How to Know What to Outsource First (Before You Hire Anyone)
Most hiring advice skips the part that actually matters most: figuring out what you're going to hand off.
You can write the perfect job post and find a great candidate — but if you don't know what you're delegating, the whole thing falls apart pretty fast. I've seen it happen with clients, and honestly, I've lived it myself.
When I was ready to get help in my business, I sat down to make a list of tasks to outsource and completely froze. I wanted to delegate. I just had no idea where to start.
So I built a framework. And that's what I'm sharing with you today.
Either keep reading or watch the video below:
Step 1: Brain Dump Every Task You Do
Before you can hand anything off, you need to know what's actually on your plate.
Set aside some time and write down everything you do in your business. Not just the obvious things — the small stuff too. Responding to emails, scheduling social posts, following up with leads, updating your website, filing receipts. All of it.
If you can't remember everything in one sitting (most people can't), spend a few days jotting things down as you do them. Go about your normal workday and add to the list in real time.
If you use a tool like Asana, this step is even easier — a lot of your recurring tasks are probably already in there.
The goal is simple: get everything out of your head and into one place.
Step 2: Sort Into Keep vs. Delegate
Now go through your list and ask yourself one question for each task: does this have to be me?
If yes — it stays with you. Your actual client work, your creative direction, the decisions only you can make.
If no — it goes on your delegate list.
Three questions that help when you're not sure:
Am I actually good at this, or am I just the one who's always done it?
Is this taking way more of my time than it should?
Could someone else handle this just as well?
A lot of us hold onto tasks out of habit, not necessity. This step is about getting honest about which is which.
Step 3: Rate Your Delegate List 1, 2, or 3
Here's where most people get stuck: they have a delegate list but have no idea where to start.
Go through your delegate list and give each task a number:
1 = most urgent to get off your plate. It's draining you or taking way too long.
2 = important, but you could manage a bit longer if needed.
3 = can wait — nice to hand off eventually, but not urgent.
When you're done, pull out all your 1s. That's your outsourcing list. That's what your first hire focuses on.
The 2s and 3s stay on your radar for later. As things get running smoothly, you can start adding more.
This keeps you from trying to hand off everything at once, which honestly sets everyone up to fail — including you.
Ready to Actually Go Hire Someone?
This framework gets you clear on what to delegate. But once you have that list, you still need to find the right person.
If you want the full process — from task audit to job post to test task to offer — that's exactly what's inside The Stress-Free Hiring System for Entrepreneurs. It's a step-by-step course with every template already done for you.
