There's A Difference Between Asking For Help And Being Helpless

     "When you come to a fork in the road, take it." - Yogi Berra

While this quote may not make sense, it does encourage the reader to do one thing...keep moving. As a student leader, you will have a lot of decisions to make and many opportunities to get other people involved. When a situation or decision becomes overwhelming you might want to consider seeking advice and guidance. Getting the assistance of others may be just the thing you need to keep moving forward.

It's okay to ask for help. I highly recommend it.

There is a difference between asking for help and being helpless. The difference is in your attitude and perspective. Look at this comparison chart

Ask For Help: Seeking resources
Helpless: Has no resources

Ask For Help: Intentional
Helpless: Reactive

Ask For Help: Draw people to you
Helpless: Pushes people away

Ask For Help: Leader
Helpless: Victim

Ask For Help: Better because others do help
Helpless: Bitter because others don't help

Ask For Help: Focus on strengths of others
Helpless: Focus on own weakness

Ask For Help: Hopeful
Helpless: Hopeless

I think the last comparison says it all. When you are willing to ask someone else for help, it will provide a sense of hope. Hope that you aren't in this thing alone, hope that you can rely on someone else, and hope that your work will be better because of the strengths of someone else.

A helpless person is a hopeless person. Doesn't that just sound sad?

There's a lot going through my mind on this issue. I've seen too many student leaders squander their opportunities because they felt like they had to do everything themselves. Unfortunately, if you are doing it by yourself...you're not leading.

I think I need a part two to this post....