Pride comes before a fall

Have you ever caught yourself saying, "I'll sort it out next month"?

I've lost count of the number of business owners who've said to me, "I wish I'd done this sooner."

I've never had business owner tell me they asked for help too early though.

More often, you've spent months, sometimes years, trying to sort things yourself with little success. 

You've convinced yourself things will improve next month, next quarter. The next sale will solve the cash flow problem, the new marketing initiative will deliver 'this time' or the difficult conversation with a member of your team can wait a little longer.

By the time we sit down together, you've often lost far more than money.

You've lost confidence, your cash flow is under pressure and the business isn't where you know it should be.

You've lost sleep and your anxiety is through the roof.

You've taken the stress home and your relationships are feeling the strain.

You've started questioning yourself and, in some cases, you've fallen out of love with the business you worked so hard to build.

I think pride has a lot to answer for.

As a business owner, you're expected to have the answers. Your team looks to you for direction, your clients expect confidence and your family assumes everything is under control. Before long, asking for help starts to feel like admitting defeat.

But it isn't.

It's often the moment things start to improve.

One thing I've noticed over the years, and it's only my observation, is that male business owners often seem to carry the burden alone for longer. Pride can get in the way. I've met plenty of women who do exactly the same, but many appear more comfortable asking for another opinion before a problem becomes a crisis.

The biggest breakthroughs usually happen when you stop trying to carry everything on your own.

If you've been telling yourself you'll sort it out next month, next quarter or even next year, ask yourself one question.

Are you protecting your business... or your pride?

If you've reached the point where you know another perspective would help but have been too afraid to ask, perhaps it’s time to explore what help you need.

Sometimes the hardest part isn't solving the problem.

It's putting your pride to one side and asking for help before the fall comes.