When “Got It” Becomes “Already Done”: The Secret to Staying Ahead

The Subtle Shift That Changes Everything

There’s a shift that happens when you’ve supported an executive long enough. It’s subtle, but powerful.

In the beginning, your days are filled with “Got it”—confirming meetings, sending follow-ups, handling travel, double-checking what’s needed. You’re responsive, reliable, getting it done.

But the real magic?
It begins when you start saying “Already done.”

That’s when you’re no longer just responding to needs. You’re anticipating them. You’re seeing the request before it’s spoken. And that’s when you stop being “just an assistant” and start becoming a strategic asset.

Anticipation in Action: The Diet Coke Story

I’ll never forget one CEO I supported who was obsessed with Diet Coke. I’m talking ten cans a day, minimum. Before every trip, I’d call the hotel in advance and have the mini fridge fully stocked so he wouldn’t have to think about it. No last-minute runs to the lobby. No inconvenience.

It was a small gesture on the surface but it made his experience smoother, more comfortable, more supported.

And that’s really what great executive support is about: making things easier without being asked.

Becoming the Strategic Advantage

You begin to understand their rhythms, their triggers, their tells. You can spot the stress in one-word email replies. You know when a meeting needs to be moved, sometimes even before they realize it themselves. You remember:

• How they take their coffee

• Which investor asked a tough question at the last board meeting

• That they prefer to decompress after a big pitch, not jump into another Zoom

Anticipating needs isn’t about having a sixth sense. It’s about caring deeply enough to pay attention. It’s pattern recognition, empathy, and pride in your work—all working quietly in the background.

What Anticipation Really Looks Like

Take something as simple as a dinner reservation. Most people would think putting the time and restaurant name on your executive’s calendar is enough. But when you know how your executive moves through the world (how tight their day is, how they value every minute) you should think differently.

Here’s what that might look like:

• Is there valet?

• Street parking?

• A nearby garage?

• Are there one-way streets or holiday crowds to plan around?

Think New York City in December, where what should be a five-minute walk becomes a 25-minute maze.

When I drop a calendar invite, I include:

• The reservation time and location

• Valet hours

• A Google Maps link to the closest garage

• A note about one-way streets

• A heads-up about traffic near Rockefeller Center (if applicable)

That kind of context saves stress and time.

The Mindset That Makes It Possible

That’s what anticipation looks like. It’s not about being told what to do. It’s about thinking like your executive would, before they even have the chance.

It’s easy to underestimate the kind of thinking it takes to be truly excellent in this role. But when you’re in it—when you’ve moved from “Got it” to “Already done”—you know:

You’re not just making someone’s day easier.
You’re making their leadership possible.

And to me, that’s the most rewarding part of the job.

Want to take your executive support to the next level?

ASAP’s digital webinars and expert-led courses can help sharpen your anticipation, communication, and executive partnership skills.