I'm excited to share this guest post from my incredible virtual assistant, Jennifer. Peeps, if you haven't started to delegate tasks, then jump in here and read. Having Jennifer has been a game-changer for me!
Why I am here and who I am:
Hey mama, I am Trish— AKA Labor Nurse Mama. I am a labor and delivery nurse with over 15 years of high-risk OB experience. I am also a mama to 7 kids and have given birth to 6. This means I am quite familiar with the postpartum period and how to navigate it. I am the online birth class educator for Calm Labor Confident Birth and The VBAC Lab birth classes and the mama expert inside our Calm Mama Society, a pregnancy & postpartum membership community! I am passionate about your birth and motherhood journey! You can find me over on IG teaching over 230k mamas daily. I am passionate about your birth and motherhood journey!
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I’ve had many jobs over the years: sales associate, greeter, chiropractic assistant, and a call center representative. After having kids my goals shifted, I wanted to be able to work from the comfort of our home.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a challenging feat. Prior to launching my very own Virtual Assistant business, I tried to work at Full Script as a customer service representative. I shuffled our youngest to my in-law’s house every morning for two weeks.
When I got to the day before Graduation my awesome trainer pulled me into a private chat (training was over video conference). The job required QUIET, and with a busy special needs toddler, I wasn’t going to get that.
So, what did that mean for me? I still wanted to work from home to care for our boys, particularly the youngest. He has therapy appointments three times a week, his big brother has two therapy sessions of his own, and that’s not even including specialty doctor appointments.
How was sitting at a desk with a headset going to work for me?
It wasn’t.
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I Took a Chance and Went Out of My Comfort Zone
There was a post inquiring about a Virtual Assistant and I went for it – and boy am I glad that I did!
The appealing thing about hiring me is that I am a fellow blogger, I understand what goes on in the background. The endless Facebook threads, Pinterest scheduling, Social Media Management; you name it, I understand it!
I can appreciate the struggles you go through as a blogger to get noticed.
Virtual Assistants can help unload these many tasks while you focus on creating content, whether you’re a lifestyle blog, food blog, brand strategist, etc.
What My Work Days Look Like
A Virtual Assistant’s day will look different from person to person. My workdays are unique day to day because of my sons’ many therapy appointments and other obligations.
However, they all begin the same way.
Good Morning!
The great thing about working for yourself is that you can wake up any time you want. I know some VA’s wake up at the crack of dawn, before their children, to get work done. Now I’m not a morning person so I don’t wake up until about 6:15 to 6:30 to get my boys ready for school.
After they’ve eaten, gotten dressed, and my coffee in hand, I take them out to the bus stop. As I’m sitting waiting for the bus to show, I complete my client’s Facebook threads. Once they are complete, I drop the associated links to appropriate Facebook threads.
Once I am back from the bus stop, I let my youngest watch some cartoons while I drink my coffee and eat breakfast.
Time to Get Busy
When my little guy is at his Occupational therapy and Speech therapy appointments I work. I always have my laptop, diaper bag, and extra coffee – by this point, I’ve had at least two cups of coffee! The office is generally small and quiet, I plug in earbuds, and get to work.
Workload depends on day today, but I try to get my client’s work done first before I work on my own blog or small business. I have my own little shop on Etsy, that started earlier this year. I wanted to help others who were busy have amazing Media Kits to stand out to brands.
You’re probably wondering how I manage to work for myself, keep up with my blog, a The Mighty Contributor, shuffle kids to appointments, and be a wife. I’m not going to lie; it’s definitely challenging but it is possible.
Lunch and Nap Time
Around lunchtime, Jaxson likes to take a nap, but that’s if I’m not running around for errands or doctor appointments. On days we don’t have anything extra going on I’ll eat something we’ve meal prepped on Sunday (usually chicken and rice), and cuddle on the couch until he falls asleep.
He is a very difficult sleeper. The only way he sleeps is on my chest, so often times I’ll work with him banging his head to sleep (he has sensory processing disorder). It is very challenging but we’ve made it work.
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If all of my work is caught up between the client’s tasks and my blog, I’ll nap or catch up on my favorite Investigation Discovery shows or the Food Network.
Working Out and Self-Care
I am a huge work out buff but have been neglecting it. Not intentional by any means, just trying to adjust to my new life as a Virtual Assistant, Content Creator, Wife, and Momma. It is imperative that you keep up with your health and self-care.
I’ve noticed from the sitting that my hips are increasingly tight and causing lower back pain. I know finding time for yourself is hard with everything going on but ensure that you take small breaks throughout the day to just walk around and stretch.
My favorite yogi (Yoga with Adrienne) has a 10 to 15-minute video just for us desk workers.
Closing Time
Roughly around 4:30, I have to make my way back to the bus stop to get our oldest son off the bus, rain or shine. Usually, you’ll find me catching up on Facebook threads or emails from clients as we sit and wait for big brother to get off the bus.
5:00 to 6:00 pm I’ll make a pot of coffee for my husband and me and begin dinner. I’m trying to make it a point to not work on my computer and phone when he gets home – it’s hard! But we need that work and life balance!
How Many Hours Do I Work?
It honestly depends on what package my client purchases. I have multiple Virtual Assistant Packages, some require 2 hours a week, 3 hours a week, and so on. I may have clients who just want Pinterest graphics for their new or updated posts – it all depends!
If I had to guess how much I work right now with the two amazing clients that I have, roughly 5 hours a week. That’s about 20 – 25 hours a month. I am in the market for more clients, I’d love to help more awesome content creators!
Productivity Tips
Yes, my life is pretty hectic – who’s isn’t anyway? That doesn’t mean that Virtual Assistant life isn’t for you. It is totally doable. I’ve recently started to make to do’s and batch my work on Trello. It has helped tremendously in keeping me accountable and productive.
There is even an app for Trello that allows you to take to-dos and work with you everywhere you go! Does your daughter have a ballet class? Do you have a doctor’s appointment? You can still keep up with your work via the cell phone.
Don’t have Trello? My Virtual Assistant friend loves to write everything down in a notebook to ensure that she gets everything done.
My Final Thoughts
I honestly love doing what I do! I love the ability to be with my children, ensure they get on and off the bus, take to them to appointments without having a boss get on me about taking time off. I am the boss.
Are you self-employed? What does your schedule look like throughout the day? You can find me at Etsy or Jennifer Carfora Co
