!!

How do you get anywhere new without utilizing a map or asking for directions? Do you just pile the kids in the car and hope that by driving around aimlessly for hours you will eventually find the place? If you didn’t have such things as the address and a general vicinity it would make your job even harder. Similarly how can you have a successful day without mapping out where you need to go?

Like the map which provides directions, so too does a daily task list (or to do list, if you rather) provide you a direction for your day. The tasks that you list are small tools that help you to make sure that you stay on the road to success. I guarantee you that if you take the time to write out your list daily of all the things you need to accomplish you will be on the track to having a successful and thriving business.

Better yet, why not prepare your task list the night before? That’s right … This is when you are likely best to remember all the things you need to do the next day that were not accomplished in a particular day. Then it is easier for you in the morning to just jump right in and get a great start to your day.

For myself and my business, I take the time each and every night to map out what I need to accomplish the next day so that nothing is ever forgotten. I have found for myself because I do have a busy business, that by setting this out each day I am more productive and I no longer feel lost!!

Good luck!!

Today I am most thankful for my Business Advisor and my local Small Business Centre.

When I started my business I did so with the assistance of a program called the SEB program (Self – Employment Benefit). The biggest part of this program was to get the participants to think “outside of the box”. We were all expected to create a business plan that would show that our business idea was plausible and would be a profitable venture for us. I was so proud of my business plan when I handed it in, but that all changed the minute that my advisor reviewed it and sent it back to me with his comments …

In particular, my business advisor told me that my business plan was solid and would make a successful “JOB”, but he wanted to know what I was going to do to make it a thriving Business? I was really setback by this and offended. In my opinion this was a business … if I wanted a job then I would go get a job from someone else. So I challenged his comments and I can tell you that this was the best thing that I ever did.

His comment was that there was absolutely nothing wrong with what I had handed in, but from just speaking to me he could tell that I would never settle for having a Virtual Assistant business that would peak at 120 billable hours per month and never take that next step. What he wanted to see from me was that “next step” … what was I going to do to make this a really thriving and booming business? That he said is what would set me aside from all the other Virtual Assistants.

So, that’s what I did, I set out to be more … I set out to grow my business into something that no other Virtual Assistant had done … I had (and still have) big dreams for my business and I am so thankful to my business advisor for that push.

My challenge to you is this … what are you doing to make your business stand out, reach the next level and become the thriving business it can be? What are you doing to revolutionize your business?

Sometimes the “cheesiest” ideas are the ones that stick so here are some great gimmicks to use as you market your VA business:

1. Prop: A Candy Watch
   Saying: “Partner with a Virtual Assistant to save you time”
2. Prop: Chocolate Coins or Play Money
   Saying: “Partner with a Virtual Assistant to save you money”
3. Prop: Coffee sample
   Saying: “A Virtual Assistant can do anything an in-house assistant can do except make your morning coffee
4. Prop: Ice Cream Certificates
   Saying: “Treat yourself to some extra time by partnering with a Virtual Assistant
5. Prop: Eraser
   Saying: “Erase your administrative nightmares by partnering with a Virtual Assistant
6. Prop: Aspirins
   Saying: “A Virtual Assistant can take care of all your administrative headaches
7. Prop: Coins
   Saying: “A Virtual Assistant can make “cents/sense” of your administrative tasks
8. Prop: Pair of Socks
   Saying: “Partner with “XYZ Virtual Assistant Company” and we will knock your socks off
9. Prop: Tea Bag
   Saying: Put your feet up and enjoy a cup of tea while we take care of your administrative troubles
10. Prop: A timer
    Saying: Gain more time by partnering with a Virtual Assistant

Just think back to the commercials that were your favourite or the ones that stick out in your mind, most likely they stick out because they were different. The same is true for your marketing plans … make them different and make people remember who you are!!

As a virtual assistant I spend so much time trying to explain to others the value in working with a Virtual Assistant. I recently read a blog that explained the values really well and wanted to share it with you.

Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Allena Tapia of freelancewrite.about.com.

My writing business is moving into young adulthood, and instead of wondering where my next project is going to come from, I’m looking for more money, more projects and more clients. The only catch is, I don’t want to work any more hours.

Ahh, there’s the rub.

The “secret” here is not so secret at all. Of the 28 hours I spend behind the desk, only approximately 14 are billable hours. That’s a dismal 50% billable rate. I simply must increase my billable hours to 75% of my total time, which will increase my income by 25%, with no time adjustment on my part. How?

By hiring and training a virtual assistant.

