When you think of a CEO or director of a company/organisation, it is very likely that they will have an assistant who works with them (it would be unusual if they didn’t) – their job title may be executive assistant, personal assistant, business manager, executive manager etc. The thing is, they would not be able to perform their best in their role (the big picture stuff) without their assistant and/or team. You wouldn’t imagine them scheduling their own meetings, replying to all their emails, booking travel, organising events, submitting expenses and doing projects.
The same principle can be applied if you are a small business owner or professional. From the start of your venture everything is down to you to build the foundation of your business. It’s a long, lengthy process with plenty of learning curves. Getting time to switch off is rare because your brain is almost always working out on what your business needs and how much time (or lack of) you have to put it into action.
As organised as you are, there comes a point when you find yourself running at capacity. Things are starting to build up and it’s exciting. It’s also a lot of extra work and you know there are some aspects of the business that you either can’t do, don’t have the time to do or simply don’t like doing it.
Knowing when to hire additional help can be tricky to pinpoint, but here are 5 signs that may tell you it’s time:
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- You’re feeling overwhelmed: If you’re struggling to keep up with your workload or feeling overwhelmed with your to-do list, it may be time to delegate some tasks to a VA.
- You’re working long hours: If you’re working into the night and weekends, it may be time to consider hiring a VA to free up your time and reduce your workload.
- You’re losing focus on your core competencies: If administrative tasks are taking up too much of your time and you find that you’re not spending enough time on the core of your business, a VA can help you refocus your efforts and improve your overall productivity.
- You’re starting to experience burnout: If you’re feeling burnt out or experiencing high levels of stress, consider outsourcing some tasks to a VA to reduce your workload and improve your work-life balance.
- You’re growing your business: If you’re expanding your business or taking on more work, a VA can help you scale your operations, support you in your new projects and manage your workload more efficiently.
Overall, if you’re struggling to manage your workload or need additional help with administrative tasks, it may be time to hire a VA. A VA can provide you with additional support, help you stay on track, and free up your time and energy so that you can focus on what you do best and grow your business.