Many people have considered being independent as a true sign of maturity - yes, it may be to a considerable extent, but most times, it is also a sign of over-inflated ego. It is common to believe that when you start being fully responsible and taking full responsibility for your life that you are becoming mature. Well, just to let you know, there are times when a little external help may be all you need to have the breakthrough that you need.
When you need help or when you find yourself between crossroads, it will do you more good to ask for assistance. Asking does not mean that you lack responsibility, except you ask out of selfish desires. Asking for help is meant to help you to assume bigger responsibility and to know what to do and how to get it done.
No matter how independent you are or how self-reliant you may be, the truth is that you are not an absolute island - you will need the input and help of others from time to time and your success may be dependent on that help. If you are in need of help and you refuse to ask, then do not blame anyone if the help is not forthcoming. I mean, how will people know that you are in dire need of help if you do not ask?
However, when asking has become the only option left, there are things you need to understand before you ask. Firstly, always try to limit your asking to only genuine things and for genuine reasons. If you ask yourself the reason why you want to ask for help and you cannot find a suitable answer, then reconsider your moves. Try to reverse the scenario in your mind and ask yourself "if someone requires this kind of help, will you give them?"
Also; timing. No matter the genuineness of what you want to ask, wrong timing can make a mess of it. Imagine going to your boss when he is angry at your mistake to ask for a favour (like an increase in allowance), what do you think you will get as a reply? Maybe a query.
To ask, you have to allow time to be in your favour first. You will agree with me that the result when you ask people for help or assistance in their happy mood will be different when you ask them for the same help when they are sad.
Another thing you need to understand is purpose and manner of presentation. You will agree with me that it will be easier to get help if you ask for someone to teach you how to get it done yourself instead of always asking people to do it for you themselves. For example; if you are in need of fish and you want to ask for help, the better way of asking is to be taught how to fish. With that knowledge, you will not run out of fish. However, when you ask to be given a fish, a time will come when the giver will be tired of your constant askings and they may not give you again.
Finally, do not allow the fear of rejection to becloud your mind when you are asking for assistance. Remember that your whole existence does not revolve around that particular help. At the worst, you will get either a "no or wait" but that does not equal to a death sentence.
Thanks for reading
