Many grew up with the mentality, “If you want something done right, you’ve got to do it yourself.” Well, this is just is one big bowl of misunderstanding and attitude adjustment. There comes a time when you must cut the apron strings and fly.
As an entrepreneur, the CEO of your company, you have a limited number of hours to work both IN and ON your business. Constantly flipping your hats not only takes time, but a shift in focus, a reorganization of your priorities and it disrupts your workflow. You may end up overlooking important business details or even client needs because you are buried in the trenches instead of running the front line. Focus on the high payoff activities that model your organization’s vision, foundation and core competencies.
“Exponential growth is possible when we give up trying to do everything ourselves and allow others to leverage THEIR genius to help us grow.” Melanie Benson Strick
Consider what and who suffers while you try to feebly grasp on to every responsibility, system and process.
At what cost do you realize that it isn’t prudent nor an effective solution to retain every job function in your company? If your goal is to scale, then delegating is one simple tool to enable you to commit and dedicate to your company; your passion!
Building a company requires a team and as one person, while as incredible as you are, you are still not a “team.” We can successfully build your online team to take you to the next level. Solo-preneur doesn’t mean lonely or alone. You have an option, a teammate: enter the executive virtual assistant.
“Almost all of my business transactions are conducted via e-mail and occasionally phone. It really doesn’t matter where my assistant is located. No one knows the difference. I’m convinced that virtual assistants are the future. Honestly, it’s one of the best decisions I ever made.” Michael Hyatt
Outsourcing is not a new age concept. It is a dose of reality especially within the digital community. You might be surprised at just how many people and companies outsource components of their daily business operations and social media. They get it. They want to grow and flourish and to do this, it means giving up some control and trusting in another entrepreneur (Virtual Assistant).
“Do what you do best and outsource the rest.” Robert G. Allen
Delegating Exercise:
(No heavy lifting required) whether you use your computer or paper and pen, the choice is yours, just do it. Design it how it will best flow for you but just track the data. Use sticky notes if you want.
Column one: items that represent working ON your business. (all of the things it takes to manage and propel your business forward……)
Sub-columns: every day, every week, monthly and yearly
Track the time spent on each
Column two: items that represent working IN your business (social media management, administrative, calendaring, writing, curating content…..)
Sub-columns: every day, every week, monthly and yearly
Track the time spent on each
In a week’s time, what does your tally look like? In your honest review, did you spend more time working IN your business rather than ON it?
What was accomplished?
Did you meet your goals?
How many projects were completed?
Did you engage with clients?
Were you able to close any sales?
Did you initiate consults?
Write new strategies or brainstorm ideas?
Revise your business plan?
Create or consider other revenue streams?
Design new products or services?
Innovate?
Think outside the box toward your long term growth potential?
Read white papers?
Review the competition?
Collaborate with colleagues?
How must time did you allocate to social media? Or get sucked in to the black hole?
Is social media management the best use of your time (excluding engagement)?
Did you forget anything or miss an appointment?
Procrastinate yet another day/time?
How many tasks were interrupted?
Did you miss any opportunities?
This simple, yet effective exercise should leave you with a list of tasks and projects you should delegate. They do NOT represent your core genius, but are actually a hindrance to your growth.
I am sure you have your goals written down somewhere. Compare your long and short term goals to everything you worked on this week. Does your work support your vision and aspirations?
You know you need to start delegating if:
You spend 7-10+ hours online, curating, scheduling and managing your social media and it takes away from time with clients, colleagues, partners etc.
You need to implement some systems to streamline your business processes
You have wished for a like-minded brainstorming partner
You are ready to scale, but don’t have enough hours in the day.
You find it hard to concentrate and stay focused because there is too much for one person to do.
You have some projects or platforms that are barely started or only half finished.
You lay awake at night wondering how you will manage everything.
I don’t think you started your company to stagnate but instead, it is time to actualize your dream and go for it. There is too much at stake for you to stay here, doing what you have always done, day in and day out. If you want different results, then you need to change the experiment.
Give up a few things on your list and experience the benefits of delegation. Partnering with a virtual assistant is a results oriented approach for you and your business. Our intellectual property from years of experience, research and education is invaluable and can be right at your fingertips when you choose to incorporate our expertise into your business operations.
“The first rule of management is delegation. Don’t try and do everything yourself because you can’t.” Anthea Turner
Consider the sacrifices of holding on to EVERYTHING you do.
What would you focus on if you have had 5-10 more hours per week?
How would you change your daily processes and systems?
Do your daily business operations scream for your undivided attention?
Can you afford NOT to delegate?