There’s story I like that illustrates my style when it comes to asking for help.
There are three workers on a river.
The best worker asks for assistance the moment he notices the current getting faster and waves growing larger.
“There’s a waterfall up ahead. I’ll need some help.”
The average worker asks for assistance when he actually sees the waterfall up ahead and observes branches and other floating objects disappearing over the edge of the fall.
“”I see a waterfall, I need help!”
The very worst worker asks for assistance as his boat is going over the waterfall.
“Heeelp meee! Arghhh!”
I like to imagine myself as the best worker. The one who is proactive. The one who chooses an ounce of prevention over a pound of cure.
But the truth is, I’m usually the worst worker. I only ask for help after I’ve tried (unsuccessfully) a dozen or more ways of trying to do it by myself.
And then, only when I’m going over the edge and see the rocks coming up fast do I finally have the willingness to reach out and ask for help.
