Ask for help…
There were a few times when I could have asked for help but I didn’t. Primarily it’s because of pride, probably because I thought I’m better than the person I’m asking help from, or because I just don’t want to bother people with my personal problems.
Before my coach training, I always thought that we can only ask help from our friends, family or relatives but it turned out you can even ask a stranger for help. All you need to do is to actually… ask, which for most of us is hard.
I learned from coaching school that if you need help, ask for it. Unless you let people know what you need, they’ll never know how to help.
I remember when I was spearheading a donation drive for an orphanage a few years ago. I was really hesitant to ask people especially those who I am not close with for donation. Out of desperation or desire to increase the amount we can donate, I asked anyway. The results were, amazing, people were more than willing to help. Friends of friends, acquaintances even those whom I haven’t talked to for years (good thing Facebook is now a thing) donated. To top it all, the highest donations were from people I least expected to donate. How about that.
What’s my point? Asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a sign that you acknowledge you cannot do something alone and that results will be better if you have someone to do it with. Ask for help when it’s needed, BUT, not all the time. Also, keep tabs, reciprocate and pay it forward if you can. Imagine how great living in this world will be if everyone can ask for and give help when necessary.
When was the last time you ask for and give help?