A Day in the Life of an Ishido

1. A Day in the Life of an Ishido Our Team Leaders, K.A.’s, and Experts Creating the Perfect Job By: Kim Moler

2. Lifebushido’svision is to create the perfect job.Our Team Leaders, Key Assistants and Lead Management Ishidos describe their typical day as a Virtual Assistant, and how creating their perfect job has affected their home life, and themselves.

3. What teams or areas do you manage? Provide a brief description of one of a typical day as an Ishido. How have you have been able to create your perfect job? What effects has this had on your home and family life? Do you have any pictures, suggestions, or information you would like to provide?

4. Nancy Christie – K.A. since January of 2010

5. Triangle Team Leader • Lifebushido Triangles is the brainchild of Steve Kantor and provides a structure where new hires and experienced Ishidos can interact on a weekly basis. While its not meant to take the place of your mentor, we provide support, guidance, work leads, and the opportunity to form real friendships. • We receive new, interesting projects, exclusive to Triangles, on a regular basis. • These projects allow us to brainstorm, laugh, connect, and work together to achieve a common goal. • Participation is mandatory for Key Assistants but elective for new hires. Nancy Christie

6. Typical Day • I check emails, and immediately answer priority messages. • I check my calendar for the day, and make additions and/or deletions as necessary. • I put my hard copy files in the order that they will be handled, per my calendar. • I update my QuickBasedaily for the hours worked on the previous day. • I keep my client wiki pages up to date with new agendas within 24 hours of a client call, and I email my team with action items. • Triangles are kept current and involved. • Depending on which day it is, I have a call with Steve, to discuss Key Assistant and Team Leader issues. • I try to do one “fun” thing each week just for me. This week I will be attending a teleseminar entitled “Are you a leader who makes a deep, lasting impact?” A report based on this experience will be drafted and sent to Steve Kantor for review. • I don’t let a day pass without letting a fellow Ishido know that they are doing a great job, because I know how much “kudos” mean to me. Nancy Christie

7. Lifebushido has added a wonderful dimension to my life. For years, I’d been discouraged with, and had finally retired from, the corporate legal environment. I didn’t think I would ever find a job that I would truly enjoy, be challenged by, and not want to walk away from. I wanted more than a paycheck; I wanted true job fulfillment. My husband is retired and loves having me working from home instead of commuting. He’s a great cook and he helps care for the horses, and the farm while I’m working. Its nice to be able to interact with him during the day rather than being in an office many miles away. The added bonus is that I can enjoy limited travel while still staying connected. Nancy Christie

8. I’ve been able to create my “Perfect Job” by: • Keeping a positive attitude towards others; • Learning every day; • Never saying “I can’t” or “I won’t” when presented with a challenge; • Being trustworthy; • Trusting others to do their best; • Truly enjoying the company of others who work here; • Always respecting Steve and the systems that he’s created. Nancy Christie

9. For years my husband and I have bred, raised and successfully shown Straight Egyptian Arabian horses. From my office windows I can see my horses every day; the new foals with the mares in the spring and the grass growing high and lush on our farm in the Ozark Mountains. Working from home gives me peace, better health and a good life. I wouldn’t change a thing…. Nancy Christie

10. Ira Williams

11. My typical day as an Ishido has been limited to new hire tasks. With that said, the last 30 days personally have been a imperfect storm, a storm during which I have been able to remain afloat due to the Lifebushido vision. Ira Williams

12. Cindy Dirosio Crocker

13. I am the New Hire Manager and New Hire Team Lead; previously I was a Key Assistant, Research Team Lead, and Triangle Team Lead. • I get up at 6 a.m., read all of my emails, and respond to as many as possible. I then work on Social Networking. When finished, I work out for close to an hour, have a small breakfast, and drink coffee with my husband when he gets up. I tutor students from 8 a.m. to 10:30 am, after which I check for more emails, and respond. • I process SOI/Database updates for an hour, and set up any meetings I may have with other Team Leader, Steve, or my Team. I also mentor two Ishido’s going through the Key Assistant Trainee process, so I schedule calls with them. My day is done by 1 or 2 p.m. I may or may not check emails after that. Cindy Dirosio Crocker

