Mar 2, 2022
During my trip to Sedona, I went on what I consider to be a pretty intimidating hike and it got me thinking about what we tend to do when something in our businesses threatens our sense of security.
I see so many entrepreneurs hit a roadblock and then they are reluctant to do the very thing that will help them move beyond it.
In today’s post, I’ve got a quick hiking story to share with you that ended up being an incredibly relevant analogy for how to take on the fears that arise in business.
Read on to discover what to do the next time that moment of truth stops you in your tracks so you can reach the mountaintop without delay.
When it seems impossible to move forward
In Sedona, I agreed to go on a hike, which may not sound like a big deal, but it is for me. Why? Because I have a fear of heights and falling. But I wanted to push through that fear, so that’s how I found myself on a mountain, confronted with what felt like an impossible roadblock.
Obviously, it wasn’t truly impossible, because I could see people already much higher up than I was, but I was terrified. There seemed to be only one route through this crevice and the room for error wasn’t looking good. If one were to fall in this spot, they’d likely die (or live a pretty un-fun existence thereafter). I couldn’t find my grip, and none of my other attempts to pass through were working either.
I looked around and realized that we were either going to have to find a way through, or turn around and head back, making this the end of our hike. The thing is, I really wanted to get to the top. I really wanted to get up high so that we could see, experience, and enjoy the view.
And so we were at a crossroads. This was the moment of truth.
“Could you help us up this part? We’re stuck.”
There was another hiker nearby, a man named Sam. We started talking to him, and I decided to ask for help.
Low and behold, Sam was actually excited to help us. He jumped right up, like it was no big deal, and helped pull us up past that “impossible” roadblock.
After that boost, we were able to make it up the rest of the mountain. And boy, was it worth it. When we got to the peak, we were able to see out over the mountain and experience the most breathtaking views. Beyond the view, I was also radiating from the internal reward you feel when you push past something that challenges you to achieve your desired outcome.
But the truth is, we didn’t do it on our own. If we hadn't asked for help, we would've had to turn around because there was no way that I could physically or mentally overcome that obstacle.
The same is true in your business.
Why entrepreneurs are reluctant to ask for help (and how that hinders success)
There are many fears to face as an entrepreneur. The fear of following up, of making that next call, of quoting that higher price, of sending out that proposal. We hit roadblocks and reach the same kind of crossroads: Should I turn back? Or should I ask for help?
Oftentimes, in business, entrepreneurs are reluctant to ask for help because it feels like a weakness. You think, I should already know this. And therefore, it's not cool to ask for help. Or some people feel that if you ask for help, and you get that help, and then you get the outcome that you wanted, then it doesn't really count. They think it doesn't count because someone had to help them get there. But the truth is, we don't ever get there alone. None of us.
You and I get there because of the people that we ask for help. We get there by collaborating with the people who have a different expertise than we do, who are able to see and do things differently in their particular zone of genius.
Getting help and giving help both come with their own rewards
By being open to receiving help, you have the potential to gain new perspectives, new insights, AND to give other people confidence.
When our fellow hiker, Sam, helped us yesterday, he felt the reward just as much as we felt rewarded because he was able to help us.
In business, it is a gift to give people the opportunity to share their expertise and make a difference in your world.
If you’ve been caught in the mindset that asking for help is a sign of weakness, consider this:
Because it’s hard to ask for help, by overcoming this reluctance and seeking out assistance when you need it, it is, in fact, a strength.
So the question for you is: What are you struggling with right now in your business, and where do you need to ask for help? Where have you been reluctant to ask for help?
Seek out a support system that strengthens you - family, friends, coaches, mentorship groups, masterminds, support staff, and more. Find people who believe in your mission and want to help you reach your goals. You can get to that next level by surrounding yourself with people who truly want to support you, because that's what growing a business is all about.
My challenge for you this week is to figure out where you need help in your business and go get the help you need. That’s a surefire accelerated way to get ahead in your business.