Are you guilty of ever thinking…

• If I want it done right I have to do it myself
• It takes longer to explain it to somebody else, I might as well do it myself
• I can’t afford it right now I guess I’m gonna have to do it myself

If you have, you’re not alone, all 3 barriers to working with VA’s have come up in discovery calls I’ve had with business owners like you.  I’ve also been guilty of the ‘do it myself’ mindset, which held back my business and I suffered burnout because of it. Overcoming this was hands-down the best thing I’ve done for my business. Transitioning from ‘do it myself’ to ‘done for you’ is life-changing, both personally and professionally… believe me, I’ve seen the change in my clients and myself!

If I want it done right I have to do it myself

There are some tasks you’ll do better than anyone else. Tasks that you love doing, tasks in your zone of genius. They are the only tasks you should be doing because you want them done right.

For every single other task you’re spending time on either:

• Automate
• Eliminate
• Delegate
• Elevate

It takes longer to explain it to somebody else, I might as well do it myself

Yes! The first time you explain a task it takes time and sometimes those 5 minute tasks seem easier to do yourself. But how many times a week, month or year do you have to do that task? It adds up.

A tip for delegating instructions is as you do the task, take a video screenshot while you do it (we use Loom) or have an SOP template open so you can document steps while you do the task (for the last time!)

If you get frustrated that a task is not done the right way the first time, use this to fine-tune your procedure. Was your SOP unclear? Did you delegate to someone with the appropriate skillset? Does your quality control identify possible risks and include preventative action?

I can’t afford it right now I guess I’m gonna have to do it myself

Is this a scenario you can relate to?

Let’s say a consultant charges out at $299 per hour.

He spent 3 hours of his time working on a PowerPoint pitch which took him away from billable work.  

The pitch would have taken us half that time to format, create and proof at a cost of $90.

John lost $209 by working on the project himself.

The do it myself approach isn’t scalable and it isn’t a long term approach to you having the freedom you need to do what you love and what you’re so great at.

When you started your business did you want to spend 3 hours each day answering emails, or trying to figure out how to filter your Mailchimp lists? Or did you (like me) start your business so you’d be doing what you love, with people you want to help?

So please DON’T do it yourself!