Over the last few weeks we’ve focused a lot on the topic of the bursting point  — we didn’t really plan it this way to be honest, but the response from so many of you has proven that it was something we needed to help you with little more.

We originally started with describing the bursting point and then continued on to how to turn the experience into a positive.  We even hosted a Future of Virtual Assistance call specifically on this topic just last week.  What we haven’t  covered so far is how to navigate through the bursting point — how to get through it without actually suffering a breakdown and closing down the business, but instead coming away actually appreciating the experience.

So how do you do it?  How do you make the time to deal with the things — your clients, too much work,  etc. — while figuring out how you’re going to get through this situation at the same time?  How do you ensure that you come out in a better situation at the end?

There are seven steps that I recommend when it comes to navigating through the bursting point. They’re simple, yet effective.  And they can mean the difference between  breaking down, continuing to work in misery, or a fantastic learning lesson that you look back  and appreciate because you’re in a much better place now.

Here’s a brief summary of the seven steps you need to work through.

1. Identify why you started this business in the first place. (i.e. more flexibility in   your work, allow yourself to work from home while raising the kids, simply wanted to ‘be your own boss’)

2. Identify your situation.
   How many clients are you working with?  How many hours are you working each day?  each week?  each  month?  Is there really enough hours in a day to meet the commitments?

3. Identify your revenue.
   How much are you bringing in each month?  When you break this down based on the number of hours you are  working – how much are you REALLY working?

4. Identify your wants and needs. What do you want more of?  What do you want less of?  If you could design  the perfect business — with the kind of people you want and the kind of work you love to do – what would it look  like?

5. Identify what needs to change. Will you ‘remove’ some clients to make room for people you really want to work with?  Will you increase your rates?  Is it time to specialize?

6. Identify your action plan. Now that you’ve gone through the steps above, what action steps will you take to  make the changes you want and need to make?

7. Identify how you will continue to grow. Once you get rid of the ‘clutter’ and have made it to the other  side of the bursting point – what will you do?  How will you continue to grow?

Each of these steps above is absolutely critical to get through to the ‘other side’.  Don’t rush through or attempt to skip  a step … it really won’t benefit you in the long term.

To help you with navigating through the bursting point, I created a short assessment to help you  confirm where you are currently. Are you far from hitting the bursting point, are you nearing it or are you already in it?  Take a few minutes to take this assessment and you check out the special offer you can also take advantage of.

Take me to the ‘Navigating the Bursting Point’ Assessment

We know so many of you are dealing with the bursting point OR you're getting close to reaching it.

To help you we decided to set up a way to help YOU:

1. prepare for this challenging situation

2. get through the stress, frustration and more, and

3. understand the opps and growth you will experience on 'the other side' of the bursting point.

You might ask yourself WHY we're so focused on this topic and offering various kinds of  support.  It's an easy question to answer really --- we're tired of hearing VAs struggle with this situation, we've been there and we want nothing more than to share our  experiences and stories, to help you feel that you are not alone and that, if dealt  with properly, can lead to an extraordinary business for yourself.

So here's what we're going to do:

Over the course of four sessions (within two weeks), we're going to take you through the exact steps that you MUST take to navigate through the bursting point and get to the other side reaping the rewards of the business you want, filled with the people, work and revenue that you want.

We've priced this program so low that it really would be quite ridiculous to not consider joining us.  For less than 2-3 hours of billable time, you can join us and learn specific steps and strategies that you really won't find anywhere else. These exact steps will get you from point A to Z.  If you ever encounter what may feel like the bursting again later on  in your business, you just simply follow the steps all over again and voila --- you're ready to continuing growing some more.

The "Navigating the Bursting Point" program starts Tuesday, June 22nd at 1pm Pacific / 4pm Eastern.

Over these 4 sessions, we will support YOU to:

• clarify exactly what you want to achieve for your business

• take inventory of your current business

• develop a plan to support client changes, restructuring and more

• implement very specific strategies to allow for future business growth

• mentor you to create the business you want, with the clients you deserve

Will you join us?

>>> I want to learn more about the 'Bursting Point' program

Since my bursting point story came out last month, I've had Virtual Assistants email tell me they relate to my  experience ... and others have asked me "Cindy, how do you know when you're nearing the bursting point?"

I remember when I first hit my bursting point ... I didn't really know what I was dealing with.  I just knew that I was stressed, sad, angry and ready to close the door to my office, never to return.

But how do you distinguish between a bad day and the actual bursting point?  Here's a few signs that you are at the bursting point (from the book Becoming an Online Business Manager by Tina Forsyth)

• You don't have enough hours in the day to get your work done, and you are falling behind on many of your
  commitments

• You are feeling overwhelmed and are starting to dread hearing from your clients

• Clients are starting to get upset with you as the work is coming late, is not complete or is incorrect

• Your family and friends are asking "Why do you work so much?" or "Are you on that computer again?"

• You don't have time to say yes to any new and exciting projects or clients that come your way
  (including those that pay a higher rate)

• Work has become a drag; you aren't enjoying it anymore and may even start to avoid it or get depressed
  (this is a big sign of burnout!)

Does any of this sound familiar to you?  If yes, you may very well be at the bursting point in your business.

To those of you who have not had the 'privilege' of experiencing the bursting point ... don't worry ... you will! 

And to those who have ... you'll likely experience many times to come.  However, each time it gets a little easier to deal with.

One thing that I fully believe in is sharing my experiences - both good and bad.  I want others to learn from what I share ... not because it will prevent you from going through it yourself, but because in our virtual world, we may often feel that we're the only ones dealing with certain things.  Let me tell you ... you're not!  So if you can gain even a teeny bit of comfort in knowing that I've been there too ... I've done my job.

And quite honestly, I've hit the bursting point many-a-time.  Just ask my partner-in-crime Tina ... she's been at the receiving end of my venting and thank goodness for me that she was. I've hit the bursting point when I:

• had too many clients

• over committed myself and took on too much responsibility

• couldn't say no to ridiculous requests

• didn't stay true to myself, my family and the real reason I set out to build my business

Have you hit the bursting point and are willing to tell us about it?
Share with us below .. .we'd love to hear from you.

Haven't had the pleasure of experiencing the bursting point yet?  What has impacted you most from the details I (and others) have shared with you about their experience? Please share your comments below.