Supporters

“WHERE ARE YOU???”

So screams the owner of A.F.C. Richmond into a television camera, as her frustration in her fans not supporting their women’s team boils over in a recent episode of Ted Lasso.

Many purport to support both her club in general and women’s soccer in particular but their actions contradict their sentiment. They aren’t just figuratively standing on the sidelines, they are literally not even in the half-filled stadium.

This is a sentiment that hits home.

I am so grateful for those of you who have supported this newsletter by becoming a paid subscriber over the last year.

At the same time, I get so many more comments from readers – thanking me for what I’ve written – who are not a paid subscriber. And I wonder, if they appreciate it so much why aren’t they a paid subscriber too? Or in Rebecca’s words, “Where are you?”

I take responsibility for this. I do not like to ask for help. This is not uncommon from people who come from lesser means. It’s hard to ask for support.

Yet there comes a time where we must.

In the same episode,Ted Lasso quotes writer Elizabeth Appell: “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it takes to blossom.”

I fear loss more than I value gain. So I rarely ask subscribers directly to become paid. I am asking you now.

Please become a paid subscriber today.

Your support is not only helpful financially but it validates this work and frees up time to do other projects to help others. Next month, my latest book, Up/Words: A Young Striver’s Guide to a Better Life, will be published. It is the rare book that is written explicitly for a young person from little means. I will be sending a copy to paid subscribers thanking them for their support. Proceeds from sales will support the Social Mobility Lab @ The City College of New York.

Appropriately, there is a chapter focused on the role of help in our lives and how to ask for it. It includes a study out of UCLA that found that 79% of the time when someone signals or asks for help, another person complies. 11% of the time they ignored the person, 10% of the time they rejected the request. I hope I am half as fortunate as this study might suggest.

Towards the end of the Lasso episode, three super fans who see Rebecca’s tirade on TV realize “We should be there.”

I hope perhaps you might now feel the same. While there is a recommended subscription amount there is also the option under “Founding Member” to pay what you feel is right for you.

Thanks in advance for your support. It really is very much appreciated.

This Week’s Recommendation. Ask for someone’s support. That includes me. Please let me know how I can help you

Please consider sharing this with someone whose support you appreciate.