Jessica Batten's Diary

:: Class 19 - January 21, 2008 ::

Our final class was both exciting and bittersweet. It was great to know all our hard work was coming to an end, and we were all a little sad that the VTP was really over. We used our class to review some items before the exam and to talk about what happened next. We learned about Internship opportunities and future certification. We also talked about the exam and graduation. We were all thankful to each other and our trainers for the amazing time we spent together.

This was our second to last class and they saved the best (or worst) for last! We were introduced to all sorts of dicey situations we will hopefully never have to encounter in our practices. We learned how to deal with a client who might be irate, and how to handle things if mistake are made. We stretched our "expert problem-solver" muscles and learned many do's and don'ts about confronting issues in business. Sometimes the VTP feels like group therapy!

Class 17 taught us about listening. I always considered myself a good listener before this class, but I was to be brought down a few notches. The VTP has continuously stretched and pushed me to my limits and I'm coming out a much better *person* on the other side. Who knew "career training" could give such an internal workout!

This was the most interesting (and scary) class by far in the VTP. We had "mock" client conversations with a real life VA, and Barbara was wonderful! I was the most nervous I had been on a call yet, but it was certainly beneficial. We were able to go into tough "situations" with a client or prospective client and try it out. I am continually amazed by how much experience we are being given in the VTP, priceless experience and insight we might never have otherwise.

Class 15 was all about talking to clients. Boy, did I need this class! I didn't know it then, but I would be talking to my first client a week later and I was actually ready. Not completely confident but in control and ready to try. It has been so interesting to see how each and every week's lesson has corresponded with what has happened in my life. I'm sure it just has to do with Attraction, and it seems the VTP was made just for me sometimes.

We continued our discussion about being a great partner, and how ethics comes into play in our practice. I've always considered myself an ethical person, and this week I have really taken a look at what that means. While I think honesty is at the core of ethics, I've learned that it is also especially important to be on the look out for ethical concerns. Having an ethical practice is essential, and ethics can be practiced like any other important skill.

Our focus this week is creating partnerships and relationships with clients. Partnership is really at the core of a VA practice. This originally seemed like a fairly simple thing, and I've learned there is a lot to consider. I've learned what 4 main things a client wants from their VA, which includes being a great problem solver and being proactive. The information from seasoned VAs which is provided each week was especially helpful.

We got into the nitty-gritty of marketing techniques in Class 12, where three different techniques of marketing were covered. I learned that the word *brazen* isn't necessarily bad; it just indicated that I have to get out there and interact! I also learned that, in our digital age, so many new, free marketing opportunities are available. And I'm a firm believer that for any business to be successful and strong, a simple web site is necessary. I'm also finding that with things like collateral materials, marketing can be fun!

We're begun the classes on marketing and I never would have guessed how important this information would be. The thought of *marketing* has always left a bad taste in my mouth because I've put it along side with selling myself. The VTP is showing me that marketing can be as simple as talking about what you do with everyone and educating people. I'm learning that I can market myself in ways that I'm comfortable with, and leave other methods behind.

Continuing with our classes on attraction principles, we focused on marketing by attraction. One of the more profound ideas introduced was to work toward *being a better you* rather than selling yourself, which is an idea that certainly resonated with me. If we are the best we can be, others will naturally be attracted to us. The differences between selling and marketing were also defined and we learned the 5 things to know to market yourself. While the idea of marketing has been somewhat scary, I am definitely becoming more comfortable with the thought of marketing the AssistU way.

We have finally reached the classes on Attraction and I was definitely in for a surprise! I believed I was in touch with Attraction Principles and that it would be a review for me. While some elements were familiar, the Attraction Principles, as presented in the VTP, are complex and require action. Although I am pleased to learn about becoming more attractive, these principles are certainly not something to be taken lightly, or learned quickly. I look forward to incorporating the Attractions Principles into my business and know it will take time and trust.

We really had to step out of our comfort zones this week and deliver our elevator speeches to the class. We had the advantage of preparing them and *practicing* with a classmate ahead of time which was a definite leg up! I can certainly see how useful these introduction speeches will be as I have a networking event tonight and look forward to using my new tool. The more I talk about it, the more I become comfortable with where my life is headed - toward becoming an AssistU VA!

During class 7, it really set in that I will be interacting with my clients very soon, and I got a real sense of how I want to do business. This week we talked about Welcome Packets and setting fees. This was a slight stretch for me because I had to get clear about what my time is worth and how I want to do business. I also had to think more about how I will present myself to clients. This week was a great exercise in getting behind my beliefs and sticking to them!

