Unlocking Freedom: How Outsourcing Helped Me Reclaim Time and Peace of Mind
I wish I could pay others to take care of the tasks that I'm really not good at or that I just deeply dislike doing. Oh wait. I can, and so can you. This realization has been one of the most liberating aspects of my life, and it’s a mindset I believe more people should embrace. Often, we’re taught that paying for services we could do ourselves is lazy or wasteful. But what if I told you that using money to reclaim your time and reduce stress isn’t just okay—it’s essential for a better, more fulfilled life?
The Mindset Shift: From Guilt to Empowerment
Growing up, I was raised with the belief that paying someone to do something you can do yourself is both lazy and wasteful. It was a mindset that was deeply ingrained in me, making it hard to spend money on services that could make my life easier, even when I could afford them. The idea of paying for convenience was, to me, something only the rich and lazy would indulge in.
But this mindset started to shift when I discovered online shopping. It was the first time I began to see money as a tool for buying back my time. I used to dread shopping in physical stores, especially when I had to visit multiple locations to stretch my budget. The stress of navigating crowded aisles, hunting for deals, and standing in long checkout lines was overwhelming.
When I realized I could do all my shopping online and have everything delivered to my door, it was a revelation. Suddenly, I had more time to focus on things I actually enjoyed. Although this didn’t completely eliminate my need for in-person shopping—particularly for thrift store finds or groceries—it was the first step in understanding the value of outsourcing.
Challenge Your Beliefs. Reflect on your own beliefs about money and outsourcing. Are these beliefs serving you, or are they holding you back? Start by delegating one task you dread to someone else and observe how it makes you feel. It could be something small like ordering groceries online or hiring a cleaner once a month.
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Time vs. Money: The Real Value Exchange
As I continued to experiment with online shopping, I began to see money not just as a tool for acquiring things but as a way to buy back my time and reduce stress. One particularly stressful period was when I was regularly driving to the airport. I don’t know anyone who enjoys this task, but for me, it was especially excruciating. The traffic, the parking, the rush to make it on time—it all added up to a lot of unnecessary stress.
Then, I discovered Uber. At first, I hesitated to use it because of the cost. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that the cost of an Uber ride was worth the peace of mind it brought me. No more stressful drives, no more parking hassles—just a smooth, relaxed ride to the airport. This simple switch made a huge difference in my quality of life.
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Similarly, I found out about Walmart’s grocery delivery service. The thought of never having to set foot in a Walmart again was incredibly appealing. It meant no more navigating crowded aisles, no more long checkout lines, and no more loading and unloading groceries. Instead, I could spend that time doing something I actually enjoyed or simply relaxing.
Calculate the Value of Your Time. Think about how much your time is worth. For example, if you earn $100 per hour, spending two hours on a task you hate could be seen as costing you $200. List out tasks you dislike and see if any of them can be outsourced at a lower cost than your time is worth.
Overcoming Societal Judgments
When I first started using services like Walmart delivery, I mentioned it to the pastor’s wife, thinking she’d be excited about the convenience. Instead, she responded, “Well, they just find new ways to be lazy, don’t they?” Her comment made me pause. Was I being lazy? Was I wasting money on something I could do myself?
But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this kind of judgment comes from outdated beliefs. Why is it considered lazy to choose convenience when it brings peace of mind and frees up time for more meaningful activities? I wasn’t being lazy—I was making a smart choice for my mental and emotional health. And that’s something worth investing in.
Reframe the Narrative. Societal judgments often stem from outdated beliefs. Instead of seeing paying for services as a sign of laziness, view it as an investment in your well-being. Practice positive self-talk when you outsource a task. Instead of feeling guilty, affirm that you are making a smart choice for your mental and emotional health.
Practical Benefits of Outsourcing
As I continued to embrace the idea of paying for services, I saw significant improvements in my life. One of the most impactful decisions I made was during my second time selling on eBay. Listing items on eBay is time-consuming and tedious, and I knew it wasn’t something I wanted to do myself. So, I hired a virtual assistant from Online Jobs to handle the listings for me.
I negotiated a payment per listing, and the results were incredible. Not only did I get several hundred items listed in my store, but I also achieved a bronze level on eBay, which I’m positive I wouldn’t have reached without help. This experience reinforced the value of getting help in my business—a lesson that has stayed with me and one that I apply to my work today.
Another example is my YouTube channel and blog. I do all the creative parts—the writing, revising, and making videos—but the technical aspects of uploading blog posts and editing videos felt like drudgery. I realized that I didn’t want to spend my time on tasks that made me feel deeply unhappy or filled me with dread. So, I hired help. Now, I can focus on what I love—creating content—without getting bogged down by the technicalities.
Identify Your Stress Points. Identify tasks that cause you the most stress or unhappiness. These are prime candidates for outsourcing. Start small, like using a grocery delivery service or hiring a local student to handle yard work, and gradually build up to outsourcing more significant tasks.
Encouraging Others to Reclaim Their Time
Reflecting on this journey, I realize that one of the biggest barriers to outsourcing is the mentality that we should do everything ourselves. I fought against this for a long time, teaching myself how to handle the technical aspects of YouTube and blogging, even though it made me miserable. It wasn’t until I let go of the need to do everything myself that I truly began to enjoy my work.
If this is resonating with you, make sure to check out my video where I discuss this matter further.
Paying for help allowed me to focus on the parts of my work that I love—creating content—without the dread of dealing with tasks that drained me. This has made me more productive and happier overall, and I can’t recommend it enough.
Focus on What You Love. Focus your energy on what you love doing and consider outsourcing the rest. By delegating tasks you dread, you can be more productive and enjoy life more. Write down the tasks you enjoy the most and those you dread. Then, challenge yourself to delegate one of the dreaded tasks and see how it frees up time for the things you love.
The Future of Your Freedom: What’s Next?
This journey of learning to pay for freedom has not only changed my present but has also shaped my future plans. As my children grow and eventually leave home, I know that I will hire housekeeping help. Currently, we rotate chores and keep the house clean together, but when it’s just me, I have every intention of having someone come in at least once a month to deep clean.
This isn’t about being lazy; it’s about maintaining a clean, comfortable home without the stress. I’ve come to see money as a tool for enhancing my quality of life, not just something to save or spend on material goods. I’m planning for future freedom, and I encourage others to do the same.
Plan for Future Freedom. Think about how you can use your money to create more freedom in the future. Whether it’s hiring help, investing in time-saving tools, or something else, planning for future freedom is just as important as enjoying it now. Create a “freedom budget” where you allocate a certain amount of money each month for services or tools that save you time and reduce stress.
Take the Next Step Toward Freedom
Paying for services that free up your time isn’t just about convenience—it’s about reclaiming your life. It’s about reducing stress, focusing on what you love, and living a more intentional and fulfilling life. I encourage you to start small, but think big when it comes to using your money to create a life you love.