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When Quitting Isn’t An Option

Have you ever thrown your hands up in the air and said “I can’t do this anymore! I quit!”? I wasn’t raised to quit, and being extremely stubborn kept me going most of the time. But sometimes life gets the best of me, and I’m just done. So what do you do if quitting isn’t an option?

Here are some tips & tricks:

Listen to your go-to song. Music invokes so many emotions. It can remind you of your love, a friend, someone far away, someone that is no longer with you. You might find yourself happy or sad. It can energize you, or help you relax. Next time you feel like quitting, I challenge you to put on some of your favorite music. Leave a comment below with your favorite go-to song. (My favorite music is anything Aerosmith, but especially “Dream On”)

Look at things from the other side of the fence. What was the first thing you thought of when you read this comment? Was it the overused saying “The grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence”, or “If you’d water your own lawn, you wouldn’t notice how green their yard is”? These are overused for a reason… they are truth! So, what if you were to take that saying and flip it around. What if you tried to look at things from the other side of the fence? What would you see? And how would you fix it? You are in charge of your destiny, change it!

Learn to be genuinely thankful. Someone else is wishing they had what you have. Or that they had the strength to get where you are. No one’s life is perfect, and that’s what makes it beautiful. If we could realize what we have and where we are is a blessing, we wouldn’t have to look so hard to find a truly thankful heart.

Breathe. When was the last time you actually took time to breathe… to stop whatever you were doing and just be in the moment? Being present is not any harder than it used to be, it’s just more intentional. Trust me, stop once a while, and you will be a much better person for it.

Go back to your “why”. What is the reason you started your business? Or moved to another city? Or changed your lifestyle? If you can get back to your why… truly remember what made you take that next step… you will gain a renewed passion for what you do.

These are just 5 simple strategies to coming back from an “I quit” mentality. We’ve all been there. It’s no fun. But you CANNOT let yourself stay there. You owe the world more than that. And more importantly, you owe it to yourself.

What are some tactics you use to help you get over the thought of quitting? Share them in the comments below.

If you would like us to help your business thrive and grow, please reach out to us HERE to find out more.

If you would like the opportunity to work and grow with us, please reach out to us HERE to find out more.

  Source Here: When Quitting Isn’t An Option

from Canadian Virtual Gurus - Feed https://canadianvirtualgurus.com/blog/quitting-isnt-option/

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Quick Fix – How To Center YouTube Videos In WordPress

Ever notice how the things that seem so simple in life always end up being remarkably difficult?

You know what I'm talking about, right?

Seems like it should be way easier to...

Find the right lip gloss.

Locate that missing sock from the dryer.

Center videos in blog posts.

I should be able to click the center icon and the video will center itself, right?

Wrong.

Wait! I can use that command align="center" - that will work, right?

Nope.

There's no way out of this, my kittens. We have to do some coding.

Don't Freak - This Is Easy

First, let's look at the gobbledygook we have to work with.

We'll use a CVG video from our YouTube page.

Grab the code by selecting "Embed" and then copy and paste.

  Here's What We Have:

<div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:56.25%">

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nUBEC9KopUg?ecver=2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;left:0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

</div>

Here's What We Need To Do:

Let's get rid of most of this jibba jabba and just tell the code to center the video. Then we can get back to agonizing over lip gloss.

Here's How To Do It:

Instead of all this stuff after div style, let's replace with  "text-align:center".

Instead of this: <div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:56.25%">

Use this:  <div style="text-align:center">

Let's get rid of some of this stuff in the iframe string as well. We don't need the style string, and we're going to change allowfullscreen to read a blank command.

Instead of this:<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nUBEC9KopUg?ecver=2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;left:0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Use this: <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nUBEC9KopUg?ecver=2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

And Now For The Big Reveal!

This is the code:

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nUBEC9KopUg?ecver=2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>

And this is what it looks like:

  You don't necessarily need to know how or why with this bit of code. Just that it works.

As a result, now you can center videos with ease.

And I really don't want you to agonize over lip gloss so... voila!

Summary

Finally, knowing a bit of code here and there can help in a pinch when you're formatting blog posts.

What code do you use for formatting your blog posts? Share your tips and tricks here!

Article Source Here: Quick Fix – How To Center YouTube Videos In WordPress

from Canadian Virtual Gurus - Feed https://canadianvirtualgurus.com/quick-fix-how-to-center-youtube-videos-in-wordpress/

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The Best Free Organizational Apps of 2017

You know the saying… “There’s an app for that”...well, there really is, and we’ve got the list of the best FREE organizational apps for you. Not only are these all free (with upgradable options), they are all available on both IOS and Android.

Dropbox is a cloud storage app.

Perfect place to share large files with anyone. Even if they don’t have a Dropbox account.

Backed up and accessible from all devices.

Store: photos, docs, videos and other large files.

Evernote lets you capture and share your ideas across multiple devices.

Organize anything.

Take better notes: project to-do list, picture of a sketch, a reminder, etc...

Scan anything.

Search your handwriting.

You can even do voice to text.

IFTTT simplifies and automates everyday tasks by creating custom recipes.

Over 400 apps work with IFTTT

Turn on applets to streamline your social media, back up important files, trigger events based on your current location, etc...

24me is a personal assistant in your pocket.

This app unifies all your calendars, tasks, notes, and personal accounts.

Personal reminders.

You can also share tasks with others.

Meet My Links is how you can get automatic notifications about things you need to know.

LastPass manages your passwords, so you don’t have to.

You can use LastPass on all your devices.

Unlimited password storage.

Easy to share… no more sending passwords via text (gasp).

Pocket is where you can put articles and videos that you want to view later.

Articles & videos can be saved and watched later on any device.

Can be saved from over 1500+ apps.

You can get stories tailored to your interests.

SimpleMind is a mind-mapping tool where you can easily brainstorm & collect your thoughts.

Can be synchronized with GoogleDrive or Dropbox.

Easily add: media, documents, images, videos, photos, notes, links, etc…

Organize your mind maps in folders.

Google Calendar is the most popular calendar app out there. I’m sure you’ve already been introduced to it, so I will mention some features you may not know about that you really should be taking advantage of (credit goes to Rob Nightingale)

Create an appointment page

Countdown to your next event

Get a daily agenda to your inbox

Layer your calendars

Easy video calls

Email all of your attendees

Set up a world clock

Keep track of your finances

Simplify your morning routine

Todoist is a to-do list for organizing work & tasks.

Easy to organize with colors, labels, filters, & more… you choose what works best for you.

The quick-add feature allows you to capture your ideas on-the-go.

You can collaborate with other people, in real-time, on projects or tasks.

Wunderlist is a to-do list & task manager app.

This is an amazing list app.

Not only can you add reminders and due dates, but you can create task lists that help you plan for work, home & everything inbetween.

Sharing lists and assigning to-do’s are made incredibly simple in this app.

Asana is used for teams to track their work.

You can organize your teams & projects, from start to finish.

Boards help you visualize your work.

