You do not need a delegation audit to start freeing up your time. You need a habit you can run in the moment, while the work is in front of you.
The rule
When a task lands on your plate, give yourself two minutes to answer one question: is this the best possible use of my time right now? If the honest answer is no, it goes on a running “hand off” list instead of getting done by you out of habit.
Why it works
Most low-value work gets done by founders not because it is important, but because it is in front of them and finishing it feels productive. The two-minute pause interrupts that reflex. It turns autopilot into a decision.
Build the list, then hand it off in batches
Do not try to delegate each item the second you spot it, that just creates a new interruption. Capture it, keep working, and once a week review the list with your assistant. You will usually find clear patterns: the same kinds of tasks show up again and again, which makes them perfect candidates for a documented, repeatable process.
Within a few weeks, the list itself becomes a map of everything that does not need you, which is exactly the information you need to buy your time back.