Because of this, more people are delving into this industry. But like other concepts, freelancing also has some drawbacks. One of which is finding enough clients.

The rise of freelance platforms has made connecting with clients more accessible than ever. But to truly thrive, you need more than just profile optimization.

Explore these top freelancing blogs that not only offer reading materials but also a platform where you can learn and find clients to cultivate your freelancing career.

1. Contena

Contena is among the best freelancing platforms for writers who want to make money. This website can help freelancers, especially those who are just starting, find the best remote and location-independent writing gigs.

2. Scripted

Experience the power of AI and human collaboration with Scripted, the leading platform revolutionizing content creation. With this platform, you can easily browse open writing projects from various industries and connect with potential clients.

3. ProBlogger

ProBlogger is where bloggers and website owners post their paid writing jobs regularly, allowing you to choose a project much easier. There is also no need to bid as the rates are stated upfront.

4. Copify

Copify is a copywriting agency that provides copywriting jobs for freelancers. You can browse and claim open copywriting projects and look for the assignment that works best with your skill set.

5. Contently

Contently specializes in offering powerful content marketing platforms and freelance networks. Hence, freelancing with them opens you up to various brands that need to provide relevant content to their audience.

6. Verblio

If you are looking for a freelancing platform that can connect you with a myriad of businesses, Verblio can help you out. Through this site, you can claim projects such as website copies, blogs, social media content, and ad campaigns.

7. Mediavine

Mediavine helps content creators build sustainable businesses with the help of freelancers. This allows you to find writing gigs at competitive rates.

8. Moonlighting

A mobile application enabling individuals and businesses to hire freelancers, Moonlighting is a perfect platform that can help you find clients much faster. This app not only helps organizations meet their needs but also assists freelancers in making extra money and growing their operations.

9. Wolters Kluwer

Providing professional information, software solutions, and services for clinicians, accountants, lawyers, and financial and regulatory sectors, Wolters Kluwer hires freelance writers and editors with expertise in their niche.

10. Jooble

Jooble is an online recruitment website that provides information on job vacancies. They have more than 140,000 sources worldwide, including corporate websites, online job boards, freelancing platforms, social networks, and classifieds.

11. Remotive.io

Remotive.io is an online job platform that allows you to explore profitable remote writing opportunities with rapidly expanding businesses. With this website, you can achieve location-independent freelance work.

12. Flexjobs

While FlexJobs comes with a monthly subscription fee, it provides exclusive access to high-quality remote writing positions from top-tier companies, ensuring a consistent workflow.

13. Upwork

One of the most popular freelancing platforms, Upwork acts as a worldwide hub that can connect you with a bunch of clients. Upwork covers an extensive range of categories – from web design and software development to customer service and accounting. This provides you the flexibility to choose and demonstrate your expertise.

14. Fiverr

Although Fiverr has been traditionally associated with lower-budget gigs, it now hosts a considerable number of high-paying design jobs from prominent brands and companies. So, for those wanting to explore profitable job opportunities, Fiverr is an excellent website to visit.

15. Copyblogger

For writers finding ways to improve their style, Copyblogger provides excellent tips about the intricacies of content writing. The reading materials you can find on this website allow you to learn more about your writing style and how you can align with the requirements of the digital age.

16. LinkedIn

Another popular job site, LinkedIn, provides an easy way for freelancers to sell themselves and connect with clients from diverse industries. Not only that, LinkedIn also has tons of articles you can read to guide you in growing your freelancing journey.

17. PeoplePerHour

People per Hour aids businesses in finding professional freelancers to hire by the hour or project. All you have to do is create an account and set up your profile to browse for jobs in multiple categories.

18. Freelancers Union

Freelancers Union provides information on freelancers’ benefits and rights. This non-profit organization can help you in advancing your freelancing career.

19. Millo

Millo is a blogging and podcast site that has been featured in various outlets like Adobe, Inc., and Lifehacker. This site is known to provide multiple advice to help you transition to becoming a full-time freelancer.

20. Blogtrepreneur for Freelancers

Blogtrepreneur is for freelancers seeking to grow their business through search engine optimization (SEO) or social media marketing. It houses hundreds of valuable reading sources offering tips, suggestions, and helpful interviews to help you achieve success.

21. Behance

Perfect for creatives, Adobe’s Behance is a social network where freelance designers can build impressive portfolios. Behance also allows you to connect with clients from various niches.

22. Muckrack Blog for Freelancers

If you are a freelance journalist, the Muck Rack Blog can help you get to know more about how other journalists and public relations professionals write their stories. This blog site can also provide you with a clue of what truly happens in the industry.

23. Working Not Working

Working not working is an invite-only platform where many ad agencies, brands, startups, and companies hire freelancers. Signing up with them will provide you with a chance to market your skills.

24. OVA Virtual

Being a virtual assistant (VA) is becoming a popular career nowadays. So, if you want to explore and become a VA yourself, OVA Virtual is one of the most reliable virtual assistant companies in the Philippines.

Join their roster as they provide world-class virtual assistant services for entrepreneurs, professionals, and small businesses.

Conclusion

While being a freelancer entails a continuous effort to find clients, it is a worthwhile endeavor. You just need to find the right platform to help and guide you through your journey, like OVA Virtual.

At OVA Virtual, we can provide you with the best virtual assistant services offered by our freelance VAs. Join our team now by visiting our website at www.ovavirtual.com.

