I’m FREE!!! WhooHOO!!! J

I know, I’m nuts. But hey… when you work at your desk all day you celebrate simple pleasures.

Yesterday, my VoIP headset arrived. I set it up (very easy) and charged the unit. Today, I feel so productive after only two and a half hours, if I felt better I’d jump around the office. This makes me realize just how restricted I felt with a corded headset.

You’re probably saying… its not that big a deal. You’re right, in the grand scheme of things, its not. But this is a simple win for me. I take calls for clients all over the world and sometimes I need to be “beyond cord length” from my computer (which is my phone system now). It makes me feel less productive to put calls on hold while I’m in the cabinet, or checking past files. My headset has a 200 foot range so I’ll be able to go grab lunch, or the mail, or whatever, while its on. No more getting up to run upstairs and sign for something and ripping off the headset (literally) because I forgot to take it off.

Now that I’m on my VoIP phone system, its confined to my laptop. Which means that I’ll be able to work upstairs – even taking calls – while I’m not feeling well, which face it, is today. I’ll also be able to take it with me when I travel. There will be times when I want to be ‘away’ but working too. Being a virtual assistant who’s tied to the desk defeats the idea of being able to be out of my office but still working. Michael has a couple business trips later this year, I’ll be able to go too, and still work, but we’ll be able to get out and see new places – which is something I’d dearly love to do.

Anyway, I’m back at it, make it great day!

Kathy Ritchie
~thebestva

What I mean to say is that there are certain traits that will hamper the success of a virtual assistant.

For instance, I recently received a call for coaching a potential virtual assistant. We decided that it would be better for her to call me after hours, for her and me. I arranged a time, and at the appointed time…. no call.

When next she called it was again during business hours, and again, we determined it would be more efficient for her to contact me after hours. I like to try and arrange it so that these types of calls don’t interrupt my family time, so I’ll set them up generally when Michael is working. So, at the appointed time, I waited… and again, no call. Until after 9pm. Which, let me tell you, I’m worth nothing after 8pm… generally thinking about getting to bed and sleep by about a quarter to 9, so calls after 9pm are way too late.

I did take the call but suggested she call me today, before noon. I waited around specifically, took my phone with me everywhere in the house so I wouldn’t miss her while I did laundry and other stuff… No call. Finally, nearly 1pm, and I am on the phone with my sister talking about a project we’re both working on and I get the call from the prospective virtual assistant.

I didn’t take the call, and she didn’t leave a message.

I would have to say, if you cannot

• Keep to the schedule
• Follow through with something you said you’d do
• Let everyone else dictate your schedule, to the point that you cannot even advise someone that you cannot make this appointment/deadline/call – or whatever….

You probably shouldn’t become a virtual assistant.

Thanks for listening!

Kathy Ritchie
~thebestva

I’m just about ready to leave an association I’ve been a member of for over a decade. I’m so frustrated by their customer service that I’m grinding my teeth.

First, two years ago, there was a change in the way they manage their records, and somehow there was a duplicate membership made for me (along with thousands of others). It took nearly a year to get the memberships merged – meanwhile I’m getting renewal notices for both, incessantly!

Now, I’ve been waiting for my new membership card since NOVEMBER! I’ve called numerous times. Finally, just today, they said it had already been sent out, which is obviously a mistake since I don’t have it yet!

I have to say at this time, this will be my last renewal. I think its unacceptable that this has gone on this long, and I’m half tempted to demand a pro-rated refund for the rest of the year.

I’ll think about it over the weekend.

How do you handle bad customer service?

Kathy Ritchie
~thebestva

Arrgghhh I have jerked my corded headset off my head for the last time!! I keep forgetting its on my head and I stand up to move around my office and rip it right off my head!

I tried a zoomswitch for my standard telephone wireless headset, but it wasn’t very compatible with my computer after I completely removed my standard telephone system. So, I’m selling it on ebay. Both the zoomswitch and the headset. Because I found on ebay for nearly 75.00 less than normal retail, the same type of headset I had (wireless, comfortable), only specifically designed for use with my computer. Yeah!!!

The price was perfect, and the fact that I saved so much meant I didn’t have to feel guilty about purchasing it before I’d sold my other systems.

Should be here soon so I’ll give you an update on it as soon as I’m working with it.

Thanks, Kathy

Recently, due to an overwhelming sense of fatigue, which I had no major physical activities to account for it, I took a mental health day.

I skipped out, played possum, hung out on the couch and vegged out.  While I felt fine otherwise, I was just overall drained.  It brings to mind the importance of taking a mental health day once in a while.

The benefit of the day off was evident on the very next day in my increased productivity, and better attitude. I was still tired, but felt far better.

This brings to mind how important it is to remember to take breaks.  We are probably all guilty of overwork, we work through our lunches, we don’t take enough time off, and we rarely get up, walk away from the desk, and do something else for a few moments before coming back.  Avoid burnout – take mental health days! J Remember, we are our own worst enemies and I for one need to start being kinder to myself!

Go… take a break!

Kathy Ritchie

~thebestva