The Trusty Oak Post

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit our five virtual assistants in Boise, Idaho and not only did I come home with a heart so full, I also took back with me some valuable leadership lessons worth sharing .

One of the first things we do when we decide to start a new business is name the baby. Not only is it a big decision, it's typically a permanent one so you want to feel great about the name you land on. Naming your startup can be challenging, so we're sharing the story of how Trusty Oak got its name and providing you with some guidelines to ensure you choose a business name that serves you well for years to come.

Productivity isn’t doing more; it’s doing more of the right thing.

There’s an outdated notion in business that just won’t die. It’s the idea that productivity means doing more things faster, marking off mile-long to-do lists and plowing through tasks all day long. According to this mindset, a productive person multitasks, moves quickly, and never stops.

The thing is, science and our day-to-day experiences show this is exactly how not to get work done. The multitasking, Bluetooth-wearing, fast-talking businessperson may look and feel wildly efficient, but how much of what they’re doing falls into the category of busywork?

The summer before I turned 30 was full of self-reflection. I was looking back on my 20s and noticing all the things I wanted to do differently in my 30s. I wanted to be healthier, happier, and more content, and I wanted to be less selfish. One of the changes I wanted to make was to say “I” less. One letter. One thin stick of a word in the ocean of tens of thousands of words. In a sentence, it hardly took up any room; but in my life, it took up a lot of space.

Entrepreneurs and business owners are driven people who aren't scared to work hard, burn the midnight oil, and sacrifice to make their dreams a reality. They're skilled and ambitious, and frankly, they're our favorite kind of people to work with. On the other hand, entrepreneurs often share the same Achilles heel: their greatest strength has a flip side that can be their greatest vulnerability. This strength is a work ethic that doesn't quit; this vulnerability is the tendency to do it all alone.

In January I shared with you “Three Ways to Say Yes to Success in Relationships”.  You’re thinking, “Ya.  Okay.  Now, how do I actually figure out what’s most important to me?”  Or, “I’m not very good at listening.”

As virtual assistants we know that building trusting relationships with clients is key to ensuring the success of our clients.  We strive to build trust through competence in our professional work and through displaying character that exudes reliability, honesty and a collaborative spirit in both our professional and personal relations.

Several months ago, I was invited to attend a friend's wedding in St. Lucia. I hesitated to book the trip because I already had another trip planned to NYC just one month before the Caribbean trip, and I was worried about taking more time out of the office. (Even though these trips would be the first trips I took since starting the company almost a year ago.) With the persuasive comments from my friends and husband, I booked the non-refundable trip to an island in the sun.