Are you ready to get more work done with your virtual assistant? Whether you're new to working with one or have been collaborating for a while, these strategies will help you boost productivity for both you and your assistant.
1. Reassess Your 80/20
The 80/20 rule (Pareto Principle) suggests that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. To leverage this, identify the tasks only you can handle—your 20%—and delegate or automate the rest.
For instance, while I oversee client sales matching in my business, my assistant handles administrative tasks like client follow-ups and reports. These tasks don’t require my direct involvement but contribute significantly to the bottom line.
2. Train, Don’t Abdicate
Delegation isn’t just about assigning tasks—it’s about training your assistant effectively. Simply passing tasks without instruction leads to mediocre results. Instead, walk your assistant through your processes to ensure tasks are completed to your standards.
This approach improves quality, enhances your assistant’s skills, and helps them grow into their role, making your collaboration more efficient over time.
3. Make Your Assistant Your Filter
Your assistant should act as a gatekeeper between you and the external world. They can manage your emails, calendar, and day-to-day communications, ensuring only the most critical tasks and requests reach you.
By letting your assistant filter and prioritize these elements, you can focus on high-impact activities like strategizing and finalizing major deals.
4. Give the Outcome, Not the How
Avoid micromanaging. Instead, communicate the desired outcome and let your assistant determine the best approach to achieve it.
By empowering your assistant to handle the “how,” you encourage critical thinking and innovative problem-solving. Plus, it frees you from overseeing every detail, giving you more time to focus on what matters most.
5. Set Standards, Then Adjust
Start with clear standards for the task's outcome, but be prepared to adjust as needed. For example, if you request an infographic, you might later refine it to align better with your brand's tone.
Be flexible and work collaboratively with your assistant to ensure the results meet your business’s evolving needs.
Boost Your Productivity Today
By applying these strategies, you’ll not only enhance your productivity but also empower your assistant to take on more responsibilities. This enables you to focus on the high-priority tasks that drive business growth.
Ready to Scale Your Productivity?
Empower your virtual assistant to help you achieve more! Need help finding the perfect VA or training your current one for maximum efficiency? Click here to learn how 2xYou can help you scale your business: 2xYou.Scoreapp.com