It’s something I’m working on, but it still makes me really uncomfortable, especially when I’m asking a client for something.
I also know, sometimes you need help. And sometimes you don’t need help, but life will be a whole lot better if you had help.
So when I needed to get to the airport very quickly after a speaking engagement, I knew it was time to get uncomfortable.
The meeting organizer was super cheerful, energetic and welcoming. She was also really organized and everything seemed to be running smoothly, which made me feel a little more comfortable asking.
So I put on my big girl pants, and approached her, took a deep breath, and quickly spit out what I’d rehearsed.
“Natalie, I’m uncomfortable asking this. I can totally figure this out on my own, so if it’s any hassle at all, please say no. I have a 4:15 flight to catch to Australia, and with the 30-minute ride to the airport, leaving at 2:30 after my session is going to be tight. Plus, someone told me Uber is pretty unreliable out here, so I’m a little nervous about making my flight. Do you have anyone who might be able to sneak out and pop me to the airport?” and then I cringed and shut up, staring at her expectantly, waiting for her to get offended, say I was asking for too much, and withhold the final payment for my keynote. (This is what I call ‘catastrophizing’, and I’m a master at it when asking for help!)
“ABSOLUTELY!” she exclaimed cheerfully. “Leave it to me. We’ll get you there.”
I breathed a sigh of relief, and headed to my session. I apologized to the attendees that I’d be running out right after the session, explaining that I typically like to hang out and chat with people and answer questions after but I had to get to Australia for a marathon. They were all very gracious, we had an amazing breakout with fantastic participation and discussion. At 2:29, Doris, who Natalie had identified as my chauffeur, tapped her watch at the back of the room.
At 2:31 I wrapped the session, and the event SWAT team came up and started shoving my computer and workshop materials in my bag, clearing the aisle as they rolled my suitcase towards the door.
Short of using a siren, they moved me out of the room and through the crowded convention center halls with a level of urgency and authority rivaled only by the Secret Service!
“The car is right outside the door!” Doris exclaimed as we burst through the outside doors.
I figured she meant in the nearest parking space, but no! It was illegally parked on the sidewalk, literally right outside the door, engine running, trunk open. My suitcase pusher tossed my bag in the trunk as another opened the passenger door and handed me an event souvenir cowboy hat full of snacks as I got in. Doris was already in the driver’s side revving the engine.
Trunk SLAM
Passenger door SLAM
VROOOOOM! Off we went, chatting all the way.
Not only did Doris deliver me to the airport in plenty of time, I made some amazing connections as I invited them to invest in the adventure of making it to my flight and ultimately to Australia!
My heart was so warmed at their enthusiasm for helping me. I forget how much I like helping people, especially when they either really need it, or are very excited about the thing. Of course other people like it too.
I’ll still be uncomfortable next time I ask for help, and if circumstances are different, I won’t ask. (like if the meeting planner is super stressed, I won’t add to their burden. Or if they seem short on volunteers, or any other situation that might be made worse by adding my need to the pile!) But after Natalie, Doris and her team’s herculean efforts to get me to my plane, my confidence in asking for help has definitely been boosted.
Ask for help, and go get ‘em Tiger!
What I’m excited about: I just did my TedX talk! After a wonderful week touring Sydney, and a busy travel day, and hours of rehearsing, I’m very proud of the talk I gave at TedX Palmerston North in New Zealand, but that’s not even the best part. The other people who spoke were spectacular humans, so fun, so supportive, and brilliant! The organizers were lovely as well, pulling off a really successful inaugural event. I’ll be sure to share the video when it’s ready!