Sources:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/47-new-freelancing-websites-find-clients-fast-2024-travelohlicblog/

Top 9 Freelance Websites To Earn More Money In 2024

https://www.hostinger.ph/tutorials/best-freelance-websites

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/business-freelancing-growingly-popular-highly-viable/

https://www.business.com/articles/why-companies-hire-freelancers/

Freelancing: 7 Best Blogs For Freelancers

The post Top 24 Freelancing Blogs to Follow in 2024 appeared first on OVA VIRTUAL.

This working model has been carried out until today, even with the pandemic restrictions has been laxer.

While the remote working setup may seem a new idea to many, it has been implemented in various industries, like virtual assistant companies in the Philippines.

Common Sources of Technology Distractions

A Filipino virtual assistant is a professional that provides remote administrative or personal assistance services to clients and organizations. Since their services can be done virtually, they are not required to be present in a physical office.

Many VAs enjoy remote working for its undeniable advantages, such as:

• Flexibility
• Increased productivity
• Cost savings
• Work-life balance
• No or decreased commuting time
• Expanded job opportunities
• Reduced office politics

But like every other idea, remote working also has cons. One of which is digital distractions. Although being in the office does not mean you will not be distracted, being preoccupied with other things is more frequent in remote work setups.

Some of the common sources of technology distractions are:

• Social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, etc.)
• Instant messaging applications (Microsoft Teams, Telegram, Messenger, etc.)
• Email notifications and constant checking of the inbox
• Online shopping websites (Shopee, Lazada, etc.)
• Video streaming services (Netflix, YouTube, Viu, etc.)
• Gaming applications or online games
• Web browsing for non-work-related content
• Notifications from mobile apps on personal devices
• Video calling or messaging apps for personal communication
• Music or media streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.)

Hence the question – how can one manage digital distractions during work hours?

Ways to Manage Digital Distractions

Managing distractions can be challenging in a remote working environment. Fortunately, these tips and tricks can help you mitigate distractions and achieve your daily goals.

Remove Distractions

To stop being distracted, removing the cause of your distractions is the first thing to do. You can do this by turning off any unnecessary technology during work hours.

If you have to use your phone for work, change its settings to work mode, limiting the notifications you receive. You may also try blocking applications that distract you during work hours, allowing you to concentrate on your tasks.

If you are the type that needs music while working, avoid listening to songs with lyrics. Instead, listen to white noise or instrumental music.

Motivate and Inspire Yourself

There are days when you feel off and want to laze around. But while this is normal and valid, you cannot abandon your tasks.

Remember your goals by creating a to-do list. Reading and seeing this list may help you pull yourself out of being distracted.

Converting your distractions into rewards may also be a valuable solution. Promise to dedicate your time and attention to that distraction once you finish your tasks.

Use Creative Tools to Stay Focused

Make staying focused a game. There are available applications in App and Playstore that can help you stay focused.

You can also try doing the Pomodoro technique. It is a time management method involving breaking work hours into intervals. This strategy aims to enhance focus and productivity by working in concentrated bursts with regular breaks.

Plan and Set Goals

Planning and setting goals can help reduce distractions by providing a clear roadmap for tasks and priorities.

A well-defined plan can help you focus on specific objectives and avoid distractions unaligned with your goals.

Try setting realistic deadlines and breaking your tasks into smaller, manageable steps. This can increase motivation and minimize being overwhelmed.

Regularly reviewing and adjusting your plan allows for better organization, minimizing the likelihood of being distracted by unrelated or low-priority activities.

Take a Rest

Busy days at work will always be present. But this should not be an excuse to forget about rest.

Taking a rest is an essential step to staying focused. This helps the brain to recharge and replenish cognitive resources.

Rest breaks can help you lessen your dependence on technology to stay awake. It can also enhance productivity, attention, and creativity. Having enough sleep before your shift can reduce mental fatigue and prevent burnout.

Work with the Best VA Company in the Philippines

Providing virtual assistant services Philippines can be a fulfilling experience, but it can also be stressful sometimes. Hence, you need to work with a company that will encourage you to continue doing your job.

OVA Virtual is a Philippine-based virtual assistant solutions provider, encompassing highly skilled and passionate women VAs. With our passion for service, you can ensure that you will be joining a dedicated and highly-competitive team that will help you reach your goals.

Be part of our team by checking out our available career opportunities through our website.

Learn more about OVA Virtual through the following articles:

• Zoom Fatigue: What is it, and How to Avoid it?
• How to Overcome WFH Burnout?
• Why Remote Workers Need a Dedicated Workspace at Home

The post Tips for Managing Digital Distractions during Work Hours appeared first on OVA VIRTUAL.

The advent of COVID-19 and how it changed the workplace model

When the COVID-19 pandemic started spreading across the globe, businesses had no choice but to adapt to the work-from-home setup. With the government implementing strict health protocols, such as social distancing and quarantine, companies had no other way to continue their operations besides allowing employees to work remotely.

Fortunately, the development of the COVID-19 vaccine helped slow down the virus’s spread. This resulted in the number of infected cases steadily dropping. Following this improvement is the government being laxer with the protocols. And recently, working on site is again allowed as long as employees keep wearing masks.

But after experiencing the change in work setup, the debate about the best workplace model remains. If you are a company whose still stuck on what work model to follow, let this infographic help you weigh your options.

The three different workplace model setups and their advantages

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations were able to think things through and weigh their options for the workplace model. In the new normal, there are three work setups that many companies are considering – on-site, remote, and hybrid.