It’s very easy to add tasks, reminders and ideas.

Trello helps you organize and prioritize your projects.

You can collaborate with your team, from virtually anywhere.

Organization is made easy by creating a board, then adding lists with cards.

This is even a great app for organizing your next family vacation!

FullContact is an address book and contact manager.

Just snap a picture of a business card with your phone, and FullContact will import it into your contacts.

It will automatically read your email signatures and import them into your contacts, keeping you in contact with everyone on your email list.

Do you have trouble with duplicate contacts? It’s a pain to go thru and organize them. FullContact will recognize and merge duplicates.

This is also a great way to keep your contacts synced between all your devices.

Shoeboxed is a receipt and mileage tracker. It can:

Scan and manage receipts.

Track mileage using your phone’s navigational system.

View & categorize all your expenses at one time.

Help you get reimbursed for business expenses by instantly sending expense reports from your phone.

Do you use any of these apps? Which ones are your favorite? Let us know, in the comments below.

For information on hiring one of our assistants, click here. For information on working with us, click here.

See Full Article Here: The Best Free Organizational Apps of 2017

from Canadian Virtual Gurus - Feed https://canadianvirtualgurus.com/best-free-organizational-apps-2017/

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5 Best Practices That Can Drive Your Focus

Does this sound like you?

Setting: Kitchen sink, right after dinnertime.

Action: You’re standing at the sink, starting to load the dishes and you realize you need a clean rag to wash the few dishes that you prefer not to run through the dishwasher… Does that even exist?! Stay with me here, haha. So you run over to the drawer to grab a rag. As you are walking across the kitchen, you step on a twig one of the dogs brought in from their morning run in the yard. You immediately grab the broom to sweep it up, and start sweeping the whole kitchen floor. You might as well, it’ll only take a second, right?! Then you go to the trash to throw out the dirt you’ve collected (from the dogs, of course), and realize there isn’t a bag in the trash can. Hey, at least you got someone ELSE to take out the trash… one step at a time here. You look under the sink and realize you are out of trash bags. So, you go to the laundry room to grab the bags. While you’re there, you see the overflowing bin of clothes that need to be washed. So, you start them. As you pass the dryer, with the trash bags in your hand, you see that the dryer hasn’t been emptied from the night before. So, you put the bags down, and grab the laundry and head to the living room to fold the clothes on the couch. You see something move out of the corner of your eye and in that moment, turn into karate kid. That spider never had a chance! But now you see the cobwebs from the way the light is shining through the blinds. OMG, it’s not even close to Halloween! Unacceptable to leave them, for fear of someone catching that same light, so you go into the hall closet where the duster with the really long handle is kept. In there, you realize your kiddos haven’t been actually hanging up their coats, they just kind of shove them in and close the door. C’mon Mom, at least they’re put away. You start to hang up the coats and as you take a step back, you realize how exhausted you are. You go and sit on the couch for a minute. That’s where you see the clothes you left in a pile. As you start looking around, you realize, with a big sigh,  nothing really got done.

Result: Nothing is complete. Well, except for the extravagant display of karate moves, and elimination of the one thing you are scared of more than anything else. That’s gotta count for something.

So, does this sound like you? You can admit it… I won’t even ask you to raise your hand. My hand is raised for all of us. This is honestly how I clean. And how I work. And how I keep in touch with my friends. And the list goes on and on.

There are so many distractions surrounding everything we do. So many, that we don’t even know how to focus anymore. When I become unfocused, my whole life becomes unfocused.

Here are some things you can do to get your focus back:

Brain Dump - This one is my favorite. About once a week, sometimes more often, I sit down with my computer or use a voice to text app (I love Evernote). I will set the time for 5 or 10 minutes, and then start writing all the things I need to get out of my head. For example, all the things I want to accomplish within the week. And I just write/type/speak. I don’t categorize, I just get down whatever comes to my head. Then, when the timer is up, I set it for 3-5 more minutes and push for more. Once it’s all out, you can then categorize it. This is particularly freeing… try it!

Schedule - I have come to learn that I am much more productive if I make a list of all the things I didn’t get done that day or things I know I need to get done the next day. Once I have this written/typed out, I can rest easily knowing that when I wake up I already have a plan for my day. The list never dies, just make sure you’re aware of that. Don’t feel guilty for not getting something done - unless it’s your anniversary, then you may have to get creative, but that’s a whole other post.

Music - Listen to music WITHOUT words. I have many playlists created on Pandora. My favorite, when I’m trying to concentrate, is 2cellos… Check them out!

Limit Distractions - Close down extra tabs in your browser. (You don’t even want to see mine right now). Close yourself off in a quiet room. Eliminate unnecessary notifications. Step away from your phone. This is a hard one, I know. But it’s amazing how much you can accomplish without Facebook taunting you.

Prioritize - One step at a time. If you only let yourself focus on one thing, until completion, then it is sure to be accomplished.

What are some things you do to stay focused and in the zone? We would love to hear from you. Please comment below.

If you are interested in investing in your company and working with a team of virtual assistants who are highly trained, please contact us at: hello@canadianvirtualgurus.com, 888-504-4449 or request a consultation here.

Article Source Here: 5 Best Practices That Can Drive Your Focus

from Canadian Virtual Gurus - Feed https://canadianvirtualgurus.com/5-best-practices-can-drive-focus/

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Free Webinar – How To Land Your First Client

“How do you land your first client?” This is something we get asked a lot. Actually, it’s our #1 question. You’ve taken the first step and decided you want to become a Virtual Assistant. Congratulations! You’ve researched what software you want to master, the apps you’ll need, and even a payment program. But then you realize you need your first client. What do you do now?

Let us teach you "How To Land Your First Client" - Sign up for this FREE class tomorrow 4/21/17 @2:30est

See More Here: Free Webinar – How To Land Your First Client

from Canadian Virtual Gurus - Feed https://canadianvirtualgurus.com/free-webinar-land-first-client/

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What’s It Like To Be A Virtual Assistant?

How many of us have interactions like this on a regular basis?

"What do you do for a living?"

"I work from home as a virtual guru."

"Wow, I would love to do that!"

At Virtual Gurus, we provide services to individuals, organizations or companies via the Internet. It is an excellent work-at-home opportunity and one most of us can do. It is simply a matter of charging others for a skill you already have.

Being a virtual guru is awesome - incredible in fact. I have an amazing lifestyle with the luxury of working vacations and plenty of family time with my beautiful son. But, be aware -  the life of a virtual guru is not all rainbows and sunshine –it is hard work!

A lot of people hear “virtual assistant” and think of an administrative assistant, but administrative work is only a fraction of what this role entails. The Internet makes it possible to do a wide variety of things remotely, or, “virtually.”

There are countless services you can provide: social media management, web design, bookkeeping, researching, copywriting, editing, video editing, project management, transcription, programming, customer service and anything else you can do without having to be in the same physical location as your client.

The pay is competitive with office roles (depending on your skill)and it's a great option for those who want to work from home.

