When you know you need to let go how do you loosen your grip
and move on? I was clueless and so I hung on even tighter. My one little word for this year is ‘release’ so it’s no surprise
that this huge clearning lesson came to me when it did.
I’ve been AssistU’s Admissions Director for just over four years—the
entire time I’ve been a VA. From the beginning I’ve thought of AssistU as one of my clients
but it actually is a virtual staff position which has made me feel a
vital part of the heart of this amazing company. Stacy and Dawn have, over five years,
been my role models, mentors, coaches, and teachers. These wise, wise women
have deeply touched and impacted my life both professionally and personally and
I am blessed to have had their guidance.
My role as Admissions Director was a way to give back to the
company, community, potentials VAs, and especially to Stacy and Dawn for all
that I’ve received from being lovingly embraced by this community and the
people that make it the unique and inspiring place it is. I am forever grateful
for Stacy’s and Dawn’s belief and confidence in me to represent AssistU. I am
even more grateful for their love, friendship, and unwavering support over the
years—they taught me to live my best life and to be true to myself.
By the fall of 2009 I knew that I was ready to move on from this
position; I just didn’t know where or how to get there. And when you love the people you
work with how do you say I’m ready for something new? In September 2009 I was astounded
(and honored) to be awarded AU Staff Member of the Year and felt the timing was completely
inappropriate for me to step down—and so I waited.
Life happened. I was juggling too many balls between my
personal and professional lives, I was out of balance and overwhelmed. Instead
of speaking up I dropped several balls. When it becomes apparent to others that
something is wrong it is way past time to let go. I learned that authenticity and
listening to my wise self are always the right courses of action. Yes, letting
go is hard. Damn hard. But I only made it harder for everyone by not sharing my doubts and
struggles and taking action before the balls dropped.
And so the difficult conversation was had, tears were shed,
virtual hugs were shared, and much, much love and appreciation was expressed.
This is a huge clearning opportunity for me and yes some days the chasm gapes
and I reel back with dread, but mostly I look and see a vista of possibilities
spread before me and stride forward with gusto.
AssistU’s new Admissions director received three community
recognition awards for 2009, including VA of the Year and is highly respected
and cherished within our community for her grace, humor, and kindness. She’s
also a VA I've had the opportunity to meet and felt connected to instantly and
have loved getting to know her!
Sandra I am thrilled and honored to spend a whirlwind three
weeks in training with you! Your dedication and devotion to AssistU are apparent
the moment you begin sharing your experiences within the community or creating
your own VA practice. Your presence in the admissions process will breathe new
life and vitality into the VTP applicants’ experiences. Thank you for your courage
and faith in stepping up and taking on this challenge!
I’ve pried my fingers loose of the white knuckled death grip I had on this
position; I see exciting new possibilities for creating marketing and media
exposure for AssistU and my practice that I didn’t have time for previously. I
feel buoyed by my contribution to AssistU and am more inspired than ever to
share my experience with others.
Thanks to AssistU, I’ve manifested a business
that enhances my life instead of being a struggle; that gives me the
opportunity to do work I love and excel at; a business that empowers me to live
my highest life and highest good and make a difference in people’s lives. My
hands and arms are flung wide open and I’m ready to inspire others to put their
dreams into action!
You are incredible! You’ve done such a great job for AssistU and been the listening post for so many of us. Good luck in the next, new adventure!
Laura, you have always held a special place in my heart. Your grace, your warmth, your kindness, your sense of adventure. I was so excited to get to spend time extra-special time with you at AU Vegas and thankful ever since that we had that opportunity to connect.
I can’t thank you enough for sharing so much of yourself in the position of Admissions Director and for your generosity during the training period. It has been a whirlwind, and I’m thankful that it is YOU I’ve gotten to ride those waves with!
Much love,
Sandra
Beautiful. Post. You!
Hugs! Sweet friend.
Linda
Forever <3
I am, and always will be, supremely grateful for you in my life for many reasons. I'm also grateful that I was strong enough to step up when you couldn't be because you weren't quite ready. You've done it for me, many times.
I know that there are other seriously beautiful things coming for you, beautiful Laura. I hope you'll let me be around to celebrate them with you!!
Anastacia
Laura, you were the first official voice of AssistU for me and you made the admissions process for this newbie a genuinely warm and welcoming one. Thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do! I hope you’re finding the balance that you deserve. **Vugs**
Am I one of your last admissions? I am grateful for that. Thanks so much for being there for me. And welcome Sandra!!!! I have enjoyed so much meeting you.
Laura, I remember interviewing with you for the VTP. You were so warm and welcoming; I knew from that moment that AU was for me. Thanks for that great first impression. I’m sorry others won’t get to share that.
Laura, you are such a bright, shining star. I am so blessed to have had my internship with you & I learned so much. You are such a great teacher, mentor and friend.
I wish you all the very best in your future pursuits. You will continue to shine no matter what you do.
