As we kick off a brand-new year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how to work smarter, not harder. For leaders, entrepreneurs, and business owners, one of the most impactful decisions you can make is choosing the ‘right support’ to help you operate at your highest potential. At the top of that list? A seasoned executive assistant (EA).
Whether it’s managing schedules, handling emails, or troubleshooting operational issues, these tasks, while important, can drain your energy and your happiness, and they pull you away from high-impact activities that drive growth and success. This is the “opportunity cost” of doing it all. Every hour spent on tasks that could be delegated is not spent strategizing, innovating, or building meaningful connections; it also costs you what you paid yourself to do them, plus the lost opportunity of collecting your billable rate. It might seem like you are saving money by not spending on having someone else do these things, but that is not accurate. You are overpaying yourself to do these tasks, and you are an inefficient and suboptimal executive assistant. Would you hire someone with no experience or tenure to manage your finances? Probably not! So why, then, do we hesitate to invest in the ‘right support’ for ourselves as leaders?
Take a moment to imagine what your day – and your life – would look like if you had a trusted partner to handle those details seamlessly. That’s the transformative power of having the right executive assistant by your side.
A seasoned EA is more than an admin; they’re a strategic partner and your master gatekeeper. Here are a few key differentiators that set them apart:
- Master of Efficiency: A skilled EA creates and manages systems that ensure your day—and your business—runs like clockwork. They don’t just handle tasks; they streamline processes, optimize workflows, and keep everything on track.
- Time Reclaimer: With a seasoned EA managing your schedule, emails, and other operational responsibilities, you can focus on what only you can do: steering your business toward its vision, building relationships, and making high-level decisions.
- Confidant and Problem-Solver: Your EA becomes a trusted partner who understands your goals, anticipates your needs, and proactively addresses challenges before they become problems.
- Protector of Boundaries: Great EAs aren’t afraid to say “no” on your behalf to ensure you’re not overextended. They help you maintain the boundaries crucial for sustainable success and personal well-being, supporting your Empowered Leadership and holistic success.
However, it’s important to understand that not all executive assistants are created equal. A seasoned EA brings years of experience, a refined skill set, and the intuition to know what you need, often before you do. This level of expertise is invaluable, but finding the right fit is key. The right EA for you will align with your values, adapt to your working style, and complement your strengths while filling in the gaps.
Having the right crew onboard to run the ship is not an expense; it’s a cost-reduction initiative, one that yields an ever-increasing ROI the longer you partner with them. When you invest in the ‘right support,’ you’re not just hiring someone to “get things done,” you’re bringing on a strategic partner who will help you:
- Maximize and optimize your time and energy.
- Elevate your leadership.
- Streamline and elevate your operations and your client experience.
- Achieve both professional and personal balance = sustainable, holistic success.
As we launch into this new year, it’s an opportune time to make an intentional choice to work smarter, not harder. Let’s make 2025 the year you stop doing it all and start leading from a place of holistic success and empowerment. When you’ve got the ‘right support’ onboard, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.
As always, I am here to support you on your journey however I can.
Are You Ready For Your Next Step Toward Empowered Leadership?
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What’s Included in the Toolkit:
- Top 20 Things to Have Your Executive Assistant Take Off Your Plate (That You Shouldn’t Be Doing!)
- BONUS Opportunity Cost Calculator: Take 60 seconds to find out what your time is actually worth.
