A few months ago I hired a personal assistant part-time. She works for me remotely on another continent, with her day beginning just as my normal workday is ending. This is working out perfectly for me. You see, just like many out there I'm a new school entrepreneur, with a full-time career during daylight hours, then hustling my enterprises in the evening.
When I first told my friends and colleagues I was doing this, they started with a good chuckle and almost brushed it away as yet another one of Serge's crazy ideas. Who did i think I was, some senior exec, Hollywood wannabe, or some socialite heir(ess)? Then I asked them why they found it so amusing. Are these other individuals living lives so exceptional that their hours are more worthwhile? Time is the great equalizer. We have a finite amount, high or low, rich or poor. So I asked them, what would they do with an extra 20 hours a week? Spend more time with family? Extra sleep? More time reading for pleasure or playing a sport?
I love what I do and I am passionate about every project I work on (otherwise, I wouldn't be doing it). Yet I have a tendency to get bogged down in the details. My PA helps keep me focused on the bigger stuff. I love surfing the web and researching cool tools and apps, but sometimes, I just need something utilitarian. Rather than spend hours myself finding that Mac app that will automatically create a photo collage, my PA can do the heavy lifting and bring me back three recommendations.
She helps me plan my travel itineraries and theme dinners. When I heard about this great new service, Legacy Locker, I wanted to find out more about who was behind it, what users had been saying, and were there any reported security breaches. My PA did the preliminary searches and brought me back the news articles to read. She helps me find available domain names and choose stock photography. She researches bamboo fiber clothing, does site promotions, and whatever other wacky idea I might have.
In brief, she's a Godsend. My PA kicks ass. Regrettably, I don't pay her as much as I'd like to, but she meets me part-way because it's an investment in herself and in my business. As it grows, so will my budget and her opportunities for growth in my companies. You see, I don't treat my PA as someone who does the menial tasks for me. I love to teach and invest in my people, so I teach her about search engine optimization, user experience design, branding, guerrilla marketing, collaborative tools, and whatever else is driving the tasks I give her. I expose her to opportunities that she normally wouldn't encounter. I challenge her each day with ideas that hopefully inspire her.
You might think, "That's great, Serge, for someone like you who is trying to juggle a lot, but I couldn't afford a PA or even if I could I wouldn't have enough work for them."
Firstly, you can find great help for not as much as you would think. This economy has been tough on everyone and there are talented individuals out there looking for extra income. Start your search on classifieds sites and outsourcing sites like oDesk or Freelancer (used to be known as Get A Freelancer). Federal minimum wage in the States is $7.25/hr. At this rate, an individual would be taxed at 15%. An unlimited metro card in New York will be $89/month (people who drive will spend more). Now stop here. Already, we are at $5/hour. If day care is involved, it will drop even more. Depressing, right? Now imagine you hire a PA instead for $4-$5/hr. They stay at home, work in their pajamas, make their own hours, and can stay at home with the kids. Numbers don't seem so crazy now, do they?
Secondly, everybody can use some help. Little Sally needs new soccer cleats? Your PA can do a quick search and tell you which store has the cheapest deal in your area and make sure one is on hold before you drive all the way to the store. Junior's got that popsicle-stick bridge project? Your PA can pull a few how-tos from the web for you to help him get started. Need to take care of that mobile phone charges dispute? Your PA can wait on the phone and take care of it so you don't have to. That alone is worth it. Fellas, never forget an anniversary again. Your PA will not only remind you, but will have made reservations at the top three restaurants two months in advance so you can choose the one for your special night.
Think about it, what could someone do for you for 20 hours a week?
What would you do with an extra 20 hours a week?
