Dj's corner

Working with private specialists

For a long time, I believed that I could learn anything I needed with the amount of information we have these days. For example, if I want to improve my language skills, there are so many resources for that. In fact, it is not hard to find some; it is much harder to filter out the less accurate though. I honestly think it is still very true — with the right mindset, anything is possible. However, I began realizing that it is okay to ask for external help from time to time.

Looking back, I can see I have actually done it a lot but it was in open communities. It did not feel like I was begging and bothering someone. I simply dropped a question and a stranger showed up to discuss it with me. It was such a convenient and smooth exchange. I have been told many times that my questions are interesting to answer. I think I can take it as a compliment. I tend to put a lot of effort into exploring on my own.

There is a big difference between asking for help after doing your own research and asking for help to get a quick answer without any preparation. But it seems like the latter trend is slowly fading out — folks have got chat GPT nowadays.

As much as I consider myself a solo player with most things, it is safe to say I do benefit from occasional cooperation. So if I decide to lock myself away from the outside world, it is going to be a harmful choice over time. Two heads are better than one for real. Sometimes, I struggle to understand and accept others' methods, especially if I am involved in the process as well. However, I have to admit I can be wrong too. It is important to analyze from more angles why they do something the way they do. Who knows, getting over my own "rightness" might provide me with great insights.

At the beginning of this year, I finally took up all my courage and reached out to a therapist and a fitness coach. Even though I worked with both only for 3 months, which was due to some major changes in my schedule and budget, I benefited from that cooperation so much. I saw that it was great to get a gentle or sometimes not really, yet needed push. In addition, I did not feel ashamed or guilty about that at all. It is crazy how knowing that they were getting paid by me for their assistance reassured me. But it was also important to be careful with not passing all the responsibility to them. They were simply amplifying my effort.

Now it is almost the end of the same year. And here I am considering working with other specialists again. I am currently thinking about a therapist and a teacher for my Czech. I would say my language skills are not bad but there is a lot of room for improvement. As for my mental health, I rely on writing, music, and occasional running or walks. I have been trying to read some books as well. But I want to add an extra element (person) to my processes because it feels like the right thing to do now.

I am yet to choose the specific people I would like to work with. From my therapist/teacher/coach, I seek these things: individual approach, developing solid trust, and similar work ethic as well as some world views. If these ingredients are in place, then my intuition gets a bare minimum of evaluation to carry out. It simply comes down to a personal preference, after all. With that in mind, I should not hurry in that process. I am not looking for quick help there, I am looking for long-term connections.

#english #thoughts