If you're reading this, chances are you've been thinking about hiring a virtual assistant for a while. Maybe you’ve even done a little window shopping, scrolled through some profiles, but then closed them all because something held you back.

I get it. I've been there, too.

When I was running my business on my own, I convinced myself I had it all under control. Sure, I was working longer hours than I'd ever admit to my friends. And yes, I was still constantly behind on everything that mattered. Still, the idea of bringing someone else on board felt like a bridge too far.

Looking back now, I wish someone had pulled me aside and told me what I'm about to share with you. Because the truth is, waiting to hire my first virtual assistant cost me a lot more than I realized—time, energy, momentum, and probably revenue too.

The myths I believed (and why they’re wrong)

When the first serious thought about getting help crosses your mind, you probably have a whole library of reasons why you shouldn't.

Do any of these sound familiar?

“No one can do things the way I do them.”

You’ve poured your life into this business. You know every quirk of your client tracking spreadsheet, every nuance of your weekly report. The idea of someone else touching these critical parts of your operation can feel like a genuine risk. What if they don’t get it?

The reality

Success in business isn't about perfection from any one individual. It's about allocating time, energy, and resources where they will have the greatest impact. LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman put it perfectly when he said, "No matter how brilliant your mind or strategy is, if you're playing a solo game, you'll always lose out to a team."

Your VA won’t do everything exactly the way you would—and that’s okay. The goal isn't to find a clone of yourself, but to find someone capable enough to handle the tasks that are pulling you away from what matters most. Focus on the outcomes, not the process.

“It’s easier if I just keep doing it myself.”

When you’ve been doing the same tasks for so long, it can all start to feel like second nature. And because it’s so familiar, passing it off to someone else can feel like more hassle than it’s worth. “It’ll only take me five minutes,” you tell yourself.

The reality

A five-minute task is never just a five-minute task. What might seem simple enough—scheduling a meeting, sending an invoice, data entry—usually means hopping between multiple systems, double-checking data, writing clear messages, and keeping everything consistent across platforms. Each quick click adds up, and every switch between tools drains focus and momentum. Before you know it, that “easy” task has eaten half an hour and a good chunk of your mental energy.

See: Admin Is More Complex Than It Looks—Here's Why Someone Else Should Handle It

“I need to wait until the time is right.”

Maybe this is where you are now. You think you need to get more organized before someone can step in. Or you believe you haven't hit a big enough revenue milestone to justify the expense. Or you think things are just manageable enough to keep going as-is.

The reality

What if hiring support is the very thing you need to get organized, instead of just getting through the day? What if an extra set of hands is exactly what gets you to that revenue milestone?

The truth is, waiting until you’re “ready” is one of the biggest traps founders fall into. There’s never a perfect time. Your inbox will never be empty, your systems will never feel flawless, your schedule will never magically calm down, and your to-do list will only get longer. Getting support creates the space and structure you’ve been craving.

Hiring your first virtual assistant feels like a big step, but the cost of waiting is higher than the investment.

The worries that held me back

Even if you’ve managed to quiet the myths in your head, the practical, real-world questions can be just as paralyzing. These are the logistical roadblocks that can make the whole idea of getting help feel impossible.

“I have no idea where to find a quality VA.”

It’s one thing to want help—it’s another to know how to actually get it.

And when you’ve got deadlines looming and a business to run, you’d probably rather do literally anything else than dive into the endless maze of hiring platforms and job posts.

The reality

Thanks to the internet, you've got plenty of choices when it comes to finding a professional virtual assistant. But that can be a double-edged sword. With so many options out there, it's really important to understand what each one brings to the table so you can find the perfect fit for your business.

• Online marketplaces like Upwork or Freelancer offer flexibility, reviews, and budget variety, though the hiring process can be time-consuming and fees may increase overall costs.
• Overseas assistants provide significant cost savings and flexible availability, but quality, security, and cultural alignment can vary.
• Independent virtual assistants offer a personalized approach and control over pricing, but require you to handle vetting and risk management yourself without platform protection.
• Premium fully managed services are potentially the most expensive option, but deliver top-tier professionals, strong security, dedicated support, and peace of mind by handling hiring, management, and replacements for you.

When I eventually started delegating, I went through all these options. And that's precisely why I founded Time etc. I designed it to solve every single problem I'd encountered. Every assistant is thoroughly vetted and must pass a 10-stage screening process. They all have at least five years of relevant professional experience. And there's a dedicated support team that handles matching, management, and any issues that come up.

See: Where To Find A Virtual Assistant

“I don't have time to train someone.”

The idea of onboarding someone feels impossible when you’re already drowning in work. You’re barely fitting it all in as it is—how are you supposed to find the time to explain processes, document tasks, or answer endless questions? The last thing you need is even more things to add to your list.

The reality

If you don't have the time to spare to train someone from zero, then you shouldn't have to. Don't let this stop you from getting the support you would benefit so much from.

You just need the right person. Someone who already has the skills and experience you need, who can step in, get up to speed fast, and start making your life easier from day one.

Premium support services understand that the difference between hiring someone who requires extensive training versus someone ready to contribute immediately cannot be overstated. That’s why Time etc goes above and beyond when it comes to finding the right people. Every assistant is carefully sourced, thoroughly screened, and continuously supported with training and resources to keep their skills sharp.

