Tips on delegating tasks at home
If you find your work life to be a lot less hectic than your home life, you’re not alone. In fact, the discrepancy was so vast that it inspired husband-and-wife duo Caitlin and Andrew Friedman to pen their self-help book, “Family Inc.: Office-Inspired Solutions to Reduce the Chaos in Your Home (and Save Your Sanity!)” about how to institute the time-saving tactics you use at work in your home.
Here, the two share their advice on how to best delegate responsibilities among family members.
1. Choose the tasks that you are going to delegate.
Pull out the weekly to-do list, as well as the short- and long-term goals, and see what you can thoughtfully pass along. Consider your partner a resource and when you need the support, think about how you can use the time that you are already paying someone for and discuss the opportunities for your children to jump in and help out.
2. Really think about the right person to do the task.
“I am better at making dinner for the kids,” you may think. You most likely can do it faster, but so what? If you are doing more than your share, then how much time are you really saving at the end of the day? Wouldn’t it be better to let go of some of your list to free up some of your time? Anyone can get better at something if he or she puts in the effort, so give your family, your employees or your friends the chance to help you and improve their skills.
3. Be available the first time your partner does the task so you can answer questions or help if they need it.
You can actually show someone how you want something done. If they don’t follow your directions, then retrain them. Consider giving them a reason as to why you have a preference for how it gets done; it will be easier for them to remember when there is a reason attached.
4. Give positive feedback and show your appreciation.
Accept that people aren’t exactly like you and will approach tasks differently than you would. Let them. Thank them. Remember, if you delegate well, then you will end up with more support, more time and a group of people who want to help you.
5. Take the time to explain the task and make sure that you have supplied them with all of the tools, equipment and information they need to do the job.
It may take forever to explain how to do anything the first time, but once you take the time to train your partner, mother-in-law, daughter or sitter how to do something around the house, you’re done.
