I used to feel I had to do everything myself. I had the misconception that people were all busy, totally happy with what they were doing, and not open to helping me. I felt that anything I would ask of others would be an imposition.
I have since learned that when I ask someone with interest, curiosity, and/or aptitude about the required task, they are often engaged, interested, and downright happy about it. Win for me, win for them.
I have also learned that if I ask someone to pitch in towards a higher cause in which they believe, they are often honoured, enthusiastic, and helpful.
I used to ask for help from the nearest, most convenient person when I was overloaded without thinking how that particular person would respond to the request. The results were often poor and the experience would leave me wanting to do it myself even more.
Nowadays, when I need help getting something done, the first question I ask myself is: “Who would love to do this?” Doing it myself is not my first choice. Having people around me doing stuff they are good at and like to do makes their life better and mine, too!
I know what some of you are thinking. “He has more staff around him than I do. I don’t have anyone to delegate to.” That might be true, but much of what I am talking about is not a function of that. I could have done much better, much sooner, if I had figured this out “back in the day”.
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IBEX Payroll extends our profound respect and immeasurable gratitude to all the ancestors and keepers of the land on whose traditional territories our work takes place. We acknowledge that we are on Treaty 1 territory, the traditional gathering place of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene people and the traditional homeland of the Métis people. This land is sacred, historical, and significant.
Every time we acknowledge this truth, we have an invitation and an opportunity to reflect on the wrongs of the past, what we do in the present, and what we can do to continually honour the people whose lands and water we benefit from today.
This statement only acts as a first step in honouring the land we reside on and its peoples, and must be paired with education, understanding and informed action.