How is it like being a Virtual Assistant?
A friend of mine asked me recently, “Agata how is it like being a Virtual Assistant?Aren’t you tired of working from home?Isn’t this boring?”. Well, I know many people never heard about such thing as Virtual Assistance and probably don’t know what I possibly do, but her question made me stop and think for a while. When I first started, I didn’t even know I am doing Virtual Assistance work. I was only helping a company I used to work for in Poland with their translations and email writing (in English). I used to work for them quite a long time before I decided to move the UK. It was more than ten years ago. At that time I also used to help people with their Social Media or admin, and I was doing it for free. So this is basically how all of this started. Now, all looks rather different because I do it for a living. However, I still enjoy helping people with their struggles. Not everyone likes admin work; Social Media is still too complicated too many people, or they simply don’t have time to do it. So how a day of a VA looks like and do I like it? Well, I would say it is rather a busy lifestyle;-). I am a mom to two boys. Every morning they are testing my patience and management skills when we are getting ready to school and nursery. So it starts with a school run. It is a race and stressful time of the days, but I am so grateful I can do it. I like our morning routine with waking up, breakfast and school run. I can see they are so happy having me around. I then come back to my work and do as much as I can. There is no time for other things because when I finish my job, the run starts again. I collect kids, prepare meals, tidy up, play with them and all that things, but I enjoy it so much more now when I work for myself. After working over six years in the office as an employee, I needed a rest and was craving flexibility. However, after having two kids, I also needed challenges and a bit of my own life if you know what I mean. Yes, I have two lovely boys, and I love them to bits but being a full-time mom can drain you physically and emotionally. You have to have something for yourself. Something that gives you independence, satisfaction and helps you grow as a person. Yes I work a lot, yes I am on a constant run, yes I am tired but I am happy. I do what I like doing and what I think I am good at. I help people with their admin tasks, social media management, diary management, WordPress and all the other things I was doing in the office. The difference is I am my boss and so much needed flexibility gives me the sense of freedom. I am not worried I am going to be late to work, I am not worried my manager might not approve my holiday request, I am not worried when my kids are unwell, and I have to notify my employer… I work from home and even if I am unwell I can still do it. In my PJs with a hot tea on my desk. So how is it to be a Virtual Assistant?It is the best I could do for myself. I love every aspect of this type of work. I only regret I waited so long. It took me some time until I have found the courage inside me. It took time until I set up my mind to a different mode.