Men. Intelligent. ^{™
© 2013}

 

Challenge #40

Don’t start before completing Challenge #39.
If you want to join the IntelliMen Project, start from Challenge #1.

 

Challenge: Get help.

Explanation: How can something so simple be so challenging to men? The sad truth is that most men don’t seek out help, or take so long to get help that many times it’s too late. A common example is that men are reluctant to go to the doctor. A doctor’s battle is to convince men that they need to come in for regular check-ups, as a form of prevention. Women, on the other hand, don’t have this problem.

But this does not occur only with health problems. I’ve known many husbands who lost their marriages because they didn’t ask for help. I’ve also seen men who had addictions and inner battles that they kept to themselves until the day they were consumed by them.

The reason for this is male pride. We are naturally programed to be strong problem-solvers, but when it’s time to seek help a weakness appears. Asking for help, or admitting that we can’t find the answer by ourselves makes us feel like we’re defeated. We fail to realize that being honest about our weaknesses is a sign of strength! Only real men have the courage to admit the truth, that… they don’t have all the answers, they’re not made of steel, they also fail.

That’s why your challenge this week is to dig into your life and identify an area where you need help. If straight off the bat you think, “Nah, I’m fine, I don’t need any help,” your pride has just taken over, Mr. Superman. Be a real man and discover where you need help. Even Superman has his kryptonite.

Then, find someone who can help you. Obviously, it should be someone who knows what they’re doing, and has the capability and authority to help you in that particular area. Approach that person (fade in the horror movie music) and ask for help. The help you need can be simple or complex.

Notebook: Use your notebook to organize your thoughts and identify the area where help is needed. On one of the blank pages, list the various areas of your life, for example: health, marriage, work, career, education, family, money, addictions, personal battles, bad thoughts, etc. This will help you identify what you need help with.

Official Partner: Speak to your partner about this challenge. Talk about your experiences with male pride.

Deadline: You may begin working on this challenge immediately and complete it before Challenge #41 which you should begin in a week.

Post: After – and only after – you have completed the challenge, post your comments on the IntelliMenWorld Facebook or Twitter page, (not on your own page) and write the following:

IntelliMen Challenge #40 done: I was strong in my weakness and got help. (Add any other comments.)

Links:
www.facebook.com/IntelliMenWorld
www.twitter.com/intellimenworld (when tweeting, use @intelliMenworld)

 

Verification Checklist

☐ I identified what I needed help with and who could help me
☐ I went to that person and asked for help
☐ I wrote about my experience in my Notebook
☐ My partner and I talked about the challenge
☐ I posted my comments on Facebook/Twitter

 

Phrase:

It’s hard to be humble, when you’re as great as I am. – Muhammad Ali

Don’t be so humble – you are not that great. – Golda Meir