The surest way in business to get nothing done is to try to do everything yourself. People who think nobody else can do things as well as they can are always stressed out, harried, and not able to keep up. These are the ones who can never seem to get caught up, are always apologizing for missing deadlines, continually trying to excuse away the fact that they just plain didn’t get it done. This is also enough to make you hate your job, or your business, and candidly, enough to make you not very pleasant to be around. Any time the same neglected chores become a recurring nightmare, it’s time to find somebody else to do them!
There are several different ways to accomplish this. First, search for solutions that don’t cost any money and have the shortest learning curve. Always look to keeping your overhead down, and always look first to what resources are already in place that might enable you to resolve the situation. For example, is there anyone else whose workload would allow a few additions? Are the things you need help with a natural fit for their present responsibilities? Is any special training required? Would a simple brief instruction suffice?
If the things you need help go beyond a simple reassignment of minor duties, consider outsourcing or a virtual assistant. If you can find some help on an “as needed” basis rather than permanently adding someone to your pay roll, this is a great way to go. If these are inappropriate or not readily available in your industry, consider a “temp” on an as needed basis, or look into hiring an intern. The whole idea, obviously, is find someone who can help with minor things so you can devote your time to the major things that generate the revenues and get you back to the point of productivity and enjoying your work. Life is too short to be bogged down in stress, particularly that of our own making!
Sue Christensen
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