Do you also sometimes feel like a clown, juggling too many tasks and barely keeping any of them in the air? Or is your to-do list longer than a kid’s wish list for Santa?

Then delegating tasks can come to the rescue.

Alas, make one mistake during the delegation process and you will end up doing even more.

So, how do you master the skill of delegating tasks at work and at home? Let’s find out.

The beauty of delegation is that you can apply it in all aspects of life.

And the impact reaches much further than winning an extra hour…

The 4 benefits of having others do your tasks

Delegating tasks works best when you treat it as a win-win situation.

If someone thinks you will take advantage of them, you can add one thing more to your to-do list: fix your harmed reputation.

Good luck with that.

Before I share tips on how to become the boss of your time, let’s see what’s in it for you. And everyone involved.

Benefit #1: Free up your precious time

Doing less yourself creates time.

But what will you do with all those extra hours?

If you have figured that out, you can use this as an argument to create goodwill later down the road.

Let me illustrate the idea:

• As a business owner, delegating tasks is like clearing the clutter from your desk so you can see the important documents underneath.
• In a relationship, you can have more fun time together.

Benefit #2: Let others shine

People get a good feeling when they achieve something.

And if they do something you always did, you will feel happier too.

It works like this:

• You show you trust others
• You show you believe in their capabilities
• Those two things can boost someone’s confidence

So, when you delegate tasks, you give colleagues, employees, or family members an extra spotlight moment.

Benefit #3: You’re no longer an octopus

Doing everything yourself is a fast track to burnout.

I have been there, but I always raised like a Phoenix from my ashes.

The thing I learned?

It is easier when you team up with mind-like people who have other skills than you.

Let me give a silly example.

You don’t enjoy ironing but your partner does? Split the household chores and both of you won’t end your days like zombies.

Pro tip: If you always postpone tasks, the 5 minute productivity rule is a game-changer.

Benefit #4: The “we’re in it together” effect

When you delegate like a pro, your team will grow.

Delegating is like a BBQ on a summer day, minus the sun and filled bellies

And yes. You can also delegate all those daunting tasks to organize your parties.

Now you know that outsourcing a part of your to-do list is not selfish.

Let’s answer the next important question.

How to decide in 10 minutes which tasks you can delegate?

Ten minutes and boom.

Without realizing it, you applied the do it now mind hack.

And as a result, you have a rough idea about why all your time is disappearing into thin air.

You also created the foundation to turn things upside down.

But you are not there yet…

Prepare for the important “Can you do that, please?” talk

It is tempting to take your delegation list and send mails and messages to people.

But instead, do this:

1. Review your list. Not all tasks are created equal. Some require training.
2. Eliminate low-impact tasks. If a task it not worth doing at all, move it to your to-don’t list.
3. Pick your hero. This is like casting the perfect actor for a role. The right person can make all the difference.
4. What will you do with your time? Delegating is not about being bossy or lazy. The idea is that you have more time for other important things.

Now you are ready for your next move towards a less stressful day.

The boss talk you wish you had done earlier in life

This conversation will decide if others can and will make your platter less heavy.

Here are some extra tips to prepare you for success.

Tip #1: Invite your people to discuss an idea

Instead of bossing around and telling people to do this and that, invite them to discuss an idea.

That opens the door to curiosity and sets a friendly tone from the beginning.

Tip #2: Explain the task from their point of view

Some people hate it when they suddenly have to add a thing to their to-do list.

You can prevent rejection and even sabotage by asking if they are up for a challenge.

And then, put your ego aside and admit that the other person is the ideal superhero who can do the job.

Tip #3: Ask how they would do it

Even if a task is a step-by-step process, you can ask your new outsource partner how they would do it.

• That stimulates their imagination.
• In their heads, they are already doing the job.
• They can come up with a process and ideas you hadn’t thought of yourself.

You can discuss it at that moment and make agreements about when and how they will kick off.

Tip #4: Keep the communication lines open

Since you are the expert, people can get back to you if they have questions or doubts.

Let them know you wont’ be ghosting them.

If things are not going as planned, give constructive feedback.

When everything is going well, do some quality controls once in a while.

And don’t be shy on giving a compliment.

Even my cat likes it when I tell her she is a good girl

Tip #5: Step up your delegation game

The first task you delegate is the hardest.

I know because I have always tried to do things myself as much as possible.

• Asking for help to do my job always felt like a failure.
• And I was scared of losing control.

But that changed the moment I teamed up with the lazy girl.

We delegate tasks to each other gently.

The result is what you are seeing now.

Wrapping it up

If you are still thinking you have to do everything yourself, let this sink in;

You are not an octopus. Stop hiding and doing everything yourself

Before you wake up the boss in you, remember this:

1. A boss that’s not bossy, gives and takes.
2. Decide what you will do with the extra time.
3. Create a quick list of all your tasks.
4. Delegate, keep doing it yourself, or stop doing things completely.
5. Talk with your heroes and see what they are willing to do.
6. Celebrate the time you have won.

Happy bossing (without sounding like one)

PS: Do you want even more control over your time, in no time?

Check these quick productivity strategies.