Why I Say No to Urgent Requests (Even If They’re Well-Paid)
A few years ago, I would’ve said yes to anything.
Tight turnaround? No problem.
Weekend job? Sure.
“Can you just…” messages at 10pm? You got it.
Back then, I thought that’s what being a good virtual assistant meant — being responsive, helpful, always available.
Now? I say no to urgent requests. Even the well-paid ones.
And it’s not because I’m lazy or inflexible. It’s because I’ve learned that setting boundaries as a virtual assistant protects everyone involved.
Urgency is rarely just about the task
In service-based work, urgent requests often come with emotional weight.
It’s not just “I need this by tomorrow.”
It’s:
“I’m panicking.”
“I forgot.”
“I need to fix this fast or something will fall apart.”
And suddenly, you’re not just doing a job — you’re absorbing that panic.
You’re rearranging your life to meet someone else’s emergency.
That’s not sustainable. And it’s not how I work anymore.
I’ve chosen to run a sustainable business — not an emergency service
I don’t take last-minute jobs, same-day turnarounds or drop what I’m doing to fix something that should’ve been planned for.
Because when I do, I feel it in my nervous system. And the truth is:
I’m not here to hustle. I’m here to help — and I can’t do that if I’m constantly running on adrenaline.
I work best when there’s structure. When there’s notice. When there’s time to do things with care and clarity.
That’s the kind of support I want to give. Not rushed, reactive support — thoughtful, proactive partnership.
The benefit to my clients? Consistency, not chaos
Saying no to urgent requests doesn’t make me unreliable.
In fact, it’s what makes me reliable.
My clients know:
- I won’t ghost them because I’m overwhelmed
- I’ll never say yes and then miss a deadline
- I plan ahead, communicate clearly, and keep things moving
Boundaries mean my energy stays steady. And that’s exactly what people-focused business owners need — not someone who’s always available, but someone who’s always dependable.
But what if it’s a really good opportunity?
It’s tempting, I know.
A big name client. A short-term project with a juicy budget. A high-stakes launch with 24-hour turnaround needs.
But for me, if it comes with pressure, stress, and that sinking “I don’t actually want to do this but I feel like I should” feeling — it’s a no.
Because part of setting boundaries as a virtual assistant means recognising that not everything that pays well is worth the cost to your wellbeing.
Final thoughts
Saying no to urgent requests doesn’t make me difficult.
It makes me intentional.
I want to work with people who plan ahead, respect timelines, and understand that thoughtful support is more valuable than reactive panic.
That’s how I’ve built a sustainable, grounded business — and that’s how I help my clients build theirs too.
— Izzy
Written in partnership with ChatGPT
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