I want to be a Virtual Assistant

When I discuss what I do for a living, many times I hear "I want to be a Virtual Assistant!" My first question is why?  Why do you want to be a Virtual Assistant?
 
To work from home?
To earn additional income?
Because it sounds like fun?
 
There are some things that you need to know about becoming a Virtual Assistant.  First, just because you go through a course or read an e-book or two, this is not going to guarantee your success.  Second, don't expect for future clients to knock on your door - you are going to have to find your clients yourself and this takes a lot of determination, self-assurance and perserverance.  Third, be prepared to learn a lot as you go along - from bookkeeping to being your own computer geek - the need to "learn as you go" happens frequently.
 
Being a Virtual Assistant definitely has its advantages when it comes to working from home and scheduling your time, but don't be fooled into thinking it will be easy.  We all have hurdles to overcome, we all run our business differently depending on your individual lives and achieving and maintaining a thriving practice is a daily undertaking.
 
If you want to be a great VA, absorb knowledge where you can find it.  Join organizations such as IVAA - International Virtual Assistant Association or VANA - Virtual Assistant Networking Association.  These groups will help you get to know the movers and shakers in the industry.  Get involved with their forums and chat groups to learn about things you can't even dream at this point in your life that you would need to know about and network with others who are currently living the dream.
 
Is it worth it all in the end?  All I can tell you is that there is no greater satisfaction of waking up daily, making coffee and walking into my office to an inbox full of e-mails.