"The Truth About Self-Reliance: Why Going It Alone Doesn't Work"

Have you ever felt like the only person in this big, unknown business world? Sort of as if you are a lone sailor trying to navigate a large ship on a stormy sea? Which, of course, leaves you in a state of isolated frustration.

Guess what? The good news is that you're not alone!

For some reason, this idea of self-reliance has been overly romanticized. This notion of being the lone wolf, a self-made individual who doesn't need anyone else’s help to succeed, is most definitely a powerful idea in theory.

Here's the thing—it's just not true. In reality, going it alone inevitably leads to burnout, missed opportunities, and a lot of unnecessary stress.

Think about the most successful people you know (e.g., Bezos, Jobs, and even Henry Ford). They didn't get where they are by themselves. They had mentors, collaborators, and a strong network of support. They sought out advice, shared ideas, and built relationships that helped them push their way to success.

As the wise and influential Henry Ford once said, "Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success."

The idea of self-reliance may be admirable; however, it is completely misleading. This concept suggests that asking for help is a sign of weakness, which, to put it bluntly, is a load of crap.

By recognizing the undeniable value of a business support system, all ego aside, and listening to the advice given to you, you make the absolute smartest move of your career. By connecting with others, you're opening yourself up to new perspectives, ideas, and opportunities.

You get to learn from their experiences, avoid their mistakes, and leverage their strengths to complement your own. It's a win-win situation.

Here are some proactive steps you can take to embrace collaboration:

• Find Your Confidante: Within whatever field of interest or industry you are in, find someone trustworthy to “vent” to—they lend you their ear to just listen or “be there for you”.

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• Educate Yourself: Between YouTube, Kindle, and good old-fashioned books, there is zero excuse in this day and age to “not know” something. It’s up to you to pursue knowledge.

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• Find Your Business “Yoda”: AKA a mentor. Someone who has experience in your area of business. A good mentor will guide you, share their experiences, and help you navigate the challenges you are facing or help you avoid the mistakes they made. A mentor isn’t a friend; they are a coach without an ounce of bias.

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So, if you've been trying to go it alone, I highly encourage you to rethink your approach. The benefits of collaboration and support are immense, and you'll find that you're not only more successful but also much happier.

Let's conquer this unpredictable business “sea” together.

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