How Do I Know It’s Time to Hire an Executive Assistant?

If you’re asking this question, you’re not being proactive.

You’re being honest.

Leaders don’t wonder whether it’s time to hire an executive assistant out of curiosity. They ask when something has started to feel unsustainable — and they need confirmation that getting help is the right move.

This article is designed to give you that confirmation.

The Question Behind the Question

Most leaders don’t ask, “Should I hire an executive assistant?”

They’re really asking:

• “Am I justified in getting help?”
• “Is this the right time—or am I overreacting?”
• “Will this actually make things better?”

The answer depends less on your job title or company size and more on how your days actually feel.

The Tipping Point Most Leaders Miss

You don’t need an executive assistant when things are calm.

You need one when:

• You’re constantly context-switching
• You’re the clearinghouse for every decision
• Your calendar controls you instead of the other way around
• You end most days tired but unsatisfied

At this stage, the issue isn’t workload. It’s cognitive load.

And that doesn’t go away on its own.

Clear Signs It’s Time to Hire an Executive Assistant

If several of these feel true, you’re likely past the tipping point.

You’re the Bottleneck

Work moves only when you touch it.
Decisions pile up.
People wait.

This is one of the clearest signals that your role has outgrown your support.

You’re Doing Work That Doesn’t Require You

If you regularly handle:

• • Scheduling
  • Inbox management
  • Follow-ups
  • Prep work

You’re spending leadership energy on execution instead of direction.

You Can’t Get Out of the Weeds

You know what you should be focusing on, —but the day never leaves room for it.

This isn’t a discipline problem. It’s a support gap.

You’re Always “Catching Up”

There’s a constant feeling of being behind, even when things are going well.

That’s a sign too much lives in your head — and nowhere else.

Why Waiting Often Costs More Than Hiring

Many leaders delay hiring support because they:

• Want to push through a little longer
• Worry it’s not the “right” time
• Assume things will settle down

But the cost of waiting usually shows up as:

• Slower decision-making
• Missed opportunities
• Mental fatigue
• Reduced effectiveness

An executive assistant doesn’t just save time. They protect capacity.

What Changes When You Hire the Right Executive Assistant

This isn’t about having someone to “help out.”

With the right assistant:

• Work moves without you pushing it
• Decisions come to you already framed
• Your calendar reflects your priorities
• You stop being the default owner of everything

The difference is less stress — and more control.

What This Decision Is Really About

Hiring an executive assistant isn’t an admission that you can’t handle things.

It’s an acknowledgment that your role has evolved.

Support isn’t a luxury. It’s infrastructure.

And leaders who build infrastructure early lead with more clarity, not less.

Where BELAY Fits

BELAY’s Assistant Solutions are designed for leaders at exactly this stage.

You’re not looking for:

• Another task list
• More tools
• Temporary help

You’re looking for reliable, professional support that scales with you.

That’s what BELAY provides.

The Bottom Line

If you’re wondering whether it’s time to hire an executive assistant, the answer is often yes because leaders don’t ask this question too early.

They ask it when they’re already carrying too much.

Clarity doesn’t come from waiting longer. It comes from getting the right support.

Ready to Stop Guessing?

If this article described your day more accurately than you expected, it may be time to explore executive support.

Talk to BELAY’s Assistant Solutions team to see whether this is the right next step for you.