Learn to Fish
VA Training
I saw this picture today and it struck me. Why? Because it made me think of the old saying “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime”—Author Unknown
Some Virtual Assistants loathe research. Since there are so many forums out there, they are under the impression that if they post a question someone will answer it and no additional research will need to be done. Am I telling you that it is unacceptable to ask a question? No. However before you ask the question, make sure that you have done some of the research yourself. When you post a question let everyone know what you have come up with first and then perhaps ask if this is the best way to proceed. When you show that you have done your due diligence the VA community is more apt to assist you. Learn how to fish, don’t expect the fish.
Think back to grade school, high school or college to the time when there was no internet (maybe I’m showing my age) and you didn’t have the answers at your fingertips. What did you do? Chances are you researched until you found the answer. Remember the card catalog? Searching through those 3×5 cards for magazine references, books, etc. it was fun wasn’t it…it’s probably bringing back fantastic memories I am sure. Also think back to what you learned through that process. Your brain was stretched and expanded and you learned things you never thought possible. This knowledge was tucked away in your brain and called upon at a later time. You learned how to fish and in the process you are still being fed.
Becki 
