Not sure about outsourcing in your motherhood journey? If you find yourself comparing your life to other moms who seem to have it all together, but you feel like you’re falling apart, it’s time to listen up and take some notes. The key to reclaiming your balance and unlocking your untapped potential lies in that one word: outsourcing. I’m here to challenge the culture of motherhood and show you that we can’t do it all.
Let’s face it, the pressure to handle everything on our own is immense. But it’s time to embrace the concept of outsourcing and take that hard step of removing some tasks from our overloaded plates.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into the how, the what, and the why of outsourcing, empowering you to reclaim your life and rediscover the freedom in motherhood, marriage, community, home, and business. So, stay tuned for all the insights and practical tips coming your way.
Listen below for the entire episode on The Systemize Your Life Podcast
Outsourcing: The Power of Why Every Mom Should Embrace It
Let me tell you why outsourcing is absolutely essential for every mom. Growing up, DIY was ingrained in my family’s culture, and I thought doing everything on my own was the norm. But as I entered my 30’s, I realized there’s another way – a more beneficial one. I challenged myself to focus on what I excel at and delegate the rest.
Around five years ago, I seriously started contemplating this shift, especially with my business. The idea that we can’t afford outsourcing is a misconception. You can get creative and find cost-effective solutions. The key takeaway here is to recognize that much of what you do might not be the best use of your time, talents, or energy. There are better things for you to focus on, and others would gladly handle the tasks you find mundane.
For instance, I found myself spending an hour at Walmart buying household items and realized this could be automated! It’s about understanding the value of your time and energy. Even if you enjoy certain activities, like grocery shopping, there are still areas that can be outsourced to free up more precious time.
The Key to Freedom and Thriving in Motherhood: Outsourcing
By outsourcing, you can focus on what matters most, do things well, and prevent feeling pulled in different directions.
“By outsourcing, you can focus on what matters most, do things well, and prevent feeling pulled in different directions.”
Your time as a mother, woman, and wife is valuable, and protecting it is essential. Therefore, embracing outsourcing will give you the freedom to thrive in all aspects of life without being overwhelmed.
Breaking Barriers: Understanding the Hesitancy to Outsource
Let’s talk about why we often resist asking for help and embracing outsourcing. I’ll be honest; I struggle with this too. It’s a deeply ingrained mindset that stems from women not being taught to be leaders in our culture.
Even though I’ve been a natural leader my whole life, I’ve faced the stereotype of being labeled as “bossy.” It’s frustrating because true leadership should be celebrated, not criticized. The challenge lies in breaking free from these societal norms and embracing the power of our own leadership!
I understand the fear and judgment that comes with delegating tasks, even within our own homes or relationships. It’s particularly challenging if you come from a family with rigid gender roles and traditional expectations. However, it’s essential to challenge these beliefs and empower ourselves to make choices that benefit our well-being and happiness.
Embracing outsourcing may feel daunting, especially if your community has certain norms about this, but remember that we are all part of the same culture of motherhood. Despite feeling scared, it’s crucial to recognize our own leadership abilities and give ourselves permission to seek help and create a better balance in our lives. Together, let’s break the barriers and become leaders!
Embracing Leadership and Outsourcing in Motherhood
The fear of stepping out of our traditional roles and embracing leadership ties directly into the concept of outsourcing in motherhood. It’s a fear ingrained in us by the cultural norms of motherhood, which often expect us to keep everything on our plate and wear it as a badge of honor, even when it’s overwhelming.
However, as mothers, we have the ability to lead our families and run our homes efficiently. Being a good leader means recognizing our strengths and the strengths of those around us. It’s about empowering others, no matter their age or experience, to contribute and support us in different tasks.
Embracing Collaboration and Delegation
In my journey, I’ve learned to stand shoulder to shoulder with my husband as leaders in our home. He challenged my strong feminist views, showing me that being a leader doesn’t mean giving up my strengths as a caregiver and homemaker. It means taking charge and doing those tasks with excellence, while also delegating and seeking support when needed.
Every person that you are leading in your home and in your community has a strength that they can be utilized for. You can outsource to them. You have to be strong enough in your role as the woman that is leading her ship in motherhood to be able to recognize that.
Outsourcing Step 1: Understanding What’s Needed to Run Your Household
Let’s explore the practical steps of starting outsourcing. By now, you should have your pen and paper ready to jot down some important notes. We’ve covered the “why,” and now it’s time to delve into the “how.” So, how do you actually begin outsourcing and taking charge of your ship?
First and foremost, you need to have a solid understanding of what your home requires to function smoothly. This means going beyond surface-level knowledge and really digging in. Identify areas that need better organization, emotional support, physical care, and financial management.
