PICTURE THIS – It’s 6 a.m. when your phone rings—your boss missed his flight and is in full panic mode, clearly not happy about it. By 9 a.m., you’ve spent two hours on the phone begging the airline for help and have successfully rescheduled his flight and secured a refund.
About an hour later, you arrange for a contractor to paint his living room, meet with him at the house, and even picked up your boss’s dry cleaning. And believe it or not, this is actually a less stressful morning than usual!
Now, not every day unfolds like this, but the reality is that each day as an executive assistant brings something new. This unpredictability is one of the aspects I love most about my role.
I’m here to provide you with a behind-the-scenes look into the dynamic, fast-paced life of an executive assistant. If you’re curious about what it truly means to thrive in this position, keep reading—I’ll guide you through the highs, the lows, and everything in between!
Tasks
Before diving into my daily routine, let’s cover the wide array of tasks I handle as an executive assistant.
My responsibilities span everything from travel arrangements and filing to bookkeeping and administrative work—yes, even those small, nitpicky things no one enjoys but that are absolutely essential! I handle invoice creation, whip up Excel spreadsheets for just about everything, manage his schedule, and oversee all email communications.
Beyond that, I run errands—think Home Depot trips for office supplies, coffee pickups, lunch orders, and coordinating with the contractors and vendors regularly visiting his home.
I’m constantly in contact with account managers, coordinating office operations, and making sure he never misses an appointment—whether it’s for a doctor’s visit or a teeth cleaning! I’m also involved in business formation, attend meetings, and assist with setting up LLCs.
The list is never-ending, but that’s what I love about it. No matter what gets thrown my way, I’m here to handle it. The constant variety keeps things interesting and makes sure I stay engaged.
Morning
If I’m lucky (and I mean lucky), my day won’t start until about 7:45 or 8:00 a.m. But on rare days when things go sideways, I might be diving into work much earlier.
When I get to the office, I grab breakfast while sorting through the flood of emails and texts from the night before. You’d think there wouldn’t be many, but trust me, business never stops!
I also want to point out that my schedule is anything but predictable. It’s not like I have a 9 a.m. meeting every day or follow the same routine each week. Sure, there are regular tasks like payroll and reports, but the day-to-day constantly shifts.
Lunch
In my first year, I often worked through lunch, feeling like every break was time taken away from tasks that needed to get done. But now, after nearly three years, I’ve learned to appreciate my lunch breaks. I make it a point to step outside, even if it’s just for a quick walk or to soak up some sun while I eat (thank you, California weather!).
Some days are hectic, and I might not get the full break, but even if I can squeeze in 20 minutes to recharge, I make it count. That little breather makes all the difference in balancing work and staying refreshed.
Afternoon
Depending on how chaotic my morning was, my afternoons can be a whirlwind. I might be heading into L.A. to pick up something for him, which throws my schedule off, leaving me cramming to catch up on morning tasks. Or, if things went smoothly, I’ll use the afternoon to tackle anything that needs my attention.
But honestly, I’ve found that I enjoy running errands. It sounds odd, but picking up a watch from the jeweler is way more fun than sitting in a cubicle all day! The things I’ve experienced in this job—the places I’ve been—are never boring.
Time to Leave
Hopefully, by this point, I’ve wrapped up all the day’s tasks and there’s nothing urgent left to handle. But more often than not, I’m sent on a final errand—maybe a post office run—so I’ll head straight home afterward. Those little early clock-outs? Always a win!
Thoughts
Yes, this job can be overwhelming at times, but honestly, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about being trusted and relied on. That said, it’s also essential to set boundaries, especially when those after-hours requests start rolling in (and believe me, they do).
But this job also comes with some incredible perks—travel, fancy hotels, gifts, and experiences I wouldn’t have had otherwise. If you’ve ever thought about becoming an assistant, I highly recommend it. It’s not easy, but it’s so worth it!
