It’s no fun being too busy to do the important things in life. (There is a big difference between being busy and being productive. We will discuss the differences in another post.) As a parent and small business owner, I’ve learned I can’t do it all. It’s OK to ask or outsource the tasks that take up too much time, so you can focus on the things you love. We are living in a service-based society. You can basically outsource your entire life if you need to. While I don’t utilize each of the six options below, I understand the great convenience of them.
1. Hire a Virtual Assistant
- You don’t have to be a part of the rich and famous to have your own assistant. Many business owners and productive people are outsourcing tasks such as answering emails, handling social media, scheduling appointments, data entry and invoicing to a virtual assistant. Since the assistant is “virtual”, you don’t have to be in the same physical location. All tasks and communications can be completed by email, phone, and online. There are multiple virtual assistant companies and individual virtual assistants that make their services available on a permanent or as need basis.
2. Housekeeping / Lawn Service
- Let’s do the math, how long does it take you to properly clean your home or do all of the lawn work? Do you actually take the time to do it on a professional level? Outsource this task to someone who does it as a profession. They will know all of the tools of the trade and tricks to make it fabulous. I’ve had a monthly housekeeper for longer than I can remember. She comes once a month and does all of the deep cleaning, things I know how to do (thanks to my Mom), but don’t want, have the desire, or time to do.
3. Prepared Meals
- If cooking a full dinner is something you really don’t have the time or energy to do after working a 10 hour day and fighting through traffic, consider a service which delivers prepared meals. Wouldn’t it be great to come home everyday to a fully prepared meal? You can then concentrate your evening hours helping the kids with their homework or just relaxing with your family. In addition to prepared meals, you could also use a meal service such as Hello Fresh.
4. Car Pool / Driver Service
- Car Pool / Driver Service – I don’t recall kids having as many activities as they do today when I was growing up. With all of the practices, recitals, games, and tournaments held each week, it would be great to car pool with another parent or completely hire a service to assist. I’m not saying to completely remove yourself, but do you really NEED to drop your kids off every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for their practice? You can re-designate that time to do productive things for your family or business. When the kids return home, you will be able to give them your attention. Then when you attend the weekly games or recitals, you’ll be refreshed and fully ready to see what little Johnny has learned.
5. Mobile Services
- (Car Detail, Pet Grooming, etc) – I love having the Platinum Diva fully detailed, but hate having to take her to the auto detailer. Having a mobile detail service come to my house is an excellent way to kill two birds with one stone… (Although birds are the cause of many of my car details, I don’t actually kill birds.) My maltipoo Simon, looks so sweet and fluffy after his grooming. With my allergies, I hate going to the groomers. A mobile pet groomer is perfect. Simon can be groomed in the van just outside of my home and I’m not exposed to tons of random pet dander and fur.
6. Outsource Bookkeeping & Tax Service
- As a small business owner, keeping my financial records in order is a necessary evil. Although many entrepreneurs handle their finances themselves, outsourcing it is a great plan. Let the professionals handle it. With items such as Quickbooks Online, your bookkeeper can access your records remotely. (Disclaimer… You are ultimately responsible for your finances and taxes… Ask Willie Nelson or Wesley Snipes… You can’t designate the responsibility to someone else. Uncle Sam will come for you, if you fail to file your taxes.)
Thanks for stopping by to read these tips. I hope you found this post helpful. Please share your ideas on other things people can outsource in the comment section below. As always, please feel free to subscribe to this blog to stay updated on home decor ideas, organizational tips, and planning & productivity strategies.
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I have everything except 1 and 4 🙂
Wow, that’s awesome. I would love to have most of them as well. I’m considering the Virtual Assistant. It would help me and my business a lot.
I want a house cleaner! I’m at home now with the kids and always running around doing a million things. I’m hoping to go back to work full time when I’m done going to school and at that point I will be getting a house cleaner, as well as some of the others mentioned above. Great advice.
It’s really hard to keep the home neat and organized when the kids are running around. My advice is to not let things overwhelm you. Also let the kids participate in some of the cleaning activities. Even something small as putting the Legos in an assigned area. Try to get them in the habit of helping with small stuff. As far as yourself. Don’t look at the big picture. Tell yourself you can do one thing at a time. Maybe today will be cleaning out a drawer. Don’t worry about anything else besides that one task.
Awesome ideas Nakeya. Life is great with more time on your hands I have to agree 🙂
Thanks for stopping by. We must have time for the things we want to do.
I would love to have a housekeeper come, even once a month. If my blog ever makes any money, that’s the first thing it’s going towards. 🙂
Great idea. Thanks for stopping by.
I could really use #1, #2 and #3, but I just can’t afford the help. What I need is more hours in the day. —-Menopausal Mother
Yes, adding more hours to the day would be such a big help.. Thanks for stopping by.
Those are great tips, many of which I already use. You have to spend your time doing what you are best at doing and leave the rest to someone else.
Thanks for stopping by.. I’m happy to hear you’re already utilizing many of these tips. That’s awesome!!!
I love these ideas! I enjoy using the meal delivery service. SO nice not having to think about what to make for dinner. I wrote about the service we like most on my blog a few months ago, http://cookwith5kids.com/2015/07/vegan-meal-delivery-service/ You should try this one if you are open to a vegan meal!
Thanks for stopping by. I’m always open to trying different meals. I will check out your post now.
I have none of these things but would love all of them, haha. If I get some extra money housekeeping is #1 on my list!
Yes, I don’t do all of these tips, but the housekeeper is definitely a must for me!
I can’t afford most of these services right now, but we do have someone do our taxes because they are just too time consuming and complicated!
Exactly, doing your own taxes may take up too much time. Outsourcing it out is a great resource. It saves time… Which is ultimately money. Thanks fir stopping by.
This is a great list! I am curious to know what a virtual assistant would cost, because I can totally see how that would benefit my time.
Thanks for stopping by and I’m happy you found my list helpful. The prices of virtual assistants vary. I’ve found companies online that charge anywhere from $3.00 an hour to $20.00. Some also charge by project. I really think it’s worth checking into. I haven’t hired one yet, but it’s on my to do list.
Great post for those who are having trouble managing these tasks! Now they can outsource these tasks to get themselves free!
Very good suggestions! Business requires a lot of effort and energy, and it’s great when there is someone to whom you can shift a couple of responsibilities.
Hiring a professional to do some housework is a good thing, indeed. Even though it costs money, that could save you time and energy you can dedicate to your family. I think it’s important. Moreover, basically, professionals do their work better than us, which could prolong the lifespan of appliances and prolong the effect of the work.