Did you ever hear the story about the little boy who was trying to move a large boulder while his father stood by watching? The boy struggled, trying different methods without success. Finally he was ready to give up. “I can’t do it,” he said. The father asked him, “Are you using all your resources?” “Yes!” the boy replied, exasperated. “Are you sure?” the father insisted, “You haven’t asked me to help.”

It isn’t easy for proud and stubborn people, like me, to ask for help. Like the little boy, we may feel that asking for help is a sign of weakness. I don’t know why, but I’ve always felt that if I were going to make it in business I’d have to do it on my own. That didn’t mean I wouldn’t read and study anything I could get my hands on, I do that. I’m an autodidact; I love learning on my own. It took me a long time to realize that it was OK to ask for help.

For the first time I have a business coach. You know him as the moderator here, Bryan Cromlish. I consider Bryan brilliant and myself very lucky to have teamed up with him. Having a coach who is skilled in the areas where I am weak comes as such a relief. For once I don’t have to strive to be the one who knows everything.  I never knew it could feel so good to let go and let someone else lead. I’m learning it doesn’t have to be just me moving that boulder or leading the discussion on how to move it.  I’m happy to learn I was wrong.

Where do you turn when you need support? Who helps you do what you want to accomplish in life?  Have you ever had a coach who raised the bar for you?

photo credit: Mike Baird