Reaching for a Helping Hand

Friday, November 16, 2012

Helpful Leader
Image via Flickr/Creative Commons


I don't like asking people for help. 

My parents say I've been this way since I was a child. I've been called "fiercely independent" and I carry this label around like a trophy; I wear it like an "S" on my chest. 

But sometimes, actually oftentimes, two heads are better than one. Sometimes I need help. 

A member of my writing group See Jane Write recently wrote a blog post on this very topic. In her post she stated: "One of the biggest lessons I learned when it came to goals is that to achieve you have to know when to ask for help." 

My fellow Jane went on to challenge the other ladies in the group to post their goals on our Facebook group page so that we could help one another realize these dreams. I often write about my goals on my blog and mention them on various social media outlets, but usually for the sake of accountability, not for assistance. 

But that changes today. 

I have a major goal for 2013 and I need help! Next year I would like to take all the steps necessary to make See Jane Write an official non-profit organization. I have such big dreams for this group. I want to offer more programs, a conference, and a writing camp for girls. But to do these things I need money and sponsors, and to get money and sponsors I need my group to be a 501(c)(3). But the very idea of this is so overwhelming it makes my stomach hurt. 

So I'm asking for help.

Now, it's your turn. What's your major goal for the next year? Leave it in the comments so I and other readers can give you a hand. And I leave you with this: 


"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. 
Indeed. It is the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead

Cross-posted at the See Jane Write blog.

7 comments:

  1. Count me in :) Starting to ask for help is one of the hardest processes to kick off. The first step is often the most difficult.

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  2. Replies
    1. Brainstorming now about how I can help!

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    2. Thank you! I should add, "Finish my memoir" to the 2013 goal list. I've lost confidence that I can do it.

      I had thoughts overnight on making SJWB an official nonprofit. It is tough, but there's probably an accountant or attorney within 6 degrees of separation from someone in your group who will help you, and maybe even at a discount. I think the toughest thing might be forming a board of directors and settling on a mission statement. The federal government doesn't really care what it is, but it's so important to the future of any group, and I've seen many nonprofits struggle with it and go through drafts for several years before they settle on one. I would also suggest trying to align the group or its activities as much as you can with the public library, which has to support writing because it supports reading and already has some funding.

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    3. Great ideas, Mariam. I'm actually not too worried about the mission statement but I'm very stressed about the board of directors.

      I am on the young professionals board for the library so that should make it a bit easier for me to work with that organization.

      As for your memoir, perhaps you should set for yourself several small deadlines. Another thing that might help is writing dates. I have a friend who's working on a book and she met several of her small deadlines this summer because we would get together and write for two to three hours about once a week.

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