A mentor once told me, “Only do what only you can do.” Admittedly, it took longer than it probably should have to fully resonate with me, but once I got it, it became the final review step in my time and task management workflow.
It’s important to mention that he wasn’t saying, “delegate everything, do nothing.” He was teaching me to question what I was doing and, more importantly, why me. This idea is critical to any process or organizational improvement model.
What is the most efficient way to do this?
An important part of workflow improvement is stepping back and reviewing the process. “Only Do What Only You Can Do” serves that purpose in this process. By asking yourself this question, you are reviewing what made it through your time and task management workflow, why it made it through, and ultimately asking: Is there a better way?
People, but especially leaders, should be thinking about the efficiency and effectiveness of the systems and processes they participate in. When we look at our actions and tasks through the lens of “Only Do What Only You Can Do,” they begin to take on a different perspective. For example, if a person is reviewing information or putting together a presentation, they should ask themselves three questions: 1) Can this project, process, or procedure be automated? 2) Can it be done more efficiently? 3) Should it be delegated?
Said another way, and with complete and total sarcasm, you should always be thinking: Is it possible for me to do nothing? Let me explain. Your time is far too valuable to spend doing something that can be automated or done by someone else with the same result. By “do nothing,” I don’t mean the task doesn’t get done. We’ve already decided it needs to be done. The question is whether it requires my time to get done. In many cases, the answer will be yes. But you may be surprised by how often a task can be automated, streamlined, or delegated, freeing your time for something that actually requires you.
Only Do What Only You Can Do at Home
In my own life, reviewing certain personal financial decisions may require my attention, while something like yard work might be performed by someone else. For a parent, taking out the trash might be an opportunity to give a child responsibility while freeing up time to prepare dinner. The answer will be different for every household. The important question is the same: does this task actually require me?
Only Do What Only You Can Do at Work
The glass-and-rubber-ball metaphor can help us understand the consequences of letting something drop, but importance doesn’t necessarily mean a task must be performed by us personally. Even a glass ball may be handled by someone else if that person has the appropriate skills, authority, and resources.
Throughout my career, I’ve heard people push back on the idea of doing only what only you can do from primarily two standpoints. First, they don’t believe that if they delegate the task, it will be done to their standard. Well, maybe not initially. Neither did you. Someone eventually had to give you the opportunity to develop the experience and judgment you now possess. The next argument I heard was that I don’t have time to answer someone else’s questions. It’s faster if I do it myself. Sometimes it really is faster to do something yourself. Teaching someone else may require more time initially, but it reduces the amount of time you need in the future. It’s important to note that what only you can do today may become something someone else can do tomorrow because you invested the time to develop them.
I would offer one final thought about delegation: when handled appropriately, it can be one of the most effective ways to teach, develop, and mentor future generations.
Only Do What Only You Can Do doesn’t mean avoiding responsibility or delegating everything possible. It means being intentional about where your finite time creates the most value. Some things can be streamlined. Others can be automated or delegated. And some things really do require you. The challenge is developing the judgment to know the difference. The What will continue coming. The Self must continue making choices. The When will always remain finite. A good time and task management workflow system helps us decide where our time is best spent, and then evolve as our lives, responsibilities, and workflows change.
RuReady Framework Connection:
This article is part of the Basic Universal Skills (Do) elements within the RuReady Adult Readiness Framework.
This series explores Time and Task Management, using a personal workflow approach to develop skills required across all three domains of our lives.
Explore the complete series:
Skill (US03.01): Time and Task Management Workflow
Skill (US03.02): Time and Task Management Workflow: The What
Skill (US03.03): Time and Task Management Workflow: The Self
Skill (US03.04): Time and Task Management Workflow: The When
Skill (US03.05): Time and Task Management Workflow: Only Do What Only You Can Do
If you enjoyed this article, explore the broader RuReady Adult Readiness Framework:
Preface: A Field Manual for Adult Life
Chapter 1: Why Do We Do What We Do?
Chapter 2: An Exploration of the RuReady Framework
Chapter 3: Life Skills for the Personal Domain
Chapter 4: Career Skills for the Professional Domain
Chapter 5: Leadership Skills for Every Level
Before moving on, feel free to use the checklist below to assess your readiness level.
Please feel free to share your own experiences and lessons learned in the comment box below.
Your shared thoughts may help someone else going through a similar experience.
Thank you.
Readiness Review Checklist
Each question below is worth 2 points. Score yourself honestly; give yourself a point only if you can answer yes with confidence, not just in theory.
2.0 _____ Have you evaluated the things you’ve decided need to be done and asked whether there is a better way to get them done? Looking for opportunities in systems and processes is a way to free up time in your personal or professional life.
2.0 _____ Do you feel comfortable delegating responsibilities? Not everyone feels comfortable delegating responsibilities. However, what better way is there to teach, train, and mentor a younger generation?
_____: Assessment Grade
4 = A · 3 = B · 2 = C · 1 or 0 = D
Wherever you land, this is your starting point, not your ceiling.
Time is the resource. Minutes are the currency. Given that currency, what is actually worth spending your minutes on?
Stay Ready, My Friends.
Amazon Books:
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey, Jim Collins, and Sean Covey. This has long been one of my favorite books. I have used many of the lessons taught in this book throughout my career.
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, by Greg McKeown, is a refreshing reminder that doing less, on purpose, can lead to far greater impact. It’s a clear, uplifting guide that helps you cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is informational only and does not constitute professional advice or recommendation. This reflects my own experience, research, and opinions, and may not apply to your situation. There are a lot of things in life that, with a can-do attitude and a little elbow grease, we can Do It Yourself (DIY); however, there are some things that are better left to the professionals. When in doubt, please consult a professional; that’s part of being ready, too.
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