Daily Practice ·
Stop playing solo: build your trusted team today
A short practice to identify the people who can cover your weak spots and take the first step to reach out to them with respect and clarity.
By Pedro J. Pérez
There is an idea that gets repeated so often that almost no one questions it: that to get ahead you have to be a lone genius, someone who solves everything on their own. That belief leaves many capable people stuck, not for lack of talent, but for not daring to lean on others.
Today you are going to do the opposite: you are going to look at your daily life and spot the areas where you are not an expert, and then identify who you could reach out to. It is not about hiring anyone or spending money right now, but about recognizing that knowing a little about a lot and surrounding yourself with people who know a lot about a little is a way to move forward more lightly.
The practice Duration: 15 minutes
Make a list of your limits
Grab paper or open a note on your phone. For five minutes, write down three or four things that today give you doubts or hold you back: it could be a paperwork issue, an important purchasing decision, a difficult conversation, or a task you always put off. Don't look for solutions yet, just name the areas where you know you are not an expert.
Think about who knows more than you
Spend another five minutes matching each item on the list with a specific person who knows more than you on that topic: someone who has already been through it, an accessible professional, or even an acquaintance who stands out in that area. If no one comes to mind, write down the profile you would need, without names. The goal is to see that every limit has a possible ally.
Write an honest question
Choose just one of those people or profiles. For three minutes, draft a brief, concrete, and respectful question you could ask them today or tomorrow. Don't ask for huge favors or confidential information: ask for simple guidance, a recommendation, or an opinion. Save that message or note as a first step.
Value what it brings you
Spend two minutes thinking about what that person or that imaginary conversation has given you: clarity, a different perspective, a useful warning? Write down a single sentence with what you have learned. This helps you remember that good information is a cheap asset, even though it sometimes seems expensive, and that acknowledging it doesn't make you weaker, but smarter.
To reflect on today
In what part of your life are you trying to do everything alone, and who could you ask today for honest guidance?
To finish
You don't need to know everything or solve everything on your own. The next time you get stuck, remember that leaning on someone who knows more in their field is not a defeat: it is a way to leverage yourself and move forward with less wear and tear. Start today with one well-asked question.