kO′ch VA adj. 1. a highly specialized and niched virtual
assistant who is in tune with their coaching clients and customizes solutions based upon their individual needs and goals 2. differs from a general virtual assistant as they only partner with members of the coaching industry [syn: 
Archive for Personal
How Good Is Your Memory?
Posted by: | CommentsKeeping the memory in good condition is a vital part of the brain’s function. Every now and then, our actions greatly depend on a lot of information we retrieve from our memory bank. Such information can either be short term (such as specific tasks that we have to do) or long term (such as the ability to drive a car or repeat an instruction we read from a book). While long-term memory may come spontaneously without too much effort when the need arises, short-term memory requires recalling information from the accumulation of things stored in our memory. This is why you need to keep your memory in great shape to achieve efficiency in your daily endeavors:
- Keep your attention focused on the needed information to be stored in your memory bank. Even with distractions around you, stay focused on the subject. The more concentrated you are on the information, the better the chances of retaining it in your memory.
- Utilize the most ideal sense or senses when gathering the information. This is what we call acuity in sensing our environment. Be aware of the color or details of a picture, or the particular sound or smell of the thing involved. All our bodily senses are attuned to collect information depending on the circumstance at hand. While our sense of vision may be the most used in gathering information, our senses of hearing, smell, taste, and touch are equally important and helpful in remembering things, situations, and information about something or someone.
- When you’re not sure that the information you are about to remember would really be retained by your brain, it would be better to write the information. This could be proven effective especially in gathering very long and tedious information like lecture notes or a personal interview. Just be sure you don’t forget that you have a note at hand; and of course, don’t misplace the note.
- Maintain a balanced diet. A well-proportioned diet will result to a conditioned memory. Oily and sweet foods may cloud the memory. If you cannot completely eliminate a bad diet, gradually cut down your intake of these memory-inhibiting foods. Doing it gradually cushions the effect of withdrawal symptoms and you’ll get adjusted to the new lifestyle you are creating. This is not only beneficial to the memory, but we can say you’re on your way to a healthy life. Drinking lots of water brings lots of advantages to your overall health, and memory is not an exception.
- Don’t deprive yourself…get enough rest and sleep. Having enough sleep does not condone laziness; oversleeping does. So don’t feel guilty resting or sleeping as long as it is not overdone. You need it badly to keep you revitalized from the tiresome demand of work.
- Take time to relax. Breathe deeply if you must. Keep your thoughts organized before acting on them. Keep away from stress and anxiety. It may be impossible to completely eliminate stress since it is part of our challenging generation, but try to keep it down as much as possible. Stress may bring your memory into its inefficient level. Avoid the habit of saying to yourself that you might forget things, because you’re more likely to if you do. This just builds your anxiety level up to its panic mode.
- Stay positive, creative, and energetic. Your memory needs to be within a circle of various things. Things that come in various shapes, sizes, and colors can motivate your creativity. This is a positive way of discovering your surroundings in all its variations and diversities. Avoid being enclosed within the four walls of your room just like you’re a prisoner. The only time to be enclosed is when you have to rest or sleep. Don’t be a couch potato. There’s a very exciting world out there waiting to improve your memory.
The very best way to improve your memory is between infancy and adolescent. As we grow old, memory starts to fail. But a strong memory that we can develop during the prime years of our lives will definitely enhance us to be good thinkers. This can be done by continuously exercising our memory through reading and other cognitive activities like the habit of solving crossword puzzles. The more you do these, the better memory retention is developed.
Becki Noles is the virtual business manager and online marketing dynamo of the Virtual Accuracy Companies. She and her associates work with the top business and marketing coaches in the United States and the world over providing SEO, Pay Per Click, website development and technical virtual assistant services. Get the free 9 part series “How to Market Your Business” by visiting The Selon Group (a division of the Virtual Accuracy Companies).
Networking With Members of Your Own Industry
Posted by: | CommentsI had a fabulous time at the VA Conference 2005 last weekend and everyone who attended had a blast! But the most important thing is, we learned from each other and the main speakers, Nora Rubinoff, Kelly Poelker, Valerie Gallup and Janet Jordan were phenomenal. Kathryn Williams (from the UK), Terry Green and I also provided input on how to create a successful VA practice.
