The Path to Success: Getting Help

Years ago I heard the most successful companies were those with two cofounders. I bypassed that advice and started JibberJobber , a job search CRM, by myself. Here I am, 17 years later, and I haven't sold it for hundreds of millions of dollars. I often wonder how different things would have gone if I had a cofounder who had complementary skills.

Pride, probably. That's probably my problem. And, I don't want the drama that relationships bring. I'm high speed, low drag if I'm working on my own. But when other people are involved that changes.

And so I've done a lot of things on my own.

Don't get me wrong, I'm great at observing and learning from others. I created the super cool Job Search Program , a six-week program that focuses on baby stepping you to effective informational interviews, by myself. But the idea came from piecing together various conversations until I thought, wow, this is a brilliant idea!

Of course, I tapped into my team to put it all together, but I didn't bring in any other experts. Maybe I should have.

About a year ago I got hooked on listening to John Deloney on Youtube . John is a bit of a goof who has a background that allows him to be one of the highest value shows on the internet. Basically, people call in and ask him things they'd ask a therapist, and then we get to listen, like a fly on the wall, to how a trained therapist would walk them through their issues.

Maybe this is a way for me to get therapy without going to therapy.

I've learned a lot about communication, asking better questions, how to respond to someone's issue with dignity and respect, getting to the root of the problem and not living in the superficial red herrings, etc. It's really awesome. Protip: I don't listen to the entire one hour shows, I just pull out the 12 to 15 minute one-call clips.

When I started my job search, in 2006, I didn't think I could afford professional help (resume writer and coach, here are three associations I have worked with since starting JibberJobber: CDI , NRWA , PARWCC (click on those links to find professionals)). I now believe that is why I didn't find a job. Well, I also believe it was destiny that I didn't find a job, rather I started my own business and went down this crazy, weird, sometimes scary, mostly lonely path. It's been awesome but not much of it was logical or easy.

These are three examples of when you might need to get help from others. There are plenty more examples. For example, when I was in high school I never went to a tutor. I thought it was for nerds. Going to a tutor was making a statement, like, "I want to get better grades" or "I actually want to learn this stuff."

I was too cool, to smart to have to spend time doing homework with a tutor. That was a dumb mistake. If I could go back now I'd totally find tutors to help me through schoolwork, even in college.

I should have gotten help.

I bet you are in a situation where you should get help. I don't know if that is because you are starting (or thinking about) a new business, struggling with an existing business, struggling with where you are in your career, in a job search, needing psychological help, needing help with your physical fitness, needing help learning, needing help staying focused... I'm sure there is something you need help with.

My invitation to you is to find someone, TODAY, to help you. That could be a friend who is just an accountability partner or it could be a trained, licensed professional.

You do not have to do whatever you are doing alone. Get help. Seek help. Ask for help. And when it comes your way, accept help.