Asking for help is not a weakness. In fact, it is a 'contribution' to the other person.

Hello, this is Shin Kondo.

Today, I would like to share
a few of my thoughts on 'asking for help'.

I was the same in the past, but
aren't you also someone who
struggles to rely on others?

• Won't I be a burden?

• It's faster if I do it myself

• I'm afraid people will think I'm being lazy

Do you keep everything to yourself because you think that way?

I was also a person who 'could not ask for help'.

I used to be the type who tried to
solve everything on my own.

Thinking alone, deciding alone, and acting alone.
I even thought that was 'cool'.

Perhaps I wanted to prove
that I was 'independent'
by achieving results without relying on those around me.

But, at one point, I realized something.

No matter how hard I try,
there is a limit to what I can do alone.

In fact, 'being unable to rely on anyone'
caused me to miss out on opportunities for growth and success many times.

By asking for help, the world begins to move.

Once, someone said this to me:

Honestly, it didn't click for me at the time.

However, keeping those words in my heart,
I started to try
asking for help little by little.

It can be about small things.

• Could you teach me this?

• Could you give me some advice?

• Would you mind helping me with this?

When I tried asking for help like that,
I received an unexpected response.

"Of course, sure."
"I'm happy to help."
"I'm good at that, so leave it to me."

I was surprised.
Asking for help was actually motivating others.

People who are asked for help feel happy.

People are generally happy when they are relied upon.

Knowing that your knowledge or experience is useful to someone
is enough to make you feel a sense of worth.

Moreover, being relied upon deepens the bond of trust.

"This person relies on me."
"I am needed."

That very feeling
is what strengthens our connection.

Asking for help is not being dependent.

The act of asking for help requires courage.

Showing your vulnerable side.

Asking for assistance.

The anxiety that you might be turned down.

But try thinking about it from the opposite perspective.

When someone says to you, "I have a small favor to ask,"
do you get angry and think,
"Why are you asking me for help?"

Surely, that is not the case.

In fact, don't you think,
"I'm happy they relied on me"?

If so, then when you ask for help,
it must surely be a source of joy or a meaningful role for someone else.

Asking for a favor is also a form of consideration

Once, a close acquaintance said this to me:

I was struck by this.

I realized that by pretending to be "fine,"
I might have been depriving others of their consideration and their roles.

"Ask for help with things, even if they are small."

This attitude is actually a form of "consideration" that trusts in the other person's abilities
and gives them a role.

I intend to keep asking for help in the future

Even now, the "habit of wanting to do everything by myself"
still rears its head.

But every time it does, I tell myself this:

"Asking for help is not just for my own sake,
it is also for the sake of the other person."

Asking for a favor, seeking help,
and honestly admitting when I don't know something.

I now believe that all of these things
are "gateways to connecting with others."

• Relying on others leads to their joy and sense of worth

• Asking for a favor is an act of trust and consideration

• You cannot succeed alone. That is exactly why you should rely on others

To you, who also struggles with asking for help

Just like I once did, you are trying to do your best without relying on anyone.
Perhaps you are missing out on a little something.

By relying on others, the world becomes a kinder place.

Connections are formed, your perspective broadens, and your heart feels lighter.
The courage to ask for a favor is also a commitment to contributing to the other person.

That is why, please believe in yourself.

And believe in the power of others as well.

Why not try asking someone for a little help?

If you read this article and thought, 'I want to become better at asking for help,' please be sure to read this newsletter as well.

Thank you for reading until the end.

Thank you very much.