I told myself a story that made sense to me: when I drove over the curb, the tire was temporarily deformed and I lost some air. I decided I would go to the closest gas station three exits away to put more air in the tire.
However, something felt wrong, so I took the nearest exit. A car shot in front of me stopped at the exit and turned on his flashers.
A man came out of the car saying, “I saw you had a problem with your tire. Would you like some help changing it?”
My first thought was, “No! Who is this weird stranger, and why is he offering to help? I saw Silence of the Lambs. Is he a serial killer who will throw me into the back of his SUV? Why should I trust him?”
My second thought was, “I can change a tire myself! I don’t need help, and I’m insulted that he would offer!”
When all is said and done, my real question was, “Will I be safe if I accept this person’s help?”
Then I looked at him, and my intuition told me I should be brave, take a risk and say yes to this kind, gracious offer of help.
We pulled into the church parking lot across the street from the freeway exit for the repair.
We introduced ourselves by first name. It was clear that Mark knew what he was doing. He went to his SUV and pulled out a power tool to take off the hubcaps.
My story about the tire was completely wrong. This situation was much worse and more dangerous than I imagined. I am so grateful that Mark was there to help.
As he was working, Mark said, “Sometimes God puts you in the right place where you’re needed.”
Another couple drove into the parking lot asking if we needed help. We told them we were fine and thanked them for stopping.
Mark put my spare on, put my wheel in the trunk and advised me what I needed to do to get the tire replaced. He refused the money I had already taken out of my wallet.
Every day we’re in a circle of giving and receiving help.
Chances are you are much more comfortable offering help than receiving it.
Here are some questions for you to clarify your thoughts about giving and receiving help:
How do you respond when someone offers you professional help?
Every day your inbox is filled with offers for programs that claim they will help you be more successful. Do you immediately dismiss them as I first did with Mark’s offer?
What keeps you from saying yes to help that could accelerate your business growth?
What inspires you to take a second look at offers of help?
How do your prospects respond to your offers of help?
Remember, with my car drama I needed exactly what Mark was offering, exactly when he offered it. It was in the middle of the day in the middle of the city. I was safe. Still, it felt like a risk.
If I had called AAA for the tire repair, they would send a stranger who could potentially be a serial killer. I don’t worry about the person AAA sends. I trust that AAA vets their mechanics, and I will be safe. A call to AAA adds a link in the chain of trust.
You are in a better position to have someone say yes to you when you add a link in the chain of trust.
Inform people who already know, like and trust you how you help your clients. Ask them to spread the word. You make it easier and more fun to build your practice.
I understand that this message sounds like a paranoid rant. I might feel differently if I were a 6 foot man who could deadlift 600 pounds. However, I believe that my concerns about my safety are valid.
How do your doctor prospects know they know they –and their money–are safe with you? How do they know you are not offering dumb doctor deals they will regret?
One last lesson. My car drama reminds me that there are good people like Mark in the world. And a big thanks to Brad Etheridge who offered sound advice about the repair.
Consider how and why the people in your life would sing your praises!
