When we own a business, it is natural, especially in a small business, to want to control everything. Everything from expenses and financials in general to the color of the paint on the walls. After all it IS your Baby, right? Yet, Letting Go of the Control in Business may be the best thing you can do for your business! Now I am not saying to not oversee your business, but to let go of some of the reigns of control.
In other words, getting help and trusting that help. Of course, this is not a natural response, especially at first, to hire someone and completely let go. As this person(s) proves themselves then let them do more and do more of the job you have hired them to do. Letting go of control in business is never easy, but it is beneficial, personally and for your company.
You May Be Stopping Your Own Growth
It is hard to go from a solopreneur, doing it all alone, to bringing on a team that can help you. The brutal truth is, however, that if you do not do this, your business cannot grow. In fact, your business may begin to stagnate or even flatline completely in its growth pattern. When our companies are in a growth pattern, we love the ride. That is exactly the time, however, on that upward slope, (or even just beforehand), that we need to bring on others (even if only 1 person) to help us. This time is the perfect time to have someone come alongside you and learn the things that you need to release to someone else.
The brutal truth, however, is that if you do not bring on help in your growth period, your business will not continue to grow. You will more than likely find that you hit a wall, and will continue to do hit the wall time after time in each growth cycle. In fact, your business may begin to stagnate or even flatline completely in it’s growth pattern.
The truth is, if we do not get our hands out of some of the business, to focus ON the business and how to keep it growing, obtain clients, etc…, we may soon see a flatline or even downward slope. We often hit a wall as in the company’s pattern of growth. We work hard, we grow, then hit a wall we cannot seem to pass. This wall is the growth we cannot seem to grow past – the tipping point we cannot seem to pass. If, however, we let go of some of the work we keep our hands in, often this will free us enough to be to think of new ideas, bring in new business and become creative again.
The Perfect Time To Get Help
So the next upward swing your company grows on, remember in the busy-ness of it, that this may be a perfect time to show someone else the ropes. This has another great benefit. It means you can get rid of some of those tasks that you dread doing. Do you just hate those monthly bookkeeping tasks? More than likely it takes you much longer than it would take someone who does it all of the time – a bookkeeper. Perhaps that is one of the things you let go. Or do you just not have time for social media and cannot seem to get in the flow of it? Great time to talk to someone who can help you. The reality is, as you ‘let go’ in these areas, those that you really do not enjoy, it will HELP the health of your company (not to mention your health).
Make a list of tasks you perform on a regular basis in your daily business. Then look through them and you will have emotions as you glance over the list, which one’s did you cringe at and which do you enjoy?
We cannot do it all
Remember, we cannot do it all. So what will you ‘let go’ of and get help with the next upswing in your company? Make a list of tasks you perform on a regular basis in your daily business. Then look through them and you will have emotions as you glance over the list, which one’s did you cringe at and which do you enjoy? Those that you cringed at, pull out to a separate list. From that list, begin to list which are the tasks, in order of those you like least. Put them in order. This will help you to know where to begin.
The First Steps
You may not be able to ‘hire’ right away for everything, and actually, I would not recommend that unless your company is suddenly doing extremely well and you are in panic mode. What I recommend is to take one task at a time and even contract someone (a 1099 employee, not in-house hires). Take time in the process and read recommendations from others about the person you want to add to your team. Make sure you are a good match and that you talk a couple of times. Feel at ease with them and as you move forward in the working relationship, you should begin to build that trust.
Celebrate the victories, especially in the ‘letting go’ of control. It is a difficult thing to do, especially the first time. It is, however, well worth it in the end. You will find that the Freedom that comes with it will feel so good you just may begin to want to let other things go also. What will you do with the time, besides free up your mind?
Thanks for reading and as always I love to read your comments. Feel free to ask questions and even suggest future articles if you like. Have a wonderful, productive day!
