> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://cje.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Outsourcing — Thinking Outside the Box
- URL: https://cje.io/2010/02/13/outsourcing-thinking-outside-the-box/
- Published: 2010-02-13T13:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-04T04:24:37.000Z
- Author: Casey Ellis
- Tags: Building, Thinking

I love the book “The 4-hour Work Week”. A mate of mine just posted in [his blog](http://www.ryanmclean.net/?ref=cje.io) about the beginnings of his adventures in [outsourcing](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outsourcing?ref=cje.io), [using outsourced workers from the Philippines via oDesk.com to do property research](http://www.ryanmclean.net/outsourcing-your-life-for-as-little-as-1-33hour/?ref=cje.io) (great post by the way – I thoroughly recommend it especially if you haven’t ready 4-Hour Work Week). Another alternative for hiring outsources is [Elance](http://www.elance.com/?rid=1K5MH&ref=cje.io).

There are SO MANY possibilities around this… especially for those of us who are full time employed and want to built our thing on the side – but don’t have the time throughout the week and like to retain some semblance of a social life. But really, ANYONE can benefit from outsourcing. Once you try it the possibilities become obvious and VERY exciting.

Here’s a very good exercise: For 3 days write down EVERY task you do that doesn’t require your physical presence. Work related, [business](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business?ref=cje.io) related, personal – whatever. At the end of the 3 days, look at the list, figure out the recurring or otherwise unsavoury tasks that are taking up your time. Then – outsource them. Use Ryan’s recipe in the blog post and just give it a go. What do you have to lose? $8\. And plenty to gain…

As an aside to this, I have started using a personal [concierge](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concierge?ref=cje.io) service provided by my [credit card provider](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit%5Fcard?ref=cje.io). A personal concierge is essentially the same as a directly hired outsourcer, with two main differences:

- The person you end up with is a part of a team (i.e. if they get sick, there will be a replacement and your tasks will still get done), and
- They have been vetted for quality by the banks (i.e. you don’t risk wasting your time with someone who can understand you/complete your tasks/etc…)

The total annual cost for the card that provides the service (as well as a bunch of other services) is $245AUD per year, and additional cards (i.e. people who can use the service) can be added for $65AUD per year.

So, for a [flat fee](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat%5Frate?ref=cje.io) of $310AUD both my wife and I are in a position now where have UNLIMITED outsourcing hours available to us. At $1.33USD per hour, or $1.50AUD per hour, once we pass 200 hours of usage we are breaking even, after that is essentially a free service. Obviously this requires more of a commitment than the $8USD experiment, but if it works for you and you would make use of more than 200 hours a year, it’s a good way of pursuing the wonderful world of outsourcing.

Leave a comment! I’d be keen to hear from others who’ve done this, or creative ideas about things you can outsource…