Suddenly you are stuck. You can’t see the solution. You don’t know how to approach a problem. You become aware of not having enough resources. Time to press stop button on your stress vehicle, aka brain, and pause.
Normally, you have all the resources inside you to solve the problem. However, sometimes in these circumstances and especially when stress limits our vision we can’t see and access our own resources. But luckily, there is an alternative: Surely, you are not isolated hermit, but are connected to people: Family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances etc. If you have followed Keith Ferrazis advice, “Never eat alone” (that’s his book title), you are surrounded by plenty of friends. Yes, some of them might not be available (especially when you want to move from the 6th floor with our lift), but others are. And perhaps a good though, a clever advice, a new perspective is all you need. So, time to mobilise your support net.
As the stress under these circumstance limits our thinking, have a try to think on paper. Follow the steps below and I am almost sure the world would look different for you again.
How to work: My support net
- Download the “My support net”, print it out or use the pdf on a tablet with a pencil.
- Whoever comes to your mind, who might be – sometimes even the slightest – connected to your challenge, write his or her name next to one of the branches. .
- Thereafter think how they might support you. Write the action in the table to the right and connect the action with a line to the respective name.
In case you don’t know let their name be there. Perhaps an idea will come later. - Prioritise the possible actions by putting a number behind them.
- Start calling from number one, describe your challenge and see what happens.
If you are hesitant to ask someone for help, if you are not the type of person to approach anyone, you’ll have – admitted – an extra challenge. But again nothing, what can’t be overcome. You can reprioritise the list by ease of calling and start with a person you don’t feel scared of.
If this doesn’t help, you can encourage yourself by imaging the worst possible answer or reaction of that person you want to call and decide. Is the problem big enough to have a try nevertheless.
If not get inspired by Jia Jiang whose biggest fear was rejection and who turned this into a gift and opportunity.
Download Instructions for My support net
- Click on the file.
- Agree on the terms and conditions in the pop-up window. (If no window pops up, check your browser settings and allow them.).
- Check your Download folder.