Heather and I were able to promote our first joint venture, Blog Mavens during the lunch session last Saturday. Over the courses of lunch and dessert, we spoke with over 20 participants who were eager to begin their blogs or take them to the next level.
Our hotel had a fabulous view of the arch and the downtown.
Here is a group picture of some of us at a gathering on Saturday evening.
If you have the opportunity to network and fellowship with members of your industry, I encourage you to do so. I am looking forward to attending again next year…and I’m counting down the days. 
Until next time,
Becki
The top 10 reasons Santa needs a VA!
Posted by: | CommentsWith the holiday season fast approaching, a few VAs were contemplating why Santa Claus needs a Virtual Assistant. If you have anything to add, please comment .
“The top 10 reasons Santa needs a VA!”
10. If Santa had a VA he wouldn’t be in such a time crunch to get everything out on one day.
09. If Santa had a VA he could have someone proof read his list, because a second pair of eyes verifying who is naughty and nice, is crucial.
08. I hear that elves have a labor union, so if Santa had a VA he can eliminate all the red tape.
07. If Santa had a VA someone could keep track of all his contacts, I mean it’s not like toys grow on trees.
06. If Santa had a VA he could sell his music CDs so that they are available year round instead of just November and December.
05. If Santa had a VA maybe he would not have to eat his cookies and milk on the run, he could relax a little and spend time with Mrs. Claus.
04. If Santa had a VA the reindeer food could be dropped shipped to his location.
03. If Santa had a VA he could start shipping his products out rather than making personal deliveries.
02. If Santa had a VA all of his speaking engagements could be taken care of well in advance.
And the number one reason that Santa needs a VA, is because the world is changing, he has got to have a website!
Coffee Break Time!
Posted by: | CommentsWe all need a good laugh. I received this forward today, yes the ones we all love to hate, but I couldn’t help but chuckle.
1. The patient refused autopsy.
2. The patient has no previous history of suicides.
3. Patient has left white blood cells at another hospital.
4. She has no rigors or shaking chills, but her husband states she was very hot in bed last night.
5. Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year
6. On the second day the knee was better, and on the third day it disappeared.
7. The patient is tearful and crying constantly. She also appears to be depressed.
8. The patient has been depressed since she began seeing me in 1993.
9. Discharge status: Alive but without permission.
10. Healthy appearing decrepit 69-year old male, mentally alert but forgetful.
11. Patient had waffles for breakfast and anorexia for lunch.
12. She is numb from her toes down.
13. While in ER, she was examined, x-rated and sent home.
14. The skin was moist and dry.
15. Occasional, constant infrequent headaches.
16. Patient was alert and unresponsive.
17. Rectal examination revealed a normal size thyroid.
18 . She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life, until she got a divorce.
19. I saw your patient today, who is still under our car for physical therapy.
20. Both breasts are equal and reactive to light and accommodation.
21. Examination of genitalia reveals that he is circus sized.
22. The lab test indicated abnormal lover function.
23. Skin: somewhat pale but present.
24. The pelvic exam will be done later on the floor.
25. Patient has two teenage children, but no other abnormalities
Take a Break and Laugh A Little
Posted by: | CommentsSometimes we all need a big laugh. According to the following excerpt from a children’s book, “Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants” by Dave Pilkey: The evil Professor forces everyone to assume new names. Follow the instructions to find your new name.
Use the third letter of your first name to determine your new first name:
a = poopsie
b = lumpy
c = buttercup
d = gidget
e = crusty
f = greasy
g = fluffy
h = cheeseball
i = chim-chim
j = stinky
k = flunky
l = boobie
m = zippy
n = pinky
o = goober
p = doofus
q = slimy
r = loopy
s = snotty
t = tulefel
u = dorkey
v = squeezit
w = oprah
x = skipper
y = dinky
z = zsa-zsa
Use the second letter of your last name to determine the first half of your
new last name:
a = apple
b = toilet
c = giggle
d = burger
e = girdle
f = barf
g = lizard
h = waffle
i = cootie
j = monkey
k = potty
l = liver
m = banana
n = rhino
o = bubble
p = hamster
q = toad
r = gizzard
s = pizza
t = gerbil
u = chicken
v = pickle
w = chuckle
x = tofu
y = gorilla
z = stinker
Use the fourth letter of your last name to determine the second half of
your new last name:
a = head
b = mouth
c = face
d = nose
e = tush
f = breath
g = pants
h = shorts
i = lips
j = honker
k = butt
l = brain
m = tushie
n = chunks
o = hiney
p = biscuits
q = toes
r = buns
s = fanny
t = sniffer
u = sprinkles
v = kisser
w = squirt
x = humperdinck
y = brains
z = juice
Thus, for example, George W. Bush’s new name is Goober Chickenshorts. Brad Pitt’s new name is Poopsie Cootiesniffer. And remember that children laugh an average of 146 times a day, adults laugh an average of 4 times a day. Put more laughter in your life!!
