In partnership with

Was this forwarded to you? Sign up here as a charter subscriber.

Thought of the Week

In this Week’s Newsletter:

Up Front: How to Bond With Your VA’s Like a Pro

This Week’s Biz Quiz: Will We Stump You This Time?

Strategic Thinking: Are You Emotionally Intelligent?

Need Help?: Help is On The Way!

UP FRONT: 

Rocking Remote Relationships: How to Bond with Your VAs Like a Pro

So you’ve got a virtual assistant—or maybe two—and you’re wondering how to keep the spark alive when you’re not sharing the same coffee machine. I get it; managing a remote team can feel like herding cats in a maze. But fear not! I’ve got some cheeky tips to turn your remote working relationships from “meh” to “heck yeah!”

Remember that VA’s aren’t often fully appreciated, so the more you show that you value them, the more valuable they will be to you.

Here are a few ideas you can use to make things more fun and improve your results:

1. Ditch the Boring Meetings

Action Plan: Forget those yawn-inducing status updates. Spice things up with video calls that feel more like catching up with a friend. Throw in some jokes, share a funny story, or show off your pet doing something ridiculous. Trust me; a little laughter goes a long way.

2. Share the Master Plan

Action Plan: Let your VAs in on your grand vision. When they know they’re part of a mission to conquer the world (or at least your industry), they’ll be more pumped to help you get there. Plus, it’s nice to know you’re not just assigning them random tasks from a secret lair.

3. Communicate Like a Human

Action Plan: Drop the corporate lingo. Use emojis, GIFs, or whatever floats your boat to make your messages more personal. Whether it’s WhatsApp, Slack, or carrier pigeon, find what works for both of you and keep the convo flowing.

4. Virtual Coffee (or Cocktail) Breaks

Action Plan: Schedule a casual chat where work talk is off-limits. Whether it’s sipping coffee or something stronger (hey, it’s 5 o’clock somewhere), these informal hangouts can build a genuine connection. Who says you can’t have happy hour over Zoom?

5. High-Five the Small Stuff

Action Plan: Don’t wait for the big wins to celebrate. Did your VA nail that email campaign? Send over a virtual high-five or a hilarious meme. Recognition doesn’t have to be formal to make someone’s day.

6. Jam Out Together

Action Plan: Create a shared playlist and let your VAs add their favorite tunes. Not only will you discover some new beats, but it’s also a fun way to bond. Who knew you both loved 80’s power ballads?

7. Be Their Cheerleader

Action Plan: Support your VAs’ ambitions. Found a cool webinar or article they might like? Shoot it over. Investing in their growth is a win-win—you get a more skilled assistant, and they feel valued.

8. Keep It Real with Feedback

Action Plan: Foster an environment where they can tell you if something’s not working—and vice versa. Open dialogue prevents little issues from becoming big headaches. Plus, you might learn a thing or two yourself.

9. No More Mission Impossible

Action Plan: Make sure your requests are clearer than a tropical beach. Use tools like Trello or Asana to keep tasks organized. There’s nothing worse than playing email tag to figure out what’s needed.

10. Inject Some Fun

Action Plan: Who says work can’t be fun? Challenge your VA to an online game, start a friendly competition, or have a “meme of the week” contest. A little playfulness can turn work from a chore into something you both look forward to.

Time to Level Up Your Remote Game

Ready to turn your working relationship into a dynamic duo? Pick a couple of these tips and dive in. Before you know it, you’ll have a remote team that’s not just productive but also a blast to work with.

Don’t have a Remote Team Yet, or Need to Add to It?

We’ve got the inside scoop on a company that can help you set up your entire VA team—at a fraction of what others are paying. Simply reply to today’s newsletter with your best contact info and we’ll hook you up!

Now go forth and make remote work…work!

Man Who Called Nvidia at $1.10 Says Buy This Now...

• This company signed a major deal with Apple

• Nvidia has invested more in this one company than any othe

• And its tech is found in products from Samsung and Google

Click here for details.

THIS WEEK’S BIZ QUIZ:

STRATEGIC THINKING:

Emotional Intelligence: The Secret Weapon You Didn’t Know You Needed

A few years back, I was juggling multiple projects, feeling like a circus performer who’d forgotten how to spin plates. One morning, my virtual assistant, Lisa, sent me a message that read: “Can we talk?” My first thought? “Great, what now?”

