A few blog posts ago I told an interesting story about an injury I received while playing Pickleball. If you are curious to read about my pickleball woes, it’s a short read HERE with a good lesson.
While I have not yet recovered and will be in my special splint for another three to four weeks, with and additional six weeks of physical therapy, I am getting better. Oh, my pride is nowhere close to being healed but my arm is on the mend.
My painful injury is a Fractured Radial Head (that’s a fancy way of saying I broke my elbow). But when it happened, I was ready to shrug it off thinking my arm was just sore from a nasty fall. Nowhere in my mind, or in my wildest dreams (nightmares), did I imagine that the injury was as bad as it was. After all, how could I get hurt playing a sport called Pickleball? A little footnote to this last comment is that every doctor that I have seen has mentioned that a good number of injuries they have treated are from this non-contact (contact) sport.
After I gathered myself from the fall, I agreed to sit on the bench for a few minutes and then get back out on the court. I quickly realized that something was wrong when I could not grip the pickleball racket handle properly without incredible pain shooting from my fingertips all the way up to my shoulder. But, like a bonehead, I decided to stay and watch the rest of game rather than immediately going to the doctor.
As we exited the facility, my arm started to throb even more and my wife suggested she drive to our next destination which was our grandchildren’s house. I immediately declined as I said I could handle this as it was just a little sore. As we got closer and closer to their house, and after a little bit of prodding and pleading by my wife. I agreed to go to the urgent care clinic as the pain was getting intense.
This is when I knew it was serious. If I passed up the opportunity to see my grandchildren to go to the doctor, I realized that I really needed medical attention!
The urgent care clinic was a wonderful experience. The staff and nurse practitioner were incredible and took an X-ray of my arm. It came back with the diagnosis of a minor fracture that would only need to be in a sling for a short period of time. Cool! I’d be back on the court in no time and I will not miss one more minute without seeing my grandkids whenever possible.
But my wife could see that my pain was intensifying and after yet more plotting and pleading, she convinced me to go see an orthopedic doctor the very next day. This is a doctor that specialized in elbows (among other things). Who knew there was an elbow doctor?
His examination revealed that it was a bigger deal than the urgent care clinic advised and it was a bad break that would require several months of restraint in a brace as well as physical therapy. 
It turns out that I’m having to learn how to do a lot of things left-handed. A new and frustrating byproduct of my injury. I thought that missing a Pickleball shot was a blow to my pride. But that does not compare to not being able to get dressed by yourself or even tie your own shoes or do so many other things that I used to take for granted.
Thank goodness I listened to my wife! I know she’s going to read this so she will give me that cute smirk that she always does when she and I both realize she’s much wiser than me. Thank goodness I went to the initial doctor and thank goodness I went to a specialist. Each time I made the decision to seek out an expert opinion I learned that I am so thankful for “experts.”
So, what does this have to do with running an online business? Well, I’m glad you asked!
Just like I thought I could shrug off my injury, many entrepreneurs believe they can shrug off challenges in their business. We convince ourselves that “we can handle it,” when deep down we know we need help. The truth is, success in business often requires setting aside our pride and seeking the advice of those who’ve already walked the road ahead of us. Experts, mentors, and coaches exist for a reason and leaning on them is not weakness, but wisdom.
The reality is that pride often gets in the way. Pride tells us we should know all the answers. But if we’re honest, the real weakness is pretending we’ve got everything under control when we’re actually stuck. Just like I sat on that bench with my arm throbbing, convincing myself it was “just sore,” many of us sit in our businesses, tolerating pain and frustration instead of reaching out for the right help.
Another challenge is that we don’t always know the kind of help we actually need. At urgent care, I thought I had the full answer only to learn later that I needed a specialist.
In business, it’s the same. Sometimes general advice will point you in the right direction, but it takes a specialist, someone who has been exactly where you are, to identify what really needs to change. That’s why it’s so important not to stop at the first piece of advice but to be willing to go deeper and find the right expert for the situation.
Here are five powerful reasons why we should seek advice from those who know more than we do:
- Perspective We Don’t See Ourselves
We all have blind spots. An expert can see what you can’t because they aren’t caught up in the day-to-day emotions and pressures you face. They bring clarity when you’re clouded by stress or overconfidence. - Avoiding Costly Mistakes
Just like my fractured elbow could have been much worse without proper care, skipping expert advice in business can lead to expensive mistakes. Learning from someone else’s experience can save you time, money, and energy. - Accelerated Growth
Mentors and coaches help you get where you want to go faster. Instead of trial and error, you can borrow their wisdom and fast-track your progress with proven strategies. - Accountability and Encouragement
Left to ourselves, we can talk ourselves out of taking action. Experts not only guide you but also hold you accountable, pushing you past your comfort zone toward your goals. - Confidence Through Validation
Sometimes you just need reassurance that you’re on the right path. Expert advice provides confirmation, helping you move forward with confidence instead of hesitation.
The bottom line? Pride will always whisper, “You’ve got this. You don’t need help.” But true success comes when we humble ourselves enough to ask for guidance. Every great athlete has a coach, every thriving business leader has a mentor, and every growing entrepreneur has leaned on experts along the way.
And here’s the beautiful part. When you’ve learned, applied, and grown from the wisdom of others, you become the expert. One day you’ll be in a position to pass along your knowledge to someone who’s just starting out. That’s the full circle of growth. We learn, we apply, we succeed, and then we give back.
Now I’d love to hear from you. Have you ever had a moment where you thought you could “tough it out” only to realize later that you needed an expert’s advice? Maybe it was in business, maybe in health, or maybe in everyday life. Share your story in the comments. I think we can all learn from each other’s experiences.
