Why Asking for Help is One of the Hardest Things We Do

Asking for help is one of the most difficult things we do as humans. Hyper independence can be a response to continually having to pull yourself up by your bootstraps and get the job done because "no one else can do it like you".

The Pitfalls of Not Asking for Help

So, what are the ways in which we get in our own way by not asking for help with our businesses?

1. We spend too much time learning to do something that someone else is already an expert at. Instead of dedicating precious hours to mastering a new skill, we could be focusing on what we do best—leading our business.

2. We rob ourselves of the opportunity to network with others. Building a strong network is crucial in any business. By not asking for help, we miss out on forming valuable connections that could lead to future collaborations and opportunities.

3. We stunt our own growth by not allowing others' expertise to help our businesses grow and flourish. Leveraging the skills and knowledge of others can propel our business forward in ways we might not have imagined.

Identifying Areas Where Help is Needed

How can we know which areas of our business we need to reach out and ask for help with?

I use Michael Hyatt's Freedom Compass as a guide to help business owners categorize their tasks into desire, disinterest, distraction, and drudgery zones. The easiest tasks to delegate are the ones you hate doing the most (drudgery zone), next would be those in the disinterest zone, and so on.

The Transformative Power of Delegation

Taking a look at the tasks you do frequently and delegating those that cost you time and precious energy can transform your business. Delegation isn't just about offloading tasks; it's about freeing up your time and mental bandwidth to focus on the strategic elements that only you can do.

Finding the Right Help

Utilizing gig work sites like Fiverr, Upwork, and others can give you a marketplace of experts to choose from. Determine your budget ahead of time and remember that you get what you pay for. If you are cash-strapped, pick one high-priority drudgery zone task and put all of your budget toward it.

GYST offers one-off packages to ensure that you can maximize your budget and not have a long-term financial commitment if that isn't what you are looking for. Whether it's a single project or ongoing support, our goal is to provide you with the flexibility and expertise you need to thrive.

Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness; it's a strategic move that can lead to immense growth and success. By recognizing the areas where we need support and actively seeking out experts, we open the door to new opportunities, enhanced productivity, and a stronger, more resilient business. Remember, you don't have to do it all alone. Reach out, delegate, and watch your business flourish.

Lessons learned from years of overpaying the IRS

Struggling to master your taxes?

Today, I'm thrilled to share the Sunday Shift platform with Gabrielle Tenaglia, Head of Marketing for Lettuce—a company dedicated to automating taxes and accounting for businesses of one. GYST is excited to partner with Lettuce to help solopreneurs get their accounting shit together. Gabrielle's story may resonate with many of you. Read on to learn how she used her prior experience to now help others save on their taxes.

I never wanted to be an expert on taxes.

I ran my own business as a marketer for years–during 4 different chapters of my career.  The first time I had to pay taxes, I was shocked at how much I owed.  I didn’t know then about the self-employment tax, how it affected businesses like mine, or that I should have been setting aside money to cover that bill that would come due in April.

I ended up having to spend more time than I had available having to learn about how to handle my bookkeeping, accounting and tax payments.  No one starts their own business excited about doing this work.  I was the same.

What I know now, that I didn’t know then, was that the U.S. tax system is set up to give advantages to corporations and W2 employees, but not to people who are self-employed.  When you work for yourself, you fall into a gap in the system and by default, unless you take action, you’ll overpay your taxes every year.

During those chapters when I worked for myself, I overpaid my taxes by tens of thousands of dollars–money that I now wish I had in a college savings account for my teenagers.  Because of the mistakes I made, and the money I wasted, I helped launch a company that automates accounting and taxes for businesses like mine, called Lettuce.  Here are the principles we practice to help all kinds of businesses-of-one keep more of what they earn:

1. A Business Banking Hub: Make a business bank account the hub of your system.  All your business income and expenses are tracked here–this data feeds everything else you do. No more receipt tracking or estimating what you’ve spent and what you’ve earned.  

