I have been asked how I handle running two auto repair shops and a software company, along with being a father (who doesn’t like to miss his daughters’ soccer games) and a loving husband (who at least picks up his own dishes, if I might add). I do it by managing and delegating. Easy enough, right?

There are so many levels of managing and delegating that we could talk about, but let me focus on just a few:

• Work to replace yourself with someone who can do the job better than you. Also, don’t be afraid to let them be better, get paid well, and make decisions that don’t require your approval. (Note: Don’t replace yourself as a father on the sideline of your kids’ soccer games; only YOU can fill that job!)
• Manage your numbers. A profit and loss statement is a good place to start, but don’t stop there. Create a few KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) that you can hold yourself and your team to as benchmarks.
• Leverage technologies that will help your guys be more productive and efficient. Giving a technician a tablet is a good example of this. It minimizes their steps back and forth to a computer and gives them knowledge at their fingertips while working on or in a vehicle.
• Look in the mirror, and become the best leader you can. Stop trying to convince someone on social media that they are wrong about health care, politics, sports, etc., and focus on making a better you. Do you suck at technology? Then, spend time there. Do you suck in knowing your P&L? Spend time there. Do you suck at managing your people with HR problems? Again, spend time there. Be the best “you” that you can be.

Is it as easy as just these four steps? No, but I promise they’re a solid start that helped me and can eventually help you get to where you want to be.