I thought: this will be fun

This blog is also available in Dutch. Read the Dutch version here .

A few days ago, I saw a post on Facebook from someone asking if anyone had experience with system.io. She said she could really use some help, so I replied that I’d be happy to help her. After that, I didn’t hear anything and assumed the project wouldn’t come my way. Therefore, I continued with my own work as a freelance Virtual Assistant.

Until Sunday morning, when I suddenly received a very detailed message.

She sent me a long list of tasks she wanted completed. At the same time, she explained that she was looking for someone who could work independently, because she had previously spoken to another VA who asked a lot of questions. That wasn’t what she wanted. Instead, she wanted to be fully relieved of the work.

I told her that I am perfectly able to work independently. After that, she asked for my email address and shared her phone number. We then moved the conversation to WhatsApp and continued discussing the project there.

Almost immediately afterwards, she emailed me full access details to her website, system.io, and even Stripe. This surprised me, because we had not yet agreed on any terms, rates, or conditions.

What I didn’t expect – and she apparently did – was that I would start working on the assignment straight away. At that point, there was no agreed hourly rate, no estimate of hours, and no signed contract in place.

The most important thing is this:
I hadn’t worked a single minute for her. But if I had, there would have been a real risk of not getting paid.

Don’t go along with someone else’s urgency.
Their rush does not have to become your pace.

Stay with yourself.
With your boundaries.
With your professionalism.

It may feel uncomfortable in the moment, but in the long run, it protects your time, energy, and integrity as a freelance professional.