Speaking from a position of owning a business when it could not be a better time to own a business, I find myself in a pickle. You see, I come across people that have their business started and operational and they just need a bit of help. But they are afraid to ask or admit that they may need help.
They fear the request more than the consequence of not getting help. Like a drowning kid that doesn’t want to be embarrassed by the lifeguard.
Maybe they don’t need routine help or even much help, they just need a little help. The worst part is they are afraid to ask for it. Every business owner runs into this at some point, just in varying degrees.
Maybe you know you need some bookkeeping help, but you are embarrassed by the state of your books. So you keep them hidden away under that pile of paper on your desk where you hope they will take care of themselves. They won’t.
Maybe you need some leadership or management training due to employee turnover or just a toxic work environment. But you are too shy or time strapped to schedule the time to take a class, read a book or even acknowledge the issue. That will only get worse without some help.
Perhaps you are running ragged and not making any money. Or making money but still running ragged. Was that the goal when you started your business? To work 23 hours a day and stay busy and toil and climb and grow without any payback in actual freedom? Often I see this and it reminds me of a rat on a wheel. That road doesn’t end and it is easy to take one step away and realize what is happening.
My point is that it is entirely OK and expected for you to ask for help. Think of any professional athlete, leading CEO, or 15 year old on a debate team. They all have mentors and coaches. They all have access to classes and options to improve their craft beyond their current abilities. None of them go alone during practice all of the time. They do not fear that their coach will belittle them for asking for help. Their coach actually expects it. Their coach may belittle them for not asking for help.
We as business owners are taught to be the maverick. The conqueror of all on our own. Really, you need help more than you may realize, just like everybody else. The challenge is often not in working on improving. The challenge is often merely asking for help.
Really, if an accountant mocks you for your books being messed up, they either have no experience in the small business world or they aren’t the accountant for you. Probably both. Accountants and bookkeepers exist because business cash flows can be a challenge and business owners likely did not get in business so they would have paperwork to do.
The same with business coaches, business class instructors, attorneys, bankers, or even the occasional psychiatrist. These people do not exist solely for you. They exist because a large crowd could use their services at any given time. You just happen to be another person they are hoping asks them for help.
James Kademan is a Business Coach for Draw In Customers Business Coachingin Madison, Wisconsin. When he isn’t asking for help, he is busy guiding entrepreneurs to success in business and beyond. He blogs successfully to the world at www.drawincustomers.com. If you are considering hiring a business coach, take a moment to call James at (608)210-2221. He is happy to help.