Take stock of the dynamics within your household – who needs what and where improvements are needed. It’s essential to recognize the state of your relationships, including your connection with your spouse and children. If you find yourself feeling disengaged, frustrated, or emotionally burdened, start journaling and taking inventory of what’s happening in each aspect of your life.
Starting Strong: Addressing Challenges First
A helpful way to approach this is to begin with the area that stands out as the most challenging or problematic. Addressing that first can lead to positive changes in other areas as well. Taking these steps will set you on the path to effective outsourcing and running your ship in a way that aligns with your values and priorities.
Outsourcing Step 2: Creating Efficient Systems and Routines for Your Home and Family
For step two, we dive into creating systems and routines in your home. This is where your creativity and leadership come into play for your family. Assess what systems are needed and identify areas where efficiency can be improved. Replace what’s not working with something that does and observe how your family responds.
Start logging this, literally. Take note of successful approaches and keep track of them in a journal or spreadsheet. Do it again. Did it work well again? Awesome! Do it again. You’re creating a routine that’s working.
Continuously refine your routines until you find what clicks seamlessly for your family. Don’t be discouraged if something doesn’t work initially; be open to trying different approaches until you discover the perfect fit
Outsourcing Step 3: Clear Communication – Sharing Your Systems and Routines
Now that you have identified the necessary systems and routines for your home, it’s time to focus on step three: clear communication. Effective leaders excel at communication, and it’s an important aspect of successful outsourcing in motherhood. Embrace the idea that you can become a better communicator by recognizing your strengths in different communication facets, such as listening, giving feedback, or expressing yourself openly.
If you feel hesitant or lack confidence in communication, encourage yourself with a positive mindset. Remind yourself of the areas in which you already excel and start practicing the aspects you want to improve.
Remember, every great leader has honed their communication skills, and you can do the same. For additional support and guidance on systems and effective leadership, join our FREE Facebook group. You’ll gain valuable insights to help you become a more effective leader in your motherhood journey.
Building Effective Communication Strategies
To ensure that your systems and routines continue to work, hold regular family meetings. Creating communication boards is another great idea.Utilize tools like Google Calendar to communicate with your husband about schedules and commitments. For the little ones, picture charts can be an excellent way to convey tasks and routines effectively! Remember to consider each child’s unique communication needs and adapt accordingly.
Clear communication is essential because without it, you may find yourself frustrated that your efforts aren’t being reciprocated. For instance, if you move the cereal from the top shelf to the bottom, communicate this change to avoid misunderstandings. People can’t read your mind, so express the positive changes you’re making for everyone’s benefit.
Extending grace is essential because, at times, we might expect others to understand our intentions without explicitly stating them. Be patient and understanding, recognizing that we all have different perspectives and don’t share the same thought processes. Understand that communication is the foundation of a successful home.
Outsourcing Step 4: Be Open to Feedback and Adapt Systems Accordingly
The fourth crucial step towards outsourcing is to be open to feedback. It’s essential to seek input from others in your home and consider their wants and needs. Don’t make rigid rules without taking their perspectives into account.
When we feel heard and valued, it motivates us to work harder and feel more liberated. So, be intentional about being open to feedback and be willing to make adjustments based on what others in your household require.
Now that you’ve mastered these four steps, you are ready to take the plunge into outsourcing and effectively run your ship!
Taking Responsibility: The Key to Effective Outsourcing
Are you considering paying a house cleaner to lighten your load? Okay, but it won’t fully address the feeling of being overwhelmed and never asking for help. To make a real change, take a step back and assess your life. Identify your burdens and struggles, no matter how simple they may seem, like going to Walmart. Understand that getting a house cleaner requires preparation; your home needs to be tidy for their arrival.
Outsourcing is not just about random people doing things for you; it’s about taking responsibility. That’s why I provided the four steps to guide you in the process. So, let’s break free from feeling overloaded and learn to seek the support we need.
Identifying Your Outsourcing Priorities: What to Start With
Now, let’s delve into the ‘what’ and find some real outsourcing solutions. Grab your pen and let’s move into the last block on your paper, discussing what you can begin outsourcing and where to start!
First, jot down the tasks you don’t enjoy doing. I will get into what I currently outsource in my home, which might give you some ideas. But the most important step for you is to create your own list of tasks you want to eliminate, regardless of budget concerns. Be creative, and remember that outsourcing doesn’t always have to be costly!
Sharing the Cooking Efforts
First on the list is cooking. While I do enjoy cooking and still do it frequently, I also outsource some of it to my 8-year-old daughter and my husband, who both pitch in and cook a couple of times a week.
It’s a team effort in my household, and I embrace the opportunity to let others take the reins in the kitchen. I don’t have pre-made meals sent to me. I’m not that far into outsourcing, but I allow other people in my house to cook in lieu of me multiple times a week.
