How to Stop Doing Everything Yourself (Without Hiring Right Away)
If you’re the founder, the operator, the marketer, the support team—and maybe even the barista—you’re not alone.
Most digital founders spend way too long doing everything themselves, not because they love it, but because hiring feels like a huge leap.
But here’s the truth: you can stop doing everything yourself before you hire anyone.
It starts with systems.
Simple ones. Repeatable ones. Ones that free up your time now, and help you delegate later.
Here’s how to start lightening your load without adding to payroll.
First: Why You’re Still Doing It All
If you’ve ever thought:
“It’s faster if I just do it myself.”
“I don’t have time to train someone.”
“It’s not that hard, I can just get it done.”
“I can’t afford help yet.”
You’re not wrong. But here’s the catch: Those tasks add up. They steal your time and focus. And they keep you stuck in the weeds.
The solution isn’t a full-time team. It’s building systems that take work off your plate, now.
1. Document the Repeats
Start with this question: What are 3 things I do every week that could be turned into a checklist or template?
Examples:
Publishing a blog post or newsletter
Scheduling social posts
Replying to client inquiries
Setting up a new customer or product
Write down the steps once. That’s your starter SOP. Even if you’re the only one using it, you’ll save time and future-you will thank you.
2. Automate the Easy Wins
No Zapier wizardry required. Look for the low-effort automations:
Use a tool like Calendly for scheduling (with reminders)
Set up saved email responses in Gmail or Superhuman
Create reusable Notion or Google Docs templates
Link your payment form to a welcome email (Stripe → ConvertKit, etc.)
Pro tip: Ask yourself, “What do I copy-paste the most?” That’s your automation cue.
3. Batch Instead of Bounce
One of the fastest ways to reclaim time (without a team) is to batch your tasks.
Try this:
Set one day a month for content writing
Block out a weekly CEO hour for planning and reviewing
Respond to inquiries in a fixed window—not all day long
Bouncing between tasks creates decision fatigue. Batched tasks = calmer brain + better output.
4. Use Tools Like a Team
Treat your software like a support crew. Seriously. They’re not just platforms—they’re placeholders for help. Use Notion as your project manager. Use Asana as your brain dump. Use your CRM as your follow-up assistant.
Set them up like someone else will use them—because one day, they will.
5. Let Go of Perfect (and Delegate Anyway)
You don’t need to hand off everything at once. But you do need to start trusting someone (or something) with part of your process.
Try this:
Hire a VA for 5 hours/month to schedule content or format blog posts
Ask a friend or partner to test your SOPs
Use a Build Day to get your systems sorted before bringing on help
Delegation isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress.
And the earlier you start, the faster you grow.
TL;DR: You Don’t Need a Team to Work Like One
If your business still runs entirely on your time and memory—it’s time to pause and systemise.
The best part?
Once your systems are in place, hiring becomes so much easier. You’ll know what to hand off, how to train, and what tools to use because the foundation is already there.
Ready to Stop Doing It All Yourself? Whether you’re building SOPs, setting up automations, or just trying to get your brain out of “doer” mode—I’ve got you. Download the Clone Yourself Starter Kit or Take the Scale Readiness Quiz to see where to start
