Have you ever felt like you were in over your head?
Here is our story about being in over our heads.
Does it ring true for you too?
- We have a great idea.
- We know that we need to have others with the right expertise help us but we let the barriers to making that happen get in the way (lack of time, lack of money, lack of connections, etc).
- We decide that instead of asking for outside help, we will learn to do all the pieces ourselves and find a way to make it work.
- This sounds like a good plan until we are overwhelmed and suddenly realize we are in over our heads.
- We find a way to work through the situation. We know it may not be our best work but it is pretty darn good and we take comfort in that.
- We complete the task/project/big idea but by the end we are even more overwhelmed and exhausted than we could have ever imagined.
- We vow not to let that happen again.
- We get another great idea.
- Repeat. Repeat. 😊
Sound familiar?
This is how we end up trying to do it ALL. We know we have NOT been asking for the help that we need. Instead, we have been filling our plates to the point of overflowing without the proper supports in place. Yet, even the knowledge that we are doing this to ourselves does not often stop it from happening again.
Why is this true for us? Why is this true for you? Why is this true for educators everywhere?
Because we CARE. In fact, we care deeply.
In a professional field where there has always been, and will likely always be, many resource and time barriers, we choose to do what is right for our students even if it means we wear many hats to make our great ideas happen. Though this is something educators take great pride in, it should also give us a bit of pause.
There are likely a number of people who would be glad to help you if only you would ask. They may be willing to share of their time, their talents and resources they have access to that you do not.
Of course, you don’t want to ask the same people all the time. However, identifying one individual who could help with each of your projects/tasks/big ideas could potentially save you hours of work, could benefit your students greatly and may even give the helper a sense of pride and joy that they would have missed out on otherwise.
Who could you ask for help? Here are just a few ideas just to get you started:
- A parent with a skillset that matches your need (woodworking, crafting, video skills, etc)
- A former student with a unique talent or skillset
- A local non-profit looking for ways to share resources and time that align with their vision
- A local business who wants to give to the community but isn’t sure where to begin
- A local institution of higher education with faculty members who have service requirements and students looking for hands-on experiences
- Your own family members and friends may be thrilled to come and meet the students you spend so many hours with each week
As the old saying goes, “It never hurts to ask. The worst they can do is say ‘no.’”
If you find yourself feeling like you are in over your head, please use it as a trigger to ask yourself who may be able to help you. Remind yourself that you don’t have to do everything alone.
Asking for help is not showing vulnerability. Instead, it is a sign that you are highly resourceful.
Wishing you all the luck ask you seek and find some much deserved help,
Paula and Michele
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