From familiar ground to unknown roads (1)

January 15 2024, was the start date, now 9 months ago. You might wonder… the start of what? After almost twenty years of working in primary and secondary education, it was time to take a new path. The decision to change my career and begin training as a Virtual Assistant (VA) was not easy, but it felt like the right step. Despite the many questions and uncertainties swirling in my head, I decided to take the plunge.

The journey begins
I started the training, but then the first question that came to mind was: what kind of work do I actually want to do? I had always known that I wanted to be a teacher. That was (and still is one of my passions) my passion. I began to wonder: what else am I good at? And perhaps even more importantly: am I good enough at it to make a living from it?

Identifying my strengths
As a teacher, I developed a wide range of skills that could come in handy in my new role. I am good at organizing, I have excellent communication skills, and I can multitask well. Additionally, I am patient and work well with people, something that certainly helps when dealing with various clients. But despite these skills, doubt still nagged at me: why would people want to hire me?

Confronting doubts and fears
As you can see, the first obstacles quickly presented themselves. “My income will become uncertain,” whispered a little voice in my head. “What about my pension? And how will I find clients?” These were real concerns I couldn’t just ignore.
Still, I decided to persevere. I started the VA training with the mindset that you don’t need to see the whole staircase to take the first step. Step by step, I would face this new challenge. During the course, I not only learned the practical skills to be successful but also how to market my services and attract clients.

The Entrepreneurial Adventure
The process of starting as a self-employed entrepreneur is an adventure full of uncertainties and challenges. But it also offers the opportunity to discover new sides of myself and let them grow. With my years of experience in education, I know I possess the necessary skills to make my business successful. And with the right mindset and determination, I am confident that I will find my way in this new world.
The path to independence is not always easy, but it offers the chance to determine your own path and work in a way that suits you. Working from your passion and on your own terms is more than worth it.

My new path
So here I am, at the beginning of a new chapter in my career, ready to face the challenges and create my own path with my own business. Step by step, you don’t need to see the whole staircase.

This was just part 1! Curious about what I started doing? Or want to be notified when a new blog is posted? Subscribe here to the newsletter or check out www.ubuntubs.com and www.teachforlife.nl.