Back to reality after a wonderful break for the Labor Day holiday, and I am ready to get into the swing of things! Class 6 focused on Welcome Packets, setting fees and dealing with clients - very important stuff. Each week I am learning the tools which help me feel more and more comfortable with this journey I am on, and where it will eventually lead me. I will be a VA calling the shots in my business and in my life. The VTP process teaches me this on a daily basis and growth is not an option!

There is nothing like to VTP to show you how you are doing in the *life* department! This week we talked about reserves and boy do I need a lot! I thought of reserves as a savings account perhaps. Who knew there are so many kinds of reserves one needs. Time, information, integrity, space and energy just to name a few are all things we need reserves of as VA's. Luckily we were given insights into how to create these much needed reserves. Better get to work!

Well, another week is gone, and I can't believe how the time is flying by! We are getting into the really great, meaty stuff of the VTP, and I am enjoying it more and more. We talked and read all about standards and boundaries which I have been severely deficient in in my pre-AssistU life. I really look forward to getting clear on my standards and am discovering more and more what I will and won't do. It is so exciting to know that I will be able to work on my terms and live a life of purpose. What a great ride the VTP is!

Authenticity - what a great and sometimes elusive concept. We talked all about it in class tonight, and I'm convinced I want it! We talked about what it means to us and how to achieve it. We talked about how life can be more joyful when we live authentically and how we will naturally attract ideal people to us when we can be authentic. Who wouldn't want to live authentically based on that description?

I was also able to attend my first coaching call with Stacy today, and all I can say is WOW! This is such an asset of the program because, obviously, Stacy is awesome! She knows just what to say in all situations and is extremely inspiring. It was a wonderful experience to hear the questions everyone had, and I related to them all. I can't wait for the next one!

We covered quite a lot in class 2 like why we need a business support system and what that means, how we can name our business (you mean there really is a WAY and we don't just have to rack our brains for hours?) and equipment, software and skill needs. I am really so impressed at what resources are presented and available with the VTP. I am continually struck with how fortunate I feel to be able to participate in the program. I don't know how anyone does without!

As Class 1 approached, I wondered how it would be different from the orientation call. Obviously it would be shorter at only 60 minutes vs. the 90 minutes of orientation, but other than that I was in for yet another new experience. When class began and my first classmate was called on for an answer, I had a moment of panic. I thought, "That's right; I read that we were going to have to talk." When my turn to answer came, I nervously answered the question all the while thinking, "Lasering, lasering." (FYI - lasering is speaking in clear, concise and efficient sentences.)

With each subsequent question I became more and more comfortable in my ability to give an adequate if not excellent response. Why was I worried? I had done the required work, hadn't I? Speaking of field work, the amount of field work was said to be large, but I was certainly not ready for the reality of it. This is a huge commitment and the field work is something I must focus on every day.

I can already see the payoffs as I incorporate new skills and knowledge into my repertoire. This is already such a rewarding journey and even if I don't like exactly what I'm asked to do at every turn, I know it for a higher purpose. I *will* be a successful VA!

As the time for orientation grew close, I became more and more anxious and excited. The materials in the Virtual Training Manual (VTM) had at once stimulated my hunger for learning and also made me wonder how on earth I could accomplish all that would be asked of me.

Promptly at 9:00pm I called the bridge and was flooded momentarily with fear at the sounds of unfamiliar voices. Hearing one of my classmates mention that they too were nervous put me at ease and I was able to introduce myself. There are about 7 in our class (large by our trainers standards) and I was very glad to *meet* them all. It is also nice to have two trainers, which should mean twice as much knowledge to benefit from.

The 90 minute class was over with a flurry of information and left me again wondering how on earth I would get it all done! I have learned one important thing about myself that I *knew* but needed to see proof of which - that if I set my mind to something, watch out! I have certainly felt overwhelmed by the fieldwork this week and I have done it. All of it! And I believe I have found a new set of organizational skills that were certainly not present during my college years to make my fieldwork easier and even enjoyable. I look forward to all the great fieldwork I get to do this week!

My journey to AssistU has been quite a whirlwind. It seems as I heard the term Virtual Assistant (VA) for the very first time in March 2007. It is now May 2007 and I have just been accepted to the Virtual Training Program (VTP)! The best way I can sum up this short yet significant journey I have experienced in deciding, applying and being accepted is through Divine Order. The Universe has truly led me on this path and I fortunately had the trust and courage to follow. What a resounding YES from the Universe it was when I was notified of my scholarship award! All my residual fears over whether I was on the right path or not washed away immediately for surely I would not have been granted this opportunity in this way were it not right for me.

My patience has surely been tested through this process as well. The most difficult period of waiting has been that leading up to the VTP orientation. How wonderful it was to hear I would begin this training only to be told I would have to wait 2 months to begin! The time is now here, the wait is finally over, and my orientation to the VTP begins!