Learn to Delegate-and Breathe Easier
This post was written by jodi carter
Tasks got you down?
Do you ever feel like your things-to-do list will never end? Are endless tasks running through your head? Can’t remember the last time you ever had free time? Well, it might be time to learn to delegate. Try it, it might cost a bit of money, but most of us can say that the time saved is worth more than money.
I can do it better myself
Delegation is the key to successful time management, but even some very high achieving people are poor delegators. A lot of successful individuals have got where they are by doing it all themselves. The prevailing attitude is: “I might as well do it myself - I can do it better than anyone else.”
Reality sets in
The reality is that doing everything yourself not only leads to burnout, but it also hampers your ability to do anything well. You also miss out on quality, free time to spend with loved ones or to pursue soul-filling hobbies.
The power of a team
Try to think about delegation in a team sense. A team works because certain team members excel in areas that others on the team do not: ultimately, it’s the combined effort and differing abilities that make the team strong. Oppositely, one person trying to do everything is ineffective because that person is spread way too thin - and they become ineffectual even at the things they’re very skilled at.
Get a team on your side
My friend Sue needed a team to help her. She has three kids, a part-time job, and is constantly whirling between errands, chores and appointments. Sue’s really great at cooking, but she never has time to put together a good meal. She recently delegated dishes to the kids, and she hired a cleaning person to help out around the house for a few hours a week. The result: Sue can now cook better meals; she is more present with her kids; and she has a bit of free time. Asking for help turned out to be the best things she’s done in a long time.
But I can’t afford to hire anyone!
If money is holding you back, you should consider what your time is really worth (From the book The Four Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferris).
To get your ‘hourly rate’, cut the last three zeros off your annual salary, then halve that number. So, if you make $60,000 per year, your hourly rate is $30. If it takes you three hours to clean the house each week, that’s $90 worth of your time.”
Professions willing to help:
Average cost per hour
Cleaning Services: $20
Lawn Service: $20
Virtual Assistant: $25
Painter: $30
Computer Tech: $100
Personal Trainer: $60
Mover: $70
Professional Organizer: $66
Free time doesn’t have an hourly rate
Twenty to forty dollars may seem like a lot, but when we’re busy we spend more money on things like fast food; coffee to boost our energy; and we don’t look for deals on more expensive items. Use those twenty dollars to buy yourself an hour of free time. You can’t put a price tag on a sunset at the beach or a game of Frisbee with the kids.
Delegation results:
Free time and an easier life.
Tue, Jul 14, 2009
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