Sometimes it’s good to brag about how you get everything done yourself.
- Broken washing machine? Fixed it myself with a $10 part.
- Gutters clogged with leaves? Spent the afternoon washing them out for free.
- Headlight out on the car? Trip to AutoZone and a screwdriver and we’re back on the road.
Sure – as a guy, I often feel a sense of accomplishment when I can get something fixed myself. I spent about two hours the other day in the garage trying to repair our garage door opener that wouldn’t close because of a ‘wire malfunction’. Went down the list of things it could be and eventually (luckily) came across the right connection that needed repair and repaired it. Saved myself probably around $100 to call someone to come over and make me look foolish by fixing it in 10 seconds.
In this instance my time spent wasn’t excessive, I accomplished the task, so I felt good about getting it done and I impressed my wife who wasn’t so sure I was going to be able to get the job done.
Cost vs Time
But there are plenty of other things that I do in my professional life that I really should just pass on to someone who does it for a living. Could I do my taxes without help? Sure – but it’s worth the cost to get it done professionally (and correctly). And what is the cost of getting them done wrong? If I make a larger-than-anticipated mistake and the IRS comes knocking on my door, I’ll be spending a lot more time (and money) than I would have spent if I had just got them done professionally in the first place.
I hear this from clients all the time. “I tried to use one of those website builders I see advertised on TV and spent way too much time figuring it out and the end result is a half finished site.”
I always laugh when I see those things advertised on TV because I know there’s a small business owner out there, looking to save money that will give it a try. In 6 months I’ll get the call and they’ll tell me about the time they could have been spending on their own business when they should have just left it up to a professional.
Going at it alone isn’t all it’s wrapped up to be. You might get lucky, get it done for less money and less time. Or you might spending more time and more money than having an expert handle it in the first place.
So the next time you need to get something done – ask yourself WWDHD? (What Would Dirty Harry Do?) “Do I feel lucky?” Well, do ya, punk?”