On-site work set up

An on-site setup refers to the work model where employees must be at the office to fulfill their daily duties and responsibilities. While this structure is considered to be more rigid than the other work models, working on-site still has advantages, such as:

• Direct communication with clients and supervisors
• Immersion
• Better work-life balance
• Greater control
• More reliable resources (laptops/computers, internet, air conditioning unit)

Remote work set up

Remoted work, also known as work-from-home or distance work, is a workplace setup where employees are allowed to work in the comforts of their home, or anywhere they deem comfortable. This is the only work model permitted during the height of the pandemic and the setup used by most virtual assistant companies in the Philippines. And after experiencing remote working, many companies are now considering continuing pursuing this setup due to its advantages.

• A much more flexible schedule
• No need to commute
• Completing more tasks and assignments
• Working in comfortable and cozy clothes
• More creative control of your workspace

Hybrid work set up

A hybrid work setup is the newest workplace model. It is a combination of working on-site and from home. Many companies are considering this because the virus is still very active even with the decreasing number of COVID-19 cases. Furthermore, a hybrid working setup provides benefits that both the organizations and employees might want.

• Increased productivity and efficiency
• Reduced operational costs
• Redefines collaboration
• Improved work-life balance
• Maintained staff safety and health

While the advantages of these three work setups may seem so enticing, you have to consider that each type also has its disadvantages. The decision of what workplace model to use should always depend on your company’s identity, as this will define how you will function.

Work more efficiently and productively with OVA Virtual

OVA Virtual is an organization that offers virtual assistant services Philippines in almost all aspects of a business. Moreover, we give tips and guide on how to work efficiently and productively.

If you want to know more about us, you can check our website at www.ovavirtual.com

Sources:

https://blog.vertexplus.com/advantages-of-working-onsite/

https://www.themuse.com/advice/10-reasons-working-remotely-is-even-better-than-you-thought-it-was

https://www.zoho.com/workdrive/digest/top-5-benefits-and-challenges-of-hybrid-work.html

https://opensourcedworkplace.com/news/types-of-hybrid-work-models

https://weworkremotely.com/hybrid-work-model-vs-remote-work-what-s-better-for-you

The post What is the best workplace model setup – on-site, remote, or hybrid? appeared first on OVA VIRTUAL.

All these things are just some of the things that make remote working advantageous. However, this does not mean that you would not have any issues. Working from home does not guarantee freedom from distractions.

These distractions can come from the people you are living with or your surroundings. Either way, these disturbances can cause you to slow down with your work. That being said, here are some tips on how you can beat distractions while working from home.

• Do not multitask

When you are at home, there will be a lot of distractions – the pile of dishes, Netflix on your phone or computer, and your devices that keep buzzing with notifications. While it seems tempting to multitask, this will only cause you even more confusion, eventually leading to you not finishing your tasks properly. So instead, these distractions should not matter when you start your work. Learn how to focus on one task at a time. You can also create a to-do list to help you identify the things you need to prioritize.

• Set boundaries with the people living with you

One of the most effective ways to ensure a successful work-from-home experience is to set boundaries with your family members, including your spouse or children. Create a sign or signal to let them know you are working in your home office or dedicated workspace. For example, you and your family could agree that a closed room door means that it is office hours and you are busy and unavailable.

• Put your phone on do not disturb

Getting notifications from time to time is inevitable, especially if you are active on social media. And even if you put your phone on silent mode, your phone will still continuously light up whenever there are new notifications. To help you stop yourself from using your phone while it is still work hours, you can put your device in a do not disturb mode. If you are worried about missing out on important alerts from a workmate or client, you can fix your phone’s settings and give the necessary contacts an exception.

• Change your clothes

The number one thing that can make you distracted is comfort. You do not necessarily need to wear jeans or formal work clothes, but get out of your pajamas. You can still wear something comfortable but not something you would wear to bed. This transition may seem simple, but it will help you shift your mood from relaxation to work mode.

• Stick with your work schedule

Working from home does not only let you control your work surroundings. This setup also allows you to enjoy a flexible work schedule, especially if your company is like most virtual assistant companies in the Philippines that are not that strict about this. While this is tempting, refrain from changing your schedule and just stick to what you were used to when working on-site. Sleeping in or doing household chores before clocking in can make it more challenging to transition into work mode. Keeping a regular schedule and routine can help you stay focused.

Learn how to work more effectively even at home with OVA Virtual

OVA Virtual is an organization that offers virtual assistant services in almost all aspects of a business. Moreover, they give tips on how one can still work effectively and efficiently even within the comforts of your home.

If you want to know more about us, you can check our website at www.ovavirtual.com.

Sources:

https://www.michaelpage.com/advice/career-advice/growing-your-career/avoiding-distractions-while-working-home

https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/dealing-with-distractions-working-from-home/

https://www.fastcompany.com/90502236/8-tips-to-beat-distractions-while-working-from-home

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashiraprossack1/2020/04/29/overcome-work-from-home-distractions-with-these-easy-tips/?sh=28d227e34626

The post How to Beat Distractions while Working from Home appeared first on OVA VIRTUAL.

According to Psychiatric Times, Zoom fatigue is “the tiredness, worry, or burnout associated with overusing virtual platforms of communication.” Work from home formats will require employees to use virtual communication platforms more than usual as they talk to clients and coworkers in meetings.

Remote workers will find that continuously talking through video calls is exhausting and draining, and it’s easy to suffer from not only work-from-home burnout but also Zoom-based burnout.

