Time is your most valuable asset – are you spending it well?
If you feel like there’s never enough time in the week, you’re not alone. Most business owners are stuck in a cycle of doing everything themselves – admin, client follow-up, marketing, inbox management – and wondering why they’re constantly exhausted.
The truth is, your time isn’t just being spent. It’s being leaked.
And the fastest way to stop that leak? Delegate with purpose.
In this article, we’ll show you how to reclaim 15 hours a week with a VA – without losing control of your business or sacrificing quality. This isn’t theory. It’s a strategic shift that can free up your time to focus on growth, strategy, or simply breathe again.
Start with a realistic time audit
Before you can reclaim 15 hours a week with a VA, you need to know where it’s going. Spend one week tracking everything you do – every task, every email, every decision.
Break it into categories:
- Admin (inbox, scheduling, file management)
- Client work (delivery, support, onboarding)
- Marketing (socials, email, website updates)
- Content creation
- Team communication
- Finance and reporting
- CEO time (vision, strategy, planning)
You’ll quickly see what could be delegated and what only you can do.
Chances are, you’re spending too much time in the $10–$50/hr zone, and not enough time in the high-impact, $1,000/hr thinking zone.
Where can you reclaim 15 hours? Here’s a breakdown
Let’s take a look at what a Virtual Assistant could realistically take over in an average week:
Inbox & calendar management – 3 hours/week
- Triage emails
- Flag priority messages
- Book meetings and manage availability
- Draft replies to common queries
Document formatting & admin – 2 hours/week
- Prepare proposals or presentations
- Clean up files
- Update templates
Client communication & follow-up – 2.5 hours/week
- Send onboarding documents
- Follow up on unpaid invoices
- Respond to FAQs
- Schedule check-ins
Social media scheduling – 2.5 hours/week
- Upload and schedule content
- Monitor engagement
- Repurpose existing assets
Research & task prep – 2 hours/week
- Competitor or market research
- Tool or software comparisons
- Prep notes for meetings
Reporting & basic data entry – 3 hours/week
- Pull weekly metrics
- Update spreadsheets or dashboards
- Track KPIs or campaign results
Total saved: 15+ hours/week
These aren’t huge, complex tasks. But together, they’re a drain on your time, energy, and creativity.
But what will I do now that I can reclaim 15 hours a week with a VA?
Great question. Because time reclaimed is only valuable if you use it well.
Here’s how 15 extra hours a week could transform your business:
- 3 hours for CEO strategy: Review your numbers, set priorities, and make proactive decisions
- 2 hours for marketing: Record a podcast, film a video, or refine your messaging
- 4 hours for client growth: Focus on upsells, partnerships, or pipeline nurturing
- 2 hours for rest: Go for a walk, take Friday afternoons off, actually eat lunch
- 4 hours for team or product development: Build internal systems or plan your next offer
This is how you shift from running the day-to-day to running the business.
Delegation doesn’t mean losing control – it means building trust
We get it. Letting go of tasks can feel like losing control. But effective delegation isn’t about disappearing – it’s about designing a system that still reflects your standards, even when you’re not hands-on.
Here’s how to delegate without chaos:
- Create clear SOPs (or have your VA build them with you)
- Use shared tools like Asana, Trello or ClickUp
- Check in once a week with a short Loom or email
- Focus on results, not micromanagement
- Start small and build up trust over time
The goal isn’t perfection, it’s momentum. When your VA knows what “good” looks like, they’ll deliver it consistently.
Why this works with Virtual Elves
At Virtual Elves, we don’t just match you with any assistant. We take the time to understand where you’re leaking time, what tasks drain your energy, and what your ideal week looks like.
From there, we’ll recommend a Virtual Assistant who’s not just capable, but strategically aligned with your goals. And we’ll support both of you throughout the relationship.
It’s not about throwing tasks over a fence. It’s about building calm, capable systems that reclaim your time – without losing control of your business.
15 hours back could change everything. Let’s start there.
If you’re ready to reclaim 15 hours a week with a VA, stop spinning your wheels and start working with focus – your VA is waiting.
Discover how Virtual Elves can help you reclaim your time with the right support.
Book a free discovery call and learn how we work to help you get your time and your headspace – back.
