Virtual Assistance and You

Being organized is profoundly important to me. Not that I’m compulsive, but things must be in order, generally, for me to proceed. You could categorize people according to their level of organization, from OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder like Jack Nicholson in As Good As It Gets) to the utter chaos of – for instance – a toddler in the nursery. In between is where most of us flounder, seeking to maintain accustomed efficiency and order while focusing on other things.

Unless you’re at the extreme of disorder (in which case, please contact a VA to help you sort things out), you’ve probably shared my experience of stressing over the thin line between order and inspiration. You know how it is:

• the inner quibbles over whether to stick to your plan or follow your nose;
• the tension that never really goes away between keeping your house or office neat and just living, for Pete’s sake;
• the tendency we have to force things for the sake of order, sometimes, even when the result is negative.

Keeping things orderly is a fundamental of doing  business. Yet a sizable slice of the business world toils along in complete disorganization. The ‘idea’ people, the salespeople who are all charm, the creators and directors who dream so powerfully: none of these can file away a phone number or remember to follow up on something any more than they can moonwalk. Yet we need their strengths, and with assistance, these types can become indispensable.

As is often the case, it’s the average, those of us who aren’t at the extremes, who grapple most often with the rules of orderliness. Part of organization is setting priorities, a cornerstone of business growth. Knowing when to cling with fierce commitment to your priorities and when to let them go is key. While faithfulness is a human value, it’s not’s always the smart choice in business. Those who can remain flexible are able to stay tuned to passing opportunities; success often springs from alertness to conditions and trends of the moment.

Our current transition to the internet challenges many people’s sense of order. It’s all about letting go. Remember the Tennyson lines:

“The old order changeth/yielding place to new,/And God fulfills himself in many ways,/Lest one good custom should corrupt the world.”

If you, too, struggle with the rigidity of your personal ideas and structures of order; if you’re experiencing many conflicts with others in your daily life; or if you’re resisting getting very involved online, consider how it’s a question of control. Realize your soul is wrestling with your mind. And then, I recommend sitting back and watching those two entities fight it out. Or better, take a break, take a walk, and when you return, you’ll know what’s right.

Order is like the sun: wind and rain will come and go, but the sun is always there.