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How Much Help?

Did you ever offer someone help and then realize that they needed way more help than you could give?

We often say we'd like to help, but keep it so general that the person receiving the offer doesn't know what it means. And, if they think it means "help with everything" that can be a bigger load than we're ready to carry.

Be careful about assuming that a little help is all anyone needs.

Some people need more. It might be too much.

I've learned to offer specific things - can I cut your lawn? can I review your notes with you? can I come over and keep you company for an hour? can I take you out for coffee and chat?

We know what specific offers mean and can accept them or let them go. It's something. And, if they need more -- we can always offer something more. But not the moon. You probably can't deliver the moon.

-- Doug Smith


key words:

Comments

  1. David SpiegelSeptember 9, 2015 at 11:55 AM

    How often have we been let down by those who have said"you can count n me!"

    ReplyDelete

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