This is the tip I always finish with at the end of my talks.
It’s one of those "state the blimmin' obvious" points but so easy to forget. And the more you're DIY-ing the less time you have to do your Thing.
Your Thing is the one thing you do brilliantly—it’s easy and effortless for you—it’s fun, it’s obvious and you can ‘just do it’.
Is everything in your business (and life!) like this? Really?
So WHY are YOU doing everything?
I appreciate that to outsource your entire life is going to be expensive, and probably not feasible, but find those activities and ‘work’ that not only take up lots of your tine but also fill up your ‘headspace’.
If something needs ‘doing’ do you find yourself spending more time thinking about it than it would actually take to do? Maybe it’s your filing or your accounts, some admin, or calls or writing or proof reading (any typos don’t blame me I get someone else to proof these articles!).
What about in your life? How long does it take you to get your groceries, or run your errands, do the ironing, clean your house, walk your dog (that seems to never run out of energy)?
Now I KNOW you can DO all these things, and some of them you might want to do—I actually like going to the supermarket so I can scout out new yummy food—BUT you shouldn’t be doing everything just because you can.
Your mission (should you wish to accept it!) is to do your Thing
Your Thing is super-valuable to everyone else who can’t do it. And by doing other ‘stuff’ or, worse still, thinking about the other stuff you have to do but not actually doing it but letting it take up space in your head that could be used for Thinging, you’re not serving as many people as you could be.
So, get in an expert, someone whose Thing it IS to do your ‘stuff’. When it comes to actual DIY I definitely get in an expert—a decorator or carpenter or electrician or plumber and don’t try and do it myself. It might ‘cost’ more but it saves time, the job is done right first time (ahem) and I don’t have to worry about it (headspace saved).
Even if you just outsource one small thing this week it will make a difference, I promise you. Go Google "dog walkers" or "ironing services" or "admin helpers" right now if you know you spend too much time on this ‘stuff’! Do your Thing! As much as you can.
Want to talk more about this?
I especially find the headspace is the most important thing freed up when outsourcing and delegating! My mind can only hold so many things in it, and when it clutters up with not-my-Thing I loose my forward momentum.
Yes the ‘not thinking about’ it is VERY valuable!