top of page

Adapting to Change: My Journey as a Home-Based Virtual Assistant

Nicola Day

A lady bottom half wearing a peach coat, black fishnet, and peach open toed sandals with 4 old, battered suitcases of various sizes and a very old camera in a brown leather case.


Embracing Change: Transitioning from Office Work to Remote Entrepreneurship



A long dark haired woman in a cream cardigan sat at a dining table working on a laptop. Plants and pots on a shelf, a large plant in the corner of the room and 2 low hanging lights, one brown/copper coloured and the other white


My journey from working in bustling office environments to setting up my own home-based virtual assistant business has been a whirlwind of adaptation and discovery. As a self-professed people person, transitioning to solo work from the comfort of my kitchen presented its challenges.



Finding Support: Leveraging Resources and Networks for Business Success



Two hands, one white, one tanned about to go together in support


Forced to pivot due to unforeseen circumstances, I delved into research on virtual assistance, leveraging my extensive administrative background. Guidance from a neighbour and invaluable resources like Business Gateway provided the foundation for my venture, offering free assistance in everything from business setup to digital marketing.



Crafting a Workspace: Making the Most of Limited Space and Maximising Productivity



Small home office, lots of books on shelves, a desktop screen, a laptop, a lady sitting in an office chair on her mobile. She's wearing glasses, a long grey and red skirt, grey, red and blue jumper and has a bun high on top of her head.


Adapting to change, I carved out a workspace in my kitchen, where natural light and occasional neighbourly interactions ease the solitude of remote work. However, the absence of office camaraderie was palpable, mitigated by breaks with my son and coffee outings with friends.



Harnessing Technology: Free Tools and Strategies for Efficient Time Management



Various technology tools, watch, external hard drive, calculator, laptop, tablet, mobile phone with headphones attached, camera, pen, sticky pad, mouse, coffee cup, a pair of glasses, various cables and pen drives.


Navigating new technologies was daunting yet transformative. Leveraging free tools like Toggle for time tracking, OneNote for note-taking, and Buffer for social media management streamlined my workflow.



Balancing Act: Strategies for Maintaining Work-Life Harmony in a Home Office



A lady in a red jumpsuit, with long mousy brown hair balancing on a yoga wheel outdoors on creamy marble floor with lots of trees behind her.


Maintaining work-life balance amidst household distractions required strategic planning. I front-load housework, punctuate my day with breaks, and prioritize family time in the evenings.



Gratitude and Growth: Reflecting on the Journey and Acknowledging Support Systems



A woman with auburn hair, sat on a wall, wearing a blue skirt, tan, black and white scarf, black t-shirt with her arms outstretched in gratitude. There is a stone bride behind her, surrounded by overhanging trees and a river flowing beneath the bridge.


While the journey had its hurdles, the unwavering support of loved ones fuelled my success. Each day, I'm grateful for the opportunity to thrive in this new chapter of my professional life.

6 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page