5 Tips for Delegating Effectively

5 Tips for Delegating Effectively One of the quickest ways to burnout is trying to do everything yourself.  You need to be able to recognize what is absolutely necessary for you to be doing, and what you can give others to do.  In fact, good delegation can result in improved productivity, efficiency, and reduced stress.   In what follows, are tips for delegating. Always be very clear about what you expect – If you do not do this, then the work that gets done is surely not going to match your expectations.  Be very specific.  For example, if you want someone to write a letter for you, be sure to tell him that you expect an introduction, a conclusion, tips written out in point form, saved in doc format, and so forth.  You may even want to give him an example of another letter so that he can see what you are talking about. At home, if you are delegating some of the chores to your children, be sure to provide them with a checklist that reminds them of everything that you are expecting them to do.  For example, if one of your children is responsible for cleaning the bathroom, then be sure to list all tasks that need to be completed such as wiping down the countertops, cleaning the sink, changing the hand towel, etc.  Otherwise, without this list, something is sure to be forgotten.   Create standard operating procedures – If you plan to delegate use of a particular type of software, for example, you might want to document step by step how to use it or what you need done.  An affordable program that would allow you to document procedures is "Clarify", as it allows you to take screenshots and add text explanations.   Do not over-delegate – You need to recognize the difference between the tasks that require your input and those that do not.  In other words, delegate those tasks that do not require your expertise, but you do the work that requires your skills and expertise.   An example might be an Occupational Therapist working in a nursing home.  The Occupational Therapist is the only one with the kno