Until next time,
Becki “Buttercup Applebiscuits-Bubbletush”
Dale “Boobie Bubbletush”
Off Topic: New Baby
Posted by: | CommentsDale and I received a call on Saturday night about adopting a baby girl. Of course we are elated! This will be our second child through adoption…our son Kaleb was born in January 2002. With Kaleb we had a seven month “gestation” period. This time around we have a whopping three weeks!
We have alot of “stuff” to get together including an updated homestudy, background checks, medical evaluations, etc., but it’s all worth it in the end. It’s going to be hectic, but that’s life! Always a curve ball.
Until next time,
Becki
Looking At Life Through The Eyes of a Child
Posted by: | CommentsSometimes we need to take a step back from the daily grind. We get so involved in life that we sometimes forget there is so much more to it. Between the limitations we place upon ourselves to the blinders on our eyes, we miss so much.
Today Dale and I took our 3 year-old son, Kaleb, to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC. In all honesty when we woke up it was not a trip we were looking forward to, but alas, we did it because we promised Kaleb. You know the “if you’re good ALL week we’ll take you to the zoo” bribe. When Kaleb arrived at the zoo, he was like a kid in a candy store. He was alive with wonder and amazement. Everything that he saw was new. The light that we saw in Kaleb’s eyes was priceless (hope that word isn’t trademarked…thanks to MasterCard!).
For 4 hours today we had the pleasure of looking through Kaleb’s eyes…the eyes of a child. Dale and I looked at things differently, took time to feel the breeze and even smell the air (some of it was pretty hard to miss 
). We looked at animals, flowers and trees with a new fervor and zest for life. And you know what? It was exhilarating and awesome to say the least.
After our fun-filled trip to the zoo, we stopped off at a mall in the area to visit the Build A Bear Workshop. If you have never been to this store, it is in a word breathtaking and it can’t help but put a HUGE smile on your face. Everywhere you look there are stuffed animals…from floor to ceiling. In bins along the walls you will find numerous un-stuffed animals, from teddy bears to cats to dogs to pigs…if you dream it, its there. Kaleb decided that he wanted to get a beautiful light tan teddy bear. He picked up the bear with a huge smile and waited in line to have it stuffed. While he was waiting patiently in line he found the “animal sounds” (animal sounds are “voice boxes” for your new stuffed friend). Kaleb picked out a “giggle” voice box and laughed his head off. After they stuffed his bear, we proceeded to the dressing room where you can pick out clothing for your new friend. Kaleb picked out a cute little fireman outfit, complete with boots, hat and hose. I could go on, but as you can see he had a fabulous time as did we. The smile on his face was worth it all. (I am including a picture of Kaleb with his new bear “Fireman Bear”.)
“me love Fireman Bear Mommy!”
It is my hope, our hope that we will take time each and everyday to appreciate life and the things around us. We encourage you to do the same.
Becki Noles
Fighting The “Slump”
Posted by: | CommentsDo you ever have days that you feel like you are in a slump or days that you feel just unmotivated?
That’s where my positive affirmations (for more information on positive affirmations and prosperity visit Feel Free To Prosper) and the spoken word come into play. Do you not feel better after that quick pep talk with yourself? What about when you talk about your plans and dreams for the future? The smile that that can put on your face is priceless.
Daily Motivation: 7 Methods is an awesome article by Steven Gillman. The next time you find yourself in the slump of life, read this article, heck it’s even perfect for today .