Fully one half of my hours are spent on administrative tasks like seeking clients, pitching clients, producing Letters of Agreement or contracts, maintaining websites and blogs, invoicing, answering questions and updating spreadsheets. Look at that list again. Every single one of these chores could be farmed out to someone else.

There are a lot of hang ups when it comes to hiring virtual help. As a freelance writer, I understand that. But each of these issues can be solved.

1. Can’t afford it you say? Let’s look at it this way: if you bill at $70/hour and pay a virtual assistant $30-40/an hour, by regaining those billable hours, you’re netting $20-40 more per hour.

2. How can I be sure I’m getting quality help? Well, how do you help your clients to feel comfortable hiring you sight unseen? You probably provide a portfolio of work, with client references and a track record showing at least a couple years of service. Look for the same thing.

3. I want to pay a fair price. Virtual Assistants (VAs) work on much the same system as freelance writers. You won’t be the only client, and you’ve got to accept that. I’ve estimated a rate of $30 per hour to hire a VA. You’ll want to do your own research. Consider what administrative assistants make in your area, and take into account your own billing structure when setting your pay rate. Be open to what the VA suggests, or visit the International Virtual Assistants Association.

4. What about training? This question goes deeper than what’s on the surface. Another way to increase your productivity and your billable hours is to automate your processes. For example, once you’ve found a system that works for you in procuring new projects, or in invoicing and billing, document the details in what will become your business manual. This manual will then become your training manual.

5. I can’t deal with the down time. Down time should be built into your schedule. Successful businesses need a time to relax and recharge after completing big projects- think of the day after taxes are due at a CPA firm, or the day after Christmas in the retail industry. You and your team need to push and give to meet deadlines and bang out quality projects, but you also need to regroup after success. This downtime is the perfect opportunity to bring on your VA. Suspend new projects, and dedicate your time to high quality training, keeping yourself available for questions and doling out your VA’s responsibilities in manageable increments.

Investing in a new addition to your team won’t be easy. Syncing your schedules, dealing with miscommunications and ironing out expectations are all challenges that you will meet together. But doing so will take a load off your shoulders, increase production, and boost your bottom line.

“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” – Henry Ford

Allena Tapia is a freelance writer and editor. She helps new freelancers get started in the business at freelancewrite.about.com.

I have heard this idea several times and wanted to share it with you:

Find a nice small stone and put it in your pocket. This stone will be called a thankful stone. When you wake up in a morning, take the stone and squeeze it while thinking of all the things you are thankful for such as family, friends, your job, your home, etc.. Throughout the day, squeeze it whenever you are feeling thankful for something or grateful for an event that is taking place. Finally, before going to bed, you squeeze the stone again and think of all the things you have to be thankful for in that particular day.

The best thing about this practice is that you will be so busy finding things to be thankful for it will allow less time for negative thoughts. Another great thing is that you will be reminded each time you feel the stone to think of the great things in your life!!

One of the best things I did for my business was to establish boundaries. These are those items that establish the line between personal and business. For many their business is full of gray areas and this often leads to confusion between them and their clients.

In order to establish boundaries, one must first know what is important to them in order to maintain that true balance between work and life that so many of us are trying to achieve. The first step to doing this is to sit down and really figure out what is important to you and to your business. Here are some areas to look at:

• What is office time? What is family time?
• What are you willing to do? What are you not willing to do
• What would your perfect business look like? What would your perfect family life look like? How do they interconnect?
• What rules do you have to keep personal and business separate?

The next step is to sit down with your family and get their opinion. What are their expectations from you as a business person and what are they NOT willing to “sacrifice”?

The final and perhaps hardest task is to respect the boundaries that you set. If you determine that you will work while your children are at school only then ensure that this is when you work and make it very productive time. If you determine that you will not enter your office after business hours do whatever it takes to make that happen.

The best way to do this is with the aid of a boundary letter. This letter outlines for your clients exactly where the boundaries of your business are. I give my “boundary” letter to each and every client right after our initial consultation and/or with my Proposal. The best thing about a boundary letter is that is sets out my clear expectations from the very beginning and lets my clients know what I am and am not willing to do. For some this has meant the difference between working with me or not, but in the long run I have come to realize that if a potential client does not respect my boundaries then they are not the client for me.

Come back tomorrow and I will outline for you the ten areas you should consider when creating your boundary letter. I am sure that once you are clear with not only yourself, but with your family and clients as to what you consider to be the balance you need between work and life, you will be on your way to creating a truly thriving business.