Skip to content / Direct naar inhoud

Pattern · 02 / 08

The Rescuing Helper

You give a lot and ask for little. You feel guilty asking for money for something you ‘just like doing’. You have become more of a helper than an entrepreneur, and though your business has clients, the feeling of emptiness keeps growing.

The Rescuing Helper, Your Unicorn Way

What keeps you small

The pattern

In the rescuer role you choose to ask little and give much. It feels noble, but it is an energy leak. Your business runs on your cost instead of your strength.

The shift

What moves you forward

Stop rescuing and start leading. Know what you are worth and ask for it. The people who truly care about you actually want you to stand in your power.

A quote

Unicorns do not rescue, they lead.

Your strength

People breathe differently when you are near. Your care is real. But care from strength is something else than care from erasing yourself.

The question for you

What if you no longer have to rescue to be loved?

How this pattern shows up

In your ordinary week

  • 01You see a message about someone’s problem and you’re already solving it before being asked.
  • 02You work for free for others ‘because it feels important’ and end up broke yourself.
  • 03You feel guilty when you say no, even if your calendar is overflowing.

Three first steps

To do today

  1. 1Write down what it costs you, in time and money, to rescue this week.
  2. 2With each request ask: ‘is this mine?’ before you answer.
  3. 3Replace ‘I’ll just help’ with ‘I’ll see what I can do and get back to you’.
See a workbook preview

What you might ask about this pattern

The Rescuing Helper

What is the difference between helping and rescuing?

Helping asks. Rescuing assumes. Helping stands beside, rescuing takes over. The second drains you and keeps the other small.

But I genuinely enjoy helping people?

Hold on to that. The pattern isn’t in the helping, it’s in the assumption that you’ll just fix what isn’t actually yours.

How do I charge money for something that feels ‘easy’ to me?

What feels easy to you is ten years of practice for the other person. Price is what it solves, not what it cost to make.

Will clients get angry if I rescue less?

Some. That discomfort is usually proof that the pattern was there. It’s not a reason to return.

But is this really your pattern?

Seven questions expose it. Plus a workbook written for your specific type.