How To Get More Time For Your Life & Business
Are you still trying to do it all in your business? Many of us hesitate to delegate tasks—even if it means sacrificing our productivity. But here’s the bottom line: holding onto tasks you could outsource is actually costing you money. Let’s break down why delegating is key to maximizing your time, your business’s growth, and ultimately, your profitability.
The Illusion of “More Time”
Let’s be real: no one truly gets more time. But what we can do is make the most of the time we already have. I think part of the problem is that we see time as this elusive thing that’s always slipping through our fingers. Have you ever noticed that the older we get, the faster time seems to move? When we’re young, everything is new and exciting, and we’re fully present in each moment. Fast forward to adulthood, and suddenly, our lives are packed with schedules, to-do lists, and an overwhelming sense that there’s not enough time to get it all done.
But here’s a thought: what if we could make time work for us instead of feeling like we’re always trying to catch up? Maybe it’s not about getting more time but instead getting smarter with the time we do have.
The Power of Saying “No” and Delegating
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned over the years is that we don’t have to do everything ourselves. I know this can be hard to hear, especially for the Boss Moms who feel like they have to do it all to prove something to themselves or their families. But imagine the hours you’d reclaim if you simply stopped doing the tasks that don’t add value to your business or your life.
Ask yourself: Do you need to clean your entire house yourself? Or Do you need to write every single email? Often, we take on tasks out of habit or because we think we “should.” In reality, these are perfect opportunities for outsourcing. When you hire someone to handle your time-consuming chores, not only do you free up more time for what matters, but you’re also stimulating the economy and supporting others in their work. It’s a win-win.
Why Time Management Isn’t the Answer (And What Is)
We’ve all tried time management tips, tricks, and apps, hoping they’ll unlock the secret to doing more with less. And some of them do work. But here’s the hard truth: managing time alone won’t give us more time. What works better? Focusing on what matters most and getting rid of what doesn’t.
A big part of this involves changing our mindset around money and hiring. So many women tell me, “Dana, I can’t afford to hire help.” But that’s just a starting point! Instead of seeing it as an expense, see it as an investment in your own productivity and happiness. If you can free up hours by hiring someone to handle tasks you don’t enjoy (hello, dishes!), then that time can be spent growing your business or enjoying family time guilt-free. Think about what you could accomplish in those extra hours!
Practical Steps to Get Started
Want to reclaim more time? Here are some practical steps to get started:
- Evaluate Your To-Do List: Start by identifying the tasks that truly require your personal touch. Then, mark those that could easily be outsourced, delegated, or even eliminated.
- Hire Help Where You Can: Consider starting small if budget is a concern. Hire someone for just a couple of hours a week to take care of household tasks, admin work, or whatever eats up your time. And as your business grows, you can expand the help you bring on.
- Shift Your Mindset Around Money: Rather than thinking, “I can’t afford help,” ask, “How can I afford it?” This small shift can open up creative solutions, whether it’s increasing your rates, taking on a new client, or launching a new offer.
- Invest in Quality Support: Find people who align with your goals, share your values, and bring expertise to the table. Remember, this isn’t about handing over control; it’s about giving yourself more time to focus on the things you’re best at.
- Prioritize Rest and Recharge: As a Boss Mom, it’s so easy to feel like every moment needs to be productive. But scheduling in rest isn’t laziness; it’s essential to maintain the energy and focus needed to make the most of the hours you do have.
The Real Cost of Doing Everything Yourself
Here’s a quick way to look at it: If you can make $75 an hour doing what you’re truly good at, but you’re still spending time on tasks that someone else could handle for $15 an hour, then every hour you spend on those tasks is actually costing you $60. Multiply that by a few hours each week, and over a year, that “savings” by doing it all yourself adds up to thousands in lost revenue.
One of the women in BossMom+ was struggling with this. She knew she should hire out, but she couldn’t let go because she wanted everything done her way. So, we did the math together, and guess what? By not outsourcing just four hours of work each week, she was missing out on about $12,000 in potential income each year. That’s real money, and it adds up fast!
Delegating Isn’t Just About Getting Help—It’s About Creating Space
Delegating is about more than just getting someone else to do the tasks. It’s about making space for the things that truly need you. By freeing up those hours, you can focus on what you do best—whether it’s creating, strategizing, connecting with clients, or coming up with the next big idea. And here’s the thing: that time spent doing your magic is what drives real growth.
I used to be afraid to take on the overhead of a team. Now, I spend around $5,000 a month on support, and every dollar is worth it because it lets me be fully present in my zone of genius. It’s allowed me to get out of the weeds and do what I’m great at. My team isn’t just an expense—they’re my growth partners, helping me run this business I love.
Getting Started: A Few Simple Steps to Embrace Delegation
- Run the Numbers: Look at your hourly rate and compare it to what it would cost to have someone else handle some of your workload. When you see the actual money you could be freeing up, delegation gets a lot easier to justify.
- Use Simple Tools to Stay Organized: Start small. I’m a huge fan of ClickUp because it’s simple and keeps everyone on the same page. Using a tool like this can make delegating feel more organized and less overwhelming. Here’s how I use ClickUp!
- Think of Delegation as an Investment: You’re not losing control—you’re gaining time and focus. Sometimes we have to work hard to get to a place where we can afford more help, and that’s okay. Hustle is part of the journey, but it should be a means to an end—not an everyday lifestyle.
Invest in Your Future Success
I get it—letting go of even a little control can feel scary. But if you can look at delegation as an investment in your business and your well-being, you’ll see how powerful it can be. It’s not just about the immediate to-do list; it’s about giving yourself the mental space to grow, create, and enjoy the process.
So next time you’re doing something you don’t need to be doing, ask yourself: could someone else take this on so I can focus on what only I can do? You might be surprised at how freeing that answer can feel.
Unlock Your Time and Grow with BossMom+
Inside BossMom+, you’ll find a unique blend of tools, support, and community to help you take back your time and focus on what really matters. Whether it’s finding skilled team members to support your workload, connecting with fellow Boss Moms who get it, or accessing resources to streamline your business, it’s all right here.
With BossMom+, you’re not just joining a network—you’re joining a movement of moms who are building profitable businesses without sacrificing their family time. Get ready to delegate, reclaim hours, and make every moment count. Join BossMom+ today and create the business (and life) you deserve!