Do it, Dump it or Delegate it
In my last post, Falling in Love with Your Business…Again, I talked about marketing your business and what to do if you were passionate about what you offer but weren’t passionate about marketing. The bottom line is you need to focus on what you’re great at and find a way to get the rest off your plate.
This is a classic problem for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs – we try and do everything ourselves. IT IS NOT a formula for success. In most cases, it flat out doesn’t work. Why? Several reasons. First and foremost, it’s impossible to be good at every aspect of running a successful business. I suppose some people might be a master at all it takes, but most of us are great at what we offer and maybe one or two other things, but certainly not everything. It stands to reason then, that unless you have help doing what is clearly not yours to do, you’ll suffer.
First, you burnout and that takes energy and curtails your passion. Next, you feel trapped and finally you wonder why you started doing this in the first place. You need to take a close look at every task in your business and DUMP – literally DUMP the ones that don’t serve you and won’t be missed if they’re not being done. Everyone has these ‘skeletons in the closet’ find yours and toss ‘em. Go ahead – you’ll feel lighter and happier. Next, what must be done that you either dread, hate or just never get done because it’s onerous?
For some people it’s keeping the books, for others it might be essential follow up. Still others it might be cleaning, or organizing or any of dozens of things that need to be done to keep your operation healthy and functional.
Many of the tasks conscious entrepreneurs hate doing are not expensive tasks to hire out. It’s false economy to think you can’t afford to hire these out. Did you get into business to make $10 an hour? No. Can you hire out tasks for $10 an hour and focus on what makes you much more money? Yes. Don’t have the money handy you say? Invest, invest, invest!
Think of it as an investment in your future. I guarantee you, when you free yourself up to concentrate on what you excel at, you will bring in more money, more quickly with greater peace of mind and much more satisfaction. Yes, this is hard for most entrepreneurs. Do it anyway. It will change your life – yes, your whole life, not just your business life. Unburden yourself and prosper. Do it now.
