A few days ago, I hit a milestone in my entrepreneurial journey. I hired my first employee to manage operations in the USA. 🎉 This wasn’t just about expanding my business, it was about taking a step I had been contemplating for a long time.
Lividul Witharana
It’s official! 🎉 I’ve hired my very first employee to manage my operations in the USA! 🇺🇸 Feeling excited for this new chapter!✨
As business owners, especially in service-based industries, we often believe we can (and should) do everything ourselves. For a while, that mindset works. But eventually, life catches up with you. Suddenly, it feels like even if you had 25 hours in a day, it still wouldn’t be enough.
Between running the business, working on new ideas, staying on top of day-to-day tasks, taking care of personal matters, and still trying to prioritize proper sleep and rest, it becomes impossible to juggle everything. You realize that something has to give.
This is the point where every entrepreneur faces a decision:
- Do I wait until I have time to do it all myself?
- Or do I buy time by hiring someone to help me?
When you hire your first employee, you’re essentially buying time. Of course, you’re not literally getting 48 hours in a day, but that extra set of hands makes it feel that way. Hiring someone allows you to delegate tasks, free up your energy, and fast-track your journey toward your vision.
If you wait, if you hold on to the belief that you can and should do it all yourself, you might find yourself stuck in place. Your progress slows down, your dreams feel more distant, and you risk becoming comfortable with just “getting by.”
Buying Time vs. Wasting Time
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that “time is money” – but more importantly, time is a choice. When you hire someone, you’re choosing to invest in time for yourself and your business.
The tasks that were once bottlenecking your progress are now completed faster and often better. Why? Because the person you hire could be more skilled, more experienced, or more efficient than you are in those areas.
And that’s okay. You’re not supposed to be the best at everything. You’re the one with the vision, the dream, and the plan to make it happen. But there are talented people out there who can take your idea and help you execute it better, faster, and smarter than you could alone.
Entrepreneurs often make the mistake of trying to do it all, learning skills that aren’t necessary, spending hours on tasks that could easily be outsourced, and burning themselves out in the process. Yes, there are things every entrepreneur should learn, but there are also things that can (and should) be left to others.
The Real Purpose of Hiring
Hiring isn’t just about getting tasks done, it’s about creating opportunities.
When you bring someone into your business, you’re not just investing in your own growth; you’re also investing in theirs. You’re giving them the chance to work on something they’re passionate about, to develop their skills, and to contribute to a shared dream.
This is the essence of being an entrepreneur. It’s not just about turning your talent or skillset into a product. That’s what solopreneurs do, they sell themselves as a product.
Being an entrepreneur means creating opportunities for others, building systems that allow people to thrive, and working toward a vision that’s bigger than yourself. It’s about buying time so you can focus on what matters most, while empowering others to do the same.
A Personal Reflection
When I made the decision to hire, I realized that waiting wasn’t an option anymore. I could either wait for “the right time” (which, let’s be honest, never really comes) or take the leap and accelerate my progress.
And let me tell you, it’s been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made.
Yes, there’s fear. Yes, there’s uncertainty. But the growth, clarity, and momentum that comes from having someone else work alongside you are unmatched.
It also reminded me of my roots. I’ve been blessed with opportunities throughout my life, opportunities that were made possible by the free education I received in Sri Lanka 🇱🇰. That foundation has shaped the way I approach every decision, including this one. Hiring my first employee wasn’t just about growing my business, it was about creating opportunities for someone else, just as others created opportunities for me.
Are You Ready to Take the Leap?
If you’re at the point where 24 hours just isn’t enough, I encourage you to reflect on this:
- Are you spending time on tasks that someone else could do better or faster?
- Are you holding back your progress because you’re afraid to let go of control?
- Are you waiting for the “perfect time” to make your first hire?
The truth is, there’s no perfect time. But there is a time when you realize that waiting is no longer serving you.
Hiring your first employee is more than just a business decision. It’s an investment in your vision, your time, and your ability to create opportunities for others.
If you’re ready to take that leap, trust me, you won’t regret it.
Now, I’d love to hear from you:
- What’s holding you back from hiring your first employee?
- For those who’ve taken the leap, what advice would you share?
Lividul Witharana