Most often, when people start their business, they are alone and have no help. In fact, that was my story. I was the receptionist, HR, IT, wife, cleaning lady, employee at a full-time job, and much more. If I had known what I know today, I would have hired an assistant or a free intern to help me with the admin tasks of my business.
Unfortunately, I wasted hours doing the tedious tasks and things that did not help my business or I grow. During that time, I was trying to act like Superwoman and do everything on my own. I continued to do this until I hit a brick wall; I was exhausted, my bank account did not reflect my growth, and my marriage was in trouble.
When you spend time doing things you are not passionate about, you find yourself stressed and frustrated with your business. One of my mentors told me to delegate the small tasks/things that make you lose money. If you are wondering about what tasks I am talking about, here are a few:
- Cleaning the house
- Going to the grocery store
- Washing clothes
- Cutting the lawn
- Checking emails
- Making copies
- Fixing your IT issues
- Booking a flight
Some of these duties can take hours to do. For example, before cleaning your house, ask yourself this: “If I am spending three hours to clean my house, how much money am I missing out on?”
Before you do the math, you must determine how much your hourly rate is:
| 100k a year in income | $48.00 an hour |
| 200k a year in income | $96.00 an hour |
| 300k a year in income | $154 an hour |
| 400k a year in income | $205 an hour |
It is important to know your worth and understand what you need to focus on. For example, I learned that if I made $1,000 in two hours, I could pay someone $10.00 an hour to do relatively other small tasks.
Additionally, it is always a good idea to talk to your family and let them know about your dreams and goals. Specifically, ask them to support you so you can achieve your goals.
In my case, my husband agreed to wash the clothes and pick up the groceries. By having him help out, I got more time to focus on my goals.
I hope this article helps you understand why delegating/hiring someone can help you grow and keep the passion alive for your business. Now, I am able to do more towards my passion! In essence, here are the top three reasons why you need to delegate:
- You are losing money
If you look at the chart above, not delegating simple tasks is costing you paid hours you could be using towards your business.
- Someone else can do it
You do not have to do everything. There is someone else that can do it faster and more efficient. It is a blessing to know I am helping someone achieve their goals, take care of their family, and contribute to society.
- You will burn yourself out/hit a brick wall
I am not sure when; however, I know you will eventually hit a brick wall. Your health, family, and business will suffer when you try to do everything. If you read about successful people, they will all tell you to delegate and not do everything yourself. If it worked from them, it will work for you! Bet on yourself!
Take the time to read these two books. They changed my life and helped me get focused on my passion:
- The Power of One More: The Ultimate Guide to Happiness and Success by Ed Mylett
- Free to Focus: A Total Productivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less by Michael Hyatt
Also, here is a great resource for hiring a virtual assistant: https://www.fiverr.com/. Personally, I have used Fiverr to find a graphic designer, website content writer, and resume writer.
Another idea is to put a job posting on Indeed, Zip Recruiter, Facebook, or any other platform that allows you to post a job. I have used interns from local community colleges and universities, and they do help tremendously!
Be aware, be informed!