I think most of us know just how great it feels to create something, build something, or fix something. The pure joy of accomplishment, the satisfaction that comes along with a completed project of almost any kind is very powerful stuff.
This happens when we engage our sensible capabilities. Those are the things we actually know how to do in one way or another with the talent, skills, knowledge and experience we already possess.
But what happens when we try to extend beyond those capabilities only to find out that the results we seek are at best, elusive… at worst, frustrating, destructive and often a waste of valuable time.
The solution lies in understanding how we decide the best path to accomplish the goal at hand. Is it a “do it yourself” (DIY) direction? Or is a “done for you” (D4U) approach the better way to go?
In our guitar-related world this choice shows up regularly, whether you’re writing a press release, building a landing page, launching a new model, running a social campaign, or preparing for a show. The right answer is rarely absolute and depends on the situation.
Here are 10 practical ways to help you decide:
DIY when you already know how to do it well (or can learn it quickly without derailing everything else).
D4U when the skill gap is significant and the learning curve is steep.
DIY when the calendar actually has room.
D4U when the project keeps getting pushed or is eating into higher-value work.
DIY when the true cost of your time (including opportunity cost) is lower than hiring help.
D4U when paying for the result frees you for higher-value work or avoids expensive mistakes.
DIY works for low-stakes activities and experiments.
D4U (or at least professional review) is helpful when reputation, sales, or relationships are on the line.
DIY can be helpful when the process itself is valuable.
D4U can be better when you simply need the result quickly and can move on.
DIY works with tasks that are contained.
D4U may be more appropriate when there are multiple systems, platforms or audiences involved and mistakes can compound.
DIY works best when you have creative or problem-solving energy.
D4U is better when you’re already stretched thin.
DIY works when a mediocre outcome is acceptable or easily fixed.
D4U is preferred when a weak result is expensive or hard to undo.
DIY makes sense if building the capability pays ongoing dividends.
D4U may be better for one-off or infrequent needs.
DIY works when you know exactly what “done” looks like.
D4U (or collaborative help) often makes more sense when the goal is still fuzzy or a work in progress.
Which of these factors feel most relevant to the effort in front of you right now? If the honest answer points toward a D4U direction (or hybrid), the next question might be: who already lives in this same universe and can help you move faster with less friction?
As I noted in Escape from Saturation Island, letting go of any part of our business or work is rarely automatic. We’re often too close and too attached. The real skill here is being able to step back from the effort long enough to weigh DIY vs. D4U objectively.
I’m always interested in your experiences with this choice. Feel free to comment or reach out directly.
Jeffrey D Brown is a strategist, author, and long-time creative professional who has helped guitar-related businesses and professionals cut through complexity, regain momentum, and move forward with purpose for decades at GUITARPR.
Learn more about his broader work at jeffreydbrown.com
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