Teamwork in Cleaning
Now, let’s delve into the topic of cleaning. First of all, you might wonder, “Do I have a house cleaner?” The answer is no. However, do other people in my house clean for me? Yes, they do. It’s important to emphasize that I don’t bear the sole responsibility for cleaning my house, and I find the notion of doing it all by myself ridiculous. Therefore, I firmly believe that you don’t have to feel like you’re the only one capable of cleaning your house either. Instead, consider getting your children, boys, and husband involved; they can surely lend a hand!
If you’re skeptical and thinking, “Yeah, right, that’s never going to happen,” don’t dismiss it so quickly; give it a try. Taking the first step can be easier than you think.
Here’s how it works for me: every week, we select a zone in our house that needs cleaning. We’ve even dedicated blog posts to teach our cleaning system, and it involves splitting up the tasks. I handle one zone while Blaine tackles another. We even get our daughter involved, asking her what she’d like to do. If she’s not up for it, no problem; she can go play. But when she wants to help and contribute her skills, we’re there to support her!
Building a Supportive Team for Caretaking
Now, let’s talk about a third area for outsourcing: caring for children. Firstly, I want you to know that other people also play a role in taking care of my kids, so it’s not just me handling everything! For instance, my husband is actively involved in parenting, and a grandmother helps out a couple of days a week. Instead of homeschooling Frankie every single day she’s with me, I made a conscious decision to have her go to her grandma’s house for homeschooling on one of those days, even though I love homeschooling!
In addition to this, I also have Bailey in preschool a few days a week, and my mother-in-law watches my kiddos for me at least one day a week, sometimes more. Additionally, my 89-year-old grandmother sometimes watches my girls. And, of course, my husband is always there to care for his kids!
It’s important for you to understand that I’m not the only one responsible for my kids 100% of the time. Instead, it’s a team effort, and I have a support system in place that allows me to share the responsibilities and provide the best care for my children.
Laundry: Multiple Options to Lighten Your Load
Here’s the thing: I do outsource my laundry, and there are various ways you can do it too. Some laundry companies offer paid services, and you can explore those options. Additionally, you might find local businesses that offer laundry services, like a dry-cleaning place that also washes laundry.
Another option is to hire a mommy assistant or an assistant who can come to your house and take care of your laundry. By teaching your child, like I’m doing with Frankie, to become a mom’s assistant and offer help to other women who might need it, getting paid for their skills!
Alternatively, you might be lucky like me, having family members who are happy to take care of the laundry. In my case, my grandmother and mother-in-law love doing laundry and insisted on helping out. Now, they do my girls’ laundry, leaving me with only my laundry. There are plenty of options available; it’s about finding what works best for you.
Meal Prepping
What I consistently outsource is meal prepping, and it might surprise you! I buy some of my produce pre-chopped, which is a real time-saver. While it may cost a bit more, it’s worth it for me. For instance, I don’t enjoy peeling garlic, so I buy pre-peeled garlic. It’s all about finding the right balance between convenience and cost-effectiveness.
Taking Action: Embrace Outsourcing and Rediscover the Joy of Motherhood
In this blog post, we’ve explored the transformative power of outsourcing in motherhood. We challenged the pressure to do it all and encouraged embracing the concept of delegating tasks to free up time and energy! Now we understand how to break outsourcing barriers, empowering ourselves as leaders in our homes.
We provided practical steps for effective outsourcing, including creating efficient systems and routines, clear communication, and being open to feedback. Outsourcing is about taking responsibility and seeking support to thrive in all aspects of life.
By identifying tasks to outsource, such as cooking, cleaning, caring for children, and laundry, we can create a supportive and balanced environment for ourselves and our families.
Remember, you don’t have to do it all alone. Embrace outsourcing, reclaim your time, and rediscover the joy of motherhood with a newfound sense of balance. Let’s celebrate the freedom that comes with sharing responsibilities and building a supportive team.
Once you’ve made decisions about what you would like to start outsourcing, I’d love to hear about it! Feel free to share your outsourcing plans with me through Instagram DMs or in the Facebook group. Let’s support each other in creating a more balanced and fulfilling motherhood experience through outsourcing!
Looking to Learn More Productivity Tips?
Looking for more help with time managment? Check out the 5 Strategies To Help Manage Your Time As A Busy Work From Home Mom. Want some tips to help get the family on board? These two-part posts give helpful strategies to get your husband and kids on your team!
If you ever need assistance or want to share your experiences, don’t hesitate to reach out. Feel free to join our FREE Systemize Your Life Facebook community to connect with others on this journey. If you’re ready for more, explore my Systemize Your Life Complete Home Management System.
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