One of the hidden perks of raising six children is the learning laboratory it provides for the parents. My wife and I have learned how important it is to teach our children to do things for themselves and become problem solvers. There isn't enough time to do it any other way with a house full of children. Learning how to tie your shoes, make a telephone call and solve for two unknowns in an algebraic equation are examples of goals society sets for children. Undeniably, do it yourself skills are important for all of us to acquire.
As we mature, we get comfortable with the fact that doing it ourselves will save time, create a feeling of accomplishment and definitely save money. We do it yourselfers develop a feeling that the control of doing it ourselves will also lead to a job well done. How many times have you heard, "If you want it done right the first time, do it yourself."
What parents intend to be a lifelong asset of independence for their children can later be a lifelong hindrance on their financial growth, however. I notice that D-I-Y is a curse at times.
We become so accustomed at doing everything, that we spend all of our time doing everything.
Unfortunately, this leaves little time for doing the few things we do best. I can prepare my own income taxes, but I gave up the preparation part many years ago. The money spent to hire a professional freed up time to do more productive things in my businesses. I know the basics of how a website is created and how to transfer html coded pages for uploading, but I hire out that service, too. I understand how the stock market works and how to analyze the performance of a stock, but I use a financial consultant to help me with my investments since I just don't have the time to do it all.
Many small business owners started their own businesses as "solopreneurs" and got comfortable with being a do it yourselfer. Operating as one-man bands, they are destined to be soloists the rest of their business careers unless they ask for help.
When they are ready, they may choose to seek help with bookkeeping, marketing or planning. They will just say help with hiring, payroll or product development. Focusing on what they do best will cause them to ask for help with sales, pricing or maintenance.
The paradox of being self sufficient and asking for help is hard to handle. When we do it yourselfers wrestle with the temptation to be jacks-of-all-trades and pin it to the mat, we will be able to grow in our business and personal lives.
Next time you have the urge to do everything yourself in your business, think about the Spandex Rule: Just because you can doesn't mean you should.
Doug Emerson trains consults and coaches business owners on how to make more profit in less time using 8 key strategies. He writes a free electronic newsletter about the business of life called Getting to the Point. Free subscription available at the homepage. http://www.douglasemerson.com
The Customer Analysis section of the business plan assesses the... Read More
You know what makes me really happy? Drinking a Starbucks... Read More
The FTC Franchise Rule maybe changed, as the Federal trade... Read More
I started working with another new client last week. He... Read More
Why should you do informative talks to smaller groups?Informative talks... Read More
The current lack of industry leaders represents an exceptional opportunity... Read More
COLLABORATIVE NEGOTIATING:Collaborative negotiating is a win-win strategy that can focus... Read More
A few years ago, I visited Beijing for the first... Read More
If you own a Pressure Washing Company and wish to... Read More
The Federal Trade Commission is assisting competitor to cheat and... Read More
Pity parties are nothing new. In fact, we do it... Read More
Q: A friend told me that as a woman of... Read More
The Franchise Group at the Federal Trade Commission in all... Read More
Here's why 'WHY' is such a profit-making marketing trigger."Stop taking... Read More
It is essential that you fully understand how the fuel... Read More
Q: I have outgrown my home office and need to... Read More
You're a small business owner with a hot new product... Read More
TRUTH IN THE LAWN MOWING INDUSTRYWe do not wish to... Read More
The day care industry is expanding. There are now more... Read More
When deciding to host a fundraiser for your company or... Read More
Most business owners know when they need an accountant, but... Read More
In the Truck Washing Business every single type of vehicle... Read More
Remember the cleaning business is all about time ratio to... Read More
As a practise gets larger & larger the associated problems... Read More
Owning a business is a challenging endeavor. If you're like... Read More
Most smart entrepreneurs and all large corporations have Employee Relations... Read More
And is having a logo really that important?My answer to... Read More
If you really want to earn more money with your... Read More
If you plan to upgrade your workshop into an Authorized... Read More
A consultant must remember that the business belongs to the... Read More
No matter type of business you operate you've got to... Read More
"The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing... Read More
If you ask most small business owners what priority CRM... Read More
It seems so long ago that I started my first... Read More
An observation while returning home from a seminar: Getting away... Read More
-- The One Pager Shortcut Series --An effective and compelling... Read More
Franchising companies often use Business Broker to help attain sales... Read More
"The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing... Read More
While there are few career paths that some would call... Read More
Articles abound advising the business community how to properly screen... Read More
If you discovered the bottom line in your business depended... Read More
Someone new to business ownership recently told me, "Before I... Read More
Is your business making money? Would you know?Figuring out whether... Read More
A consultant must remember that the business belongs to the... Read More
Think of your business as a living, breathing, organism. It... Read More
Every business plan book tells you how the Executive Summary... Read More
At first blush this idea might be difficult to wrap... Read More
Don't let your customer satisfaction research initiative collect dust on... Read More
Every home business has the same problem of how to... Read More
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a... Read More
Do you spend every waking minute in your business? Do... Read More
The last time I spoke and went into a bit... Read More
The less a business pays for goods and services the... Read More
If you are looking for a franchise opportunity, the choice... Read More
One of the major complaints in the QSR Quick Service-Fast... Read More
Have you ever heard the phrase, 'PREPONDERANCE OF PROOF'?I recently... Read More
Most small business owners seek advisors who can help them... Read More
$elling $elling $ellingWhat makes a great sales person? Well, the... Read More
The start of a new year is a time for... Read More
If you interviewed business owners of failed businesses, a majority... Read More
Running a small business requires many skills. However, to do... Read More
Before you start a business we encourage you to prepare... Read More
A successful joint venture marketing effort is the goal of... Read More
TACTIC #1 -- Never simply slash your prices, unless you're... Read More
Outsourcing is the strategic use of outside resources to perform... Read More
Most doctors never distinguish the difference between customers and patients.... Read More
Small Business |