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Leaders: Dare to Ask for Help

(posted: January 19th, 2010)

Do you need better results? Then ask for help. You know you need it. So go ahead and ask for it.

Ouch, did I just say ask for help? I know you probably hate that advice.

But here it is again: Get Help! And do it now!

If you are contemplating making resolutions, then simply humble yourself and ask for help in getting those resolutions done. And don't be afraid to ask someone for what you may need. There is rarely ever a mistake in reaching out to others to make your new year a better one.

You don't need to do everything alone, even if you think you can. We may think we have all the tools and great ideas at our disposal, but we all still need others to help us.

Step five of six in my personal strategic planning workshop is: engage and deputize all involved. There is no shame in reaching out. You are asking for a hand up not a handout. Think about it and ask yourself: who could help you jump start your business and accomplish your goals for this year?

Ask For Help!!

Building motivators into everyday life is a classic strategy for making goals reachable. One of the best ways to do this is to ask someone to support you. I know of a real estate salesperson who promised to take his family camping every time he made a sale. Not surprisingly, his children became enthusiastic supporters of his success at work.

You can ask:

• Employers
• Employees
• Coaches
• Clients
• Family & Friends
• Movers & Shakers

To be your supporters and motivators. Anyone, as long as they have a genuine interest in seeing you succeed, can make a great supporter and accountability partner.

Can't think of anything to ask for help with? I have some ideas - Ask:

• your current clients for business referrals
• your family to celebrate your success with you
• someone you admire to mentor you for six months; it may turn into a year
• someone to help you see different realities and fuel your imagination
• someone in the job you aspire to for their support and perspective
• someone doing your job at larger scope or maturity, or in a different industry, for their perspective and advice.

Tell them how much you respect and admire them and that you would like to learn from them. Then do the things they suggest, and report back. They will feel empowered by helping - we all love to help others, and you will potentially gain skills, perspective, understanding, experience, and more. Always remember to thank them, and offer to help support them, too. Give value to them so they are glad they gave of their time and knowledge to you.

Encourage yourself to get outside your comfort zone. Jump start your year by asking for help, share yourself, and be committed to the process. Being steadfast in your focus can bring great results.

• What are those favors on which you've been waiting to cash in?
• Who is on your "chicken list?" Someone you have wanted to connect with but you've been too "chicken" to pick up the phone?
• What would help you summon that courage to ask for help?
• How can you jump start your year with a little help from someone near, or far?

I would love to hear about all it! I look forward to sharing the best practices when people ask me for help!!