We’ve all said it (or thought it): “I’d love to start, but I’m not quite ready.”

Maybe you’re waiting for more time, more confidence, more clarity—or for the kids, the house, or the business to need just a little less of you. But the truth is, “ready” isn’t something that shows up one day wrapped in a bow. It’s something you create—one imperfect step at a time.

This week’s guest, Rachael Davila, is such a beautiful example of that truth in motion.

Rachael built her virtual assistant business back in 2005—before “VA” was even a buzzword. She’s grown through seasons of self-doubt, reinvention, and courage, and now helps other women business owners find support before burnout sets in. She’s proof that success doesn’t come from doing more; it comes from doing the right things—with help.

Clarity Comes from Action

If you’ve been part of my community for a while, you’ve heard me say it again and again: action brings clarity.

We don’t find confidence by thinking about the thing—we find it by doing the thing. Rachael’s story echoes that truth. When she first started her VA business, she didn’t have a grand plan or perfect systems. She simply took the next step that made sense, learned as she went, and built momentum through motion.

That’s the secret so many women miss when they’re waiting to “feel ready.” Confidence isn’t a prerequisite—it’s a byproduct of action.

The Two (and a Half!) Types of VAs

One of my favorite parts of our conversation was Rachael’s breakdown of what she calls the “two and a half kinds” of virtual assistants:

• The Doer: Task-oriented, ready to follow clear direction.

• The Collaborator: Big-picture thinker who helps refine strategy and streamline operations.

• The Doer-Leaning-Collaborator: Somewhere in between, often newer VAs learning how to step into partnership.

Her point? The relationship between a business owner and their VA isn’t one-size-fits-all. The key is knowing what kind of support you need and being willing to invest in it as an act of growth—not guilt.

As I often remind my clients, bringing someone into your business isn’t indulgent—it’s an investment in your sanity, creativity, and sustainability.

Slowing Down to Speed Up

Rachael and I share a deep belief that slowing down isn’t falling behind. It’s often the most productive thing you can do.

We’re conditioned to hustle and overdeliver—to measure our worth by what we check off the list. But for women, growth often comes from stillness. It’s in the quiet moments that we reconnect to our purpose, trust our intuition, and find direction that feels aligned.

Rachael’s healing journey and her lessons from years of business ownership mirror what I see in so many of my clients: once you stop rushing, the right next step becomes obvious.

Celebrating Wins—Big and Small

Something Rachael said really struck me: for years, she crossed finish lines but never celebrated them. She was already onto the next goal, the next task, the next “to-do.”

Sound familiar?

If you’ve ever downplayed your progress because it didn’t feel big enough, you’re not alone. We talk in this episode about how powerful it is to actually pause—to celebrate what’s working instead of rushing past it. Because gratitude and celebration aren’t fluff; they’re fuel.

When you acknowledge your growth, you expand your capacity for more.

Ready Isn’t a Feeling—It’s a Choice

The biggest takeaway from our conversation? You don’t wait for readiness. You build it.

Whether you’re hiring help, launching a new offer, or simply trying something outside your comfort zone, clarity won’t come from thinking about it. It comes from doing it—with grace, with support, and with a willingness to grow through the mess.

Rachael’s story isn’t about discovering new truths—it’s about living the ones I’ve been teaching for years: that confidence follows action, clarity follows courage, and joy follows alignment.

So if you’ve been holding back, consider this your nudge. Start small. Take the next right step. You’ll surprise yourself with how capable—and ready—you already are.

Connect with Rachael Davila

💻 extrahandsva.com 
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