3 Challenges to Being a Virtual Assistant (and how to fix them!)

Running a business is challenging, and a VA business is no different. If you are struggling, it’s normal.

There are a lot of challenges that a VA can face, without realizing that they are even struggling.

Here are three big ones (and how to fix them!)

1. Loneliness

Working by yourself is so appealing when you first start out. No distractions, no interruptions, no one else making decisions except you. It’s pure bliss! But soon enough, the solitude can really weigh on you. It doesn’t happen for everyone, but it’s very common, and if you are experiencing loneliness, know that it’s perfectly normal. But you do have to get out of it!

How to fix it: Find a trusted small group of colleagues to connect with regularly. Having a small group to bounce ideas around with, talk through challenges, and celebrate successes, is really good for your mindset.

2. Money

Managing your business money is easy when you have lots coming in and not much going out, but if the expenses are eating into your profit, that is very stressful. You need to make sure your business is running at a profit to keep the stress at bay.

How to fix it: Make sure your rates are set properly, and ensure that your expenses are covered before anything else – including any taxes you will owe your government. That’s usually the biggest chunk that VAs forget about. If you aren’t earning enough, your main focus every day should be finding new clients to increase your revenue.

3. Indecision

If you find yourself doing hours of research on everything and never making a decision, you are not moving forward with your business. You need to give yourself the opportunity to move forward – even if you make a mistake – because staying in the same spot will never help you build your business. Mistakes can be corrected, and you will learn as you go. Indecision is a business killer.

How to fix it: Get better at decision making. Sometimes this takes some help. You can invest in a coach to help you with it. I find that most VAs just need a little help to learn how to make good decisions, and then their confidence begins to grow so they can do it on their own.

There are a lot of challenges to running your own business. If you find yourself dealing with any of these ones, try these tips to fix them.

I bet you’ll find yourself moving forward much more easily when you start to take steps to get out of the challenge!