Written by: Janifer Wheeler, Senior Level Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Listen up, my fellow introverted, female entrepreneurs! We need to talk about something important that we all tend to struggle with – delegating tasks and avoiding burnout. I know, I know – you love to do everything yourselves because we’re perfectionists who don’t trust anyone to do things as well as we can. But let me tell you something fellow BadAss – that mindset will only lead to burnout, exhaustion, and ultimately, a lack of productivity. Time to get off your high horse and start delegating some tasks, but don’t worry, I’ve got 7 tips that will help you do it like a boss.
Identify which tasks you can delegate
The first step to delegating is to figure out which tasks you can realistically hand off to someone else. Take a look at your to-do list and ask yourself, ‘Which of these tasks truly require my personal attention?’ and ‘Which ones can be done by someone else?’ You’ll find that certain tasks – like answering emails and scheduling appointments – can easily be delegated to a virtual assistant or an intern.
Hire the right people to delegate to
If you’re going to delegate, you need to find the right people to delegate to. This might mean hiring a virtual assistant, an intern, or even outsourcing to a freelancer. Take the time to vet potential candidates, do interviews, and ask for references. Make sure they have the skills and experience to handle the tasks you’ll be delegating.
Clearly communicate expectations
Delegating tasks is only effective if your team understands what you expect from them. It’s your job as the boss to clearly communicate what you need done, when it needs to be done, and what your expectations are for the end result. This will prevent misunderstandings, missed deadlines, and low-quality work.
Establish trust
To delegate effectively, you must establish trust with your team. This means giving them the autonomy to make decisions without micromanaging, being available for questions, and providing constructive feedback. When your team feels trusted and empowered, they’ll be more invested in their work and will produce better results.
Set priorities
When you’re delegating tasks, it’s essential to set priorities so that your team knows which tasks to tackle first. This will ensure that you’re not overwhelmed with a bunch of incomplete tasks and that you can focus on the most important things. Set deadlines and communicate any changes in priorities as they arise.
Create systems and processes
Delegating becomes much easier when you have systems and processes in place. This means creating a step-by-step guide for repetitive tasks, outlining expectations for communication and reporting, and setting up regular check-ins to ensure everyone is on track. When you have a framework in place, it makes it easier for your team to know what’s expected of them and for you to manage the delegation process.
Learn to let go
The most important tip for delegating is to learn how to let go. As introverted, female entrepreneurs, we tend to cling onto control and struggle to trust others with our work. But ultimately, this is unsustainable and will lead to burnout. So take a deep breath, trust in your team, and relinquish control. It might feel scary at first, but it will be so worth it in the long run.
Delegating tasks and avoiding burnout as a busy female entrepreneur can be challenging, but it’s essential for your success. By implementing these 7 tips, you’ll be able to effectively delegate tasks, establish trust with your team, and avoid burnout. Remember, it’s okay to let go of control and trust others to handle some of the work. You don’t have to do it all alone!
Need more guidance on creating delegation plans and operational processes so you can delegate like a boss? Download The JOYFull BadAPP. Not only do we have free content that can help you right away, we also have life/business assessment tool that will help you delegate in 30 days.
Janifer Wheeler, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Janifer Wheeler is a rule-breaking entrepreneur on fire. After 25 years of assisting schools and small businesses with process design, internal structure, education, and workplace culture, she founded The JOYFully BadAss Business App™ to help side hustlers & solopreneurs break away from society's BS so they can be more effective in their DO LESS BE MORE productivity mindset. Her international speaking gigs focus on advocacy, empowerment, AND joy ‒ making it easier for introverted entrepreneurs to succeed! JoyFull Productivity
The JoyFull BadApp is available for FREE via download on the App Store, Google Play, and World Wide Web!
