After being laid off, an ex-coworker asked me to write a recommendation for him on LinkedIn. I didn’t hesitate to say “yes”.
A few weeks later, a friend trying to grow her career as a comedian asked me to retweet her latest joke. I didn’t hesitate to say “yes”.
I was surprised when I first received those requests. “You can just… do that? ” I wondered. It never occurred to me to ask for something so clearly and directly.
I have trouble asking for things. I’m fiercely independent — to a fault. I don’t ask for help when I need it, and I often refuse help when offered.
Our current assignment for Orbital Boot Camp is to request a “warm” introduction. That is, ask someone we know for an introduction to someone we don’t know. I’m finding it incredibly difficult. What am I worried about? Being turned down? Inconveniencing someone? I’m not sure.
The thing is, neither of those friends I mentioned before inconvenienced me. I was actually glad they’d asked me for help. After the fact, I felt good about myself — I felt useful. I’m trying to be mindful of that as I begin to ask for help.