Asking for help

When you ask for help, you are asking the other person to take time from what they want to do, to help you do what you want to do. It is reasonable that people prefer to do what they want, instead of what you want!

So, when you ask for help, try to help the other person to help you.

That may sound strange because you are the one trying to get help. How can you possibly help the other person?

Make sure that the other person has a number of reasons to help you and the least amount of resistance.

When you ask someone for help, make clear that you just need them for a few minutes. They won’t need to spend a long time or make a big effort to help you. Ask for five minutes from them, so they can point the way or help you unblock.

Also, you may want to try a “no” oriented question. People have less resistance to saying “no” than “yes.” Experiment with “Would it be a ridiculous idea if I asked you to help...