There’s an impression from the general public that working from home allows virtual workers certain liberties such as doing only what they feel like and not really committing to a lot of work. It is difficult to explain that it takes long hours of hard work to succeed in the virtual assistance industry. Virtual staff work well no matter their physical location because of their passion and the availability of excellent digital tools.
However, like any profession there are do’s and don’ts. Here are some:
- Do take working from home seriously.Make conscious effort to record your activities so you can update your manager when they ask or when warranted. Prioritize tasks by writing a to do list.
- Do take the initiative by doing research on the latest collaborative technology to make sure your apps are updated.
- Do keep your supervisor informed of your progress on tasks assigned to you.
- Do institute discipline in your daily activities by creating a project schedule and deadlines for yourself.
- Do join groups to learn something new; meet up with old friends to break up monotony.
- Don’t take working from home lightly. Make sure you have the appropriate space from where to conduct business. A barking dog in the background and a crying toddler on your lap will not give the client a positive image.
- Don’t wait for your supervisor to ask if your apps are up to date. As a virtual worker it behooves you to have the apps and the skill at your fingertips.
- Don’t’ wait for the last-minute to inform your manager that you’ve encountered a glitch at your workstation or that you’ve not found the right background information to include in your report.Whether early or late in delivery, supervisors must be informed soonest.
- Don’t put off work so as not to miss project deadlines; take to heart your own deadlines.
- Don’t work for ten hours continuously. Burn out can creep in quickly. Take breaks; get out of the house and meet up with friends.
That said,remember that an enthusiastic and committed virtual worker delivers the best results to a manager in every industry.
Written by Yoli P. – The Help