How to use Jing

Are you having a hard time explaining some things to the person you are conversing with online (i.e. chat, email) and felt that your communication will be easier if you can capture the images or videos on your computer screen?

Fret not! Jing is the solution to your problem!

Jing is an amazing tool that will enhance your fast-paced online conversations. It captures images or videos exactly from your screen monitor and delivers it instantly via email, twitter, web or your blog.

To learn more about Jing, please check out the tutorial below.

Marissa_Geluz_How to Use Jing

Focus ! Focus!

It's been more than 2 weeks past the VA Seminar and I haven't started the assignments given to us to graduate from this course.

Part of the assignment was to select 10 tools, or programs or websites, self-study how they work and create a tutorial for each. We were given 2 months to accomplish these tasks.

I have to admit that it's challenging to find time to do these tasks because I'm working full-time as an HR Practioner on weekdays and I attend to my clothing business and short course classes on weekends. But if I really want this, I said to my self that I have to manage my time and priorities.

I need to focus!

Thus, to start off, I selected 10 tools or programs or websites that I would like to work on, as follows:
1). Jing
2)  Billing Boss
3)  Skype
4)  Ever Note
5)  Google : calendar
6)  Backupify
7)  Basecamp
8)  Drop box
9)  Google : docs - Form
10) doc2pdf

I have selected these tools because I believe that learning these programs would enable a VA to effectively perform his/her functions.

VA ? What's that?

"I'm quitting my job...", my bestfriend told me.

"Are you sure? What will you do?" I asked.

"I'm gonna be a VA!" she said with conviction.

"VA? What's that?"

Well, it seems that I was not  the only person who asked that question.

There has been a lot of misconceptions about virtual assistants. And one of the most common is that all they do are clerical stuff like data entry, typing, clicking....and more typing!

But when I witnessed how my bestfriend enjoyed her VA job, I became very curious and wanted to know more about it.  So I enrolled in the VA Seminar by Jomar Hilario.

The half day class opened my eyes and changed my perception about virtual assistants. I realized that they are more than what other perceive as "glorified" receptionists or secretaries.  In fact, it's more likely that a virtual assistant has more professional skills than a "normal" office worker would have. The skills ranged from writing, web/graphic designing, events management, database  management, proofreading, research, customer service, and the list goes on.

Virtual Assistant Seminar Participants, March 5, 2011

It is also commendable that Jomar  presented  the "not so good" aspect of being a VA to have a more balanced perspective about the job.  For one, being a VA would make you feel like an employee, except that you are working at home. Second, it is an active work and not a passive income. Meaning, it entails a lot of discipline, organization and time management and it can be challenging especially if you don't know how to manage your priorities. There is also uncertainty in salary because there's no physical company to support you, and there are no bonuses and company benefits.

w/ Jomar Hilario

However, on the upside, being a VA has lots of benefits. First, the opportunity to earn additional income if you perform it on a part-time basis. The salary is good also especially if you know how to negotiate your pay. Second, you can learn a lot of new skills such as softwares and computer/ internet tools. Third, being a VA expands your contacts and network and increases your confidence. Fourth, it eliminates the hassle of commuting to and from the office and the corresponding transportation cost that you have to spend. And lastly, which is I believe is the most important benefit of working from home, is having the time flexibility to spend with the people which matters to you the most  and also to pursue your other life's passions.

Isn't that great?

My Motivations

I've been working in a corporate set-up for 8 years now as a Human Resources Practitioner. The work, the people and the environment contributed a lot in my growth as an individual. I enjoyed the learnings, the challenges and the relationships/friendships that were built through the years. I also cried buckets of tears because of too much work stress and lack of time for myself and to pursue my other interests and passions.  I was living my life on a fast track lane.

But there came a point in my life where I did some reflections and asked myself, "Is this really what I want? If I can do things my way, what will I do differently?"

Whether you're single or married, if you can relate to the presentation above, then I suggest that you do some self-assessment and think over your priorities.

"Follow your heart, but be quiet for a while first. Ask questions, then feel the answer. Learn to trust your heart." ---- Carl W. Beuchner

I am at this stage wherein I'm exploring other career opportunities that will provide me with the flexibility to pursue my other life's passions, which I have neglected over the years. I don't want to wake up someday with regret that I've wasted my time over things that don't make me happy.

"When work, commitment, and pleasure all become one and you reach that deep well where passion lives, nothing is impossible." ---- Nancy Coey