I used to hate the thought of delegating to others, but once I learned how to effectively delegate I embraced the task and lightened my load.
Does the thought of handing over work to someone else make your palms sweaty? Would you like to know what are good choices to delegate? Are you skilled at how to effectively delegate items once you hand them over?
I am really challenged at this and have learned to get better. I want to share three ways I delegated on a smaller scale:
Bedspread, Trader Joe’s, and Task Rabbit. I took our bedspread to the cleaners; purchased already made cauliflower crust at TJ’s and hired someone to do yard work as we were preparing to move.
What’s preventing you from delegating?
For many, it’s about control and control really is about fear. I know for me, some of my control issues, yes, I still struggle with this. Side note: Many layers to all of our stuff.
For me, I chose to control stuff because I was/ am afraid I was going to be hurt again. If you are like me and like control, what is you are afraid of? Being judged? Criticized? Rejected?
Another concern is we Worry someone else won’t do it as well. If this is you, is it because you lack trust? Why wouldn’t you trust others to do a task? Were you taught to not trust others when you were younger? I know I have a fear of being taken advantage of because that has happened to me in the past, esp. as a single woman. To ease your concerns, ask for referrals, get references, and do a thorough job now, that has enabled me to trust others for jobs.
Some people really like the sense of power that control gives them. It s been my experience that a need to control comes from feeling powerless in other areas of our lives and as a way to compensate. If this is you, what area in your life do you feel powerless? What could you do to empower yourself in that area? If you were hurt as a child and determined to gain power so you wouldn’t be vulnerable again, how could you heal that wound?
I read an interesting article where it said power made people happy because they could act as they pleased and allowed them to be authentic. If this is sounding like you, how else could you be authentic? Maybe it is finding a new group of friends if it’s your current crew is critical when you are the real you.
The same article noted that seeking power did not make people happy. So, the process didn’t make you happy, but the goal did.
For some people it allows them to criticize others if they control everything. Criticize others before they can get a chance to criticize you. Control Allows people to feel better about themselves. What healthy ways could you practice to feel better about yourself?
Do you see yourself in any of these scenarios?
Now that you have a little more insight as to what may be stopping you to delegate, let’s think about what you should delegate.
What to delegate?
- What can you delegate? Not the most crucial. I would never delegate any of my writing. I have hired editors, but never anyone to write my stuff. That is me and I choose to have my voice expressed.
- If you have the funds, can you hire someone to do what you dislike? Yardwork is an example.
- Babysitting coop, sitter free up time
- Trade and support one another.
- Think outside the box: have an intern? I would love to have an intern.
You don’t have to start really large. What one small thing could you delegate?
Broaden your definition. Cauli crust isn’t quite delegating but it freed up some time for me to focus on more important things.
How to be a good delegator.
- Ask: skills? Motivated? Resources? Someone may have the skills but is too busy or unmotivated to take on the task. Make sure you have similar beliefs. I had a friend who is a Christian spiritual writer and a Christian woman wasn’t comfortable working with her. She practiced alt med and that didn’t jive with what they believed.
- Communicate effectively. I am a huge fan of having everything in writing and following up for clarification.
- Maintain accountability. What system will you put in place?
- Allow them to participate. I am looking for an intern for social media. I would welcome their feedback and suggestions. Pretty good but it doesn’t mean I know everything by a long shot. In my class for School success, I talk about brainstorming as a valuable tool. I welcome others’ perspectives.
- Provide resources and anything they might need. The cat sitter has a list, and an ER contact and we are set up at the vet for her if something happens.
- Give credit and understand mistakes. I accidentally did something for a writing client. She has been a client for five years. I immediately told her what it was. She wasn’t worried and figured out a way to correct it. When I wrote my course, I thanked the editor and said it was a better project because of her editing skills.
What can I delegate? How can I release my need to control? How can I delegate more effectively?
Take Actions from Today’s uncluttered living blog:
- If you are hesitant to delegate tasks, figure out why.
- What small thing could you delegate to someone right now, tomorrow, or today?
- What do you need to keep in mind to be a successful delegator?
- If you are already comfortable with delegating, how could you make the process even better, easier, or more efficient?
DIY Options to Clear Clutter
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