There he sat at the end of the day with his head down on his desk. It wasn’t 5 PM, no it wasn’t 7PM. It was 11:30 PM and he was hoping to get home by midnight. Just another day at the office… putting out ‘fires’, handling difficult issues, managing the budget, living the dream.
Copyright: pxhidalgo / 123RF Stock Photo
Do you ever feel like you’re just spinning your wheels? Do you feel like you’re stuck in a rut? Are you finding it more and more difficult to find meaning in your work?
Have you considered asking for help?
In our culture we delight in and admire the folks who go it alone – the people who are “self-made” – the mavericks. Yet, if you were to sit down and talk to any one of the “self-made” champions, entrepreneurs, or leaders, you’d find that most of them are quick to thank the people who helped them to achieve their dreams and goals.
Many children have read Maya Angelou’s works in class. Yet, Maya’s works would not exist without the help of Mrs. Flowers. Mrs. Flowers was Maya’s neighbor and “teacher.” She encouraged Maya to read, took her to the library and told her to read every book within the small area of the library. As she read, Angelou found a love of poetry. Her love deepened as Mrs. Flowers invited her to her house to read to her. Maya learned to love poetry even more as she spoke it aloud. Thanks to Mrs. Flowers, the voice of Maya Angelou lives on today.
Imagine a world without Microsoft. Even the world’s most famous dropout, Bill Gates, who left Harvard to start up Microsoft has said that he would not be where he is today without the guidance of his math and drama teachers growing up.
People need people!
I talk one-on-one with hundreds and hundreds of people every year. I hear stories like the one that opened this article. People who are struggling to find meaning and purpose in their lives while still making a living. Some have given up believing that maybe the life that they have is all there is. Yet, in their hearts they know something more is possible.
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Do you like to help people?
(I know you think I just changed topics here but stick with me.) Do you enjoy helping others? As I ask that question to folks, I almost always hear “Yes!” When I don’t hear a ‘yes’, it’s because I usually hear something like “I wish I could. I just don’t have time.”
Some folks are “fixers” and “problem-solvers”. These are things that they LOVE to do. They pride themselves on their abilities to help others and overcome challenges. Are you in that category? These are folks who love to make a difference in the world. They want their lives to matter!
Helping others feels good. It affords us the opportunity to feel connected to others… to be appreciated and acknowledged… to know in our hearts that we are good… that we are worthwhile.
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So, why is it that we are so self-centered when it comes to allowing others to help us?
Why do we believe that asking for help is a sign of weakness? Do you believe that the people you are helping and serving are “weak”? Do you believe that they are stupid? That they are incompetent and incapable of achievement? That they don’t deserve your respect? That they are “less than?”
NO! Of course not. We appreciate it when others ask for our help.
So, why is it that we are so self-centered when it comes to allowing others to help us?
Why do we deny others that feeling that we get when we help others? Why won’t we allow others to have that same feeling?
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Help is a phone call or cubicle away
Think about your biggest challenge right now. Do you believe that you are the only one on the planet that has ever had a challenge like this? Do you think someone that is just a cubicle or phone call away might just have a perspective or thought or experience that can help you? Yes? Then, why don’t you allow them the privilege of feeling appreciated, acknowledged and worthwhile by giving them the opportunity to make a difference in your life?
Stop being selfish! Reach out and allow someone to make a difference in your life.
Asking for help does not make you weak; it makes you human.
Someone is holding out a helping hand for you right now. Their outstretched arm is your way out of the challenge or predicament that you are currently experiencing. All you have to do is ask. All you have to do is reach out and connect.
What kind of leaders ask for help?
Only the Successful Ones.
Set aside your foolish pride and allow others the privilege to make a difference in YOUR life.
If you want to be as successful and fulfilled as you can be, you need the help of others.
[fac_icon icon=”question-circle-o”]Answer these 3 questions:
- Who are you going to reach out to today?
- Who is going to get the opportunity to make a difference in your life?
- How is it going to feel for you and for them when we all see your success?
Please comment below and let me know who you are going to reach out to today to ask for their help, guidance, and wisdom. Let me know who is going to make a difference in your life today.