Why female empowerment is critical.

Like most women, I’m quite aware that society has certain expectations of how a woman is meant to be. Like many strong women I know, I haven’t really followed those expected standards of how I should be, dress, speak or even how I should live my life.

We live in a society that regularly judges our actions. Not only that, but it seems to reward those of us who conform. Now, and especially with the rise of Social Media, this can be a pressure that is quite overwhelming.

Sexism is still out there, and we’ve all dealt with it in its various forms at some time throughout our lives. This is why we shouldn’t ever make it harder on other women.

Shaming, blaming, bitching and making disparaging comments about other women is every bit as awful as men or the media doing the same thing. We all have preconceived notions about how other women ought to be. These aren’t any less harmful.

Females have a history of being noxious towards other females – Hollywood made a movie about it remember? Making comments about clothes, bodies or whatever else can be a past-time for some. Why? Even if we don’t make a rude comment to someone’s face, don’t you think the world would just be a little bit brighter for not having made the comment at all?

The world is a much better place when women support each other and lift each other up. It’s so essential that we empower and build each other up. Coming across another women who has been through similar experiences and who backs you up in your efforts is a massive confidence boost.

When we all support each other, we are all better for it. We need to stop comparing ourselves to others and band together. We need to stop shaming. We need to remember those famous words spoken by the great Jesse Jackson, “the only time you should look down on someone, is when you’re helping them up”.

I have found in the VA industry that empowerment is a big theme. The force is truly strong in this industry, at least in the communities that I engage with. I’m sure some of the ladies (and the men) are the same in their lives away from their business.

Let’s all support each other and stop society and its sometimes-impossible standards, tearing us down.   Let’s celebrate female empowerment!

CanDoVA

My experience and skills are varied:   an executive PA in London and Australia; I have worked exclusively in a Secretariat co-ordinating Board meetings, agendas and minutes and parliamentary enquiries; campaign executive for an animal welfare NGO in Singapore; an interior decorator consulting for a large paint company and have project managed 2 large personal renovation projects.

I am also a professional Artist and still practice and exhibit.  My Art company is called “Ocean Sun Design” and you can check it out here https://www.facebook.com/OceanSunDesign/    

My interests include marine conservation and cetacean advocacy.  I have been a Scuba Diver for years and am qualified to Rescue Diver level (meaning I’m fabulous to have in a tight spot and I don’t panic – trust me!).  I also love reading, writing, cooking and hiking.

• Diploma in Public Administration
• Certificate IV in Interior Decoration and Design
• Diploma of Visual Arts
• Advanced Diploma of Creative Product Development
• Diploma of Justice.

Empowerment in the VA Community

I have just rolled into the eighth month of being a Virtual Assistant and things are looking positive.

Having spent the first few months very much in the planning phase and using the time to refresh and up-skill, I spent a bit of time being confused by the numerous resources out there. What software was the best, who do I choose to train with, what services should I offer, where do I invest my resources etc. It was all a bit overwhelming.

I completed my VA Certification through VA Directory having known its founder, Kathie Thomas for a number of years. Not only is she a great mentor having been one of the founders of the industry in Australia, but she’s a very patient coach and can always be found at the end of the virtual surf when I’ve felt sucked under the waves with a technical or client issue.

In March, I attended the tenth Australian Virtual Assistants Conference and found this to be a great investment in my VA journey. Not only did I get great value from some of the speakers there, but it was a great chance to network with them and the other VAs attending. Because we work in isolation, that contact and networking is a godsend.

A feature of the VA industry that has really struck a chord with me is the empowerment I get from others on the same journey. Some are like me in the early stages of their travels and many others are seasoned VAs.

Through social media networking groups, I connect with VAs here in Australia, the US and more recently in the UK. The support nearly everyone gives each other is a stand-out feature of the industry. There is no issue I can have that can’t be answered or put into perspective by another VA. There is advice on everything you could want – niching, tax, software, marketing, and very importantly, how to nurture and care for yourself through the whole experience.

I’ve witnessed people make a complete turnaround in attitude, determination and success because they’ve been buoyed by the support that they’ve got from this wonderful community.

I’ve had my ups and downs. I’ve had a couple of days when I’ve thought, ‘what on earth am I doing?’ Mostly I feel excited about the future. I have the freedom to organise my life around what I do and I get up every morning raring to get on with work after connecting with nature in this beautiful part of the world.

Now I just need to make that time and finish my website!

CanDoVA

My experience and skills are varied:   an executive PA in London and Australia; I have worked exclusively in a Secretariat co-ordinating Board meetings, agendas and minutes and parliamentary enquiries; campaign executive for an animal welfare NGO in Singapore; an interior decorator consulting for a large paint company and have project managed 2 large personal renovation projects.

I am also a professional Artist and still practice and exhibit.  My Art company is called “Ocean Sun Design” and you can check it out here https://www.facebook.com/OceanSunDesign/    

My interests include marine conservation and cetacean advocacy.  I have been a Scuba Diver for years and am qualified to Rescue Diver level (meaning I’m fabulous to have in a tight spot and I don’t panic – trust me!).  I also love reading, writing, cooking and hiking.

• Diploma in Public Administration
• Certificate IV in Interior Decoration and Design
• Diploma of Visual Arts
• Advanced Diploma of Creative Product Development
• Diploma of Justice.

Home in the Hills

CanDoVA

My experience and skills are varied:   an executive PA in London and Australia; I have worked exclusively in a Secretariat co-ordinating Board meetings, agendas and minutes and parliamentary enquiries; campaign executive for an animal welfare NGO in Singapore; an interior decorator consulting for a large paint company and have project managed 2 large personal renovation projects.

I am also a professional Artist and still practice and exhibit.  My Art company is called “Ocean Sun Design” and you can check it out here https://www.facebook.com/OceanSunDesign/    

My interests include marine conservation and cetacean advocacy.  I have been a Scuba Diver for years and am qualified to Rescue Diver level (meaning I’m fabulous to have in a tight spot and I don’t panic – trust me!).  I also love reading, writing, cooking and hiking.

• Diploma in Public Administration
• Certificate IV in Interior Decoration and Design
• Diploma of Visual Arts
• Advanced Diploma of Creative Product Development
• Diploma of Justice.