Difference Between Regular Burnout and Zoom Fatigue

Project managers can easily get burnt out with their regular workload since they’re more involved in communication, which usually accounts for about 80% of their workload. Regular office workers forced to use Zoom more often had a harder time than those already used to it.

Also, it’s difficult to determine whether someone is suffering from regular burnout or Zoom fatigue. A Stanford University research paper identifies five categories of fatigue that can be associated with Zoom fatigue.

• General fatigue
• Visual fatigue
• Social fatigue
• Motivational fatigue
• Emotional fatigue

The difference between plain old tiredness and Zoom fatigue becomes apparent when people even avoid social events. This is like how introverts recharge their batteries after being part of multiple social events.

Why are Virtual Meetings so Exhausting?

Virtual meetings are exhausting thanks to several factors associated with the nature of virtual meetings that are more common in remote work.

• Too Much Eye Contact
• Less Freedom of Movement
• Virtually Looking at a Mirror All-Day

Anyone lucky enough to only need to join a voice call instead of a video call can take advantage of Bluetooth headphones to freely move while in a call. Voice calls are arguably less tiring than video calls because of the lack of eye contact and the possibility of having more mobility, but managers should still keep in mind not to call a meeting when what’s going to be talked about can be done so through an email. Unfortunately, this is not the case for many remote workers and virtual assistants out there.

How to Avoid Zoom Fatigue

Zoom meetings became the norm during the early days and the height of the pandemic, and they might not go away anytime soon, even in the post-COVID world. Many businesses will likely continue to hire a virtual assistant in the Philippines as they have already benefited from the services of veteran VAs and freelancers in the past. Even companies that won’t hire any virtual assistant but opt to adopt a Hybrid Work Setup will still rely on Zoom meetings.

Because Zoom meetings won’t likely go away anytime soon, employees, freelancers, and virtual assistants will need to know how they can make the Zoom app work for them.

Focus on the Call

People should avoid multitasking and just focus on the call, even though it’s tempting to do something else while on a Zoom meeting. Our article titled 6 Productivity Hacks to Win Every Day talks about how there’s only 2.5 percent of people who can multitask.

It’s safe to assume that a regular employee and virtual assistant cannot multitask, so it’s better to focus on the meeting instead of squeezing in work while on a call. Multitasking is counter-productive, burns mental energy, and makes people ineffective in meetings and in their regular work.

Change Up Communication Channels

When a VA controls how they can communicate with other people, they should consider foregoing voice and video calls for a time and only communicating through emails, Skype, chats, and other means. Using a different communication channel is advisable to take a break while still being able to talk about work-related matters.

Bosses and managers should consider using other communication channels to maintain employee morale and not exhaust them with endless Zoom meetings. Arranging for meetings in the office or in a cafe from time to time is also advised when just having team meetings.

Take Breaks

Once a Zoom meeting is over, the participants must take a break to re-energize themselves. If the meeting doesn’t end soon, the participants should call for short breaks to not get burnt out. Nobody wants to be stuck in a call for hours while staring at a computer screen.

If meetings are a constant in an employee’s life, then they should consider taking a proper rest by applying for leave and going on a vacation. It’s best to unwind whenever possible, and taking a break from the computer screen is the ideal way to do this.

Give Yourself More Space

Because virtual meetings can be restrictive, people should do everything they can to free themselves from such restrictions and have more mobility. Using Bluetooth-capable computer components is advisable so people can have more freedom of where they’ll work and receive calls.

When a video feed isn’t required, it’s possible to take a call while pacing or lying down by using Bluetooth headphones. Suppose the VA uses a laptop instead of a desktop computer. In that case, they can even switch working locations when they need to take a call so they won’t be restricted to one location and even use Bluetooth peripherals to have more freedom.

Conclusion

Zoom fatigue is real, and people must know how to avoid it so they won’t have to get burnt out. People offering virtual assistant services won’t be able to give their best when burnt out from virtual meetings, and there’s really no way to avoid the meetings when it’s part of the job. So, they’ll need to make the most of their remote work setups and work smartly to avoid zoom fatigue and the resulting burnout. They can also read more in our previous article titled “How to Overcome WFH Burnout” to supplement the abovementioned solutions.

Freelance and independent VAs who have a hard time achieving a work-life balance AND getting burnt out by excessive meetings should consider joining a team of professional VAs to get this. By joining a VA company Philippines like OVA Virtual, Filipina VAs can achieve an outstanding work-life balance where they can earn a steady income while having more time with their loved ones.

Sources:

https://www.betterup.com/blog/zoom-fatigue

https://news.stanford.edu/2021/02/23/four-causes-zoom-fatigue-solutions/

https://hbr.org/2020/04/how-to-combat-zoom-fatigue

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/coronavirus-zoom-fatigue-is-taxing-the-brain-here-is-why-that-happens

https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/psychological-exploration-zoom-fatigue

https://www.betterup.com/blog/signs-of-burnout-at-work?hsLang=en

The post Zoom Fatigue: What is it, and How to Avoid it? appeared first on OVA VIRTUAL.

A survey by Monster.com stated that 69% of employees working from home are experiencing work from home burnout symptoms. Such symptoms can include overworking, overeating, overdrinking, overexercising, and changes in appearance. Even the best virtual assistant services offered by freelancers and independent VAs can degrade the moment they get burnt out.

