MY JOURNEY AS A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT: EMBRACING PRODUCTIVITY AND TRANSFORMATION

By: Leo Evangelista

The life of a virtual assistant (VA) is one marked by constant evolution and adaptation. The worker I was back in 2018 is not the same as the worker I am in 2024. As VAs, we navigate the challenges of remote work, harnessing technology and personal discipline to deliver exceptional service. Our journey is not just about managing tasks; it's about becoming integral parts of our clients' success stories while also writing our own.

It is fitting that I began this prose with the theme of evolution and adaptation as these were also the impetus for the start of my journey as a VA.

For the longest time, I was in the academe. I taught students from grade-school to college, and I was convinced that I would retire as an esteemed member of the faculty at the university I was teaching at. Being that said university is one of the top educational institutions in the country and had international recognition did not hurt. If anything, it gave me tremendous confidence in how things would play out for me.

But alas, things were not so simple! The never-ending reforms on Philippine education threw a monkey-wrench in the whole plan in the form the K12 program. A whole lot of restructuring (mainly employee retrenchment) happened. Close to 35% of college faculty nationwide lost their jobs because it was estimated that for two years, there would not be new first year students coming in.  As a member of the junior faculty, I was one of the first to go.

It is through a chance encounter that a former colleague in the faculty introduced me to Summit VA Solutions. After passing the interview process and undergoing rigorous training, I officially joined the ranks of VAs who changed their lives for the better. I had to evolve as a professional to make the jump and I had to adapt to the changing situation and the corresponding expectations I had prior.

Being a part of Summit VA Solutions and in turn being a part of its growth cannot be understated.

Productivity Secrets for the Home Office

The transition to working from home can be daunting (it was for me), but with the right strategies, it becomes a wellspring of productivity. Here are some tried-and-true tips that have helped many VAs excel:

1. Structured Routine: Establishing a consistent daily routine creates a sense of normalcy and helps in segregating professional and personal time. That means setting up schedules for both aspects well ahead of time and sticking to them. Creating boundaries for yourself and others around you and respecting them is also paramount. Remember: it is easier to get back into the thick of things if you have a working idea of how things already operate.

2. Dedicated Workspace: A designated work area, free from distractions, enhances focus and mirrors a traditional office environment. When I started working for Summit, we were in a one-bedroom apartment with no real sound proofing. While I managed to work efficiently, I always had the thought at the back of my head that I am somehow disturbing the slumber of my wife and son (they are usually asleep when I work). This was one of the reasons why we got a three-bedroom apartment this time to dedicate on of them to be my office. As a result, I was able to improve my setup adding an external monitor and keyboard to my laptop – which further enhanced my ability to do a variety of tasks. Anyone can start small – but there should be a deliberate effort to make improvements. As wise people say: Tools maketh the (hu)man. When you invest in your workspace, you invest in yourself.

3. Prioritization: Using tools like the Eisenhower Matrix and the Pomodoro Timer/Technique help in distinguishing between urgent and important tasks, ensuring that priorities are addressed efficiently and timely. Multitasking would probably be the constant factor a VA has to consider at all times, thus organizing your tasks and workflow is a simple and surefire way of working smart. Tying back to establishing a routine: it is easier to find workarounds and troubleshoots when you have a coherent working plan - and all great plans are fruitions of great prioritization. In-line with that, you also have to align your plans with the goals of your client. If there is a mismatch, it will introduce disruptions in your flow. Always go back to our main themes here: adapt and evolve. Get moving and improving!

4. Breaks and Self-Care: Regular breaks and attention to well-being prevent burnout and maintain high levels of productivity. Working as a VA entails looking at computer screens for hours at a time. The aforementioned Pomodoro technique does wonders for this. You are encouraged to work without distractions for 25 minutes and after that interval is up, you HAVE to take a 5-minute break. It does not matter how you relax as long as you do – but it would be encouraged for you to stand-up and stretch. Keeping yourself hydrated through the night is not being talked about enough. One of the benefits of being a VA is that you get to work from home and as such, you have access to your pantry and kitchen. Drink lots of water and monitor your snack intake. If you are not healthy, you cannot work. The biggest investment you should always be towards yourself. All of these being considered though, you should never forget to have a healthy work-life balance. It cannot be just all about work. We are humans, not automatons, and it is the same humanity that drives us to excellence. I can argue that VA work is contingent on one’s ability for interpersonal communication. If you run yourself to the ground just going ham on work, then it will not pan out in the long run. Take timely breaks, enjoy your time with family, take care of your body. The professional excellence will surely follow.

THE SUMMIT VA SOLUTIONS EFFECT

For many VAs, Summit VA Solutions has been a game-changer in terms of how people do online work. Summit is very effective at training VAs to streamline communication, project management, and task delegation. It fosters a collaborative environment that transcends geographical boundaries, enabling VAs to deliver top-tier service. It is this combination of top-notch training and seamless partnership between management and VA that sets the company above the rest.

Coming into this, I had little to no knowledge of American Real Estate. While I was an academic and an active anthropologist at the time, my skills would lend me minimal help in navigating this new field.

I would be criminally remiss if I did not say just how valuable the training I got from Summit is. It was not just all regurgitation of technical knowledge and jargon. A holistic approach that also enhanced soft skills and immediate application of concepts impressed a pretty veteran teacher in me.

More times than not, training in this sort of field focuses on just the aspect of data and information. While that produces people who know more than they did, it sometimes leaves people still ill-equipped to deal with the challenges of the job. I am confident in saying that I could get basic training from others, but it would not be as effective and significant as the one I got from Summit VA Solutions.

Finishing the course does not mean that you are done learning. Summit places a great emphasis on skills development. The idea is that you must be better year-by-year at what you do. Whether it is acquiring new skills, setting-up protocols or streamlining existing ones with your client, or just getting to the next level of complexity at what you already know, Summit always sets its VAs up for success.

Personal Transformation

The VA journey is also one of personal transformation. The autonomy of remote work instills a strong sense of self-motivation and discipline. The diversity of tasks and clients enriches our skill set and broadens our worldview. Moreover, the flexibility to design our work-life balance leads to a more fulfilling career path. Not having to worry about delays in public transportation and securing lunch or snacks outside is such a big help. More than anything, being a VA has allowed me to be a true digital nomad in the era of information technology and science. I could (and have) book vacation getaways with my family and still be able to work when needed. This sort of freedom is a rare commodity in the job market and it is something that I did not think was possible when I was still teaching.