Today we live in a do-it-yourself society. There is nothing out there that we can’t build, repair, organize, cook and clean - completely on our own. People take a lot of pride in their small personal accomplishments, whether it’s patching up a hole in the living room wall or catering for a crowd of 50 for your spouse’s surprise birthday party. The downside of taking on each of these tasks is added stress. And that stress can take a huge toll.

While some people truly enjoy doing things for themselves, others opt for the do-it-yourself route to save money. But compounding these extra duties with the pressures of managing a family, career and some semblance of a social life, means you could wind up with a hole in the wall that remains an eyesore for weeks and a personally-catered party that wasn’t quite what you expected. The bottom line is the more do-it-yourself duties we take on, the less time we have to enjoy many of the other things going on around us.

Today more people are discovering that outsourcing a few of the day-to-day chores is the key to efficiency, allowing us to live with less stress and enjoy life a little more. Whether you need help with your dirty floors, planning a party or putting together an effective workout, professionals are out there to help you. Here are a few common, but all-too-often passed by trades that exist to make your life easier:

Cleaning Services: Wouldn’t it be nice if we all had a maid to clean up after us? While having someone in your home to pick up your dirty plates isn’t an option or even desirable, having someone to come into your home to do the “dirty work” can be a godsend. Mopping dirty floors and cleaning windows are dreaded tasks that are often reserved for a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Rather than spend another day inside cleaning, hire someone to help you out every week or two. A majority of the larger cleaning services in the Chicago area offer fully-screened and insured professionals. What’s more, it won’t break the bank with services starting around $50. If you can’t get a referral from a friend, try Manic Maids (www.manicmaids.com).

Personal Trainer: So you’ve got a gym membership and now what? All too often, people walk into the gym, jump on the cardio equipment for a half hour then walk into the weight room scratching their heads. Let’s face it, resistance training is essential. And if you don’t know what you’re doing, you could get hurt. If a personal trainer by your side three days a week isn’t quite in your budget, it might not be a bad idea to hire a trainer for a weight routine refresher every month or so. These services start around $70 an hour. If you’re not a member of a gym, but have been meaning to join one, Chicago Athletic Clubs (www.chicagoathleticclubs.com) have several neighborhood clubs in the area that boast a great group of personal trainers.

Personal Assistant: When someone hears the words “personal assistant” they often have a vision of someone following around their boss, frantically jotting down notes on a steno pad just before they rush off to fill a request for a cup of coffee. Personal assistants like this do exist for certain execs, but there is an ever-growing category for people who just need a little help getting something organized. Many assistants are detail-oriented professionals who have earned their stripes meticulously planning the “big things” that their clients don’t have the time to manage on their own, such as moving from one home to another, organizing a family reunion, planning a vacation, or just being “on call” for busy professionals who don’t have time to shop for the perfect outfit for an upcoming event. While personal assistant services are usually priced on a project-by-project basis, they’re well worth it. Try PS Lehman (www.pslehman.com).

Caterer: If you have a big event planned in your home and a bowl of chips accompanied by a few bologna rolls won’t cut it, a caterer could be your saving grace. Much more common and affordable these days, personal caterers tend to casual events, such as festive Super Bowl parties, and more refined events, such as formal dinners. Whatever your needs, having a caterer onsite means you won’t have to worry about multiple trips to the grocery store or hours in the kitchen. Planning a special event that needs some great food? Try True Helpers (www.truehelpers.com).

Handyman: The door is off its hinge, the paint is chipped in the bathroom and the outlet in the kitchen hasn’t worked for months! Usually we’re all willing to live with a little imperfection for a while, but when it starts to accumulate and you don’t have the skills (or time) to mend that which needs fixing, it’s time to call a handyman! A good handyman is the general practitioner of home improvements. Anything that falls under the general category of “tool box needed,” a handyman can fix. If you’ve got a floor tile that needs repair, try Urban Handyman (www.urbanhandyman.com).