The beauty of working online as a virtual assistant is that you can sit in your pajamas, listen to music, and do work on your own time. All of that is fantastic, except when you aren’t actually getting any work done.
There are thousands of people out there that struggle with procrastination when working online, just like you. As great as it would be to spend all day binge-watching the latest reality TV show, that isn’t going to make you any money as a virtual assistant.
Working online can be the BEST thing that has ever happened to you. But like anything, you can have good days and bad days.
It’s learning to work through the bad days that will be key to your success!
Only you have the power to create the amazing future that you want for yourself.
I will show you three ways to kick procrastination to the curb so that you will have absolutely nothing holding you back from working online.
1. Change Your Mindset
A lot of people throw around the word “mindset” without explaining what it really is. I didn’t truly understand what it meant until I overcame my own obstacles with my business.
I knew that I had all of the skills to work online, and I knew that I could get paid for those skills, but I didn’t believe in how far my skills could take me.
There are two types of mindsets – fixed and growth mindsets. For a more in-depth understanding of the two, you can check out my blog about it here.
The most important thing to know about working online is that you need a growth mindset.
Many people don’t realize that they’re stuck in this circle of thinking, “this is how things have always been, so it NEEDS to be this way!” and that’s just not true.
This fixed way of thinking is what will keep you in your crappy procrastination loop. It’s what will keep holding you back from leveling up in your life, career, everything!
Don’t let yourself fall into the trap of thinking you’re not good enough, you’re not capable enough, or you’re not worthy of working with that AMAZING client.
Because telling yourself these things leads you to procrastinate applying for that job or reaching out to that dream client, or waiting to feel ready.
Whether you’ve been working online for months or even years, your feelings are valid. However, don’t let these thoughts get the best of you.
My program, 90 Day VA has an entire mindset series dedicated to people just like you.
I sprinkled them throughout to help you break free from the chains of procrastination and feelings of unworthiness and start focusing on being the boss you’ve always aspired to be.
2. Practice Affirmations
I know, I know. There is a bunch of stuff all over social media these days about affirmations, but that’s because this stuff actually works (and no, you don’t have to do any extreme yoga poses or fancy mantras). Practicing affirmations can apply to anything in your life, but they can be a massive help for avoiding procrastination when working online.
Your mind is the most important tool you have, and it’s FREE!
When I first began creating 90 Day VA, I told myself, “I’m going to make the best friggin’ VA course anyone has ever seen.”
Boosting your ego like this can make such a big difference in how you view working online, even if you have to fake it till you make it.
The best part about affirmations is that you can do them anywhere and at any time.
Just woke up? Think about how amazing and productive you are.
Cooking dinner? Think about what a successful virtual assistant you are.
Even if you don’t consider yourself to be successful at this very moment, you can still tell yourself that you are successful.
Stating an affirmation in the present tense helps you feel as if it is your current reality, and it can be the extra motivation needed to get you through the day.
Do whatever works best for you!
It can also help to write down your affirmations. You can even add some doodles to your affirmations if that’s what you’re into.
Here are a few examples of affirmations you can use:
- I do not procrastinate.
- I am worthy.
- I am enough.
- I am productive.
- I am efficient.
- I prioritize my work.
Start simple. Your milestones don’t have to be the big picture. You’re already taking the proper steps towards becoming a rockin’ virtual assistant.
3. Put Yourself First
This is SO, SO important! You must put yourself first.
If you have to step away from your children for a second, then step away. If you want to stay in for the night instead of hanging out with friends, then go for it.
That is OKAY. Take some time for yourself.
You. Have. To. Put. Yourself. First.
It is completely understandable that you place a lot of value on your children or spending time with your spouse. This is normal. However, if these things are causing you to procrastinate when working online, some adjustments have to be made.
My son was 3-years-old when I began my virtual assistant journey. It is okay to reschedule a date night with your spouse because you want to work on homework for 90 Day VA.
Remember to place value within yourself. You don’t need to put your life on hold to work online as a virtual assistant, but you also don’t need to put working online on hold to keep your personal life together.
Find balance because, again, you matter.
Working online does not equate to your typical 9-5 job. Your clients do not care when you get the work done as long as you get it done.
Procrastination is inevitable. We can’t all be 100% ALL the time. But recognizing when the procrastination kicks in and knowing how to work through it makes the difference.
And that’s another great perk to working online as a virtual assistant. You can work at the times most convenient for you. If today doesn’t feel like a workday, it doesn’t have to be – as long as the work gets done.
So if you’ve been thinking about becoming a VA, but something is holding you back, check out my FREE class to see if VA life is for you. I teach you everything you need to know to get started today.
In 90 Day VA, Esther teaches her students how to research and repurpose current content into blogs for the VAI website. Mia is the student we’ve chosen this week to feature what she’s learned in the course. Get to know her:
Mia Ballard is a virtual assistant here to provide assistance for conscious businesses and entrepreneurs so that they can focus more on what matters the most – their client relationships and client well-being.
When she’s not aiding mental health professionals with administrative tasks, she loves to read, practice yoga, and engage in animal rights activism.
She’s a member of 90 Day VA and assists in everything from content writing to video editing. To see all the services she offers and how she can help you, check out her Facebook page here.
