Format of asking for help

If you have a problem and you ask for help (to friends or relatives, to a manager or a psychologist), then use the following algorithm that is convenient for both parties:

• What’s the question. The bottom line is what the problem is, what worries you.
• Causes. Your vision, what creates this problem, all relevant circumstances
• Solutions. Your vision, what is required to correct the situation, what are the ways to solve this problem, what needs to be done
• What do you need from another person? Specific requests that you personally expect from the person to whom you turn for help. Instructions on what you personally think this person should do.
• What are you willing to take on? What can be your contribution, what are you personally ready to take on.

For example

• Ivan Petrovich, good afternoon! I need your help in calculating the salaries of consultants. I calculated the amounts due for hourly work during the month. In order to add to the calculation of bonuses for completing the conditions of the promotion and to pay wages to our consultants on time, I need reports from the marketing department for this period. I ask you to hurry the marketing department and give them the task to prepare the report by November 5, 2012.
• My dear and beloved wife, I am worried that children spend a lot of time watching TV. I think the only reason is that we are a little distracted from them, and all this is easy to fix. I would suggest two things: children can turn on the TV if they have done their homework and helped you with household chores. If you agree with this, I am ready to tell them all this, and also take control of it so that they get used to it. What I would ask you to do is to keep an eye on this, if possible, when I am not at home, and the main thing is to have a list of things that need to be done around the house. You need to unload, and it will be useful for children to learn skills that are useful for life. Yes?
• Olya, can you fill in for me on Saturday? Today I found out that there will be a webinar, which is very important for me to attend. In turn, I can take your shifts on Tuesday, Thursday or next Sunday. I will be very grateful to you!
• My dear children! I have a new distance task. I need to go to bed before 23.00 pm at least 4 times a week. I find it hard to put things off and stop. I ask you to control me and tell me when it’s time to go to bed. We are changing places! I don’t lay you down, you put me down. If I manage to complete this task, then at the end of the week you will sign the report sheet for me, and I will be able to proudly show it at the Distance. Well, how can we do it?