Signs of WFH burnout

Remote workers can easily suffer from burnout when they start overworking since they feel like they have more control of their time. The signs that people are suffering from work from home burnout include the following:

• Physical exhaustion
• Emotional Exhaustion
• Pessimism
• Detachment
• Feeling that they lack accomplishments
• Being forgetful
• Being more irritable

WFH burnout is a state of chronic stress, and these signs won’t appear overnight. However, once it’s taken hold, people will no longer function effectively as they feel exhausted, become pessimistic, and be more irritable with people.

Causes of WFH Burnout

Anyone can get burnt out from work due to many different reasons, but remote workers will have it harder even though many people think that they should have more time to rest. Even though remote workers can theoretically have more control of their time, this actually makes things more problematic due to the following reasons:

• Blurred boundaries between work and home life
• Remote workers who can’t “shut off”
• Isolated remote workers
• The necessity to be viewed as a “good worker”

Thanks to the pandemic, many businesses had to resort to layoffs, and many people are more uncertain whether they’ll get a job or not. Because businesses can easily hire new eager remote employees and virtual assistants, there is a constant fear of being replaced.

The fear of being replaced and the natural fact that there are people who struggle with work and need adequate support from managers will make it easier for some remote workers to get burnt out from a WFH setting. Fortunately, people-conscious managers can help employee burnout by encouraging healthy remote work habits that freelancers and virtual assistants can also adopt.

Different Ways to Overcome WFH Burnout

Set Office Hours

Veteran Filipino virtual assistants and freelancers might know how to overcome WFH burnout or avoid it entirely, but office workers who were forced to work from home will find adjusting difficult. The WFH setting complicated this for many new remote workers since they can no longer use the time they get to the office and the time to leave to determine their work hours. Remote workers must learn to set specific office hours so they won’t work when they should be resting.

If it’s hard to set up specific office hours, remote workers should try setting up specific times to rest and relax. Gamers can set up specific times to play games and set up online lobbies to play with co-workers and even treat it as a team-building activity. Avid readers should allot time to read some new books. As long as remote workers can relax after work

Set Up an Office Space

Setting up specific work hours may be difficult no matter what people do if they don’t have a dedicated workspace at home. A dedicated space meant only for office work can work wonders on one’s psychology and influence one to be more productive.

Besides focusing more on work, remote workers can also get their minds to focus on things apart from work after they leave their dedicated workspace. Setting up a separate office space is arguably easier for former office workers who were assigned their workstations and had to bring them home to use since they won’t need to use their own computers for work.

Take Time Off

Work from home burnout is arguably the same as regular work burnout. They’re both because of workplace stress. Stepping away from work from time to time is possible today, as long as no new lockdown restrictions are set in place.

Traveling was hard during the first days and months of the pandemic because of lockdowns, so WFH burnouts were more common at the time. Anyone still working from home now that most people have a choice whether to work in the office or at home because lockdowns were lifted can make up for lost time and file vacation leaves. Freelancers can even pause from accepting new work to prepare for their well-deserved vacations.

Of course, staycations are still good if people can stop themselves from working.

Get a Hobby

Working all day, all week, and all month will lead to someone getting burnt out easily, so remote workers will need to do other activities to enjoy their free time. Hobbies are excellent since people can use some of their hard-earned money for whatever they’re passionate about.

Remote workers should think about learning new skills, learning a new art, joining sports teams, gaming with friends, and any other activity to give themselves other things to do.

Notify the Team that You’re Getting Burnt Out

Anyone can easily experience burnout from work due to their workloads, and it’s not exactly theirs or their manager’s fault why this is. It is, however, the employee’s fault if they don’t notify their co-workers and superiors about their dilemma. Telling the team that they’re experiencing burnout can allow for better collaboration to redistribute workload and even possibly allow for encouragements from other members.

Telling others about burnout might also allow other people to open up. Several people from a single team can get burnt out, and their feelings are valid. Receiving support and getting approved for leave are among the benefits of informing the team that you’re feeling burnt out.

This won’t likely be an option for freelancers, but they can tell their regular clients that they might need to take a break due to burnout.

Conclusion

Burnout affects productivity and willingness to work and function normally, so remote workers will need to learn how to overcome it. Those who didn’t have a choice can be forgiven since working remote might not be for them, but those who chose to work virtually will need to learn it to be successful.

Because many international businesses hire a virtual assistant Philippines, Filipino VAs will need to learn how to overcome WFH burnout. Any Filipina who wants to try getting a fulfilling career as a dedicated virtual assistant should consider joining OVA Virtual’s team.

Sources:

https://www.vistage.com/research-center/personal-development/work-life-balance/20210407-burnout/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurelfarrer/2020/05/29/the-dangerous-reality-of-wfh-burnout-and-how-to-treat-it/?sh=79e0a6252487

The post How to Overcome WFH Burnout? appeared first on OVA VIRTUAL.

Productivity is a mix of one’s habits, working strategies, physical condition, mentality, and working environment. Filipino virtual assistants and freelancers will need to practice good digital habits and manage their mental health as a minimum to be productive. While these are important, people should first know how they can develop these practices in the first place. Fortunately, we have some productivity hacks that virtual assistants can follow to win every day.

Have a Good Night’s Sleep

Everyone needs sleep, and it’s hard to function without one. According to a survey by Harvard University, sleep deprivation costs businesses $2,280 per employee, and no company will want to hire a VA that costs them more than the initial employment costs.

