“Raise your hand if you need help,” a teacher says while proffering assistance to those who desire additional time to understand the assignment. Of course, the smart ones never give any thought to asking for help – they have already done work without noise. Teachers know who need it, yet bait students to ask for it, hoping they will anticipate the benefits. However, not one hand is raised.
The teacher presses harder to ask individual students. “Do you need help?”
“Nah, I’m good,” is the resounding answer.
How common is this to have an opportunity presented and denied because of pride and fear? Benefits are overlooked, resources are given and the only thing standing between opportunity and success is a casual refusal to accept help. Are we so accustomed to trying to figure it out because it looks better or worked the last time? Though we want to believe that our success is singular, it’s plural through others behind the scenes that push us to our goals.
We all need help. If your car doesn’t start tomorrow, will you grab the manual or call the mechanic? How many times would you hit the start button before giving up? Once? Five times? The decision to call is the catalyst to getting that car up and running.
You can deny it, but it’s futile when the expert knows. They’re asking and baiting you to let them help.
Don’t be afraid.
Don’t cheat yourself of a good thing.
Smart people are not smart because they have it all figured out. Sometimes the smartest thing is to know when you don’t so you can ask for and receive help.
Just raise your hand.
Love, Auntie Joyce
