I remember this day vividly. It was a Friday night, and I was out celebrating with my girlfriend and roommate. The plan was simple: take a night off, enjoy some time out, and forget about work for a bit. But even then, the grind found me.
Suddenly, my phone buzzed. Seventeen times.
It wasn’t just spam—it was appraisal orders. I had 80-90 hours of work sitting in my inbox, worth over $3,800. I hadn’t seen an order like that in months. It felt like the universe had just handed me an opportunity on a silver platter, and there was no way I could ignore it. I dived back into the grind. After struggling for so long, I didn’t care about the long hours—I was just thrilled to finally have business rolling in.
For the next couple of years, I went back to grinding, doing appraisals and flipping houses. I eventually got my real estate license and started taking on more deals, thinking this was my shot at making something big. But in reality, I was diving even deeper into the grind.
I was a one-man show, convinced that I could juggle it all—80-hour weeks, fueled by Adderall and Red Bull, barely getting by on caffeine naps. The grind worked until it didn’t. I pushed myself to the point of burnout.
One day, I was sitting in a Walmart parking lot, convinced I was having a heart attack. I remember thinking, “If I pass out here, no one will find me until it’s too late.” That should’ve been my wake-up call. But I couldn’t step back. The grind had taken over.
In real estate, I was always on, living in a state of constant reaction. Clients would text me at 4 a.m., call at 10:30 p.m., and interrupt weekends and family time with “urgent” issues. I even expanded my team, thinking it would help, but it only added more pressure. Even with more people, I kept doing everything myself, believing the grind required my constant attention.
I remember dating someone who smoked. Everywhere we went, her mind was fixated on where and when she could have her next cigarette. It drove me crazy watching her constantly pulled away, unable to be present with her kids because of her addiction. But I had my own addiction—the grind. When I was supposed to be on a trip with my kids, I found myself pulled back to my phone, handling issues, responding to messages, and staying stuck in that “always-on” grind.
The idea is that you’re supposed to rest and race—but I was racing every day with no time for rest. That grind was a recipe for disaster, threatening my health, sanity, and relationships.
At this point, my newly-wedded wife had joined me in real estate. I was a control freak, convinced that no one could handle the work as well as I could. The idea of letting go was terrifying. I thought I had to do it all—showing houses, writing and mailing newsletters, meeting vendors, and updating clients personally. But as the workload piled on, I started letting her help, and honestly? She saved my life.
When I hired my first two Virtual Assistants (VAs)—a video editor and a social media manager—I thought I was just getting some extra hands. Instead, I created a whole new grind. I didn’t yet know how to manage them effectively, and at first, it was a mess.
Then came the real breakthrough. My wife was struggling with her inbox, so I hired a VA to handle her emails. It was a game-changer. This VA didn’t just handle emails—they became our Operations Manager, taking over tasks that bogged us down. Finally, I saw how delegation could free me from the grind and transform my business.
My biggest fear in delegation was the belief that no one could do it as well as I could. But I learned that the grind isn’t about being the best at everything—it’s about creating a system that can get things done effectively without me. My role shifted from “doer” to “coach,” monitoring systems and attracting talented team members who could execute the tasks better than I ever could.
A football analogy helps: as a coach, my job wasn’t to make every play; it was to have a solid playbook and trust my team to execute it. When I stopped hiring for positions I had to micromanage and instead hired people who were experts in their areas, I finally learned to let go of the grind.
It wasn’t just my business that transformed—it was my relationships and personal life. I’d spent years trading money for time with my kids, believing the grind couldn’t stop. I remember going to my parents’ house one day and realizing that years had passed since my last visit, even though they live only 15 minutes away. The trees were twice as big, a silent reminder of everything I’d missed.
With VAs handling tasks, my anxiety started to drop, and I could actually enjoy the time I had with my family. My mind was no longer consumed by the constant grind, and for the first time, I felt present.
When I started delegating, I didn’t have many systems in place, and I quickly learned the importance of SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures). My DISC profile is DI—I’m great at starting projects but not so good at finishing them. I needed people who could carry things through to the end.
Some of the most impactful SOPs we developed were for the Transaction Coordinator department and Auditing. My wife and I used to handle these areas, but our VA, Ann, not only took over these responsibilities but created SOPs for herself to be more efficient than we’d ever been. These systems freed us from the grind of repetitive tasks and let us focus on growth.
For instance, I’d often fall into a cycle of checking emails, Facebook, Instagram, and texts repeatedly. Ann organized my inbox by priority, and now I glance at the 10% of messages that actually need my attention. I stopped living in a state of reaction, and that shift allowed me to step away from the grind and be more effective in my core role.
It’s hard to steer the ship when you’re in the hull bailing water all day. Having a VA handle day-to-day tasks freed me from the daily grind and put me back at the helm of my business.
