“Our duty, as men and women, is to proceed as if limits to our ability did not exist. We are collaborators in creation.”

de Chardin

Back in college, I worked part-time as a dormitory computer tech. I figured it was an easy way to sit in a computer lab and study whilst getting paid. However, early on the job, I found myself anxious and often feeling overwhelmed at some of the complex problems I would encounter.

Part of the job was overseeing the computer labs functionality, but another facet was actually going to my dorm mates rooms and ensuring they had working internet. Sometimes I would begin working on a computer and have no clue what was wrong. I would spend hours of my free time reading online about similar problems until I would find a solution. I put the heavy burden on my back.

Fortunately, after serving in that role for two years, I was promoted to manager. It wasn’t so much I was a computer whiz, but that I showed good responsibility that prompted my advancement.

My first year as manager was as anxious as my first year as a dorm tech. I practically did all the work that my subordinates couldn’t do. This took up a lot of my time, and again was an unnecessary burden.

I’m not sure exactly when the ‘click’ happened, but one day I completely let go. I let all the unnecessary weight fall by the wayside. I began approaching everyday as if there was no problem that couldn’t be solved. Like the quote, I proceeded as if the limits to my abilities did not exist.

From then on out, every time a subordinate or myself came to a problem that was beyond our technical proficiency, I simply picked up the phone or emailed someone who knew the answer. It was that simple.

Suddenly, problems were solved twice as fast, and I found myself getting all the work done in far less time. I became the boss that relaxed in the office for an hour, then casually walked around to check on my employees. I no longer was doing any of the complicated stressful work, or spending 3 hours a day studying solutions online.

I simply asked the person who knew the answer. A few years earlier, perhaps my ego would have gotten in the way, but by letting go of the need to feel superior in the technical world, my work life became effortless.

Lesson: Ask the person who already knows the answer