Yes I am type A myself and like to do things myself but now that way things are going and growing I can only see 1 thing happening if I don't get a grip on it and that is people will stop ordering. So help is necessary. Thank you
Mike, I can imagine that dealing with people the way you have been dealing with me takes a lot of time from you. For what it is worth, from the consumer side, you have been incredible to work with. I am blown away with your "I don't do it for the money" personality. You do this for the good of the hobby and it shows. We've been dealing with one another regarding my order of storm trooper clowns, among other fish. I was impressed with your responses that I had to share them with my wife. So you're doing right by my books.
As for your question. Looking back on life, I realize how much less stressful the military could have been for me if I learned much earlier to delegate things to others. I trained others to do what I expected of them and then I mistakenly didn't trust I trained them well enough. I just had to do things myself. Well, hundreds of grey hairs later, I wish I would have trusted in my own abilities to train them, then supervise them. Even now as an attorney, I reflect on issues at work and realize that there are somethings I simply have to tell someone else to do.
Sounds like you need help. Challenge yourself to see how best you can train someone. What I used as a tool to measure my own success in training others was seeing how well my trainee could anticipate my needs/choices. Could they come to the same conclusion as I would have without intervention? If so, they are ready for delegation. If not, keep training. Above all, aim to teach them to anticipate conclusions and decisions.
The last bit I will say, I have always been amazed at what a title will do to someone. A title has the ability to place a greater sense of responsibility on workers, and motivate them to reach higher in their workplaces. For instance, what if you hired an "office manager" or "technology supervisor" or "media manager" instead of a "helper." This won't work for all but if you choose the right worker, you'll be amazed at what that small title will do for them.
Mike, you're doing amazing things for the hobby. I feel blessed to have stumbled across your site. Take care of yourself and don't burn the candle on both ends. You can always feel free to push my orders back and focus on others. Just let me know.
Edit: I said titles are worth a lot didn't I? Well Mike, you get the title of being the recipient of my 1,000th post.
