Why Are You Doing Everything Yourself?

When I consult with business owners about finding new clients, I often discover it isn't that they don't know how to market that's holding them back, it's that they don't make the time to do it.

"I just can't find the time," they tell me. They're so busy running their business, they're not growing their business. They work in their business, not on it.

I call this the "Lone Ranger Syndrome." The need to do it all yourself. I know all about this syndrome because I used to have it. As a perfectionist, I thought no one would do as good a job as I could for my business. And surely, I couldn't let someone handle private matters like travel arrangements, billing, or checking accounts!

Then I realized I could buy back my time. And I didn't have to do it all myself.

Six Figure Entrepreneurs in my recent study say they made similar discoveries. "Going it alone was a recipe for disaster," said study participant, Vicky White a Feng Shui Life Coach.

Interviews with 106 top achievers confirms my experience with research. The majority of the study participants report the best ingredient for creating a six figure income is supportive business relationships. The essential relationship? Administrative support, like a VA.

What's a VA?

A client I'll call "Helena" recently called to ask me what she could do to find the time to implement the hot marketing plan we'd created to promote her online products related to her therapy practice. I asked her, "Who is your VA?"

"Who is my what?" Helena responded.

I said, "Your virtual assistant (VA), an independent contractor who administratively supports an entrepreneur, executive, or mobile professional using electronic technology."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Helena said.

I explained, "In the past eight years, a new Internet-based industry has emerged. It is called virtual assisting. Virtual assistants (VAs) are experienced, professional business support providers who work virtually. They're not in your office, they're on the phone, fax, email, and Internet."

A VA frees me up to handle work that only I can do and enjoy. She takes care of my paperwork, handles my records, monitors and answers email, coordinates travel, meetings and events, maintains my database and calendar, updates my website, helps with teleclass registration, and even supports production of my e-zine. She does all that for me in Florida from her home in California."

"I can't believe you've hired someone living across the country. Does that work?" asked Helena.