Getting a good night’s sleep of 8 to 9 hours every night can improve concentration and even increase cognitive function. Besides, there are also other benefits of getting a whole night’s sleep to help people feel better about themselves. It might even improve someone’s mood and even let people have a more positive view of life.

Have a Good Reason

Why do you want to work hard? Why do you want to look for more work as a freelancer? Why do you want to want to be a virtual assistant? Why do you want to be more productive? People can only be productive when they have a reason to be, and they won’t be able to do so if they only want to please their bosses or be more efficient.

Virtual assistants must have a good reason for why they want to work and be productive. It’s not enough to just want to work to pay bills. Some good reasons can include having a better work-life balance, having more control of time, enjoying life more, and buying more wants to splurge a little. They can be good starters when people don’t necessarily have a deep reason to be productive.

Make a To-Do List the Night Before

Once people have a good reason, they can get started with making a to-do list the night before a workday. Some people might not want to do this because they don’t want to think about work before a workday, especially during the weekends, but this can help people stay organized.

A good list to make the night before a workday, or any day in a week, is the list of priorities they want to accomplish. It doesn’t matter if it’s work-related or not; it just has to be something they want to achieve. This lets people start their day thinking clearly and prioritizing certain things to become productive. It can also allow people to have a schedule if that’s how they want to make a list of priorities.

Work can become more chaotic without a plan, and being calm and level-headed thanks to a to-do list prepared beforehand will let people be more objective and potentially save time.

Keep to a Schedule

Once people have a to-do list, they should have a good schedule to follow to be able to stay focused and organized for the day. This is much easier to accomplish when the to-do list is already roughly as a schedule since scheduling is more effective than making to-do lists.

When you have a to-do list, start scheduling your tasks to organize better what you need to do for the day. Not scheduling and keeping to the schedule can make it harder to budget time.

Avoid Multitasking

Having a to-do list and keeping to a schedule allows people to focus on certain tasks and avoid working on other things and possibly multitasking. However, some people attest that they can work effectively and get more things done when multitasking, so they don’t necessarily keep to a set schedule. The unfortunate truth is that only 2.5 percent of people can multitask, and there was even a study about it titled the “Supertaskers: Profiles in extraordinary multitasking ability.”

Not everyone can multitask, despite what many people might think, and it’s better to focus on one task at a time to be productive. Working on several things at one time can and will have performance decrements that will keep people from being productive.

Avoid Distractions

Multitasking is arguably a way to get distracted, especially when that multitasking is working and watching Korean dramas or the latest movies. Office-based workers probably won’t be able to get away with this, but remote workers might, especially when they have two monitors. Another way to get distracted that’s pretty common for nearly everyone is looking at their phones to check notifications, write texts, answer non-emergency calls, or check their social media accounts.

Filipino virtual assistants must avoid distractions as much as possible as they’ll break their concentration. Turn off all notifications. That’s the best way to avoid distractions or discipline oneself to avoid distractions, even with notifications on.

Conclusion

Most of the hacks mentioned above are the basic ones that people usually forget. Most people don’t sleep early to reward themselves after a long day’s work or to manage their side hustles, and it’s never a good thing. It’s important to rest properly outside work hours and want to improve one’s life to stay productive.

Proper rest, enjoying life, staying organized, and focusing on work during work times seem basic but are arguably the foundations of staying productive. These “hacks” can easily be done, don’t need people to spend money, and can be done by nearly everyone. It only needs continuous practice until these become a habit.

Businesses will want to hire a virtual assistant to get the best virtual assistant services possible and even help them be productive in managing their company. Are you already productive today but are now having trouble getting clients? Join us at OVA Virtual today and find great online jobs in different fields. Expand your skills with us and achieve an outstanding work-life balance.

Sources:

https://myva360.com/blog/13-scientifically-proven-productivity-hacks

https://emailanalytics.com/101-productivity-tips-to-help-you-get-more-done-every-day/

https://michaelhyatt.com/proven-productivity-hacks/

The post 6 Productivity Hacks to Win Every Day appeared first on OVA VIRTUAL.

Remote workers before the pandemic found themselves working while traveling, staying in a café, and wherever they find themselves when they need to work. All they’ll need is a laptop and a place to work using it to start freelancing or working as a virtual assistant. Right now, most remote workers will be working from home and might find themselves working in the bedroom, the living room, or even the dining area.

Even though many people these days work from home, not everyone has a dedicated workspace at home and simply work anywhere they want. This might seem like a good idea for anyone using laptops, but those who use desktop PCs will need a dedicated area for their setup. In fact, having a dedicated workspace has lots of advantages for remote workers.

Physical Spaces Affect Psychology

People always develop instinctive cognitive biases about their space, which is why some people find themselves being more productive when in a physical office than when at home. The rooms in a house are all built and set up differently to differentiate their purpose from one another. The moment someone enters a particular room, they’ll immediately know what it is for and drive them to use it for a specific purpose.

If someone starts working in the comforts of their bed, then they might find themselves getting sleepy easily, like how students easily get drowsy when reading their textbooks while on the bed. The moment someone uses a particular room for a different purpose, their mind can get confused because they’re assigning a different purpose to a specific room. Another example is that people might start snacking while working if they set up in the kitchen.

Dedicated Workspaces Help Remote Workers Focus

Offices are particularly designed to get people to focus on their work, and having a dedicated workspace at home can help emulate the feeling of working on-site. When possible, having a separate room to work in is ideal since it ensures that the remote worker won’t be too distracted when working. Once they have a designated workspace, they can decorate it according to their needs. They can check these two articles for more information.

