Well usually Grant Griffiths hosts The Links, but Grant had offered up the option of someone else hosting it this week and I grabbed the opportunity – thanks Grant!!

It’s an Olympics week, and I’m Canadian, so the “links” pic above is of Chateau Whistler in BC, Whistler being the locale where part of the 2010 Olympic Games will be held.

And now, for the part you all have been waiting for, this week’s links to you simply must check out!

Posts from some of my favorite Canadians

Jordan Furlong from Law 21 says The Web Is Bigger Than You Think as he suggests that lawyers need to make changes in how they deliver their services (we suggest working from home!)

Quest for Four Pillars shares about his Last Will and Testament

Hull and Hull on their law blog feature a post about Cecil Rhodes – The Lion of Africa

Canadian Capitalist has a timely post on Saving Money on Textbooks

Great posts from all around the blogosphere

From Fresh Focus we have a post which gives us a neat-looking meeting planning tool.

From Sparkplug CEO we have 9 Blogs Gone Wrong – a fascinating look at the ever-changing world of blogging.

Inquistr has a great post concerning the growth of social network platforms – the prediction from Inquistr is that Ning is a strong contender (I just signed up for Ning myself this week and set up a small forum – very easy to do!!)

From Tina over at Home Office Warrior we have Virtual Road Warrior – a great example of how mobile you can be as a virtual assistant.

From Yellow Highlighter VA we have Are You Tweeting Yet?

Susan Cartier Liebel shares the new home page for Solo Practice University over at her blog.

WAHM 2.0 has a great post called I Need To Make More Money Now – about why virtual work still is WORK, not quick cash.

the Perlmutter & Schuelke Blog had a very interesting post on another way social networks are being used – you might be surprised!

You really should read the post and WATCH the slideshow from 43Folders on Time & Attention

A great post from Enterprise Nation – 3 reasons to have a home business

Greatest American Lawyer has a post about how RSS is Changing The Way Lawyers and Law Students Learn About the Law

And from my Twitter friends

From @lisasolomon is a post titled Scalia’s Remarks About Legal Writing

@alyssaavant shared a great post about an organizing method

Twitterer @CherylSmith999 was featured on an ABC segment on social networking and business – way to go!

@9ner suggests we check out his “answer” about how many megapixels your digital camera should have

If anyone who works from home is interested in hosting “The Links” sometime please get in touch with Grant via his blog or at twitter!

I love all the recent blog posts I’ve noticed about virtual law offices. Just this morning I found Erik Mazzone’s blog, Law Practice Matters, and his post Should You Have a Virtual Law Office? I found Erik’s post through Stephanie Kimbro’s blog (I mentioned her in this previous post).

I know that for me, working virtually is a wonderful way to simplify my life. I avoid commuting and the endless meetings that sometimes seem to accomplish so little. I simply get to work on my clients’ projects and really feel like things get accomplished every day. Well, except for the days that I keep free to spend with my kids – and really that is an even better accomplishment, that I can make the time in my schedule to truly enjoy my boys!

I also know that now that I see the beauty of virtual work, I often choose to hire people who work virtually. When I needed a blog designer, I found one who worked virtually (lots of choice of virtual workers fortunately in the web design arena!) My accountant also works from home and if I need a lawyer for my business I plan to try and find one who works virtually (although so far I haven’t come across many on the blogosphere who are from Alberta should I need a local lawyer).

I find that working virtually with people really allows me to manage my time better. I can email my web designer at 11 at night and know that she will get to it within a day or so. I can get work done for my clients at 6 in the morning or 6 at night and as long as I get it done by the deadline everything is great! In the 9-5 world, there always seemed to be times when productivity would be lower (especially in that hour after lunch!) but as long as you were physically present no one really seemed to care. I’d rather take that hour after lunch for a brisk wake-up walk, or a nap if I’m exhausted, then get back to working in an efficient manner.