14. My story is probably a bit different than other individuals at Lifebushido. I was working full-time for a state agency when I decided I did not like the commute, or the work ethics of fellow employees. Without much thought I gave my two weeks notice on a whim. • My husband was totally supportive, as he would rather I am happy then working and miserable. For about 6 months I traveled and tried to figure out if I wanted to work again. I saw some online jobs and began applying. I was amazed at how many work at home jobs there were. By the time I heard back from Lifebushido, I was already settled in tutoring, but I figured I could handle another job. Cindy Dirosio Crocker

15. I live in a very rural area, so I do not venture out in the winter much. I loved all the extra money coming in, but once the winter was over, I realized I was working too much, and not doing fun things. I was a Key Assistant and Team Leader over three teams; I knew I had to figure out what I liked best and cut back. • I did not want to cut out Lifebushido permanently, so I spoke with Steve and explained that I wanted to cut back from 25 hours a week to maybe 10. We worked out a plan and now I’m working when I want, and I take time off whenever I need to. • I really enjoy the work I do from home or I would just not do it. My husband does not care if I work or not, it is really not necessary. So I am truly working because I enjoy what I do. Cindy Dirosio Crocker

16. In the beginning, my involvement with Lifebushido affected my family life a lot: phone calls all the time, being glued to the computer, etc. I was able to figure out what worked for me. I only work mornings, maybe some afternoons, and I am not available Friday through Sunday when I am with family and friends. • You have to find a work schedule that works for you, or you will be overwhelmed and stressed out. If you feel as though you need the hours and the money, then find teams you really enjoy. Figure out the max amount of hours you need and stick to it. If you want more hours just ask. If you get stressed out, you will end up disliking what you do. Cindy Dirosio Crocker

17. Lisa Russo

18. I am a Key Assistant Trainee; I am on the Lead Management Team and the New Hire Team. • As of this time I do not have a client of my own, so I don’t have a regular schedule for Lifebushidotasks. • My typical day would begin with checking my emails to make sure nothing came in overnight. After getting kids breakfast, dressed, etc. we start our home school lessons. In and out between these times I am able to get small things done, such as emails, goal actions - anything that takes less than 5 minutes at a time. After lunch, play time, etc. it is rest time; a time when I can devote more concentration to work. I also do a great deal at night after I put the kids to bed. Lisa Russo

19. I am hoping that once I get a client and a weekly call time that I can get more scheduled. I have access to my Mother-in-Law now for childcare so that helps too. • Recently, in my personal life, I have joined a number of groups in our community and things have gotten quite chaotic, but I have a great scheduler and I am a pretty good organizer. Lisa Russo

20. This job is pretty close to the perfect job. I get to pick teams I feel I’ll fit with. I get to “pick” tasks I want, and pass on those I am not comfortable with. For the most part I get to pick my own hours and the number of hours. I am able to contribute to my family’s financial health, while still homeschooling and taking responsibility for my children. • I enjoy working by myself. Of course, the people I have met and have communicated with have all been very helpful and friendly. On a work level, I like to take the blame if something wasn’t done right and the credit if it was done well. Lisa Russo

21. Working with Lifebushido makes me feel more viable, as an adult with a pretty good brain. I feel great being able to bring in some money, especially in this economy, and not having to leave the house and find someone to watch the kids. • My husband is proud of me and so are my parents. It’s been a really good thing so far. Lisa Russo

22. Lifebushido’svision is to not just to give someone a job, but to allow that person to learn, grow, and find the areas they truly enjoy working in. Lifebushido helps you build your strengths, and challenges you to find new ones. • From being a New Hire to being an Ishido there are mentors, managers, and Triangles all ready to help along the way. • Everyone works together to make a great company, which provides great service to their clients, and helps you to create the perfect job for you. Lifebushido gives you the opportunity to balance your work, family, and life in a way that suits you best. • If you focus your energy on what you love to do and what you do best anything is possible! Lifebushido- Anything is Possible……

23. A truly creative person rids himself or herself of all self-imposed limitations.

24. Thank you to all those who contributed.