The Costly Trap of Doing It All Yourself

Let’s be honest—you’re probably not going to listen to a word of this. You’ve been running your business, hands-on, every day, and who am I to tell you to stop? After all, no one can do it quite like you, right? But humour me for a few minutes, because while you’re out there doing everything yourself, there’s something sneaky happening in the background that could be costing you more than you realise.

The “No One Can Do It Like Me” Syndrome

I get it. You built this business from the ground up. You know every nook, cranny, and creaky floorboard in your operation. You’ve hired a few people, but let’s face it—they’re not you. And because of that, you find yourself doing most of the heavy lifting. But here’s the thing: the more you cling to this mindset, the more you’re stifling your own growth.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “If I delegate, things will fall apart.” And that might be true…for about a week. But guess what? If you don’t start delegating, the only thing that’s guaranteed to fall apart is you.

The Real Cost of Doing It All

Let’s do some quick maths, New Zealand style. You’re wearing 10 different hats—accountant, marketer, HR, sales rep, cleaner (because who else is going to clean up after everyone?). Each of these roles is eating away at the time you could be spending on growing your business. Sure, you might save a few bucks by not hiring or trusting someone else, but at what cost?

Imagine if, instead of juggling all these roles, you focused on just one: being the leader. What if you could actually sit down, sip your flat white, and strategise about where your business could go next? Instead, you’re too busy firefighting to even think about growth.

And while you’re at it, think about the ripple effect this has on your team. They see you doing everything and either assume they’re not trusted or that they don’t need to step up. It’s a classic case of the “boss does it all, so why should I?” mentality. Your team is more capable than you give them credit for, but they won’t show it if you don’t give them the chance.

Delegation Isn’t a Dirty Word

I know, I know. Delegation sounds like one of those buzzwords that consultants throw around. But it’s not about passing off work because you’re lazy. It’s about recognising that your time is worth more when it’s spent on the big picture, not the small stuff.

Think about the All Blacks. Do you think Richie McCaw won all those games by himself? Of course not. He had a team around him that he trusted to do their jobs while he focused on leading. Your business is no different.

Here’s the truth you’re probably avoiding: delegation isn’t about losing control; it’s about gaining it. When you delegate, you’re not just offloading tasks—you’re empowering your team. You’re giving them the opportunity to take ownership and grow, which, in turn, helps your business grow.

The Myth of Perfect Timing

You might be telling yourself, “I’ll start delegating when things slow down a bit.” But here’s a newsflash—things never slow down. There’s never a perfect time to start delegating. Waiting for the perfect moment is just another excuse to keep doing things the way you’ve always done them.

And let’s not forget the “learning curve” excuse. Yes, it takes time to train someone properly. Yes, they’ll probably make a few mistakes along the way. But consider this an investment in your future sanity. The sooner you start, the sooner you can start reaping the benefits. Imagine not having to check every little detail because you know your team’s got it covered. Imagine actually taking a weekend off without feeling the need to check your email every hour.

A Challenge You’ll Probably Ignore

Here’s the part where I lay down the challenge that you’ll most likely brush off: Start small. Delegate one task this week that you’ve been holding onto like a security blanket. Maybe it’s the social media posts, or the weekly inventory count. Just one thing. If it goes horribly wrong, you can tell me “I told you so.” But if it works, you might just find yourself with a little more breathing room—and who knows, maybe even a bit more sanity.

And while you’re at it, try delegating something that’s been really bugging you. You know, that one task that you’ve been procrastinating on because you just can’t stand doing it. You’ll be surprised at how freeing it is to hand it off to someone else. Your stress levels might just drop, and you might find yourself with a bit more mental clarity—something that’s in short supply when you’re trying to do it all.

Delegation Done Right

Of course, delegation isn’t just about handing off tasks willy-nilly. It’s about clear communication and setting expectations. Let your team know exactly what you need from them, and be available for guidance. But—and this is crucial—don’t micromanage. Trust that they’ll get the job done. You might be surprised at how well they rise to the occasion when given the chance.

Also, consider delegating not just tasks but decision-making authority. Empower your team to make decisions within certain parameters. This not only takes the load off your shoulders but also helps them develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills—something that will pay dividends for your business in the long run.

Final Thought

So there it is. Advice you probably won’t follow, wrapped up in a tidy little blog. But if you do decide to give it a go, you might just find that letting go a little bit can help your business—and you—grow a whole lot more. But again, what do I know?

I’m just here to tell you the truth you don’t want to hear. Whether you listen is up to you. But I’ll leave you with this: the sooner you start trusting your team, the sooner you’ll start seeing the kind of growth and freedom you’ve been dreaming about. So go on, give it a shot. Or don’t. The choice is yours.