Helping Beats Nagging

When we are struggling with getting another to do something, it becomes easy to think that they just aren’t trying. This happens a lot between parents and children, but this can hold true for couples, or even friends. Unfortunately, what happens when that inner belief that laziness or a lack of effort is at play seeps out is create shame, distance, and usually makes the problem worse. Consider what Jim Rohn shares here: "My mentor said, 'Let's go do it', not 'You go do it'. How powerful when someone says, 'Let's!'" When it is just yourself, and you feel overwhelmed, incapable, and powerless, it is really hard to believe that you will be okay if you just go ahead and do the thing. It feels much more hopeful when you have someone there with you. Where you fear you might falter, you can trust that someone else is more able to intervene. So instead of nagging or lecturing another person to do something, offer to help. Don’t make them have to admit they need help, because that just creates more shame. In fact, try to ask them to help you while you voice a desire to do the avoided task - this helps them feel a sense of pride, because they are supporting someone, they can hear that they are needed, and they don’t need to risk failure.

"My mentor said, 'Let's go do it', not 'You go do it'. How powerful when someone says, 'Let's!'"

~ Jim Rohn