NOT ALONE BUT OFTEN ON YOUR OWN

"You can get help from teachers, but you are going to have to learn a lot by yourself, sitting alone in a room."

Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss), 20th century American writer/cartoonist.

Many other quotes say the same thing.

Get all the help from others you can but in the end, what you become, or don't become, is up to you.

THE ESSENCE OF CIVILITY

"No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks."

James Allen, 19th century British philosopher/author

And we have the opportunity to do so throughout the day, everyday.

. . . To the person who holds a door open for you.

. . . To the one who waves you in front of them on the freeway.

. . . To the individual who helps you any way possible without asking for anything in return.

Let them know you appreciate their help.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

"If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them."

Dalai Lama XIV

However, before you default to the "do not harm them" part, really consider what you might do.

The world needs more mentors.

"HUMANITY" IS YOU!

"Humanity either makes, or breeds, or tolerates all its afflictions."

H. G. Wells (1866-1946) British-born American author.

Replace "humanity" with "you" and you should understand this is really good news.

You are at the center of all your problems and so too is it true, you are at the center of all your problem's solutions.

IDENTIFY THOSE WHO WILL ASSIST BEFORE ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED

"Necessity unites."

German proverb

We are all much more open to assistance from others we'd not previously considered important, when the need for their help becomes apparent.

Wouldn't it be better to identify our allies prior to it becoming critical that we do so?

IT'S YOUR TURN

"In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich."

Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887) American politician.

There was a time when you were beginning your career you could have and hopefully did benefit from the help of someone older, more experienced.

Now you have the knowledge to help someone who is what you once were.

Just starting.

There are many ways to do this; what will you do?

PITY THE UNSATIATED

"We never reflect how pleasant it is to ask for nothing."

Seneca (4 BC-65) Roman philosopher/playwright

What if you could never be full, get enough sleep, have enough money, enjoy those you live and work with, or any number of other things you can name?

Simply never be satisfied.

How unhappy you would be.

WHAT YOU (SHOULD) DO

"The powerful play goes on -- and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?"

Unknown

The "play" is life, your "verse" what you do to make things better for others.

Competitive Kindness

"You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

19th century American poet/essayist/lecturer

What if any role does kindness play in business?

Does it have a formal place in business plans?

Very Little Alone, Much Together

“A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.” 

John Lennon

The Beatles

Very little worth achieving, and nothing I can think of now, is accomplished alone.

If you have something you want to do, be, or change, you need others.

Find them.

Repay Those Who Pay You

"Eaten bread is soon forgotten."

Thomas Fuller

17th century English cleric/author

What have you done for me lately?

If you have to work to remember recent kindness, do so.

Can I Help You?

"When a person is down in the world, an ounce of help is better than a pound of preaching."

Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton

19th century English politician

There is a time and place for lecturing, preaching to employees, but sometimes the more effective alternative is to simply help.

But as I often ask, how do we balance the need for each, particularly in those situations when there are many more employees needing help than we have time to give?

Some Help Please!

"Never do that by proxy which you can do yourself."

Italian proverb

I never completely disagree with these quotes and here's the exception that proves the rule.

While there are things we all must do for ourselves, far more gets done through cooperation with others.

How independent are you?

The Power of Generosity

"Many people are capable of doing a wise thing, more a cunning thing, but very few a generous thing."

Alexander Pope

18th century English poet

Doing what is good is itself a good thing, but doing good with no thought of personal gain is the generous thing; a rare commodity.

Where are you on the generosity scale?

I was recently the benefactor of a lot of generous, selfless help from Andrea Belz, an extraordinary planning/strategy consultant whose new book, "The McGraw-Hill 36 Hour Course: Product Development" will be available later this year.

Where does a business planning consultant like me go for help with my own business?  

Andrea.

Accepting Help

"He that won't be counseled, can't be helped."

Benjamin Franklin

Is there any among us who would not occasionally benefit from the help of someone else?

We all are paid for what we know and know how to do but none of us knows it all.

How open are you to the counsel of others?

Seeking Help: How Do You Know When It's Time?

"There are two ways to slide easily through life; to believe everything or to doubt everything. Both ways save us from thinking."

Alfred Korzybski

Polish-American Scientist

We cannot understand everything, on our own thinking our way to logical conclusions every time on every subject.

However if we are responsible for anything of consequence, which we all are in different ways, we must never stop trying to do so.

When we don't know, we must recognize that we don't and find those who do.

Do you have a "knowledge tripwire", a way to know when you need help from someone else?