Power and Weakness in Delegating

My daughter turned one on October 14th, and I had her party last Sunday the 20th. When I have parties at home most of the time they end up being very stressful, and I am exhausted by the end. I get exhausted from the series of anxiety attacks I have throughout the whole party planning process. This time I decided to be smart about it. I would delegate some responsibilities to keep anxiety at bay. Now that I have learned my triggers, I try to avoid them like plagues or prepare myself beforehand. I put decor up the night before so I wasn't left trying to get things done at the last minute because the time got away from me. I cooked not a single dish on purpose. I spread those responsibilities out to family members. I told my husband he was in charge of games. There was actually one point at the party that I kept thinking I should be doing something, but I don't have anything to do. It felt so weird. So with that, there's power in delegating.

However, there is also a weakness in it and it exposes a huge weakness in me. I despise asking people for help. People aren't always reliable. They show up late for varies reasons, they forget, it is not the quality you were expecting, and so on. I am VERY appreciative of what everyone did, so I don't want to sound like a brat or that I am complaining. I just know my triggers, and when I have something in my mind a certain way when it does not come out that way anxiety steps in. So there are a few things I have learned from my learning to delegate that I would love to share with you. Delegate what you don't mind not being exactly how you imagined. Delegate what you can start the party without just in case it is late. Delegate to who you know will meet your expectations, and more if need be. Know who you are delegating too. Are they always tardy? Are they detail-oriented? These are the types of questions you need to ask yourself when delegating. Lastly, when in doubt order out!! Next year I am catering. Now that's delegation I can handle and rely on.