Even when client work is sparse, your time doesn’t have to be wasted.
In fact, the quiet moments between bookings can become some of the most powerful in your career.
Working on the right things now – whether it’s upskilling, wellbeing, future planning, or simply recharging – can elevate your VA business and set you up for long-term success in the competitive world of Australian VA jobs.
If you’re feeling like you’re sitting in a bit of a slump right now, try these productivity-boosting tips to get back on that horse.
Upskill and explore Virtual Assistant Lead Network resources
Downtime is the perfect opportunity to elevate your skills – and Virtual Assistant Lead Network has a treasure trove of resources to support your growth. Here are some of our favourites across training programs, customisable templates and software tools that are designed to make your everyday just that little bit simpler (we’d know – we’ve tried and tested every single one of them):
Training opportunities
From free webinars to paid courses, explore comprehensive options tailored for those seeking Australian VA jobs. Some of our most-loved sessions include:
- Mindset Matters: Strategies For Thriving As A Virtual Assistant (Turn your brain into a business superpower – because a great VA mindset isn’t born, it’s programmed).
- From Setup To Tax Time: Smart Structuring For Your VA Business (Get your ducks in a row, from invoices to the ATO, so tax time doesn’t feel like Greek class).
- Build A Marketing Strategy For Your VA Business (Stop shouting into the void – get seen by the clients who actually care).
- Legal Basics For VAs and OBMs (Protect your business from oopsies – no contract stress required).
- Making Books Not Boring: Secrets To Efficient Bookkeeping (Turn financial fear into fiscal fun… a little spreadsheet therapy goes a long way).
- Canva Presents: Lead Generation (And Features Most Users Miss!) (Make gorgeous graphics to attract clients and take your Canva cloak of invisibility off for good).
- Adding NDIS Admin To Your VA Services (Level up: go from admin whiz to NDIS ninja, and slay new client categories).
- Automation Fundamentals For Virtual Assistants (Work smarter – not harder – so your robot assistants can do the heavy lifting).
- Google Analytics For Beginners (Turn website confusion into clear action – because data should drive, not baffle).
⚡ TOP TIP
If you are a Career Member, this is all available within the price of your membership.
If you’re not, you can still get in on the action, thanks to a selection of training recordings, guides, templates and other resources that are available for individual purchase.
Access an entire library of templates at your fingertips
Think practical blog articles, checklists, and templates designed to speed up your delivery and boost your professional image. Just take a look at these:
- Leads and Client Tracker (Never lose a lead to inbox chaos. This tracker keeps every opportunity front and centre).
- Email Templates: Addressing Out-of-Scope Work (Say ‘nice but no’ with style – these templates let you set boundaries professionally).
- Invoice, Quote and Tracker Templates (From ‘please pay me’ to paid – streamline your cash flow with zero fuss).
- The Ultimate Offboarding Checklist (Leave clients smiling. Wrap up like a pro so they come back or refer you).
- Testimonial Request Template (Ask once, get gold – because heartfelt reviews shouldn’t be awkward).
- Build A Webinar Campaign Sequence (Turn ‘maybe one day’ into ‘I’m in!’ – a ready-to-go roadmap for webinar wins).
- Social Media Schedule Comparison (Stop the scroll – compare schedulers at a glance and pick your posting hero).
Understand the tools and tech the most successful VAs are using
Discover the essential software and services VAs rely on and stay equipped for all levels of Australian VA jobs. Top hits include:
- Recording a Video Without Looking Off Camera (Channel your inner presenter).
- How To Cache WordPress, And Speed Up Your Client’s Site (Turn your site from snail-paced to supercharged – set up caching and watch pages load like lightning).
- View Stats On Selected Website Text (Discover which words make people stick, or slip, by tracking text clicks like a secret data detective).
- A List Of Our Favourite Google Chrome Extensions (Chrome hacks you didn’t know you needed. Supercharge your browser one extension at a time).
- Free Email Signature Generator (Create professional email sign-offs with no designer needed, and zero cost).
- Brainstorm Using A Collaborative Virtual Whiteboard (Brainstorm brilliance together – sketch, mind-map, and ideate in real time without sticky notes).
- Draw Names Live At Random (Create instant fun for teams with a random draw tool that’s fair, fast, and foolproof for prizes).
If spending money on tools and training isn’t in your budget right now, we’ve got you covered with our free tools, too.
Prioritise wellbeing: families, hobbies and exercise
Non-work moments aren’t just a break, they’re essential for topping up energy and creativity. Spending time with family, pursuing hobbies or getting outside can seriously enhance your performance.
A significant number of Australians are missing out on these benefits: in 2022, 78% of adults aged 18–64 were insufficiently active, which can negatively impact mental health. However, research shows exercise – even as little as walking or dancing – quickly reduces anxiety and depression.
For anyone pursuing Australian VA jobs, returning from a walk, swim, or creative project can refresh your mind and sharpen your focus.
Plan ahead with future mapping and deadlines
Busy schedules can keep us stuck in the daily grind. Use downtime to define your path with these three name stay approaches:
- Future Mapping Sessions are a way to reflect on your income goals, ideal client types, or new service offerings. Using a tool like Miro (the whiteboard mapping tool we mentioned above) provides a birds-eye view of everything, right in front of you, so you can start to think about the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of how you might start approaching these leads. Plus, you can link directly to templates and tools you’ll use to onboard them so they’re always easy to find.
- Setting real deadlines and committing to concrete milestones like “launch new admin package by August 31” can help keep things moving and stop you from falling into a stagnant slump.
- Refresh your professional profiles by updating your LinkedIn (toggling yourself as ‘Open To Work’) and updating your personal website with current dates and fresh content to help the SEO bots surface you. Plus, by frequently browsing Virtual Assistant Lead Network jobs board listings, you’ll be one of the first applicants for each lead – this can make all the difference when applying for Australian VA jobs.
- Prep for future projects by reviewing onboarding docs, email automations, or reporting processes so you’re ready when work picks up. Plus, stay busy by drafting your next newsletter, blog post, or social media content batch.
Network and share knowledge with others
Networking isn’t just small talk – it’s a strategic asset that can unlock opportunities beyond your current clients.
By connecting with peers and experts, you gain fresh insights, build collaborations, and ensure you’re on the radar when new Australian VA jobs or referrals pop up.
Here are some ways to unlock your inner chatbot:
- Engage with other VAs: By jumping into discussion forums and sharing tips, you’re positioning yourself as a go-to VA.
- Attend webinars & meetups – Whether free or paid, virtual events are ideal for learning, networking, and staying top-of-mind in the Australian VA jobs network.
Turning downtime into opportunity
Your downtime is not an idle pause. Rather, it’s strategic preparation.
By combining targeted upskilling through Virtual Assistant Lead Network, intentional self-care, forward planning, and system refinement, you’re investing in the longevity and quality of your VA career.
Make this time count, and don’t hesitate to embrace the calm. It’s what will continue to set you apart in the world of Australian VA jobs. Good luck – we’re all rooting for you!