The Late-Night Ping: What It Teaches Us About VA Boundaries
You’ve just wrapped up a long day, finally kicked your feet up, and your phone lights up with a late-night “URGENT” email from a client. It’s 11:00 PM. What do you do?
Do you jump up and respond to show loyalty? Wait until the morning? Ignore it? Suggest another form of communication?
We recently posed this exact question to our community in our VA Thinking Cap Quiz under the theme “Client Boundaries.” The scenario was simple:
Your client sends you urgent requests at 11 PM. How do you handle it?
A) Respond immediately to show commitment
B) Reply during your set office hours
C) Ignore it completely
D) Ask them to text instead of email
So, What’s the “Correct” Answer?
Well, the beauty of being a VA is that you're not just building a service, you’re building a business. And business success requires boundaries.
That’s why the most aligned answer here is:
B) Reply during your set office hours.
Not because you don’t care about your client’s needs, but because you care enough about your well-being, your business integrity, and the long-term relationship to protect your boundaries.
Let’s break it down.
1. Late-Night Emails Can Wait (Yes, Even the Urgent Ones)
One of the fastest ways to burn out in the VA world is trying to be everything, everywhere, all at once. Especially for new VAs who want to prove themselves, it’s tempting to respond ASAP—no matter the time.
But here’s the thing: Just because a client sends a message at 11 PM doesn't mean they expect a reply at 11:01 PM. Often, it’s just when they have time to send it. Unless there’s a previously agreed-upon 24/7 contract (and premium rate to match), there's no need to abandon your boundaries for a "just in case."
3. Saying "No" Is Actually Saying "Yes" to Longevity
Every time you delay checking your inbox until business hours, you’re not slacking—you’re preserving your energy for quality, strategic work during the hours that count.
Let’s be real: those 11 PM responses aren’t your best. They’re rushed, tired, and sometimes emotional. By responding in the morning, you come in with clarity, strategy, and peace of mind. That’s the VA they hired.
5. It’s OK to Have a Hard Stop
This quiz didn’t just test how well you handle urgency—it tested how well you honor your own boundaries.
And sometimes, that means saying:
No, I won’t reply tonight.
No, I don’t allow weekend work without prior agreement.
Yes, I’ll get back to this first thing in the morning.
Spoiler alert: Professional clients will respect that. The clients who push? They may not be the right fit for your business anyway.
This wasn’t just a quiz—it was a reminder. As VAs, we’re often the heartbeat of someone else’s business. But we can’t pour from an empty cup.
By honoring your availability, communicating clearly, and responding during your set office hours, you’re not being difficult; you’re being dependable.
Not reactive. Not exhausted. Not resentful.
Just a professional, running a business built on boundaries.
🎯 Ready to Take Control of Your Time?
🎧 Listen to my audio response in the community
👥 Join the conversation in our VA community
📥 Download the “Set Your Boundaries Toolkit (Join the VA professional membership to gain access)
✍️ Share this post with a fellow VA who needs this reminder today
