What gets in the way of asking for help?

I was hanging out at a local playground the other day with my daughter. Nearby was a small group of Mums chatting and I confess to a little eavesdropping ...

They were discussing how they felt about asking for help when they had newborn babies at home and whether or not it was any different now that they had or about to have their second babies. As I listened I heard statements like:

• I felt if I asked for help it was suggest I was failing
• Asking for help would suggest I wasn't good enough
• I didn't want to be a burden to anyone else
• I really needed help but I just couldn't bring myself to ask for it

These feelings are not confined to mothers, I hear comments like this frequently from clients who struggle to ask for help at home, in the workplace or any other aspect of their life.

In my experience people actually LOVE to feel needed and helpful ... but they are NOT mind readers!!!  I often suggest my clients take some new perspectives when asking for help ...

• consider it a gift to allow people the opportunity to show their love for us by helping
• let people know it is OK if they decline your request for help
• trust that you don't have to keep score when it comes to giving and receiving help ... what goes around comes around

What gets in the way for you when it comes to asking for help? What new perspective would make it easier for you?

Linda x