Why do I find it difficult to delegate?

I really struggle with delegation. This is my perception. Some of my children would probably tell you that I am very good at it whilst the older two despair at my delegation skills. Why is it that some of us find it so hard to delegate whilst other people are very good at it?

I have been thinking about this rather a lot of late, mainly because working for myself has increased my working hours in some ways although it never feels like it because I love what I do. I have also become much better at taking time out for me in addition to doing things like writing this blog every day. The flip side of this s is that I am finding less and less time for running the house on a day to day basis. I have 4 young adults living at home and could easily delegate more out to them and yet I don't - yet! WHY?????

For some reason I feel a bit guilty asking them to do additional domestic things. They each have weekly chores including a washing up roster and yet I often find myself running round trying to fit it all in whilst they are relaxing in front of the television or doing what ever it is they do when they aren't working or studying. They don't know that I am running round because I don't tell them and I find that when I do ask them they usually undertake the task with good humour. So why don't I ask more often?

I suspect that it goes way back to some limiting belief around the role of the mother in the home and/or wanting to be a good mother and homemaker and/or feeling bad about asking for additional help round the house. It could also have something to do with personality types. I am a 'S/I' type (DISC) which means that I am a bit of a home-maker and mother hen and also like to have fun. I am people focused rather than outcome focused. Because of this I am more likely to make sure that everyone else is okay even if this means that I run round whilst they relax. However if I was a high 'D' with some 'C' then I would be outcome focused and I would find delegating quite easy and a natural process. Whilst my personality type plays some part this is not an excuse or reason not to learn how to delegate effectively, which in my case means more often.

To be a really good parent I need to help prepare them for when they all leave home and live on their own. Whilst they can all cook a meal, shop, clean and do laundry they are yet to learn what it is to run the house on a day to day basis. I am pretty confident that they could, which means that they will be able to look after themselves when they leave the nest and yet...and yet here I am still running round trying to fit in writing for 20 minutes and prepare dinner.

So today I announce to the world that I am going to delegate more. To my children who are reading this, if you live at home with me then yes, this means you. Yes, even more help than you are already giving. I hope that the fact that I really appreciate the help makes it slightly easier to do more but if not, then you can enjoy telling me how hard done by you are.

If anyone reading this has some hints and tips on improving my delegating skills then I welcome all your advice in the comments section below and thank you in advance.

Women of the world - let's delegate more.

love
Sarah