Need some tips on how to get started? Below are some things I found useful when I began my career as a virtual guru.

Get a website – This is a no-brainer. People need to be able to find you. A presence on the web is crucial. It gives you a more professional appearance, the chance to highlight some of your skills and an opportunity to explain your process.

Get involved in social media – This would include Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, LinkedIn or wherever your potential clients hang out. Commenting on blogs can also be beneficial. Relationships are key. Being involved in social media is one of the best way to find clients and vice versa, especially until you are established and can rely on word of mouth.

Remember that this is a business and just like any other business, it’ll require hustle. You can’t just build a website and watch the money roll in. Be proactive and enthusiastic!

Ask around, read great articles, do some googling and find people who are already VAs. Check out their websites, see what they offer and get an idea of how it might work for you.

Find a niche and specialize – It is definitely better to have a niche so work out what you are good at, what you like doing and what your potential clients would need. Your niche might be your industry, your services, or the types of people you work with. If you have a niche then you become the go-to person in that area.

Keep learning – I cannot tell you how important it is that you keep learning and stay on top of new developments – not only in your industry but with new technology and ways to work. If you keep your skills up to date then you’ll have a more varied and valuable skill set and will be worth more money.

So what's like to be a virtual assistant? Fun, challenging and a chance to make a career work for you! You'll be the person with the cool job. And what's better than that?

Join the conversation on Twitter!

Read Full Article Here: What’s It Like To Be A Virtual Assistant?

from Canadian Virtual Gurus - Feed https://canadianvirtualgurus.com/whats-like-virtual-assistant/

[canadianvirtualgurus]

What’s It Like To Be A Virtual Assistant?

How many of us have interactions like this on a regular basis?

"What do you do for a living?"

"I work from home as a virtual guru."

"Wow, I would love to do that!"

At Virtual Gurus, we provide services to individuals, organizations or companies via the Internet. It is an excellent work-at-home opportunity and one most of us can do. It is simply a matter of charging others for a skill you already have.

Being a virtual guru is awesome - incredible in fact. I have an amazing lifestyle with the luxury of working vacations and plenty of family time with my beautiful son. But, be aware -  the life of a virtual guru is not all rainbows and sunshine –it is hard work!

  A lot of people hear “virtual assistant” and think of an administrative assistant, but administrative work is only a fraction of what this role entails. The Internet makes it possible to do a wide variety of things remotely, or, “virtually.”

There are countless services you can provide: social media management, web design, bookkeeping, researching, copywriting, editing, video editing, project management, transcription, programming, customer service and anything else you can do without having to be in the same physical location as your client.

The pay is competitive with office roles (depending on your skill)and it's a great option for those who want to work from home.

Need some tips on how to get started? Below are some things I found useful when I began my career as a virtual guru.

Get a website – This is a no-brainer. People need to be able to find you. A presence on the web is crucial. It gives you a more professional appearance, the chance to highlight some of your skills and an opportunity to explain your process.

Get involved in social media – This would include Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, LinkedIn or wherever your potential clients hang out. Commenting on blogs can also be beneficial. Relationships are key. Being involved in social media is one of the best way to find clients and vice versa, especially until you are established and can rely on word of mouth.

Remember that this is a business and just like any other business, it’ll require hustle. You can’t just build a website and watch the money roll in. Be proactive and enthusiastic!

Ask around, read great articles, do some googling and find people who are already VAs. Check out their websites, see what they offer and get an idea of how it might work for you.

Find a niche and specialize – It is definitely better to have a niche so work out what you are good at, what you like doing and what your potential clients would need. Your niche might be your industry, your services, or the types of people you work with. If you have a niche then you become the go-to person in that area.

Keep learning – I cannot tell you how important it is that you keep learning and stay on top of new developments – not only in your industry but with new technology and ways to work. If you keep your skills up to date then you’ll have a more varied and valuable skill set and will be worth more money.

So what's like to be a virtual assistant? Fun, challenging and a chance to make a career work for you! You'll be the person with the cool job. And what's better than that?

Join the conversation on Twitter!

  To learn more about becoming a virtual guru today, please contact us!

Read Full Article Here: What’s It Like To Be A Virtual Assistant?

from Canadian Virtual Gurus - Feed https://canadianvirtualgurus.com/be-a-virtual-assistant/

[canadianvirtualgurus]

The Basics of Blogging – A Checklist for Blogging Success

 Frequently, when it comes to blogging, the end result can be pretty mundane.

If you struggle to be creative, here are some pointers that will be helpful to you. By understanding these tips, you will end up making your blog posts more useful and powerful.

First, select topics that are important to your target audience.

Perform research on a keyword to help you. Although it may be time consuming, it will help you stay on track. BuzzSumo is a great resource for finding keywords to use in your blog posts.

Discuss the problems and pressing issues readers want to find out about. Expose your expertise and offer them the best solutions. Don’t cover too much ground as this confuses your readers.

Use catchy titles.

Your articles should have powerful and catchy titles. Lousy titles may cause the reader to scan past the post heading in a search. Use short, sweet and keyword–rich terms that summarize the content and can evoke emotions or actions from the reader.

I tend to stick with basic titles so when I need a bit of inspiration, I zip over to the Blog Title Generator. This is a handy tool if you are hurting for ideas.

Write in a conversational tone.

What makes blogging unique and fun as a writing style is the ability to converse with your audience through blog posts. Many of the habits of writing that would be frowned on in academic, business or journalism writing styles are not just acceptable but encouraged in blog posts. Engage your audience with a conversational style, inject humor and ask relevant questions.

Don't be afraid to use "you" and "your" to connect with your readers. Most of all, keep your sentences short and easy to read.For WordPress users, check the readability score and follow the suggestions.  Your readers should not need a dictionary to know what you are talking about!

Share your personal experiences/stories.

Typically, loading your articles with information alone can make your content sound boring. Make it more interesting to read by adding your personal stories and experiences that closely associate with the content. I've mentioned this before in other posts, audiences respond to personalized content now more than ever.

Use visuals.

Whenever applicable use data points, images and illustrations in your work. This will enable the reader to visualize ideas of the content. HubSpot has killer statistics and visual data templates. Remember to source content you use!

Use active voice.

There are a lot of reasons why you should apply the active voice instead of the passive voice. Except for the fact that this may make your articles a bit shorter, it can also make your content sound more powerful and authoritative. This is really what you need to attract the attention of the audience. Time to make some new friends!

Grammar Girl Owl Purdue Plain Language

Avoid redundancy.

As opposed to giving a speech, you can emphasize your major points by simply highlighting them or using lists and bullet points. It is of no benefit to you to repeat yourself on different points in your work.

Make it scannable.

Break down your work into smaller chunks of paragraphs. Each major idea should be well explained using short, brief paragraphs instead of covering too much ground. This will make your article more readable and easier to understand by the reader, as it gives the reader blank, white spaces that are soothing to the eyes.

Review your articles.

