If You Don't Ask, We Can't Help!

Often accomplished professionals and solopreneurs wear themselves out trying to “do it all” in their business.  They take on generating new business, serving existing clients, marketing, fixing (or attempting to fix) their IT problems at the office, sending out the bills, all while trying to run their office or business.  While serving new and existing clients is what they are BEST suited to handle, many professionals and solopreneurs try to wear all the hats in their business.  Not all the hats fit well, nor should they.  We are all uniquely gifted and skilled in certain areas, but not all of them.  Similarly, we have interests and passions in some, but not ALL, areas.

Recently, I had the pleasure of connecting two friends for their mutual benefit.  One was a marketing professional who had some time available for new projects.  The other was a business owner who needed some part time administrative and marketing help.  I was able to connect them in less than 10 minutes, and they were both excited to learn about the other and how they might possibly work together in the future.

In another instance I was at a board meeting, and a fellow board member mentioned she was in career transition.  I called upon another friend in that industry and connected the two of them for a potential collaboration or employment opportunity.

It gave me great joy to be able to make these connections, and it took very little time and effort on my part.  I know that one of my skills is connecting others.  I’ve made a career out of it in the legal industry, but I also make connections in my personal and professional life which have no direct financial benefit to me.  I do it, because that’s what I’m created to do.  I do it, because it brings me joy to bring two people together for their mutual benefit, and it makes them happy when I introduce them.

Why not turn to your trusted network of friends, colleagues, and referral partners the next time you have a need?  Rather than try and do everything yourself, ask for someone’s help.  You might be able to trade services and help one another without it costing either of you any money.  Better to collaborate with someone who is extraordinary at the very thing you need done, than to waste your time and energy doing a subpar job of it yourself.  Just because you CAN do something, doesn’t mean you SHOULD.  Someone skilled at what you need done can usually do it in much less time and with a much better result than you can, if it isn’t your area of expertise.  Learn to leverage your network for maximize results.

Next time you struggle with a task you aren’t skilled at handling, or feel deadlines looming and have too much on your plate, turn to someone you know and trust and ask for their help.  Or ask them if they know someone who can help.  You might just make their day.  Remember, if you don’t ask, we can’t help!