Whilst the kids were getting spoilt rotten at the grandparents, Jacki and I snuck off to France for three days for some QT and to recharge the batteries.

We decided to drive for two reasons: firstly, to test drive the new motor, and secondly for a rare chance to listen to the music of our choice (not the kids) and to actually be able to hear it!

Upon arrival at our first Château, our host Alan took us to our room and insisted we join him and his wife (Anne-Marie) in ten minutes for a cider in the gardens. What a perfect start!

As I admired the picturesque views out of the majestic medieval bedroom windows, I noticed something small below, ambling around the gardens.  At first, I thought it was a rare breed of dogs, but when I looked (and listened) closer, I realised it was a little ‘robot’.

It was efficiently gliding along at its own pace, in different directions, up mounds, down slopes and covering a lot of ground. It was so hypnotic that we were nearly late for cider o’clock.

After an exchange of where we’ve travelled from, and a potted history of the Château and it’s 14-hecatres, I just had to ask about my new little Robot friend (Robbie as I now fondly refer to him).

Alan explained that they’d invested in the Château 30 years ago and have since devoted their lives to maintaining it.  But, they were getting older now, wanted to slow down, and have more time to enjoy their surroundings (whilst still having to generate an income to cover the upkeep).

So, Alan invested in a Robot Lawn Mower to cut the grass for him. Not only does he save a lot of back-breaking time; his Robot is:

• completely autonomous
• never off sick or late
• systemised and creates a map of the lawns to ensure it doesn’t go into the borders

It even empties and re-charges itself!

Think of the time Alan’s outsourcing has saved him, freeing him up.

The same goes for businesses…

If I had a pound every time I heard “but I’m too busy”, I wouldn’t have to work Thursdays either.  The simple truth us, Owners don’t let go because they either don’t want to, or don’t know how to.

One of the quickest ways to achieve your growth plans is to identify all those areas and tasks that you’re busy reactively doing day-to-day and start planning to outsource these.

Don’t panic when I say Outsource!  You don’t need to go on a recruitment frenzy:

• What skills do your current team have that are not being utilised?
• What members are yearning to develop but are still doing the same job X years on?
• What can you outsource to an HR specialist, accountant, marketing agency…?
• What can be systemised?
• What can actually be eliminated altogether from your daily To Do List? (you’ll be surprised).

This week is your chance to remove yourself from your business – STOP doing the reactive day-to-day firefighting role and START focusing on running and growing your business in your CEO role.

It’ll be one of the most productive, satisfying and liberating exercises you’ll do this week.

As always, let me know how you get on.

BW,

Martin Norbury

The Scalability Coach | Britain’s Top 10 Adviser 2018 | Author of #1 bestseller I don’t work Fridays  | Ex-CEO of a PLC

PS here’s Robbie in action!