Outsourcing, and not trying to do it all
I don’t know if you can tell from this photo, but I’m really exhausted.
I haven’t had a solid night’s sleep since 1949, or at least that’s what it feels like. I woke up with eyes so puffy that I think the bags and dark circles have just all combined. It’s a hot mess kind of look and I’m tying to work it.
How am I doing?
Being tired is not new, I’m not the first and I won’t be the last woman trying to do it all. A senior management day job, running a small business, volunteering for a professional body, raising two happy and healthy fur-kids and generally trying to keep my shit together. I’m not the first. I know. But christ some days it’s hard work!
Repeat after me, it’s ok to admit that you can’t do EVERYTHING yourself! [Tweet this]
Which brings me to the point of this post, trying to do all that and not go mental has meant that something had to give. The easiest place to start, for me, was to outsource a little bit of walking my dogs.
I hit up my best friend google for some ideas and as eventually I noticed that many dog walkers (out of practicality) limited themselves by suburbs they could serve I typed in ‘dog walking Melbourne’ as I live on the city fringe. Lo and behold, there is a business called Dog Walking Melbourne and they dealt exclusively with my area. I made an enquiry and we arranged a meet and greet to make sure everyone liked each other and talk about the practicalities like keys, walks, food and payment. I don’t know about you, but I never seem to have cash in my wallet to leave out each week so I just pay online a month in advance. Dog Walking Melbourne is run by ex-nurse Beth, and her partner Cath. The process is simple and runs so smoothly, we just leave each other notes each week; me saying hello and letting Cath know if there is anything to be aware of this week (what treats they can have, or if she needs to leave a light on please as I’ll be late home) and she leaves me the cutest notes on what they all got up to. It’s truly the most adorable part of my week!
Why do I love outsourcing this?
It’s a win-win for me, I know that my dogs are being cared for by uber reliable, responsible professionals and once a week I know that they are getting a run off-lead in the park that I can’t give them and I don’t have to rush home to walk them (they’re indoor dogs, for now). This also allows me to plan mid-week social outings around this and soon I will add that as a night for yoga. What I also appreciate about Cath is the little things she does that I’ve never asked her to do. She brings my bins in off the street after the rubbish has been collected, puts the mail on the kitchen bench and if she feeds them for me from food I’ve left in the fridge she rinses the bowl. Might seem like nothing, but for me it’s a few less things that I need to do myself and I know she’d water plants or do something else minor if I asked. Or had any plants! I secretly think that Cath is smitten with my two dogs, and they certainly adore her!
Outsourcing the dog walking just once a week has made such a difference to my life that I’m constantly thinking of what else I can get help with so that I have more time to do things I want or need to do. A cleaner is high on that list…
So, over to you…
What about you, what would you like to stop doing? What have you outsourced in your life? How did that make you feel? I’d love to hear your thoughts below or feel free to share this with a girlfriend who needs a nudge to outsource something to improve her quality of life.
Latest posts by Louise (see all)
- Why the unicorn obsession? - January 1, 1970
- 5 creative ways to love your customers - January 1, 1970
- Thank you challenge part 2 - January 1, 1970
- Inspired, with jazz hands!
- Motivated, like riding a unicorn!
- Like I need a nap
- Indifferent, like butter vs margarine
- Less words, more pictures/ interpretive dance
Follow me on Facebook hereJoin my conversation on Twitter hereCome pin with me on Pinterest here
Couldn’t agree more Louise. The primary benefit is of course freeing you up to spend more time either on the business or for social interaction, but there are others as well. You get to support other small businesses in the community!
Here’s a few that we use:
Lawn mowing. I’d rather get to spend those two hours taking the kids to the park.
House cleaning. Our most hated job, so once a fortnight everything shines again.
Dog wash. They come to our house with a big trailer setup. I have never been able to get our dog that clean and fluffy (she’s a Shepherd cross with a very wiry coat), plus they warm the water – I think it’s cruel to wash her in winter otherwise.
Josh M recently posted..A bit of fun…
I totally forgot about dog grooming! I’m more than happy to pay someone else for that!! Also car washing, christ I hate doing that too! Can understand you with the cleaning & mowing in your busy household. Good for you!