In 1790, Benjamin Franklin wrote one of his most quoted lines: “Lost time is never found again.” But Franklin wasn’t just being poetic—he was a man obsessed with productivity. His famous daily schedule divided his day into neat blocks of work, reflection, and rest. To him, every hour had a purpose.
But here’s the thing: Franklin wasn’t running a small business or managing HR solutions for hundreds of employees. His world was simpler—letters to write, experiments to conduct, and maybe a heated debate at the local coffeehouse.
Now fast forward 230 years. Imagine Benjamin Franklin as a modern-day business owner. Instead of inventing bifocals, he’d be stuck in payroll management, reconciling expenses. Instead of writing the Poor Richard’s Almanack, he’d be processing tax compliance. His carefully scheduled day would devolve into chaos, swallowed by the relentless grind of back-office tasks. And Franklin, the master of time management, would’ve hated every second of it.
The Modern Dilemma
For today’s entrepreneurs and managers, time feels more elusive than ever. Your calendar is overrun with meetings, your inbox is flooded, and your to-do list is growing at an alarming rate.
In theory, your job should be about business strategy, innovation, and leading your team. In reality, you’re buried in admin work—tasks like HR compliance, payroll processing, and chasing down accounting details.
The result? Exhaustion. Burnout. And most importantly, missed opportunities to grow your business.
Why We’re Addicted to Doing It All
Here’s the paradox: even though we know time is precious, we cling to control over every little task. Why?
• It feels safe: “If I do it myself, I know it’ll be done right.”
• It feels productive: Crossing off even small tasks gives a dopamine hit.
• It feels necessary: “I can’t trust anyone else with this.”
But here’s the harsh truth: this mindset isn’t helping your business—it’s holding it back. While you’re busy fine-tuning spreadsheets, your competitors are meeting clients, launching new products, and seizing opportunities.
The High Cost of Low-Value Tasks
Let’s break this down. Every hour you spend on manual processes—like reviewing tax documents or HR management—is an hour you’re not spending on:
• Crafting long-term business strategy.
• Building client relationships.
• Exploring new markets or ideas.
It’s not just about saving time. It’s about redirecting your focus to the areas that actually drive growth.
The Way Forward: Three Steps to Reclaim Your Time
• Reimagine Your Role: Start by asking yourself this question: What’s the one thing only I can do for my business? Chances are, it’s not reconciling accounts or tracking payroll. It’s leading, strategizing, innovating. Define your role around those strengths, and let go of the rest.
• Build a Process-Driven Business: Think of your company as a machine, with each process as a cog. If one cog breaks, the machine slows down.
• Document workflows for recurring tasks.
• Automate repetitive processes—tools like payroll software and HR management systems can save hours.
• Delegate tasks that don’t require your expertise.
• Delegate Like a Pro: Delegation isn’t just handing off tasks; it’s empowering others to take ownership. By partnering with firms like Smart People, you can outsource complex back-office functions—like payroll, taxes, and HR compliance—to experts.
These aren’t just tasks—they’re time-sinks that pull you away from what matters most. By outsourcing, you gain clarity and freedom to focus on business growth.
Why Trust Is the Foundation of Delegation
Let’s address the elephant in the room: handing over critical processes like payroll or taxes can feel risky. That’s why choosing the right outsourcing partner matters. When you work with a trusted provider, you’re not just delegating—you’re investing in your company’s future.
Closing Reflection
In 2025, time is still slipping away, just as Franklin warned. But unlike Franklin, we have options he couldn’t dream of—like outsourcing, automating, and redefining how we work.
The question is: Will you keep trying to do it all, or will you reclaim your time and focus on what truly matters? Because lost time not only is lost—it’s stolen from the future of your business.