Many BIG Vugs,
Kris Jamieson
My oh my Sweet Laura. You are FABULOUS and absolutely exquisite. You are such a beautiful person inside and out and I wish you ALL the success you deserve. Your warmness and refreshing spirit made me feel very welcomed at AssistU. I thank you for that. I hope to connect with you again in July at our favorite watering hole 🙂 Much love and blessings to you!
Laura,
You’ve been the personal connection to so many VTP applicants, making my travels as a trainer to our students lighter and more joyful. I thank you for your dedication to AssistU and to the Admissions process. I wish you peace and abundant blessings as you travel your new path, and I look forward to your continuing inspiration.
Terry
Laura, I was thrilled when I received that first phone call from you. You were so kind and patient and shared your knowledge openly with me. I remember hoping that you were the instructor! (not knowing how things worked)
Much later I was honored to be your tour guide for a quick day on the Maine coast when you visited and was again lavished with your grace.
I am forever grateful to have met you.
Best wishes to you in your future endeavors!
Big Vugs to you!
E
Laura, this has been expressed better by others before me but I truly appreciate all the warmth and goodness that shines forth from you whether by phone, post, or face-to-face. I am blessed to know you!
Laura, all the best to you. You were the first voice of AssistU that buoyed me through the VTP. AssistU changed my life and helped me define my business model. If there is anything I can do for you through my NAVAC, just let me know.
What are you going to be doing next?
Here’s to many fabulous adventures ahead for you, Laura! 🙂 I remember interviewing with you for the VTP and how instantly comfortable you made me feel. That warmth and kindness you express is such a wonderful asset – I know there are great things ahead for you!
Laura,
I didn’t have as much exposure to you in the beginning as others that went through the VTP because of the gift Stacy gave me. But through the contact we DID have and posts on the portal, I’ve felt your warmth and careing deeply.
Every time I see your face on the portal, Facebook or anywhere in www-land you always make me smile with a warm glow. There’s not many people I can consistently say that about. I know I will still see you, so no tears from this port; just wishes for the very, very best for you in the days, weeks and months to come.
Hugz!
Laura, very best wishes to you. You were the very first AU voice that I heard – virtually and literally. I sincerely thank you for all that you have done to assist and prepare me for entry into the VTP (I’m in my 5th week and boy is it a ride already!).
I equally thank you for sharing your experience on “release.” Letting go can be hard for me as well, but I choose to learn from you. . . that it’s difficult to receive the new if I am unwilling to let go of the old.
God bless you as you go forth in your new adventures.
Let me add my words of gratitude to you Laura. You were my first contact with AssistU and were so generous with your time in answering questions and guiding me through the process! I wish you all the best and continued success! Janine Harris
Let me add my huge, tight vugs to you, too!
You have been contributing to our fabulous community soooo much. You have no idea how you helped me feel at ease during the admission process. Lucky me!
Wishing you the best, Laura. We’ll be still seeing you on the forum, right? 😉
Laura,
Your beautiful, eloquent words touched me.
Like so many others, you were the first person I spoke with at AssistU and from that moment on, I knew AssistU was where I was supposed to be!
I wish you an abundance of happiness as you venture on your new path!
Light & Love
Lori Wicks
Laura,
Almost everything I want to say has already been said here. I remember your emails, long before I even applied to the VTP. You took the time to respond, and guided me, from the very first time I heard about AssistU, through the application process, and even now. I thank you from my heart for your support.
I think I do know how you feel, you are leaving your *baby.* Who knows what’s in store for you? I do wish you everything that you wish for yourself.
Big Vugs to you!
Embrace the future.
Laura,
I really appreciate and miss you, at the same time, firmly believe the God bless you for your life ahead. You always took care of me when I contacted AssistU 5 years ago as the first applicant from Asia. You stood by me always when I struggled with the hard course…
Thank you again for everything you did for me and wish you again, new adventure!
Beautiful post! I’ll always remember how kind you were when I was applying to AssistU. You were my first personal contact and you made me feel so welcome. Thank you!
Laura:
You were my first voice of AssistU, and your warmth and kindness will forever be in my heart. Thank you (a million times over)! I echo all the sentiments here that you are blessed with continued success and happiness in all of your endeavors! You are loved and cherished beyond words!♥♥
*Vugs*,
Norma
Laura,
It is because of your valuable information (I called twice in the space of one year) that I finally took the leap of faith to take the VTP. You will be missed. Wishing you all the best.
Oh my lovely friends…I am awed and overwhelmed (tears of joy)by your words of love and encouragement.
If I shine it is because I have discovered my true calling and am inspired to do work I love. I have met so many amazing people during the past four years and have in turn been touched and inspired by each of YOU.
My practice is open to possibility and transformation and I am thrilled by this new adventure! Blessings to you on your own journeys and thank you for walking with me a ways. Much love and big vugs!