When to Push Through and When to Delegate in Your Handmade Business
As a handmade seller, there’s always a lot on your plate. Between creating products, managing marketing, handling customer service, and making decisions, it’s normal to wonder whether you’re doing the right thing. Over the years, I've found that when I’m in a groove, everything flows. It’s that magical space where you know you're on the right path, and things are just clicking. But when I hit resistance or feel stuck, that’s my cue to stop and assess.
Here’s the thing: resistance is not always a sign to give up, but it can be a signal that something’s off—maybe the task needs to be handled differently, or it’s time to delegate. How do you know the difference? Let’s break it down.
1. Flow vs. Resistance: Understanding the Signs
When things are flowing, you feel productive and energized. You get into a rhythm, and progress feels effortless. For me, it’s like hitting a creative stride—whether I’m working on new product designs or writing copy for my website, everything just seems to come together naturally.
But when resistance shows up, I start asking myself: Why?
Is the task something I enjoy?If it’s something I love, like creating a new product or engaging with my customers, resistance might be a sign of perfectionism creeping in. It’s my cue to push through and keep going.
Is the task necessary but not in my zone of genius?On the flip side, if it’s something like accounting or managing detailed inventory reports, I question whether I should even be doing it. Maybe it’s time to delegate that task to someone who excels in it.
Tip: Next time you feel stuck, pause and ask yourself these questions. If it’s something you love, give yourself permission to push through. If it’s not your strength, start thinking about delegating.
2. Know When to Delegate
Delegating is essential for growth. You can’t do everything yourself—nor should you try. I used to resist delegation because I wanted everything to be perfect. But over time, I realized that holding onto tasks I wasn’t good at (or didn’t enjoy) was slowing down my business.
Here’s how to know if it’s time to delegate:
You dread doing the task.If you find yourself procrastinating or feeling anxious about doing something, that’s a clear sign. Delegate it to someone else so you can focus on what you do best.
It’s outside your expertise.For example, when I first started with social media marketing, I struggled to keep up with content creation. Eventually, I brought in help, and now my social media flows effortlessly. A good rule of thumb is: if someone else can do it better, faster, or more efficiently—delegate.
It’s taking up too much time.Time is money. If you’re spending hours on something that could be done by someone else in a fraction of the time, that’s a huge indicator it’s time to outsource.
Real-World Example:I used to spend so much time editing photos for my product listings. It wasn’t my strength, and it took forever. Once I handed this task off to a professional, not only did my images look better, but I had more time to focus on new product development—my real zone of genius.
3. Push Through or Pivot?
Sometimes, resistance just means you need to push through. Perfectionism, fear of failure, or feeling overwhelmed can cause hesitation. When this happens, I remind myself that done is better than perfect. Perfection can paralyze you, so instead of aiming for perfect, aim for progress.
Other times, resistance is a signal that it’s time to pivot. Maybe the project isn’t aligned with your long-term goals, or you’re taking on too much at once. That’s when it’s important to reassess.
Here’s a trick I use: Set a time limit.If I’ve been pushing through something for a while without much success, I give myself a set amount of time to either make progress or decide whether it’s time to delegate or pivot.
4. Helpful Tools to Keep You Focused
Project Management Tools: Tools like Asana or Trello help me break down larger projects into smaller tasks, making them more manageable and less overwhelming.
Time Blocking: I use time blocking to focus on one task at a time. This keeps me in flow and prevents me from bouncing between projects, which is a huge productivity killer.
Daily Check-Ins: Whether it’s with a business coach or just a self-reflection at the end of the day, I ask myself: Did I work in my zone of genius today? If not, how can I adjust?
Conclusion: Trust Your Gut and Stay Flexible
Ultimately, knowing if you’re doing the right thing boils down to trusting your intuition and being flexible. If something flows, keep going. If you’re facing resistance, ask yourself why. Should you push through, or is it time to delegate? You’ll find that by letting go of what’s not working, you’ll make room for more creativity, productivity, and success in your handmade business.
Feeling stuck? Take a break, reassess, and decide whether it’s time to push through or delegate!
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