The one question I get asked over and over from women entrepreneurs is, “How do you know what to delegate to an assistant?” I love this question because it tells me you realize that you can't (and shouldn't) try to do it all in your business and your ready to get the support you need.
Nearly ten years ago when I founded Smart Women Smart Solutions®, I was involved in every aspect of running my business but as things started to take off and my business gained momentum, I found myself becoming exhausted with all the “to-do's” (remember I had a one year-old and three year-old at the time). I realized that no matter how efficient I was, I'd never get to the bottom of the list plus my energy was in slow drip mode for my family. It's nearly impossible to take your business to the next level of success if you're spending your day buried in all the admin work and details. Time to get some help!
One simple step you can take to uncover what to delegate to your first hire is an inventory of your week. This is an exercise I give many of my clients who are ready to get support and free them up to take their business to that next level of success.
Grab a pencil and paper or record in the note section of your smart phone every single task you are doing in your business for one week (even sharpening a pencil). Once the list is complete, go back and thoughtfully circle those tasks that only you can do. The items circled should be directly related to your area of expertise (the result people are hiring you for) and marketing to grow the company. There should be no more than four to five tasks that are circled. Everything that's not circled should be considered for delegation to an assistant.
When I made the decision to make my first hire and did this exercise, the delegation decision was easy for me. I knew that I didn't enjoy the technology aspect of my business so I began to look for someone that could help me with that. I also knew that scheduling and rescheduling calls and appointments was also not a good use of my time, so I delegated that right away as well.
This exercise really works and can illuminate quickly and easily what needs to be outsourced to someone else. I'm excited to see what happens when you take your own inventory.
Anything is possible. Everything is waiting for you.
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© 2014 Joy Chudacoff
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff, ICF, PCC, is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions®, a Professional Certified Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, grab my FREE CD, From Surviving to Thriving: The 5 BIG Mistakes Women Make in Business and How to Avoid Them. Get your copied ordered here, http://bit.ly/Tb3LzR.
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