The 'Life Hack' You Need to Learn
Ask for help when you need it. Don’t go through life never learning this one little ‘trick’ or ‘life hack’.
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CRUNCH! POOF!
That was the sound of my car buckling, and then my airbag deploying. I had just caused a head-on collision. It was 100% my fault. I got distracted. I was trying to wave at someone I knew who was crossing the street. It was an amateur move. I was a fully-grown 18 year old, but I felt like a child in that moment. Fortunately, no one was hurt. But my car was no longer drivable. Having purchased ‘cut-rate insurance’, I wasn’t protected against the ‘mayhem’ I had caused. I was without a car.
Over the course of the following days, I had to get extremely creative. I worked two jobs, 15 minutes from each other by car. My town had no public transportation, and this was several years pre-Uber.
I was able to get to work by bike, or by bumming rides off of my parents or coworkers. But it was evident that my approach was not sustainable. I needed a longer-term solution; and I needed it fast.
Humanity and Compassion are Not Dead
Four days after destroying my car, I was approached by one of my employers, Russ. I was rushing around my work station, scrambling to complete my daily assignment. I had about 10 minutes before I needed to leave for my other job (yes - I bummed a ride off my coworker to get there).
Russ asked if I could help him out with something. I hesitated. I was very short on time. But, it is hard to say “no” to the owner, so I relented. I turned and walked out the door. I followed; confused and unsure of what task I would be helping him with.
My confusion increased as we walked through the factory and out into the back lot. There wasn’t much out there. Just a few shipping containers where we kept product. I assumed he wanted me to climb into one of them to fetch him an item.
Russ had different plans.
We reached the last container, but kept walking. To my surprise, a Jeep came into view. It had been hidden by the container. I instantly recognized it. It was Russ’s jeep. It had been sitting in front of his house for months because it wouldn’t run. I just assumed he decided to park it in a more permanent location.
To my surprise, Russ pulled a pair of keys from his pocket and tossed them to me.
“The Jeep works. I got it all fixed up. It is licensed and insured. I even put in a new radio. The only problem is, I need someone to drive it for me so that it doesn’t wither away. Can you drive it around for me for the next several months?”
My jaw dropped. I didn’t know what to say. The only thing that came out was, “You realize I just totaled my car 4 days ago, right?”
He just laughed, and motioned for me to get in and try it out.
Before I knew it, I was sitting behind the wheel, the engine running. I had reliable transportation once again.
Don’t Make Someone Else’s Decision for Them
We all have periods in life and in our careers when we need help. I am willing to bet that if most of my readers were asked for help by a colleague, friend, neighbor, or even a stranger, they would be more than happy to give it. Yet, when we are in a position to need help, we throw up our walls and we assume the worst of that situation:
“No one will help me!”
“They’ll just think I am weak!”
“I can do it on my own!”
“I will figure it out!”
The list of poor excuses could go on and on. We don’t even give others the opportunity to serve us. Instead, we make the decision for them by never asking.
As someone who has been extremely blessed by another’s willingness to help, I can say that receiving help from those who are in a position to best help you can relieve a lot of stress, and strengthen bonds and relationships.
Ask for help when you need it. Accept help when it is offered. Don’t go through life never learning this one little ‘trick’ or ‘life hack’.
Also, be willing to give help to others. Don’t wait to be asked either. If you see someone who clearly can use your help, and you are capable of helping, then help them.
This world is trying too hard to divide us. Let’s not give in!
My Own Plea for Help
It has been nearly 1 1/2 years since I started Cubicle Farm. I have received a lot of joy from pondering, forming my thoughts, and then publishing a bit of my soul for the world to read. But I do wonder, as did Pink Floyd: Is There Anybody Out There?
If you have read this far into my article, could you please, just this week, click the like button, leave a comment, or respond to this email so that I know who is out there? It would be very helpful for me to know who I am actually writing to.
Thank you for your help! I really appreciate it.
Excuse me while I pay the bills…
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Other than the hero image, which used Canva’s AI Image Generator, this article was written without the use of AI.
Edit: After initial publication, I added “Accept help when it is offered” to the section “Don’t Make Someone Else’s Decision for Them”. This was initially left out, but it is equally important, and needed to be added.
This is a great lesson. I've had to ask for help and I've been too stubborn to ask. But I've been helped in so many ways both big and small throughout my life. I've even been honored to help others. I think most people feel good about helping others. There's no shame in asking when your back is against the wall but it's a hard lesson to learn.