So don’t let pride keep you on the sidelines or stuck in pain longer than necessary. Seek out the people who know more, lean on their expertise, and then share what you’ve learned. That’s how we grow stronger, in life and in business.
Goodness, my shoe is united again. Instead of walking around and risking the possibility of slipping and falling and breaking my other elbow, It’s time to suck it up and ask my wife for help.
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” – C.S. Lewis
“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” – Charles Dickens
And of course, a few VERY BAD Dad jokes:
Gravity and I have a complicated relationship. Mostly it wins.
I asked my wife for help tying my shoes after my injury. She said, “Don’t worry, I’ll knot judge you.”
Until next time, STAY FRESH, Friends!
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Hi Ernie, that’s a great story. About 10 years ago, I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis with a right hip that was bone to bone. The amount of time it took me to go see a specialist is actually embarrassing to admit. At that time in my life, I walked 8 miles to 10 miles a day even with the painful hip.
The moral of the story is, do not ignore pain. Obviously, I have a high threshold for pain and not everybody does. It’s like a curse to have a high threshold because I may not pay attention as closely as I should.
So I had surgery and I do not regret that, of course. As I get older, I am doing research on hot tubs or Jacuzzis to implement water therapy into my daily routine. I’ll let you know how it goes!
Hi Kate – I’m sorry to hear about the diagnosis but I’m so glad that you were able to get the matter addressed. I agree, we should not ignore when things seem off whether it’s actual pain in our bodies or potential “pain” in our business. Thank you for your visit to my blog post and for your comments. They are very relevant and valuable!
Hi Ernie,
Glad to see that you’re on the mends!
Ah yes, pride and ego… those two were very good friends of mine in my younger days! I have to say though that, after learning the “hard way”, I was able to put them really aside – like out sight – and definitely do take the time to ask for help and direction.
A mentor can truly not only put you on the right path and avoid several pitfalls but like you mentioned, really cut down on the learning curve and getting it done time.
Thanks for the reminder! Cheers!
Hi Marc – Yes, putting aside pride and ego is definitely difficult to do but it’s necessary if we really want to get anywhere. Admitting that we don’t know everything, admitting that we need help, seeking the help and taking action from credible resources, coaches and mentors it will only help us get further ahead. Thank you for your visit to my blog post and for your comments!
😂 Oh my gosh, this had me laughing and wincing at the same time. Only you could turn a fractured elbow into a motivational masterclass! Honestly though, pickleball needs a warning label-“may cause injuries that sound way cooler than the sport itself.” Glad you finally listened to your wife (we all know they’re always right anyway 👀). Loved the way you tied it all back to business-sometimes we need that “specialist” in life and in work before we end up metaphorically (or literally) in a splint. Wishing you a speedy recovery-and maybe invest in some bubble wrap before your next game!
Hi Sarah – I am so glad you are laughing as this really has turned into something comical. Not the fact that I have been hurt but the fact that I am struggling through trying to get by on my own even though I desperately need the help of my wife and sometimes others. I look pretty funny trying to take out my wallet from my pants pocket on my own with my left hand trying to reach my right back pocket. That is a comical site for someone to as I spin and spin and spin until I almost fall over. We all need to accept help after we learn to ask for it. That’s a difficult thing to do especially when pride gets in the way for when we feel like we are inconveniencing others. Once I got past that and realized I was not able to complete things on my own due to my injury, things got better. I am learning this fact when I’m running my business. I sometimes need help and I’m learning how to ask for it, accept it and act on it. Thank you for your visit to my blog post and for your constant support, my friend!
I really enjoyed this post, Ernie. I can relate to what you said about trying to “tough it out” instead of asking for help. I’ve done the same thing in my own life and business, thinking I could handle it all on my own, only to realize later that I needed guidance from someone with more experience. It’s a good reminder that reaching out for help isn’t weakness, it’s smart. Thank you for sharing your story. Wishing you a smooth recovery!
Hi Meredith – It is hard for me to admit that I am human and that I need help at times. I really do think it comes from pride and not wanting to be a burden on others. When I truly think about it, I am always in a position of wanting to help someone else and I need to understand that maybe others feel that way as well…even about me. Thank you for your visit to my blog post and for your wonderful and relevant comments!
Hey Ernie! The number of times where I took the place of a specialist to do a job are countless. Too proud! Hence I have been an electrician, a painter, a plumber, a landscaper, etc. In some circumstances I must admit I should have let my fierce aside and pay a specialist instead. Like for making money online, I thought I could figure it all by myself. Sometimes you learn the hard way that asking for help saves you from trouble and you keep your fierce. Thanks for relating this experience. Wish you a prompt recovery.😀
Hi Martin – You and I are the same, it seems! Pride often gets in my own way as I feel sometimes that I can figure things out on my own. My wife has a nice way of gently nudging me in the right direction. If only I would listen to her more often and choose a specialist or an expert, right? Thank you for your visit to my blog post and your nice comments. Have a great day, my friend!
Only you could turn a pickleball plot twist into a mentorship masterclass. I always learn so much from your posts! Here’s to fewer fractures, smarter experts, and faster wins—in recovery and in business. Wishing you a speedy healing, Ernie! 🏓
Hi Alison – It’s funny you say what you said in your comment as I always try to turn everything into a learning opportunity. With this blog, I actually get to write things down. What I experience every day is probably no different than what most people experience, just the situations are a little different. However, I firmly believe that we can learn from everything that we do. So, yes, my pickleball plot twist was a master class for me anyway! Thank you for your visit and I always appreciate your support!