The Tasks Small Business Owners Avoid Most – They Matter More Than You Think

Running a small business is no easy feat. If it was easy more people would be doing it instead of working a regular 9–5. There are so many perks to it, but it also takes a huge amount of work. You’re juggling a lot of moving parts, including client work, admin, marketing, operations, tech, and finances… and somewhere in the middle of all that, you’re expected to stay creative, organised, and consistent.

For those running a business on their own, this can feel incredibly overwhelming. Some tasks energise you, while others feel so draining that they sit on your to-do list for weeks simply because you just don’t want to do them.

Recently, I ran a short survey asking business owners exactly that:

“Which tasks do you put off the most?”

The responses were honest, relatable, and incredibly telling.

Here’s what small business owners shared and what it can teach us about working smarter, not harder.

The Tasks Small Business Owners Avoid Most

Across all responses, five categories stood out clearly:

1. Marketing

This was the biggest theme by far.

People struggle with:

• content creation

• social media

• newsletters

• keeping up with consistency

Marketing is a relentless task, and when you’re busy serving clients, it’s often the first thing to slip. Even if your business is doing well and you’re not struggling to get clients, it’s still important to keep marketing yourself and staying visible so you’re prepared for those quieter spells.

2. Tech Tasks

Website updates, integrations, troubleshooting, GDPR tweaks… these tasks can drain your energy fast, especially if you’re not confident doing them. If tech isn’t your bag, this is well worth investing in so it’s done properly. I’d always recommend having a good web designer in your contacts, or a tech-savvy VA you can rely on.

3. Operations

Processes, documentation, and systems are the backbone of a business, but they’re often the last things anyone wants to sit down and sort out. You may not have them in place yet because you haven’t had time, or you may have created them so long ago that they need updating with a fresh pair of eyes. This is something I specialise in as part of my VA services.

4. Admin

Inbox management, scheduling, organising files, and data entry are the kinds of tasks that can quietly pile up. You might be perfectly capable of doing them, but more important, revenue-generating work naturally takes priority. It may also be that organisation just doesn’t come naturally to you when it comes to these sorts of tasks - and that’s completely okay to admit. Getting support with them can feel incredibly liberating, because it allows you to focus on what you do best while keeping everything in the background organised and running smoothly for your clients.

5. Customer Follow‑Ups

This might mean checking in with an existing client or following up with additional work that goes the extra mile. It can easily end up at the bottom of the list while you focus on making a good impression on new clients or attracting more of them. But it’s so important to recognise loyal customers and have a strategy in place that encourages them to come back or refer you to others.

Why These Tasks Get Delayed

The reasons given highlight the emotional side of business that we don’t talk about enough:

• “They distract me from revenue‑generating work.”

• “They take too long.”

• “They drain my energy.”

• “I’m not confident doing them.”

• “I forget about them until they’re urgent.”

It’s not laziness, it’s about capacity, confidence, and having the headspace to carry out these tasks.

The Impact of Putting Things Off

When these tasks get pushed aside, business owners said they experience:

• stress and overwhelm

• lost information

• dips in customer experience

• 1–3 hours wasted every week

• a general sense of “I know I should do this… but I don’t want to”

This is completely normal. You’re only human and your energy isn’t infinite. Your business shouldn’t have to rely on you doing everything alone.

What Makes People More Likely to Outsource

This part of the survey was especially interesting. People often hold back from outsourcing because they’re unsure about:

• who to trust

• what exactly can be handed over

• how much it will cost

• whether the process will be simple

• whether there’s a low‑risk way to try it

In other words:

People want help…they just need the headspace to work out what they can hand over, and the confidence that they’re handing it to someone they can trust.

What I’m Building Next (Based on Your Feedback)

Your responses have shaped the next phase of SR Pro VA.

Using my coaching experience, I can help you explore which tasks you enjoy, which ones you feel confident doing, and which ones drain your energy without playing to your strengths. This will take place in a Power Hour video call, where we’ll look at your specific needs in detail and use my delegation clarity tool to help you move forward with confidence.

Full disclosure: I’m not an expert in every area you might need support with, but I do know there are so many trustworthy professionals out there who I can recommend. Building a strong network will be a key part of how I support you and your business.

If, after our Power Hour, you decide VA support is what you need, you can either choose a one-off support package, such as my Inbox Cleanup, to get started and see how we work together, or we can begin with ad hoc support one task at a time.

What you can expect from me:

·       Clear pricing and no hidden surprises

·       Clear deliverables, so you always know what’s being handled

·       Honest, open communication

·       A calm, organised, supportive approach

·       No long-term commitment, so you can start without pressure

In short, you’ll get practical, organised support that gives you back time, clarity, and breathing space.

Ready to reclaim your time and get the support you need?

If this sounds like the kind of support you’ve been looking for, I’d love to invite you to get early access to my Delegation Power Hour. It’s a simple, supportive way to work out what’s draining your time, create more breathing room, and start building a business that feels lighter and more manageable.