Signs That It’s Time to Start Delegating

As your business grows, it’s going to become clear that you can’t wear all of the hats. Delegating asks that fall into the ‘admin’ or ‘creative’ categories is a fast way to get more of your time back so that you can focus on higher-level tasks. But, how do you know when it’s time to start delegating some of your workload? Let’s discuss the signs that might mean it’s time to get some additional support for your small business.

“How do I know if it’s time to start delegating?”

You feel overwhelmed with administrative tasks, or feel like things are piling up: When you find yourself spending more time on administrative tasks and less time on growing your business, it’s a sign that it’s time to delegate some of your workload items. It’s okay to start small. Think about one or two tasks you hate to do, and see if there’s a way to get some help with them. The time that you gain back can be spent on other things.

Lack of focus on core business activities: You feel ‘stuck in the weeds’, spending too much of your time on lower-level tasks that can be handled by your virtual assistant or support team. If you feel like you’re spending too much time on routine tasks, it can take away from your focus on the higher-level growth activities of your business, such as marketing, sales, and product development.

Problems scaling your business: As your business grows, you need to be able to scale your operations to keep up. Delegating tasks allows you to focus on the areas of your business that require your attention and expertise, allowing you to scale your business more effectively. If you’re beginning to feel stuck, or like you’re reaching an ‘invisible ceiling’, that’s a sign that your plate is becoming too full. Make room for the things you want to accomplish in your business by taking a few hours of your week back by getting some admin support.

You’re experiencing creative burnout.  If you’re having a hard time coming up with new ideas or seeing your best ideas through to completion, you might be experiencing creative burnout. If you start to dread your creative tasks or feel like you don’t have the energy to complete them, it’s time to take another look at how those tasks get done. If you’re in love with creative tasks, delegate something else instead to make time for what you really want to work on. If your time is better spent on other things, then delegate the creative tasks instead. Watch for creative fatigue as an early sign of burnout.

Difficulty finding time for self-care, hobbies, or personal interests: As a business owner, it’s important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. If you’re feeling overworked and stressed, it may be a sign that it’s time to start delegating tasks. Increased anxiety, decreased joy, and a feeling of being ‘trapped’ are all signs that something’s got to give. If you started your business so that you can pursue your passion and joy, watch for indicators that it’s becoming less ‘fun’. Trusting your intuition to help keep you on track is part of a holistic, personalized business approach. If things feel funky, embrace a bit of a change. Don’t let the stress of running a small business suck your joy.

Eager to delegate but not sure where to start? Read more about the easiest tasks to delegate and how to get started here.