This is my workspace. More specifically, this is my work space the last couple of weeks while Kale was down with a cold, home from school. Where’s Mama?
Probably making more tea, digging out the emergency stash of toys and books from the attic, pulling apart the more feisty bits of Lego that don’t want to let go of each other for him or (dun, dun, dunnnnn) hooking him up with more than his normally allotted budget of videos (please don’t tell the Waldorf police).
So there is my lap top. Shining its Vitamin D infused gamma rays at no one in particular while Leonard sings away to an empty room.
It’s WAHM’s Murphy’s Law
When you’re in the midst of pulling off your hugest launch ever, when your planner pad’s crammed to the margins with many to-do’s to tie up important launch ends, and especially when you’re simultaneously swimming in the juicy middle of a beta group experience (which is actually helping in keeping me quite centered) the sickies knock at your front door.
My secret to coping with this chaos called “Life with Small Children Around while Working from Home”?
It’s this little miracle of love called Virtual Assistance.
It’s pretty crucial at this point in my WAHM Bliss game to have a (clamoring for a sporty metaphor but my reach is pretty limp in this arena) super receiver at my side. This is why I recommend to clients that they begin the dream VA process seeking process sooner than later. Kind of like a ‘Mommy’s Helper” for your business.
Check out this week’s vlog for 3 Tips on Finding that True VA Love of Your Life.
Tip Number One: Get Referrals
Ask your friends and colleagues who do similar work as you who they can recommend? If you’re friends are mum (ha, ha) check out sites such as hiremymom, elance or odesk.
Over the years I’ve been keeping a running list of those I’ve heard good things about (in case, God forbid, something should happen to Kat) or have a particular area of specialty I might be able to afford to delegate in the future.
And accept in your heart that this might not be a long term thing. Like in dating, you might have to kiss a few frogs before you find your VA Princess Charming. Chemistry and timing’s everything!
Tip Number Two: Start Small
Delegate smaller tasks until you feel comfortable with the relationship and your budget.
And speaking of budget you have a choice here to go with a higher end VA or the less expensive Overseas route. Listen to your gut on this somewhat divisive issue. I have friends who are happy with the outcome going both routes. Depends too what you’re seeking. I was praying for a long term relationship, someone to be there as Bliss Beyond Naptime grows, so I wanted to be sure I was compensating her in a seductive manner.
And on that note…
Tip Number Three: Once you find her don’t let her go!
Treat her right by showering her with surprises, presents and whispering to her all the time you love her long time. Kind of like what Brad does to Angelina all day long.
Remember, there’s only one you that can shine your gift rays around in this particularly shiny way. And there are many, most importantly your family, counting on you to consider seeing that there are delegation systems in place to afford the time and energy to not only take care of your needs but follow your calling.
Even if that calling right now might just wiping your kid’s runny nose for the twentieth time in the past hour in just the right, love-infused way.
