The Art and Science of Delegation (Infographic) To spare your time and sanity, sometimes you have to let others take the wheel.

By Rose Leadem

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Maskot | Getty Images

Entrepreneurship means wearing a lot of hats. At times, you might find yourself playing accountant, hiring manager, marketer and CEO all at the same time. Not only that, but in addition to the time commitment, starting a business can also require lots of money. However, as an entrepreneur, these are the types of sacrifices you have to make in order to follow your dreams.

Related: 7 Rules for Entrepreneurs to Delegate Effectively

According to research from ScaleTime, nearly half of all small-business owners said they used their personal savings to fund parts of their business. When it comes to time, entrepreneurs are always on the clock. In fact, a whopping 86 percent admitted to working on the weekends, and 53 percent said they worked on major holidays.

All this time and money spent can become exhausting. That's why it's incredibly important to delegate. When you're not delegating enough, leaving all the hard decision-making in your own hands, you might find yourself experience "decision fatigue." When the brain's decision-making powers are overworked, making rational decisions becomes harder and harder.

Related: 5 Keys to Inspiring Leadership, No Matter Your Style

Of course, delegating important tasks is not always easy. But the truth is, you can't do it all and sometimes you've got to let others take the wheel. To make yourself comfortable with delegation, there are certain steps you can take.

For starters, effective delegation starts with hiring employees who you trust and can rely on. It's also important to codify your business and make sure it's prepared for anything that comes its way. This means making sure all of your operations are consistent and transparent, and that every decision doesn't depend on one person's know-how. Creating a company overview, systems processes and a training handbook are good ways to do this.

Related: Follow-up Is the Secret to Effective Delegation

To learn more, check out ScaleTime's infographic below.

Rose Leadem is a freelance writer for Entrepreneur.com. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

This 30-Year-Old's $6,000-a-Month Side Hustle Started Making Money 'Immediately' — But He's Not Quitting His Day Job

Derrick Mathy works in orthopedic surgical device sales and is on a mission to bring people together in real life.

Business Solutions

ChatGPT Isn't Cutting It for Busy Professionals Anymore

Find out where they're turning instead.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Employee Experience & Recruiting

Newsflash: Barbara Corcoran Doesn't Fly First-Class, and Neither Should Your Executive Team

Shark Tank star Barbara Corcoran doesn't fly first class, and for a good reason. Business decision-makers, take notes!

Growing a Business

The Training (and Business) Philosophy That Sets This Self-Defense Studio Apart

At Nomad Krav Maga, Shane Langwell teaches more than self-defense by helping students strengthen their confidence, resilience and a sense of community that extends beyond the gym.

Business News

'Unprecedented in Our 53-Year History': Southwest Airlines Announces Its First Mass Layoffs Ever

The airline is eliminating 15% of its corporate workforce, including many in senior leadership positions.