Starting and growing a VA business can feel like a balancing act; one hiccup, and it’s all over. So why do so many VAs give up, and how can they shift their mindset to keep going?

It doesn’t matter what the hiccup might be; it can be a friend, family, or client-related. It can be juggling a sick child, feeling under the weather yourself, or struggling with imposter syndrome or too many other priorities that are derailing your choice to be a VA. Often, for many VAs, quitting can look like the easiest option. But here’s the truth: most quit because their mindset isn’t holding them up when life gets tough. And, instead of acknowledging that it’s the problem, it’s easy to blame a lack of skills, which is not the case. The reason is always much deeper.

Common Mindset Traps That Push VAs Towards Giving Up

1. Unexpected challenges

Whether it’s a sick child, personal illness, or unexpected challenges, these aren’t roadblocks; they’re part of the journey. Without a mindset built for resilience, they can become excuses to give up on your dream.

2. Feast-or-famine

One month, you’re booked solid, and the next month, all you hear is crickets. This kind of instability and the need to consistently keep getting clients so you’re fully booked are problematic, and the instability breeds doubt.

3. Imposter syndrome

Many VAs feel like they’re just ‘lucky,’ or they may consistently tell themselves, they are not skilled enough, capable enough or have the right qualifications and that soon, people will find out you’re a fraud. This type of self-doubt and negative thinking can freeze you when you need to keep moving.

4. Isolation & comparison

Working solo can be lonely if you’re not used to it. When you constantly tell yourself you are not enough, you can feel like pulling back from networking events, collaborating with others, and even withdrawing from online communities and groups. All of which actually deepens your feeling of being alone.

Mental Shifts That Keep VAs Going—Even When the Going Gets Tough

Here are some strategies to help you shift your mindset from wanting to quit… to choosing to persist and reaping the benefits of your hard work:

1. Track & celebrate your wins (no matter how small)

Keep a Legend folder, save client praise, list milestones achieved, or how you handled a tough day despite everything. When doubt starts to creep back, go straight to your Legend folder and remind yourself of what you’ve already achieved and proven you can do.

2. Reframe negative thoughts with evidence

Caught thinking, ‘Someone will find out I’m not as good as I think I am’? Stop. Reframe it with something like: ‘Clients trust me because I deliver results and do what I say I will.’ Use facts when you tell yourself ‘I finished that project on time’, I finished under budget; the client loved what I did’ to help you override those self-doubt thoughts.

3. Build a support network

Connection combats isolation. Join communities (like ours, The VA Project Facebook Group!). Knowing others understand and care helps normalise your struggles and keeps you rooted

4. Set manageable goals

Trying to do too much, too quickly, will impact your momentum. Break big tasks into small, achievable steps. You know where to start, and you know what the outcome has to be. What do you need to do in between to achieve the outcome?

5. Be your own cheerleader

Be kind to yourself. It is not a flaw to feel overwhelmed; it happens to all of us, and when it happens to me, I remind myself that I’m human, not a ‘gun’ or a ‘machine’ as I’ve been called, but human. Setbacks happen; dust yourself off and move forward.

6. Focus on progress, not perfection

Perfectionism doesn’t exist because we’re human. Remember that. When clients say it has to be perfect, I tell them, I’ll get as close as ‘humanly’ possible. It can be as simple as one foot in front of the other. It’s about moving forward one step at a time. Just keep going.

A sustainable mindset

When life gets tough, whether it’s a sick kid, your own exhaustion, slow client months, or that inner critic whispering you’re not enough, this mindset toolkit will help to keep you anchored:

  • Document your wins, no matter how small. Remember, your legend folder.
  • Reframe negative self-talk into fact-based encouragement.
  • Connect with other VAs, so you’re not navigating alone. Join The VA Project community.
  • Create micro-goals to keep momentum going.
  • Be kind to yourself, even on rough days.
  • Progress over perfection: growth is what counts.

You don’t have to go it alone …

Feeling like giving up isn’t a sign of failure; it’s an invitation to reset your mindset. The VA Project Facebook community can help you shift your thinking, build resilience, and swap being overwhelmed for support.

Are you ready for connection, encouragement, and free templates designed to help you thrive, especially when the going gets tough?

Join our VA Community on Facebook today; it’s free. You’ll get:

  • A safe, supportive space to share wins & worries
  • Encouragement from VAs who get it
  • Free templates to help streamline your new or struggling VA business

Don’t face the struggle alone. Join Us on Facebook today.