How Can I Help?

I want to influence culture instead of letting culture influence me.  Despite this intent, I’ve learned that I can’t live my life with blinders.  While I want to be influential, I need to be open to how I might be STRETCHED by the world around me – and that includes the culture.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

Romans 12:2

This week, I was folding laundry while Leanne was working on grad school homework.  While I was folding clothes and sorting socks, I turned on a new NBC television show, New Amsterdam.  In the show (inspired by a true story), Dr. Max Goodwin (played by Ryan Eggold) takes over New Amsterdam, a not-for-profit hospital in New York City.  Dr. Goodwin introduces himself to the hospital staff by asking a simple question:  “How can I help?”

The rest of this episode (Pilot) introduces viewers to various characters and their stories while watching Dr. Goodwin repeatedly ask this question.

Believe it or not, this time of multi-tasking (folding laundry and watching television) had a profound impact on me.

I’ve always tried to be helpful – especially as a leader.  But if I’m honest (which I try to be), I don’t always think about what others need.  I don’t always ask how I can help.  I sometimes become self-absorbed caught up in my own list of things I want to accomplish or attend to each day.  I miss out on the real needs of my team members.

This is not good, and it’s not the way I want to lead.

I want to have a “How can I help” mindset.

On Friday at the office, I repeatedly asked this question as I interacted with my co-workers and customers.  It was refreshing.  I felt a renewed sense of connection with my job, my team, and my mission.  I rediscovered a new passion for my role as a leader in my organization.

As you head into the work week, I challenge you to ask this question at least once a day.  And when you ask how you can help be sure to listen to the response.  Then go do what you can do to help.

How can I help you?

Seriously, what can I do for you?  How can I help you become a better person?  How can I help you stretch?  How can I help you?

Leave your response below (or feel free to reach out to me privately).  I’d love to help you!

5 Actions to Help You Overcome Your Weakness

“Try to look at your weakness and convert it into your strength. That’s success.”

Zig Ziglar

Saturday night, Leanne and I went to the Walnut Street Theater for a performance of Saturday Night Fever.  We had a great evening in the city.  We started with sushi at Fat Salmon on Walnut Street.  Then we strolled through the historic district taking in Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell on a beautiful night.  We wandered back over to Walnut Street for some ice cream at Scoop DeVille before heading over to our show.

The show itself was excellent – filled with lots of music and dancing.  The audience was full of people who were excited to be there.  During the customary intermission, Leanne and I walked down stairs to Barrymore’s to stretch our legs and use the rest rooms prior to the second half of the show.  As we climbed the steps back up to our normal mezzanine seats, Leanne moved on ahead of me.  My legs were moving a little slow, and Leanne noticed.  My knees haven’t been nearly as flexible as they were, and it’s probably time I do something about it.

I am fairly active.  I go to the gym 4-5 times a week, and I want to remain active for a long time.  Unfortunately, my running and jumping over the years has taken it’s toll on my knees, and I haven’t taken all the measures I should have to keep my knees strong and flexible.  It’s time to take action!

As I was thinking about my knees, I realized my path forward might help others to overcome some of their pains and weaknesses.  Today, I’ll help you identify a clear-cut plan for tackling your area of weakness.

5 Actions to Help You Overcome Your Weakness

1. Recognize my areas of weakness.  Obviously, I need to do something to improve the flexibility and strength of my knees.  What is your area of weakness?  If you need help finding it, ask your wife (or a good, honest friend).
   “Growth begins when we begin to accept our own weakness.”
   Jean Vanier
2. Decide to do something about it.  I have a choice.  I can put up with my knees as they are knowing they may only get worse, or I can do something about it.  This is my choice, and I have to make the choice for myself.  What are you going to do about your weakness?  You can do nothing, or today could be the day you decide to change something in your life to positively move you forward.
   “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”

   George Bernard Shaw
3. Seek out help.  I’m an engineer, not a doctor.  In the case of my knees, it’s time for me to seek out professional help – a physical therapist should be able to help me.  Who can help you overcome your weakness?  Schedule an appointment with them today.
   
   “Nothing makes one feel so strong as a call for help.”
   Pope Paul VI
4. Follow the instructions.  See a physical therapist for me knees doesn’t do me a lot of good if I don’t follow his instructions.  I must be willing to take the time to stretch and strength train if I want to see real improvement with my knees.  What instructions do you need to follow in order to overcome your weakness?  Are you following the instructions?
   “It’s about discipline. It’s about following instructions. It’s about the execution of the plan. That’s what sport is.”
   Ian Millar
5. Take preventative measures.  I’m confident my knees will get better if I take the first steps; however, they will quickly return to their current state if I don’t continue with preventative measures.  It’s easy to step with the instructions provided by experts once we feel we’ve arrived.  We must remember the actions we took to overcome our weaknesses, and we must be diligent in staying with these actions so we don’t slip into our old pains and patterns.
   “Treatment without prevention is simply unsustainable.”
   Bill Gates

What steps have you found helpful when it comes to overcoming an area of weakness or pain in your life?  Share your thoughts in the comments.

The Time To Ask For Help Is Now

I don’t like asking for help.

I came back from Guatemala almost six weeks ago with a cough I picked up at the end of our trip.  A week after our trip, I figured the cough would go away as I began to feel better.  Unfortunately, my cough has persisted.

Finally, I made a visit to the doctor’s office on Monday evening.  The doctor prescribed an antibiotic and an over-the-counter cough medication.  Next week, I’ll return to the doctor’s office for a follow-up checkup to make sure the cough goes away.

I don’t go to the doctor’s office very often.  Thankfully, I’m generally very healthy.  But honestly, I tend to try to beat whatever illness I’m fighting with rest, time, and home remedies.

In this case, it was time to get some help.

Men often do a terrible job when it comes to asking for help.  We don’t like to ask for directions, and we typically don’t want to appear weak by asking for anyone’s help.

We’ll drive around lost for an hour if it means we don’t have to stop to ask for directions.

Does this sound like you?

Do you struggle to ask for help?

It’s great to be independent, but we need people in our lives who will push us forward, who will give us a hand when we need help, and who will hold us accountable to take action on things we’ve been avoiding.

Jim Rohn said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

Next week, I’m launching the Stretch Man Mastermind.  This is an opportunity to get the help you need.