“So, let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.” Hebrews 4:16 MSG
When we try to do everything ourselves, we become angry and resentful, especially when our efforts are taken for granted.
The focus scripture says we don’t have to do it all alone because we are not alone. When we work, our default thought might be, “if I don’t do it, no one else will”. But that’s a lie we have come to believe over time. The truth is that there’s help. And we must be willing to accept it.
We can ask God for help. And He can direct that help to us through team members. He can guide us on how to ask for help because there is a right way and a wrong way to do it.
According to Dr Heidi Grant in her HBR article, you can get the help you need by taking the following steps:
- Get over your reluctance to ask for assistance. Understand that most people are surprisingly willing to lend a hand.
- Ask for help in a way that will make people desire to give it to you. Make people feel that they would be helping because they want to, not because they must, and that they’re in control of the decision. Stay away from statements like, “If you help me, I’ll help you too”. Nobody likes to feel indebted. Instead, make them see the collective benefit of their help.
- Motivate people to continually support you. Positive reinforcement always works. Show them that their help matters.
My Efforts Always Bombed
I often used to stay in a state of frustration for a long while before asking for help. I just didn’t believe that anyone would be willing, so I was reluctant to ask.
Another roadblock I often encountered even after asking the right way was consistency. They would help for a short while and then stop. It was demotivating for me.
In many of these scenarios, I didn’t pray because the negative feeling I felt just won’t let me.
Now, even though consistency is still an issue (I believe there’s something wrong with the motivation I’m bringing to the table), I’ve accepted the truth that people can help. Instead of taking the new task upon myself, I first look for who can own it or work on it with me. I might still do most of the work (weaknesses can be so annoying), but I don’t do all of it.
Overcoming the urge to do everything can be difficult and there are people who will never understand why you do this. It’s because they don’t experience your struggles, so don’t hate. We’re all a work in progress.
Are you always the go-to person? How do you deal with heavy workload? I look forward to your reply.
Today’s Task: What heavy burden are you currently carrying on your shoulders all on your own? Find someone who can help and make the request.
Quick Question
What are some major events or projects coming up that will require you to be a great leader to those you influence?
Just answering this question will put you in the zone to checkmate excesses that may want to come up.
Source: I get these growth prompts from GrowthDay.
Leave a Reply