2023 in Review – Lesson 3

I’ve been told that one of my best traits is that I always see the good in people. I’m that person who will put a positive spin on your negative self-talk because I can see your potential. However, this trait has also been seen as a liability, which can make me an easy target. This duality is a significant contributor to my feelings of self-doubt and Imposter Syndrome, as it raises the question: How can someone like me lead a team of people?

A recent Strengths Assessment revealed that my biggest domain strength is in Relationship Building. Initially, I was a bit disheartened, as Relationship Building doesn’t sound as exciting as the other domains of Strategic Thinking, Influencing or Executing. However, upon further reflection, I realised that there is ingenuity in connecting people and building strong relationships, so crucial for team cohesion. There’s an even higher level of brilliance in connecting people so that they willingly hold themselves together as a team.

Learning 3: The magic is in nurturing your relationships. Be a magician!

Looking back at my journey, one thing remains clear – I got through it all only because I had the right support. The people who stuck by me, did so because I had invested time into them before I needed them. Because my actions and words conveyed that I wanted more for them, not just from them. So when things went pear-shaped for me, they willingly stepped in to help.

The same philosophy applies to business. Nurturing relationships with your key stakeholders – your team, your clients, your suppliers – pays back tenfold. Your team will work through the tough times because they know you have looked after them. Clients stick by you and refer you to others because they trust you. Suppliers go out of their way to help you meet urgent deadlines because they enjoy working with you.

Investing time in your relationships is an investment in a greater you. Your key stakeholders keep the cogs of your business turning, especially when it matters most.

Don’t get me wrong, you can absolutely get through life or run a business on your own. But it’s so much easier on your mental health and more enjoyable when you bring your people along for the ride. Don’t forget to enjoy the magic along the way!

I didn’t become a Virtual Assistant because I couldn’t find a job. I became a VA because I was done shaping my life around work. I wanted work that could shape itself around my life.

If you’re a VA, I probably don’t have to explain what that means – the sense that you’re not just running a business or supporting clients, but that you’ve made an intentional shift in how you live. You’ve chosen freedom, flexibility, and a version of success that doesn’t require permission. And if you’re not a VA (yet), let me tell you – it’s not just a job title. It’s a whole way of being.

There’s a tired old narrative that being a VA is an in-between gig – something people do “on the side” or “for now.” But if you’ve ever been as a VA, you know that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Virtual Assistants are business owners, strategic thinkers, creative problem solvers, and digital chameleons, who plug into businesses and provide powerful online business support. We streamline systems, manage operations, and create breathing room so our clients can focus on their own growth and vision.

And we do it all from home offices, co-working spaces, café corners, or wherever life takes us.

This is not a placeholder role. It’s a profession – and for many of us, it’s a calling.

My Journey to Becoming a VA

When I started this journey, I was looking for a way to blend all my strengths: systems thinking, people-first service, and a strategic mindset. But I didn’t want to choose between being ambitious and being present in my life. Becoming a Virtual Assistant gave me both.

Over time, I evolved from general admin to Online Business Manager (OBM), bringing leadership and long-term strategy into my work. But at its heart, my business still reflects the very thing that drew me in: freedom, flexibility, and alignment with my values.

This is the power of the Virtual Assistant lifestyle – you grow, shift, and adapt without losing your core intention.

Let’s not sugarcoat it though – the VA lifestyle isn’t just sipping lattes while tapping away on a beach. It’s boundary-setting, time management, continuous upskilling, and constantly adapting to different tools, personalities, and businesses.

You’re part assistant, part strategist, part therapist (sometimes all in one Zoom call). You don’t just check off tasks – you hold space for someone else’s vision. And all while creating a life that fits you.

That takes courage. That takes commitment. That takes choosing this again and again.

Another beautiful part of this work? The community.

There’s a kind of solidarity in the VA profession that I’ve never seen elsewhere. We refer each other. We cheer each other on. We share resources, wins, fails, templates, and truths.

It’s not competitive. It’s collaborative. Because we know there’s enough work to go around. And when we lift each other up, our value becomes more visible to clients, businesses, and the wider world.

The Future of Remote Work and the VA Profession

We’re living in a time of rapid change. Remote work is no longer a trend – it’s essential. AI is evolving faster than ever. “Business as usual” is being rewritten in real time.

But here’s what I know: what we do as VAs is human work.

Yes, AI can write a paragraph or sort data faster than we can. But it can’t replace relationships. It can’t intuit when a client needs reassurance. It can’t proactively streamline a system before it becomes a problem. It can’t hold empathy, build trust, or notice the unspoken.

As technology reshapes the business landscape, the Virtual Assistant lifestyle isn’t becoming obsolete – it’s becoming even more relevant. We’re not being replaced – we’re evolving. And those who embrace the shift will lead the way.

Celebrating Our Day

Today is International VA Day – a day to recognise how far we’ve come as individuals and as a community.

To every VA out there: I see you. I see the late nights, the boundaries set, the rebrands, the pivots, the confidence built, and the impact made. This work isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about helping others succeed while building a life that truly fits who you are.

This is what it means to live the Virtual Assistant lifestyle.

This is leadership. This is legacy. And I am so proud to walk this path alongside you.

Here’s to continuing to shape the future – one empowered VA life at a time.

Happy International VA Day!

Much love, Victoria x

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