Opposites (Dogs) Attract

I have two dogs. You will find that I refer to them often. I am absolutely comfortable spoiling them and talking to them and talking for them. As a business owner, you may find this a good analogy for business.

Willie, or I should say, Alli Shores Steamboat Willie, is a Newfoundland. By all accounts he is the quintessential Newfie: a gentle giant and mellow. He is 7 years old and is absolutely content to sit idle for hours. I simply refer to him as my lawn ornament.

Cowboy is an English Setter. He is our 1.5 year old, very active, and an absolutely silly dog. I actually call him Goofy, convinced he is reincarnated from the Disney character.

To put it straight, they are on the opposite ends of the dog spectrum. Cowboy literally runs circles around Willie, if Willie will run at all. Cowboy jumps up and runs to and fro through the yard, chasing anything that moves. Willie will sleep at my feet all day and then rest a bit, worn out from having slept all day.

What I love about them is that despite their obvious differences, they complement each other. They seem to adore each other and demonstrate it in their own dog-way. Each one will go his own way most of the day and when the time is right, they play together, eat together, and sleep together.

It is true, opposites attract.

This to me is a bit how a business owner and a virtual assistant (VA) work together. I know I am defined by being a highly organized, methodical, and multi-tasking individual. My typical client may very well be the opposite of that. Otherwise, why would he need me? I honor these differences and I nurture those elements in my clients that are opposite to mine.

I encourage any business owner that is considering to hire a VA to do it! Do not be concerned or embarrassed about the unfinished stuff or the things not started. That’s not why you went into business, is it? You need the time to generate new clients and nurture your existing ones. You need time to do the revenue building tasks. Let the virtual assistant take over those non-revenue building tasks. Embrace the differences that are likely to be revealed. Like Willie and Cowboy, you and your VA will complement each other.