How Working as a Virtual Assistant Can Lead to Unexpected Recognition
The world of virtual assistance has experienced significant growth in recent years, with more professionals opting for flexible work arrangements. Working as a virtual assistant offers numerous benefits, including the opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients and industries. However, what many may not realise is that a career as a virtual assistant can also lead to unexpected recognition, such as appearing in books. Over the course of my virtual assistant career, I have had the privilege of being mentioned or interviewed in three published books. In this article, we will explore how working as a virtual assistant can open doors to unique opportunities and the recognition that comes with it.
The Consultants' Guide to Success with 360 Degree Feedback
One of the first books I had have appeared in is "The Consultants' Guide to Success with 360 Degree Feedback: How to Design and Deliver Bespoke 360 Degree Feedback Your Clients Will Love" by Jo Ayoubi, the founder of Track Surveys, a UK-based survey tools company. In this book, Jo Ayoubi provides valuable insights into creating engaging and professional 360-degree feedback processes for clients.
In chapter two, titled "Creating Engaging and Professional 360 Degree Feedback," I had the opportunity to share my expertise on the use of aggregate 360 reports and the importance of meaningful feedback interpretation. I emphasised the role of development plans and goal setting in ensuring that the learnings from the 360-degree feedback are actively applied and monitored.
For anyone considering implementing a 360-degree feedback process or other bespoke feedback collection tools, I highly recommend reading Jo Ayoubi's book. It offers a wealth of concise and valuable information that can guide consultants in delivering effective feedback solutions.
Changing Gear: Navigating Career Transitions
Another book that features a mention of my contribution as a virtual assistant is "Changing Gear" by Jon Stokes and Jan Hall. This insightful book delves into the significance of work in shaping a person's identity and explores the psychological and social dynamics involved in career transitions.
"Changing Gear" is filled with case studies of individuals who have successfully transitioned from one career to another or embraced retirement. It offers practical advice, including an 8-step transition plan, to help readers make informed decisions and navigate the challenges of change. The book provides a roadmap for the future and highlights the diverse opportunities that lie ahead.
During the writing process of "Changing Gear", I had the privilege of supporting Jon Stokes as his virtual assistant. It was a rewarding experience to support the creation of a book that addresses such a fundamental aspect of people's lives. Additionally, I had the opportunity to create the website for the book, changing-gear.com, which serves as a valuable resource for readers seeking further information and guidance.
Words Create Worlds: The Power of Language
The most recent mention of my work as a virtual assistant appears in Claudia Gross's book, "Words Create Worlds - Cultivating a Conscious, Life-Affirming Language." This thought-provoking book explores the transformative potential of conscious, life-affirming language in various aspects of life, including business, relationships, and personal growth.
In "Words Create Worlds," Claudia Gross emphasises the importance of language and its impact on how we perceive and experience the world. The book offers practical examples and green language interventions that can be easily integrated into our day-to-day vocabulary. By shifting our language, we can shift our paradigms and worldviews, ultimately transforming ourselves and the world around us.
Gross's book provides numerous green-red examples that demonstrate the power of language in daily communication, coaching, business, women at work, children, love, peace, conflict transcendence, and positive affirmations. Each example serves as a reminder that our words have the potential to create positive ripple effects and contribute to a more harmonious and conscious world. It is an important book and I feel privileged to have supported Claudia during her writing process. As I read through "Words Create Worlds," I feel a deep sense of fulfillment knowing that my role as a virtual assistant played a small part in helping bring this insightful book to fruition.
“Working as a virtual assistant offers not only the freedom and flexibility to support clients in various industries but also the potential for recognition and opportunities beyond expectations.”
Through my experience, I have had the privilege of being mentioned or interviewed in three published books, each offering unique insights and perspectives. From Ayoubi's "The Consultants' Guide to Success with 360 Degree Feedback" to Stokes and Hall's "Changing Gear" and Gross's "Words Create Worlds," these books highlight the diverse aspects of work, feedback, and language that shape our lives. They provide valuable guidance, practical advice, and thought-provoking ideas for personal and professional growth.
As a virtual assistant, I continue to embrace the opportunities that arise from working closely with clients and supporting them in their endeavours. I encourage fellow virtual assistants to embrace their roles as co-authors of their clients' success stories and to recognise the potential for their own recognition and contributions to be acknowledged.
