Finding Balance: Why I Work This Way

This blog post is a bit different and I get a bit personal but I wanted to share the big WHY behind working how I do. 

When I started out as a VA, one of my biggest motivators was to be able to stay home with my daughter. Everyone always says they grow so fast, and I don't think I really understood how true that was until I had my own daughter. This summer, the summer before kindergarten starts, has been an eye opener at how true this really is, and I am incredibly grateful for the ability to work from "home" – wherever that might be. 

Watching my daughter make "mud soup", search for raspberries or splash through the giant puddles on her bike and being able to be present for these little moments that happen between breakfast and bedtime are the experiences that fuel my passion for what I do. The ability to stop and take a break when she asks to color a picture or free the trapped butterflies is a luxury that many traditional jobs do not offer and is something that I will never take for granted. 

When I say it's important for my clients to have a work-life balance, it's because I truly believe it. It's important for me too. Without the ability to have balance I would not be writing this post from my campsite where I have been working and will be working all summer. Like many parents, childcare in summer looks different and whether I work at home or work from my “home away from home” makes no difference and at the end of the day the work still gets done! 

So, what does it look like working from the campsite all summer? Well instead of working at my desk, I am working in the trailer, at the picnic table, or by the campfire. Starlink has been my best friend, allowing me to "stay connected" and get my tasks done seamlessly. I had a call with a client this morning and the first thing she asked was where I was because it wasn't my normal floral pink background. Being able to share that I am working remotely but still being able to provide uninterrupted services was a refreshing surprise. I love that I can respond to emails, build webpages and project track jobs while listening to birds chirp and manage social media between s'mores breaks. 

The key to making this all work is having a schedule and a routine with my daughter. We wake up and while she finishes breakfast I check for urgent tasks to be done. Then before I settle into work we head down to the "Fun Shack" for the morning craft. It's a give and take relationship and the flexibility of my schedule is something I cherish because without this, none of this would be possible. I love that I can coordinate with my daughter and that she understands that while yes we are camping, mom still has to do some work. She's learned patience and independence and honestly, she is the best helper one can ask for – mom can I make you a coffee is a regular question around here! She has become my little camping assistant, helping me with pretty much everything and reminding me when it's time for breaks. 

Breaks look a little different during the summer. Instead of coloring at our kitchen table we are coloring in the sunshine, maybe taking a walk and discovering animal footprints or going on another bike ride. Then it's back to the trailer for a bit more work and the routine starts all over again. 

What I have discovered through all of this is that the change of scenery doesn't diminish my productivity, it has actually enhanced it. The calmness of nature has been refreshing and I find myself looking at things differently. My clients benefit from this too, my work comes from a place of balance and fulfillment, it’s a perfect reset. 

The best thing about being a VA is that the work I do completely aligns with my values and I love that I can help other business owners while being able to do the things that I love and use my time for how it really works for me. Every project I take on, every client I work with is chosen because they fit into the life I want to build. 

This isn't about working less or being less committed to my clients. If anything, it's the opposite. When you love what you do and it fits into the life you want to live, it just simply works. My clients are getting the best version of me because I am not sacrificing my values or my family to serve them. I am integrating everything I care about into a sustainable, fulfilling way of working, and I truly do love it. 

This summer has reinforced why I chose the path I did and why I am so passionate about supporting other business owners. Whether I am working in my home office or a "home away from home", what matters is that the work is getting done with excellence and heart and that is what I strive to deliver every single day. 

I hope that your summer is everything that you want it to be and that you take the time to find the balance and calmness you need to prepare for the busy fall ahead. AND if you need someone to help free up some time so that you can rest and reset, let's chat because I would love to help introduce some balance into your life. 

Let's Connect!