How to Compartmentalize & Delegate Before You Burn Out
INTRO: Real Talk
This week? I fainted. From stress.
No cute intro, no fluff — just the honest truth. I was trying to do everything at once (because duh, I’m a boss). But my body literally said: “No ma’am.”
That’s when it hit me:
If I don’t learn how to compartmentalize and delegate, not only will I burn out, but my business will too.
And I know I’m not alone.
This is the messy middle of entrepreneurship no one warns you about. You’re building something beautiful, but behind the scenes? You’re overwhelmed, exhausted, and lowkey panicking. Let’s talk about how to stop doing the most and start running your business with peace.
When Everything Hit Me At Once
About a month after launching my agency, we landed our very first client — a marketing project. I had four marketing girls on deck, ready to bring their creative ideas.
But when it was go-time?
Only one person showed up.
I had promised the client a few proposal options to choose from… and I had one. One idea. One team member. And a whole lot of pressure.
The one who submitted? Crushed it. But behind the scenes, I was spiraling. I privately reached out to the rest of the team. One didn’t respond, one said “umm I don’t want to do that,” and another said she was too busy. One girl quit. We had to let another go.
And in the midst of all that? I fainted.
Like, body on shutdown mode. Game over.
That’s when I realized:
I cannot do this alone. People are going to come and go. I need to stay adaptable. And more than anything, I need to stop trying to do 30 things at once. My mind and body can't take it, and neither can yours.
🧠 PART 1: What Is Compartmentalizing And Why You Need It
Let’s break it down:
Compartmentalizing means giving different parts of your life and business their own space, mentally and on your calendar.
I first heard about this from Kim Kardashian (yes, seriously). She said the secret to handling everything — motherhood, business, law school — is focus. When she’s doing one thing, she does only that thing. Then she moves on.
Another method I learned from a friend? The "Three Boxes" meditation.
Past
Present
Future
If a thought comes up, put it in its box. But during your focus time? Only the now box should be open.
🧠💡 Real-life combo: Compartmentalize your business into time blocks, and protect those blocks like your peace depends on it (because it does).
"Multitasking is a myth. Focus is where the magic happens."
🛠️ PART 2: How to Compartmentalize Like a Boss
✅ Google Calendar = My Holy Grail
I used to write my to-do list in a spiral notebook. But even looking at it made me anxious. So after fainting (hello rock bottom), I made the switch.
I grouped all my tasks by category: marketing, admin, client research, bookkeeping, etc. Then I time-blocked them into my Google Calendar. I started with my repetitive tasks and that gave me a framework for what my week should look like.
Then I built in workouts, sleep, and deep work sessions. The rest? I planned around that.
✅ Deep Work Changed Everything
After reading Deep Work, I started carving out 30–60 minute sessions for pure focus. No emails, no social media, no distractions.
Now when something pops into my head mid-task? I jot it down and keep going. I actually finish things now. What a concept.
✅ Themed Workdays = Fewer Decisions
Mondays: Blog writing + VA payroll
Wednesdays: LinkedIn content planning
Tuesdays/Thursdays: Client research
First Monday of the month: Bookkeeping
Thursdays: 30-min block to find local networking events
Having a theme for each day means I don’t waste time wondering, “What should I work on today?” I already know.
💭 Real Talk Sidebar: When Outsourcing Doesn’t Go as Planned
I’ll be honest — I’ve been kicking myself a little.
I have a degree in business marketing. I love marketing. So at first, I planned to outsource my bookkeeping (because even though I have over a decade of experience, it’s not my favorite thing to do). And I figured I’d just handle the marketing myself.
Well... the girl I hired for bookkeeping ghosted me. Like, poof. Gone. She vanished on me and the agency.
But funny enough? That might’ve been a blessing. I realized I can knock out my bookkeeping in two hours once a month. That’s it. Two hours and it’s done. And guess what? She told me she’d need 12–15 hours a month to do it… and was going to charge me $400.
So boom! I just saved $400 and took back control of a task I actually can manage efficiently.
Now let’s talk about marketing…
This part? It’s harder than I thought.
Even though I love it and I should be great at it, I’m too close to it. The perfectionism is real. Every time I try to create content for my own brand, I overthink it.
Worse? Since posting more online, I’ve started getting wild messages and critiques — people saying I sound “conceited,” “arrogant,” or “unprofessional.” 🙄 Like, I’m literally just trying to market my business and they’re out here turning it into gossip.
I even had an ex from 15 years ago ask to move into my house. Like… sir?? Be serious.
Old “friends” I haven’t heard from in forever are popping up like we’ve been besties this whole time.
And don’t even get me started on the men. I’ll be talking about my agency and they’re asking me out to dinner and clubs.
So here I am, trying to promote my business, and instead I’m fielding DMs like it’s Tinder.
Bottom line? My marketing efforts are paralyzed.
I can’t afford to waste any more time or mental energy trying to do this part solo. Even though I know marketing, I finally had to admit: I need to outsource it. It’s driving me absolutely nuts, and it’s no longer worth the emotional and mental drain.
🤝 PART 3: Delegate Even the Stuff You Like
I can write a newsletter. I even like writing. But do I actually have the time? Nope.
I’ve been dragging my feet on creating one for our agency. Not because I don’t have ideas, but because I want it to be perfect. And that perfectionism? It’s costing me time and momentum.
The truth is:
Some tasks feel small — “just an email,” “just a post” — but when you’re juggling client work, team management, and your night job? Those “justs” start to pile up and drain your energy.
That’s when I realized:
I need to delegate even the things I think I can handle. Because yes, I could spend two hours fiddling with a newsletter… or I could pass it to someone else and use that time to do CEO-level work (like hiring, onboarding, or growing client accounts).
✨ Delegation isn't just for tasks you hate. It's for anything that clogs your energy or slows your growth.
💡 PART 4: 5 Things You Can Take Off Your Plate Today
Here's your permission slip to delegate these:
✔️ Social media scheduling
✔️ Client newsletters
✔️ Inbox cleanup
✔️ Canva graphics
✔️ Call transcripts or note-taking
📩 Want the full list? [Download our free “What to Delegate” checklist]
🩷 CLOSING: You Can’t Pour From an Empty Cup
Entrepreneurship is hard. Trying to do it all is a guaranteed path to burnout… or worse, blackout (literally).
You’re not lazy for lightening your load. You’re wise for building a business that can survive long-term with you still standing.
Protect your energy. Compartmentalize your time. Delegate the rest.
You’re the CEO. Not the whole company.
👉 Ready to stop doing the most? Let’s chat! Our team helps overwhelmed entrepreneurs create breathing room (and real results).
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