I’ve been learning a lot these past few weeks: taking on new responsibilities, training new reporters, teaching myself to delegate the numerous assignments that never seem to slow down, knowing how best to prioritize my time, and plenty more.

Honestly, delegating has been the biggest struggle for me.

I’m the kind of person that if there is something to be done, I will get it done — despite the overtime hours I’m putting into it or the stress I’m under, and the fact that there are certainly plenty of others who could do the tasks as well.

I also have a bad habit of thinking that if something needs to be done a certain way, then I might as well do it myself to make sure it’s done correctly.

Add all that to the sense of guilt I feel asking people to do things for me — even when they offer –and it makes it hard to be a good delegator.

I know that I have a lot to do, and they probably do too, so I hate to be the one to add more to their plate. The guilt holds me back from asking for help.

It’s probably not a healthy way to get things done, but it’s who I am and it’s what I know.

I suppose that’s why I’m trying to delegate better because it doesn’t have to be that way.

Looking up “how to delegate” on Google can apparently offer some good insight and comfort to counteract that sense of guilt.

It said that handing off assignments or teaching fellow teammates how to do certain things can boost their confidence. It shows you trust them to get the job done and it can make them feel good about boosting their skill set and motivation.

And I think that makes perfect sense because, despite sometimes feeling overwhelmed by being asked to do more tasks, it can be rewarding to do something not everyone can or to be trusted enough to get it done.

However, there’s also the struggle of asking someone to do something they don’t know how to do and then having to teach them. Then, you start to question if it is still technically delegating even if you have to teach them as that takes away from the time you already have so little of.

But how will they learn if you don’t teach? It’s a tough cycle, really.

Prioritizing how I use my time has been another learning curve lately.

I’ve always considered myself to be well-organized and good at time management, but having extra tasks can make those things more challenging.

And, of course, just when I think I have a solid routine going, something changes course or I get a phone call or have a long meeting that throws a wrench in everything.

I guess managing time can only go so far since there’s no way to predict the unpredictable. It’s just something to learn and adapt to, unfortunately.

That’s not to say that managing time isn’t still a strong skill to have. There are still days when things do go according to plan. And, whatever system you use to maintain a schedule can always help you get back on track if things go awry. It’s never “all for nothing.”

But, in truth, one of the worst parts of it all is that there’s no one way to do things — delegating or managing time.

There’s no one way to properly delegate as it can depend on each person and each scenario. And there’s no one way to manage your time as every day is new and unknown.

They say Rome wasn’t built in a day, well I’m sure learning to delegate and manage time won’t happen in a day either.

It’s all a process of trial and error and being willing to continue trying and continue learning.

Torianna Marasco can be reached at 989-358-5686 or tmarasco@TheAlpenaNews.com.