“Gracious acceptance is an art – an art which most never bother to cultivate. We think that we have to learn how to give, but we forget about accepting things, which can be much harder than giving…”
― Alexander McCall Smith, Love Over Scotland

A great number of people are uncomfortable at receiving gifts in any form. Perhaps the unease comes from having been brought up and trained in the idea that giving is better than receiving. Instilling selflessness in the youth usually begins with lessons in sharing food, toys, and other material possessions with those who are in need.

With the holiday season, everyone will be receiving gifts, as well as giving away some. Most will be focused on the giving part while the receiving side is mostly acknowledged with a quick hug or kiss.

What is it that makes us uneasy about receiving a gift, a compliment, or appreciation?

I believe fear of strings attached to the gift could be one reason. If a past experience of receiving a present for which a favor is expected in return, then a cautious attitude is developed by the recipient. Indebtedness cannot be attached to gifts.

Receiving is an occasion to look at our “soft spots.” Being reminded that we have something tender hidden away makes us vulnerable, perhaps even embarrassed that we feel sentimental about having been remembered and appreciated by family and friends. In all relationships, the act of receiving is that of a connection, be it in our personal or professional life. Maybe that’s why women cry during a proposal of marriage.

Joy for ourselves is best expressed in allowing life’s abundance flourish by accepting gifts with warmth and grace from our family and friends. Receiving as such becomes our present to the giver.

In the Christian tradition, Jesus was the finest recipient of gifts but He also exemplified the best giver when He gave his life for mankind.

Written by Yoli P.- The Help

Careers sometimes get bumped off track by circumstances brought about by changes.

The appointment of a new department manager, at my former workplace, created a ripple. There were high expectations from both the side of the boss and the team because of the company’s impending reorganization. On her arrival, a long discussed policy that retirees cannot be rehired except after a year’s break from the company was implemented. It is a policy adopted by several large businesses and trepidation among staff was palpable. Each individual was concerned with the rule’s possible effect on his or her career. Non-retirees re-examined their long-term plans.  The loss of motivation, low morale, and the lack of focus were the three most common effects.

After the policy’s implementation, management took steps to reassure staff of their job security. A general assembly was scheduled to explain the diminished sales and resources. Human resource managers fielded an hour of questions and answers from the staff. A week later, it was also announced that a frequently asked questions site had been set up at the institution’s web site.

The new rule started the company on its streamlining path. Staff demanded transparency and a couple of management layers were eliminated; thus, flattening the organization. It was an ongoing process to adapt to the current culture of managing oneself and others, eliminating the traditional bosses. It removed procedures that tended to delay the disbursement of funds for field staff. Petty cash for routine expenses was made readily available.

The immediate result of the one-year break rule provided middle managers with the opportunity to lead: to present, design, and implement programs that impact a number of communities.

Long before the reorganization began, I was already in a community college learning Chinese, hoping to become fluent and teach English in China. My experience taught me to pay attention to my personal life by creating other career pathways while on the job. Uncertainty is always around the corner; a professional life can continue notwithstanding changes in management.

Written by Yoli P.- The Help

Reading and writing skills are absolute needs in daily life. Texts are read from blackberries and iPhones as one brews coffee. On the way to work, when one is on the bus or driving, signs are read for directions and then noted so as not to miss one’s turns or stop. At the workplace, staff is expected to read, comprehend, and analyze market reports, summaries of meetings, and trend updates.

For a Virtual Assistant (VA) as well as for other professions, reading is equal to breathing. The two goals of reading are to find information, for example, procedures in electronic filing. Then there’s the other purpose of reading, the understanding aspect. These two occur at the same time so that the reader discovers or acquires something new. Getting the information and relating it is vastly different from having the information then being in a position to explain its relevance, where it is connected, and how it may impact the task at hand.

In the current professional environment, acquisition of new information along with sharp administrative skills is a foundation of success in the workplace. But this is also the era of information overload where choices have to be made on which reading materials take priority.

Whether immersed in fiction, non-fiction, annual reports and other reading materials, consider the following:

1. Reading contributes to improving writing skills. Certain authors can influence vocabulary and sentence construction. Successful authors of books such as The 4-Hour Workweek show concise writing that is easy read for audiences.
2. Reading is good training for focus and concentration. Multi-tasking is not possible when reading as it is an activity that requires attention.
3. Reading improves retention of information. In a novel, there are several characters and plotlines that must be recalled to keep track of the story. The same is true for non-fiction book reading. It must be noted that new memories that are created result in new brain pathways (new synapses).

Perhaps the best value in reading is found in Vera Nazarian’s words:

“Whenever you read a good book, somewhere in the world a door opens to allow in more light.”

Written by Yoli P.- The Help

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