Comments on: Stuck? Admit It and Ask For Help

By: Maj Gen B K Bhatia

Maj Gen B K Bhatia — Mon, 17 May 2010 10:14:57 +0000

Unless you accept that you are stuck, you have no way to move forward; you will continue to follow the beaten track. There is so much of e-help available today that you can gather free advice. You only have to be inquisitive & analytic in getting the right input.

So many HR managers, for example, have approached me for a solution when stuck. I asked them to read about ‘EmpXtrack’& they got excited to know more. Obviously, if you are not shy of contacting the right person when stuck, you will always be guided appropriately. That is what ‘Steve Crenshaw’ has commented above.

Mary Jo Asmus has kindled the spark of curiosity to remove the bug of being stuck in life. Those who have read her article & the varying responses will never be stuck.

By: Steve Crenshaw

Steve Crenshaw — Wed, 05 May 2010 15:02:01 +0000

Mary Jo, When I got stuck last year I had to rely on my mentor and a friend to help me see what was happening. I was able to take a couple of months off and evaluate where my business was and what needed to be done to move forward. And yes, I was the barrier. Thanks fro a great post.

By: Mary Jo Asmus

Mary Jo Asmus — Mon, 03 May 2010 00:43:08 +0000

Janna, you’re miles ahead of me! The “I can handle everything” attitude is pervasive, and I really think it’s unusal to be willing to ask. Thanks for sharing.

By: Janna Rust

Janna Rust — Sun, 02 May 2010 21:55:18 +0000

I learned long ago to put aside my “I can handle everything” attitude and accept help from others. For me, taking my “stuckness” to a confidant who will give me honest feedback and advice is what helps me the most.

By: Mary Jo Asmus

Mary Jo Asmus — Sun, 02 May 2010 14:24:45 +0000

Jason, Yup. One of those simple-in-concept but tough to do sort of things, because it’s rooted in our beliefs and attitudes.

By: Jason Seiden

Jason Seiden — Sun, 02 May 2010 14:19:44 +0000

You nail it—it’s not just asking for help or walking away, it’s the open attitude with which it’s done which makes the action worthwhile.

By: Mary Jo Asmus

Mary Jo Asmus — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:59:52 +0000

Tushar, great suggestions. Do you think most people know when they are stuck?

By: Tushar Bhatia

Tushar Bhatia — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 09:34:06 +0000

Good thoughts.

I have found that having mentors helps a lot in this area too. Mentors could be from industry organizations, your seniors, past employees, your peers, family and anybody else whose advice you respect.

Of course it is an entirely different skill set to know that you are stuck and need help.

By: Mary Jo Asmus

Mary Jo Asmus — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:13:19 +0000

Kevin, thanks. I enjoyed getting caught up with you today.

By: Kevin Brozovich

Kevin Brozovich — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 19:53:22 +0000

Mary Jo,

Great blog! Being a collaborator by nature, I’ve found that calling others for help is the best thing to do when I’m stuck. We can’t know everything and people genuinuely like to help – especially if you are sincere and aren’t bugging them with every little question. If you start the conversation with “You do such a great job with X, I wondered if you could help me with….” people will always try to help.

The key is to call someone who is good at what they do. That’s why I call you!