Researchers conduct surveys to discover trends, to find answers, and to base decisions on objective information. Resources are better allocated and market inclination become factors in moving a business forward.

In a company, self-evaluation is a year-end activity that allows management to feel the pulse of its staff.  Some employees do not take it seriously, missing an opportunity to interact with a manager or supervisor.

To begin, honestly look at strength and weaknesses. Write a list of skills and character pluses/minuses. Leave it for a day or two, come back to focus on where improvements are needed. For example, when waiting for a colleague’s Excel input on a report, exercise patience and tact. Think about the feedback on a finished assignment in the past.

Do some digging on what it takes to become successful. If future plans include acquiring programming or accounting skills, find out how to make it happen. Examine knowledge gaps, and take steps to get additional training.

To handle shortcomings, present them as focal points for development, as stepping-stones to learn more, as a goal to be in a position to better contribute to company goals. Document achievements such as streamlining workflow in recruitment and hiring procedures.

Most of all think in terms of career development as this indicates employee commitment to the company. Discussing a career future signifies willingness to take on responsibility not only for oneself but also for tasks given to team leaders or managers.

As much as surveys are tools to discover information, self-evaluation is a device to assess skills. Self-evaluation can be challenging since staff tend to minimize their accomplishments but it is an occasion to see oneself in a future scene.

“Where would I like to be in two years? In five years?” Self-evaluation grounds staff and provides management with insight into its employees’ goals and aspirations.

Written by Yoli P.- The Help

For a time, the now well entrenched virtual assistance industry suffered from some misconceptions. According to dictionary.reference.com, misconception is a mistaken notion. What are some of the misconceptions heaped on virtual assistants professionals?

The first is the mistaken idea that virtual assistants are not efficient. Although VAs sometimes work in their pajamas, they perform as well if not better than peers in an actual office. Streamlined companies rely on virtual assistants since they create company savings in many ways such as minimizing fixed costs, for example, on computer equipment.

Prospective clients and the general public have the impression that virtual assistants are expensive. In fact, VA’s are paid based on a pre-agreed rate that may change when they prove to be reliable. They’re affordable because benefits and workspace are not provided.

Another misconception is that VAs cannot be trusted with confidential information. However, VAs take pride in their trustworthiness, a trait needed in both the virtual and actual workplaces. Both small business and well-oiled corporations need additional help in operations, where confidentiality is a must.

Over the years, these misconceptions have been debunked through the hard work of industry pioneers. Former secretaries morphed into General VAs, SEO/Web Marketers, Web Developers, Graphic Designers, Content Writers, Video Editors, and Mobile App Developer VA. Because hiring a VA implies major savings on equipment, location, and benefits, many small businesses contracts with one who can handle many if not all aspects of operations.

All in all, the gradual growth of the virtual industry has given entry-level jobs to recent college graduates. It also allowed small businesses to flourish because owners and managers have free and available chunks of time to grow their businesses.

Misconceptions can deter some would-be virtual assistants from pursuing a career in the field. Over time, however, efficient and hard work will erase mistaken ideas about virtual assistants.

Written by Yoli P.- The Help

November starts with All Saints Day on the 1^st, All Souls Day on the 2^nd. It is the 11^th month, signaling that the year is about to end. In numerology, eleven is the number about balance; interpreted to mean vision, invention, and also refinement (whats-your-sign.com). But November is also about remembering, as is done with celebrating the saints and prayers for departed souls are offered.

Remembering is that process that connects the present to the past. Office best practices are connected by an event that happened five months ago to the current challenge. It is important to understand that continuity is preserved because of recall using diaries, recorded events, and conversations. Colleagues and managers leave, employee turnover happens, and love ones pass on but these changes are opportunities to appreciate the ongoing personal or professional learning over the years.

November is that time for taking stock of goals undertaken in the beginning of the year. Among those goals could be improving soft skills such as accepting feedback, adapting to new practices, or critical thinking. Perhaps having boundaries so that work does not encroach on family life is another.

