One suggestion: there are all different kinds of business plans. If your time is very pressed, you can get a lot out of setting aside just one or two hours for your plan. The key is to consider all angles, not necessarily to consider each in depth. At the end of your planning session, you should have a well-rounded view. If you don't have much time, just spend less time on each area. But start by listing all the sub-heads.

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

AmandaD - Thank you for the link! I have been looking for something to give me guidance.

I'm an anal "list" person. On my desk is a running list of what needs to get done in my life, from business gotta/hafta do's to fixing one of the garage doors openers, household chores, washing the van and brushing the cats. It doesn't all have to be done today but, as I go through the day/evening I check off what has been completed. 10.45 p.m., been working all evening and now I'm off to walk the dog. Still haven't brushed the cats and I must do that before I kill another vacuum cleaner

Lynne

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The Wordpro Wizard
www.wordprowizard.com

These are wonderful ideas and I will be working on the suggestions.


Thanks,
Lenette Dancy

This is what I did; I carried a pad of paper with me for 3 days and then listed everything I did, I mean everything...laundry, Tweeting, paying bills, etc. I separated the projects into business & personal.

Then I went through the personal side first to see what had to be done and what could be handed off to someone else to do. Then I went through the business side to see what I could outsource to and prioritized the remainder of the task. I took the advice of some organizers I know and re-arranged my schedule to only do tasks & projects on different days.

For example, Monday's is strictly paperwork projects for clients, Tuesday is bookkeeping, Wednesday is clean house & laundry day (Thursday is trash day), Thursday is meetings & proposals and other documents, and Friday is head to the camper day!

Since I'm an early bird, I spend a couple hours every morning reading blogs/forums/newsletters, answering emails, anything I can do to market my practice. Some experts say to spend 1 day on marketing but with my schedule, this works best for me.

I hope this helps you and/or gives you some ideas...

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Need Help? Ask Viki!

Thanks Viki,
I am carrying a notebook around and jotting everything. I also review my task and check them off. I am an early bird also, so I check emails and try to get a feel for what is the competition is out there. This is a lot of work but I am enjoying all the knowledge and understanding. I can't wait for my grandchild to go back to preschool in Sept. Then I will have a bit more time during the day.

Thank again for the advice, I am working on it.

Lenette Dancy

MG, I also questioned the need for planning, until I started reading through this site. Some of the things other VAs have encountered, I hadn't even thought of! And simple things, like how are you going to handle a client who wants you to work evenings or weekends? Are you going to allow clients to stop by your house?

I realized, that when you do encounter these issues, if you know before hand how you'll to handle it, you'll appear more professional than if you have to tell your client "I'll get back to you on that." Also, you're going to have to do a certain amount of planning to even get your website up.

I think there is a weekly status thread on this site, if you think that would be a good motivational tool for you.

Good luck!

Lezly

I keep a daily journal at my side all day long. This is when I think the most and jot the ideas down. What I hope to do is take those ideas and do a brainstorming map so I can visualize it.

I also keep a journal with me at all times. It's definitely better than a pile of sticky notes!

I work a full time contract job outside of my home with regular M-F / 8-5 hours. I usually spend my lunch hours brainstorming, reading for my success and making to do lists. Once I'm home, I have my teen & toddler twins to tend to until they are off to bed. Once my kids & chores are settled, I am able to dig in and either research or apply newly acquired techniques & or skills to my business.

It's a mindset! Realize what you want to achieve and then make a game plan to attain it! You are the only one that can make it happen if you want it bad enough!

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Kim Contreras, Owner
The Associate, LLC - Your Virtual Colleague

The strangest thing for me in starting this business is that I had more time to do it while I was working outside of the house!
I do like that idea about using a journal, it would be easier to jot down and find ideas previously thought of.

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Sherri Lynne Barlow
Sequoia Virtual Business Solution