Home / How to choose the right tasks to delegate as an entrepreneur

How to choose the right tasks to delegate as an entrepreneur

“Where should I start?”

It’s THE question every entrepreneur asks when trying to figure out which tasks to delegate in order to better manage their business.

Between overflowing to-do lists and 12-hour workdays, it quickly becomes difficult to decide what to delegate first.

After helping dozens of entrepreneurs make this transition, I’ve developed a clear and practical method to identify the right tasks to delegate — so you can save time immediately and, more importantly, regain peace of mind.

The trap of "random" delegation

The common mistake

Many entrepreneurs start by delegating the easiest tasks to explain. However, this often means they keep the ones that actually cause the most stress. The result? Minimal time savings and the same mental load.

Typical example:

❌ Delegated: Website updates (1h/week)
✅ Kept: Client email management (8h/week)

Outcome: Little change in your daily workload — and you still feel overwhelmed.

The smart approach

Effective delegation follows a simple, practical logic:

Immediate impact on your free time
Maximum reduction of mental load
Overall improvement in efficiency

By focusing on the right tasks, you’ll create a real and rapid effect on both your schedule and your peace of mind.

My 4-step method to choose the right tasks to delegate

Step 1 – Conduct a full time audit

Before anything else, you need to know where your time actually goes..
👉 For one week, track all your tasks, even the smallest and the time spent on each

Recommended tool: A simple Excel sheet or a notebook.

Columns to track:

Task performed
Time spent
Stress level (1–10)
Business value (1–10)

You’ll quickly get a clear picture of where your time and energy are going — and which activities drain you the most for little return.

Example of a typical week:

Task	Time	Stress	Business value
Client emails	8h	7/10	6/10
LinkedIn prospecting	4h	5/10	9/10
Invoicing	3h	8/10	3/10
Content creation	5h	4/10	8/10
Accounting	2h	9/10	2/10

Step 2 – Use the delegation matrix

Once your audit is complete, categorize each task into three groups:
With this matrix, you’ll immediately identify which tasks to delegate first.

✅ Delegate first

High time consumption (+2h/week)
Low business value (<5/10)
High stress (>7/10)
Repetitive and easy to standardize

Examples: invoicing and reminders, email management, data entry, administrative updates.

🤔Delegate later

Tasks that can wait but will still bring benefits in the future.

Moderate time (1–2h/week)
Average business value (5–7/10)
Moderate stress (4–7/10)

Examples: competitive monitoring, social media management, lead research.

❌Don’t delegate (for now)

Tasks with high strategic value that should remain under your control.

High business value (>8/10)
Require your unique expertise
Involve VIP clients
Demand key decisions

This way, you’ll know exactly which tasks to delegate for the best impact — and which ones to keep on your plate.

Step 3 – The “10-Minute explanation” test

Now, it’s time to check if delegation is truly feasible. For each task, ask yourself:
👉 “Can I clearly explain this task in 10 minutes or less?”

✅ If yes, it’s perfect to delegate right away.
❌ If no, wait until you have time to properly train your future assistant.

Pro tip Start with the tasks you dislike the most!
You’ll be more motivated to hand them off — and you’ll feel instant relief once they’re gone.

Step 4 – The optimal delegation timeline

Once your tasks are sorted, decide the order in which to delegate them. This prevents overwhelm and ensures a smooth transition.

1️⃣ Phase One (Month 1) – Immediate relief

Delegate tasks that instantly free up time: :

Routine email management (templates)
Simple invoicing (standard quotes)
Appointment scheduling (via Calendly)

Outcome: Time saved: 6–8 hours per week
Training time: about 4 hours

2️⃣ Phase Two (Months 2–3) – Optimization

Now that the basics are running smoothly, move to higher-value tasks:

Client follow-ups (automated process)
Social media management (content calendar)
Lead research (predefined criteria)

Outcome: Time saved: 4–6 hours per week
Training time: about 6 hours

3️⃣ Phase Three (Month 4+) – Expertise

Finally, delegate advanced, strategic tasks: :

Content creation (detailed briefs)
Client project management (defined processes)
Performance analysis (automated reports)

Outcome: Time saved: up to 10 hours per week
Training time: about 10 hours

Step by step, you’ll build efficient, structured delegation without stress or loss of control.

Real-life examples: what to delegate based on your profile

If you’re a CONSULTANT

Your time is precious — delegate repetitive admin tasks to focus on your expertise.

Delegate:

Administrative management (quotes, invoices, follow-ups)
Prospect research and qualification
Presentation materials
Client follow-ups

Keep : client meetings, consulting sessions, negotiations, strategic development.

If you’re an E-COMMERCE BUSINESS OWNER

E-commerce comes with many operational and time-consuming tasks. Delegation quickly becomes essential to grow without burnout.

Delegate:

Level 1 customer service
Stock and order management
Product page creation
Social media management

Keep: product selection, marketing strategy, supplier negotiations, financial analysis.

If you’re an ARTISAN OR SMALL BUSINESS OWNER

Small structures often have limited resources, but strategic delegation can make a real difference.

Delegate:

Quotes and invoicing
Client appointment scheduling
Payment reminders
Administrative follow-up

Keep: service delivery, direct client relations, large project negotiations, quality control.

Even delegating just a few hours per week can significantly lighten your workload and improve customer satisfaction.

The mistakes to avoid

While delegation is a powerful growth tool, a few common mistakes can slow your progress. .

Delegating what you enjoy doing
You’ll be tempted to take it back.
👉 Start with what drains you the most.

Delegating everything at once
This often leads to overwhelm and loss of control.
👉 Progress in small batches (2–3 tasks max).

Delegating without proper training
Without guidance, results will be disappointing.
👉 Progress in small batches (2–3 tasks max).

Choosing based on cost instead of impact
For example, delegating accounting (1h/week) instead of email management (8h/week) won’t make a big difference.
👉 Solution : priorisez selon le temps réellement récupéré.

Ainsi, vous éviterez les pièges classiques et obtiendrez des résultats durables.

Your action plan for this week

✅ Step 1 – The Audit (2h)

List all your weekly tasks, note the time spent and your stress level. Identify your top 3 time-draining tasks.

✅ Step 2 – Prioritization (30min)

Apply the delegation matrix. Choose your first task to delegate and set a clear deadline.

✅ Step 3 – Preparation (1h)

Document the process for that task. List the necessary tools and define your quality standards.

This solid foundation will help you delegate efficiently and sustainably.

Signs you chose the right tasks to delegate

Comment savoir si vous avez bien choisi les tâches à déléguer ? Voici quelques signes qui ne trompent pas 👇

You sleep better— less mental load means better rest.
You finishyour days earlier and regain a normal pace.
You dedicatemore time to business development.
People around younotice — you’re more present, calm, and focused.

✨ Result: More time, more peace, more motivation.

In conclusion: Delegation is an art you can learn

Delegating effectively is a gradual processthat requires:

A clear method to identify priorities,
Courage to let go,
Patience to train and adjust,
And confidence in your ability to adapt.

But the results speak for themselves: my clients save an average of 10–15 hours per week and rediscover the joy of entrepreneurship. Delegation isn’t an expense — it’s an investment in your time, balance, and success.

Ready to take action?

This week, choose one task to delegate and document it step by step.
Test it for a month — observe the results, and adjust if needed.
You’ll see the world won’t collapse… it’ll simply become lighter.

And if you’d like guidance, SoniAssistoffers a free 30-minute audit to help you identify your priorities and create a concrete action plan.