Blended: Virtual and in person...WOW!

Here I am in Vegas—this past weekend's home to a bundle (more than you could count) fabulous bloggers attending BlogWorldExpo, and a bunch of amazing AssistU Virtual Assistants who came to attend our annual Community Recognition Awards, and then hang and network with each other.

Some folks came in early (me, for instance), and some stayed past the award ceremony. It’s been so good to be with everyone. SO good.

How good? Well, the joy, fun, warm feeling, love, and growth that happens whenever a group of us are together is just HUGE.

I feel quite certain that what makes it so special when we are together is our shared foundation--which comes to all of us as a result of AssistU. It's as though, in great measure, we speak a common language--which just makes it instantly easy to communicate. And not just communicate, but communicate on a deep/intimate level. Although the vast majority of the people who were here this weekend had never met, it was apparent that, once in the same room, it was incredibly easy for even the most introverted people to get deeply involved in any conversation going on in that space. Acceptance and admiration are never in question for the newest member, or the most senior. We all rock; it's an accepted fact that we use as a basis for everything that happens when we're together. In case that sounds egotistical, I sure don't mean for it to sound that way. I'm really simply trying to paint a picture of how things are when we get together, and that's how things are. Everyone has value, everyone's voice offers something great, and everyone has something worthwhile to share with others. What could be better?

This weekend, events that were supposed to last just a couple of hours each went at least twice as long as intended. And based on the fact that it's now Monday (I'm posting a day early because tomorrow's a travel day, and I really felt moved to write this NOW), nearly 24 hours after the last planned event, and there are still seven of us here...it's clear many of us don't want to leave at all! We want to continue the fun, the learning, and experience the ability to be 100% authentic and real with one another in every context.

And this is why we get together...as a community at least yearly, and then as smaller chapters and groups, as often as possible. There's simply a rightness to it that has to be experienced, and once experienced, is hungered for.

Bit O’Moxie: If you work virtually and don't have such a community to support you, go find one. Find one with a strong virtual presence, and one that will give that the in-person fix, as well. Because the blending of the two will be absolutely transformative to you on both personal and professional levels. And don't just go for a local group...remember that our working virtually makes us indifferent to geographical boundaries. TRAVEL to different places to meet different people. You'll be amazed at how your perspectives shift on even simple things! And, btw, if you don't think you can afford to travel, you clearly can't. But you could if your fees were set appropriately to include travel for educational opportunities.Don't let the simple "affordability" thing keep you from greater success when it doesn't have to be an issue at all.

Meet, learn, grow, laugh, love. Do it as often as you can, wherever you can, and with whomever you can. Me? I'm off for 24 more hours of it before I head back to Baltimore!

Comments

[Dawn Goldberg]

There was a real possibility at one point that I wasn't going to be able to attend. Thank goodness for love and generosity that got me here. It would have broken my heart to not be part of this.

If you hadn't ever thought about attending an in-person event, or you just don't see what all the fuss is about, let me try to explain.

In our lives (or at least in my life), there appear to be people who just go along with life. On the outside, at least, there doesn't seem to be anything deeper than the kids' soccer games, PTA politics, hard work that leads nowhere, and a general dissatisfaction with one's lot in life - or not even a thought that goes deep enough to know that one is dissatisfied. Maybe that's unfair (and it probably is). I just don't seem to have nearly the deep, meaningful conversations with other people that I do with AssistU VAs.

At AssistU, though, we have this group of people who have been trained on and exposed to the idea that each of is powerful and special in our own right. That we can do meaningful work. That we can make a difference. That we can work with people who jazz us. That we can create our businesses (and our lives) the way we want. That connection is key. That life is positive and abundant.

When we're in person, it seems as if just about every single person gets that. So what you have is a group of people who recognize their same wants (as in wanting a fulfilling business and life) and passions in others. We all "get it."

Our husbands and families may get it to a point, but no one can get it as fully as another AssistU VA.

With the exception of two people, all my closest friends are AssistU VAs. They see something in me that they see in themselves. And I see something in them that I see in myself.

So when I get together with other VAs, it's an incredible experience. I met new friends this weekend, friends who are truly friends, not just acquaintances. I connected with older friends, and those connections became even deeper.

If you haven't experienced this, do what Stacy says and go to a local event. When you're traveling, look up the VAs in that area. And mark off September 2009 weekends for the next Community Recognition Awards.

[Laura Allen]

In my previous life, before becoming an AssistU trained Virtual Assistant, I was not a joiner. I was an introvert and watched happily from the sidelines—soaking in conversation and experiences vicariously. I reinvented myself and AU was part of my transformation—as a bonus I discovered that participating in a virtual community was richly rewarding and a completely unexpected delight.

The depth of connection to kindred souls was the foundation for jumping off into meeting them in person a few months before I graduated AssistU’s Virtual Training Program. This life changing event, masquerading as a fairly normal Chapter picnic, was a catalyst for my success as a VA and a springboard for innumerable synchronicities and opportunities.

Stacy writes, “I feel quite certain that what makes it so special when we are together is our shared foundation--which comes to all of us as a result of AssistU.” and I absolutely second that observation. During the VTP students experience similar ‘wow’ and ‘aha’ moments and are exposed to principals and thought processes that allow us to really “get” each other. This vital connection of shared experiences and beliefs are the foundation of our community and the unconditional support born from that connection makes us unique in our non-competitiveness.

Over the past three years I have taken advantage of attending as many AssistU events as possible and even creating meetings, when I planned to be in Maryland when nothing was scheduled, for a total of four events this year! I cherish and treasure the time spent connecting with fellow community members and the CRAs in Vegas were phenomenal! (Thank you Stacy!) We had several new grads that were smart enough to attend and many senior VAs I’ve had the pleasure to know virtually and was finally able to hug and laugh with in person. It’s about authenticity, connection, learning, sharing, laughing, and hugging—oh and did I mention eating way too much delicious food!? A joyful band of empowered women who are changing lives—ours, each other's, and our clients'. Pure bliss.