2. An Automated Accounting System:  This is the intelligence.  Connect an automated accounting platform to your business bank account.  Every day, it records and analyzes every dollar in your business. The system gives you real-time insights about what you owe and what’s yours to keep.

3. An Automated S Corp:  This unlocks your tax savings. Set yourself up with an LLC and S Corp tax election.  Being an S Corp keeps you from overpaying your taxes and ensures you keep more of what you earn

At Lettuce, we set all of this up for you.  This entire system sits on top of our smart tax engine called LettuceHead AI. LettuceHead AI leverages billions of data points from businesses-of-one, and all of our expertise on bookkeeping, accounting and taxes.

GYST Is grateful to Lettuce for their invaluable contribution in helping solopreneurs streamline their accounting and tax processes. Click here learn more about how Lettuce's services can transform your business finances. Thank you, Lettuce, for making it easier for small businesses to succeed!

Accountability Matters: How a Fresh Perspective Can Transform Your small Business

Running a solo venture or a family business can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s not without its unique challenges. One of the most significant hurdles many of us face is maintaining accountability in meetings. It’s tough to stick to an agenda and ensure follow-up action items are completed when everyone in the room is too familiar with one another. This familiarity, while often a strength, can sometimes lead to complacency and missed opportunities. Let’s dive into why third-party accountability can be a game-changer for your business.

The Familiarity Trap

When you’re working closely with family or in a small team, the lines between personal and professional relationships can blur. This familiarity can create an environment where sticking to a structured agenda feels less important. You might find yourself veering off-topic, or worse, not addressing critical issues because it’s uncomfortable to hold each other accountable. In a family business, emotions and personal dynamics can easily override professional needs.

The Follow-Up Failure

How often have you left a meeting feeling energized and ready to tackle the tasks ahead, only to find that, a week later, nothing has been done? This scenario is all too common. Without someone external to ensure accountability, follow-up action items often get dropped. Everyone gets busy with their day-to-day responsibilities, and without a clear system to track progress, those important tasks fall through the cracks.

The Power of Third-Party Accountability

Introducing a third-party into your key meetings can transform the way your business operates. Here’s why:

1. Objective Oversight:

A third-party, whether it’s a business coach, consultant, or even an external facilitator, brings an objective perspective. They aren’t influenced by personal relationships and can focus purely on the business objectives. This neutrality helps keep meetings on track and ensures that all voices are heard.

2. Structured Agendas:

Third-party accountability often comes with a structured approach. They can help create and enforce a meeting agenda, ensuring that critical topics are discussed and decisions are made. This structure helps prevent meetings from becoming social gatherings and keeps everyone focused on the tasks at hand.

3. Action Item Follow-Up:

An external party can take on the role of tracking action items and following up on progress. This ensures that commitments made during meetings are honored and that there is a system in place for accountability. They can set deadlines, check in on progress, and ensure that tasks are completed on time.

4. Conflict Resolution:

When conflicts arise (and they inevitably will), a third-party can mediate and help navigate these challenging waters. They can provide unbiased solutions and help maintain harmony within the team, ensuring that personal dynamics don’t derail business objectives.

5. Increased Productivity:

With someone dedicated to ensuring accountability, your team can become more productive. Knowing that there is a system in place to track progress can motivate everyone to stay on top of their tasks, leading to more efficient operations and better business outcomes.

I have worked with many clients navigating these challenging dynamics in their businesses. The struggle to maintain accountability and ensure follow-through in meetings is a common issue, and it’s one that many business owners face. You’re not alone in this.

Implementing third-party accountability isn’t about undermining your team or doubting their abilities; it’s about providing support to help your business thrive. It’s about creating a structure that allows everyone to succeed and ensuring that your business goals are met.

If you’re finding it difficult to stay on track and ensure accountability in your meetings, consider bringing in external support. It could be the key to unlocking your business’s full potential.

Remember, it’s okay to seek help. It’s okay to admit that you need support. And it’s okay to invest in the future success of your business.