But instead of brushing it off or responding with a snarky comment (which, let’s be honest, was tempting), I took a deep breath and said, “Sure, what’s up?”

Turns out, Lisa was feeling overwhelmed and disconnected. She had ideas to streamline our processes but felt hesitant to share them. By simply listening and acknowledging her feelings, not only did we improve our workflow, but our working relationship became stronger than ever. That was my lightbulb moment—the power of emotional intelligence (EI) in action.

Why Emotional Intelligence Matters

Emotional intelligence is like having a superpower you didn’t know you had. It’s the ability to recognize, understand, and manage not just your own emotions but also those of the people around you. And in the rollercoaster world of entrepreneurship, that’s a game-changer.

1. Self-Awareness: Your Internal GPS

Action Plan: Remember that time you snapped at someone because you skipped breakfast? Yeah, me too. Start tuning into your emotions like you’re tuning into your favorite podcast. Are you hangry, stressed, or just need a caffeine fix? Recognizing your feelings helps prevent them from hijacking your day.

2. Self-Regulation: Master of Your Mojo

Action Plan: When the proverbial you-know-what hits the fan, pause before reacting. Count to ten, do a little dance, or whatever calms your jets. Responding thoughtfully keeps situations from escalating faster than a cat video goes viral.

3. Motivation: Fueling Your Fire

Action Plan: Set goals that light you up like a kid on Christmas morning. When you’re genuinely pumped about what you’re doing, that energy is infectious. Your team (even if it’s just you and your VA) will feel the buzz and bring their A-game.

4. Empathy: Your Connection Catalyst

Action Plan: Put yourself in others’ shoes—even if they don’t match your outfit. When a client is being difficult, consider they might be under pressure themselves. A little understanding can turn a tense situation into a trust-building opportunity.

5. Social Skills: The Art of Not Being a Jerk

Action Plan: Communication is more than just words; it’s about vibe. Crack a joke, share a personal anecdote (like I’m doing right now), and make interactions enjoyable. People want to work with those they like—it’s human nature.

Back to the Story…

After that chat with Lisa, I realized I’d been so laser-focused on scaling the business that I’d overlooked the human element. By applying a bit of EI, not only did our productivity soar, but the work became more fulfilling for both of us. She started sharing brilliant ideas that I would’ve missed out on if I hadn’t opened that door.

The Ripple Effect on Your Business

• Better Decisions: When you’re not clouded by unchecked emotions, you make clearer, more strategic choices.

• Stronger Relationships: Clients and team members feel valued and understood, leading to loyalty and long-term success.

• Enhanced Leadership: People are more likely to follow someone who leads with both head and heart.

Your Turn to Shine

So, how can you start weaving emotional intelligence into your entrepreneurial journey?

Try This: Next time you feel frustration bubbling up—maybe when a project isn’t going as planned—pause. Acknowledge your feelings without judgment. Then, approach the situation with curiosity instead of annoyance. Ask your team for input. You might discover a solution that not only fixes the issue but also fosters a stronger team dynamic.

Wrapping It Up

Emotional intelligence isn’t some fluffy concept reserved for self-help gurus. It’s a tangible skill that can transform your business from the inside out. And the best part? You already have the capacity for it. It’s like having a hidden tool in your Swiss Army knife—you just need to flip it open.

So go ahead, give EI a try. Infuse a little heart into your hustle. Who knows? You might just find that it’s the missing piece to your entrepreneurial puzzle.

RESOURCES:

We’re big believers in diversified income generation. We want to work less and play more…so we enthusiastically advocate that you consider investing (wisely) in a variety of areas.

Two of our favorites are below (with deals just for us!)

The Crypto Mastermind. This program, by long-term friend John Limbocker, is a gift to us. John wants to get you educated about the right, safe way to invest in the crypto markets. He’s making an irresistible offer to the PrideNomad community, which he’s agreed to extend to Business Impact subscribers as well.

Access the Crypto Mastermind here»

The Surprising Real Estate Strategy. We mentioned this one recently (above, in fact), and it’s a unique and timeless strategy to help you create significant income streams.

Watch the presentation here »

Quiz Answer