The Virtual Connection

05/02/2025

I think the key is not overuse it!

If you constantly use AI in almost every single task, you are compromising your critical thinking skills and cognitive capabilities, according to a recent study.

The research involved 666 participants and revealed a significant negative correlation between AI tool usage and critical thinking performance, highlighting the dangers of cognitive offloading. The repeated delegation of mental tasks to artificial intelligence leads to a decline in independent information evaluation and reflective problem-solving skills. This effect is especially pronounced in younger users between the ages of 17 and 25. Cognitive offloading is characterized by the tendency to rely on technological tools to reduce mental effort.

This can involve tools like calculators, smartphones, or even AI assistants. While offloading can improve efficiency and free up mental space for other tasks, over-reliance on it may hinder the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Cognitive offloading is especially relevant in the age of powerful AI, where complex tasks can be delegated with ease. The rise of sophisticated AI tools presents a new dimension to cognitive offloading.

With AI capable of generating text, translating languages, and even writing code, the temptation to delegate complex mental tasks is stronger than ever. While leveraging these tools can boost productivity, excessive reliance on them may lead to a decline in critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and even creativity. To mitigate these risks, it's crucial to practice "cognitive hygiene." This involves consciously choosing when to engage AI and when to rely on your own cognitive processes.

Learn more: https://htec.com/insights/blogs/is-ai-making-us-dumb/

14/11/2024

🌟 Client Review Highlight 🌟

I am incredibly grateful to share a heartfelt review from one of my neurodivergent clients who recently used my virtual assistant services. Their feedback truly touched me and reaffirmed why I love what I do.

It’s an honour to support and work with such amazing clients. 💖

12/11/2024

🌟 Exciting Announcement! 🌟

I’m thrilled to introduce a new service specifically designed to support neurodivergent clients! 🎉

Understanding that everyone has unique needs and communication styles, I’ve developed a tailored virtual assistant service to provide personalised and compassionate support. Whether you need help with organisation, scheduling, or any other tasks, I’m here to make your life easier and more manageable.

✨ What You Can Expect:

Personalised Assistance: Customised support to match your individual needs.
Flexible Communication: Adapting to your preferred communication style.
Patient and Understanding: A supportive approach to ensure you feel comfortable and heard.

I’m committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all my clients.

If you or someone you know could benefit from this service, please reach out or share this post!

Thank you for your continued support. Let’s make a positive impact together! 💖

12/01/2023

I shouldn't but I did! It's a client meeting so I need to keep my strength up! 💪

18/11/2021

The Company
My client is an independent and exclusive UK distributor for a number of key suppliers of test equipment, including Dansensor, the world leading manufacturer of quality gas flushing instrumentation for the food and beverage sectors.

As industry experts and a trusted supplier to companies such as Dairy Crest, Mission Deli and 2 Sisters Food Group, to name but a few, they are very much customer services orientated and have a small team of fully trained service engineers who have an enviable reputation for professionalism and efficiency.

The Role
This interesting and rewarding role is to service, calibrate and repair a range of high-quality gas analysers, gas mixers and leak detection equipment from Dansensor, the market leader in the field.

Their Field Service Engineers visit companies, primarily in the food industry, across the UK and N. Ireland and, under more normal trading conditions, are expected to be away from home for up to 2-3 nights during a service tour week, and occasionally longer.

This involves driving approximately 30-40k miles per year and when not working away at customer sites, you will be required to work at their service centre located close to Cambridge, on equipment returned to base.

Requirements
You must be qualified to ONC, or Level 3 in Electrical or Electronic Engineering and have an understanding of Mechanical Engineering, wiring experience, or knowledge of this would be an advantage.

Training
Full product training will be provided and tailored to your skills and previous experience. Training will be based at their Service Centre and onsite with one of the Field Service Engineers. There will also be initial training at Dansensor in Denmark.

This is an excellent opportunity for
• a Field Service Engineer who has
preferably had previous experience
in the food industries, or with
demonstrably transferable skills
from another sector
• a recently qualified trainee looking
for their first role, or the next step in
their career. Full and extended
training will be provided in this
situation.

