Why now?
Have you recently checked your game? Are you feeling stagnant or just plain bored? It might be a good time to step up your game. This crazy journey brought me to become self-employed as a Virtual Assistant.
Another “Great” Idea…
With my annual review approaching, I came to the decision to step up my game. Having been an Executive Assistant for a little over 15 years, I had taken many continuing education points for Project Management, Crucial Conversations, and Getting Things Done.
At this stage in my career, I was ready to focus completely on being the best Admin I could possibly be. Thus, I reviewed a few different certifications available. I landed on the IAAP.
IAAP CAP-OM
The IAAP CAP-OM seemed to be the most thorough and challenging program out there. Their program description is as follows:
“The IAAP Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) is a professional certification geared toward office and administrative professionals. It is the only recognized professional certification in the administrative profession that encompasses all areas of an office environment.
The IAAP Organizational Management (OM) is a specific credential that can be earned in addition to a CAP certification. The OM exam focuses on increasing the knowledge, skills, and abilities in the administrative profession.
Steps toward “Stepping” Up Your Game
Take some time to identify and list your steps toward “stepping” up! Below are the steps I took:
Finding a Role Model
Helen W. Gandy was an American civil servant. She was J. Edgar Hoover’s for over 50 years. It is said that Hoover defined Gandy as “indispensable”.
In light of this discover, I declared my ambition to become “indispensable”. In this day and age, anyone is dispensable. But for Admins, I think we can make an exception to that particular rule. If J. Edgar Hoover can declare it, anyone can!
The descriptions that encapsulated my psyche, other than “indispensable” were that Helen was an influencer, with a 50+year tenure in the same position. Wow! I want that! Moreover, I want it now as I provide Online Administrative Support.
Choose the Right Timing
Fortunately for me, the IAAP offers the testing twice a year. I chose to take the fall exam, and I am extremely relieved that I did. I understood that there would be a heck of a lot of studying. In addition to this, I found 10 different books recommended for both exams.
Each exam was to be 3.5 hours long and we had a choice to take both tests in a single day or split into two separate days. Coupled with the length of the tests, I would have to drive an hour into Denver, Therefore, I chose to take my tests on the same day.
Finding Good Resources
Furthermore, I found no classes available. I took to a Linked-In forum to complain and a lovely woman named Marie Herman informed me of her online study groups for both exams. Better yet, only one of those books was necessary for her study groups.
The cost of these study groups was a fraction of the cost it would be to purchase all the books so it was not a hard sell at all.
Getting Your Loved Ones’ Buy-In
Expect this Stepping up your game to consume a lot of your time.
Each Tuesday and Thursday Night we met for 2 hours. Furthermore, about 90 pages of homework were completed for EACH of these study groups.
Being an empty-nester, I only had my husband to convince. Most noteworthy, he was quite agreeable. But there was one point where he asked me if we could go up to the mountains for a weekend to unplug completely. This turned out to be an excellent idea. So good in fact, that we chose to do it again the weekend before my exams.
The Outcome
I checked my snail mail every day after I took the exams. 21-days after the tests, the first email arrived:
“We are pleased to inform you that you have successfully passed the IAAP Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) examination!”
Of course, I jumped out of my chair and ran to my boss’s office. I shared the good news and he gave me a big hug, “You worked so hard for this!” he exclaimed. We reviewed the scores. “You stomped the sh!t out of some of these categories!” he said. I hadn’t even noticed. Ha!
Returning to my desk, the second email came in:
“We are pleased to inform you that you have successfully passed the IAAP Organizational Management (OM) specialty examination!”
In conclusion, I feel pretty damn good about myself these days. Hence, my confidence level rose to a level greater than it has ever been. Yet, having the support and confidence of my husband and peers is truly humbling. Additionally, this successful venture led me to start my own Virtual Assistant Company: eFFICIENT VIRTUAL PARTNERS!
Is it time for you to step up your game? What is the first step you need to take towards this process?
Need a little motivation to Step Up your Game?