Let’s be real, if you’re an EA you’re expected to have superpowers. Calendar clashes? You fix them. Urgent drama? You handle it. Five things thrown at you at once? You keep smiling.
But underneath that calm exterior, you’re probably carrying a much heavier workload more than you should be. And here’s the part no one really says out loud: Being busy isn’t a badge of honour. It’s a sign you might be doing too much of the wrong stuff — the stuff you could be delegating or ditching altogether.
Why Delegation Feels So Hard (But Matters So Much)
We know we need to delegate, but then that voice kicks in:
“It’ll be faster if I just do it myself.”
“If I hand this off, they’ll think I’m not coping.”
“I should be able to do it all.”
Sound familiar?
Holding onto everything is the fastest way to feel stretched, overwhelmed and eventually burning out. Remember that no one is giving out gold stars for being the most stressed person in the office. Smart EAs don’t do more, they do what matters most.
Your One-Minute Reset: Own Your Energy
Before you dive into the next task today, hit pause, take 60 seconds, and then ask yourself:
- Is this the highest-value use of my time?
- Could someone else get this done well enough to free me up for bigger priorities?
If the answer is yes — delegate it, outsource it or park it. Delegation isn’t weakness, it’s leadership. It shows that you understand what needs your expertise and what doesn’t.
Micro-Shifts That Save You Hours
You don’t need a big, complicated system to reset your time management. Small shifts stack up fast:
- Top 3 Rule: Every morning, jot down the three things that actually matter that day. Protect them like your sanity depends on it.
- Time Block Power Hours: Block 30 or 60 minutes for focused work (no emails, no interruptions), then reset for one minute before switching gears.
- Quick Wins List: Keep a list of tasks ready to delegate. When your plate gets full — hand them off without overthinking.
- Permission to Pause: Set a reminder every few hours to take a One-Minute Reset — even a quick breath and stretch.
The goal isn’t to hustle harder. It’s to work smarter, so that you stay sharp, calm and strategic.
Real Talk: Leadership Looks Different
Leadership as an EA/PA isn’t about doing everything, it’s about directing your energy toward what truly moves the needle.
One EA I worked with realised she was spending 5–6 hours a week on tasks somebody else could easily manage. Once she set up a simple delegation plan she freed up time to tackle higher-level projects. Her exec noticed the difference straight away, and not because she worked harder but because she worked smarter. That’s the ripple effect of resetting.
The Bottom Line
You don’t have to change everything overnight. But you can reset how you lead and how you protect your energy – one minute at a time.
Today pick just one thing:
One task to delegate
One decision to pause before jumping in
One minute to reset your mindset
It starts small but the results add up fast. And it can start with just sixty seconds.
