Many small business owners overcomplicate hiring and managing.
It doesn’t have to be complicated.
Just follow a simple process. One step at a time.
First, ask yourself, “Do I need to be doing this task?”
I like to group tasks into tactical, management, and strategic tasks.
Tactical tasks involve pushing buttons and working on existing systems.
Management tasks involve interfacing between systems and people.
Strategic tasks are those that build the systems that run the business.
Chances are, at least 90% of what you’re doing on a day-to-day basis are tactical or management tasks.
You could train someone with minimal expertise in minimal time to get these done on your behalf.
Most of the time, you can record a single, 5-minute video of you doing that task, and a new resource would be able to do it as well or better.
Plus, you won’t have to worry about it anymore, freeing up your headspace to be more strategic.
Second, ask, “Would we be more profitable if a tactical resource did the work?”
99% of the time, the answer is yes.
Because the work you do yourself isn't just expensive. It creates opportunity cost.
While you're editing videos and checking email, you're not growing your business.
The real cost isn't your hourly rate.
It's the millions you're not making because you're distracted with busy work.
So don’t think you need to do everything all by yourself.
Hire someone to take on tasks and roles you don’t want to do (and shouldn't).
It may be faster and cheaper (in the short term) to do things yourself. But that’s being pennywise and pound foolish.
It’s a remnant of a “survivor mode” mentality.
The longer you stay in survivor mode, the harder you’re making it on yourself.
Third, start with a “minimum viable resource” to take things off your plate.
You don't always need a perfect system in place before hiring.
Don't wait until you can hire a manager to manage the employee.
Just hire a contractor as soon as you realize you shouldn't be doing that work anymore.
Free yourself from minutiae.
Even if you have to train someone asynchronously for five minutes, it's worth it.
Your time is too valuable to waste on work that others can do as well.
What else can you hand off today?
Look at your calendar. Your inbox. Your to-do list.
What leaps out as activities to delegate?
You already know the answer.
So do it.
The strategic time you free up will transform your business.
But first, you have to let go.
Your business will thank you.
Pretty soon, you'll wonder how you ever got anything done doing everything yourself.