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A professional’s time is often limited, with work tasks that consume more than the 40 hours that are supposed to be in a workweek. Setting aside time for family activities can be a challenge, which is why many entrepreneurs put off hobbies, interests, and vacations year after year.
But an adequate work-life balance is essential to both physical and mental health. Chronic stress can double the risk of a heart attack and lead to burnout, in addition to weakening the immune system. For many professionals, though, it may seem there already aren’t enough hours in the day, making it impossible to cut back in any area.
Most of us are required to spend a certain number of hours each week taking care of “life maintenance” activities. This could be anything from going to the dentist to waiting in line at the post office. These chores cut into a professional’s personal time each day, while also bringing unwanted stress.
While medical appointments will always require a person’s presence, someone else can handle some of these other errands. Outsourcing chores comes at a price, but it might not be as much as you think, especially in the era of crowdsourcing. Both unwanted minutiae at the office and after-hours to-do items can be capably handled by specialists, giving you more time to focus on building your business and spending time doing things you enjoy.
The first step in deciding which items might be unnecessarily cutting into your day is to pinpoint those items. Spend a week documenting where your time goes each day and pay particular attention to those items that don’t directly impact your business’s growth or allow you to spend time with your family. Here are a few items you may see on that list:
For business-related tasks, virtual assistants and freelance workers are a great solution. This is a great way to get started in the beginning days. Sites like Upwork make it easy to connect with professionals who specialize in such areas as website design, content management, administrative support, writing and translation, and application programming, among many others. Be aware when using these sites, however, that if you want a high-quality provider, you may have to weed through proposals to find the best worker, which may mean paying more than the lowest offer.
For personal services, your options narrow. You can research housekeeper reviews online or ask for referrals on community social media pages. For car maintenance, using a car wash or oil-change service can easily free up extra time at minimal cost.
For all other tasks, in some areas TaskRabbit is a great way to get help with a wide variety of errands. Instacart and WeGoShop will do your grocery shopping for you if you live in one of the big cities where grocery delivery has long been available anyway. In time, grocery delivery will likely be available to many more areas, especially as Amazon Local Delivery begins to expand.
Outsourcing some tasks may be inexpensive but in considering whether to pay someone to do various tasks, ask what your time is worth. By freeing up time to spend building your business, you’ll likely be able to grow your business more quickly. Most importantly, by giving yourself time to do the things you enjoy, you’ll be a happier, more productive worker who will be successful in your efforts. Additionally, you’ll spend less time taking care of chores that you don’t enjoy, making for a happier, healthier overall life.
