As you reflect on this year’s wins and challenges, do you feel like you spent more time working in your business than on it? If you’re consistently pulled away from revenue-generating activities, it might be time to grow your team. But how do you know when to take that next step?
Think of your business like a thriving garden. The seeds you plant—your revenue-generating activities—need care, attention, and focus. Just like in a garden, if you’re not spending at least 60% of your time nurturing these seeds, your business growth will slow.
Many business owners, especially realtors and solo entrepreneurs, can easily get caught up in the “weeds”—customer service, administrative tasks, managing details. These tasks are crucial, but if they take up too much of your time, they can crowd out the space needed for income-generating work.
That’s where delegation comes in. Just as you wouldn’t expect a single plant to thrive if it had to handle both photosynthesis and weeding, you shouldn’t try to do it all alone. By bringing in the right help, you can free up your time to focus on the most important parts of growing your business.
So, how do you know who to bring into the garden, and what tasks they should take over?
Do a Time Audit: Spend one month tracking your time. Create a simple Excel sheet, planner page, or Google Doc, and record what you’re doing every hour of the day. Break it down into categories like admin, sales, marketing, customer service, and strategic planning.
At the end of the month, take a look: Are you spending 60-80% of your time on revenue-generating activities like meeting with clients, closing deals, or marketing? If not, it’s time to delegate. For example, if you’re spending hours each week responding to emails, consider hiring a Client Care specialist. If you’re bogged down with scheduling and admin work, a virtual assistant can take those tasks off your plate.
When it comes to adding to your team, remember this: if you have an authentic business—one that reflects your true values and mission—you’ll naturally attract the right people to join you. The right team members will share your vision and help nurture your business like an extended part of the garden, allowing both your team and business to thrive.
Remember, even the most well-tended garden benefits from help with the heavy lifting. By delegating the tasks that aren’t moving the needle, you can focus on what makes your business bloom—whether it’s negotiating contracts, growing your client base, or spending more time out in the field doing what you love.
Ready to Grow?
If you’re ready to delegate and focus on what matters most, Verdant Virtual Solutions is here to help so you can focus on planting the seeds of business growth. Whether it’s administrative services, onboarding new team members, or working through processes, I’d love to chat about how I can support your business.