How the Heck Do You Do All This? The Secret: I Don’t, I Outsource

This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with someone truly inspiring who is on a similar journey to mine. The difference? She’s a consultant, and I work full-time in a very busy job. She asked me, “How do you manage with your busy job?” The secret: I don’t, I outsource. This isn’t the first time someone has asked me this in recent months.

Let’s be real: if you work in any corporate career, it’s busy. It can mean long hours, and a lot of thinking and headspace is taken up. Most of us can barely find the energy to have a relaxing hobby or plan weekend activities, let alone a side project or side hustle. I’m in the unique position where, because I have a full-time job, I have the regular income to outsource. But my time and knowledge are precious.

So how do I manage to juggle my career, handle 90% of creche pick-ups and drop-offs, study for a master’s, and manage a bustling side project? Let’s break it down:

I Pre-Program/Automate

For my email list, this newsletter, social posts, podcast, and even my assignments, I do things when I find the inspiration, energy, and time, and pre-program them. Just before I started this new role, I wrote several articles and programmed them to launch every Monday. That way, whenever inspiration strikes, I have something ready.

I Use AI Programs

I use an incredible podcasting program called Descript that automatically prepares the transcript, allowing me to edit the audio and video (with subtitles) for my Podcast and YouTube. It also automatically creates highlight reels. With the transcript, I use ChatGPT to develop the description.

I Outsource

We have a cleaner who comes once a week because life is too short to mop the floor, and then my husband and I can’t argue over who does what. I have a wonderful social media manager who is helping me with Instagram and TikTok. I’ve used a website builder and a course builder in the past too, plus graphic designers to lay out my book. I probably could do all of this myself and have done in the past, but instead, I choose to outsource the technical things and focus on the content.

I realize that I’m in a somewhat privileged position, but if you have an idea and want to start it without quitting your day job, consider working with people who can help you build your vision and leverage tools that can automate things for you. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or when you have the time—find solutions that allow you to do both. With the right support and resources, you can pursue your passions and maintain your career.