The Power of Asking for Help
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We are taught to be independent, to figure it out ourselves and to go it alone. Admitting that we can’t do something or need support is seen as a sign of weakness or failure. But nothing could be further from the truth. Asking for help is an important part of making progress towards our goals. If we try to do it all by ourselves, we are not using our strengths and working smart.
As many people say, “Sure, you could do that, but SHOULD you?” There are things that of course we could spend our time doing or learning how to do. And many of those things are important and worth the time to do so. But for some things on our to-do list, on the path to reaching our goals, there is someone out there who can do it better, faster and more effectively than you ever could.
It’s okay to ask for help. In fact, you’ll grow and achieve much more if you do than if you try and do everything yourself. So don’t be afraid to get vulnerable and ask others to support you. Here’s how it can help you reach your goals.
Save Time and Energy
You only have so much time in your day and you can only do so much. If you spread yourself too thin, then you aren’t doing anything well enough to be great. Many times we get bogged down feeling like we have to handle every detail of our projects. But by pausing, and asking yourself “I could do that, but is it worth me taking the time and energy to get it done?” you are allowing yourself to step back and look at the bigger picture. You get more done when you ask for help.
People Want to Help You
Many times the biggest hurdle we have of asking for help is that we don’t want to burden others. We feel like we are bothering them, and causing them pain. While of course you should be strategic and mindful of people’s schedules and deadlines in asking for help, asking for help creates stronger relationships for you. People want to support you in your journey! When you ask for help, you are able to share your success with that person. You can create more authentic relationships and genuine connections with your coworkers, colleagues and partners when you ask for their help.
Being Vulnerable Builds Growth and Strength
The more often you ask for help, the more authentic you are being with others. Nobody can do it all, and anyone who presents themselves like they can seems fake. You need a team, you need people in your corner to help you grow. When you are vulnerable about your weaknesses, failures and concerns, you are stepping out of your comfort zone and growing as a person. Accepting that you need help with a project or a task and actively seeking someone who can support you is a strength.
The next time you feel stuck, overwhelmed or overworked, pause. Take a step back and think about whether or not you need to ask for help - do you need to be struggling? Chances are someone would be thrilled to help you solve this problem and reach your goals. Build your team, grow outside of your comfort zone and save time by asking others for help.