It’s not that I get asked it a lot, but when you mention “Busy Life Organiser” I sometimes get the response: “Like a VA?”
They’re not the same. Although at Too Busy To Work we do offer VA services, so I thought it would be helpful if I explained the difference.
What is a VA?
Although Vas have been around for a long time, they’ve become increasingly popular with the rise in remote working. I think once people experienced how easy it was to communicate via video calls and share documents instantly, hiring remote support made perfect sense. And that is the main factor: a VA is there to support your business.
Most people decide they need a VA because they’re stretched to their limit and can’t handle everything on their own. Maybe they’re looking to grow but not quite at that stage where taking on someone full-time is an option. Or they simply know their valuable time is better spent elsewhere. A plumber wants to be plumbing, not booking in appointments!
So traditionally, a VA will be booked for a set amount of hours per month with a set list of jobs: order processing, invoicing, customer service, social media, diary management -the list goes on. They take instructions and the job gets done.
What is a Busy Life Organiser?
A Busy Life Organiser is exactly that, we handle your life. We give you peace of mind that nothing will fall through the cracks, meaning you can be fully present at work and fully present at home.
Work is demanding enough without trying to find out why your mum’s hospital appointment is with the wrong consultant again. And when you’re at home, the kids won’t be wanting bedtime stories forever -you need to cherish those times.
The Key Differences
Here’s where it gets really different:
A Busy Life Organiser doesn’t wait for you to give us jobs (although the more you send, the better!). We’re one step ahead.
Reminders you hadn’t asked for (in a good way, of course!). Ensuring you get the best quotes and the best service. You ask for a food shop? We don’t need to check with you when to deliver. We already know.
We learn how you work. Your preferences, your priorities, your non-negotiables. We remember that you hate morning appointments, that your partner is vegetarian, that your mum’s birthday is coming up and she loves orchids.
We think ahead. We notice the car insurance is up for renewal in three weeks. We spot that the kids’ school trip deadline is next Friday. We see that you’ll need a dinner reservation for that work meeting you just scheduled.
We’re not just ticking off your to-do list. We’re managing the mental load that keeps you awake at 2am.
Which Do You Need?
Both types of support are extremely valuable, but you’ll know which one you need:
You need a VA if:
- Your overwhelm is purely business-related
- You have specific tasks that need doing regularly
- You’re comfortable managing your personal life yourself
- You want support during set hours for set tasks
You need a Busy Life Organiser if:
- You’re juggling work AND home AND family AND everything else
- You’re drowning in the mental load of remembering everything
- You never feel present in any situation and are always thinking about what needs to be done
- You want someone who thinks ahead, not just responds to requests
Whatever you need, Too Busy To Work is your answer to making your life so much easier!