Key Takeaways
- Nobody can want your success more than you — effort must come first before help pays off.
- Support and introductions only work if you’ve done the groundwork (research, prospecting, preparation).
- When you show commitment to your own goals, people are more willing to rally behind you.
There’s a Yoruba saying that goes, “If someone wants to help you lift a load onto your head, you must bend down and support the effort too.” In other words, if you’re expecting help, you’ve got to show up with something of your own.
This came to mind recently when I was speaking with someone I know who was struggling to meet a sales target. Let’s call him James.
Read More: The Power of Consistency: How Showing Up Can Be A Game-Changer
James had reached out to me for support, hoping introductions and connections would solve his problem. I’m a firm believer in providing support and helping people as much as possible. However, what baffled me the more James and I talked is that it didn’t seem he had done even the basics in trying to meet his goals. He had no research into his market, no prospecting, no preparation. He just seemed to want the load lifted for him, but he hadn’t bent down to try to lift his own load.
How Vested Are You In Your Own Success?
The truth is, whether in sales, business, or life, nobody can want your success more than you. Support, introductions, and opportunities are powerful, but they can’t substitute for effort. If you’re not invested in your own success, even the best help will fall flat. In fact, such help can do more harm than good. Consider these scenarios:
- If you’re given an introduction to a potential client but don’t know what problem they face or how your solution fits, the meeting will likely go nowhere.
- If someone connects you with an investor but you haven’t prepared your numbers or sharpened your pitch, you’ll burn the opportunity.
- If a mentor offers guidance but you don’t follow through, the advice becomes just another forgotten conversation.
That’s why being vested in your own success means doing the groundwork before seeking support. It’s not about proving you don’t need help, but making sure help actually works when it arrives.
How to Turn Support Into Success
- Do the homework. Before asking for introductions, research the people or companies you want to connect with. Know what they care about and how you can add value.
- Show the effort. Let people see you’re not waiting around for handouts. When others notice you’ve already put in the work, they’re more willing to open doors for you.
- Respect opportunities. Every introduction, every piece of advice, every bit of support is a seed. How you nurture it determines whether it grows.
Conclusion
Over time, I have learnt that once you demonstrate you’re serious about your own goals, more people rally to help you. Reliability attracts support, and your efforts and preparedness invite opportunity. So, if you’ve been waiting for others to do the heavy lifting, it’s time to flip the script: bend down and attempt to lift the load first. Ultimately, your goal should be to ask for support, not just expect others to do everything for you.