Still Doing Everything? Why It’s Slowing You Down — and What to Delegate Now | Episode 22

We’re often told that being “busy” means being productive. That juggling everything—work, leadership, admin, and even house chores—is the sign of a strong, capable person. But here’s the truth that many people miss: doing everything yourself isn’t a strength. It’s a trap.

You can’t grow if you’re doing it all. Whether you’re running a business, leading a team, or simply trying to stay on top of daily responsibilities, growth requires space—and that space comes when you learn how to delegate effectively.

For a long time, I wore every hat. I handled training and presentations, took the lead on projects and events, created and edited social media content, maintained the website, and managed everything at home—from cleaning and ironing to meal planning and providing extra support for my daughter’s special needs. It was exhausting.

At the time, I believed that delegating meant I was slacking off. I feared being seen as someone who couldn’t handle the load. I also believed that if I didn’t personally do things for others, I was letting them down or showing I didn’t care. Especially when it came to major responsibilities—like leading or making key decisions—I told myself it was too risky to entrust others. I genuinely believed that if I wanted it done right, I had to do it myself.

But all of this took a toll.

I was constantly drained, procrastinating on things that mattered to me. Despite all the effort I was putting in, I felt stuck and unfulfilled. Even worse, my team wasn’t growing—because I wasn’t giving them the opportunity. They relied on me for everything, and instead of building a confident, capable team, I was unintentionally keeping them unempowered.

When I finally embraced delegation, everything changed. I regained time and energy, started enjoying my work again, and found space for the things that mattered most. And the people I worked with? They began to thrive. They grew more independent, more confident, and more engaged. Together, we accomplished more—and we actually had fun doing it.

One of the biggest barriers to growth is the belief that we have to do it all. This mindset often leads to common traps: avoiding delegation, micromanaging, and constantly telling ourselves that no one else can do it right.

These behaviors are often driven by inner saboteurs. The Judge whispers that others will let you down. The Controller insists, “It’s faster if I just do it myself.” And the Hyper-Achiever believes, “I need to prove I can handle it all.” At the root of it all? Fear. The fear of losing control, of being perceived as weak, of being disappointed.

It often stems from perfectionism and trust issues—not because we don’t want help, but because we’re afraid of what might happen if we let go.

Refusing to delegate may feel noble in the short term, but in the long run, it leads to serious consequences. Burnout becomes inevitable when you're carrying more than you should. Important work stalls because you become the bottleneck. Growth slows down because you’re stuck in tasks that keep you busy but not productive.

Meanwhile, the opportunities you’ve been waiting for—those chances to grow your impact, create something new, or build a stronger team—slip by unnoticed. And within your team or household, morale drops. People feel underused, undervalued, or too dependent on you to grow. Over time, resentment builds, and you end up feeling isolated, even while surrounded by people.

You become what I call the Overwhelmed Solo Operator—always doing, always stressed, and still not getting where you want to go. It’s like trying to fly a plane while also serving drinks, doing maintenance, and checking tickets. You’re everywhere—except in the cockpit, steering the vision forward. You might be busy, but you’re not leading.

Delegation isn’t just about lightening your load—it’s about elevating your leadership and creating more space for growth, both for you and for those around you.

Step 1: Identify What You Can Let Go

When identifying tasks you can delegate, start by looking at what drains you, what slows you down, and what could be done just as well—or even better—by someone else. Ask yourself: Is this something only I can do? If the answer is no, it might be a candidate for delegation. Use the following criteria to help you decide:

For me, this meant letting go of video editing, social media scheduling, website updates, and bookkeeping. At home, I delegated house chores more intentionally with my husband and daughter, which not only lightened my load but made home life more collaborative and balanced.

Step 2: Communicate Clearly and Set Expectations

Delegating successfully doesn’t mean you disappear. It means setting your team up for success.

Start by giving clear instructions. If there’s a process, document it. If there’s a vision, describe it. Set timelines, offer inspiration, and double-check for understanding—not just agreement. Create clarity around roles, responsibilities, and what “done well” looks like.

Most importantly, foster a culture of feedback—where people feel safe to ask questions, make mistakes, and grow. Delegation works best when people feel trusted, not judged.

Step 3: Catch and Challenge Sabotaging Thoughts

Even with a plan, old habits and thought patterns can creep back in.

You may find yourself thinking:
“They’re not doing it right.”
“I should just do it myself.”
“This isn’t how I would’ve done it.”
“They don’t care.”

When that happens, pause and ask:
Where is this thought coming from? Is it fear? Perfectionism? A need to control?

Then redirect:
What’s the long-term goal here? Will doing it all myself help me get there? Or would I rather lead a team that’s capable, confident, and thriving?

When things go wrong, approach the situation with curiosity and compassion. Reflect on your own role. Consider the perspectives of those involved. What is this experience teaching you? What needs to be clearer? How can you and your team improve together? This mindset shift leads to deeper trust and stronger collaboration.

When you delegate effectively, you reclaim time for what matters most. You get to do the work that energizes you, the work that only you can do. Stress levels drop, while your ability to focus and strategize rises.

But it’s not just about you. Delegating develops the people around you. You build stronger relationships, based on mutual respect and trust. Your team feels empowered, engaged—and yes, even excited to contribute. Things move faster. Growth accelerates. And everything feels lighter.

Letting go creates space for bigger impact. You don’t need to do it all to lead well.

Think of a conductor leading an orchestra. They don’t play every instrument—but they bring out the best in each musician. They hold the vision, provide direction, and allow others to shine. That’s real leadership.

If the idea of delegating feels overwhelming, don’t worry—you don’t need to overhaul everything at once. Like any skill, delegation becomes easier with practice. Start small and build your confidence as you go.

Here’s a simple way to begin:

You don’t have to keep doing it all alone. Start small, delegate with clarity, and allow yourself to focus on what truly matters.

Book your FREE coaching consultation! Let’s uncover what’s holding you back from delegating—and help you create the space you need for clarity, impact, and leadership.

00:00 – Introduction

01:18 – My Turning Point

04:24 – How to Delegate Effectively

06:01 – Identifying Tasks You Can Delegate

11:35 – Communicating Clearly

15:15 – Catching Sabotaging Thoughts

25:14 – Action Steps to Try

26:08 – Your Journey to Growth Starts Here