As a small business owner, chances are you have ideas and advice coming at you from all angles when it comes to how you spend your time.

"Work as much as you possibly can," "Take advantage of every networking opportunity," "Oversee all aspects of your business"—sound familiar?

While these pieces of advice may be well-intentioned, the stats don’t lie. Only around 30% of businesses will survive to reach their tenth year.

The most successful entrepreneurs know that it's not just about working hard, but working smart—prioritizing tasks that have the greatest impact, delegating as much as they can, and keeping a healthy work-life balance.

While this all sounds perfectly straightforward in theory, putting it into practice can be much easier said than done.

But the good news is that you don't have to be superhuman or super-rich to make it possible. All you really need is the right support...

See: Virtual Assistant Vs. Freelancer: The Best Ways To Outsource

What is a virtual assistant?

A virtual assistant (VA) is an independent contractor who provides administrative, executive, or personal support remotely, usually from their home office.

These remote professionals can handle a wide range of day-to-day tasks, such as scheduling, email management, social media management, data entry, making reservations and travel arrangements, and even creating invoices and paying bills on your behalf.

Unlike hiring in-house staff, you’re no longer limited by geography when it comes to finding the best candidate for your own business. With virtual assistance, you can choose team members based purely on experience, expertise, or other relevant criteria.

For business owners, one of the biggest benefits of hiring a VA is their services are more cost-effective and budget-friendly compared to bringing full-time employees on board.

Because virtual assistants work remotely and are paid only for the productive time spent working on your tasks, this cuts out costs such as employee benefits, office space, and equipment—as well as the financial strain of a full-time salary. When you combine all these upfront and overhead costs, hiring a virtual assistant can save you up to 90% while still providing the essential support you need to run your business smoothly.

So, let's dive into how virtual assistants can make life easier and help your business succeed now and for years to come.

1. A virtual assistant can help you focus on the right tasks

Think of all the daily and weekly tasks on your to-do list—like processing orders, sending emails, or adding new products to your site, for example. Sure, these are needed to keep your business running smoothly, but if you’re always stuck doing these small jobs, when will you find time to focus on the big-picture stuff that will take your own business to the next level?

“Whenever I get the time… Once my schedule calms down… I’ll get around to it eventually…” That’s what I used to tell myself, too.

But let's be real—when you're doing everything yourself, "the time" is never going to magically appear in your schedule. There will always be more to do. Instead, you just fall further and further behind.

As an entrepreneur, you should be prioritizing the most important tasks that only you can do. So to get more done in less time, let your virtual assistant handle your routine, repetitive jobs.

While this list is by no means exhaustive, these are some ideal administrative tasks that a virtual assistant can help with:

• Scheduling and calendar management
• Inbox management
• Data entry
• Organizing travel arrangements
• Managing inventory of office supplies and equipment
• Writing reports and formatting documents
• Expenses and invoicing
• Managing customer service requests
• Checking voicemails and returning phone calls
• Writing blog posts
• Scheduling posts on social media.

If you want to see just how many tasks in your current workload can be handled by virtual assistants, simply enter them into our free to-do list optimizer tool.

See: How To Hire A Virtual Admin Assistant To Boost Productivity In Your Business

2. You unlock more time to spend with family

The success you achieve means nothing if you have no one to share it with or the time to enjoy it. With a virtual assistant taking care of your repetitive administrative tasks in the background and making your life easier, you're free to focus on what truly matters—making memories with your loved ones.

Plus, the responsibility of handling so many different tasks on your own can be stressful and overwhelming. When you share your workload with a virtual assistant, you reduce your stress levels and gain peace of mind.

So not only do you have more free time to spend at home, but you can be much more present and engaged while you're there. Imagine being able to attend your child's school events, enjoy dinner with your loved ones, or simply just relax without the constant pressure of unfinished work hanging over you!

In the end, having that extra support helps you balance your professional and personal responsibilities and strengthens your family bonds.

See: How A Virtual Assistant Can Help Transform Your Work-Life Balance

3. Virtual assistants give you more time to plan your success

One of the most crucial elements that are needed to increase productivity and work smarter is also one of the most neglected: Planning.

Spending just two or three hours each week on planning can make a significant difference. By clearly outlining what you need to focus on, you make sure your efforts are as impactful as possible.

But when you're constantly being pulled in a million different directions in your business, carving out even a couple of hours for uninterrupted, focused planning can be a tall order.

That's where a virtual assistant can help you out.

If you were to hand over just one regular, recurring task from your weekly to-do list, this could save you the equivalent of six full working days each year.

What's more, if you were to hand over one recurring task from your daily list, you could save just under two full working weeks per year!

And don't forget, you don't just need time to plan, you also need time to put your plans into action. So, if that's how much time you could reclaim just by handing over one recurring task, imagine what you could achieve by handing over more!

See: 3 Ways Your Calendar App Can Make You More Productive Every Day

4. Improve your mental and physical health

“I seriously doubt that I would have been as successful in my career (and happy in my personal life) if I hadn’t always placed importance on my health and fitness,” says Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson.

If you think he’s exaggerating, consider the statistics. A report by University College London found that the risk of heart disease increases by 67% for people who work long hours compared to those who work the standard 7-8 hours a day.

Another study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology suggests that middle-aged workers clocking over 55 hours a week are more likely to suffer long-term brain damage or dementia. Not only that, but researchers at the University of Maryland School reported that demanding work schedules can contribute to obesity.

As a business owner, your health should be a top priority. Working long hours does nothing but damage you mentally and physically. Taking care of yourself not only makes you feel great but also boosts your energy and focus, ultimately helping you get ahead in both business and life.

5. Virtual assistants give you the time-freedom to expand your knowledge and keep your skills sharp

When it comes to "continuous learning", you’ve probably heard the phrase “knowledge is power”. With new technologies, industry trends, and market shifts emerging faster than ever before, it's more than just a buzzword—it's crucial for staying competitive and growing your business.

The fact that one of the wealthiest men in the world, Warren Buffet, also strongly supports this view alone should have you reaching for the nearest educational book or podcast! “The best investment you can make is in yourself,” says Buffet. “The more you learn, the more you earn”.

Whether it's attending webinars, reading books by industry experts, taking short courses, or listening to podcasts, dedicating even a small amount of time each week to learning can pay off significantly in the future. But sadly, learning and development usually fall to the bottom of the priority list when you're constantly racing against the clock to tick all your tasks off your list each day.

The good news is, however, that this is another area where virtual assistants can be worth their weight in gold. With their support, you can step back from the stress of juggling all your admin and dedicate yourself to expanding your expertise and adding value to your business.

What's the bottom line?

Remember, achieving success isn't about going it alone—it's about finding the right partnerships and support systems to help you along the way. Balancing ambition with strategic thinking and self-care is the true key to sustainable success.

Beyond just delegating tasks and lightening your workload, hiring a virtual assistant allows you to find that crucial balance between work and personal life, giving you the space you need to be the best version of yourself.

With a virtual assistant by your side, you can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a business that not only survives but thrives in the long run.

So why not give it a shot and see the impact a virtual assistant can have on your business?

Since 2007, Time etc has helped over 22,000 business owners feel more organized and in control by matching them with the best virtual assistants for their unique needs.

Speak to our expert team to get started, and we'll set you up with a professional virtual assistant who will help you take back control of your to-do list and take your business further.