How would you rate your self-confidence as a Virtual Assistant?
Are you near the top of the scale? Or are you closer to the bottom?
If you’re near the bottom, don’t worry – it’s not just you (and it’s easier to fix than you think!)
I read the most interesting fact recently.
Most women won’t apply for a job unless they meet 100 per cent of the qualifications.
Men will respond if they have only 60 per cent of the qualifications.
Well it was a fact shared by Sheryl Sandberg, but I can tell you in my experience that it’s absolutely true.
I see VAs all the time who will not put their hat in the ring for an RFP if they can’t tick all of the boxes.
They feel that they are not qualified enough, or that somehow the client will find someone who is better than they are.
They say they don’t want to waste the client’s time.
But it’s really that they don’t feel qualified based on the list they are presented.
And as a result, they are missing out on working with what could be an awesome client.
Here’s the fact: It’s not a lack of qualifications, it’s a lack of confidence.
Do you feel qualified to be doing what you are doing?
You are. I can tell you that right now.
You wouldn’t have started your VA business if you didn’t feel that you had skills to help your clients.
Think back to when you started your business – what was your vision of what it would look like? What did you know you could do?
Let’s start there.
Just because you are looking at a job posting that has more stuff in it than you think you can do, it doesn’t mean you walk on by.
Now, if you are looking at a job posting to build websites or create graphics and you have no experience doing so, that’s not the same thing. You have to compare apples to apples.
Clients don’t always get it right. They post their requirements and sometimes don’t even realize that a single VA doesn’t need to do it all.
But this article isn’t about responding to RFPs. It’s about your confidence – or lack thereof.
It is challenging to keep ourselves confident, motivated and positive when we work by ourselves all day.
Especially if we are having trouble finding clients or making money.
Confidence is often the first thing that takes a hit when things aren’t going well.
I know this, I’ve lived it. Everyone lives it at one time or another.
So we need to give ourselves every opportunity to talk ourselves up!
Here are a few tips for you to focus on positivity throughout your day:
- Surround yourself with positive business people
- Prepare yourself for business conversations
- Seek out clients who need your help
- Keep negative self talk out of your office
- Find support if you struggle with confidence
Positivity is a good start. There are so many things you can do to boost your own confidence.
But here’s something you can do right now, today:
How do you start your day?
Do you roll out of bed, open your laptop and start working on whatever your clients need? Or if you don’t have a lot of clients yet, do you mindlessly scroll social media or job sites to see what’s ‘out there’?
In order to start your day off on the right foot, you need to act like a business owner. Don’t think about looking for clients, ask yourself who you can help today. And then start doing that.
Focusing on helping others will start your day off on the right foot – it’s often the mornings that don’t start well that blow up our whole day. Start with a positive mindset!
You don’t have to imagine how your life could be so different if you had more confidence. You can take steps today to do it.
If you are struggling with self-confidence, our Inspired community is the place for you. The Inspired Action VA Mastermind is a tight knit group of professionals who are getting things done in our businesses because we have the support we need to do it. It’s a (very) low-cost, high-value coaching alternative. If you are struggling through your VA business, check out this group to see if it’s the right time for you! Our next session starts in just a few weeks.