Are You Ready to Walk Down Another Street?

I recently stumbled upon Portia Nelson’s poem, “Autobiography in Five Short Chapters” [please scroll down to read the poem]. Turns out it is among the most popular self-help writings of all time and the backbone of twelve-step programs used by various self-help groups and psychotherapists.

Perhaps I’d never come across it before because I’ve never been in a recovery program, but it smacked me right between the eyes when I read it because I have certainly been stuck in self-defeating cycles.

For me, waiting too long to ask for help is a recurring challenge. My Chapters I, II, and III are all versions of “I’m smart.” “I can figure this out.” “I’ll just do it myself.” This illusion of self-sufficiency has been the single most effective roadblock for growth in my business and, truth be told, my life. Bizarrely, I was actually silencing myself.

False bravado is simply a cover for not wanting to appear weak or less expert. But there is no shame in admitting what we don’t know and asking for help.

These days, I am a loud and proud anti-DIA (do-it-alone). Walking down another street means I acknowledge and accept the limits of my zone of genius and I surround myself with colleagues and resources that operate in theirs.

The initial anxiety of giving up control, both actual and perceived, is more than offset by the relief of knowing I won’t keep falling into that damn hole in the sidewalk.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Does this poem inspire you to walk down another street?