Why Asking for Help Can Be the Key to Unlocking Your Potential

Deborah Ross

“Help!

I need somebody

Help! not just anybody

Help! you know I need someone, help….”

These iconic lyrics by The Beatles are universally recognized.

Asking for help can range from being a very easy thing all the way to a brave step forward.

We're often quick to seek help when we know we lack expertise. Need a haircut? You phone and make the appointment. Gutters need clearing on a six-storey building? You’ll enter that into your search. Finding the right help is key. As the Beatles said, "not just anybody" will do.

Why We Hesitate to Ask for Help

But what happens when we can help ourselves? That’s when asking for help becomes trickier. We all have skills, knowledge, and experience that help us handle most challenges independently. But have you ever been the person driving around in circles, stubbornly refusing to ask for directions? Sometimes, even when we’re capable, a little external help can put us back on track.

Coaching: A Unique Form of Help

Coaching is a specific type of help—and it’s different from other forms. A consultant uses their expertise to solve problems or offer hard truths. A mentor shares tips and wisdom based on experience. A counselor works with you to understand the past. A coach, however, focuses on the future and helps you plan how to get there. Coaching is a unique conversation. A coach listens deeply, asks insightful questions, and encourages action and accountability.

Unlock your thoughts and turn them into action

Being coached means bringing your skills, knowledge, and expertise to the table to work through the challenges on your mind. It’s about finding the right direction and moving forward with confidence.

Coaching conversations often leave people feeling more in control and ready to use their skills and knowledge more effectively. Asking for help with your thinking might sound unfamiliar, but consider this: running coaches help people who already know how to run. So, why not get help with your thinking? This may feel like an easy step to make or a brave one but please note that with coaching, you are the expert on you and the conversation is in your control. How do you feel when you receive the right kind of help?