How To Delegate To Your Virtual Assistant, Part 2

Some people love to delegate, and it comes naturally to them. Other people have to learn this skill.

Last time we covered some ways to make delegating easier.

This time we'll answer some specific questions about how to delegate.

How do you determine what tasks you can delegate?

Thinking about delegating your routine tasks--these are things that you do every day or nearly every day (such as managing email, processing orders, interacting with customers, any online marketing that you do, etc).

Training someone to do routine tasks is an investment--it may take a few weeks to get someone up to speed, and during those weeks it may feel like you're putting in extra work, but it pays off in the end.

You can also delegate one-off tasks that pop up.

The ultimate goal is to get things set up so that your Virtual Assistant is automatically handling everything that he or she is able to that you do not absolutely need to do yourself.

That is the end goal, but it may take you a while to get there, especially if you've never worked with a virtual assistant before. That's okay--this is all a work in progress, and you'll find that getting more and more "stuff" off your plate will come naturally the more you get used to working with your assistant.

The Secret Reason Why Delegating is So Important

As I said before, there are many perks that come along with delegating (happier customers, less stress, more free time, more money), but I think the "Aha" moment for anyone who has ever had trouble delegating and then finally embraced it is this:

Delegating frees you up to do higher level activities that result in growth for your business.

So many folks are used to doing everything themselves, it's hard to let go of the reigns and hand tasks over to a helper.

Now remember, when you were starting your business you did the whole shebang yourself--every little thing. You were motivated to do it correctly and with high quality because the success of your business (and your business' reputation) was riding on it.

At the beginning, being such a hard worker helped you advance your business, but there comes a time when trying to continue to do everything yourself can actually hold you back. You reach a wall, a ceiling on growth because you are only one person, and there's only so much that you can do yourself.

How To Delegate

It can be scary let someone else into your business, but if you're ready to face that fear and embrace all the rewards that go along with embracing growth over "the way you've always done it", here's how to start.

It's pretty simple...

Over the next few days, keep a pad of paper with you and write down anything that you are doing on a routine basis that you can train someone else to do. You may be surprised at the number of activities you come up with.

That list will grow as you find someone who you trust, who is skilled and efficient. The longer you work with someone you can delegate to, the easier it will be for you to determine when something can be delegated.

How are you at delegating?

Was it hard for you to let other professionals help you with your business?

 

Comments

[Bobbie]

I think you have some very good points about delegation, unfortunately many of the people who work from home don't have anyone to delegate too. You should do a "outsourcing revisited post". It woudl be a good reminder. It is never more important (especially in this economy) to keep learning new skills to take care of our families, but also to enrich our lives.

[Luis Rivera Colon]

If you want to be succed you need to delegate, theres no other way

[Digital Marketing Agency]

Thank you for a awesome article.You have given me some ideas and a different way to to write articles.

Thanks
Vc Internet Media
Digital Marketing Agency