Above all, November is the month for thanksgiving. Because work and its daily demands get the most attention, life’s many gifts may go unappreciated.

To begin the act of appreciation, write a to do list of three to five activities. Once the list is done, try and complete at least one every month. No pressure. For example, an activity could be taking photos with the iPhone. Catch the sun’s orange haze in an afternoon. Take pictures of family and friends. Create a collage; it will be a reminder of happy days past. Make an effort to talk to family and friends instead of emailing and sending a text.

But there’s no need to wait for November for appreciation. Looking back to having lived a day, there’s reason to look forward to the sun’s joyful energy and light, to try and accomplish more for one’s personal and professional life. Remembering can help sustain todays and tomorrows.

Written by Yoli P.- The Help

Healthy thinking that is translated to healthy behavior improve and minimize risks of disease. Incorporating good eating habits and exercise in daily activities will only produce positive results. With the support of family and friends, taking one or more of the action steps below will make staying healthy a reality.

• Regular exercise.

Regular physical activity is priceless; 30 minutes of walking will go a long way in one’s goal to stay healthy. Physical activity such as dancing is both a pleasure and an exercise. Invite friends to exercise with you to help stay on track.

• Weight control

Keeping your weight within a healthy range can be difficult. Losing pounds, if one has some extras, is the first step. A diet of vegetables and whole grains will make inroads in weight loss.

• Quit smoking

Stopping the habit of smoking is the best step for all who are keen on becoming healthy. There are quit-smoking programs and health insurance plans that can assist in giving up smoking.

• Start a healthy diet

Making red meat the smallest portion of food intake and focusing on vegetables, fiber, and fruits is fundamental in healthy eating. Consider beans for protein source and avoid processed food such as baked goods and junk food.

• Make time for screening tests

Getting regular screening tests can help catch cancer at an early stage when they can still be treated. Annual testing for breast, cervical, and prostate cancer is recommended. For colon and rectal cancer, testing every ten years is suggested.

Good health is key in maintaining a balance between the professional and personal life of an employee. It enables everyone to pursue dreams, complete tasks, and to start new projects. With a healthy lifestyle, everyday is a new page healthy living.

Written by Yoli P.- The Help

My recent run in with the perennial flu has me thinking about health and its importance. A healthy lifestyle could be one that is free from physical ailments for some. Others consider the ability to follow a regimen of diet and exercise as key.

Being healthy, however, is both physical and mental. Some deterrents to healthy living are smoking, physical inactivity, and stress. Although considered difficult, giving up the habit of cigarette smoking can be done. Will power and discipline are the main tools; some succeed while others need the assistance of patches and even acupuncture.

To start an exercise regimen, the highest degree of commitment is necessary. The key is sustaining the activity as results such as weight loss are only seen after some time.

There’s no avoiding stress. These could be caused by professional or personal pressure; these require attention, even medical. Breathing exercises are helpful in stress management.

Another way to relieve stress is by starting a hobby. Hobbies are activities; those times when work and responsibilities are farthest from the mind. Hobbies are great sources of positive stress called eustress. The Urban Dictionary says

“Eustress is good stress. Stress is simply an external stimulus; eustress is the feeling you get when overcome with the excitement and anticipation of a desired outcome. Hans Selye MD, an endocrinologist, first introduced Eustress. It is defined as “stress that is healthy, or gives one a feeling of fulfillment or other positive feelings. Eustress is a process of exploring potential gains.”

When gardening, a physical distance from work is created. Looking forward to blooming flowers brings up excitement. Cross-stitching, knitting, and creative writing groups provide opportunities to connect with others, bringing stress relief and fun as well.

Striving towards healthy living means giving up cigarettes and the like. Smoking and lack of exercise directly impacts the body. But stress can creep in.

Overall, striving for balance is key and that’s when eustress can have a place in a life.

Written by Yoli P.- The Help