Today I want to talk about a skill that I think is one of the most difficult for any IT professional; knowing when to quit or ask for help.
As a professional we are employed for our abilities to solve problems. For me, solving software problems is a blast. I would do it even if it wasn’t my job. I like it so much that I look forward to the start of a new week. For me it is like the doing crossword puzzles or playing chess.
Even so, there comes a time when you need to throw in the towel and get help. Perhaps you need to search the internet, seek documentation, find examples of what you are trying to do, or even ask a colleague for help. The longer you have been working in IT, the harder it is to give up and gain help, at least for me.
Another area where I have seen failure is knowing your limits. Knowing how much time you have to commit to your job. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses. Knowing when your responsibilities are more than your skill sets. Frequently people are promoted beyond their skills, and they do not take measures to fill in those gaps.
So you know when to stop? Do you know your limits? What indications can we look for to know we are approaching our boundaries? Join the conversation here, or drop an Email to btaylor@sswug.org.
Cheers,
Ben