The Quest for Productivity Nirvana, Post #5 - When to Ask For Help

If you’re a regular reader (hard to be that when so far I’m publishing a new post once over two months), you will recall that I’m trying to find Productivity Nirvana.  You might guess - as far behind as I am in the posting schedule I created - that I haven’t reached it yet.  No excuses - I’ll get around to that post on procrastination and all the other stuff that’s been keeping me busy - somday

So, this installment of the Productivity Nirvana series is on When To Ask For Help.  I find it difficult to ask people for help.  All sorts of things run through my head before asking a person to help me - they won’t want to do it but will feel obligated if I ask; they’ll say no (that old fear of rejection); they’ll want something in return.  It’s a little easier if you’re paying them to help you out because then you don’t necessarily have to worry about having to return the favor, but money is a precious resource we shouldn’t waste so here is a quick guide to when to ask for help.

1. Ask your parents for help - My dad’s eyes light up when I ask him for help.  Granted, I typically reciprocate with help at the computer or some other task at which he’s not so great - but he loves to help me out with projects.  My parents (yours may not be the same so you’ll have to judge that for yourself) are not shy about telling me no if they can’t/don’t want to do something so this is a no brainer for me - if I need help and mom or dad can provide it, I’ll ask.
2. Pay the kid down the street - I hurt my back recently.  Hurt it badly - as in can’t even lift the cat kind of badly.  My flower beds fell victim to a complete lack of ability to get out there and work in them.  I was contemplating having to call a professional service in to pull weeds, plant new annuals, spread mulch, etc. when I decided to ask some of the local kids if they were interested in the work.  Now, for just $7.50 per hour plus cold drinks and popsicles in the fridge/freezer, I have all the help I want whenever I need.  And, with just a small amount of instruction, the quality of work is OUTSTANDING!!!  The kids - who manage hectic summer schedules with camps, ball practices, summer reading groups, and active social lives - are not at an age to hold down true jobs but still like a little running money.  You can negotiate how to pay them - either though PayPal or cash/check.
3. Delegate - If you are lucky enough to have a trusted assistant and/or staff that can assist you don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to them - and let them grow in the process. I’ve begun delegating some of the more complex projects I work with at work in small chunks to staff members to “start on them”.  They do some key idea generation and I’m not stuck staring at a blank screen.  Always, Always, Always give credit where it is due though - never be the boss who has the staff do all the work and then you take all the credit.  You won’t win points with the staff you’re coming to rely on and if the boss finds out whose idea that really was you may be shocked who gets the next promotion.
4. When you’ve helped others - I have friend with whom I regularly trade tasks.  A good friend of mine is great at fixing broken electronics but hates to paint.  I love to paint and am terrible at fixing stuff when it’s broken.  So, we just trade.  Try to keep it even - but when you can’t free food goes a long way towards evening up the trade.
5. Before you get in over your head - I’ve gained enough wisdom to know there are certain tasks I probably shouldn’t do myself - and some that I simply can’t do myself.  Before you start something that you’re not going to be able to finish ask for help.  Obviously, we sometimes get into situations we don’t anticipate but don’t be embarassed and let it get worse and worse because you don’t want to ask for help.  Think of all the time you’re spending worrying over it and how much stress it’s causing you to not have it done once you’ve started it.  You may need to ask for help in getting it done.

This entry was posted on June 16, 2007 at 3:45 pm and is filed under random thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.

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