Last year I read a book. It was highly recommended by a very popular podcaster. I got it but I didn’t like it. It was a struggle to read it but I kept turning the pages. Eventually, I decided to STOP. I didn’t finish the book. Instead, I did something way faster. The author of the book wrote about a TED talk she had done. I looked it up, and it was essentially what she was discussing in the book. BOOM! 13 minutes of watching her speak instead of finishing the rest of the book.

I’m glad I did. I learned a couple of things from that experience.

  1. It’s okay if you don’t finish a book. Reading is extremely important. In the past, I’ve tried to read as many books as I can. I’m pivoting and doing something different now. I’m slowing down and reviewing the books I’ve already consumed. It can be easy to get caught up with the “How many books have you read” race. I’m not doing it anymore. Rather, I think we need to slow down and really consume the information we’ve already read. There’s a lot that I have missed.
  2. The main point of the book I was reading was about the power of Asking others for help. You would think asking someone for help is easy, especially if you need help. But it’s not.

Asking for something is an art that a lot of people don’t do. It’s often why so many people remain single. They’re too afraid to ask that person they are interested in out on a date. It’s why so many will struggle with a problem or assignment because they don’t want to admit they need help.

Many don’t ask for something whether it’s for help or some kind of opportunity due to the dreaded “NO.” But if someone says No, that’s okay. At least you asked.

It’s okay to ask for help.

“Can you help me?” It sounds so simple, right? But many times it is not. At least maybe as we get older. My seven-year-old son asks me for things all the time. Great! He does hear some “No’s” but that doesn’t stop him. But as we get older asking for assistance becomes more of a challenge. We need to continue to act like children.

img_7182
Family time after worship

Asking for help isn’t something that is bad. I don’t have all the answers and neither do you. Asking for assistance doesn’t mean you’re weak. It actually points more to how wise you really are. Here’s the cool thing that happens when we do ask for help. People will say “YES!” But we must ask. So I say, ask and watch what happens.

  1. Ask that man or woman out on a date. They may say yes. Even if they don’t, at least you tried.
  2. Ask someone to review your blog. You may gain some really insightful advice.
  3. Ask for the job you want. Don’t be timid. Let the company know you want it.

The list could go on and on.

If you ask, they may say “Yes.” But someone may be thinking, “How do you know if they will say yes?” You don’t! That’s why you have to ASK.

What is it that you need to ask for today?

What success stories have you had as a result of summoning the courage to ask someone for something? I would love to hear it.

And more thing. Will you help me? If you like this post or other ones I’ve written, will you like and leave me a comment? I would love to know.

I will await your answer!

I CAN DO…SO CAN YOU.

Let’s go.