I hate admitting when I’m wrong, but I was with this one.

When my partner first started using a virtual assistant, I was completely against it. I couldn’t wrap my head around how it would work or why we needed it. To me, it felt unnecessary and honestly, a little unrealistic. We shared an office at the time (for nine years, I might add), so I watched everything unfold in real time. And slowly, I started to notice something.

He had a little relief.

Tasks weren’t piling up. He seemed calmer, more organized, and just… lighter. And even though I didn’t say it out loud at first, I wanted what he had.

At the time, I still wasn’t fully convinced. I felt like I was getting all my work done just fine. I work fast, I’m efficient, and nothing was slipping. So how could a virtual assistant possibly help me? I didn’t think I needed it.

But what I learned was that just because I could do it all didn’t mean I should be. I was actually holding myself back by staying so deep in the weeds. I wasn’t giving myself room to grow or space to evolve as the business was scaling. That realization changed everything.

Eventually, I decided to try it for myself. It took some time to find the right fit, and I had to learn how to delegate in a way that made sense for me. But once it clicked, it truly became life changing.

Learning to Let Go (The Right Way)

Delegation didn’t come naturally. Like many entrepreneurs, I was used to doing everything myself and telling myself it was easier that way. The truth was, I didn’t think anyone could match my standards or understand what I needed without being in the same room.

But I realized that the problem wasn’t the work. It was my relationship to control.

Once I stopped thinking of a VA as “just a helper” and started thinking of them as a true extension of my team, everything changed. It became clear that what I needed wasn’t someone to guess what I was thinking. I needed to be clear. I needed to create systems. I needed to trust.

Starting Small, Then Scaling Up

We began by offloading smaller, repetitive tasks like email inbox management, scheduling, call follow-ups, and project tracking. All of the necessary but not needle-moving work that still has to get done but takes up more energy than it should.

We built out documentation using Loom videos and process guides and did regular check-ins to refine things. Slowly but surely, that small bit of help turned into real, meaningful support. Eventually, we expanded into CRM oversight, customer communication, and even helping with hiring workflows.

They weren’t just helping. They were contributing.

A Cultural Shift

One of the best surprises was how much our virtual assistants became part of our culture. We don’t treat them as outside help. They’re on Slack with us. They’re in the loop on updates. We celebrate wins together. They know our team’s personality, our rhythms, and our expectations.

It went from being an experiment to becoming a core part of how we operate. And now, I truly can’t imagine going back.

Real Support, Virtually

This isn’t just about saving time. It’s about reclaiming your headspace. It’s about leading better because you’re not buried in the to-do list. And it’s about realizing that the only way to scale your business is to scale your support.

If you’ve been hesitant to try using virtual assistants, I get it. I’ve been there. But sometimes the thing you resist the most ends up being the exact thing you need.

The right virtual assistant won’t just change your calendar. They’ll change how you work, how you think, and how you lead.