How do you get more than 24 hours in a day

[Andy Trish]

I always thought when you got to a certain size business you could take it easy and let others do the work, why is it that I am spending the weekend catching up on stuff and still not hardly touched the workload?

[Tigglet]

you must be doing something wrong Andy!

It's because you are spending too much time on A1!

[Calibre Designs]

Remember Andy, spending time on A1 may not be considered as work no matter how hard you try to convince yourself.

I try to kid myself too sometimes. Wow spent 3 whole hours doing work but had really spent 3 hrs in the time out section.

[Chubster]

I always thought when you got to a certain size business you could take it easy and let others do the work, why is it that I am spending the weekend catching up on stuff and still not hardly touched the workload?

All successful business people work 24/7...imho. I worked for someone once, she was successful, loaded....and nearly always in the office on a Sunday!

But then when she did take time off she could do it with a bit more style

[Tigglet]

Wow spent 3 whole hours doing work but had really spent 3 hrs in the time out section.

that sounds familiar!

[stephendoyle]

hi andy,

good point in fact.

to me it took me a while to let go and trust others
to do the same job as i would.

delegation was not a word that i was familar with.

regards
stephen doyle

[getnoticed]

Delegation was a weak point of mine until a former boss who we nicknamed 'Teflon Steve' shared his secrets with us. Steve managed to come out of a meeting with zero action points, but had a handful of people reporting to him with updates with clear timeframes for resolution.

I learned a lot from Steve and have now applied this philosophy to great effect.

If you're in a meeting and I am there watch out - I'll have no actions but a few people coming to me with updates.

Once you master the skill you will free up your day to deal with more important matters.

Tip #1 - don't appear so keen to help (which goes completely against my nature) - it works !

Tip #2 - ensure those around you are capable of doing your job to a proficient level - they do not have to have the same skills but must understand the working practices

Tip #3 - Trust - trust your colleagues and be ready to pick them up when they fall over, support them, then let them try again (repeat as necessary)

Hope this helps

[Alvin]

I have no problem letting other people do the work cause there all better than me anyway.

Trusting other people is the way out as others have said.

I just make sure we have a couple of customers.

Alvin

[Maxine]

Interesting to know if you all delegate more or less now that you run your own businesses compared with previous employment where you were an employee?

I used to delegate wherever I could when I worked as an employee to give myself as much discretionary and supporting/coaching time as possible but now that I run my own business it is the opposite and so much less trusting.

Am I unusual in this?

[Andy Trish]

I delegate loads but as a fast growing business I also need to do loads to keep the momentum going. my policy is I expect my staff to work hard and reap the benefits, that includes me. I always try to work harder than them too because the harder I work the more business is generated.

One day I'll be lying on a beach every day, but I'll have the pleasure of knowing I've earned it.