The Domestic Assistants

This is a how-to post, my interpretation on the struggle we all face to understand where the fear of change comes from...Call it a PSA. (10 points if you know what that means, without Google's help.) 

I see it all the time with clients and friends. They're just about to get going on a project they've been dreaming about for days, weeks, or even years and suddenly, POP! Something else comes up. A "distraction", although valid in reason and form, is the #1 project killer. After watching these "distractions" get the best of my clients for the last 3 years, it's up to me to set the story straight and put some information out there to settle the dust. 

1. Turn your volume DOWN! That's right, I said it. Get quiet. Surround your project with silence. Turn your phone off, (if it's an important phone call, I'm sure there's at least 2 more ways to reach you...) If the phone is quiet, the temptation is gone. You're on the right path. 

2. Hydrate. That's right H2O, agua fria, a bottle of water will do. Put it right next to you, easily accessible. Water, although sometimes considered a pee-encouragement, can be your saving grace if the project gets a little "HOT". This bottle of water is tasty and delicious when your brow needs a break. 

3. Music. Sounds that you enjoy, for me it's my Pandora playlist. Something soothing, and exciting at the same time. You know if a song comes on that you like, you're a dancing FOOL! (I am!!) Anyhow, music will make the monotony that we've created with the silence that much more enjoyable, and less aggrevating. Not too loud, just loud enough to spark that fire. 

There you have it, a solid base to form an idea on. We've got all the bases covered. When putting all three "how-to" tips into action, please remember to base the decisions of each idea around your specified project. If you're out in the garage playing with a saw, maybe have your phone on vibrate, crank that music up to 11, and wear a beer-helmet with your water of choice installed. If you're newborn baby is sleeping, turn the volume to one, use a straw with your glass of water, and put your phone on silent. Food for thought. Whatever you do, get past that fear of the unknown. Don't let something small stand in your way. (refer to the last post, and clear your mental desk.) So many clients we've assisted have said that they've wanted to do (insert task here) for so many eon's, but life got in the way. We understand that, and we're here to help, in guidance and support. Embrace your change. - Daniel and Jennifer, The Domestic Assistants.


 

Here are 5 original tips from The Domestic Assistants, coming straight from experience with our clients and their desks. 

1. Handle it once. Don't put it down, put it away. When a bill, invoice, statement, fax, or anything on paper comes to your desk, don't think twice, take care of it. The worst thing you could do for productivity's sake is lose it. 

2. Check your INKS. I know that sounds funny, but it's true. More pens dry up sitting in that cup of yours than you think. Make it a point every week to go through your pen collection, get rid of the old, and get new (where applicable.) This will save you so much headache when an idea is fresh in your mind, and you can't find a pen that works. 

3. Utilize that metal file cabinet for more than just filing. Two options I can give you would be magnetized clips for important documents; Followed by storage for envelopes or paper products (in the back of the cabinet where you know nothing lives...)  

4. Color code everything. I'm talking tabs (the sticky kind) with 5 or 6 colors. (This might be difficult for some with too much piled up already, I recommend organizing first..) When all is settled, start a color system. Each color can be related to each file. When something gets colored, the resting place should be a color match. You'll train your brain (and ultimately give it a break..) I always felt colors are easier to process than writing. 

5. Before you finish the day, clear the surface. Like a marriage, your desk deserves peace of mind. As you work the day (with my tips from above) you shouldn't have too much left to worry about. Start a few minutes before you leave, and give yourself a gift of serenity the following day. 

There you have it, a 5 tip blog post. Thanks to Leo Widrich of BufferApp.com for the blog post that inspired this blog post, seen here. It's always fun to get inspiration and take off on a tangent. This one was FUN! 

Don't get me wrong, I love rain. I've loved it ever since getting to know it very well as we lived in Oregon for 2 years. It's been noted to rain 223 days out of the year there, 2nd only to Seattle, Washington. But that's not where I'm going with this. This blog post I'm going psychological. What does rain do to your spirit? 

