My daughter is taking Physics I this online this semester. It isn’t fun, but required for her major needed for one part of one class. The class is hard, made more difficult by the fact that it is online through a school in South Carolina and she is in Florida for the summer. Four years ago, she would have been in a much worse position than she is today. At that time, she thought asking for help was a sign of weakness. Today, she realizes that it really is the best course of action.
Why we ask for help
There are a lot of different reasons that we ask for help. Some are physical. For instance, I have what my family refers to as T-Rex arms and our home was built for people much taller than me – like my husband and daughter. I used to try to get everything out of our cupboards by myself, thinking I could do it all on my own. And, inevitably, it would turn into a disaster – usually with many somethings falling on my head. I learned asking for help was a much better solution. It saved not just me, but the contents of our cupboards.
Sometimes the reason we need to ask for help is because we just don’t know how to do something. However, not asking for help can lead to wasted time, frustration, and even failure. And there are lots of ways we can find that help. We can ask an expert. There’s Google. And, of course my husband’s favorite, YouTube. He loves to fix up old boats and has learned how to do just about everything he needs from “how to” videos. The key in these situations is to not let someone else do the job for you, but to learn from the experience so that you can do whatever it is going forward.
Don’t be afraid to ask
Asking for help is not a weakness. It is actually a sign of intelligence and confidence. An article in Everyday Speech states, “… asking for help is closely linked to emotional intelligence. By recognizing our limitations and seeking assistance, we demonstrate self-awareness and a willingness to learn and grow.” And according to Shift Workspaces, “Asking for help shows signs of strength, confidence, and resourcefulness.”
So, don’t be afraid to ask for help whenever it is needed. It makes you stronger, more confident, and better prepared for whatever life may throw at you!
