So… you’ve hit that point. You know you need help. But the fear is whispering:

“How the heck do I even explain what I do?” “What if they get it wrong?” “It’s just easier if I do it myself, right?”

That last one? Lie. But a relatable one.

The truth is, handing stuff over doesn’t mean you’re losing control. It means you’re gaining capacity. Clarity. Breathing space.

And the place I always recommend people start?

SOPs.

Yes. Boring name. But bear with.

SOP = Standard Operating Procedure

Basically, it’s a step-by-step guide that lets your VA (or anyone) do something properly without needing to mind read.

Think:

“Here’s how I do it.” “Here’s where to find the thing.” “Please don’t forget that tiny but crucial step that no one else would know but me.”

We’re not talking MI5 levels of documentation. Just enough to get the job done right, even if you’re on holiday, poorly, or just done with the day.

Why bother?

Because SOPs equal peace of mind. For real.

They stop that horrible “Ugh, I should’ve just done it myself” feeling that happens when handovers go sideways.

They’re good for:

Getting consistent results. Reducing questions and errors. Letting others step in when needed. Creating a business that’s less you-or-nothing.

Even when I asked my mum and mother-in-law to look after my pet minnow (yep, tiny fish, big love), I made them a care sheet. Because I cared x 1 million. Same deal here.

How to create a simple SOP that doesn’t fry your brain

You don’t need to be fancy. You just need to get what’s in your head… out of it.

1. Choose your style

Go with what feels easiest:

Written — Google Doc, Word, Notion, Canva. Video — Loom, Canva screen record, Zoom and babbling (highly effective).

2. Add a quick overview

Think of it as setting the scene:

What’s this task? Why does it matter? Who owns it?

Example: “Weekly newsletter: goes out Thursdays, keeps people warm and engaged. Managed by VA.”

3. Break it all down

And I mean everything. No “they’ll figure it out” allowed.

Include:

Logins and links. Where files live. What to click, when, and how. Templates or examples. Things you always forget.

Write like you’re talking to future you, who’s frazzled and barely caffeinated.

4. List your tools and resources

Name all the bits:

Software (MailerLite, Canva, Trello, etc). Templates (email replies, welcome DMs). Password manager access if needed.

5. Add a quick quality check

Nothing over the top. Just a few “make sure you…” lines:

Check links work. Use the tone of voice doc. Don’t publish that half-written draft by mistake (again).

6. Test and tweak

Let your VA follow it. Then ask:

Did anything make no sense? What was missing? Could you follow this again next month?

Update it as you go. SOPs are living things, like plants but less needy.

The short version

You don’t have to do it all yourself. You definitely don’t have to be perfect before you ask for help. SOPs let you hand things over without losing the plot or your peace.

This isn’t about letting go. It’s about getting support and knowing your business won’t fall apart without you micromanaging every click.

Not sure what to hand over first?

That’s actually the hardest part for most people, and it’s exactly what Waffle & Write is for. A focused 30 or 60-minute session where you talk, I listen, and we turn whatever’s swirling into a proper written summary you can actually do something with and walk away with a clear brain.

Often the session ends with a really clear picture of what to delegate, what to keep, and what to just stop doing altogether.

Find out more about Waffle & Write →

Or if you already know what you need and you’re ready to hand it over, have a look at how I work and whether we’d be a good fit.

And if you want to read more about what handing things over actually looks like in practice, this post on working out what support you actually need is a good next step.