We can say we provide light or we can illuminate what is required for those that rely on us to navigate successfully. Sometimes, we talk more about the light we provide rather than staffing the lighthouses that are essential to our community. Or better yet, why not help others build their own spotlights to shine?
What is your definition of help? Is is based on the assistance required or the scale of support? Does the amount of work required to engage make a difference?
When you have a specific problem, you can offer a focused solution or warning. “Danger Ahead” provides a general alert but is vague. “Road Washed Out January 2021” arms a traveler with more information, and they can start considering alternatives sooner.
What type of signs are you posting?
Sometimes we do not recognize when another person has invested in creating a better experience for us. The amount of time, effort, and resources committed to fabricating a shortcut is easy to underestimate. When you consider the total impact of these advantages, the results are remarkable. In 2019, Netflix saved subscribers 9.1 days on average by removing commercials from streamed shows.
What are we doing to make the work and life of our community better? What shortcuts and time savers have we created so others succeed?
We can ask for people to help us in a many ways.
Seeking help
Help to overcome an obstacle
Emergency help
Nowhere to turn help
Innovative help
Charitable help
How we ask for assistance will not resonate with everyone. The human element is a critical component. Our interaction has to add to both the giver and recipients stories. We can be jaded at one request and moved deeply by another. Not everyone is will respond. Not every request is aligned with the values of others. What if we stop trying to create the most influential campaign and instead worked on launching the most honest. Sometimes we spend so much time on the message that we forget to ask others to join our journey.
What-if-concepts 