Re-read your article and review it for grammatical and spelling errors. Your articles should be flawless to make them more interesting. Have another person proof for typos and to make sure your images and graphics are showing up. Most of all, shell out the money and get Grammarly. This is the most powerful tool in your arsenal to prevent you from looking like a hack. No matter what your level of experience is, blog posts should have correct spelling and logical sentences.

Read... EVERYTHING

Be a sponge for literature, other blogs, news sites, magazines. Right now I'm reading a book about the Attica Prison Uprising and another book on Victorian poetry. I like to mix it up. The more you read, the better you will be as a writer.

Summary

Follow these tips to get started with blogging. There are plenty of free resources on the web if you want to learn more, but the most important thing is...have fun! Blogging is a great way to communicate and develop a unique personal voice.

Learn More!

Are you blogging? Share your links and ideas here!

Do you want to blog for clients? Click here to find out more!

Post Source Here: The Basics of Blogging – A Checklist for Blogging Success

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Work Life Balance – How A Virtual Guru Balances Work And Family

There are many ways to work: Monday to Friday 9-5, shift work, on call, seasonal, or work from home.

Let’s face it  - a typical 8 hour office job doesn’t work for everyone. It certainly didn’t for me!

With all life’s complications, along with the occasional monkey wrench thrown in, working from home was the best option for me.

And while I may work from home, I also work very hard at home.

Nope – they aren’t the same. Not for me. While I have the simplicity of a 24 second commute each day, and an unending supply of coffee, snacks and ‘mojo’ (in the form of puppy love), others have the complete opposite.

[caption id="attachment_1951" align="alignleft" width="238"] A comfy chair is a must![/caption]

They commute to offices and schools. They ‘brown bag’ it daily. They come home at day’s end completely exhausted and needing to unwind.

I can work in comfort, curled into a comfy chair. They sit at a desk in plastic chairs. Sometimes it seems unfair or unbalanced.

I am a virtual guru, but I am also my own ‘family-time’ guru (paid in love and appreciation). I work from home for myself, but I work at home for my family.

This means a happy life at home is just as important as a happy life at work.

Believe it or not, you can have both! With little or no work related stresses impacting my day, the least I can do is help to ease the daily stresses of my family members.

I have implemented small changes to my days that have made a huge impact for me and my family! Some of the changes I made strictly for my benefit – I am the guru after all. Others I made to benefit my kids, and still others for my husband.

Here are a few of my SMALL change, BIG result tips:

What I did for myself:

A Stellar Office Space!

Warm, quiet and cozy. I have all the office standards of course – desk, chair, computer – but I also have the most comfortable armless chair. It’s in the corner, by my south facing office window. Whenever I need to I can take a moment, hunker into my thinking spot, and rejuvenate in the view. It’s where I go when a ‘breather’ is what I need to make it through a project!

[caption id="attachment_1952" align="alignleft" width="300"] Nothing like a room with a view.[/caption]

A Large Window

The large window means I never feel cut off from the outside world, or from my recommended daily dose of sunshine and vitamin D. On the bonus side, I always know what the weather is like!

An Open Door Policy

I also have an ‘open door’ policy for my home office. I can still be part of whatever is going on in other parts of the house, and my family knows they can always come into the office to see me. Knowing I have not cut myself off from the household behind a closed office door is such a delight. I cannot complain about getting hugs and kisses from my children WHILE writing an SMM report.

What I did for my family:

Making Time For My Significant Other

Making time for your significant other is a luxury to some. Hubby works loooooong, stressful hours in a stuffy office ‘pod’. He spends most of his day in meetings and conferences, and rarely has the opportunity to take a coffee break. For the most part we don’t get any one on one time during the work week, and weekends are even more hectic.

I could see he was missing something pleasant in his day, so I started performing little acts of kindness for my husband throughout the week. On Mondays I pick him up from work so he is home in time to see our son before bedtime. Every Wednesday I take him out to lunch and if he needs an extra coffee (like the triple venti mocha wasn’t sufficient enough to pin him to the ceiling), I deliver it!

We get a chance to chat at lunch. He gets out of the office for some fresh air and recentering. But best of all? I get to see him smile when I show up! LIttle acts of kindness have a way of encouraging others to pay it forward. My husband pays it forward to me by letting me sleep in on Sundays…. which any parent can tell you is glorious!

Spending Mornings And Evenings With My Kids

The easiest, and most rewarding change I made was for my children. Already aged 7 and 13 (What?!), time with them is precious.

I don’t work in the morning until my children are at school. I am focused and available for the morning chaos. They each get a warm breakfast, and a warm hug before they start their school day! Who doesn’t need an “I love you” before the school bell rings?

  I also carve time out of every evening that I dedicate to my kids. It may just be dinner, homework, bath, bed, repeat…. but it’s dedicated time. Time when they know I am there to help with homework, listen to the daily happenings, or make their favourite study snack!

Summary

With these simple changes to my work day I have become a double certified guru: sometimes also known as a ‘successful working mom’.

Nothing is perfect though (refer back to ‘monkey wrenches), and I still work at home everyday.

Learn More!

Are you looking for a career as a virtual guru? Sign up here for information and opportunities!

Join our Facebook page and chat with other virtual gurus!

Learn More Here: Work Life Balance – How A Virtual Guru Balances Work And Family

from Canadian Virtual Gurus - Feed https://canadianvirtualgurus.com/balancing-work-and-family/

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Speed Things Up – How To Understand The Internet Speed Test

Ok everybody, raise your hands if you’ve been in this situation before...

You move into your new swank house or apartment and go through the usual rigmarole to get your Internet set up.

The Internet customer service representative rattles off bundles, plans and download speeds which, after a while, sound like a bunch of gibberish.

This is usually where I interrupt and tell the person, “Just give me whatever’s fastest”.

Like many people, I have a zen approach to Internet speeds. If I get on the web and I can do everything I want to do, it’s fast enough. If not, it’s another call to the customer service representative and a new list of bundles and specials. Ok, this time give me whatever is faster than the LAST speed I had.

I could leave it at that, pay my bill each month and have no idea of what’s going on behind the scenes. But, being a curious person and fascinated with all things Internet, I decided to do some investigating.

The Speed Test

First, let’s do a speed test.

A speed test measures upload and download speeds.

Upload Speed – The speed which you can move data from your computer to the Internet. Example: Uploading an html page to a website.

Download Speed – The speed with which you move data from the Internet to your computer. Example: Downloading cute cat pics!

[caption id="attachment_1944" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Don't let slow download speeds deny you kittens![/caption]

You’ll notice the download speed is larger than the upload speed. That makes sense, considering most of us are going to be downloading rather than uploading content.

How Do Speed Tests Work?

Speed tests simply measure how long it takes for information to travel from the Internet to your computer.

To measure the download speed, the test determines the time it takes for a file to move from the test server on the web to your computer.

To measure the upload speed, the test determines how long it takes to upload a file from your computer to the test server.

What Are Mbps?

For some reason I am determined to call them mega beeps, which is why I have that Missy Elliott song “Rain” in my head now (beep beep..who’s got the keys to the jeep…vroooom). If you want your Internet to go as fast as Missy’s jeep, you need lots of Mbps… which stand for mega bits.

