THAT'S BEEN ON MY LIST FOR FAR TOO LONG! I'M STUCK! I HAVE SOMEONE WORKING WITH ME BUT I'M NOT GETTING MORE DONE THAN I WAS BEFORE! SOMEONE WANTS TO WORK WITH ME BUT I DON'T HAVE TIME! I'M OVERWHELMED! If you are in any of these predicaments, I am so happy for you! That means you are growing and that your business is too.

So, smart ass (that's me :) ), what can someone do if they are in any of these situations?

Great question!

All too often the idea of having people working alongside us as partners (whether a Virtual Assistant, Artistic Staff, Business Partner, Receptionist, Executive Assistant, Technical Assistant) is nothing more than a grand and exciting idea or intention. When it comes to actually doing the creating of the partnership, we fight obstacles and often allow them to slow down our momentum. Here are some more examples: * I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO START * I'VE ALWAYS DONE IT MYSELF * I KNOW HOW TO DO IT BEST * IT TAKES TIME TO TEACH THEM AND I DON'T HAVE IT. * I'M TIRED ENOUGH AS IT IS AND YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT? * I DON'T THINK I CAN KEEP THEM BUSY * WILL THEY REALLY LIKE WORKING WITH ME?

If any of these statements describes your attitude, I want to encourage you that there is definitely something you can do to move past this in your partnerships. The only question is do you want to stay where you are or do you want a shining life giving relationship with your partner??? It's your call.

In this one short article, we are not going to be able to address in detail these limiting thoughts. But, let's take a look at each of them briefly to get you started on a more productive and nurturing path:

* THAT'S BEEN ON MY LIST FOR FAR TOO LONG! - Sometimes our priorities change. Is this item no longer a priority for you?

* I'M STUCK! - What is stopping you? Can you talk to someone about it? This usually helps to bring forward what is truly happening.

* I HAVE SOMEONE WORKING WITH ME BUT I'M NOT GETTING MORE DONE THAN I WAS BEFORE! - When this occurs, it is usually because we are not giving over the things we would rather not do and holding onto them for ourselves. What do you love? Focus on that and give the rest away.

* I'M OVERWHELMED! - I love the saying in Coaching, "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time." The same is true for delegating. Take a small item and start.

* I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO START - Is there one little task that you could possibly delegate to this person that you have not been able to accomplish?

* I'VE ALWAYS DONE IT MYSELF - True. You probably have. But is it something you LOVE to do? Wouldn't you much rather delegate the things you don't love as much to someone who enjoys supporting you?

* I KNOW HOW TO DO IT BEST - Do you? Well, maybe so. But would there not be value in getting someone else's input? Maybe their ideas will refresh the process.

* IT TAKES TIME TO TEACH THEM AND I DON'T HAVE IT. - Who runs your time - your work or you? I hope it is you. What item of work could you choose to put aside right now to make room for planning and handing over this one item?

* I'M TIRED ENOUGH AS IT IS AND YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT? - It's true. Many of us are tired. I've experienced how truly rejuvenating it is to see myself give over something to someone else. Maybe it will build you up to the point where you want to do more???

* I DON'T THINK I CAN KEEP THEM BUSY - If you are in a place where you don't have a lot of work yet, that's ok. Start gradually with a small package of hours or a small agreement.

* WILL THEY REALLY LIKE WORKING WITH ME? - That is up to you. How can you make it fun? How can you ensure communicate regularly? Are you interested in knowing more about how to move these kinds of blocks in your partnerships? Would it help to talk with someone else about what you have been experiencing?

If you are interested in looking at this further, Kaizen Works is looking at the possibility of hosting and leading a teleseminar on this subject.

If you would like to have the information on this seminar sent to you, please fill out and submit this short form on the webpage below. It will assist us to prepare to have a conversation around this topic. Please note that you will receive a verification email which you must respond to in order to hear back from us.

To sign up, go to: www.resources.kaizenworks.org/partnerseminar.html up until the end of June 2007.

Be sure to tell your friends about this all important discussion! Keep partnering!

Wanda

About the Author

Wanda is a forward-thinking pioneer in the Arts and in Business who has a heart for community and for growing effective self-sustaining partnerships in life, business and the arts.

With her BA's in Theatre and Music and with her gifts of administration and encouragement, Wanda founded Reinholdt Productions, a theatrical production company specializing in the systemic design of projects through directing, teaching, writing, and creative problem solving.