Delegating was a weakness of mine for the longest time because I always felt the need to do everything myself. It’s natural to want full creative control when you’re blogging or running your own business. After all, no one understands your goals and vision better than yourself. However, I learned last year that it’s nearly impossible to grow and have a healthy work-life balance without people to help you. I’ve slowly brought a team together in the last few months, which I mentioned in my 2018 bucket list, and it has made a world of difference. I know many of you can relate to this, so I wanted to create a dedicated post about tips for delegating better.

Keep Reading Tips for Delegating Better

1. Decide what you need to delegate and start small.

We typically just think about all the tasks we need to accomplish in a day or week, and then work diligently to check them off. However, if you actually stop to look at your to-do list, you’ll find that there are time-consuming projects and tasks that aren’t making the most of your time and skills. Those are the ones you’re better off delegating to someone else. This will free up your time so you can focus more on things like strategy or sales and marketing. For example, I knew I wanted to sell my gently used clothing for the longest time, but had no time to photograph, list, then pack and ship out product. I now have an assistant that helps me with this and it has lifted so much weight off my shoulders. Starting small in this way lets you know whether or not outsourcing makes sense for you.

2. Clearly define those tasks.

Once you figure out what you need to delegate, clearly define those roles and responsibilities so that your employee or intern knows exactly what’s expected of them. For example, a Social Media Assistant might be responsible for scheduling Facebook posts, helping with captions, and researching Instagram strategies for growth. However, a Copywriter would solely be dedicated to writing, editing, and brainstorming topics – and not necessarily social media captions. There can be overlaps in roles, but you make your life easier from a financial and managerial perspective when you have those criteria spelled out.

3. Find the right fit for your personality.

It’s way easier to delegate tasks to someone whose personality aligns with yours. If you have no idea where to look for help, I’d recommend putting a listing out on social media, your blog, or asking friends and family (especially if you need someone local). Be sure to have a conversation over the phone or in person so you get a better feel for who you’re working with. Ask for references and a portfolio (or writing samples) where it makes sense. And as you work with this person, pay attention to their strengths and look for ways to build on them.

4. Take time to actually train someone.

It will always feel like there’s too much to do, but you have to make time to train your team. It shows that you’re invested in them and that you value them. In return, you’ll also feel more confident about handing off more tasks as your business grows.

Remember that you can’t always do everything yourself so don’t be afraid to ask for help. I hope you found these tips for delegating better helpful!

Ps. Leave any of your own tips below in the comments!

Photos by Lainey Reed