“I can do it all by myself” is a common entrepreneur mindset, but it just might be hurting you! Your stubbornness to not hire outside help will be detrimental, not only to your business success but to your personal life and health as well. Let’s dig in.
Getting help in your business
Operating a business is not for the weak-hearted. Any additional cost that can be solved with a free solution is always taken, ESPECIALLY in the beginning. The thinking was, ”why spend money on outside help when I can just do it myself?” We need to STOP thinking this way.
For the first 7 years of my business, I was on my own. The thought of hiring outside help was not even on my radar. As my business grew, I had less time and less energy. I started to notice that I was irritated and frustrated. Suddenly being my own boss was just not fun.
I was working 12 hour days, never exercising, and usually eating take-out right before bed. I was overworked and underpaid.
I was burnt out (psssstttt… you can check out more on entrepreneur burnout here).
Finally, I decided to contract out a Tax Preparer for some extra help during tax filing season. Little did I know, this small step would lead to BIG gains in my business.
Professionally, my revenue grew 30% in the first year of hiring help. The best part about this growth was that it did not come from new clients, but it came from adding more value with my existing clients. I was able to work more in my zone of genius tapping into tax strategy and not just tax compliance work. This shift allowed me to seek creative money-saving solutions for my already loyal clients.
Personally, I felt that I had more brain space. I felt less guilty in my free time. I procrastinated less. Work felt more fun and creative. I had new found energy and love for being an entrepreneur.
Getting Help in Your Personal Life
The I-can-do-it-all-by-myself mentality can be equally, if not more, harmful in your personal life. Let me tell you about my love-hate relationship with the gym (I’m sure you can relate).
Back in May, I started working with a personal trainer. I’d like to note, the thing that motivated me to do this was NOT my overwhelming motivation to get fit. It was the fact that I had two non-refundable training sessions from years ago that were about to expire.
After taking those two PT sessions, I was hooked. These days, I see my personal trainer two times a week and the benefits are endless. EVERYTHING feels better! I have more energy. My entire body feels stronger. Daily tasks are easier (no more tweaked knees going upstairs or weird pain while carrying groceries). When I finish my morning sessions, I am excited and energized for the work day ahead.
Why Getting Help Produces Big Personal Results
Getting help personally and professionally produces phenomenal results. My biggest motivator is being held accountable by others.
Of course, I could go to the gym by myself. I could try workout plans on my own, but if you’re anything like me you know that, that is just not going to work.
When I feel like I am accountable for someone else, I am motivated to do better. For my contractor, I was motivated to give her work. I was motivated to stay organized so I could better instruct her and get the most out of her help!
Additionally, getting help means more brain space. This space allows you to rest. To turn off over-thinking. It allows you to be more creative. You’ll be finding solutions you never knew you had!
When you really want to go farther… get help! Both personal AND professional. Hire a dog walker for your loved (but high-energy) dog! You can spend that extra hour completing that blog you’ve been meaning to write.
Hire a babysitter for a few hours so you can catch up on those projects that have been sitting in your reminders for months.
It doesn’t matter what it looks like, just get help. It’s not just time you are saving… You are saving your precious energy. The energy you need to show up as your best self. The energy you need to do your best work.
P.S: Ain’t nobody got time to waste staying frustrated and confused when it comes to taxes. Curious about how to get back more money, time and energy when it comes to your taxes? Then make sure you watch my Maximize Your Tax Savings Masterclass.