Internet speed is measured in 'megabits per second', or Mbps.

One “bit” is a unit of data.

Since bits are teensy tiny things, you need many “megabits” to get things rolling.

A megabit is a million little bits moving through broadband space, hauling those cute cat pics back and forth.

Keeping with this logic, the more megabits per second you have, the quicker the online magic happens.

Or in more technical terms – a higher Mbps speed means faster download times, faster loading pages and streaming music and videos are less likely to buffer.

How's My Speed?

I clocked in at 18mbps for downloads and 6.08mbps for uploads. That's average. If I wanted to get into hardcore online gaming or video editing I would up the speed. But for my cute cat pic downloads, it's decent.

What Are Pings?

A ping is how fast you get a response after you send out a request.  A ping under 120ms is decent and I'm at 52. Like mbps, ms is another measurement for teensy tiny things... in this case, milliseconds. My system receives a response within 52 milliseconds. I can live with that!

Time for a musical interlude...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHcyJPTTn9w

  That Means I Just Need A Fast Connection For A Super Fast Download Speed, Right?

Oh no, no no...that would make it waaaay too easy.

There are other forces on the Internet that depending on circumstances may be friend or foe.

Read on for adventures in….

What Speeds You Up… Or Slows You Down

Internet Connection – How you connect to the Internet matters. Cable and fiber optics move data back and forth very fast. If you are using dial up… I don’t even know how you are reading this except for verrrrrry slowwwwly.

[caption id="attachment_1948" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Courtesy of Governing.com[/caption]

    Your Provider – The mega companies dominate the market for a reason – their technology is everywhere. Smaller companies mean less servers and a slower connection. It hurts, but shell out the big bucks and go with a larger provider.

[caption id="attachment_1945" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Courtesy of Speedtest[/caption]

  Time Frame – If you decide to download videos at 7 pm in Ottawa, go ahead. Just be aware that thousands of your fellow urban dwellers are doing that, too. Just like an interstate at rush hour, the amount of users clogging up the Internet impacts speed.

Remind Me - Why Am I Doing This?

Because if you work at home and you’re paying for a super pimp connection, it’s good to know you’re getting what you pay for.

Even with all the other forces at work delaying your cute cat pics, your connection speed should be within the range you were promised at sign up.

It’s also a great way to troubleshoot. If your download speed is fast but you’re still experiencing slowness with videos, you can now look at your connection, ISP or time frame to assess your options.

Summary

When you work from home, Internet speed is vital to your success in communicating with clients and transferring data back and forth. Now that you understand what the speed test measures and what it means, you'll have a better idea of how to manage your system for the best results.

Learn More!

Join our Facebook group to learn about exciting course offerings and the benefits of being a virtual guru!

  Source Here: Speed Things Up – How To Understand The Internet Speed Test

from Canadian Virtual Gurus - Feed https://canadianvirtualgurus.com/understand-internet-speed-test/

[canadianvirtualgurus]

To Do: Try A New To Do List

Many of us rely on productivity rituals and tools to help us become more organized and effective with our time.

There are the most common methods: to do lists, calendar scheduling and time tracking. All of these have benefits and drawbacks.

To do lists can become impossibly long, calendar scheduling can become overwhelming (planning my day from 5:30pm backwards? Not gonna happen!), and time tracking is great as long as you can remember to set the timer… every time.

For those who rely on to do lists, there’s an alternative method of tracking items with better results. The idea behind alternative to do list tracking is keeping a shorter list and tracking as you go. You’re listing, working and crossing off tasks in real time. This allows you to achieve more and avoid a long list at the end of the day.

Wunderlist For Time Tracking

Let’s use the list tool Wunderlist to improve our to do list tracking.

Here I’ve created a few tasks in my list. Notice how these are small and easy to finish. As I keep moving through my day, I’ll add tasks as I need to work on them. As you can see, I just completed my task “Write new paragraph”.

[caption id="attachment_1938" align="aligncenter" width="669"] Another view of Wunderlist[/caption]

The rolling to do list enables you to stay on top on your tasks, add new ones as they come up, and feel a sense of achievement at the end of the day.

It works intuitively with the mind in that we need to see our progress as the day goes on. This fulfillment creates a feeling of more control, less stress and a more productive outcome that an individual can quantify.

Integrating Other Tools

You can also incorporate other productivity tools into your Wunderlist. For example, the Pomodoro technique uses a timer for work sessions grouped in planned intervals. Just list “set timer” in the to do list and incorporate listing tasks as part of your timed sessions.

Let’s say I want to write for the next 5 minutes undisturbed. I’ll add “set timer” to my list and “free write for 5 minutes” as the following task.

Are you a fan of “eating the frog?” No problem. Add the tasks you like least to your list in small increments first thing in the morning. For example, I’ll write “attack WordPress spam” first thing tomorrow since I can’t stand spam comments (like who does, I know) polluting my blog posts.

The goal is to never have more than 2-3 items on your list at a time. This way the list can be worked through. And with larger projects, break them down. Instead of "update web page", use “edit element in container”, or “update header image”. This way, you’re able to make progress instead of feeling overwhelmed.

Keeping a spontaneous list also makes you less likely to forget a task and less distracted. Since you don’t have 10 items staring back at you, the constant interruptions during the day will no longer infringe on your time. You’ll be able to add requests in small, feasible parts.

Here’s another screen shot of what I’ve accomplished since I’ve been working on this post. The list is quite long at this point, but the bulk of those tasks are already completed. Wunderlist moves the completed tasks to the bottom of the screen.

[caption id="attachment_1937" align="aligncenter" width="699"] Wunderlist Task List[/caption]

When we feel that we’re making progress, we’re less likely to feel overwhelmed, which makes us procrastinate. This to do list cannot sprawl out of control, because it’s only 2-3 tasks at a time.

Also, smaller tasks are easier to accomplish. Breaking tasks down into smaller components makes the work easier, and you’ll accomplish more. A static to do list with general tasks will become overwhelming.

You can’t “lose your place” on the list because the list is only 2-3 items at any giving time. This rolling task list encourages you to be productive and spontaneous. It’s also way more flexible than a preset list.

Summary

Productivity rituals are here to create structure for our work day. They are not set in stone, and with the variables that come up over the course of the day, sticking to any ritual is always a challenge. The key here is to work with this tool as much as possible. You may accomplish a few tasks and not list them. You can always go back to add them and cross them off.

The key is to stay away from static, generalized, lengthy to do lists that are unmanageable.

You’ll be amazed at how much you accomplish every day when you use this rolling to do list. And who knows, this might be the first time you cross off everything on your to do list. Try it to start for an hour each day, and watch your productivity soar!

Learn More!

Want to learn more about being a virtual assistant? Stay in the loop by joining our Facebook group! Learn helpful hints, hear about our company and sign up for our boot camp!

