Becoming a Virtual Assistant - Why This...Why Now?
Posted 1 Week Ago at 08:23 AM by danigirl
Updated 1 Week Ago at 08:46 AM by danigirl (grammar)
Updated 1 Week Ago at 08:46 AM by danigirl (grammar)
For years now I have spoken to people who freelance and earn a living from their home. The general consensus has been that those people were able to migrate from employment with a company to working from home for either their former employer or another company within their industry. I found myself being envious and desiring to get connected in some way.
Rewind five years...
Five years ago I relocated across the country and changed everything in my life, but it also forced the change of employment. After being a stay-at-home mother for 17 years, my level of experience in the “Working World” was so limited compared to others my age. Not to say that I sat around and did nothing while raising my children, but there is a great deal of credibility put into “25 years of experience” behind your resume. I became a college graduate at the age of 38 and began my career path in the legal and administrative field.
I quickly discovered the difference between residing in British Columbia and Ontario is that there are more people looking for jobs in Ontario than there are positions. The competition is very steep. It took me a year to find a permanent place of employment with a law firm. I was very happy at my position. I functioned as the Office Admin/Manager and Law Clerk for a sole proprietor lawyer. I was very fortunate to work for a lawyer who was driven, challenged, and so intelligent it amazed you every day. After two years of employment with the firm, I found myself struggling with personal issues that created a life full of legal hassle 24/7. I was engrossed in litigation by day and custody matters by night. The stress began to take its toll on me and my health and emotional wellbeing suffered. After fighting through a torturous year of fragmented emotions and stress, my physician put me off work for health reasons. My boss was very gracious to me and we parted in a very friendly manner.
Now looking back I can understand that my work and personal life began to decline due to a form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder called Vicarious Trauma. If you have ever experienced this type of disorder you do not have to be told how it affects every facet of your life. You merely exist and have no ability to function.
Shortly after I left the law office I was awarded a contract with a large municipality as an Administrative Assistant to the largest department in the City. Unfortunately 10 months later I found myself facing another change when the union made my contract job permanent, and I was bumped out. I lost my contract and my employment. Once again, my thoughts strayed to finding a way to work from home. Google and the library became my friend. I began researching the ways to use my skills and earn a living from the comfort of my own home.
Not having the ability to just stay at home and find a way to earn money, I chose to take a position with a local Auction House; where I am currently employed. I guess it can be said that your fate will always lead you to move towards what your heart desires. My new work environment is not a healthy environment in which to flourish, develop skills and gain experience. The business is moving backwards and struggling financially to the point where my compensation is not dependable. I find myself emotionally broken by the end of the day. Tears are my relieving friend as I drive home and crumple on my sofa. It is no place for someone to spend the latter half of their career.
For months now I have researched, prayed, and pondered over how to do this. What I discovered is a whole world of individuals who work from home, they call themselves Virtual Assistants. They offer services of every shape and size. I connected with people who have been right where I am at. Finally in my heart and mind it all came together; a plan, a name, and the guts to tell my husband what I wanted to do. No woman has a more supportive man than I do. He has watched me put out 1000% for my employers and it still wasn’t enough. My husband is a former business owner. I am grateful that I have his wisdom and experience to rely on.
My goals are steep, to some maybe even lofty, but in my heart this is my time. This is the place and the time for me to prove to myself that I am worth all the accomplishments I know I can have.
So why this and why now?
Because being a Virtual Assistant is right for me. I have the skills, experience, and the tools to make a difference. The world is changing and I want to be a part of an industry that is the invisible backbone for many successful corporations.
This new venture will not be easy, it will have ups and downs, but I am determined to shape what has bloomed in my heart into something unique and incredible.
Dani
My e-ssitant
“e-ssiting you in things that matter.”
Rewind five years...
Five years ago I relocated across the country and changed everything in my life, but it also forced the change of employment. After being a stay-at-home mother for 17 years, my level of experience in the “Working World” was so limited compared to others my age. Not to say that I sat around and did nothing while raising my children, but there is a great deal of credibility put into “25 years of experience” behind your resume. I became a college graduate at the age of 38 and began my career path in the legal and administrative field.
I quickly discovered the difference between residing in British Columbia and Ontario is that there are more people looking for jobs in Ontario than there are positions. The competition is very steep. It took me a year to find a permanent place of employment with a law firm. I was very happy at my position. I functioned as the Office Admin/Manager and Law Clerk for a sole proprietor lawyer. I was very fortunate to work for a lawyer who was driven, challenged, and so intelligent it amazed you every day. After two years of employment with the firm, I found myself struggling with personal issues that created a life full of legal hassle 24/7. I was engrossed in litigation by day and custody matters by night. The stress began to take its toll on me and my health and emotional wellbeing suffered. After fighting through a torturous year of fragmented emotions and stress, my physician put me off work for health reasons. My boss was very gracious to me and we parted in a very friendly manner.
Now looking back I can understand that my work and personal life began to decline due to a form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder called Vicarious Trauma. If you have ever experienced this type of disorder you do not have to be told how it affects every facet of your life. You merely exist and have no ability to function.
Shortly after I left the law office I was awarded a contract with a large municipality as an Administrative Assistant to the largest department in the City. Unfortunately 10 months later I found myself facing another change when the union made my contract job permanent, and I was bumped out. I lost my contract and my employment. Once again, my thoughts strayed to finding a way to work from home. Google and the library became my friend. I began researching the ways to use my skills and earn a living from the comfort of my own home.
Not having the ability to just stay at home and find a way to earn money, I chose to take a position with a local Auction House; where I am currently employed. I guess it can be said that your fate will always lead you to move towards what your heart desires. My new work environment is not a healthy environment in which to flourish, develop skills and gain experience. The business is moving backwards and struggling financially to the point where my compensation is not dependable. I find myself emotionally broken by the end of the day. Tears are my relieving friend as I drive home and crumple on my sofa. It is no place for someone to spend the latter half of their career.
For months now I have researched, prayed, and pondered over how to do this. What I discovered is a whole world of individuals who work from home, they call themselves Virtual Assistants. They offer services of every shape and size. I connected with people who have been right where I am at. Finally in my heart and mind it all came together; a plan, a name, and the guts to tell my husband what I wanted to do. No woman has a more supportive man than I do. He has watched me put out 1000% for my employers and it still wasn’t enough. My husband is a former business owner. I am grateful that I have his wisdom and experience to rely on.
My goals are steep, to some maybe even lofty, but in my heart this is my time. This is the place and the time for me to prove to myself that I am worth all the accomplishments I know I can have.
So why this and why now?
Because being a Virtual Assistant is right for me. I have the skills, experience, and the tools to make a difference. The world is changing and I want to be a part of an industry that is the invisible backbone for many successful corporations.
This new venture will not be easy, it will have ups and downs, but I am determined to shape what has bloomed in my heart into something unique and incredible.
Dani
My e-ssitant
“e-ssiting you in things that matter.”
Total Comments 2
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Thanks for sharing your story Dani! Wishing you much success and abundance as you pursue your business goals
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@Tess, Thank you very much for your comment. You had no idea that I had chosen the word "ABUNDANCE" as my inspiration word.
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