Choosing a virtual assistant profession comes with a vast number of freedoms. If you’re making a Pros and Cons list to help you decide if this type of career is for you, consider adding these to the Pro side.
- Freedom of time – You choose the specific time of day to schedule your work sessions. If you’re at your peak performance in the afternoon, begin then.
- Freedom of location – Decide between working from your desk, outdoors, at a coffee shop, while traveling in an RV, from 10,000 feet in the air aboard a plane, or from your child’s sporting events are just a few options.
- Freedom of flexibility – Determining how frequent and the length of time your work sessions will be based on what needs to be done and how soon. This makes working around family and personal needs much easier.
- Freedom of earnings – You are in total control of your earnings level. No waiting for a raise or employee review.
- Freedom of choice – Accept or decline projects as they appeal to you. Love a challenge, go after more of these. Dislike accounting, politely let these projects pass by.
- Freedom of vacaction(s) – Set your own vacation schedules; choosing long weekends, multi-week long escapes, or a weekday reprieve. As long as the final project deadline is met you determine your time off.
- Freedom of skill – You choose to explore, shape, and refine those areas that peak your interest points the greatest. You are free to accept challenges without concern or objections from nay-sayers.
- Freedom of branding – No holds in defining you brand and putting your own unique stamp on all you do.
- Freedom of parenting – Being able to meet your child’s needs and participate in school and other activities without having to request time off. Simply block off the time in your calendar just like any other appointment and do it!
- Freedom of co-workers – Handpicking those you work along side – those who support you with your ideas and goals.
- Freedom of ideas – Never needing to convince someone to stretch, see, grow, or work outside their comfort zone so you can achieve your end goals.
- Freedom of systems – Being able to customize the systems and procedures that match your working style and are most meaningful to you and how you function at your pinnacle.
- Freedom of product development – The sky’s the limit in what you create.
- Freedom of instruction – You choose what you want to share and teach others plus which medium works best for the teaching.
- Freedom of office décor – Nothing to stop you from decorating your office in the colors and styles you adore.
- Freedom of resources and tools – Selecting those resources and tools that you enjoy working with the most and give you the greatest function.
- Freedom of website design – Determining the right website design and function for your unique business that represents you and your business the best. Plus, being able to customize it anyway you like. If hot pink is your color and wouldn’t be repelling to your clientele then go for it.
- Freedom of saving money – Tons of savings on clothing, lunches out, gas for the commute, and vehicle wear-and-tear are yours. Hmm, what to do with all this new found money?
- Freedom of choosing technology – You can select if it’s to be PC or Mac? Which computer brand to buy? Whether to buy the latest electronics gadget and the newest software editions?
- Freedom of a pet friendly or pet-free work environment – Making the choice to have companionship (or not) from a furry, finned, scaled, or feathered friend.
- Freedom of music – Being free to set the volume level at whatever level you desire plus the freedom to choose your favorite listening genre for the day.
- Freedom of snacks and lunch odors – Never needing to be concerned about enjoying popcorn in the afternoon and having the delicious buttery smell seeping down every hallway in the office building.
- Freedom of private phone conversations – Speaking at whatever volume is needed without concern of disturbing your cubicle neighbor or having your conversation repeated.
- Freedom of taking a personal/emergency phone call – Things happen and it’s fine to go off the clock to handle this without concerns of frowns from supervisors or colleagues.
- Freedom of multi-tasking – Choosing to listen in on a seminar while doing data entry is better than humming along to the radio.
- Freedom of networking – Choosing to meet with a colleague to discuss a joint partnership promotion or join a network group for lunch.
- Freedom of business travel – Attending industry conferences, trade shows, or simply planning a face-to-face meeting with a long-time favored client.
- Freedom of marketing – Choosing what works best to communicate with your market group and existing customer base. One size need not fit all.
- Freedom of growth development – Determining how large (or compact) your business should grow.
- Freedom of business model – Choosing your business structure based on your plans, goals, and service offerings.
- Freedom of certifications – Deciding if obtaining certifications in your field are necessary; if your customers would expect you to have these.
- Freedom of temperature – Controlling the thermostat settings for heat and A/C to your personal preferences.
Tell me about the freedoms you’ve experienced in choosing to become a virtual professional.