The question every adviser should ask before 2026 gets busy
As the year begins, we want to wish you a great year ahead. This is the first Levera Insights article for 2026, and it felt like the right moment to pause before everything speeds up again.
The start of a new year has a way of filling itself quickly. Clients book in. Projects restart. The to-do list grows. Before long, the year feels busy in the same way the last one did.
That is why this question matters now, before the calendar is full.
Do I really need to be doing all of this myself?
It is not a dramatic question. It is not about stepping back or changing everything. It is simply an honest check-in as you look at the year ahead and how you want it to feel.
Why this question comes up at the start of the year?
For most advisers, the workload does not become heavy overnight. It builds slowly. A few extra clients. A few more systems. More follow-ups. More things that only you know how to do. By the time it feels noticeable, the business is already running at pace.
When the year gets busy, there is rarely time to stop and rethink how work is flowing. That is why asking this question early makes a difference. It gives you space to be intentional before decisions become reactive.
The concern most advisers have about outsourcing
When outsourcing comes up, the same follow-on questions tend to appear.
Do I need to commit fully?
Do I have to hand everything over?
Or can I outsource just one thing and see how it goes?
These questions make sense. Advice businesses are built on trust, responsibility and care. You stay close to the details because that is how quality is protected. Client outcomes matter. Compliance matters. Your reputation matters.
That is exactly why outsourcing does not need to be an all-or-nothing decision.
What outsourcing usually looks like in practice
For most advisers, outsourcing starts small. One task that no longer needs their attention. One process that quietly takes up time and mental energy. One piece of work that is important, but not the best use of an adviser’s time.
There is no overhaul. No restructure. No handing everything over at once. Just a small shift that makes the week feel a little lighter.
Starting this way often feels safer. You can see how workflows, understand how tasks are handled and build confidence in the process without pressure. Some advisers choose to expand support over time. Others find that one change is enough. Both are valid.
What this means for 2026
As you think about the year ahead, this question is not about growth for the sake of it or doing less work. It is about sustainability. Having enough space to think clearly. Enough energy to stay engaged. Enough structure so the business supports you, not the other way around.
A business that does not rely on you doing everything yourself is often calmer, more predictable and easier to manage as the year gets busy.
A final thought as the year gets underway
You do not need to decide anything today. You do not need to change everything. Simply asking the question early puts you in a better position than waiting until the year is already full.
If 2026 is shaping up to be a busy one, it is worth deciding now what you do not want to carry alone.
If you ever want to talk through what starting small could look like, the Levera team is always happy to have that conversation.
