Be courageous

Be courageous today!  Try something new!  If you've failed before - try again.  Don't give in to fear, and don't quit.  (Yes, I'm preaching at myself  :-)

Have a great, positive, successful day and a wonderful weekend.

VAVirtuoso Webinar - a Week of Learning

This week has really been interesting and rewarding.  I have been learning a lot from this year's VAVS webinars (VAVirtuoso).  It's fun to find out about how others do things, what other VA's are involved in, what new technology is out there, and even not so new but that I didn't know about!

I figure there's always room to grow, and learning should be an ongoing thing.  Not just in my business, but in all parts of my life.

I learned a little bit about the Cloud - which I had previously been ignoring, but now am intrigued!  Actually, I found out that in a small way, I've already been using the Cloud - just didn't realize that was what it was.

There was a webinar on responding to RFP's - which I have not done to date.  It's a Request For Proposal, and it's a way to let people know you're interested in their project or service needs.  That was very interesting, and a little nerve-wracking - but I just may investigate further.

I have had the opportunity to download some great bonus materials, and am looking for a few minutes of down time to read and absorb some of the great stuff that was given.

All in all, as the week draws to an end, I've been happy to have participated - even though I didn't get to sit in on everything.

Now, like one of my clients says, "Don't just learn.  Implement!"  (Hope you don't mind my borrowing that Stacey.)  So, off to go do some implementing.

Just a little nostalgic for the sites and sounds of Florida.  I'd love to be doing a little of my "implementing" from there!  Sigh.

Faith versus Fear

One of the things my Pastor has taught in a series on Faith, was that fear is the opposite of faith.  Well now, how did I get to be this old, and not figured that out before?  Anxiety is one of those things that has worn me down time and again - and the funny thing was - it never did a thing to improve my situation!  Just wasted adrenalin!

So how does that apply to my business?  Sometimes, I fear that I just won't get enough business.  That's been pretty much unfounded.  About the time things slow down, and I let that classic "Oh, now what am I going to do?" start again...the phone rings or the emails show up with more work to do.  I do a good job at what I do, admit when I've goofed (sadly, I'm not perfect...are you???), and do what I can to make any needed corrections.  People are happy with that, and they refer me to others - voila!!  Work!

Other times I fear learning something new.  Now, I'm not going to kid you.  It is sometimes tough to learn new things.  Sometimes, it's just not my cup 'o tea, and I have to admit defeat - but how would I know unless I tried?  Having faith in myself, believing in the skills God has given me...venturing out of my safety zone, has allowed me to learn a WHOLE lot of new stuff.

Fear is wasted energy.  I have to "preach" that at myself often, because it's really my first, instantaneous reaction to some things.  Reminding myself that God is not the author of fear, that He's with me every step of the way, and that he equips me with intelligence, common sense, talent, and skills is little by little, putting fear out of my life - business included.

Are you practicing faith or living in fear?

“Faith isn’t the ability to believe long and far into the misty future. It’s simply taking God at His Word and taking the next step.”  Joni Erickson Tada


Mark 4:26-27,28-29 – Faith is like a seed; plant it in your heart. God gives the harvest at the appointed time.

“Faith is believing that God is going to take you places before you even get there.”  Matthew Barnett -

It's Been Awhile!

After a long hiatus, I decided it was time to get back in action.  Learning and working on a new business seemed a full-time business, though I only wanted to work part time.

Sheppard Virtual Diamond Services is now the name of my business.  It's official.  I have a bank account and everything!  All that means to me is one more checking account to bring up to date every month.

I'm also finding myself in a bit of transition.  I have found my favorite niche - General transcription.  I love typing, I love the tools I use - Express Scribe, and most of all - I love my clients.  Having been in training at one time for medical transcription, I'm finding general transcription a breeze.

Business has been growing.  I have several clients, and am considering even adding a subcontractor.  Now, don't everybody pester me to add you just yet - I said CONSIDERING.  It's a thought in progress.

Ramping things up is my goal for this year.  I'd like to have more clients - and do more general transcription in particular.  I'm a new member of  The VA Insider Club, and hoping to learn a lot more about moving my business along.

If you're at all interested in learning more about what I offer as a VA or General Transcriptionist - please contact me at 937-698-5508, or at sheppardVA@gmail.com.  

Here's to a great New Year in business, and personally.  May God bless you.