Daily Motivation: 7 Methods
by Steven Gillman
Isn’t a lack of daily motivation one of the biggest problems we face when trying to better ourselves? We often know what to do, or at least the first few steps. But we hesitate, something else catches our attention, or we just don’t feel like doing what we need to do.
Want some help? Here are seven ways to get motivated – ways that have worked for others. If you find only one or two here that work for you, you’ll be on your way.
Seven Methods For Daily Motivation
1. Create desire. See the rewards of your effort clearly. This motivates many to sign up for get-rich-quick plans. A good salesman can have you living in your imagined dream home in minutes, and you’ll feel motivated to do anything to make it real. Learn to be your own salesman.
2. Create pain. In Neuro-Linguistic Programming they teach you to link pain with not acting. An imaginary scene of your wife walking out the door with another man, as you sit there silently – that might motivate you to have that talk you’ve been avoiding.
3. Talk about your plans. By the time I tell my wife about the newsletter I’m going to write, I’m out of my slump and back at the keyboard.
4. Have a true interest. No interest at all might mean you need to do something else, but if it’s just a task you dislike, relate it clearly in your mind to the greater goal. I don’t like to drive, but when I remember those mountains I’m going to, I get motivated to drive.
5. Have energy. Caffeine will substitute for health for a while, but one way or another, you need some energy to have daily motivation. Exercise, sleep well, and watch out for sugary foods – the “sugar blues” will kill your motivation.
6. Create the proper mental state. It’s hard to be depressed and motivated. Resolve some of your negative feelings, or at least do your important work when you are in a better mood.
7. Take a small step. Commit to raking up one bag of leaves, and soon you’ll want to finish the yard. Any small step towards your goals feeds your daily motivation.
Now you have seven ways to self-motivation, but you have to actually use them. How do you get motivated to do that? Oh the irony! You’ll have to figure that one out yourself. By the way, here’s a bonus motivation method: Humor. Laughter often breaks up the feeling of being overwhelmed that sucks away motivation.
Steve Gillman writes on many self help topics including boosting brainpower, losing weight, meditation, habits of mind, creative problem solving, learning gratitude, generating luck and anything related to self improvement. You’ll find more at
http://www. Self ImprovementNow.com
About the Author
Steve Gillman has been studying brain improvement, concentration, creative problem solving, and related topics for years. You can visit his website, and subscribe for free to his Brain Power Newsletter at: http://www.IncreaseBrainPower.com/newsletter.html
Patriot Act Frustration
Posted by: | CommentsToday I (Becki) started to read the full document of the Patriot Act. Needless to say I am shocked and appalled. The freedoms that we have are one of the main reasons why our country is so great. But why are we losing so many of our freedoms? The Patriot Act http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/SafeandFree.cfm?ID=12251&c=207#FileAttach is just one of those documents that truly makes my skin crawl. The government now has the ability to track our every move, from the books we buy to the keys we stroke. I could go on for days because of the outrage I feel !
Following 9/11/01, this “Act” was quickly passed, but did our congressmen and women actually read any part of this document whatsoever? I know the attacks were devastating, but to pass this? I mean come on! Where is the logic?
Actually I can’t wait to finish the document. I got to section 215 before I was fuming too bad to continue. Happy reading.
Until next time.
Becki Jaspin-Noles
Dale Noles
http://www.VirtualAccuracy.com
http://www.AssistanceForCoaches.com
http://www.VATraining.com
The Energizer Bunny…
Posted by: | CommentsThe first post can always be the hardest can’t it. What to say, what to say.
Business life: Going well. Hate marketing as usual. The ironic part, we are able to market for other business owners and do it well, but just can’t stand doing our own! What is it about marketing that business owners loathe? The clients are coming in mainly through word of mouth, but yes, we will have to begin marketing ourselves again.
Personal life: Going well. Our two year-old really keeps us on our toes. One big bundle of energy. Looking at him and seeing him in action, you would have no idea that he is a special needs child. Just a moment ago he was writing on his walls with orange highlighter. Thank goodness we are going to be painting them soon.
Until next time!
Dale Noles
Becki Jaspin-Noles
http://www.VirtualAccuracy.com
http://www.AssistanceForCoaches.com
http://www.VATraining.com
