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I’m secretly jealous of today’s guest expert. She’s one of those people who’s got their shit together to such a degree that you can’t help but feel a little bit of envy mixed in with the awe and admiration.
She’s the sort of person who casually drops a message into a group chat to say she’s scheduled a month’s worth of content and is now spending the rest of the day sipping cocktails on their balcony.
That’s actually pretty good proof of what she offers, because she is in fact a VA.
Allow me to introduce Lisa Slack, founder of Take Up The Slack (I’m also in awe and envious of anyone who uses their own surname in a pun to create their business name – marvellous work).
If you fancy doing a bit less work and a bit more sipping cocktails on balconies, her tips are worth listening to…
Elevator pitch
My clients never have to do anything they can’t, won’t, and frankly shouldn’t be doing in the world of business administration.
Who benefits from your services the most?
Often they’re small to medium-sized businesses who are doing well. They have really busy lives both in and out of work. They often find themselves working long hours or opening the laptop after the kids have gone to bed so they can keep on top of the day to day stuff.
It’s invariably those jobs they regularly put off or leave until they really have to do them.
What are some easy wins you can suggest for the people you help?
Create simple file structures and naming conventions – this makes it much easier to find the information when you want it.
Set up folders / labels in your email inbox – this reduces the overwhelm of opening an inbox with so much in you don’t know where to start.
Unsubscribe to every email you don’t want – it reduces the incoming emails over time.
What’s the biggest mistake you see made by the people you help?
It’s very common for business owners to wear multiple hats and need to do it all when they set up their business.
However, as the business grows and evolves, they continue in this cycle.This makes it more difficult to grow and they often fall out of love with the business they started.
A good starting point is making a list of all the jobs you do and sorting them into “Love to”, “Can’t do”, “Shouldn’t Do” then look to outsource all the jobs in the last 2 columns – you may need to do this over time rather than in one hit.
It’s worth remembering that while something takes you ages (because it’s not your bag or you procrastinate because you don’t enjoy it), it will take someone skilled considerably less time and may not cost as much as you think to outsource it.
What’s your go-to tool, strategy, or productivity hack?
Lists and planning – making a list of all the things I have to get done, prioritising what’s urgent and important over everything else. Then, if I can get rid of non urgent non important tasks then I do.
Grouping these tasks into type also helps hugely when I get down to doing them as I get into a rhythm which makes it easier and quicker to get through.
Share a moment, event, or piece of wisdom that helped you get where you are today.
Being diagnosed with stage-1 cancer and being made redundant within the same year a few years ago was a bit of a turning point for me.
I really had the “life is short!” aha moment.
It was at this point I decided I would like to work for myself and really get in control of my employment status so I would be in control of my own future. I’d learned so much over years of being employed and gained insights and skills that were transferable to do what I do today.
Promote one of your services
Inbox and Diary Management – Interruptions & distractions are a big part of our daily lives, and whilst they seem like a small inconvenience they can be so much more.
Your inbound email is a constant interruption that can drag you away from your important tasks. And even when you do manage to stay on task it takes on average over 23 minutes to refocus!
Add to this the back-and-forth aligning diaries for those important meetings and events and your day soon gets eaten up.
This is where I can help:
- Checking emails twice a day (Monday to Friday am and pm)
- Responding to emails either with a holding email or redirecting if needed
- Flagging urgent emails that you need to action
- Filing emails that don’t need a response or action
- Setting up and managing email folders
- Arranging meetings and sending reminders
- Diary management to ensure you get to do all the things you want and need to achieve
I offer retained packages from 10 – 30 hours a month, guaranteeing you the support you need when you need it.
Finally, what are you watching, reading or listening to and why is it great?
I’m reading and watching Jack Reacher. Reacher Series 3 just started on Amazon Prime and I’m reading the new book “In Too Deep”. I love a good action thriller with plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing.
Connect with Lisa
Visit Lisa’s website, Take Up The Slack, to learn more about how she can sort your life out.
She also posts top-notch tips for saving time and staying organised on her LinkedIn page.