Hello lovely! Welcome to the Desire to Done Podcast for virtual assistants! My name is Billie Gardner. I’m an introverted homebody that teaches introverts how to become virtual assistants. Because let’s face it! Working from home in your PJs is much more fun than being at a job, watching the clock, and counting the minutes until you can go home!
I’m sure you’ll be able to relate to my story…I used to think there was something wrong with me.
I find shopping extremely exhausting, and I usually need rest and quiet time afterward.
Talking on the phone with a friend can zap my energy like crazy, and while on vacation, I need lots of downtime.
I enjoy all these activities, so what gives? Why do I feel so drained and overstimulated?
One day I stumbled upon the reason. I don’t even remember where or how I figured it out, but I did, and it has changed my life.
I learned that I am an introvert.
I also discovered that I’m not alone and that many people are just like me.
WHAT’S AN INTROVERT?
An introvert is energized by being alone and feels drained by certain activities like talking, multi-tasking, and doing anything that requires leaving the house. They wonder why anyone would ever call rather than text. They typically enjoy hanging out with one or two people rather than a group, and they’re usually better at writing than speaking.
They’re also deep thinkers, great at observing people, and prefer to think before speaking or making a decision. They can quickly become overstimulated by their surroundings, which is why shopping for a couple of hours is tiring. An introvert can feel wiped out after a party, whereas an extrovert will usually feel energized.
In case you are wondering, introversion is not the same as shyness. Yes, an introvert can be shy, but they might not be.
YOU’RE NOT FLAWED
Being an introvert is not a flaw. Sometimes, it may feel like it is when it seems like everyone around you is outgoing and social. But the truth is, about 50% of people are introverts! And introverts can become extroverted for small amounts of time.
So someone you think is extroverted may, in fact, be an introvert.
MANY celebrities, leaders, and speakers are introverts, and they make wonderful entrepreneurs and virtual assistants! Running a home-based business gives introverts the freedom to use their energy wisely and gives them the option of creating a business that works for them.
When I was a virtual assistant, I learned a few tips to help me run my business successfully as an introvert, so I wanted to share those tips with you.
1) Match your daily tasks with your energy levels. Keeping a journal of your energy levels for a few days can help you see when you feel the most energized, creative, tired, or inspired. Once you see a pattern, take advantage of these different moods and match your work with your energy levels.
2) Change your mindset about marketing. Introverts hate coming across “salesy” or pushy, so promoting your business can feel scary and uncomfortable. I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be.
Focusing on helping people instead of selling to them makes a big difference. There are people out there looking you. Make it your job to get out there as much as possible so that they can find you. Many VAs, including myself, have reached out and offered their services to people who were ECSTATIC that they contacted them. There are business owners out there thinking about hiring a VA that don’t know where to start!
3) Create space in your day before and after your client calls. Take a few quiet minutes to prepare for your meeting with a client, and make sure you have any points you want to talk about listed in front of you. After your meeting, take a few minutes to unwind.
4) Protect your time. Block out time to focus on what needs to be done and let people know you shouldn’t be disturbed unless it’s an emergency. That way, you won’t get interrupted constantly (which is a total energy buster). Also, turn those phone notifications off! They can really drain your energy!
5) Take lots of breaks to rest your mind and eyes. I used to push myself a little too far. I would feel tired but would keep going. I would then end up zapping my energy so much that it was hard to bounce back. I now know when I need to stop and take a break or quit working for the day. Getting up and walking around at least every hour for a few minutes can really help combat fatigue. I usually do something around the house, like dishes or laundry, which is a win-win because those chores are getting done, and I’m getting a much-needed break from work!
6) Take on fewer clients with more hours. Working with a small number of clients for a big chunk of time a month is less draining than working with a large number of clients for a small chunk of time a month. For example, when I started out as a VA, I offered 20 hours a month on an ongoing retainer. This meant that I had fewer clients to juggle, and I got to know my clients better than if I had lots of them. Having retainer clients, or those you work with monthly, means you are spending less time marketing your business to find new clients. It also means you have consistent income each month, which reduces stress.
7) Get advice and support from other introverted VAs. Nobody knows how to run a VA business as an introvert better than an introverted VA, which is why I created a membership called the Introvert VA Club. It includes trainings, resources, and a super supportive community where you can make friends, grow your business, and be yourself. Another bonus is that the community is within the membership instead of a Facebook group. This is something that a lot of my members really appreciate! You can visit introvertvaclub.com to learn more.
I feel blessed to have discovered that I’m an introvert because it has helped me make sense of my requirements for downtime and when I need to be alone. I now know how to manage my energy levels and what I need to feel happy and healthy (without feeling guilty.)
Not all introverts are alike. My best advice is to be self-aware of what drains and energizes you. Then figure out ways to build quiet time around draining activities in the future.
Don’t be afraid to inform people about what it means to be introverted and your needs. The more we communicate with those around us, the better we can relate to each other.
Would you like more tips for building your VA business? You’re in luck! I have a weekly newsletter that goes out every Wednesday. Just go to desiretodone.com/newsletter to sign up!
Thanks so much for listening! If you haven’t already, please subscribe! I’d also love a review if you have a chance! It helps me get my podcast in front of more people.
Have a great week!
