Feeling Overwhelmed? Here’s How to Know It’s (Past) Time to Hire Operational Support
Running a business is exciting… until it’s exhausting.
You probably started off energized, full of ideas and momentum. But somewhere along the way your to do list became a tangled mess, you dread opening your inbox, and your business started feeling more like a burden than a dream.
If you’re wearing all the hats, answering all the questions, juggling sales, marketing, operations, AND client care then this post is for you.
Let’s talk about what high level operational support is, what it looks like to get help, and how to know it’s time to stop doing everything yourself.
Signs You’re Hitting an Operational Ceiling
If you’re experiencing any of the following, it may be (past) time to bring in help:
You're burned out from doing everything manually 😫
You’re dropping balls like client emails, meetings, deadlines, or follow ups
Your team is growing, but roles are unclear or inconsistent
You spend more time putting out fires than building your business
Your systems are… well, mostly sticky notes and memory 😬
You know you need help, but you’re not sure what kind...
These are classic signs of “operational overwhelm” and they’re incredibly common in small businesses.
So What Is Operational Support?
Operational support isn’t just hiring someone to check boxes, it’s about building the backend foundation of your business so you can scale sustainably without burnout.
At Sidekick Operations, this looks like:
Executive Assistant Services: Inbox and calendar management, administrative support, client follow up, and file management. All the little details that take time! I’ll help clean it up and get a clear process going for you that works.
Workflow Optimization: I build systems and tools that make sense for you and your team. This means simpler, more efficient, and often times cheaper! It’s not about having all the fancy features and newest trends in tech. It's the confidence in knowing the steps in your processes are going to be consistent, approachable, and solve the problem every time.
Project & Task Management: I help structure your ideas and plans so they can be executed. I know you have lots of them. Let’s finally get those plans in action!
SOPs & Documentation: Your processes can't live only in your head. You have to set your team up for success so that they can grab the baton from you and take the lead. I help get your processes written down or in video format for your team to easily follow and repeat.
Delegation Strategy: I help you build and refine your team. Do you feel like you're wearing all the hats even though you have backup? We’ll dig into their skills and learn how to best utilize them so that everyone is happier in their role. You may have hidden talent that you haven’t cultivated yet!
Operational Guidance: Calm, clear, strategic support when things feel messy. I’m a second brain for you to bounce ideas off of, brain dump your thoughts to help you organize them, and help you put the pieces of the puzzle together. We’re not guessing, fighting fires, or panicking. We’re using facts, data, and strategies to build a solid foundation for your business to grow on. It has to be done right and with intention.
What Happens When You Get the Right Help?
When you bring in an operations superhero something magical happens:
You reclaim time and mental bandwidth
You have a second brain for strategy and execution 🧠
Your business becomes easier to manage and more profitable
You fall in love with what you do again 🤎
You can take vacations!
I’ve helped clients go from scattered and stressed to clear, calm, and confident. I’d love to help you too!
3 Ways to Start Streamlining Today
If you’re on this page then you’re probably feeling at least some of these symptoms I’ve described. So let me get a jumpstart on helping you while you’re here!
Even if you’re not ready to bring someone on, here are 3 quick wins anyone can do:
Use a task manager - You can use a dedicated tool like Monday, Asana, Trello, ClickUp OR a simple spreadsheet. A written list goes a long way to keep you prioritized and organized. Every morning start with a brain dump of what you want to accomplish or ideas you have then prioritize the items by the time it takes for you to do them and how important they are for your business to run.
Document repeatable tasks - Think about tasks that keep your business moving that you do everyday, week, or month. “How do I send invoices?” “How do I onboard a client?” The next time you do it write out the steps like you're explaining it to someone new. Don’t overthink it, you can always add more details later. Revisit your SOP the next few times you do the task and add any needed details.
Time block your week - Protect your time for deep focus work, not just reactive tasks. Some people prefer to set a time block for a few hours every day or some prefer blocking off a full day every week to work on what truly moves the business forward. Don’t check your email, your phone, your Facebook, your carrier pigeon, anything until you’re done with your focus time. Distractions are a productivity killer.
These tips will help you organize your business operations and prioritize what’s important!
Let’s Talk About How I Can Help You
You don’t have to untangle everything by yourself.
📩 Book a free discovery call
📬 Or send me a message
Let’s turn your business into the dream you started with!
