Overcoming Learned Helplessness: Tackle the Tough Tasks in Your Business

In the world of business, there’s a phenomenon that can quietly sabotage your productivity and success: learned helplessness. It’s that nagging feeling that you just can’t handle certain tasks, leading you to avoid them altogether. But here’s the truth—you don’t have to be amazing at every aspect of your business. What matters is how you deal with the tasks you find difficult. In this blog post, we’ll explore what learned helplessness is, how to recognise it, and two effective strategies to overcome it: delegating and tackling difficult tasks first thing in the morning.

Recognizing Learned Helplessness: The First Step

Learned helplessness occurs when you repeatedly encounter challenges and begin to believe that you’re incapable of overcoming them, even when that’s not true. It’s a mindset that can develop over time, especially if you’ve struggled with certain aspects of your business. Maybe it’s that complex accounting task, the dreaded sales calls, or navigating the intricacies of social media marketing. Whatever it is, learned helplessness can make you feel stuck, leading you to procrastinate or avoid these tasks altogether.

The first step in overcoming learned helplessness is recognizing it for what it is—a conditioned response, not a reflection of your actual abilities. Once you’re aware of it, you can take proactive steps to break the cycle and regain control over your business tasks.

Strategy 1: Delegate What You Don’t Enjoy

One of the most effective ways to combat learned helplessness is by delegating tasks that you find difficult or unenjoyable. You don’t have to be an expert in every area of your business. In fact, many successful entrepreneurs recognize their limitations and bring in experts to handle specific tasks. Whether it’s accounting, sales, social media, or HR, there are professionals who can do these jobs more efficiently and effectively.

Delegating not only frees up your time but also allows you to focus on what you do best—whether that’s innovating, leading, or building relationships with clients. Of course, delegation requires resources, so it’s important to consider the cost versus the benefit. Ask yourself: what is it worth to you to have these tasks handled by someone else? Often, the investment pays off in both time saved and reduced stress.

Strategy 2: Tackle Difficult Tasks First Thing in the Morning

For those tasks that you can’t delegate, there’s another powerful strategy: tackle them first thing in the morning. When you address challenging tasks early in the day, you’re not only fresher and more focused, but you also prevent anxiety from building up throughout the day.

Start your day by sending that daunting email, making that difficult phone call, or tackling that complex project. The sense of accomplishment you’ll feel after completing something challenging will set a positive tone for the rest of your day. More importantly, you’ll realize that these tasks aren’t as insurmountable as they seemed. With time, this habit will help you manage difficult situations more effectively, reducing the hold that learned helplessness has on you.

Building Confidence Through Action

Both of these strategies—delegating and tackling tasks head-on—are about taking action. Action is the antidote to learned helplessness. The more you confront and manage difficult tasks, the more your confidence will grow. You’ll begin to trust your ability to handle whatever comes your way, whether you’re doing it yourself or wisely delegating to others.

It’s also important to remember that you don’t have to be perfect at everything. Part of being a successful business owner is knowing your strengths and recognizing when to seek help. By delegating where appropriate and tackling challenges head-on, you’ll build a stronger, more resilient business and a more confident mindset.

Take Control and Overcome Learned Helplessness

Learned helplessness can be a significant barrier to success, but it doesn’t have to define your business journey. By recognizing it, delegating tasks that aren’t your strong suit, and tackling difficult tasks first thing in the morning, you can break free from the cycle of avoidance and procrastination. Remember, you’re not alone in facing these challenges, and you don’t have to be perfect at everything. Take control of your narrative, take action, and watch your confidence—and your business—grow.