I frequently discuss with business owners the importance of not doing it all yourself. It can be tempting to jump in and manage everything because you know you’ll get it done right, and it’s easier to do it yourself than to delegate. 

But until three years ago, I didn’t really practice what I preach. 

That changed in 2022 when I was diagnosed with tongue cancer. Nope, I’ve never used tobacco in any way. It was just one of those random bad things that can happen, one of those events that can knock you to the floor emotionally. I made a funeral playlist on Spotify. We had those conversations nobody wants to have about what would happen to our businesses if I didn’t make it through. 

After surgery, I had tubes coming out of my neck. I looked a mess, and worst of all, I felt isolated and alone. I realized my connections with others are the greatest value in my life, and I knew I wanted to focus more on building meaning in that way. 

The Dangerous Myth of “Doing It All”

But that can’t happen when you’re completely absorbed in work. Before cancer, I believed I had to handle everything myself: every decision, task, crisis. I wore my exhaustion like a badge of honor. 

Sound familiar? 

Many business owners fall into this trap. They think delegating means losing control. They believe nobody else can do things “the right way.” They convince themselves they’re saving money by handling everything in-house. 

Research shows that 72% of business owners report feeling overwhelmed by their daily responsibilities, yet 75% have limited-to-low levels of delegator talent. But you can’t build something meaningful while running on empty. 

When Life Forces Your Hand 

During recovery, I kept asking myself, “What am I actually building here? Who am I serving? How can I truly leave the world better than I found it and build genuine connections along the way?” 

The daily grind had blinded me to these fundamental questions. I was so busy managing tasks and hitting deadlines that the bigger picture got cloudy at times. 

As I wrote about in my previous article on post-diagnosis chaos, the isolation during my recovery made me realize how much I had sacrificed meaningful relationships for the illusion of control. 

The Support That Makes All the Difference 

Today, my life looks completely different. I have people around me who genuinely care about my success and wellbeing. Mark and I work together on things that will have a generational impact through HireSmart Cares. 

But here’s what really matters for you: You don’t need a health crisis to make these changes. 

Research from Gallup shows that CEOs with high delegator talent generated 33% greater revenue than those with limited delegation skills. This is exactly why our clients see such transformational results when they partner with HireSmart Virtual Employees. They don’t just get task completion. They get reliable support that functions like an extension of their team. 

Make Room for What’s Meaningful 

I want you to think about the last time you had a real conversation with someone you care about. Not a quick check-in between meetings, but an actual conversation where you were fully present. 

When was the last time you felt genuinely connected to the people in your life? When did you last feel like you had time to breathe, to enjoy a meal, to appreciate what you’ve built? 

If you’re struggling to answer these questions, I can relate. I’ve been there! But you also don’t have to stay stuck there. 

That’s why I’m in the “give-you-back-your-time” business. I want to help business owners build stronger companies, yes, of course. But I also want them to live their lives to the fullest. Global hiring is a form of leverage that helps you do that. We can help you find great office talent at a discount, enabling you to build a team that can take on time-consuming tasks, allowing you to focus on what’s most important. I’ve spent over a decade helping clients make those connections. 

“John was given an opportunity a year ago to switch roles completely and take on a brand-new challenge, and he has overly exceeded our expectations,” said a client about their HireSmart VE. “He was hired to be a maintenance coordinator for our property management company, and a few months in, he was identified by leadership to have incredible problem-solving acumen and a keen attention to detail. We offered him a transition to an accounting assistant position, and he did not hesitate to take it on. He has overcome so many challenges and obstacles in this role as his supervisor changed a couple of times and our processes changed. He’s a great team player and always volunteers to do special projects and does not back down from the tough stuff. We love having John on board and specifically in this role that he is such a good fit for.” 

The Real Cost of Control

Understand that every task you refuse to delegate costs you something more valuable than money. It costs you focus, energy, and the ability to think strategically about your business future. 

My cancer taught me that time isn’t unlimited, and neither is your capacity to handle everything personally. The business owners who thrive understand this. They invest in proven systems that free them to do what they do best. 

When you’re constantly in the weeds, you miss opportunities to improve efficiency and scale your operations. You become a bottleneck in your own business growth. 

Your Next Step 

Don’t wait for a wake-up call to start building the support system your business needs. The relief you’ll feel when you have someone truly reliable handling your daily operations is transformational. 

“Jimly is helpful, flexible, hardworking and understanding,” said a client about their HireSmart VE. “Every day, her attitude and overall performance is outstanding. She surprises me more each day with her ability to follow orders and execute them with great precision. I truly feel like the caliber of worker she is, you only meet once in a great while.” 

The key is finding the right people who can grow with your business and become genuine partners in your success. We’re here when you’re ready to stop doing it all on your own. 

Click here to schedule a free consultation about how a HireSmart VE can give you back the time and energy you need to focus on what matters most.