Karen Restivo
In Other Words....
In the land of award shows, winners take center stage to accept their awards and acknowledge those individuals who played an essential part in their journey to the winner’s circle.
No one operates in a vacuum, therefore, balancing our independence and dependence on others is a critical step in our emotional strength development.
But for some of us, asking for help can be awkward and downright uncomfortable.
Author Jeffrey Davis goes so far as to say, “In a society that praises self-help and self-reliance, it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to ask our colleagues, friends, and even our family for the assistance we need.
"The mere thought of asking for help can eat away at our ego, undermine our confidence, make us question our abilities, and even paralyze us with anxiety.”
In his article, “4 Tips to Effectively Ask for Help—and Get a Yes,” Davis says the primary reason we are reluctant to ask is fear.
“We fear that we’ll be turned down, laughed at, or revealed to be a fraud. The seemingly simple act carries several high social risks: rejection, vulnerability, diminished status, and the inherent relinquishing of control.”
Davis shares 4 Tips to Ask for (and Get) Help:
Be concise and specific.
Asking for and offering help can only be productive under one crucial condition: clear communication.
Communicate your request as clearly and concisely as possible.
Don’t apologize for asking for help.
We all need help sometimes and it’s nothing to be ashamed about.
Make it personal, not transactional.
Avoid asking for help through an email.
Studies show face-to-face requests are 34 times more successful.
Follow up with Results.
Beyond expressing your gratitude, you should follow up with the helper to share the tangible results of their aid.
Who knew there was an etiquette to asking for help?
In other words, your capability (independence) along with accessing external resources (dependence) strengthens your confidence in the journey to your next winner’s circle.
Karenrestivo57@gmail.com