Asking For Support

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The concept of asking for support when facing a difficulty or when getting started with a new intention got ingrained in me during my training as an Integral Coach.

After all, on one hand, it makes complete sense. We’re not alone. We're in this together. Let's encourage one another and build each other up.

On the other hand, simply considering asking for support can trigger pretty nasty rants from the inner critic:

  • “Support? What kind of loser needs support?”

  • "It's so easy, you shouldn't need any help."

  • “Are you going to make a fool of yourself by revealing that you're working on that!?”

  • "You're so weak. Strong people don't need help."

  • “If you get support, it’s not really going to be your success, isn’t it?”

And on and on and on. Our inner critic is so scared of change, even positive, that it will do everything in its power to avoid what is perceived as vulnerability.

Yet, asking for and getting support as we deal with a difficulty or embark on a new challenge could lead to fantastic outcomes:

  • Benefiting from an accountability partner to help us stay on track.

  • Inspiring someone to work on their own challenge.

  • Teaming up with someone who would like to fulfill the same intention.

  • Trading ideas to increase our chances of resolution or success.

  • Creating a network of mutually supportive relationships.

  • Giving a chance to someone to be of service.

  • Practicing humility.

No success is ever truly 100% our own. For a start, most of us owe our daily energy to the people who work very hard at growing our food. How about allowing a family member, a friend, or even a new acquaintance to help us handle our difficulty or succeed in our new intention?

Journaling Questions:

  • How am I feeling emotionally and physically when I consider asking for support?

  • What's the state of my network of support? Who might have capacity to help me?

  • Who could be interested in working with me on the same intention or as accountability partners?

  • How would I express myself to request help or support?

  • Who could I support? How would I offer support to someone? How would I respond to a request for support?