Setting up a home office is arguably more straightforward when using a desktop PC since people won’t be tempted to move their devices to work in a more comfortable place. A typical desktop PC will usually consist of a big PC case, a single 18” to 20” monitor, and a keyboard and mouse. Higher-end setups will typically have more monitors, a bigger PC case with heavy components, and multiple peripherals. Setting it up takes time, and it can be bothersome to constantly tear it apart and move it to a different location. The only exception is when people use a Mini-ITX PC since it’s light enough to serve as a travel PC and can be relocated easily.

When using a laptop, people might be tempted to set up the laptop in whatever comfortable they might have in mind. They might end up working on the dining table, in front of a TV, in bed, and in any other place that can distract them from working. Setting the laptop up in a separate room or in a corner where people won’t easily get distracted is ideal. Another option is getting a second monitor and other peripherals and setting them up like a desktop PC to make it more bothersome to move the laptop.

A typical Filipino virtual assistant or freelancer will usually use laptops instead of desktop PCs because of their portability. Should they have old and slow hardware, they can try to upgrade them to improve performance. They can read more about this in our previous article on succeeding when working from home.

Once remote workers are in an environment that makes them think of working, they’ll find themselves more focused on work instead of easily getting distracted.

Have a Work-life balance

While working from home, people might find it difficult to have a healthy work-life balance as they work in a confusing place where they might want to rest instead of working. However, instead of the confusion that can distract people from their work, remote workers might instead overwork themselves as they think they have flexible working hours and can work any time they want.

Having a dedicated workspace with work-specific equipment where people will only go during set work hours will allow people to separate work from their life. A dedicated workspace can effectively encourage remote workers to walk away from their work laptops or PCs once the day ends.

A work-specific area with its own dedicated PC completely separated from someone’s personal PC located in a different area will help remote workers focus on work while also having a good work-life balance.

Conclusion

Dedicated workspaces are vital in ensuring that remote workers can focus on work with minimal distractions while also unplugging from work after regular working hours. Being distracted at work will keep people from being productive, while remaining connected to work equipment can prompt people to continue working even when they’re past their standard work hours.

Many people today work remotely as either virtual assistants or freelancers, and they’ll need to be able to focus at work. Many businesses will want to be able to rely on the services of quality VA companies in the Philippines. Having a dedicated workspace at home will help make virtual assistants more productive and efficient, and they can improve further by developing habits to be more successful.

Sources:

https://medium.com/illumination/the-benefits-of-a-dedicated-workspace-when-working-remotely-7f0dc487cbe

https://beck-technology.com/working-from-home-tips-dedicated-workspace/

https://www.wishup.co/blog/6-reasons-why-a-dedicated-workspace-is-a-must-when-working-from-home/

The post Why Remote Workers Need a Dedicated Workspace at Home appeared first on OVA VIRTUAL.

According to a study by ResumeLab on the tech habits of highly successful people, where 1,000 professionals were interviewed, success was most believed to be defined by three life aspects: physical, family, and mental health. In addition to that, female respondents were more likely to include income as a factor of success. It’s safe to say that success is defined by one’s income, physical health, family status, and mental health. Developing digital habits to be successful is necessary today, especially since nearly everyone is dependent on different digital devices.

People use digital devices for both work and leisure, to the point that they can easily get distracted from work or get burdened by seeing work-related messages while resting and other things. Successful people, including virtual assistants and remote workers, know how to keep themselves focused on either work or relaxing and not deal with unnecessary things thanks to their habits. Among them are the following:

Optimize Daily Digital Life

Everyone’s lives are full of routines, and routines can impact a person’s personality and tendencies. More than half of the accomplished respondents in ResumeLab’s study said they charged their devices while they slept, kept their desktops clean of clutter, took breaks from social media, and ran antivirus software. About 1 in 5 people avoided screen time before bed, and 1 in 10 used standing desks while working.

Investing in a reliable standing desk may be costly for some Filipino virtual assistants, but the other habits are easy enough to do even without spending money.

Leave The Phone Alone in the Morning

The only thing that most successful people use their phones for early in the morning is as an alarm, and they only touch it again to check on messages after their morning routines. Doing this allows people to control their day and have the time necessary to decide how they’ll spend the day after waking up.

Also, leaving the phone alone after any morning rituals effectively keep people from having bad days early in the day after reading bad news, work-related messages, and other stressors in social media or messaging apps.

Turn Off Notifications

Notifications will always distract people whenever they pop up, and successful people turn off all the non-essential notifications on their phones when doing something important. The phone will light up whenever people get a friend request, a suggested item from an e-commerce company, or a suggested show from Netflix, and it can become a distraction.

Turning off notifications keeps people from getting tempted to look at their phones while working. This also contributes to improving work performance.

Not checking notifications might also help people stop looking at their phones every few minutes and wasting time instead of working.

Unplug Outside of Work

Remote workers, virtual assistants, and digital entrepreneurs might feel that they’re connected to their work or business, especially since they can stay updated through their phones. Most people do this every day and get stressed during their rest days.

Having this level of control over one’s work or business might seem to be appealing for some people, but the long-term effects are devastating. Successful people disconnect from work once work hours are over and instead use their free time to strengthen their skills, consume quality content, network, or enjoy.

Successful people know how to live life to the fullest, inside and outside work.

Setting the Phone to Black and White

All digital devices are engineered to be addictive and get people to use them more. One reason this is the case is that everything on the phone is in color.

