It is okay to ask for help. Shocking statement, isn’t it? This society prizes self-reliance, which is not a bad characteristic but there are limits. There are times that we cannot do things by ourselves.

The reasons why we may need help are plentiful. Perhaps it is a two-person job. If you are trying to pick up a couch, you require help. A couch is not something that one person can pick up and move by yourself.  Imagine trying to climb stairs carrying a couch by yourself! It cannot be done. Most people seem to be okay asking for help under those circumstances.

However, sometimes understanding that the task that you have at hand is more than a one-person job can be more difficult to identify. If you are working on a report for work and someone else has part of the data, then you need to ask for help to get all your information. If you have four children all going in opposite directions at bath time, you might well need another set of arms, or three!

Perhaps it is a one-person job, if you had enough time. Often those time constraints are what makes it impossible for one person to do it. Or perhaps you do not have the skill set to accomplish the task.

So, you are in the situation. You cannot do the task by yourself for a myriad of reasons. This is where you need to say to yourself, “It is okay to ask for help.” It is not shameful. It does not make you a loser. It does not make you a failure. It makes you smart. Go back to trying to haul the couch up the stairs by yourself. That is crazy! Asking for help is the smart choice. Same thing in many, many other situations!

Honestly assess what you are working on. Is this something that you can do by yourself? If not, ask for help! Today! Now!! That makes you a winner.