Photo by Rineshkumar Ghirao on Unsplash
We're continuing to look at the six questions you need to consider as you take on a new learning project and strive to meet your goal. Today, we're considering:
Who could help me meet this goal?
In my experience, this is one of the most overlooked questions. And, yet teamwork and effective collaboration are some of the most prized workplace skills that exist today.
My best friend and I will often get into bouts of "I do myself" syndrome. The cry of the three year old striving to demonstrate how they are all grown up sticks with us through adulthood. And, yet that desire to "do myself" often hurts us.
So, as you take on this step, I want you to fight through that feeling and think about who you know that could help you along the way. Here's a list of possibilities to kickstart your thinking:
Family & friends
A coworker who has a career path that inspires you
An alumni of an institution you graduated from or worked at who you admire
A current or former teacher or professor
A fellow student
A tech savvy friend
A good reader/researcher friend or acquaintance
Keep making your list and keep it handy.
Reach out to these folks in advance. Tell them that you're taking on this learning goal and you might call on them for their expertise. Personalize each message to their specific skill or knowledge area. Ask them if they are willing to directly support you if you have questions - and if not that you understand and hope that they'll at least cheer you on in their thoughts.