Do you recognise these lyrics?
What would you think if I sang out of tune?
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song
And I'll try not to sing out of key
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends
They form part of one of the Beatles most famous songs: With a little help from my friends.
And they fit perfectly with today's small business tip: If you're offered help, take it.
John Lennon once said: "I'm an artist, you give me a fucking tuba, I'll get something out of it." But, even if you're bloody good at your job, you're not John Lennon. And there's some days, and some projects, you just can't get a tune out of yourself for.
Nothing you do seems to make sense ...
You can't get your head around the problem ...
The magic is just not coming to you.
We've all been there, right? Especially on a Monday. Here's what I mean.
I'd like to think I'm pretty good at helping businesses. And I like to think I'm pretty good at helping the girls with their schoolwork. But home-schooling during lockdown is something else.
My husband and I work as a tag team so we can both work and support the kids. But I must admit, there are times when nothing at all seems to make sense and you feel at the end of your tether.
The calls are coming in. The emails are pinging away. The to-do list is stretching under the table. Rosie is asking me to explain how she can make 85p from five silver coins. And Emelia is asking me how twins can be unique when they look identical. Oh, and it's my mum's birthday and I've not yet rung her.
So when my Nan offered to come over every Monday to help the kids with their school work, I nearly bit her arm off at the offer.
Helping kids ... with their schoolwork ... on a Monday ... YES PLEASE!
At other times it might cross my mind as an inconvenience on her own life, but when the help is offered, sometimes you just need to grab it with both hands.
You're trying to run a business in the toughest times any of us has ever known, so if ever you're offered help to get you through - be it the physical delivery of a project, the financial support to get you over the hump, administration support from family members, take it. Never be too proud.
Your business, and sanity, will be better for it.
Best, Sarah