My Costly Mistake
Sep 19, 2025
Have you ever had a project that felt overwhelming?
Or maybe you made a commitment to something that initially felt good at the time, but soon became too much?
That happened to me this week.
A few months ago I began an important project that would have a long term pay off for my business.
The thing was, it required daily and consistent effort.
I started off with noble efforts and intentions, and for the first few days was consistent.
Then, I had a long scheduled family vacation.
A week later, I had a work trip that took several days.
And after all the dust had settled, I came back to the project and realized nothing had happened for weeks. The all-important daily results were not getting accomplished.
Frankly I had other and MORE pressing things I was working on.
And so the project went to the back burner.
Pretty soon… nothing was happening at all.
Oh- I tried to psych myself up for it each day…
I tried to get back on the horse…
But after a few weeks, as other critical responsibilities demanded more and more attention, I finally faced myself in the mirror and admitted the obvious:
I needed help.
And then I took the step that I should have taken months ago.
I asked my assistant to take over.
In one quick meeting, I showed her the ropes, and was able to hand the project off into her very capable hands.
And guess what?
The burden off my shoulders and mind has been incredible.
Because procrastination is an interesting thing.
Procrastination may not take your active work, but it still drains your mental work.
Because thinking about how YOU AREN’T doing the thing takes way more energy than actually DOING THE THING.
But delegation? Asking for help?
You empower someone else (who is WAY more gifted in that area than you) to work their magic.
That’s why I tell people:
Delegation is cheaper than Procrastination.
That’s because Delegation? You think about once.
But Procrastination? You think about twice.
So what are you carrying all by yourself right now?
What heavy thing are struggling to manage?
More importantly, who do you know that can do it way better than you? Can you ask for their help?
You are supremely gifted in unique ways.
And other people are gifted in ways that are opposite you.
The more you can share your burdens with other people, you give them an opportunity to shine… and free up space for you to shine brighter as well.
So here’s the question: what’s one task you can stop procrastinating on… by delegating it today?
Don’t think about it twice.
Christian
PS: I recently appeared on some popular podcasts talking about how we can become more influential in our daily interactions. Give them a listen!
CHRISTIAN HANSEN has gone behind the scenes in some of the biggest organizations in the world to find out the reasons why some people get chosen and why others don’t. As the 2X #1 bestselling and LinkedIn Top Ten ranked author of “The Influence Mindset: The Art & Science of Getting People to Choose You” Christian helps teams and organizations who want to stand out and be the obvious choice. With degrees from Brigham Young University and The London School of Economics, he’s helped thousands of individuals position and sell themselves. A fan of international communication, history, and choral music, he currently lives in Utah with his wife. Reach him at: TheChristianHansen.com
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