Save Your Time - Delegate!

Frustration is when an obstacle blocks your ability to achieve a goal. You know it is still possible to achieve it, but you just have no idea how.

Often the obstacle blocking a clear path to the successful completion of a goal is our own knowledge. The trouble is, we just don't know what we don't know.

One weekend, I set myself a project of downloading and installing some fairly complicated weblog publishing software. Getting started was easy, but soon it became apparent to me that my lack of knowledge in that area was causing me problems. I had neither knowledge or experience with running cgi-scripts. Twelve hours later I was still no closer to completing this arduous task - all I had accomplished was discovering a few ways that didn't work. Finally, with assistance froim my friends, I got it up and running. Total time? 22 hours. Not bad for something that I thought would take me an hour or so.

So the question is, if we don't know what we don't know, how can we plan for it?

The truth is, we can't.

But we can do some other things. We can either:

  • learn how to fix the problem ourselves (which will probably result in much wasted time)
  • ask for help (from people with more experience and/or more knowledge)
  • delegate it to someone else who has more experience and/or knowledge

That all sounds obvious. Yet I know people, who after ten years of working on a project, are still struggling with exactly the same obstacles because they are too stubborn to ask for help. It has chewed away at their self-esteem and stopped them from achieving success in other areas.

I could have paid to get the software working for around $40. So working for 22 hours gave me less than $2 an hour output.

The moral of the story? If you are about to do something new, decide beforehand how much time you are willing to put into it if an obstacle arises. If you value your time, and it is not an essential skill to learn, swallow your pride and ask someone else to do it.

You can waste a lot of time trying to master something you are not very good at. Learn to delegate properly, to the right person with the right skills.

(C) Copyright Petra Rankin 2005

Petra Rankin used powerful techniques to beat her own long-term depression. She is now dedicated to teaching others how to be happier and lead more successful lives. Her first book fast track your success and happiness is due to be launched in September 2005 and is currently available for download as a fast track your success and happiness instead of paying $19.95. Limited time only!

maid service near Lake Forest ..
In The News:

New phishing platform QRR targets Microsoft 365 users across 1,000 domains in 90 countries. Learn how to spot fake login pages and protect your accounts.
OpenTable now uses AI to track your dining habits and share insights with restaurants. Learn what data they collect and how to protect your privacy.
Google's discontinued Nest thermostats still secretly upload home data to company servers despite losing smart features, raising serious privacy concerns.
New Android malware NGate steals NFC payment codes in real-time, allowing criminals to withdraw cash from ATMs without your card. Learn protection tips.
DoorDash confirms data breach exposing customer names, emails, addresses after social engineering attack. Learn how to protect yourself from scams.
Concerned about Google's AI scanning your Gmail? Learn how to disable Gemini features that access your emails, Drive files and Chat messages for privacy.
Google warns Android users about dangerous fake VPN apps hiding malware that steals passwords, banking details and personal data from phones and tablets.
Apple's digital passport feature lets iPhone users breeze through TSA checkpoints this holiday season using Digital ID technology at 250+ airports.
A new phishing scam targets family photos with fake "Cloud Storage Full" alerts. Criminals steal credit card information through fake sites. Learn protection tips.
South Korean scientists create ultra-thin fabric muscles that turn clothes into robotic assistants, lifting 33 pounds while weighing under half an ounce.
Archer Aviation has acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch an LA air taxi network ahead of the 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Fake AI apps disguised as "ChatGPT" and "DALLĀ·E" are flooding app stores with dangerous malware that steals data and monitors users without detection.
Fake buyers demand specific vehicle reports from unknown sites to steal credit card information from car sellers, but warning signs can help identify these scams before paying.
Android users can now manage apps across multiple devices more easily with Google Play Store's updated remote uninstall button in the latest update.
NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.
Holiday scams spike during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as criminals exploit your leaked personal data. Learn how to protect yourself from fake stores and phishing.
Commerce Department proposes TP-Link router ban over Chinese security risks. Learn how this potential prohibition could affect your home network and devices.
Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach affecting 2,000 current and former employees, exposing names, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.
Washington court rules automated license plate reader images are public records, even when stored by vendors like Flock Safety, setting precedent for transparency.
Fake airline texts claiming flight cancellations are targeting travelers with convincing scams. Learn how cybercriminals steal personal data and credit card info.
Discover how iOS 26's new Adaptive Power feature automatically extends iPhone battery life by learning your usage patterns and adjusting performance intelligently.
New TikTok malware campaign tricks users into running PowerShell commands that download Aura Stealer, which steals credentials and authentication tokens.
Gaia Family offers fixed upfront pricing for IVF cycles with unlimited embryo transfers and financial protection, partnering with over 100 U.S. fertility clinics.
The Jetsons Act aims to position Pennsylvania as a leader in advanced air mobility by establishing regulations for hybrid ground-air vehicles.

Everythings Blurry Except For You

Riding the subway home yesterday, my typically silent car was... Read More

Talkin About Chicken

Yesterday, I'd just gotten comfortable at my favorite table in... Read More

Time Management

Does it ever feel like there is never enough time... Read More

Giving Up the Cape

"I find it interesting that the very cape I tried... Read More

Time Management Is Key

Having a home based business can be overwhelming. When you... Read More

Put Yourself First

Are you too busy to put yourself first? If a... Read More

The Power of 90 Seconds

You can use the Power of 90 Seconds to transform... Read More

Making More Efficient Use of Your Time

You can lose, damage or waste some things in life,... Read More

TIME, The Undervalued Resource

We are all born equal! We all have the same... Read More

Biggest Time Management Mistake

The biggest time management mistake you can ever make is... Read More

Being Busy Does Not Equal Being Productive

How many people do you know who are so busy... Read More

Four Simple Ways To Take Control Of Your Time And Your Life

It's been said, "That no one has enough time yet,... Read More

3 Ways To Do More With Less Time

We live in a world where more is expected of... Read More

Time: Do You Spend it or Invest it?

Time is our greatest and most precious asset. Time is... Read More

Organization Tips That Add More Hours To Your Day

One of the most common complaints that small business owners... Read More

First Things Last

Years ago clients would tell me they could not identify... Read More

Are You Really Swamped or Just Disorganized

"Time is what we need the most and what we... Read More

Time Management

Isn't it amazing that some people can produce huge results... Read More

Sprint Through Your Workday, Even if Youre a Marathoner

Whenever you have projects that can't be done in one... Read More

Are You Always Late?

"Fashionably late" is no longer in fashion. In today's heavily... Read More

10 Tips on the Right Time of Day for Your Personal Best

Does choosing which time we do an activity really make... Read More

Work at Home Moms: Time Management Tips

"How do you DO it?!" If I had a dime... Read More

Prioritize with Two Questions

"Because there will always be something more to do, we... Read More

Time Management Basics

"At my back I always hear time's winged chariot hurrying... Read More

The Laundry Has Never Been More Fun Or The Pitfalls To Working At Home

As a home-based, self-employed woman, mundane tasks can be as... Read More

top rated cleaning service Des Plaines ..