“I want to do it myself!” is the chant of every four-year-old. You have to admire their enthusiasm, but the end result doesn’t work so well for them. As a business habit, it’s not so hot, either. I used to try to do everything myself as well, but I found I have limits. Now I advise clients to do as I do and outsource.
Our clients outsource because they know they can’t do everything themselves, and entrepreneurs need to recognize this about themselves. Particularly for those of us offering business-to-business services, we can have a habit of not taking our own advice.
We can’t wear all the hats and still feel passionate about our businesses. For instance, you can do as I do. I outsource bookkeeping and some other administrative functions so that I can focus on the work that I’m passionate about: helping people and organizations by providing the tools and teaching them the strategies to stay de-cluttered, stay organized and manage time effectively. Remember the 80/20 rule, called the Pareto Principle (organizations typically get 80% of your results from 20% of your effort) and organize your tasks accordingly, ensuring you spend more of your time on the really productive work.
It’s important for new entrepreneurs and experienced business owners among us to not attempt to wear too many hats. Here are three services to consider, when you have some repeatable tasks that you can leverage off to others.
Outsourcing Resources
- Freelancing websites: Elance, Freelancer, Fiverr, and SEOclerks.
- Virtual assistants: When you aren’t ready to commit to an employee but have projects that you can outsource to an assistant who works outside of your company (virtually).
- Concierge services: Tasks and errands you can hire someone else to complete.
Do what you love, spend your time on the high-impact activities and leverage off the activities you don’t like (but have to be done). For more time management advice, book a workshop with Out of Chaos.
Image by Markus Distelrath from Pixabay
