Productivity Gladiator 18 Tasks I Outsourced That Changed My Life (And How You Can Too) - With Marcey Rader
Ready to win back hours of your life? In this episode, productivity experts Brian Nelson-Palmer and Marcey Rader reveal 18 tasks they've successfully outsourced - from hiring a culinary grad to chop vegetables to finding affordable ways to never do laundry again. They break down exactly how to decide what to outsource (including a simple calculator to determine if it's worth it), share hilarious stories like the infamous "single Brussels sprout" delivery, and offer practical tips and examples for both your personal & professional life. Whether you're just starting to explore outsourcing or you’re experienced and looking to level up, this episode packed with actionable strategies shows how you can reclaim your time without breaking the bank.
See the full details and links on the episode's page: https://www.productivitygladiator.com/episodes/18-tasks-i-outsourced-that-changed-my-life-and-how-you-can-too-with-marcey-rader
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References In This Episode
Brian's Value of Your Time Calculator
Referenced in relation to his TED talk
Marcey’s TEDx Talk - “Relentless pursuit of more”
Meal Services:
Virtual Assistant Services:
Fancy Hands (fancyhands.com) - mentioned $18-30/month
Fiverr (fiverr.com)
FreeUp (freeup.net)
Home Services:
Chore Relief (now called All Better)
Poplin (laundry service)
Contact Information for Marcey:
LinkedIn (mentioned she's only on LinkedIn)
Her new book: "Reclaim Your Workday, Sustainable Productivity Strategies for the New World of Work"
Photo of Single Brussel Sprout on episode page
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Outsourcing and Productivity
06:03 Defining Outsourcing: What It Means
12:07 Personal Experiences with Outsourcing
18:07 Outsourcing Food Preparation and Cooking
23:59 Outsourcing Errands and Grocery Shopping
29:35 Leveraging AI for Travel Planning
36:03 Outsourcing Home Repairs and Services
41:10 Professional Outsourcing: Enhancing Productivity
52:50 Starting Your Outsourcing Journey
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Episode Digest
Time is our most precious resource, yet many of us spend countless hours on tasks that could be delegated or outsourced.
In a revealing discussion between productivity experts, a powerful truth emerged: outsourcing isn't just for business owners or the wealthy—it's a strategy anyone can use to reclaim their time and focus on what truly matters.
"There is no prize at the end because YOU did it. The prize is…I got to my outcome, whatever that was, in a way that was smarter."
The Complete List: 18 Game-Changing Tasks to Outsource
Personal Life Tasks
Gift wrapping (use Amazon’s wrapping service, or hire local students for holiday perfection)
Food prep and vegetable chopping (professional food prep services)
House cleaning (regular cleaning service)
Laundry (wash-and-fold services with pickup/delivery)
Grocery shopping and errands (delivery services)
Travel itinerary planning (local experts via Fiverr or AI tools)
Screen repairs (specialized handyman services)
Home repairs and maintenance (TaskRabbit or similar)
TV mounting (skilled technicians)
Furniture assembly (service providers via apps)
Cooking/meal prep (meal delivery services)
Professional Tasks
PowerPoint presentations (design services)
Bookkeeping (professional accountants)
LinkedIn/market research (specialized researchers)
Graphic design (professional designers)
Software/tool setup (technical specialists)
Podcast production tasks (virtual assistants)
General virtual assistant tasks (various administrative support)
How to Decide What to Outsource
The decision to outsource shouldn't be complicated. Here's a practical framework:
Calculate your time's value (use a time-value calculator)
Compare outsourcing costs against your time's value
Consider these key factors:
Is it a repetitive task?
Does it require specialized skills?
Could it be dangerous if done incorrectly?
Do you consistently procrastinate on it?
Is it a one-time task where learning the process isn't worth the investment?
"Every day that you procrastinate and you move that task forward, ‘I'll clean the gutters tomorrow, I'll clean the gutters tomorrow, I'll clean the gutters tomorrow.’ Every day that just makes you feel like I failed today, I failed again, I failed again, just outsource it."
Three Models of Virtual Assistant Service
Pool Services (like Fancy Hands):
—A pool of people available, like Uber, but for tasks
—Membership-based ($18-30/month)
—Best for occasional and a variety of simple tasks
—Perfect for beginners
Fixed-Price Contracts (like Fiverr):
—Clear scope and cost upfront
—No risk of unexpected charges
—Ideal for specific, defined projects
Hourly Assistants:
—More traditional virtual employer/employee relationship
—Ongoing support for regular tasks
—Best for consistent, recurring needs
Practical Tips for Getting Started
Start with Free or Low-Cost Options
—Try grocery delivery services (often just $5-10)
—Use meal prep services instead of takeout
—Test basic task services before committing to bigger ones
Begin with Repetitive Tasks
—Think about how often you do certain tasks.
—Think about time spent vs cost to outsource.
Address Safety and Quality Concerns
—Use platforms with reviews and background checks
—Start with low-risk tasks
—Take safety precautions when someone is coming into your home.
"Think of it as an investment and you will get it back with your time, with your energy. Maybe you will get promoted faster."
Common Objections Addressed
—"But they won't do it as well as I do"
Solution: Be prepared for that, you’re still getting some of your time back even if it isn’t perfect it still may be worth it. Remember that perfection isn't always necessary for every task.
Example: For tasks like grocery shopping, order an extra item if there’s a chance they’ll pick one that doesn’t work (like produce) or pick your substitute and have a backup plan in case something is out of stock or they bring the wrong quantity. For the 1 in 10 times they don’t do it right, you’ll be ready.
—"My company should pay for this"
Reality Check: Don't limit yourself by waiting for company approval. Consider personal investment in professional development as a path to advancement.
—"It's too expensive"
Perspective Shift: Consider the cost of your time, including stress and lost opportunities. Often, the investment pays for itself in reclaimed time and energy.
Real-World Success Strategies
—For grocery delivery: Order 4 items when you need 3 to ensure quality selection
—For house services: Use platforms with reviews rather than random classified ads
—For professional tasks: Start with one-time projects before committing to ongoing services
—For virtual assistants: Audition them first. Begin with a small project to test compatibility
The key to successful outsourcing is to start small and gradually expand as you become more comfortable with the process.
Remember: The goal isn't to outsource everything, but to strategically free up your time for what matters most, whether that's personal joy, family time, career advancement, or personal development.
Every task you successfully outsource is an investment in your most valuable resource: your time.
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Today’s Guest
Marcey Rader
Speaker, Coach, & Author on Productivity
Marcey Rader is a speaker, coach, and author who champions health-powered productivity™. Founder of RaderCo, she works with Fortune 500 companies and startups, inspiring global audiences. A multi-award-winning speaker, TEDx presenter, and one of 900 Certified Speaking Professionals®, Marcey’s authored four books and created the Powered Path Program™. Her mission is to help individuals and companies reclaim their workdays and build sustainable habits to work well and play more!
Connect with her at:
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About The Creator/Host: I’m Brian. At age 4, I was diagnosed with insulin dependent (type 1) diabetes and told that my life was going to be 10-20 years shorter than everyone else. As a kid I took time for granted, but now as an adult, time is the most precious thing that I have. After spending a career hands-on in the trenches as a senior project manager, I now help others to level-up through my Productivity Gladiator training. These Gladiators wield email management superpowers, a laser-guided ability to focus, samurai-grade prioritization skills, a sniper-precise task tracking approach, Jedi time management skills, and a secret sauce for maximizing their personal life balance. If what you’ve seen here intrigues you, reach out, let’s chat!
Time is the currency of your life, spend it wisely.