Read Full Article Here: To Do: Try A New To Do List

from Canadian Virtual Gurus - Feed https://canadianvirtualgurus.com/to-do-try-a-new-to-do-list/

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How To Write Better Emails And Get Better Results

Guess what peeps? The latest statistics on email claim we spend A LOT of time wading through the inbox.

Despite all the productivity blogs and books on how to streamline emails, we’re still spending significant amounts of time reading and replying.

So, given that the inbox crawl is not going away anytime soon, let’s focus on what we can do.

How many times have you written an email that has caused a mini drama at work? Or an email that has the reader writing back to you to ask for an explanation of what you want them to do?

Writing clear, concise emails has a twofold benefit. You’ll get faster results from your email and prevent misunderstandings.

Here’s some tips on how to write more effective emails.

Use The Subject Line

The subject line is a powerful time saver but unfortunately most of us tend to underutilize this part of the email.

When you use specific text in the subject line you help the reader skimming their emails know right off the bat why you are writing to them.

For example here’s two subject lines:

Weekly marketing report

Week Ending 3/24/17 C Pike Marketing Campaign Status Report

The second subject line is way more informative. It helps the reader know what the email is about before they even open it.

 Be Brief

Create emails that get to the point. Instead of writing multiple requests, pick one main item and craft a 3 sentence email.

For example:

Hi Susan,

I’d like to learn how to use Zapier integration for Google Sheets.

Are you available on Tuesday to review the process on Zoom?

Please let me know if 12-1 or 2-3pm are good times for you.

Thanks, Cynda

Not only did I state a request here, I gave parameters for scheduling a meeting time. That directs the reader to respond and hopefully pick a time frame.

Break It Up

This rule goes for many forms of writing on the web – break up chunks of text. This makes emails easier to read. With so many emails coming through, sentences that are set apart will be less likely to be misread or misunderstood.

Take this block of text, for example.

Hi,

The office party’s coming up and everybody needs to be at Sizzler at 2 on Friday the 17th. Make sure you bring your gifts for the exchange. To get to Sizzler, take Highway 65 to exit 17 and then take a right, Sizzler is on your left. Make sure you sign the card by the end of today as well. Everybody’s doing a great job on the team with the software upgrade so keep up the good work. See you at Sizzler on Friday!

Thanks,

Cynda

This email has dates, times, directions in one large block of text. It’s easy for the reader to miss something.

Alternate text:

Hi-

Office Party Details:

Time & Date: Friday, March 17th, 2pm

Where: Sizzler Steak House

Directions: Take Highway 65 to Exit 17. Take your first right. Sizzler is on the left.

What To Bring: Your gift for the gift exchange

Miscellaneous: Sign card by EOD today,  Thursday, March 16th, 5pm.

Thanks!

Cynda

PS: Everybody’s doing a great job on the software upgrade! Keep up the great work team!

In this email, I’ve broken up the email and categorized the details. This is easier to read and understand.

Stick With The Formalities

Some of us write the way we speak. Which is why we need to do a mental reboot when writing to anyone in the business world. “Yo waasssuppp!” is not a business greeting and most likely will never be.

If you write like a gangsta rapper, switch to the King’s English with business emails. This means using the person’s name as it is written (don’t assume Joseph is Joe), and signing off with Regards, Kind Regards, or Sincerely, for example.

Avoid using emoticons or emojis in business emails. Can I tell you about the time when a business colleague sent me an emoticon of a clenched fist and I thought she wanted to punch me in the face? Fortunately, she just wanted to do a virtual fist bump. But the point is, it freaked me out.

Emails don’t have to be entertaining, colorful or artistic. They just need to get your message across.

It’s Not What You Say…

It’s the way that you say it. Tone is not always understood in emails. Be brief, but make sure you don’t come across as terse.

Joseph,

I need your logs by 2pm today or I’ll have to redo the report.

Thanks,

Cynda

Sheesh! Sounds like I didn’t have coffee that morning! This email could come across as agitated or even slightly tense.

Let’s rewrite this as the kinder, gentler authoritarian (just kidding)!

Hi Joseph,

Thanks for creating the weekly logs for me, this is good data!

I’d like to have these by 2pm sharp so I can integrate them in the larger report.

Let me know if 2pm is a workable time frame.

Thank you!

Cynda

See how I tell Joseph how his data rocks and I need it to use for my data reporting? Now Joseph knows he has to hustle to get his data to me. He can also tell me if that time frame won’t work. I’d rather get an email like this any day.

Get On The Phone

If your email string is a mile long and you’re getting nowhere, take it out of email and get on the phone or a meeting. Long email strings just confirm that the conversation isn’t working and they become exhausting for those individuals who are trapped in the cc: line. Read the email string back from the beginning and determine where the disconnect is? Who seems confused? What’s the gist of the conversation? Then determine an action to rectify the situation.

The CC: Vortex

I wonder now how many bosses and co workers I’ve driven slowly insane by cc’ing on endless emails.

Chances are, your conversation doesn’t need an audience. Before you cc or bcc anyone, ask yourself – does this person really need to be included in this conversation? Is it something they want to know? Need to know? Can contribute to? If all of these things are a yes, then go ahead. Otherwise, skip it.

Don’t Forget the Kudos

With all the emails we process every day, it’s nice to open one that says, “Great job!”

Don’t forget the compliments. It’s always a good idea to tell people what they are doing right.

Hi Anne,

Thanks for taking the lead on this project. You’ve done an excellent job motivating the team to focus on customer service. Our clients have noticed the difference!

Regards,

Cynda

Here I offer a compliment and explain what the person is doing well.  It never hurts to put forth positive energy, either.

Summary

By writing concise, brief emails, you can save time and get meaningful responses. Test out these tips on your emails and see if they produce results for you!

Learn More!

Follow us on Twitter!

Article Source Here: How To Write Better Emails And Get Better Results

from Canadian Virtual Gurus - Feed https://canadianvirtualgurus.com/how-to-write-better-emails-and-get-better-results/

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Virtual Assistant Spotlight – Chantal Bertrand

At Canadian Virtual Gurus, our greatest resource is our team of highly skilled virtual assistants!

This month we shine the spotlight on virtual assistant Chantal Bertrand.

Chantal originally hails from Ottawa, Ontario and has extensive (over 20 years!) IT experience. She studied network administration in British Columbia where she quickly became a DOS and mainframe guru.

Her career in IT began with teaching workers at a steel company how to use a computer. Within two years Chantal had developed a successful training plan that was implemented across all the divisions and helped launch the opening of a second office.

After some time in IT, Chantal decided to take a break and honor her creative side. She created her own business plan and launched a pre owned furniture store. Fun fact: The store "Sunshine" was named after a nickname given to Chantal by her husband. Check out Chantal's current online store here.

Below, Chantal shares her thoughts about what it's like to be a virtual assistant:

Q: How did you become interested in virtual work?

The commute was slowly draining me. I commuted for 10 years and sometimes it took me almost 3 hours to get to work. That’s almost a full day of productive work I could have been doing or spending time with my family.  I lost so much precious time. When my father-in-law became ill, I decided something had to change. Google came to the rescue, and that's where my virtual career started.

