Can A Virtual Assistant Work Without His or Her Own Computer?

Can he? Can she? Can I?

I don't know about him or her or you but ever since my PC gave its last dying breath after giving me all its got and complaining every other day on its last days, I've been working from an internet cafe in our village.

It's a good thing that I can run the Odesk Team Application from a USB flash drive so I can still track time.

I'm also fortunate that I was able to find clients who have given me flexible hours to work so I don't have to be online at certain hours of the day.

The internet cafe is only walking distance from our house, the owner is a friend, and it's open from 9 in the morning until 12 midnight. There are even days, like Friday and Saturday, when it's open for 24 hours to accommodate students who have no school the following day.

What are the drawbacks?

Well, for one, I can't work in my PJ's anymore.

I used to wake up early, like 5 am, and go straight to the computer, without even visiting the bathroom first.

Now, I have to wait for the shop to open before I can start work.

Then, I have to deal with distractions like noise and loud music. Although I don't really mind the music. In fact, I welcome it since it blocks the noise of the D.O.T.A. players.

I can't choose who sits next to me. So even if that person smells like vinegar or fish sauce, I can't do anything except grin and bear it or change place if there's one free. 

It's not cheap renting a PC compared to a subscription to an internet service provider since I am paying by the hour. Half of what I get from my online gigs goes to paying for the use of PC and internet.

I have to make full use of every hour since I'm on a limited budget.

Unlike before when I can study my collection of tutorials at my own time and pace, now I have to squeeze them in during work days. Or wait for Friday or Saturday night when the shop is open for its overnight hours and I can stay up late until the wee hours of the morning.

If the owner decides to close shop for the day due to maintenance or repairs, I can't do anything about it. If I want to have some work done for that day, then I'll have to find another internet cafe.

I'm totally dependent on the shop's opening, operating, and closing hours.

With all these roadblocks in my way, you'd think I would just like to forget about working as a virtual assistant. After all, what's the use of working from home if I don't have my own computer, right?

But, strangely enough, it's made me even more determined to succeed in my chosen profession. I see this as only just a test to see how determined and committed I am. 

I can't prevent unfortunate things from happening but I can control my reactions to them.

I can choose how to respond.

I can find ways.

It may not be an ideal situation but until I can save enough to buy a new computer, I'll make the best of it and still contrive to deliver excellent work to my clients.

So for the meantime, I'll continue to frequent my internet cafe cum office and just charge all these to experience as part of the exciting though unpredictable life of a virtual assistant.