Asking for help isn’t the easiest thing, especially for men. Some men shy away from asking for help because they believe it makes them look needy. Others refuse to ask for help because to do so is seen as a sign of weakness. Yet, some refuse to ask for help because they believe that “real men” are not meant to be in touch with their emotions. However, these reasons are nothing but myths. Every man is first “human” before anything else. Asking for help when necessary isn’t specific to any gender. 

How Asking for Help Can Change Your Life

Joseph DiRoma is proof of how seeking help can change the trajectory of one’s life. When he lost his grandfather at 14, he turned away from God. He became depressed, self-harmed, and had suicidal thoughts, which all eventually landed him in a residential mental health facility. At some point, he became a womanizer, started exhibiting low integrity behaviors such as lying and stealing, got addicted to drugs and alcohol, and continuously spent time in jail. However, everything changed in 2009. He was at risk of getting a second DUI charge, and his girlfriend was seven months pregnant at the time. 

With the continuous intervention of his family members and the realization that he didn’t want his son to grow up seeing him that way, he decided to do something courageous. He asked for help. And what happens when you ask? You receive. Joseph DiRoma got help and that changed his life’s trajectory. He became a daily practitioner of prayers and meditation, and started focusing his energy on spiritual things, away from drugs, women, pills, money, and other addictions.

Today, Joseph DiRoma is an Operations Leader with Mawer Capital, where he supports the overall operations of various businesses. He is also a member of the International Coaching Federation and a Newfield Certified Coach trained in ontology, somatics, and emotional intelligence, focusing on leadership. He has successfully created initiatives to simplify operational execution across 189 restaurants while yielding high 7-profit margin savings. He has also won several awards and helped save his company about $10m in just one year. Although his past was rough, he was able to do a 180-turn which all began when he asked for help. 

Living a Life of Acceptance

When it comes to how people deal with problems, Joseph DiRoma believes that the problem isn’t the actual problem. The problem is usually people’s reluctance to accept that there is a problem. Most people deny there’s a problem because of the misconception that acceptance equates to approval. However, you can accept that a fact is true, but that doesn’t mean you approve of its existence. That’s the same attitude one needs to take with problems, and that takes you several steps closer to finding solutions. 

Thus, while accepting that there is a problem may not change the circumstances of your life, it will go a long way in transforming how you experience life. Acknowledging the problem puts you in a better position to address it. Just like how Joseph DiRoma accepted that he had a problem with alcoholism and decided to get help for it. 

Living a Life of Service to Others

Beyond seeking help, you must also open your mind to helping others live better lives. For Joseph DiRoma, the lasting fulfillment that all men seek can only be found through altruistic service to others without the expectations of reciprocation. As you ask for help, do your part to also extend a helping hand to others without expecting anything in return.