Over the years, I have discovered that I’m really good at starting things but sometimes struggle with finishing them. As an example, let’s take a quick tour of the office I’m sitting in right now. I converted an unused bedroom into my home office a few years back and never quite got it all the way done. Currently, there are two small drywall patches that need to be sanded, floated and painted. There’s an eight-inch section of baseboard that still needs to be installed, caulked and painted. The bifold closet door? It needs to be hung and then painted. I think you get the idea. 

My wife has offered to help. My dad and my father-in-law as well. Even well-meaning friends, whose craftsmanship I trust, have offered to jump in and knock out the project. So why is it that time and time again I can’t seem to accept the help being offered? 

Maybe the assistance wouldn’t get the project completely finished. Maybe the output wouldn’t be 100% up to my standards. But isn’t some better than none? Why does it always have to be all or nothing? If I’m not careful, I notice this pattern show up in my work life, too. I can’t outsource my estimates to a third party. I can’t use an AI application to supplement my research. I can’t let Jeff work on that project … and the list goes on. 

What’s holding me back? The loss of control?  A lack of trust? A bit of a savior complex? The fear of incomplete help? To be honest, it’s probably a little of all of these.  

But I know it’s time to stop looking for the reasons why and start working toward doing something about it. After all, isn’t 80% done better than 100% me? 

So, how do you begin?  

If it were simple, most of us would already be doing it. Let’s take a few minutes to look at some practical ways to get started accepting help—ways that shift the mindset from less me to more we.

Start small 

When embarking on any new venture, it's crucial to start with manageable, small goals instead of diving headfirst into the most challenging parts. This is especially true when it’s something you’re already uncomfortable with, like asking for or accepting help. Starting small not only makes the task feel less daunting, but it also allows you to build momentum and confidence as you reach each milestone.  

Back to my office: I should begin with a single area in the room. Finish it, then move on. In this way, I would be able to see progress quickly, which can be incredibly motivating. 

This approach lays a solid foundation for larger or more complex tasks later. Remember, progress is progress, no matter how small. Each step forward brings you closer to your ultimate goal. By starting small, you set yourself up for sustained success.

Practice letting go

Letting go can be one of the hardest yet most rewarding habits to build. And like most worthwhile things, it doesn’t happen overnight. Asking for help, and more importantly, accepting it, is an ongoing process. 

In my office, letting go might look like allowing someone else to paint the baseboards while I make the cuts. As trust grows, I can let go of more. It’s a cycle: try, learn, adjust, repeat. And that rhythm builds not just momentum but resilience and adaptability—qualities that are invaluable in any aspect of life. 

In work, letting go might mean delegating a task or trusting technology to assist. Will it be perfect the first time? Probably not. But each attempt improves the next … and lightens your load. Bit by bit, you’ll reduce stress, foster collaboration and start seeing better outcomes with less bottlenecking around you.

Resist the trap of perfection

Perfectionism is a silent progress killer. It’s especially toxic when you’re trying to work with others. If your standard is “perfect or bust,” you’ll either avoid accepting help or constantly redo what’s already been done.  

The key is to accept that your first attempt, especially with help, might not be perfect. And that's okay. Each iteration is an opportunity to learn and improve. Remember, the goal is progress, not perfection. 

Back to my office again: the drywall patches or the baseboard might not be perfect the first time. But by trusting others to do their best and then moving forward, I would be creating space for refinement over time instead of paralysis in the moment. 

At work, this might look like letting a teammate draft a report or build a presentation, even if you’d word it differently. Get it to “good enough.” Give feedback. Improve. Move on. When we let others into the process, the final product is not just stronger, it’s shared.

Refine the feedback

If you’re going to accept help, feedback becomes essential. Not just any feedback. Good feedback. The kind that’s clear, actionable and constructive. 

Let’s say someone helps with the drywall in my office and it's not quite up to my standards. Instead of saying, “This isn’t right,” I could say, “Thanks for your help. This is close, but I was aiming for a smoother finish. I think we might need to sand it a bit more." 

That’s specific. It respects the effort while guiding the result. And it invites collaboration instead of correction.  

Good feedback also means offering next steps: demonstrating a technique, sharing a tip or simply being patient. It takes more time up front, but the payoff is huge: better work, better relationships and better outcomes. It’s not about micromanaging. It’s about coaching toward a shared vision. 

Remember: improvement is iterative. It might take a few tries. That’s part of the deal, and it’s worth it. 

Finding the courage to ask for help, and the humility to accept it, is a process and a mindset. It takes patience, practice and the willingness to release some control. But by starting small, practicing letting go, resisting the trap of perfection and giving good feedback, we can make meaningful progress both at home and in our work. 

It’s not about doing it perfectly on the first try. It’s about moving forward. Celebrating small wins. Sharing the work and the reward. 

Because in the end, 80% done with help beats 0% done alone.