Becoming a virtual assistant was one of the best decisions I ever made.  

After much contemplation during maternity leave, weighing the pros and cons, it just seemed to be too good to be true, it fit so well. There were several reasons why I decided to take the plunge and become a VA, but the most significant ones were the freedom to work wherever I like, control over my own working hours so I could still spend precious time with my  daughter, the ability to create a positive female role model for her and more freedom when it comes to my kidney disease and hospital appointments. I couldn’t find any cons! Well, aside from the fact that I’d have to finally delve into self-employment. And although I was initially nervous, that soon subsided, as I realised that I already did the same role, but as an employee - the pros far outweighed that single con! How could I be nervous about offering help in things I was already good at? Make it make sense Carrie!

One of the primary reasons I became a virtual assistant was because it gave me the freedom to work from wherever I wanted. As a mother, I knew that I wanted to  be with my daughter whilst she was little. Children are only little for such a short amount of time – I didn’t want to miss any of those precious moments. Being tied down to a traditional office job would not have allowed me to do that. As a virtual assistant, I have the flexibility to work from home, from the hospital, from anywhere with decent Wi-Fi or phone signal, which has been a game-changer for me. 

Another significant advantage was having control over my own working hours. This control has allowed me to create a work-life balance that I could never have achieved as an employee. I set my hours in a way that suits both my clients and my families schedule as it changes. It makes me very happy knowing that what I offer also affords the same opportunity for my clients too. There’s nothing worse than the dreaded feeling of overwhelm and anxiety hanging over you. It makes you feel like you can’t or don’t deserve to enjoy doing things outside of work, because you have’ XYZ to do and should really be doing that’ (cue the image in your head of a hand on hip an a waggling finger). I can begin to take the load off for you and ensure you get more balance in your work and life too, which is very rewarding.

One of the most important reasons I became a virtual assistant was to create a positive role model for my daughter. I want to show her that it is possible to be a working mother, to have a career during and after motherhood. By being a virtual assistant, I am setting an example for her, showing her that we can do anything we set our minds to, and that we can achieve a work-life balance that works.

Another huge advantage of being self employed, is the freedom it gives me when it comes to my kidney disease. As someone who suffers from a chronic illness and has more hospital appointments than your average person, it can be challenging to maintain a job that requires you to be present in an office all day. As a virtual assistant, I can work from home, or the hospital waiting room and not have to worry about missing work. It has given me the freedom to take time off for my appointments and treatments without having to explain myself to my employer or worry about job security.

All in all, becoming a virtual assistant has been one of the best decisions I have made for myself and my family. It has given me the ability to live life on my own terms, work when I want, where I want and with who I want. Who could want for more than that?

If you're ready to outsource some of your tasks, please check out the services I offer, here on my website and get in touch - I'd be delighted to work with you.