Three years ago I was contemplating leaving my VA practice and going back to work in the corporate world. Being raised to never talk about myself in a too positive a light made marketing tough. Really tough. How do you get through a call with anyone explaining how awesome a partner you can be when you have to be humble and refrain from singing your own praises because that is being ‘proud’?
It took a lot of coaching to know the difference between bragging too much and displaying confidence in myself; the difference between too ‘proud’ and sharing and celebrating my own wins. Doing so has allowed me to shine in my business and for my clients in a new way. It has helped me share my story with struggling VAs and given them the fuel to keep going and not give up. Being able to share my successes as well as my failures and mistakes, has made me a better VA. I am grateful to think it is helping others be better, too.
I am sooooooo far from perfect. I make mistakes. I am not everyone’s cup of tea – yet for my ideal clients I am just right. As we navigate our partnerships together I see just how my nurturing spirit helps them share their own gifts and grow, themselves, in new and powerful ways. As I work with mentees and interns, I learn and grow, too. Even as I lead, teach, and try to set a good example (which I also fail at more often than I would like). It’s like iron sharpening iron. It’s powerful stuff and it is meant to be celebrated!
Hopefully I can convey the awe and gratitude I have for being recognized in such an amazing community of bright, powerful, skilled, and successful virtual assistants. Without each and everyone of them I would not be the VA I am today. I wouldn’t have a business I love. Ultimately, I would not be living the life of my dreams.
The AssistU CRA Luncheon took place on September 26th.The “CRA Luncheon” is our annual Community Recognition Awards.
There are three categories voted on my AssistU community members that honor community members who have made high contributions to others over the last year (July 2013 to July 2014). Other awards are appropriately nominated and voted on by Anastacia Brice only (such as Staff Member of the Year). Voting is seldom easy. When I cast my own votes I often have to go back into our portal and do a little investigating.
I was excited that the 2014 luncheon was once again at the amazing restaurant, Roy’s. Roy’s is a gorgeous restaurant located right in the heart of Harbor East across from our host hotel. They feature a Hawaiian-Asian-fusion menu. We enjoyed a delicious four-course lunch and I chose a beautifully grilled salmon. Yum!
Anastacia always does an delicious job of presenting the awards as well. It was an honor to be included as one of the winners.
These awards honor the VAs who, as determined by Anastacia Brice, exemplify excellence in each category:
Top Portal Poster: Rebekah Quintana SidecarExecutiveSupport.com
Staff Member of the Year: The Mentoring Team: Lorri Morin VirtualSynergy.net, Heather Hinson HeatherHinson.com, Gayle Bu BuVirtualOffice.com, and me! 😀
Volunteer of the Year: Janet Z Underwood JanetZ-VA.com
These awards honor the VAs who, by a vote of his or her peers, exemplify excellence in each category:
Techie VA of the Year: Tami Savage TamiSavage.com
Most Supportive Community Member of the Year: Tami Savage TamiSavage.com
VA of the Year: Me!!!!!!!!
Please join me in congratulating the other 2014 winners and in thanking everyone who thought I was worthy of any recognition. They have truly contributed to my success in so many ways and I am ever grateful to all of them. Cheers to all of us! <3