Does it inspire you to write? Does it lift the curtain of fear from sunshine? Does it weigh you down from tackling your chores? How does that picture make you feel? I guess what I'm trying to say is not all rain is "bad". Think of the earth, what does the earth gain from rain? Does it water the plants, trees, and nature? As a whole "being" does it make things bright and beautiful? Does it give the birds and other animals of the world somewhere to wash their beaks, feet, or even bodies? YES. Rain is good. As I write this, I stare out the front door to a day started off with gloom. For some reason the earth needs to cover our little beach community, and make sure we stay warm. Always remember though, above the clouds, far beyond the gloom, is a BIG, bright, beautiful sun. 

It flies for me when I'm head down, mind focused on work. I can't seem to get enough time in the day for all my personal chores. It doesn't help that I'm working 8 hours, going home to cook dinner, make sure the family is clean, rested, and fed, and then sleep for 8 hours, to do it all again the next day. Doesn't help at all. What does help is a couple like my wife and I who specialize in the direct assitance of each client's requests. 

We take care of anything you put in front of us, a chore, a task, an errand, a small job, a BIG job, whatever it takes, we get it done. What's the best part? you ask? We do it all for a low hourly rate, with your specified direction, with any special requests you might have. Our clients have been nothing but excited and pleased that we took care of something so small that gave them so much more time to do something they wanted to do. Call today for your first appointment, complete with a consultation to figure out what you need. (805) 585-9485. 

What if you were a tree, and your roots were your connections? How tight would you hold that bond? 

There's something to be said for business people, (of all makes and models) coming together to form a bond. A "root" if you will. These roots are what make your tree grow. The more roots you have, the better your connections are timed. When you need something, someone (one of your roots) will be the to show you the path. I depend on this heavily, especially in the social media world, more specifically Facebook. If I need something I ask one of my trusted "roots" on FB and the answer is there. Organic, honest, and helpful. It's because I've built my business page from local people, and because I help manage local groups that this is able to happen. My friends and followers feel that I am validated enough that they could possibly gain something from our interaction. I love that. Grow your roots, build those connections, form that bond. 

Remember that Tina Turner song? I love it! 

But this is different, in a sense. My post comes from the notion that YouTube is great for your S.E.O. (search engine optimization). I agree with that, and also tie in the fact that everything else is too. All your social media sites, posts, reminders, emails, notifications, everything is important. Sometimes overwhelming, I've seen arguments develop over too much "attention". My belief sticks with "say your piece, then wait for the comments..." Be original, and don't spam your audience. "The truth will set you free." 

No, not currency!  Life change. Are you the type of person that takes each day as a new beginning? Or do old habits die hard? In our business we've had both. We learned early on not to force change. We suggest things from time to time, but are heavily dependent on client participation. Some clients are ready for the change, others have called to help with the "transition", regardless of the choice, we are here to help. Some of this job feels like therapy. We're there to talk things out, bounce ideas off, yell, scream, shout, calm. discuss. With all this said, it's up to you. There's no wrong doing, everything we'd tackle would be a step in the right direction. (805) 585-9485.

Don’t forget about your QuickBooks file when you think of organizing your workspace and cleaning up your desk!  It too would benefit from a good overhaul.

Most of us strive for an organized work space and a clean desk – if not on a daily basis at least once in blue moon.  But few of us ever think about including our QuickBooks file when we think of “cleaning up”.  You probably think I’m a little nuts, right?  Well maybe I am, but……

If you’ve been using QuickBooks for any length of time (like I have) or inherited the company QuickBooks file from one or more previous bookkeepers, I’m betting that your QuickBooks Lists are just full of “things” that are no longer used.  Let’s go take a look shall we?

Let’s start with your Chart of Accounts:

·         Can you still see that checking account listed there that you closed a year or two ago? 

