Making a major career change—especially from a stable office job to the world of freelancing or virtual assistance—is not for the faint of heart. There are rejections. Delays. Doubts. New technologies. And yes, a learning curve that can stretch you thin.
But there’s one thing that separates those who thrive from those who give up early: grit.
🌱 What is Grit?
Psychologist Angela Duckworth defines grit as:
“Passion and perseverance for long-term goals.”
It’s not about being the smartest or the most talented. It’s about showing up—again and again—even when things get hard, boring, or uncertain.
For Filipino professionals exploring remote careers, grit becomes the backbone of resilience, consistency, and eventual success.
🔄 Career Transition Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
You may have 3 to 5 years of experience in your field, but the VA world is a different playing field.
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You’re adjusting to new tools (like Asana, Kajabi, Slack, Xero).
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You’re getting used to global clients with different time zones.
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You’re learning how to market yourself and stand out.
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And at times… you’re doubting your decision.
This is where grit kicks in. It helps you push through those moments when motivation dips.
🔑 5 Ways to Cultivate Grit in Your VA Journey
1. Revisit Your Why
Why do you want to become a VA?
To spend more time with your kids? To work from anywhere? To earn in dollars?
Write your “why” on a sticky note or make it your phone wallpaper. It’ll remind you to keep going when things get tough.
2. Normalise Failure
Didn’t get shortlisted? Got ghosted by a client? That’s okay.
Grit means you learn from it, improve your approach, and try again. Every successful VA has a trail of rejections behind them.
3. Set Micro-Goals
Don’t overwhelm yourself with “I want to land a client this month.”
Instead, break it down:
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Fix my resume
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Update my LinkedIn
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Apply to 3 jobs per day
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Learn one new tool this week
Small wins build momentum.
4. Track Your Progress
Seeing how far you’ve come can reignite your drive. Keep a journal or a digital log of:
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Jobs you applied for
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Skills you’ve learned
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Feedback you’ve received
Progress—even the slow kind—is proof of grit.
5. Surround Yourself with Gritty People
Join Facebook groups, VA communities, or accountability circles.
When you see others persevering, it encourages you to do the same. You are not alone.
🌟 Grit Isn’t Just for the Hard Times—It’s a Lifestyle
Your ability to stick with your goals, adapt to new challenges, and stay consistent will take you further than talent alone. You don’t need to be perfect—you just need to be persistent.
And remember: grit grows. The more you use it, the stronger it gets.
