As life gets busier and time seems to be inexplicably speeding up, more and more of us are wanting to achieve a true work-life balance.
For most of us, with the exception of the few years at the beginning and end of our lives, we are required to work in order to keep a roof over our heads. Going to work is what we’re trained to do during our education. We watch our parents come and go to and from work as we grow up. The expectation that this is a normal course of events is something that is programmed into us, and it’s often hard to see outside of this reality – our very own self-imposed ‘matrix’.
Morpheus: The Matrix is everywhere. It is all around us. Even now, in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work... when you go to church... when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.
Neo: What truth?
Morpheus: That you are a slave, Neo. Like everyone else you were born into bondage. Into a prison that you cannot taste or see or touch. A prison for your mind.
Yes, of course, in this world, if we want to live comfortably then we do need to work. But surely we have a choice about what we do and - for that matter - how we do it.
It’s interesting because in the last 10 years since my VA journey began, people have often said to me ‘Wow, I wish I could do what you do’. And the reality is that they can if they want – let’s face it, if I can do it anyone can because I’m no Einstein, but instead, much like a meandering river, they’ve taken the path of least resistance and continued to do what’s easiest by being an employee and working ‘for the man’.
But at what cost?
As a self-employed business owner, I get to provide a service that I am good at to people that I choose to work with. Not only that, but being my own boss means that I can take my work with me when I travel, I can take time out when my husband or grown up kids need me, I can help my (now) ageing parents when they need their daughter to be there. You see, I now have loads and loads of choices simply because I set myself and my business up that way.
And it really wasn’t hard!
My greatest joy now is to help people get started in their own self-employed business, and watch their eyes light up when they realise the potential they have just unleashed.
If you have ever wondered if you could break free and set up your own VA business, get in touch with the VA Institute today and get all your questions answered!