What a basic title, right? Hey, don’t blame me (well, it was mostly my fault)—SEO told me to do it! And here you are, which means it worked?! Fab, and now begins the excruciating pain of trying to keep you engaged!

Full disclosure: I’ve had an overwhelming start to 2025. Working less isn’t all sunshine and buttercups. However, it’s not for the reasons you may think. I’ve found myself living this perfectly curated life of work-life balance, where my VA handles the day-to-day stuff, and I just sit back and write all day. Only, I don’t write. Why? Because I’m incredibly anxious about the fact that I now have more time than ever, no one actually needs me, and my inbox is extremely pristine clean. Yet, that has made my stress rise above sea level. 

Honestly, it’s exhausting being a neurotic administrator without any admin to do! Poor me, right?

The delegation paradox: More time, more problems?

That’s a pretty long-winded way of saying delegation doesn’t solve your work-life balance issues by itself, but it is the first step. And finally, for the juicy bit—the stuff you all came here for: ‘How do I find inner peace and live my best TikTok life?’

Delegation is critical for enhancing productivity. However, many of us find that simply assigning tasks to others doesn’t immediately alleviate stress or lead to the anticipated sense of relief. This delay in experiencing the benefits of delegation can be attributed to several psychological and emotional factors.

Difficulty in letting go

Entrusting tasks to others often requires relinquishing a certain degree of control, which can be challenging for many. Concerns about the quality of work, adherence to deadlines, or the methods employed by others can lead to persistent stress, even after delegation. This apprehension can prevent individuals from fully embracing the free time that delegation is supposed to afford.

Fear of free time

Suddenly having unoccupied time can be unsettling for those accustomed to a hectic schedule (yep, hello, that’s me, I’m right here, help!). This newfound free time might lead to feelings of guilt or anxiety, as individuals may feel they should be actively engaged in work-related tasks. The discomfort associated with free time can negate the positive effects of delegation, as the mind remains occupied with stress and unease.

Trust issues

A lack of trust in team members or subordinates can hinder effective delegation. If an individual doubts the capabilities or commitment of others, they may continue to experience stress, worrying about the outcome of the delegated tasks. Building trust is essential to alleviate these concerns and fully benefit from delegation.

Identity and self-worth

For some, their sense of identity and self-worth is closely tied to their work and productivity. Delegating tasks might lead to feelings of redundancy or a diminished sense of purpose, causing internal conflict and stress. Adjusting one’s self-perception and recognising the value in overseeing and guiding work, rather than solely executing it, is crucial for reducing this stress.

Great, Antoinette! You’ve listed all my woes but what now? And why stash the remedies at the bottom of the blog? (Obviously, to keep you scrolling—muahahaha). Let’s not dilly-dally anymore; here’s how you can tackle these delegation dilemmas:

Strategies to Overcome Delegation Challenges

• Gradual delegation: Start by delegating smaller tasks and progressively assign more significant responsibilities as comfort and trust build.
  
• Clear communication: Establish open lines of communication to set expectations, provide guidance, and receive updates, which can help alleviate concerns about task execution. Some of my clients prefer a daily 10 – 15-minute meeting for the first few weeks until they begin to get comfortable.
  
• Trust building: Invest time in building relationships with team members to foster trust and confidence in their abilities. Often this can be difficult working with remote employees or freelancers, but make the effort to meet up at least once a year—Christmas drinks are always a great excuse!
  
• Mindfulness and self-reflection: Engage in mindfulness practices to become more comfortable with free time and to reassess personal definitions of productivity and self-worth. I poke fun at yoga, but I do 1 – 2 ten-minute sprints every day; I find it pulls my focus into my body and how it’s feeling rather than on the day’s work.

Let’s be patient. Addressing these emotional hurdles takes time, which thankfully you now have! With the right approach, you’ll soon revel in the perks of delegation and enjoy a more balanced life. Talk to us to find out where to start.

FAQs

Q: How can a virtual assistant help reduce my workload? 

A: A virtual assistant can handle a wide range of tasks, from administrative responsibilities like email management and bookkeeping to complex project management and customer relations, effectively reducing your day-to-day workload.

Q: What kind of tasks can I delegate to a virtual assistant to save time? 

A: You can delegate various tasks such as email filtering, appointment scheduling, customer inquiries, data entry, and even personal errands or diary management to a virtual assistant.

Q: How does proper time management contribute to self-care? 

A: Effective time management helps in creating a balanced schedule that allocates time for both work and personal care. This prevents burnout and promotes a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.

Q: Can a virtual assistant help in managing personal appointments? 

A: Absolutely, virtual assistants are proficient in managing both professional and personal calendars. They can help schedule appointments, and reminders for self-care activities, and ensure that your personal commitments are also a priority.

Looking for a way to balance your professional and personal life?

Connect with our team of expert virtual assistants today and start your journey towards a more fulfilling and less stressful life. Let us handle the mundane so you can focus on what truly matters—your peace of mind and productivity.

To see how Eto & Flow could benefit your business, simply get in touch today – we’d love to walk you through your options.