There are times when we become confused by something or found something that we really want to know more. And most of the time, we’ll become stuck after that. We don’t know how to proceed…how to continue from there.

And believe it or not, most of the time, the solution can be very simple. If you have doubts over something or you don’t know something…..then find the suitable person and ASK. If he does reply, then good…you can start digesting the answer and decide whether it is helpful or not. But if he doesn’t reply….still I don’t see any harm done on your side.

Unless of course, you’re that egoistic idiot who thinks you are smarter than everyone else and you don’t need someone to teach you what to do or to tell you what you “don’t know”. Otherwise, I really don’t see any harm.

Here are some examples of my personal experience :

If i am in a foreign country, i’ll ask for directions even when the person in front of me can hardly understand English. Still, there’s no harm done.

As some of you might know, i’m interested to become a Game Designer but I have no idea what should I prepare and how is the video game industry in Malaysia. So i started to ask around…..and in the end, i managed to get some replies from someone who has been in the industry for few years. If I don’t take up the initiatives to find someone to ask……then i will forever have my doubts.

I’m someone who always wants to improve. So when i was having my performance review with my ex-manager, I told him straight that I want to know how can I improve myself. I’m asking him to tell me bluntly, without mercy, so that I can improve. And he did, though in a pleasant way. I’m glad I’ve asked.

I was in MIRI town with my friends…inside a taxi and we have no idea where to have our lunch. So i started to talk to the taxi driver and started asking him more and more questions about MIRI. By the time we got off, we basically know where to go and stuff. It’s better to actually approach someone and ask……than to wander around aimlessly.

There are other examples but let’s not bore you with those stuff. I’m sure you get what I mean.

So, put down your ego, and start asking people. If you don’t ask, you’ll never know. If you’ve asked and you don’t get the answer you seek……..well, at least you’ve tried.

p/s……… this is a lesson I’ve learnt when i was young…and this lesson was further reinforced after reading “The Last Lecture”.

p/s………. the senior managers and bosses should also know this. If they are willing to let go of their ego, and start asking people for opinions…….and also, be open-minded enough to accept the opinions, I believe they will definitely go far.