Supposedly a cliché, ‘time is gold’ is often mentioned when workers are faced with deadlines or some such activity that has a certain end. A valuable resource shared by everyone, it is easily the most precious because life and its attendant activities revolve around minutes and hours. As a virtual assistant, time management becomes a central factor in the organization and delivery of tasks.

Lack of priority setting, procrastination, and lack of knowledge in the usage of proper technology tools are three of the common enemies of time management.

For virtual assistants, creating a to-do list of the five most important tasks for the day is key for getting things done. It also helps if a to-do list for the week is prepared to insure that the work plan is on track. With these lists prominently displayed on a computer frame, a virtual assistant will remember.

Because of great flexibility available to virtual assistants, procrastination can easily set in. Working from home presents more challenges such as playing with children or doing household chores that can be disruptive. Discipline and self-control are important as much as focus and determination so that assignments are delivered on time.

Another good way to stay focused is by following a “time out” schedule for yourself. Sometimes knowing that there will be a couple of hours for relaxation at the end of the day is enough to concentrate on the job at hand.

Tools such as Skype, Google calendar, and Dropbox are tremendous help in staying on track. Becoming informed and acquiring the skills for these tools will enhance a virtual assistant’s work performance.

Time is money and nowhere else is this truth more evident than in a virtual assistant’s world. Creating a ‘done’ list will produce a sense of accomplishment for a virtual assistant and guarantee satisfaction for the clients.

Written by Yoli P.- The Help

Many people do not believe that savings are important. I was one of them and for the longest time it was the last item on my goals. But we all learn our lessons albeit late in life. Because the future is unpredictable, having a safety cushion becomes an absolute necessity for everyone. There are compelling reasons for getting on the saving-for-the-rainy-days track such as retirement, education, and natural disasters like flooding.

But how does one start preparing for that rainy day? With fixed monthly bills to pay, setting aside extra cash becomes a daunting task attainable only by self-discipline and determination.

First, assess spending habits by listing all expenses. This can be tedious (and I speak from experience) but it really pays off. For example, a tall latte costs $3.00. If consumed twice daily during a five-day workweek, that’ll be $30.00/week and in 52 weeks, that’s a whooping $1,560.00 spent on coffee alone. Cutting this expense in half will insure that four-digit cash in a savings account by the end of the year.

Next, create a realistic budget, categorizing each expense. For example, Transport category includes bus fare, gas, and toll fees. Groceries and eating out belongs to Food and Dining while clothes buying would be under Shopping.

Remember the discipline and determination? These two comes handy when making the monthly contribution to the new savings account. Because lifestyles are different for everyone, it is not possible to have an applicable formula for savings. Usually, income is divvied up with 60-65% towards “rent and other fixed costs,” 20% for “wants,” and 15% for savings.

Although credit cards could be helpful, it is also easy to become dependent on them particularly when cash is short and payday is a week away. Sinking into debt can quickly happen from this point on.

Saving what one can over time will help tremendously. I remember looking at my savings account at the time when all it contained was a sad two-digit figure. I decided to change the numbers; that was 15 years ago. It was not easy but the peace of mind I now enjoy is more than the interest any bank can offer.

Here’s a quote that is a constant reminder of the power of determination and sincerity:

When your determination changes, everything will begin to move in the direction you desire. The moment you resolve to be victorious, every nerve and fiber in your being will immediately orient itself toward your success. On the other hand, if you think, “This is never going to work out,” then at that instant every cell in your being will be deflated and give up the fight. Then everything will really move in the direction of failure (Daisaku Ikeda).

Written by Yoli P. – The Help

Once more, it is made clear to us that we live in a small world. Twelve innocent persons died in Paris, a tragedy that touched lives everywhere.  We mourn and try to face the loss and the divide, fast becoming an abyss. We can only hope that soon we can find solutions to close the gap that’s staring us in the face.

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Sometimes in the professional world, when we are bypassed for a promotion, our sights tend to focus on the outside, blaming the manager who could not see our value, skills and accomplishments. And so a wedge is unwittingly created. At home, a child gets failing marks; a spouse joins friends instead of returning home to family. Perplexed, we lash out and put the blame on work demands that’s taking over our lives.

But in the equation of human relationships, we consistently forget that we also bring something to the table. We are participants thus have responsibility as well for the child’s low marks and a spouse’s loss of interest in family life.

Lives do not fall apart overnight. A stone will not erode with a single rainstorm. Marriages crumble over time. What happens is that hurt and resentment begin to accumulate, dialogue, a key to building relationships in the professional or personal realm, is forgotten.

Perhaps taking the first step towards that all-important conversation is nerve wracking. “What can I say? How do I start? Will I be respected after this? Am I not being a dummy for bringing it up?” We all have had these thoughts at some point when facing a discussion over a sensitive issue.

“It takes courage not to be defeated by one’s own weaknesses and negativity, courage to be happy,” Daisaku Ikeda, a Buddhist leader in Japan, said. These are words that are worth their weight in gold, words to live by.

Written by Yoli P.- The Help

The year 2014 is about to end.

It is that time of the year when everyone looks back on accomplishments. It is also when the future beckons, to look forward to. For some, it is time to seriously think about dreams that have been on the back burner for many years. Keeping in mind that pursuing one’s dreams is not the same as being self-centered, it is important to take some small steps to achieve one or two of those dreams in 2015. But how to do exactly that? Following are some suggestions that can make dreams within touching distance.

1)    Have a vision of your dream. For example, if the dream is to spend a month in Milan, Italy, mixing with the locals, then learning Italian is the first step. See yourself in a classroom or with a tutor, keeping this in mind as you save up for a beginner’s course. With determination and discipline, one can also begin learning about its culture by going online to sites that offer information and even language podcasts.

2)    While you’re online, some checking on what it will take to live in Italy for a month. For instance, find an estimate of daily expenses; cost of staying at a bed and breakfast compared to rooming with a family. Know everything there is to know about living abroad, in particular Italy.

3)    Be flexible in making your plans. Challenges and disappointments will come up. Adjust accordingly but hold on to that dream. Make certain that family and friends support you. As we’ve often heard from successful people “Quitting is not an option” in any endeavor especially when it comes to you dreams.

4)    Be on the lookout for negative thoughts that come your way. When it does happen, think about the plans towards achieving your dreams and the completed steps.

More important, continue to visualize yourself in that dream. Whether it’s a trip, getting courses to learn new skills, or going back to school, experience them and sense them as if it is already happening. Remember that dreams are alive because we hold on to them.

Best wishes for a happy 2015!

Written by Yoli P.- The Help