top of page

Why Asking Your VA for a Time Estimate Doesn’t Work!

Writer's picture: 8point8 Team8point8 Team

Updated: Dec 4, 2023

If you're a coach or course creator, we all know how crucial it is to make the most of your time and resources. As busy entrepreneurs, you have big dreams and ambitious goals. That's why it's time to tackle a common challenge that can slow down your progress: the dreaded question of "How much time will this task take?"


Picture this: you're working with your virtual assistant, and that daunting question pops into your mind. You know the one. "How much time will this task take?" Now, now, don't be fooled by that question, because it's a sneaky trap in disguise!


Some of you might be fixated on the exact minutes spent, trying to squeeze every second out of your VA's working hours. And hey, VAs, I know you've faced the challenge of providing 100% accurate time estimates. It's like trying to predict the weather – you never know when a storm might hit! But fear not, my friends, for I have a clever solution that will revolutionize the way you work with your VAs. In this video, we share our game-changing solution on how to maximize productivity and collaboration instead of focusing on time estimates on task duration.




Game-Changing Solution

Now, I know what you're thinking. Time estimates have always been the go-to method for gauging task duration. But let me tell you a little secret: The key to success lies in prioritizing productivity and fostering a collaborative work environment. By shifting our mindset from micromanaging every minute to focusing on the bigger picture, we empower our virtual assistants to work efficiently and autonomously. When we trust their abilities and give them the freedom to excel, amazing things happen.


So, let go of those pesky time constraints and embrace the power of productivity. When you unleash your inner decisive leader, you'll witness your team's potential unfold before your eyes. It's time to take charge and lead with confidence.


Maximize Productivity and Collaboration


Here's the secret sauce: Give your hourly rate VA a budget for the task. Yep, you heard me right! Set a maximum time frame like two hours and let them work their magic. Once they hit that mark, it's time for a progress report.


  • Set a Maximum Time Frame

Imagine this: You give your virtual assistant a specific budget of two hours for a task. It's not about counting every minute they spend but rather about setting a framework for progress and evaluation.


  • Trial Run for Success

This approach serves as a trial run, a valuable opportunity to assess your VA's capabilities and the scope of work they can cover within the given timeframe. You'll gain insights into their efficiency, problem-solving skills, and overall performance.


By focusing on the progress and deliverables rather than fixating on exact time estimates, you eliminate the uncertainty that comes with task duration. You can make informed decisions based on tangible results and adjust your strategy accordingly. It's a win-win situation for both you and your virtual assistant. And guess what? This approach brings a truckload of benefits! First off, your VA can work without unnecessary time pressure, resulting in higher-quality output. It's like letting them spread their wings and soar!


  • Soar to Success

We've all been there. Stuck in the limbo of task duration, second-guessing ourselves and hesitating to make a decision. It's a frustrating place to be, holding us back from moving forward with confidence. But guess what? When you implement the budget approach, that limbo becomes a thing of the past. You no longer need to fret over how long a task will take or if it will exceed your expectations. The budget sets a clear boundary and allows you to assess progress based on the agreed-upon timeframe.


With the uncertainty removed, you can confidently make decisions and propel your projects forward. Say goodbye to indecision and hello to a newfound sense of clarity and momentum.


Remember, as a leader, it's your responsibility to make informed choices and guide your team towards success. By embracing the budget approach, you take control of your projects and pave the way for efficient collaboration with your virtual assistant. It's time to kick indecision to the curb and march forward with confidence.


  • Kick Indecision to the Curb

After the initial work, it's time to assess your budget and decide whether to continue or make adjustments. You hold the power, my decisive friends!


  • Assess and Decide

So, remember, it's not about the minutes and seconds, but about making decisions and moving forward. The last thing you want is to fuss over your decision for two days just because you're worried your virtual assistant is going to spend two hours more than the budget you've set. It’ll be so ironic that you wasted 2 whole precious days, not making a decision about a task that would have only taken 2 hours. Avoid this limbo at all costs because it will cost your business more than you realize. Don’t let this happen to you!


Be a Decisive Leader



Anyway, you’re a coach! You’re a course creator! You’re a leader! You've got this, and your VA will appreciate your clarity with tasks when you assign them this way.


Now, I want to hear from you! What challenges have you faced when estimating task time with your virtual assistant? Have you found success with the budget approach? Drop your experiences in the comments below and let's dive deeper into this topic!


Let’s conquer the perils of time estimation and embrace the power of decisiveness. So, share this with your fellow coaches and course creators, and let's empower each other to be the leaders we were born to be!






23 views0 comments

Comments


The Quickest & Easiest Way
to have an INSTANT team!

Having an instant team is a game changer
just like Melanie said it would be. 🙌

banner sales page va team.666189b0bb79e2.95854020.png

You can stop feeling overwhelmed with tasks now because you're about to have

a fully-trained crew of self-managing virtual assistants!

va team sales page button.66618c0fec0037.30508152.png

You made the right choice to follow through on your friend's recommendation.

You are at the right place and this is 8point8 Virtual Assistance Services.

We'll take a wild guess...

Is this you right now?
work alone.666196ae0bcaf1.63557272.png

Working alone in your business?

The business that you were so passionate about when you first started...but lately, you've been feeling like it's swallowing you whole.

Because, if you didn't turn the wheels in your business, who will?

Your free time must be disappearing as you work on email backlogs, unanswered social media DMs, video/podcast editing, client onboarding, and a BAZILLION other tasks you hardly have time for.😢

This is usually what happens when you have no team to back you up.

You probably had a solo virtual assistant in the past, but it didn't work out because you didn't have a task delegation system yet.

Maybe your virtual assistant needed you to train them, but you just didn't have the time and the mood for hand holding. You need someone who can hit the ground running!

Or, it could be that you did find an amazing virtual assistant, but they couldn't take up the huge load of work. It was too much for one person to handle.

So they quit on you, and now you're back to square one. 😭

work alone.66619a47299408.08014717.png

It's important for you to know that

this is NOT your fault. 🙅

You are just trying to build your business empire. 💰

Because you've had so much business coming in, your task load is also growing at a rate
that you can't keep up with anymore. 🚀

So, how would it feel if you had an instant ROCKSTAR TEAM?

A team you can assign some or ALL of your tasks to? 🙋

A complete crew of virtual assistants that already had a task coordination and team management system in place.

All that's left to do is
assume the LEADERSHIP ROLE,
and the team will follow your footsteps.

With your business operations delegated to the 8point8 Virtual Assistant Team
you can have MORE TIME to be inspired & creative!

You can finally claim back your time freedom.

va team sales page button.66618c0fec0037.30508152.png
3.66331b0b6175b2.95970336.png

Here's what you get when 8point8 is your team...

🌟 Instant Access to ALL of our our Team's Services
🗓️ Uninterrupted Virtual Assistance Service Month After Month
📅 Optional Catch-Up Calls Weekly or Monthly (depending on your preference)
😎 Automatic FREE Enrollment to our TEN DAYS to Task Freedom Course
📋 FREE Custom Trello Board to manage your tasks and projects
📞 FREE Onboarding Call with Lisa to strategize your task load turnover


Our team is waiting for you on the other side after you sign up 💪
Or, if you want to meet Lisa first, 
book a Zoom Call HERE.
Otherwise, submit the form below and make 8point8 your team already! 🥳

bottom of page