You wake up one morning and you jump out of bed. You head for the nearest pad of paper, and a pencil. Okay, use the back of a grocery register receipt if you have to. It's time to get busy on your "to do" list for the day-that is, if you didn't do it last night before you traipsed off to wrestle with the Sandman.

What will you put at the top of the list?

How about this; first, instead of calling it a "to do" list why not be fancy--and change it to an "I'm not going to touch this" or an "I won't even think about it today" list! Doesn't that sound much better? And then proceed to list all the work-related things you'd really rather not do today. You know, the things that in actuality give you a headache, or the stuff with which you'd rather not be bothered, or the issues you'll simply save for another day--just because.

How many items can you come up with?

A little, or a lot! Can't think of anything? Surely, you jest! Think! If you had an opportunity to "give your work away" for just one day (or even one hour), what would you choose? Would you decide to have someone take care of writing, proofreading, editing--or even just typing all of your letters? How about sorting through your email? (An email Spam box alone can send anyone running off into a dither!) Do you want to tweak your website? Do you wish for a "Fairy Godperson" to answer your telephone calls, or to schedule your appointments? Could you find relief, if someone were to manage your monthly billings? Or how about making those collection calls? Ah ha!

Perk up; there's news! Someone can do these things, and more! And at less cost than you would spend if you were to hire a person full-time.

What?

There is a growing phenomenon in the cyber world today, called "virtual assistant". They come in all shapes, sizes, locations, levels of interest, skills and degrees of expertise. The VA population is as diverse as your needs. They save you time and money, particularly since you pay them only for the amount of time it takes to do a specific project. Or, you may elect to secure a VA via a "retainer arrangement" -- generally for a certain number of hours each month. Coffee breaks and bouts with personal telephone calls are taken on the time of the VA; not on your watch and not on your pocketbook.

Simply, a "virtual assistant" performs, as a rule, some sort of administrative/office support work from his/her fully-equipped office in a remote location; the breakdown of tasks is diverse. You have the ability to have a VA at your beck and call; well, at the click of your mouse-if you choose.

So now the idea of a "don't touch this-don't even think about it" list doesn't seem quite so hokey after all, does it?

Where are they now?

As soon as you have an idea of the types of things or work a VA can do for you, begin your search for a VA to best suit those needs. Google and Yahoo, Lycos and Alta Vista are common search engines. Populate the "search field" with the type of task you see being accomplished, include "virtual assistant" in the search remarks. For instance: "editing and proofreading virtual assistant"; how about, "virtual assistant administrative support", "VA, grant writing". You get the idea.

While you're at Google, et al, search for and learn about some of the "VA Directories" or "VA Forums". There are many. Though not all inclusive, you will find the Virtual Assistant Revolution (VA Rev), the Alliance for Virtual Business (AV4B), the International Virtual Assistant Association (IVAA), the Virtual Assistant Chamber of Commerce (VACOC) and the Virtual Assistant Networking Association (VANA) Forum. At several, you have an opportunity to submit a Request for Proposal (RFP) to obtain a VA, and to which you will receive an abundance of responses.

Now it gets tricky!

Because it is then your responsibility to secure the VA most qualified for you under your predetermined terms. You may look at level of expertise, knowledge and skill ability for various tasks. Does the VA's hourly rate coincide with your budget? It's important to remember, though, a VA's rates are usually higher than your salary for an in-house employee. However, by utilizing a VA you are not paying Social Security taxes, Federal or state taxes, health insurance or other such amenities for that person, nor do you have an outlay for overhead costs (such as office space, or expenses for a computer and its supplies).

Is this for real?

Of course! However, as with any offer, particularly those generated on and around the Internet, there are some general admonitions to consider: be diligent and methodical when conducting your research to find a VA. The more such instances you invest in your search, the more likely you will secure the certain someone to whom you will feel free to toss your "don't touch this" list.

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As a talented Virtual Assistant, Karen McGreevey, owner and founder of Konceptuality specializes in facilitating editorial and administrative support services to small business Authors/Speakers, Editors, Writers and Publishers. Contact us at kmcgreevey@konceptuality.com for details. "We fuel your words to make you a force to be reckoned with." 2007.