Most people enjoy sharing their skills and knowledge with others.

You probably vaguely remember in 8th grade learning about simple machines, those clever devices that, acting as a force multiplier, give you a mechanical advantage in the task at hand. You probably wouldn’t hesitate even a moment to use each and every one of these, because they make your work easier. Who would decline a lever to move something heavy, or a ramp to transport it to a higher or lower plane? Do you know anyone who would say, “No, thank you” to the advantages that come from a wheel and axle, or turn up their nose at a pulley system? Could you imagine someone banishing screws or wedges from their workshop? Of course not. You would be hard pressed to find someone who wouldn’t use a tool or machine to make their work easier, yet everywhere there are people who hesitate to ask for help outside of the workshop.

There are so many ways for a snake to eat its own tail. Imagine the following: You can’t figure out how to do something, but are too embarrassed to ask for help … and so you can’t figure out how to do the thing that you don’t know how to do. How many times have you talked yourself out of learning something new because it was difficult to admit that you were stumped, and you just couldn’t find the courage to ask someone to explain it to you, to show it to you, or to walk you through it? This is especially common if you’ve been raised to believe that the thing you want to learn is knowledge you shouldn’t even be seeking. There are 99 reasons not to ask for help⏤and almost all of them are bad.

It’s easy to believe that the things that are hard for you come easily for everyone else, and that to ask for help just invites ridicule, but does that really make sense? Don’t you welcome the opportunity to help someone? Isn’t it an honor when someone asks for help or mentorship? Doesn’t it feel great to show someone a better way of doing something, or save them time, money, or a headache? If that’s true for you, then it’s most likely true for others. People like to help! That your mind says otherwise doesn’t make it true.

One person looks at a problem, and immediately sees the solution. Another person can untangle an overwhelming mess, while yet another can prevent a mess from ever happening. Aptitudes are scattered across the population just like precious minerals are scattered across the globe. Your network of friends and family represent tools in your very own life workshop. Their skills and aptitudes can benefit you, just as yours can benefit them. Next time you encounter something you don’t know how to do, use the tools at hand, and ask someone for help.

Copyright 2023 Kesel Wilson (entirely, 100% human-created)

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