How To Ask For Help And Get It

‘Help’ doesn’t need to be a four-letter word but there’s a right and wrong way to ask for it

- Bonnie Vaughan

In a world where we’re encouraged to be independent, you may worry that asking for help means that you’re imposing on someone, or that you appear ‘weak’. Yet for all the reasons you may be loathed to ask someone for help, there are just as many why you should. ‘Think about the last time you helped someone,’ says psychologist Sally-Anne McCormack. ‘Did you feel good helping them or did you feel burdened by it? Chances are you felt really good. If you don’t allow people to help you, then you’re stopping them from having that same sense of satisfaction.’ There is, however, an art to asking for support...

1. Be prepared