The matter of the color making the phone addicting is revealed by Tristan Harris, Silicon Valley insider and non-profit founder. He likened the phone’s allure to that of colorful slot machines. Everything looks more enticing because of the color, but enabling grayscale on the phone can help because browsing the internet becomes less fun.

Keep as much Tech Out of the Bedroom as Possible

The human body is wired to respond to natural light. The constant bombardment of artificial light from various digital devices revs up the brain and pumps hormones to keep people alert and anxious. It’s common for people to wonder why they’re having difficulty sleeping after playing games on their phones while in bed.

People can sleep better once they stop using their devices at a certain time. Exposure to blue light suppresses melatonin production, a hormone released by the pineal gland at night, which is also associated with controlling the sleep and wake cycle. This means that no digital devices after 8:00 p.m., including work messages.

Conclusion

Most people work remotely, and some of them have started working as freelancers, and they’ll need to know how to become successful. Businesses relying on virtual assistant services Philippines will want to have VAs successful in their industries and their lives.

The post Digital Habits of Successful People (Infographic) appeared first on OVA VIRTUAL.

However, even after virtual assistants proved their value during COVID, some businesses might still have reservations about hiring VAs once the pandemic is over. A few such businesses are even looking to end the pandemic-related flexibility of remote work and fire any regular employees who won’t work on-site. If businesses aren’t open to letting their employees remotely, there’s a chance that they also won’t want a virtual assistant, especially if they had a negative experience before.

Despite several businesses’ reservations on hiring a virtual assistant, many entrepreneurs swear by the effectiveness of having VAs in their ranks. Some entrepreneurs, like Jake Jorgovan of Lead Cookie and Content Allies, even treat them as the backbone of their operations.

However, remote employees, including virtual assistants, are among the top-performing workers that companies can have. Such workers can outperform their on-site co-workers in different ways.

Flexibility

Remote workers are more flexible than office-based workers, which means they can work outside the usual nine-to-five, especially if some clients have urgent requests made after work hours. Flexible schedules can increase productivity by minimizing the negative effects of distractions by allowing the workers to compensate by coming back another time to work and finish their work.

Even if the remote employees and virtual assistants need to work for eight hours a day, they can pick what time they want to work on to minimize any distractions and maximize their time. It’s also possible for them to work outside working hours and in the evening to complement their office-based counterparts, especially for virtual assistants handling back-office work and potential backlogs due to any sudden increases in workloads.

Diverse Workers

If entrepreneurs hire a virtual assistant, they can potentially extend their operating hours when they hire a VA from the other side of the world. Businesses in the US can hire a Filipino virtual assistant and have staff operating in different time zones.

Besides having employees from a different time zone, businesses can also save money when hiring a virtual assistant from the Philippines due to the cheap labor in the country. Hiring a full-time employee is more expensive than hiring a Filipino VA because of the regular employee’s auxiliary fees.

Hiring Filipino virtual assistants has more advantages listed here.

Better Communication

Virtual assistants need to be good communicators since they can’t simply tap their co-workers’ arms or go to their workstations to ask questions. Remote workers surprisingly end up being better at communicating since it is one of the basic requirements for remote employees to work efficiently since they aren’t as connected to their co-workers as their office-based counterparts.

What’s more is that on-site employees may seem to be well-connected with each other, only to find out that some personal issues are present that hinder communications. Remote workers won’t likely get involved with such issues. They will be more focused on their jobs, allowing them to be more connected in work-related matters and disconnected from trivial matters.

Increased Productivity

It’s already mentioned above that virtual assistants, and remote workers will enjoy increased productivity thanks to the flexible hours. Another reason why virtual assistants are more productive than office-based workers is that they aren’t micromanaged, unlike the latter.

Virtual assistants enjoy more freedom when producing output, allowing them to work at their own pace and not feel rushed or pressured to accomplish their tasks. A survey showed that 65% of workers said that working remotely will be more productive, while another 86 percent said they could hit maximum productivity when working alone.

Remote workers can thank the lack of office distractions, the flexibility, and the freedom to work on more tasks for their increased productivity.

Presence

Many office workers usually end up absent for various reasons, usually because they or a close family member are sick. Because their schedules aren’t flexible and they need to be present at the office to work, they’re usually forced to pick whether to stay at home to rest or take care of a relative or to work in the office. Other reasons for absences are doctor’s appointments and special events that the employees need to go to. The bottom line is, if many people are absent, businesses usually end up being short-staffed.

However, virtual assistants with flexible schedules aren’t heavily affected by sudden illnesses, important appointments, and other reasons for absences since they can go back to work whenever they’re available. Even if the VA needs to travel, they can always work on the go using either a laptop or a tablet PC and deliver results.

Entrepreneurs will surely feel that a VA is more present than some regular employees, as long as they hire a reliable virtual assistant or one from a reputable VA company.

Conclusion

Virtual assistants have proven to be invaluable assets in the company, as long as the entrepreneurs hire them from trustworthy virtual assistant companies in the Philippines. Relying solely on largely unknown VAs, especially those who aren’t affiliated with reputable VA companies, can prove problematic since there’s no assurance that businesses will have great service from them.

Hire a virtual assistant in the Philippines through OVA Virtual today to benefit from the quality virtual assistant services that our exceptional VAs can offer.

The post 5 Ways Virtual Assistants Can Outperform Office Workers (Infographic) appeared first on OVA VIRTUAL.