Gee, Joseph... outsource the entire process? Where's the fun in that? I did note you said "If you wish."
For me, I'm doing this online business stuff because I love it. To outsource all of it wouldn't make any sense. But I do hope to eventually outsource many of the tasks I
don't enjoy.
As far as letting the business run me, that's a challenge because I have a full-time job (which I enjoy, thank goodness). I sit at a computer all day at work, and often the idea of sitting at the computer to do my online biz stuff when I get home just makes me cringe. If I have a deadline to meet, whether self-imposed or for a joint project with other people involved, I'll just force myself to get it done whether I'm in the mood to work or not. During those times, I do feel the business is running me. Fortunately, though, once I "force myself" to start working on something, I get "into it" and start enjoying the work again.
But if there's no real urgency to get something done, and I don't feel like doing anything online... I simply don't do it. That's the benefit of having a full-time job and not having to rely on my online biz income.
Of course, that could also be seen as a negative thing. If I HAD to earn a living with my online activities, I'd definitely be earning more money with 'em by now!
Great thread, Lady O!