Q: What’s the best thing about working at Virtual Gurus?

The whole team is amazing and we continue to grow with amazing talent.  Bobbie and David are truly creating a family. I’ve learned so much already since I’ve been here and continue to do so daily.

There are so many resources at your disposal, and the support you get for growing your own business is amazing.

Q: What are some of the challenges and benefits of being a Virtual Guru?

With anything in life there are challenges.  But for me, the benefits outweigh the challenges as a Virtual Guru.  You get to re-invent yourself, work at your own pace, learn so much and save tons of money commuting.  I save over $1200 a year working from home. That’s a lot more chocolate for me. :)

Family time is the best benefit of all.  My father-in-law fell ill 3 years ago and I was away from home working so many hours that I missed out on so much. Without being a Virtual Guru, I would not have been able to be with him during his last moments.

One thing that could get challenging is the loneliness.  You need to make sure you talk to someone everyday in person or on the phone.  You get so comfortable being behind a screen that you forget to socialize and make time for yourself.

Q: What are three fun things we should know about you?

 I’m geographically impaired. I can usually get somewhere, but then I can't get back without a GPS. And please don’t tell me to "go north" unless there is a sign that says north, lol!

I secretly love Elvis Presley... and I’m not that old!

I secretly blog in my head. Yes, that’s right, everyday I blog while I’m doing something: dishes, shower, you name it! I’m blogging but I never write it down on paper. (I’m secretly blogging about secretly blogging as we speak...lol).

Q: What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a Virtual Guru?

Join as many social media groups as possible. You will learn so much!

Make sure you are ready not just physically (office, lighting, chair, invoicing, meals), but mentally. Remember it takes 21 days for us to get used to something. Get dressed everyday as if you're going out of the house to work.  You’ll see it makes a world of difference.

Most importantly, have faith in yourself.  At times it may be challenging, but just look ahead and continue to believe in who you are and you will be amazed at your success. Best of all, be prepared to feel amazing.

Being your own boss will give you the best feeling of accomplishment.

Join Our Team!

Learn how to you can become a virtual assistant and work with great people like Chantal.

Head to our Insider Page and sign up today!

Read Full Article Here: Virtual Assistant Spotlight – Chantal Bertrand

from Canadian Virtual Gurus - Feed https://canadianvirtualgurus.com/virtual-assistant-spotlight-chantal-bertrand/

[canadianvirtualgurus]

Get More From Google Drive

If you’re a virtual worker, it’s likely you’ve had to try out a variety of file storage and sharing systems. There’s many different offerings such as Dropbox and Hightail, but most Gmail users have rallied around Google Drive. Google Drive does what any file sharing tool does – store, synchronize and share, but it does a lot of other things, too.

Chances are you’ve been using a fraction of the capabilities of Google Drive, and may be missing out on some time saving tips and tricks. You may know that Google Drive incorporates Docs and Sheets, but have you ever tried Maps, Drawing, Forms or Sites? These are a few of the apps that you can access with Google Drive. Let’s review the basics of these lesser known tools by creating a scenario where we would use all of them together.

For example, a team is going to meet in St. Louis for a convention. The team members want to go to different restaurants for Japanese, Italian and Ethiopian food. Let’s start with Google Maps to find the locations.

Google Maps

Not only is Google Maps good for sharing locations, it’s also storing layers of information about the different restaurants. As you can see in this example, team members can click on each layer to get information on different restaurants. They can also add a layer with more information. This is an efficient way to share maps, locations and directions without having to refer to multiple emails, documents or other information. Simply share the Google Maps information across team for reference.

[caption id="attachment_1900" align="aligncenter" width="1302"] Here is the page before it's published.[/caption]

  [caption id="attachment_1901" align="aligncenter" width="1121"] Here's the site live.[/caption]

  Google Sites

Need a quick and easy way to post a website on the conference and its information. Google Sites is one of the most painless website creators out there. Simply follow the template and publish to the Google server with your own custom URL prefix. Here we’ve created a basic website to add conference times, itinerary and other details. Now team members can click here for updates and other details right on the spot.

  Google Drawing

Need to add graphics or text to photos or create images? Google Drawing is capable of the same functions as programs like Paint. Here we’ve added some graphics and text to a map image of the conference area to detail where everybody at the conference will meet up. The image can be shared across the drive and has the handy comment field like google Docs, so people can add information or questions.

Google Forms

Remember when the thought of creating a form caused the average person to groan and call a programmer to fidget with Visual Basic or Perl? Form creation has come a long way since then, and Forms is an example of this. You don’t need any programming or coding experience to create a Google form that collects and manages the data for you. Do you hear angels singing? Yes, it's that great!

Let’s say we wanted to get feedback on the St. Louis conference. Here’s an example of a form that can be used to submit feedback.

[caption id="attachment_1903" align="aligncenter" width="1319"] Form Template[/caption]

Here is the form template. I’ve named the form St. Louis Conference Feedback. You can collect email addresses that can be integrated into a Google Sheet.

Here I’ve changed the color scheme from blue to pink and red (they're the colors of carnations and roses, my favorite flowers). This is the preview of how the form will appear to the recipient.

The settings panel also allows you to create quizzes, which come in handy for online courses and webinars.

[caption id="attachment_1906" align="aligncenter" width="770"] Responses[/caption]

Responses can be sorted by summary or individual. See? No coding, no hard stuff. Just the dirt on what people really thought about the keynote speaker.

Summary

So, in using Google Drive tools, we’ve provided team members who are attending the St. Louis Conference the following information:

A shared map of the area with restaurants and their locations

A website with pertinent information on the conference, and updates.

A detailed image map with information on the meeting place with comments.

A form to solicit feedback on the conference.

No external programs and no compatibility issues because the team has access to all the information through the shared drive. This seamless exchange and transfer of information makes Google Drive so efficient for covering the different information required by the team members.

This is just one example of how these Google drive tools can be effective for various projects or scenarios that come across your desk. I used the conference example because planning travel and group events usually means lots of different people needing lots of different types of information. Sharing information also means there's less chance of miscommunication or redundant questions.

As with any new program or app, the only way to see what works is to test, test and test. Make up scenarios of your own and test them out on coworkers and friends. That way, when the next big conference gets tossed your way, you’ll already have the knowledge and the tools to make organizing your team’s information a breeze.

What are your favorite apps in Google Drive? Share your tips and tricks with us below!

Learn More!

Join our Facebook group to learn about exciting course offerings and the benefits of being a virtual guru!

  Article Source Here: Get More From Google Drive

from Canadian Virtual Gurus - Feed https://canadianvirtualgurus.com/get-more-from-google-drive/

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Join The Virtual Gurus Bootcamp 2.0

Are you interested in becoming a virtual guru but not sure you have the skills?

Are you looking to brush up on your current skills in social media, marketing or client management?

Then the Virtual Gurus Bootcamp 2.0 is the program for you!

