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As Summer draws to an end and the warm days are here in NH it’s hard to remain focused on business needs. As a virtual assistant or a work at home professional you must be able to motivate yourself and continue to stick to a schedule no matter what mood you may be in. Lately I have been having a hard time focusing, simply because I need more “me” time.  I will be spending the last couple of weeks before school starts with my children more and so now my work schedule is changing, working in evenings rather than during the daytime hours. This schedule change is taking a toll on me. I have been up until past midnight working but it seems to be worth it for more family time.

I received a blackberry on Friday from Research and Motion and Verizon Wireless which has allowed me to remain in virtual contact with my clients while sitting at the playground or walking in the grocery store. I am even planning on bringing my new “friend” with me to the beach today where I will spend a day covered in sand and working while my kids get to play with my girlfriends kids and swim. Sand castles galore while I sit there on my Blackberry contacting clients, prospects, tweeting and networking on Facebook. It’s true a Mom can truly multi-task very well

In regards to staying focused when warm weather hits and all you want to do is go out and have some fun, you must remain self motivated or do what I am doing; change your schedule for a bit. If you are up for some last minute Summer fun but still need to get those bills paid try to work at night or early morning instead of during those “normal office hours”. Your clients will understand if you give them advanced notice that you will be working a different schedule and if you are a virtual assistant like myself then you may be able to switch your schedule without clients really even noticing.

For me, having my Blackberry is allowing me to remain more flexible with my schedule. I wouldn’t recommend a Blackberry to everyone, Kathy Buckworth has a list of who shouldn’t own a Blackberry in her new book and I must say they had me grinning. Even if you don’t have a way to stay connected virtually while out on the road, changing your schedule can allow you to ease your mind on commitments and create long lasting moments with your family until school starts again. (I do know some have already started school but we start on the 26th I think)