The moment I started delegating, I noticed a financial impact. With a team supporting me, we did significantly more business, grew new ventures, and invested in real estate. The fear of costs is real in real estate—many agents make substantial money but hesitate to hire help. Ironically, hiring help creates more certainty and smooths out the grind.
Delegating also gave me the freedom to start new ventures. In fact, we’ve launched other companies and products, structured from the start with VAs handling 90% of the operations. My wife and I are involved in executive decisions, much like CEOs of successful companies. This was a revelation to me—most businesses that thrive don’t rely on the founder to do everything. They avoid the solo grind by building teams and systems.
If you’re reading this and feeling trapped in the grind, here’s where I’d suggest starting. First, hire an Executive Assistant to handle your emails. It’s incredible how much mental space you’ll regain once you’re out of that constant loop.
Next, have them track and analyze your day. Identify time-wasters, high-value activities, and organize your day so you’re focused on what truly moves the needle. A skilled VA will help you escape the grind of “always-on” mode and free you to focus on big-picture goals.
Finding quality VAs can be daunting, but services like HireTodayVA can make it easier. Surrounding yourself with a community of people on the same journey is invaluable. That’s why we offer four masterminds a year and a Facebook group to keep everyone connected. The smartest person in the room is actually the room, after all.
Growing up, I was taught that hard work meant doing everything yourself. My parents worked long hours and did everything around the house. That “do it yourself” mindset was deeply ingrained. You mow your own lawn, change your oil, clean your house—or you’re not really working hard.
This mindset served me well early on, but eventually, it became my ceiling. The grind became a barrier instead of a stepping stone.
I realized that outsourcing and hiring weren’t just about reducing costs—they were about buying back my time. Imagine hiring someone to be your Operations Manager and paying them $150k a year. How would you feel if they spent half the day trimming bushes? I had to start valuing my time over the grind.
When I have a Saturday off, I don’t spend it cleaning bathrooms. That can be done while I’m at work making $150 an hour, and it costs me just $25 an hour to delegate. Freeing up my time has lowered my anxiety, which in turn makes me more effective at work and more present at home.
I spent a decade grinding alone, but I didn’t have to. If I’d learned to let go and delegate sooner, I could have avoided years of burnout and missed family moments. The grind isn’t something to be proud of—it’s a signal that something needs to change.
Be wise. Take the shortcut. Let HireTodayVA help you find the right VAs who can take your business to the next level. You don’t need to grind forever. You need to leverage.
Don’t Let the Grind Control Your Life—Take Back Your Time with HireTodayVA
You don’t have to go through years of solo grind to build a successful business. If you’re feeling the pressure of endless tasks, burnout, and the toll of doing it all alone, it’s time to make a change.
At HireTodayVA, we believe real growth happens when you step away from the grind and start delegating. Our top-tier Virtual Assistants aren’t just “extra hands”—they’re dedicated professionals who can help you reclaim your time, lower your stress, and bring focus back to what truly matters.
Imagine what it would be like to focus on big-picture goals while someone else handles the day-to-day grind. No more constant emails, time-wasting tasks, or the anxiety of feeling always “on.” It’s time to leverage your way to freedom and success.
Take the shortcut to a scalable business and balanced life. Visit HireTodayVA.com and discover how our VAs can help you:
Be wise. Take the leap. Let HireTodayVA connect you with VAs who will help take your business to the next level.
You don’t have to grind alone forever—embrace the power of delegation, and start living the life you deserve.
Ready to transform the way you run your business and reclaim your life? Schedule a free, no-obligation call with us today and receive a complimentary copy of Buy Your Time Back by Dan Martell—shipped directly to you at no cost. In this game-changing book, you’ll discover how to delegate effectively, focus on high-value tasks, and scale your business without burning out. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to invest in yourself and your future success. Book your call now and take the first step toward smarter time management and sustainable growth!
Looking to reclaim valuable time and focus on what truly matters? Our calculator helps you understand how hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA) can empower you to “buy back” your time while saving money. By entering your annual income and selecting the roles you’re considering outsourcing, you’ll instantly see a side-by-side cost comparison of U.S.-based hires versus VAs.
This breakdown reveals not only the financial savings but also the hours you can reinvest in high-impact activities, enabling you to make a smart, cost-effective choice that frees up your time and scales your productivity.
Calculator factors the monthly membership fee.
Based on your gross income, your hourly rate is $0.00/hour.
If you can hire someone to do it for less than $0.00/hour, you should.
HireTodayVA is an authorized dealer of Sphere Rocket products and services. HireTodayVA provides onboarding and training support that supplements the recruitment and replacement guarantees offered by Sphere Rocket.HireTodayVA does not employ any virtual assistants. All virtual assistants are foreign independent contractors, and the business relationship is established directly between the business client and the foreign independent contractor. HireTodayVA facilitates this connection but does not manage, supervise, or bear any responsibility for the ongoing contractual relationship.The scope of services provided by HireTodayVA is subject to change at any time without prior notice.