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Ask for Help!
| Guest post by: Marian Banker |
Article Overview: In a recent interview I was asked what I thought was a common thread for all my clients. Without thinking, I answered, "They're ready and willing to ask for help". I knew it was true before, but I hadn't put it into words. Understanding and acknowledging this I can now focus on finding those who are ready to ask for help. That's a great insight. I can simply ask prospects if they are ready to get help.
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Free Download - Two Steps to a Winning Strategy By Marian Banker |
Ask for Help!
In a recent interview I was asked what I thought was a common thread for all my clients. Without thinking, I answered, "They're ready and willing to ask for help". I knew it was true before, but I hadn't put it into words. Understanding and acknowledging this I can now focus on finding those who are ready to ask for help. That's a great insight. I can simply ask prospects if they are ready to get help.
Entrepreneurs by nature don't like to ask for help. An independent and sometimes stubborn lot, we tend to think we can do it all. There are many kinds of help we can ask for, from getting administrative support to calling on expertise beyond our own to accomplish something that would require ramp up time for us. That includes getting feedback on our ideas, helping us monitor our milestones and keeping us focused on our goals. The place to go for help is where the payoff is the biggest. If we haven't clearly defined exactly what results we want, we may want to start there and get help to define them.
It's much easier, and certainly more pleasant, having someone help us sort out the issues, get focused on goals, offer solutions, function as a partner and be a friend. Enter -- the coach.
How do you know if you're ready to ask for help from someone like a coach? Here are a few responses I've heard more than once.
- Tried unsuccessfully to do it myself
- Feel stuck and tempted to give up
- Want to grow my business but don't know how
- Finances are out of control
- Staff is not productive; I end up doing it all
- Have great ideas, but don't know how to develop them
- Want to create a strong brand; need guidance
- Frustrated with my business partnership or family business
With those kinds of answers you can't afford NOT to get help. Humans were meant to help each other. It's an honor to be asked for help. It reinforces our sense of being valued.
Asking for help does not imply weakness. I've found that those who ask for help when they need it are much more likely to succeed than those who keep putting it off, continuing to hope they can do it themselves. That can lead to total frustration and could be the beginning of an unwanted downhill spiral.
Is it time to get help in making critical decisions or setting a strategic course of action? Don't be afraid to ask. I'll bet you'll be glad you did.
Article Tags: cant do it myself, feel stuck, insight, need guidance, staff not productive
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About the Author: Marian Banker RSS for Marian's articles - Visit Marian's website Marian is co-producer and host of the annual Small Business Summit 2006-2009, an all-day conference that brings together small business owners and technology providers. She is creator of the "Business Success System", a step-by-step process with tools, text and a virtual classroom atmosphere. Since 1995, has coached Entrepreneurs, Professionals and Executives in transition to become business leaders. Emphasis is on what it takes to lead a business to success. Holds a Masters in Business Administration and has over 25 years experience as senior executive, consultant, entrepreneur, educator, mentor and coach. Founded Prime Strategies in 1996 to provide the small business community with coaching, consulting and training in business leadership, translated into plain English for the typical small business owner. Click here to visit Marian's website   Warning Signs Checklist Partner Questionnaire |
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