Your 3 Lists to Freedom

Do you believe that you are literally the only person in your business who can do things the right way? You’re not alone.  I recently wrote about how to delegate, as it’s something small business owners really struggle with. If you’re an independent, single-office agency, then you have no doubt had to be Jack of all trades, but being master of none can be a problem.

Chris Ducker from Virtual Stafffinder calls this Superhero Syndrome, but warns it can soon lead to burnout.  It’s hard to let go, especially when you’ve been used to being the only one at the helm for so long, but Chris suggests writing ‘3 Lists to Freedom’ as a starting point to see what you can effectively delegate.  He recommends you write a list of all the tasks:

  1. You HATE doing
  2. You CAN’T do
  3. You SHOULDN’T be doing

Mine might look a bit like this:

  1. I HATE cleaning up my computer files (and therefore it never gets done)
  2. I CAN’T install new plugins on my site (I always mess things up)
  3. I SHOULDN’T be uploading my blogposts (because it’s simple but time-consuming to do)

Once you have your three lists, then you can plan how you’re going to delegate them, because whilst you’re doing things you hate, can’t do, and shouldn’t do, you aren’t doing things you love, can do and should do!

What’s on your three lists?

Let me know in the comments below.

I’d love to know your thoughts on this topic – please, leave a comment, or if you’re shy, email me at sam@samashdown.co.uk

What to read next: Unpack your service

What to do next: Do you get my Supertips? They’re jam-packed full of great tips and marketing strategies just like this one, and best still – they’re free! Get yours here -> www.samashdown.co.uk/samsupertips

Speak to Sam: If you’d like to know how I think you could improve your marketing, just answer a few short questions here and I’ll tell you if and how you could be more effective.

Sam Ashdown

Sam is an industry-renowned marketing strategist to estate agents. She helps agents grow and flourish, using her unique smart marketing techniques and strategies. Sam works with agents throughout the UK to help them gain more valuations, win more instructions and sell more properties.

You May Also Enjoy

Letting Agent Talk

Spring clean drives high maintenance bill for landlord

The latest market insight from property management specialist, Rushbrook & Rathbone, suggests that property maintenance spend is set to surge in April, as the annual ‘spring clean’ by landlords saw the month account for the second highest proportion of total annual maintenance spend in 2025, as well as the largest average spend per work order. Rushbrook…
Read More
Breaking News

65% of homebuyers blame slow process on conveyancers

The latest research from Lyons Bowe reveals that 65% of recent homebuyers say the conveyancing process was the slowest part of their buying process, with a quarter saying the legal back and forth took more than 16 weeks to complete. Lyons Bowe commissioned a survey of 1,000 UK homeowners who made a purchase in the past…
Read More
Breaking News

UK Construction Activity Collapses

Glenigan’s April Construction Index uncovers an industry struggling to cushion the blows from ongoing international conflict and a persistently weak economy. Work starting on-site declined by 17% compared to Q4, remaining 18% below 2025 levels. Residential construction starts dropped by 13% during the Index period and fell by 30% against 2025 figures. Non-residential project-starts dipped…
Read More
Breaking News

Homebuyer demand down in Q1 2026

Buyer demand slips in Q1 2026, with South of England outperformed by North and Midlands The latest Sales Demand Index from eXp UK has revealed that homebuyer demand in England slipped by -1.6% in Q1 2026. The analysis also reveals a clear north-south divide with counties located in the midlands or north of the country recording…
Read More
Letting Agent Talk

Check your rights now or risk being caught out by new rental laws

Renters have been urged to check their rights now or risk being caught out, as sweeping new laws prepare to transform the rental market from May. The warning comes ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act, with major reforms set to affect millions of tenants, fundamentally changing how tenancies are managed and challenged. Housing law expert…
Read More
Breaking News

East London dominates on annual growth for property values over the last decade

The latest analysis by Foxtons has revealed that, alongside a consistent average annual rate of growth in property values of 1.3% across the capital over the last decade, the east of London dominates when it comes to stand out borough performance – with Redbridge, Havering and Barking and Dagenham topping the table for house price…
Read More