The Waterfront Series Asking for Help is a Sign of Strength, Not of Weakness Tracey D’Aviero
Why do we not ask for help? • We only want to show our best side • When we get busy our first instinct is to do it ourselves • I can do it better/faster/right • Busy is never good • What are you doing that you shouldn’t be doing? • Think about what is filling up your days Example: only sharing good news on social media (or the fact that we are BUSY! in a good way)
When do we feel okay asking for help? • Getting a lift or drive somewhere • Borrowing a pen • Moving • Passing along a resume • Washing the dishes
When do we feel funny asking? • Money • Simple knowledge • Personal problems • Business Example: Kids ask for help with everything – tie my shoe, lift me up We offer help without asking – catching up an ice cream cone, clearing a table after dinner. (The point is, you are capable of asking for help!)
Where does fear creep in? • Friendship or Feeling like you are imposing on someone • Being discovered as a fraud • Not having it all together • Overwhelm • Bad experience previously Example: Getting in our own head – I used to jump out of airplanes, and I was frozen in fear on the ski lift! (‘til my Mom instincts snapped me out of it!)
Where is your brilliance? • Skills Inventory – make a list of everything you know how to do (excellent exercise in learning your own value) • Be realistic about what you should get help with When you need help it can be hard to ask When you can help, it can be hard to charge for it Example: Selling a multi-million dollar farm just to get a Powerpoint presentation
Why do we try to do it all? • Money • Time • Too much time to train someone • Lack of trust • Embarrassment • Control issues No one will judge you. You keep them in business!
Value what you do so others will too • People pick your brain • Budget conscious • Reasonable/inexpensive • Free consultations • Cheap or free - I created my cheap or free resources for small business owners (VAs). Getting Help = Collaborating. If they grow, I grow.
What do you need to get done? 1. Bookkeeper 2. Housecleaner 3. VA Other ways to get support: colleagues, mentors, professionals, automation VA Wish List: Make a list of everything you are doing daily in your business. Start to identify areas you can get help, and get it!
How to work with a VA • Weekly brief production meeting (15 mins) • Task/project management system • Daily emails/status updates • They are not on call unless you pay them to be. Communication is key – try not to micromanage. When considering who to work with, build on your weaknesses, and manage your strengths.
How does a VA charge? • By the hour • By the task or project • On retainer • Prepaid Make sure your terms are clear as well as your expectations.
Where to find a VA • Colleagues or friends • Referrals • Social media groups • Events • Canadian Association of Virtual Assistants RFPs (free to post) OR…
Screened RFP Hire Tracey to do a screened RFP – and only receive the most suitable proposals for your needs. Special price: $147 for Ladies Who Lunch! Get started here: http://canadianava.org/rfp-screening-service use promo code LWL
Know Someone Who is/Want to be a VA? My training is done through Your VA Mentor Getting Started as a Virtual Assistant: www.getstartedva.com (you can pick up my free ebook Getting Started as a VA there) Earn 50K as a Virtual Assistant: www.50kvabiz.com (you can pick up my Cheap or Free Resources for VAs there) Or just get free training and resources here: http://www.yourvamentor.com/the-basics/
Contact Tracey D’Aviero Virtual Assistant Trainer and Coach, Your VA Mentor W: www.YourVAMentor.com E: tracey@yourvamentor.com Owner, Canadian Association of Virtual Assistants (CAVA) and Global Alliance of Virtual Assistants (GAVA) W: www.CanadianAVA.org W: www.GlobalAVA.org E: tracey@canadianava.org
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