Too busy to grow?

Too busy to grow?

Ever feel like you spend your days doing everything except growing your business? 

For many small business owners, being busy is a sign of progress. The phone's ringing, the calendar's full, and every task has your name on it. But over time, being across everything can come at a cost, not just to your time, but to your growth.

According to a 2025 LinkedIn Pulse article, the average small business owner spends 8 to 20 hours a week on tasks that could easily be automated or outsourced. Tasks such as payroll, reconciling expenses, chasing invoices, or scheduling social media posts. At the high end, that's more than 1,000 hours a year, time that could be spent on new clients, developing a better strategy, or even enjoying a rare weekend off.
And that's just the admin. Recent studies have shown that nearly half of Australian business owners are already working 50 hours a week or more, with 32 per cent clocking up to 60 hours and 15 per cent surpassing 80 hours. And yet, despite the extra effort, growth can stall when owners spend all their energy on the business, rather than in it.

The Hidden Cost of Doing It All

Many business owners take pride in being hands-on. But doing everything yourself can come at a cost.
It's not just about saving time. Doing tasks outside your expertise, whether it's bookkeeping, HR or digital ads increases the risk of mistakes, missed deadlines and compliance headaches. Small slip-ups in payroll or tax can quickly snowball into big distractions.
And there's the personal cost. Research from MYOB shows 43 per cent of small business owners report feeling regularly stressed or overwhelmed, often because they think they can't switch off.

 
What Should You Outsource First?

The golden rule: If it's repeatable, doesn't need your personal touch and isn't your core strength, it's a candidate for outsourcing.
Common starting points for outsourcing include:
•    Bookkeeping and payroll: Outsourcing time-consuming financial tasks like bookkeeping and payroll can reclaim hours each week.
•    Admin and scheduling: Virtual assistants (VAs) can handle emails, diary management and data entry.
•    Social media and content: Freelancers can create posts, run ads and respond to customer comments.
•    Customer support overflow: Many SMEs now use outsourced chat or call answering services to cover busy periods.
 

Getting the Right Help (Without Hiring Full-Time)

You don't need to hire full-time staff to lighten the load. Freelance marketplaces like Upwork, Fiverr and local VA agencies make it easier than ever to find skilled support, whether it's a few hours a week or a one-off project. Many small business owners find that delegating tasks like administration, customer booking, or social media content creation frees up their time and improves service quality.

To get it right, start with a clearly defined task, set expectations upfront, and use secure cloud tools like Xero, Google Workspace or Asana to manage access and communication. And don't overlook word of mouth. Some of the best freelancers come recommended by others in your local network. A few small tweaks to how you manage your workload can unlock time for what really grows your business, such as building client relationships or exploring new revenue streams.

Think you're ready to outsource? Ask yourself these five quick questions.

1.    What tasks do you hate doing each week?
2.    Which jobs could someone else do 80 per cent as well as you, freeing you up for the big stuff?
3.    Could automation handle any of these tasks first?
4.    What would you do with 5-10 extra hours each week?
5.    Do you know another business owner who outsources - could they refer you?

With labour costs rising, many SMEs view outsourcing as a means to remain agile. Rather than committing to new staff, they buy in skills when needed - whether it's seasonal support, a new website or someone to handle tax time.

The Bottom Line

Outsourcing isn't about giving up control; it's about taking it back. You don't have to do it all to be a successful small business owner. In fact, the most successful businesses know when to delegate, concentrating their efforts where they count.

Start small. Trial it. Track your time. And when you see the hours you get back, and where they take your business, you might wonder why you didn't start sooner.

This article has been written for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. References to any third-party suppliers are provided as examples and do not imply endorsement or affiliation. Readers should independently verify the suitability of any service for their business needs.