By Michelle DeClerck | President, Conference Event Management

Three years ago, I wrote an article for Lift IOWA and tied it to the trending Disney song “Let it Go.” It was then I shared that “too often women are still allowing imbalances or challenges to hold them back in their professional careers. Are you still allowing these things to hold you back? When are you going to “let it go?”

My business has developed and grown since then, yet every night I would find myself hunched over my laptop while sitting on the couch (my “after hours” office space). It was one of these nights last January when I had an epiphany: What opportunities was the company missing because I still felt compelled to be involved with every detail of the business? I needed someone to step into my role who could provide insight, help me remove tasks and areas from within my scope and manage my team. I needed to let go.

At that moment, there wasn’t any doubt that this was the right thing to do. I needed to fully delegate those responsibilities and trust in someone else to be successful in that role. For some, delegating is tough and, at times, it still is for me. But I know it’s important to slow down, relax and allow myself the gift of time. That’s when your best ideas are bound to come – when you have that moment of clarity to see exactly what’s needed to grow your business.

As women business owners, many of us have invested countless hours and resources into our roles and it’s hard for us to think someone else can do our jobs. But the closer we were to having a new person in position, the more excited I got. I completely stepped away. Now I am benefiting from a new way of seeing things and having someone else in the driver’s seat who is capable, confident, independent, experienced and doesn’t need me calling the shots.

Excitement has become pure elation. While it took me 15 years to get here, I hope you realize you have the power within to grow your business by actually not doing it all, by letting others who bring different experiences and skill sets into your inner circle so you can grow in your own aspirations and in new ways professionally. Ultimately, you’re likely to see your business grow exponentially. If you have a sustainable business where you can outsource tasks, or you can hire a staff member for those skill sets, be fair to yourself and your staff. Consider if now is the time to let some things go.