DIY or Hired Help? Discerning When (and What) to Outsource
“Never do the work carelessly because you wish to hide your gifts. Remember, that work is His. You are His co-worker. Therefore, He depends on you for that special work. Do the work with Him, and the work will be done for Him. The talents God has given you are not yours–they have been given to you for your use, for the glory of God. There can be no half-measures in the work” (Saint Teresa of Calcutta).
In a world where you can find a YouTube video or online tutorial on how to do almost anything, how do you decide what to do yourself (DIY) and what to hire someone else to do?
God has given us all different gifts and talents. Just because I can do something in my business does not mean that I should. There are so many different factors to consider when making these decisions. Here, let’s examine just a few.
How Long Will It Take?
First, examine the project or task and consider how long it will take you vs. how long it would take a hired professional. The answer will vary depending on the task. For instance, if numbers aren’t your strength, it might take you 18 hours to do your taxes, while it would take a CPA two at most. In this case, hiring out would make sense.
You should also consider the urgency of the project. Does it need to happen in the next 24 hours? The next week? The next month? If it needs to be addressed immediately, it may be more efficient for you to simply tackle it yourself rather than waiting for a contractor to work you into their calendar. But if the timeline is more flexible, you may be able to outsource the task.
Finally, consider whether this is a recurring task or a one-time need. If you need to build a deck, that is (hopefully) a one-time project. It could take a long time to complete, but eventually, it would be completed and no further work would be required. If you need your lawn mowed and weeds picked, this is a recurring task. It may only take an hour per week, but it needs to be done weekly. Whether it’s a massive one-time project or a recurring, essential task, you will need to decide what you have the time and energy to handle, and what’s best assigned to someone else.
How Much Will It Cost?
Another factor to weigh is the cost of your own time vs. that of a professional. Our society seems to tell us that we will save money completing a project ourselves. While this is true in many circumstances, it is important to factor in the cost of not being a professional. This cost can come in both time and money. How much is your time worth? If a professional could handle a job in half the time that you could, is your own time worth that cost?
This requires discernment. What else may God be asking you to do during that time? Keep in mind that what one person is called to DIY, another person will be called to outsource.
Do You Have the Knowledge or Expertise?
Another “hidden” cost is the cost of mistakes. If you are not familiar with the task you have taken on, there is a chance you will buy the wrong supplies and end up back at the store multiple times finding the right items. Though this is a valuable way to learn new skills, it will cost you even more time and money.
It’s important, then, to ask: what skills or knowledge do you have to complete the task? If you are an electrician by trade, replacing the outlets in your home is a task you know how to do and feel comfortable doing safely. If your last experience with electricity was in high school science class, you may be wary of touching the outlets. You may feel comfortable selecting the investments in your 401k plan because there are only a few to select from, but when you begin investing in the entire stock market, you may want to enlist a professional to help you select the right investments because your options increased substantially. It is important to look at our skills and knowledge to see where our strengths lie.
If you don’t have the skills and knowledge, do you have the time and money to learn how to do it the right way and be confident in your work? It is important to stretch yourself and learn to do new things, but you need to balance that with your current responsibilities, financial circumstances, desires, and vocation. Just because you can learn to change the outlets in your home, does not mean you should.
And finally, there is the question of budget: Do you have the money to hire someone? Do you have the money to do it yourself? In other words, do you have the money to learn the skill well if you need extra teaching or coaching?
What Is God Asking You to Do?
At the end of the day, deciding whether to hire out or tackle something yourself comes down to discernment: What is God asking of you with your time and resources? God has given you unique gifts and talents to share with the world. You should not try to do everything yourself. You cannot become excellent at anything if you are trying to be average at everything.
I have a neighborhood beekeeper. I happily pay him for the honey his bees produce. There is a small part of me that would love to raise bees myself. I don’t have the time or energy to learn this skill, but I love supporting my neighbor in his passion and reaping the benefits of fresh honey (and fewer seasonal allergies!).
After our twins were born, we discerned that God was asking me to continue to work as a financial planner. Helping provide for our family in this way and helping other families understand their financial needs leaves me with less time for domestic tasks. We decided to hire a house cleaner who comes every two weeks. I was never very good at keeping up with the cleaning, even before the added responsibility. By hiring her, we are helping our cleaner provide for her family, and she is helping us keep our house clean. It’s a win-win!
We do not all have the same gifts and talents. We are meant to live in community and share our unique gifts and talents with those around us. As we each develop the talents God is asking us to use, we can share with more people. If you have time to learn how to build a deck, maybe God is asking you to take on that task. Maybe He is asking you to involve your children, your nieces and nephews, the neighbor, or friends, so you can grow in community as you learn a new skill together. Each task is an opportunity to ask God what He wants, to rely on Him more, and to surrender your need to do it yourself. Maybe He wants to provide it in another way or maybe he does want you to learn a new skill: that answer is between you and God.
By Erica Mathews, CFP®; Erica Mathews is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional with Financial Counseling Associates, a small, family owned, independent, financial planning and investment management firm. She is passionate about helping families and individuals build their wealth so they can live the lives they are made for. As a wife, mom of four, and businesswomen, she understands the complexities of family life and helps relieve the burden of financial stress with organization, a plan, and automation so her clients hit their goals. She lives in Colorado with her husband and four kids. They love everything outdoors including gardening, hiking, biking and simply exploring nature. If you would like to reach out to Erica, her email is erica@fca-inc.com