“I don't know what to delegate.”

For many founders, it’s not that they don’t want to delegate; they just genuinely don’t know where to start. Even taking a moment to step back and decide what to hand off can feel like just another task you don't have the bandwidth for.

The reality

If you can't decide what to hand over, it's not because you have nothing to delegate. It's because you've been carrying so much for so long that it all feels essential. Everything seems urgent. Everything seems like only you can do it.

This uncertainty can be a huge stumbling block, but luckily, it doesn't have to slow you down. The good news is there are some great tools out there that take the guesswork out of delegating, and can save you even more time while you're at it.

• To-Do List Optimizer: Enter your regular task list and the tool will show you exactly which tasks can be handled by a virtual assistant and which ones should stay in your remit.
• Task Ideas Wizard: Answer a few simple questions and the wizard will set you up with personalized task ideas tailored to you and your business. The Task Ideas Wizard takes it a step further by creating clear instructions for your assistant, so they can jump in and get started right away.

The benefits that surprised me

When you first think about getting help, you're probably focused on one thing: saving time. You assume it will free up a few hours here and there. But what you can't fully appreciate until you experience it is how profoundly it changes the way you work—and how much better your business, and your life, will start to feel.

You get real space back in your week

Not just a few minutes here and there, but real breathing room. For the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn’t racing from one task to the next or squeezing important decisions into the gaps between meetings. I finally had open blocks of time to really think about where I wanted the business to go next, to plan accordingly, and to show up as the kind of leader my team needed.

And outside of work, the change was just as powerful. I could take a proper lunch break without guilt. I could close my laptop at a reasonable hour instead of midnight. I could step away and still trust that things would keep running. Best of all, I could be present for my kids’ bedtime. I wasn’t just getting time back—I was getting my life back.

You actually enjoy your work again

At some point, I realized I'd stopped enjoying the business I’d worked so hard to build. Everything was feeling like a chore. Stress, pressure, and guilt were constant companions. I woke up every day dreading what was to come.

But once I finally got the busywork off my plate, something shifted. I had the energy and focus to get back to the parts of the business that I’m best at. It felt like I’d found my flow again.

Steve Jobs once said, “Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do.” Hiring a virtual assistant forced me to make that choice. And in doing so, I got back the parts of my work (and myself) that I’d been missing. It reminded me why I started this business in the first place.

You build momentum

For the first time in a long time, I was able to move forward—not just scramble to keep up.

The backlog started to shrink. The projects that had been sitting on my to-do list for months finally started getting done. The follow-ups I’d been meaning to send (but never quite got around to) were happening automatically. My CRM was always up to date.

Things that used to feel impossible suddenly felt manageable, and I could see the difference. Not just in how much lighter my days felt, but in real results. Clients were happier, opportunities weren’t slipping through the cracks, and my bottom line started to reflect the progress I’d been wanting for so long.

In fact, this momentum is what eventually gave me the capacity to make Time etc what it is today. I literally wouldn't have had the time or energy to build this company if I hadn't first learned to delegate effectively. And that's exactly why I'm so passionate about helping other founders do the same.

What I'd tell my past self

If I could go back and talk to the version of me who was unsure about hiring support, here's what I'd say:

Stop waiting for permission. You don't need to hit some arbitrary revenue milestone or have perfect systems in place. The right time to hire help isn't when everything is perfect. It's when you're ready to start building the business you actually want to run.

Start small if you need to. You don't have to hand over your entire workload on day one. Pick one thing—maybe it's email management or calendar scheduling—and let someone take that off your plate. You'll be amazed at what a difference it makes.

Trust the process. Yes, there's a learning curve. Yes, it might feel weird at first. But give it a few weeks and you'll wonder how you ever managed without it.

Focus on what you'll gain, not what you'll lose. It's easy to get hung up on the cost or the fear of letting go. But what you'll gain—time, energy, momentum, clarity, maybe even your health and relationships—is worth so much more. I nearly lost everything that mattered to me because I refused to let go of everything on my plate.

Do what you do best. You started this business because you're good at something specific. Let yourself do more of that, and let someone else handle the rest. You've already built something incredible on your own, so imagine what you could do with the right support behind you.

Ready to see the difference that quality support can make?

Look no further than Time etc.

Why us? Because we know exactly what you're going through. More importantly, we know exactly how to help.

Our entire service is designed around one thing: making your life easier.

Here's a glimpse of what you get when you partner with us:

• Access to our talent pool of 7,000+ screened and vetted assistants
• Your own skilled assistant matched to your needs and ready to start in days, not weeks
• Top-tier security and data protection across our platform
• Up to 90% lower hiring costs than traditional hiring
• No daily hassle of managing your assistant—we do it all for you
• Add extra assistants at no extra cost when you need more hands
• Total flexibility—scale your support up or down anytime
• Our lifetime happiness guarantee—because your success is our success.

Just speak to our expert team to tell us what you need, and we’ll take it from there.

P.S. Want $150 off your first month of virtual assistant support? Answer a few quick questions to get personalized task recommendations and unlock your welcome discount. It takes just 2 minutes and could save you hours!