Learning vs. Doing It All — When to Outsource and When to Lean In

You have to try it all — but you don’t have to like it all.

When you’re building a business, especially as a creative or a solopreneur, it can feel like you’re wearing a hundred hats. Photographer, marketer, copywriter, bookkeeper, customer service rep — it’s a lot. And while in the beginning you may have to dabble in every corner of your business, it doesn’t mean you need to stay there forever.

Trying everything is how you learn. It’s how you figure out what you’re naturally good at, what lights you up, and what drains your energy. You get insight into your strengths and your blind spots — and that insight is gold.

Know your strengths. Own your weaknesses.

It’s so easy to beat yourself up over the things you’re “not good at.” Maybe it’s SEO. Maybe it’s managing your calendar. Or maybe it’s the backend tech stuff that sends you running for the hills. But instead of seeing those things as failures, see them as clues.

The goal isn’t to master every skill — it’s to build enough knowledge to make smart decisions.

Take time to learn the basics of each area in your business. Even a foundational understanding helps you communicate clearly when it’s time to bring in help. And more importantly, it ensures you’re never left in the dark if something goes wrong.

Take action on your weaknesses — even just a little.

Once you know your weak spots, ask:

👉 Can I learn a little more here to feel confident?

👉 Or is this something I can eventually outsource so I can focus on what I do best?

Even small steps can make a huge difference — watching a tutorial, reading a blog, testing a new system. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just needs to be enough so that when you do outsource, you know what to expect and how to check in.

Yes, you can outsource — and sometimes, you must.

There comes a point in every growing business where doing it all becomes unsustainable. You’re stretched too thin, things start slipping through the cracks, and you end up sacrificing quality, sleep, or your sanity (or all three).

This is where outsourcing can be a game-changer.

But here’s the key: outsource with intention. Don’t just hand things off because they’re hard or boring — hand them off because your time is better spent elsewhere, and you know enough about the task to guide someone else to do it well.

For example, if you hire someone to handle your social media, you don’t need to be an expert — but you shouldunderstand your voice, your audience, and the basics of scheduling or engagement. That way, if your VA suddenly moves on or you’re in between help, you can step in and still deliver a consistent, professional service.

Grow smart, not just fast.

Learning and outsourcing aren’t opposites — they work together. The more you understand your business, the more confidently you can delegate. And the more you delegate, the more space you create for growth, creativity, and the kind of work only you can do.

So yes, try it all. Learn, experiment, mess up, get better. But don’t carry it all forever. Learn enough to lead, outsource to scale, and always, always stay connected to your business.

Because no one will ever care about it like you do — and that’s your superpower.