For so many people, asking for help is hard to do. For those in the medical profession, it can be a particularly great challenge. We have had to conquer so much on our own to make it through medical school and residency. We have grown accustomed to others coming to us for help. We have trained ourselves to be self-reliant and somehow, deep down, may fear that asking for help might suggest that we are weak, losing our edge or are sub-par.

The reality is that others don’t see it that way, and neither should we. Asking for help is an important step in getting things done efficiently, in maintaining balance in our lives, and in building relationships of mutual respect and support.

Whether it's hiring a cleaning crew to help with housework, or engaging a nanny to cover the kids' increasing needs, or sitting down with a therapist to talk about emotional issues, help is at our fingertips. Sometimes it's so easy to see how others need it; often it's impossible to see it in ourselves.

Asking for help is a smart step in safeguarding our own well-being and in preventing physician burnout. Really, we're talking to you.

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