Life as a Virtual Assistant : Automating Things

For days (actually months), I’ve been answering emails as part of my tasks as a virtual assistant. As a virtual assistant, I’m handling three events, two this August and one in September. This keeps me busy for the past couple of days.

Sometimes boredom kicks in while doing things repeatedly (take note that I’m receiving and sending out emails to 100+ people). So it forced me to look for better ways to manage this kind of task efficiently.

I found a way how to automate things. I researched. I adjusted some settings in the email account. I tried sending sample email to myself to see if it works. After successful attempts, I let it go.

What software did I use?

It’s just Microsoft Office.

I am using Microsoft Word to generate a unique message together with Microsoft Excel for my email database. Then once the message is ready, it will be transferred to Microsoft Outlook that will send the unique messages to the recipients. The 100+ emails will be finished in less than five minutes. However, doing it manually, would take about 30 minutes to one hour.

Imagine that saved time. In one hour, you can read 8-15 blog posts (try reading Seth Godin, Bo Sanchez, Janmck Hilado, 43 Folders, Edel Ramilo etc). You can read 30+ status messages and comment in some of them. You can watch three to four 15-minute inspirational YouTube videos (or from TED.com). You can create a post for your blog. Or you can sleep early.

Here’s what I learned. Setting up an automatic machine would require us a lot of time. It will take hours, days, or even weeks depending on the complexity of the process before we can create one. But if we manage to create one, we can enjoy our time more in doing things we really, really love.

I know that you can do it too. Automate a repetitive task that bores you to focus more on the things you love doing.

eLviN

PS. Want to become a virtual assistant as well? You too can learn how to work from home as a virtual assistant. Email me at elvinperia@yahoo.com for more details.

PS1. While enjoying the comforts of your home doing your tasks as a virtual assistant, it will now be easier to fill the love tanks of people you love. Bo Sanchez' latest online club Family Reborn offers a great way to restore broken relationship or strengthen strong relationships. For seven months, Family Reborn subscribers will receive ten blessings that will definitely improve your relationships. To know more about Family Reborn check out this link. www.familyreborn.com.

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Money Working For You

What a week!

I guess last week is the most tiring and rewarding week of my life.

It is tiring because for the first time in my life I’m doing two jobs at the same time. I’m an employee at day and a virtual assistant at night. It is rewarding because I’ve learned a valuable lesson.

I learned the difference between money working for me and me working for money. Obviously I’m currently working for money and I’m happy that money is coming to me but there’s a challenge. My body is screaming! I could not have a good night sleep.

This just shows that human beings have our own sets of limitations. We can only work at the maximum of 16 hours a day to have good enough sleep. We need those 8 hours of sleep to have a healthy body and a refreshed mind. (Additional note : Drinking of energy drinks is not a permanent solution for this. Take note, NOT THE PERMANENT SOLUTION because I know that there are very hardworking people out there who drinks a lot of energy drinks just to stay awake. This is very, very unhealthy.)

Money on the other hand can work 24 hours a day for us. No limit. No rest day. No holidays. No weekends. No summer breaks. Money works 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

You might ask? How can I do that?

First, you must understand how money works. Second, you must know how to handle your money by having the courage to discipline yourself and lastly, find a way to increase your sources of income.

Fortunately, I am part of a group that can help you have your money working for you. The group is called International Marketing Group (IMG). It has a program called WEALTH ACADEMY PROGRAM consisting of twenty series that can transform you by teaching you these three things (1) Financial Literacy, (2) Discipline and (3) Entrepreneurship. We believe that the greatest asset is financial intelligence.

Here are the topics covered in the WEALTH ACADEMY PROGRAM

Series 1 : Finacial Solutions Today

• Six Steps to Financial Freedom
• How Money Works
• The Wealth Formula
• Building a Solid Financial Foundation
  

Series 2 : Finance and Investment 101

• Different investment vehicles and strategies
• Bypass the middleman and become your own financial adviser/broker
• Mutual Funds / Diversification and Money Cost Averaging etc
  

Series 3 : Creating Multiple Income Streams

• Different sources of passive income
• Creating passive income streams
• New concepts in making good money
  

Series 4 to 20 : A comprehensive approach to personal and financial success

Sounds interesting right?

The knowledge I got from attending these series motivates me to act and take control of myself and my finances. That's the primary reason why I'm adding more sources of income for me to invest more for my future. Soon, I'll have my money working for me instead of me working for money. Soon, this will come true (I'm looking at 5 to 10 years time frame). How about you? When do you want to have your money work for you?

Until my next post.

PS. In case you want to know more about the WEALTH ACADEMY PROGRAM you may contact me by sending me an email at elvinperia@yahoo.com. I'm willing to send you the schedules of the WEALTH ACADEMY PROGRAM. Again, email me at elvinperia@yahoo.com.

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