Virtual Gurus Bootcamp 2.0

Join us for 3 in depth classes featuring these topics:

Social Media Strategy – Learn what to recommend and how to execute on it.

Marketing Funnels – Learn how to generate more leads and make more money for you and your clients.

Internet and Client Management Hacks – Learn now to save time, look impressive and scale up your work.

Our Exclusive Bonus!

As student in the bootcamp, you will have access to a special lecture on getting your first client – even if you have no experience.

Details:

When: Monday, April 3rd - Friday, April 7th, 2017 Where: Virtual Gurus Bootcamp 2.0 (Access Room To Be Provided) Join: Virtual Gurus Signup Page

Meet The Instructor:

I Can't Wait to See You In Class!

I’m Megan Dougherty, the Training and Education Manager at Canadian Virtual Gurus.

I'll be taking you through the bootcamp sessions.

All of these classes are cutting-edge, entry-level trainings on the most important tools, skills and strategies our clients ask for every day!

Follow Megan Dougherty on Facebook and Twitter!

Learn More!

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for exciting news and updates!

  Learn More Here: Join The Virtual Gurus Bootcamp 2.0

from Canadian Virtual Gurus - Feed https://canadianvirtualgurus.com/join-the-virtual-gurus-bootcamp-2-0/

[canadianvirtualgurus]

Super Cool Cell Phone Hacks

For most of us, cell phones are our life line to just about everything, whether it be personal or work related. Virtual workers rely on cell phones for staying connected to clients and managing their work. Like the Mac and PC users, some of us swear by Androids and others, by the iPhone. Whichever one you prefer, knowing a few tech hacks can help you with some of the common phone issues.

Here’s a list of cell phone hacks that are good to know:

[caption id="attachment_1878" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Image Source: Lifehacker.com[/caption]

Crank the speaker volume on your phone by stashing it in a pint glass.

Charge your cell phone faster by putting it in airplane mode.

Your phone is frozen? Plug it into a charger to unfreeze it.

[caption id="attachment_1879" align="aligncenter" width="295"] Source: iDownloadblog.com[/caption]

Nuisance calls, such as telemarketers driving you crazy? Hold down the volume button to mute the ringer.

Someone left their cell phone alarm ringing through the house? Call the cell phone number to stop the alarm.

Someone needs to use your phone? Have them use Siri to make the call. Your phone stays locked.

[caption id="attachment_1880" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Image Source: Lifehacker.com[/caption]

Swipe left or right on an iPhone to delete the last number on the calculator.

Need a mirror? Use the camera on your phone to face you.

Never lose your phone again – put a name and contact number on the lock screen.

Finally, check out this cool video on how to make a phone holder for your from an old cassette case!

  Cell phones are one of life's necessities at this point. Knowing some simple hacks can always be helpful and further your understanding of your cell phone's technology. Try these out and share them with others!

What cell phone hacks do you rely on? Have you figured out new things your phone can do? Share your tips with us below!

Learn More!

Join our Facebook group to learn more about being a virtual guru.

Source Here: Super Cool Cell Phone Hacks

from Canadian Virtual Gurus - Feed https://canadianvirtualgurus.com/super-cool-cell-phone-hacks/

[canadianvirtualgurus]

The Other Distractions – Staying Focused In Your Home Office

Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the past few weeks, you’ve probably seen the hilarious viral video of this very, very serious professor being ambushed by his children during a BBC interview.

For anyone working in a home office, the scenario is a familiar one. No matter what we do to keep our home office distraction free, there’s always things that are beyond our control.

Many of us left behind cubicles to work in a more independent environment. Becoming a virtual worker is one of the best ways to do that. But to be successful, a virtual worker needs to effectively utilize routines and structure that increase productivity and limit distractions. You may think you have a system in place, but there’s always a few distractions that can throw you off track. Let’s review some ways to stay on track when the other distractions get in your way.

Housework – Dishes are in the sink, laundry is piling up and toys are all over the floor. You convince yourself that you can do a bit of straightening up - and then, before you know it, you’ve lost an hour of your work day.

Suggestion – Think about how many times you worked in an office with a gross fridge, messy stock room and coffee cups everywhere. It wasn’t your job to straighten up, so you left it. Like housework, it’s not your job between your work hours, so leave it until you are off the clock. If housework drives you crazy, do a quick straightening up in the morning. And if you can see the mess, close the door. Out of sight means out of mind.

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Cat Keyboard Attacks – One thing we can all agree on in this world is that we love our pets. If you work from home, cats tend to remind you of their presence by casually sauntering across your laptop, leaving a trail of incoherent symbols all over your document. This is all funny and great until they end up deleting an entire spreadsheet (Thanks, Rummy!).

Suggestion – According to cat behaviorists, cats walk and sit on laptops because of the warmth and tactile feeling of the keys on their paws. They are also drawn to the lights and colors of the screen. Most of all, this thing is drawing your attention away from them, so they are putting themselves in the mix. A blanket or perch near your desk will help your cat feel included. Using toys as a distraction will also keep them off the keys. If you really want to foil their plans, tape around the edges of your desk will work as well.

The Fridge – When you have a fridge full of goodies to choose from, it’s easy to get in the habit of constantly snacking during the day. It’s easier than cooking, and it’s easy to work and snack away at your desk. The problem is what you’re eating may be way too sugary and cause you to crash and burn later.

Suggestion – Plan your meal times just like lunch and snack breaks in regular office environments. This forces you to step away from your desk, eat a balanced meal, and recharge. Or get out of the house altogether and have lunch with friends.

Neighbors – When word gets around that you’re the neighbor that’s always home, don’t be surprised when the various odd requests come in. Can you turn off our sprinkler? Collect our mail while we’re away? Watch our dog? Even with the number of people working at home, there are people who think that working from home isn’t really working.

Suggestion – Set clear boundaries about when you’re available to help out your neighbors. Let them know what times you are available to step away, and what times you are in your office working. This makes it clear that your work comes first and that you have time constraints just like brick and mortar office workers. It’s ok to say, "I’d like to help, but unfortunately during that time I am unavailable. "

  Music – You’ve created the killer playlist with all your favorite tunes! Since nobody’s home, you’re cranking up the iPod. Songs start reminding you of fun times, jogging your memory, and soon it’s impossible to focus on the task in front of you. The music we’re passionate about evokes an emotional response - which is great when you’re at the Lady Gaga concert, not so great at work.

Solution – Time to bust out the focus and concentration music. Or listen to music without lyrics such as classical music.  You’ll need to find music that you find pleasing to listen to, but won’t spirit you away to memories of that high school dance. Better yet, embrace the silence – something that regular office workers never have!

When you work at home, the distractions may be a bit different than working in a regular office. Pets, neighbors and other things can throw you off your game. Since distractions will always be there, when you have a system to deal with them, you’ll have a more tranquil environment, and enjoy greater focus and productivity.

What are some of the distractions that impact your work day? What tools do you use to stay on track? Share your tips with us below!

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Post Source Here: The Other Distractions – Staying Focused In Your Home Office

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