Other Information
You must be confident about working alone in the territory when fully trained and must have:

o a current driving licence
o good computer literacy as the
service & calibration process is fully
electronic via a PC tablet and a
bespoke MS Dynamics application
o excellent communication skills
o a flexible attitude to working away
from home
o the ability and confidence to
eventually work without supervision
o a willingness to learn and a can-do
attitude.

Territory: UK including N. Ireland
Based: South Cambridge
Basic: 24 - 32k plus overtime, depending on experience
Benefits:
• 24 days holiday + bank holidays
• Company pension scheme
• company vehicle - when fully
trained
• set of tools
• Tablet PC and mobile phone

Closing date for applications: 14th December 2021

25/10/2021

Flashback to 4 years ago when I first started my Virtual Assistant business.⁠
⁠
I was sitting at my desk about to be made redundant and wondering what my next move was and it hit me. ⁠
⁠
I knew then and there what my true calling was, and what I was put on this earth to do. And I knew I couldn’t spend another minute searching for a permanent full-time job.⁠
⁠
So next, I had to figure out how I was going to get my first clients.⁠
⁠
First, I emailed everyone to tell them my cunning plan – even people I hadn’t spoken to in years. I let them know what I was up to and how excited I was about it.⁠
⁠
Then I got super social. Not “social media” social, real people social. When you really want to get your first client you have to keep it close to home. I got social with friends, cafe owners, local businesses, neighbours. Anyone and everyone.⁠
⁠
And I made it a point to hang out at cafes a few times a week so I could kick up convos whenever possible. That never comes hard! ⁠
⁠
Basically, I talked about it so much that bringing it up became second nature. ⁠
⁠
I’m immensely grateful I took those first steps because it changed my life. ⁠
⁠
4 years later and I have helped dozens of people achieve a much more organised and systematic approach to their business. ⁠
⁠
It all came from one moment, one decision, one action.⁠
⁠
You can do anything in life that you set your mind to, you just have to take the first step.⁠
⁠
If you need help taking YOUR first step, I can help. Send me a DM.⁠
⁠
⁠

22/10/2021

Are you waking up every day loving life?

Feeling proud of what you’ve already accomplished and excited about what you’re setting out to accomplish?

Can you look at yourself in the mirror and confidently say, “YEAH! This is the person I want to be”?

Do you 100% believe in who you are and what you do? You should! You’re amazing and the universe needs more fearless souls like you.

Don't worry about where you are in relation to others. You are exactly where you need to be right now. And you are unstoppable.

What’s one thing you’re really proud of this week?

20/10/2021

Flashback to 4 years ago when I first started my Virtual Assistant business.

I was sitting at my desk about to be made redundant and wondering what my next move was and it hit me.

I knew then and there what my true calling was, and what I was put on this earth to do. And I knew I couldn’t spend another minute searching for a permanent full-time job.

So next, I had to figure out how I was going to get my first clients.

First, I emailed everyone to tell them my cunning plan – even people I hadn’t spoken to in years. I let them know what I was up to and how excited I was about it.

Then I got super social. Not “social media” social, real people social. When you really want to get your first client you have to keep it close to home. I got social with friends, cafe owners, local businesses, neighbours. Anyone and everyone.

And I made it a point to hang out at cafes a few times a week so I could kick up convos whenever possible. That never comes hard!

Basically, I talked about it so much that bringing it up became second nature.

I’m immensely grateful I took those first steps because it changed my life.

4 years later and I have helped dozens of people achieve a much more organised and systematic approach to their business.

It all came from one moment, one decision, one action.

You can do anything in life that you set your mind to, you just have to take the first step.

If you need help taking YOUR first step, I can help. Send me a DM.

02/08/2021

Let’s play a game…

In one word, share how people would describe you!

I’m not sure what others would say but in my mind, it’s
"outstanding" or maybe even ‘fabulous”.

If we don’t know how amazing we are, what’s the point? 🤩 🤭