Meet Nicole
Administrative work isn't highly regarded by everyone, but it can make the difference between a business where things run smoothly and one where, well, they don't. Done well, I consider it a real craft. My enjoyment of it began many moons ago, in Junior High School, when I was the fastest, most accurate typist in my class - and I don't deny that I loved the distinction!
During my fifteen years in the corporate world, I moved from being the person who typed someone else's letters to being the person who, as a technical writer, picked engineers' brains and translated the information I gleaned into proposals customers could read and understand easily. That last position was what introduced me to the wide world of technology and made virtual assistance feel like a natural fit when I decided to abandon my hour-long (on a good day) commute.
I graduated from AssistU in April, 2008 and earned my stripes as a Certified Professional Virtual Assistant (CPVA) in the summer of 2009. I chose to pursue this certification because I wanted one that really meant something. The CPVA exam is an eight-week client simulation in which you're tested on what you can actually accomplish and how you work, not just what you know.
I'm a voracious reader, I love designing beautiful gardens (though I hate weeding them), and I have one husband, two sons, an uppity cat, and six very silly hens, including the magnificent, eggs-with-double-yolks-producing Rosie Bird.
Who I Work Best With
To be honest, despite all the advice to the contrary, I really enjoy having a general practice, as opposed to zeroing in on just one or two professions to support. In actual fact, my clients have all been either in a branch of alternative healing or coaches - but it just happened to work out that way.
No, I'm much more interested in the person behind the profession, rather than vice versa, when a client and I choose each other to work with.
The people I've most enjoyed working with have all had the following in common:
- They could clearly articulate why they were in their particular business - what drew them to it - as well as who they helped and how they helped them
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They were unfailingly gracious in their manner of communicating.
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They were clear on their goals and valued input on how they might be able to reach those goals more easily or efficiently
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They were respectful of my time and procedures, were organized about projects, and avoided habitual emergencies. Basically, they helped me to help them.
If you see yourself in the above, I'd love to talk with you to explore whether working together would be a good fit for both of us.
And even if you don't, I still might be able to help you. Click here to access your free copy of How To Choose The Right Virtual Assistant For YOU: An Insider's Guide.
Fun Facts
Years ago, when I was working a full-time job, my coworkers and I took a test to measure various forms of aptitude. (I'm actually quite a good test-taker and thought this test was a lot of fun.) Anyway, it turns out that I'm extremely good at abstract reasoning, answering 100% of the questions in that category correctly.
I was kind of bummed about that because it sounded like a very made-up aptitude to me. I felt better when I read the explanation. Abstract reasoners are:
Very good at spotting patterns and processing complex information in a clear and logical way.
Excel at applying facts outside of their usual contexts.
Bring a combination of strategic thinking and creativity to endeavours.
Hmm, not too shabby after all.
Mechanical ability and verbal ability tied at a close second. However, I only answered 40% of the questions in the spatial skills category correctly, so I'm not the person to ask if you want to know what an odd-shaped object will look like when it's rotated or how to put a whole bunch of suitcases into the trunk of a car in such a way that you can still close the lid of the trunk, or the boot, as my British friends would say!
On Myers-Briggs tests, I've been identified as both ISFJ and INFP, without ever feeling like I've given fake answers. The only difference I noticed between tests is that some asked for gender and some didn't! So I don't actually know for sure which I am, as a lot of things in both explanations describe me well. I suspect that my base personality type is INFP, but that I'm weighted heavily toward being introverted and feeling and am much more middle-of-the-road on sensing versus intuitive and judging versus perceiving.
My favorite color is green.
I love animals.
And, I'd love to hear about you, too. Drop me a line and introduce yourself!