Let’s have a little heart-to-heart, shall we?
If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “A VA would be nice… but I’m not sure I’m ready”, this one’s for you.
Because in 2026, we’ve got AI tools, automations and apps that promise to run your whole business while you sip oat milk lattes in a meadow… and yet somehow your inbox is still breeding like rabbits and your admin list is longer than the queue at Greggs on a Saturday.
So, today I’m playing devil’s advocate. I’m putting on my “Nah, I’ll do it myself” hat to give you seven very convincing reasons NOT to outsource to a VA.
And then, because I’m not actually here to watch you suffer – I’ll tell you what’s really going on underneath each one, and how to deal with it without having a full-on wobble.
Right. Let’s have it.
1. “I can do it better myself”
Ah yes. The classic.
You know your brand. You know your clients. You know exactly how you want things done. And frankly, you don’t fancy paying someone just to redo it anyway. Totally fair.
But here’s the thing: “better” is not always the goal. Sometimes the goal is “done”, and done without you losing your last shred of patience at 10pm because you’re formatting a PDF like it’s the Olympics.
What’s really going on:
Usually it’s a mix of perfectionism and “I don’t want anyone seeing my messy process”. You’re comparing your polished, final version to someone else’s first attempt. Of course yours looks better – you’ve been doing it for yonks.
What to do about it:
Start with tasks where “better” doesn’t matter as much. Things like:
- Inbox sorting and tagging
- Scheduling calls
- Formatting blogs / uploading to your site
- Chasing invoices
- Updating your CRM
- Sorting files so you can actually find stuff
Also: show your VA examples rather than writing a novel of instructions. A quick screen recording on Loom like, “Here’s how I do it, don’t judge my tabs,” can save you hours.
2. “I don’t know which tasks to outsource”
This one’s sneaky because it sounds logical but it’s basically your brain going: “If I can’t do it perfectly, I won’t start.”
Everything feels important. Or nothing feels outsourceable. Or you’re so deep in the day-to-day you can’t even see what you’re doing half the time.
What’s really going on:
You’re trying to organise your business while it’s actively on fire. Hard to pick tasks when your head’s full of 47 open loops.
What to do about it:
Do a scruffy one-week “task diary”. Nothing fancy. Just jot down what you actually do each day. Then label things:
- Money-making (sales calls, client work)
- Only-you (strategy, creative thinking)
- Draining (anything you dread)
- Repeatable (weekly/monthly tasks)
Outsource the repeatable + draining stuff first. That’s the low-hanging fruit, and it’ll give you quick wins.
3. “I like to be in control”
Yep. I hear you.
If you hand things over, what if it all goes wrong? What if they mess it up? What if your business turns into a shambles and it’s somehow your fault for trusting someone?
Also, being in control feels… safe. Familiar. Like holding the mic even when your arm’s cramping.
What’s really going on:
Control is often how we cope when things feel uncertain. And if you don’t have a process written down, it’s hard to imagine anyone else doing it without you standing over them like a strict Year 6 teacher.
What to do about it:
You don’t have to give away control. You just need to stop clinging to every tiny admin task like it’s your firstborn.
Keep control where it matters: your voice, your strategy, your client relationships.
Hand over the scaffolding: prep, drafts, scheduling, systems, organisation.
Set clear “checkpoints”, like:
- VA drafts → you approve
- VA schedules → you spot-check weekly
- VA updates systems → you review once a fortnight
You’re still in charge — you’re just not doing every job on the stage crew list.
4. “I enjoy admin” (…hmmm)
Now listen, I’m not here to make you feel shame. If you genuinely love spreadsheets and find inbox zero soothing, crack on.
But if you’re saying you “enjoy” admin while your actual business goals are gathering dust… we need a quick chat.
What’s really going on:
Sometimes “I enjoy admin” is code for: “Admin is safe and predictable and the scary stuff (sales, visibility, pitching, content) makes me feel a bit sick.”
What to do about it:
Keep the admin you truly like (if you genuinely like it!), and bin the stuff you tolerate out of habit.
Try setting a cap: “Admin gets 60 minutes a day, then I’m moving on.”
Or use admin as a reward: do one uncomfortable task first, then you can have your lovely tidy-up time.
5. “I have trust issues”
Fair. Handing access to systems, passwords, client info… it can feel like giving your house keys to someone you just met on the internet.
And yep, there are horror stories. But there are also ways to handle this like a grown-up business owner, even if you still feel like a chaos goblin inside.
What’s really going on:
Trust hasn’t been built yet. That’s normal. But sometimes it’s also because boundaries and access rules haven’t been set up properly.
What to do about it:
Start low-risk. Don’t chuck them the keys to the kingdom on day one.
Use tools that make trust easier:
- Password manager access
- Folder permissions (not your whole Google Drive life story)
- NDAs / contracts
- A paid trial period with clear tasks
Trust isn’t a leap. It’s a series of small wins.
6. “I can do it quicker myself”
I’ll be honest, you probably can. Especially at the start.
Because explaining things takes time. Answering questions takes time. And you’re thinking, “I could’ve done this in ten minutes.”
What’s really going on:
You’re measuring speed today, not time saved over several months. You’re stuck in “solo mode” where everything depends on you.
What to do about it:
Make it quicker once, so it’s quicker forever.
Record a Loom. Write a checklist. Save templates.
And follow the “third time rule”: if you’ve done it three times, it’s a system and systems can be handed over.
7. “My business is too messy – I’m not ready (aaarrrgghh!)”
The biggest lie of them all. Said with love.
Because you’ll never feel ready. Things won’t magically calm down. Your to-do list won’t suddenly pack up and move to Brighton.
What’s really going on:
You’re waiting to feel organised before hiring help… but help is what creates organisation.
What to do about it:
Start small. Like, properly small.
- 5 hours a month
- One focus area
- One outcome (e.g. inbox clean-up, CRM tidy, content scheduling)
A good VA can help you clear the clutter, not judge you for having 18 versions of the same file called “FINAL_FINAL_REALLYFINAL”.
So… should you outsource or nah?
If any of those reasons felt a bit too relatable, you’re not broken. You’re just human and probably juggling too much.
Outsourcing isn’t ditching responsibility or pretending you don’t care. It’s freeing up your brain space so you can stop being:
- the lead singer
- the sound tech
- the roadie
- and the one selling merch at the back
…all at once.
Because you didn’t start your business to spend your life organising calendars and chasing invoices, did ya?
Ready to release a bit of control and focus on your Zone of Genius?
When you’re ready to stop doing everything yourself “because it’s quicker”, and start doing the work you’re actually brilliant at, book a call.
No pressure, no hard sell, no “let’s hop on a quick call” energy. Just a proper chat about what’s on your plate, what you could hand off, and what it would look like to get some breathing room back.
If that sounds like the vibe, book your call and let’s get you back in your Zone of Genius – exactly where you belong!
P.S. If you’re in the market for hiring a VA but don’t have a clue what to outsource first, I’ve created a handy checklist for you to download (you’re welcome!).