The importance of time has been underlined by the abundance of quotes seeking to emphasize its value like time is money which is especially true in the context of business. The more time you give into it, the more possibility of making money. It may not always convert to these, but the possibility is there. The same is true in the world of virtual assistance as time for clients is agreed upon and billed.
Many might think that time management should not be an issue in the world of virtual assistance because most VAs work at home as long as they have a computer and a high-speed Internet. However, this takes a complicated twist once the intricacies of VA work is considered – the multiple tasks for multiple clients from varied locations and time zones in one nine-hour shift can translate into stress of extreme levels for the VA. It is then in this context that time management becomes the key to working around these multiples.
Without time management skills, a VA can get swamped and overwhelmed, prompting overtime work which could lead to burn out if done all the time despite the higher take-home pay. Clients on the other hand might not appreciate having to pay extra and may deem you inefficient in such a case as clients in general would want to maximize the VA’s shift by giving tasks that they think is enough to occupy the allotted time.
Here are two reasons why time management is extremely important:
1) Time management leads to success. Efficiency and productivity have become the measurement of performance and to be efficient and productive, you must be able to do more, and turn in top quality work outputs. With proper time management, you develop the discipline to prioritize and plan according to what is urgent and focus on these tasks, without losing momentum thereby increasing work quality.
2) Time management reduces stress. Because time management gives you a clear idea of the day, week, even the month ahead, it reduces the feeling of being rushed; of having a lot to do and not much time to do them. With the luxury of time, the requirements of the job as well as any eventuality can be addressed without the urge to be frustrated. With reduced stress, you get the chance to learn more, hone skills, gain more experience and stand out and be more of an asset than you already are.
By managing time properly, a virtual assistant can become more successful without the stress. It allows you to work smarter but not necessarily less harder. And these advantages of time management do not just stop there. They multiply and affect not only your work but the other aspects of your life as you get to devout more time for family, friends and enjoyment.
The client in return gets an efficient VA who manages the admin side of his business seamlessly, comes up with high-quality work outputs and becomes someone he can depend on. He does not only get his money’s worth but also gets to enjoy other aspect of his life with reduced stress, courtesy of his good time manager virtual assistant.
In a world of multiples – tasks, cultures, time zones, stress – all we can ever do is manage our resources — including time. And with the many tools that we can use out there, it is now more than ever that we can manage our times most. We as virtual assistants must take advantage of that chance. Time they say is life. Live it. Work smart and give yourself the chance to breathe and manage stress better. Once you do, multiple will merely be a number – one you can easily manage like the rest of your tasks. After all, a VA is also a talented juggler.
Written by Kathrine E. – The Help