·         Do you see an account used for the same thing but listed with several different names – for example:  Office Supplies and Supplies-Office?

·         How about individual accounts for Credit Card Processing Fees and Credit Card Fees?

·         Can you tell, just from looking at your Chart of Accounts how much you owe for State Withholding?

What about your Items List:

·         Do you see items listed that you haven’t used in a year or two?

·         Perhaps you see items that you haven’t used in any transactions since you took over doing the books “x” number of years ago.

How about Vendors and Customers:

·         Do you see Vendor names that you’ve never even heard of?

·         How about Customers that you no longer work with?

·         Jobs that have been long finished?

Keeping your QuickBooks Lists neat and tidy means that you have to scroll through fewer things to actually find what you are looking for.  A cluttered QuickBooks List can often mean visual overload and accidently selecting the wrong thing.  So let’s clean up your QuickBooks Lists.

Before you start this task – MAKE A BACKUP OF YOUR QUICKBOOKS FILE, talk with your accountant, and remember these important guidelines.

·         You cannot delete anything from a QuickBooks List that has been used in a transaction.

·         You can make entries in QuickBooks Lists “inactive” – they will still exist in your QuickBooks file but you just won’t see them in the List anymore.

·         You can merge List entries to combine transactions for similar things – for example, you can combine or merge an Office Supplies account with a Supplies-Office account – or vice versa.

A clean QuickBooks file will help you find things from your various Lists faster, allow you to process transactions faster and eliminate data entry errors caused from visual overload.  While you’re at it, rebuild your QuickBooks data file.

BIO:  Nancy Smyth is a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and Intuit Gold Developer specializing in working and consulting with commercial/government construction contractors, who utilize QuickBooks Financial Software, get the most out of their accounting software.  Visit her website http://www.sunburstsoftwaresolutions.com for information about QuickBooks integrated add-ons for certified payroll, AIA Billing, and payroll wage management OR visit her blog http://blog.sunburstsoftwaresolutions.com for QuickBooks Tips & Tricks.

It's been a little while since I've posted a blog, and I have no excuse. Sometimes I feel like writing a little snippet of life, other times I let Facebook or Twitter soothe that need. So this blog post is going to be about,,,,,,GOING BACK TO SCHOOL! That's right, it's a week into the school year, the train has left the station. The butterflies of our children's fears and wonders have all but flown away. We've set the alarms (and maybe even started the routines) just like last year. Things seem to be going good. My daughter has her friends back, her homework is turned in, things are back to normal. This past summer almost seems like it wasn't even real. It went by fast (this according to other parents I've spoken to...) They all spoke their mind the first day back of how much they missed sleep already. I myself couldn't care less. As long as I have coffee, I'm good. When I was my daughter's age, I was always the early bird. I loved mornings. We had to walk different ways to school each year, but the bus stop had 2 or 3 of my best childhood friends awaiting me, so everyday I was stoked. Now I'm driving my daughter to school everyday, and the roles are reversed. She gets a good dose of her friends before and after school, but the times done changed. Things aren't like they used to be. Anyhow, enough personal mumbo-jumbo. The school year brings different stresses to the parents of children all around the world. There's a routine one must follow in the morning to achieve the correct balance of the day. I'm talking breakfast, teeth brushing, hair combing, backpack checking, lunch packing...ALL OF IT. Our business capitalizes on this by offering HELP in all areas. If your work or chores in the morning get in the way of helping your child give their best, we can help. If your business or home life are lacking in some way, on account of you giving 110% to your child, let us take the reigns we will give you the time you deserve, and the help you need to be there at the right times for the right people. Call today (805) 585-9485. 

Our theme for this week, hands down. We booked a bunch of work, and day by day it all kind of crumbled. Only being saved by a tiny admin job for a friend. I like those kind of jobs, they give me hope. I also got a sweet referral from another friend, which I will expect to develop over the weekend. Self employment is just like that sometimes. I can tell myself time