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!

Airbnb cleaning service Arlington Heights ..
In The News:

Inversion Space unveils Arc, a reusable reentry vehicle that can deliver up to 500 pounds of cargo from orbit to anywhere on Earth in under an hour.
Red flags like processing fees, urgent countdowns and requests for full Social Security numbers expose fraudulent settlement sites targeting consumers.
Comprehensive analysis of Google Maps, Waze and Apple Maps examines usability, routing accuracy, data handling and features across the top navigation platforms.
Expert analysis reveals whether wired Ethernet or wireless Wi-Fi connections are safer for home internet use, plus practical steps to secure your network from attackers.
Australian construction robot Charlotte uses sand, crushed brick and recycled glass to 3D print fireproof, floodproof homes with reduced carbon footprint.
Cybercriminals are using fake invitation emails to trick recipients into downloading malware and stealing personal information and data.
Flying drones could help retailers fight a 93% increase in theft rates as Flock Safety promotes airborne security systems to track suspects and deter crime.
The Fox News Artificial Intelligence Newsletter brings you the latest news on the emerging technology every Saturday, highlighting top stories.
Hacker group Radiant stole data from 8,000 children at Kido nursery chain, demanding ransom and directly contacting parents with intimidation tactics.
As 18 states implement bell-to-bell cell phone bans, creative students use Google Docs, iMessage on MacBooks and Post-It notes to stay connected in class.
A sheriff's captain says deputies often spend hours writing reports between calls, but Axon's AI program, Draft One, helps them save crucial time in the field.
Sora 2, OpenAI's new video-generation app, can create AI-generated videos based on a singular prompt. The results are both mind-blowing and terrifying.
iPhone and Android users can reduce Wi-Fi calling battery drainage through settings adjustments, background app limits and stronger Wi-Fi connections.
Work email scams are becoming harder to detect as criminals use AI and spoofed addresses to trick employees into opening malicious attachments and links.
From her Arizona living room, Christina Chapman ran a covert hub that helped North Korean operatives infiltrate U.S. firms, netting $17 million in stolen salaries.
UC Santa Barbara researchers developed a soft robotic intubation system that achieved 100% success rates for experts and 96% for paramedics with minimal training.
Scammers exploit probate filings to target grieving families with fake fees and debts, Kurt "Cyberguy" Knutsson reports.
Automotive giant Stellantis becomes latest victim of widespread Salesforce breaches affecting companies like Google, Cisco and Adidas this year.
A woman from Washington reunited with her missing Maine Coon cat Louie after 11 days using Love Lost, a free AI-powered pet recovery platform.
Expert cybersecurity tips help Mac owners remove malware infections and strengthen defenses with antivirus software, password managers and system updates.
Meta's AI chatbot training rules bans sexual roleplay with minors and block access to child abuse material as regulators scrutinize its safety measures.
Online banking users face a new threat: web injection scams that overlay fake pop-ups to steal logins. Here’s how to spot them and protect your accounts.
Meta introduced Teen Accounts to Facebook and Messenger while launching a School Partnership Program for U.S. educators to report bullying within 48 hours.
Executive order signed by President Donald Trump tasks Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s MAHA Commission with using AI to find new cures for childhood cancers.
New FileFix attack tricks Facebook and Instagram users into running malicious PowerShell commands disguised as Meta account maintenance to deploy StealC infostealer.

Plan Your Day and Stick to Your Plan

How many times have you remarked to someone that there... Read More

How Much Is Poor Time Management Costing You?

* If you were paying you to prioritise emails over... Read More

Sharpen The Saw

Sometime ago, my lovely wife woke me up in the... Read More

Effective Email and Verses Voicemail

Time management consultant Stephen Young claims that the average time... Read More

Linking Purpose To Everyday Behaviors

How do you know what's the best use of your... Read More

Pacing Yourself Through Change

OK...let's assume that you're truly motivated to change. Great. But... Read More

Balancing Your Work, Family and Social Life

Balancing Your Work, Family and Social Life... Read More

How to Double Your Accomplishment Level

Here's a smart system for doubling or tripling your daily... Read More

Do You Put a Value on Your Time?

As a small business owner, does the following paragraph sound... Read More

How To Manage Your Time

I would like to touch upon a subject that it... Read More

Time Management: How to Make Your Meetings More Productive

In most organizations, meetings are often the biggest time-wasters. With... Read More

Time Management: A Non-Renewable Resource

Benjamin Franklin wrote: "If you want to enjoy one of... Read More

Creative Leadership; Inspirational Power ( Part 2 )

Time management is absolute crucial nowadays where business decisions have... Read More

7 Tips for Being Your Best Time Master

It is not enough if you are busy. The question... Read More

First Things Last

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

Are You Running Out of Time?

Here's some time management tips to try:1) Set strict office... Read More

Get More Done at Your Office: Focus on These Eight Areas for Increased Productivity

Your productivity depends on good tools and effective environments, and... Read More

7 Reasons to Take Breaks at Work

My job in Chicago began with three months of probation.I... Read More

Time Well Spent

It is common knowledge that creating and living according to... Read More

Are You Watching Too Much TV?

Many folks tell me that they just don't have time... Read More

10 Time-Saving Calendar & Scheduling Tips

Nowhere is the line drawn more clearly between 'Industrial brains'... Read More

Creating A Not-To-Do List

When I sit down with a client to work on... Read More

What Are You Thinking?

What would be your reaction if someone said to you... Read More

Do You Have The Time?

Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number... Read More

Measure Your Time Against Active Inactivity

We don't realize many things we do until we draw... Read More

reliable maid service Winnetka ..