Why do you want to be a Virtual Assistant?

Why would I not want to?

Home-based businesses are the trend of the future. Government and industry reports show that increasing numbers of men and women are now opting to work out of their homes.

Business Owners are rediscovering the benefits of transitioning their businesses online. Many people now want to combine their careers with families, opting out of the rat race to spend more time with their families, and take a more proactive part in raising their children. The technological innovations in the past decades have also made working at home easier and more feasible.

I have worked in the corporate world for 7 years in the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates, so I can compare the difference of working in the corporate world from home-based jobs like a virtual assistant and alike.

Here are several benefits to work at home as a Virtual Assistant:

To gain personal freedom

As a Virtual Assistant, I can shape my work life depending on my goals and environment. There are no bosses to follow, no corporate culture to abide by, and no rigid work schedules nor time clocks. Instead, I have the freedom to work and earn as I choose, in the comfort and convenience of our own home.

To reap financial benefits

The financial benefits of working at home are equally attractive. The convenience of having an office a few steps away from the bed allows me to save on commute time, gasoline, and transportation expenses. There is also little need to buy power suits and dress up every workday as I can work in my pajama.

To exploit tax advantages

Using our home as a place of business offers several tax advantages. For starters, it allows us to deduct a part of the operating and depreciation expenses on our home.

To be with the family

Many opt to start their business from their homes to strengthen family relationships. Allowing our daughter to see what I do for a living. I can both work and earn, while taking care of our daughter.

To reduce stress

Working at home can reduce the stress of juggling the demands of my work life with those of my private life. I can work while staying at home to care for a sick child or continue to work late at night after preparing and sharing dinner with the family. Since I work alone, there is no office politics and deadlines imposed by a boss. I only need to follow the deadlines and schedules I have set for myself.

For job enrichment

I am not boxed into one job and given a label identifying myself as a researcher, secretary, clerk, or administrative assistant. I am free to learn and perform a variety of work-related tasks. More importantly, personal growth is greatly enhanced as I learn what I can (and cannot do) and my goals become much more achievable.

Given these benefits and more, the trend toward home-based businesses is just beginning. As more people recognize the opportunities of working from their homes, coupled with the need to be independent and the drive to succeed, others will soon join this growing movement.

How about you? Why do you want to be a Virtual Assistant? You can share your thoughts and stories in the comment box...