This month’s blog is inspired by grasshoppers! Let me explain …..
These little creatures hop about everywhere and can end up in peculiar places, such as in my bathroom and on the windscreen of my car. I tried to rescue both: The first one was easy; I collected up quite a large specimen in a jar and deposited it the field at the back of my garden.
The second case didn’t end so well. Having parked in an underground carpark, with the intrepid little cricket still clinging onto my car, I attempted to put it into a small bag and drive it back to my garden. Unhappily though, when I opened the bag up, the grasshopper had escaped and was probably still sitting lost in the concrete environs of the city carpark. There was nothing more I could do, but it did play on my mind ….
Sometimes, it’s good to ‘give in’ and allow yourself to receive a helping hand – to be rescued. Independence and self-reliance have their place and demonstrate personal strengths, such as courage, resilience and self-assuredness. However, trying to do everything yourself and, perhaps, considering asking for a helping hand to be a sign of weakness, can result in not very good results, as it were. Furthermore, fear of being mocked or rejected can also act as a barrier to seeking assistance when you’re in a difficult situation.
It puts me in mind of the age-old saying: “If at first you don’t succeed, try try and try again”. This is typically an attitude that rings true for many researchers, who certainly do find themselves in the situation of re-trying experiments, re-writing papers and re-submitting funding bids hoping, eventually, to get a positive result.
So, how can you shake off this attitude and, instead, engage with another age- old saying: “A friend in need is a friend indeed”. And it doesn’t even need to be a ‘friend’, as such. It could be a colleague, collaborator, mentor or a professional career coach. People are at the heart of our careers and they can help you …. and you can help them too when they need it !
Reaching out and connecting with others, whether they are personally close or geographically distant, whether they are colleagues or social media links, is an essential part of growing and developing your career. And on that note, here are five suggested ways you can ask people for help (and vice versa).
Foster a supportive network: Actively engage in building a network of supportive people. This might include attending professional networking events, joining online forums related to your field, or connecting with colleagues and peers on social media. A strong network can provide assistance, advice, and even opportunities for you to collaborate.
Use professional resources: Seek out professional development opportunities such as training workshops, career coaching, mentorship programmes, etc. They can provide valuable insights and help you to navigate challenges and advance in your career. Furthermore, you’re likely to meet others with similar interests along the way.
Practice reciprocal support: Be proactive in offering help to others when you see them struggling. Whether it’s a colleague working on a challenging project or a friend facing a personal issue, extend a helping hand. This not only strengthens your relationships but also fosters a culture of mutual support.
Reflect on past experiences: Take time to reflect on situations where you tried to manage everything on your own and the outcomes of those efforts. Compare these to instances where you sought help and the results achieved. Use these reflections to reinforce the importance of collaboration and support in achieving better outcomes.
Embrace asking for help: Finally, make a conscious effort to reach out to colleagues, mentors, or friends for support and guidance. Recognise that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
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