I Take It Personally - Priority VA

I Take It Personally

“It isn’t personal. It’s business.”

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You’re heard that saying, right? I have a beef with that little saying.

That’s right! The cat is out of the bag (another saying that I think is a little strange, but I digress)…. I have feelings. Real, genuine, feelings. I don’t blame it on being a woman or hormones or cutting back on my caffeine intake. It’s just how I’m wired.

I’m in a business of serving people. I take that very personally. Every time that I’m on a coaching call, interviewing a VA or making a match for a Client, I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. I feel personally responsible for the outcome.

They say that it’s best to compartmentalize your roles, to leave work at the door. Is that really possible? If we truly love what we do, it becomes a part of us. While it might not be possible for you to completely remove your feelings from your work. It is possible to keep them in check.

Trust me, I’m still working on lots of these things myself, but the more and more I put into practice these tips, the more sane my days become, and the less wounded by everyday things, I am.

1. You might take it personally, but they don’t

It isn’t that the people that you talk to day in and day out don’t have feelings. They do. It’s just that some are better at compartmentalizing. Remind yourself of that fact and know that they aren’t out to “Get you” or “Prove you wrong”. It doesn’t make them a bad person. Most people are inherently good. They are truly doing what they feel is best for their business.

2. Surround yourself with positive people

Everyone needs a cheerleader. Sometimes an entire squad! Maybe you’ve lost a deal, made a mistake or took a difficult phone call. We all have challenging days. No one is immune to them. I’ve found that the best remedy for a bad day is having coffee with a friend or hopping on a call with a team member helps tremendously. Try it. By nature, I’m NOT a cheerleader. I don’t think people deserve a parade for doing what they get paid to do, however, I’ve found that a few words of affirmation can go a long, long way. I have a few people that come run the last ¼ mile of my race with me. They are the ones that tell me it’s all going to be okay, and somehow, I know it will.

3. You are enough

Say it with me… I AM ENOUGH. When life throws us curve balls or lemons or whatever the heck comes our way, remember this above all else. You are enough. We are constantly on the look out for the approval of others. Don’t get me wrong. It’s important to do our best. To provide excellence in all that we do. When I meet someone that truly believes that they are enough and that they have what it takes, it shines through! Be confident, friend! You are enough!

We may not be able to completely remove our emotions from our everyday, but we can remember to keep them in check the next time we feel like completely flipping out! It’s much better for your blood pressure!