I’m my own worst enemy. I have this strong will to handle everything myself instead of bringing in experts, even if it takes me twice as long. I suppose that’s a trait of being a business owner. We get so used to wearing all the hats that we forget that it’s perfectly acceptable to take one off sometimes and give it to someone who can do the job better.
I’ve stayed self-sufficient by default. In the beginning, it’s not a choice for most of us – we simply don’t have the resources available, so we hustle and do everything ourselves to get by. But then, it becomes more habitual, and the idea of delegating parts of my projects to others feels kind of worrying.
It’s a nerve-wracking process—pulling people in from the outside only to discover that they don’t live up to the standard I need.
In fact, I’ve had experiences where, rather than being impressed by what someone else contributed, I ended up wishing I had done the work myself. There’s nothing worse than seeing someone else’s work on your project and thinking you could have done a better job. The frustration of working with people who miss the mark can be real. But I’ve learned something important along the way: when you find the right people whose work pushes you to up your game, that’s when the magic happens.
Finding a Network of Experts
When you’re thinking about how to find people to handle tasks for you, it can be easy to fall into the trap of ‘who’s cheapest?’. I think that’s the first mistake many people make, and then we wonder why we get those feelings of ‘I should’ve done it myself’ and isolate ourselves in an effort to do it solo. Instead, it’s about surrounding yourself with a reliable network of experts. These are people you can trust to handle specific tasks, not just to free up your time but to actually improve the quality of the project.
In creative projects, pulling in experts in their respective fields allows you to focus on what you do best. When you delegate the right tasks to the right people, you’re allowing specialists to shine, and that lifts the entire project.
Of course, the challenge is finding those people with the same “it’s all about the work” mentality as you. You don’t just need someone who’s technically proficient (or cheap); you need someone who brings value, understands the vision, is passionate about the project, and has the drive to go the extra mile.
Building Trust Through Relationships
It’s not about hiring the first person who appears in your search results or the most affordable option. The best collaborations come from relationships you’ve built over time. That’s why it’s important to start connecting with experts well before you need their services. Building a list of trustworthy professionals whose work ethic and skill you trust and relate with yourself.
Building these relationships takes time, and it requires openness. You have to be willing to learn from others. Sometimes, someone’s approach might differ from yours, and instead of feeling threatened, it’s better to see that as an opportunity to grow. It’s inspiring to work with creatives who challenge you—who produce work that makes you think, “I need to step up my game.” When you find people who raise the bar, it doesn’t just improve the project; it elevates your own skill set.
Elevate the Work, Not Your Ego
At the end of the day, bringing in experts is not about proving you can’t do something yourself. It’s about creating something that wouldn’t be possible if you tried to do it alone. As a graphic designer, I know how easy it is to get caught up in the idea of “going solo.” But when you surround yourself with the right people, the work improves, your skills improve, and the final result is far beyond what you could have achieved on your own.
By trusting the right experts, you’re not delegating—you’re elevating the entire creative process. And ultimately, isn’t that what great work is all about?
