Wow, where to start?! This conference (#IVAA10) was the most engaging, encouraging, motivating and supportive experience of my virtual assistance career to date. Sounds dramatic, right? Well it was. And couldn’t have come at a better time, because at nearing 4 years in business (June 4!) my energy and motivation have been flagging a bit. It’s high time to shake things up and gain a fresh outlook. The Summit helped me do that and so much more.
I loved our mix of future, new, experienced and veteran virtual assistants all connecting in such a warm and genuine way. Several business models too: solo, multi-VA, teams, agencies and franchises. We also had attendees from educational institutions, looking to improve or begin virtual assistance programs.
Marsha Petrie Sue delivered our opening and closing keynotes. A fantastic speaker and incredible woman. And FUNNY. I swear she could do stand up. I’d buy that ticket in a heartbeat. She confessed having been to “charm school” twice in her corporate life and on the losing end of not one but two wrongful termination lawsuits for her firm. Comfortably retired since the 90s, I’m told speaking is her give back. Seems like her passion as well.
My top take-aways from her opening presentation:
Prioritization & Delegation – Always ask throughout the day 1) is this the best use of my time right now and 2) if I had time to do just one, which one would I do?
“Do what you should, not what you can.” – Todd Davis, CEO of LifeLock
Taking Care of Myself – Schedule a weekly meeting for myself. Even if it’s just to sit quietly for a bit.
Take It, Leave It, or Change It (TLC) – our only three options in any situation and the answer to every excuse!
Dealing with Toxic People – Tips for identifying the type(s) you’re dealing with, choosing your approach, and controlling mental terrorism. Pure gold here! For more details, check out Marsha’s book, Toxic People: Decontaminate Difficult People at Work Without Using Weapons Or Duct Tape. Whether you’re facing a Steamroller, Zipper Lip, Back Stabber, Know It All, Needy Weenie, or Whine and Cheeser. Love her humorous approach – my favorite – because life is too short to take it all so seriously.
And speaking of mental terrorism…
“You cannot outperform your own self-definition.” – Marsha Petrie Sue
Next up: break-out with Donna Toothaker of 1st VA and Step It Up VA Coaching.
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