The angst of outsourcing
If you want something done right, do it yourself.
That’s how the saying goes, but it can’t be true or the world wouldn’t work.
My wife has been asking me to do some work around the house for the past few months. They’re things that I recognise are of moderate importance but haven’t reached the threshold to drive me to do them. I think there’s a few reasons why:
- They’re not tasks that I’d enjoy doing - they fall below the threshold of being a challenge, but above the line for being easy.
- It’s difficult (but not impossible) to get a contiguous block of time to do the task.
- I’d rather be doing something fun or relaxing / resting when I have the opportunity.
- I don’t know how to do the task, or have the items or tools required.
- I seem to have an aversion to doing things that people ask me to do.
I’ve caused myself a lot of frustration and self-loathing, because each time my wife brings it up I am reminded of my failure.
She also suggested we outsource the jobs to a handyman, but this didn’t seem like an option available to me as it challenged my personal brand as someone who is capable of these kinds of things.
If someone else chose to hire a handyman I wouldn’t think any less of them, so I’m holding myself to a standard that is rooted in some self doubt, like I have to prove I’m worthy of existing by doing something useful.
Ironically if I’d just outsourced this months ago, it would be done, and I’d have saved myself a lot of angst.
In the past five years I’ve been slowly pushing my tolerance for risk in my business, and allowing others to do more of the work that I used to do.
It’s been a resounding success and I couldn’t have grown the company as much as I have, nor found time to start my family, without the amazing work of my employees.
By giving away the work that no longer gets me excited, or things I’m not naturally good at, it’s allowed me to spend more time and energy on things that I can really make a difference on.
I think I need to apply the same approach to my personal and family life. Outsourcing household jobs may allow me to conserve my energy for work, and for being the best dad and husband I can be.
In the past I’ve tried having a home cleaner, but have always been disappointed with the results. I think this time I will treat it like I do my business and not accept poor quality work.
My greatest learning from being an employer is that systems, policies and incentives aren’t important. No matter what, finding the right people is transformative, and the wrong people is destructive.