Work Out Who You Need on Your Side

You’re not alone, you know, and you don’t have to do this by yourself. Even if you don’t take other people into your confidence, you may need their cooperation. So start by establishing who can help you. They may be an essential part of the team, or they may not even know they’re helping you.

Let’s go back to your promotion. You need your boss on your side for a start. And very possibly their boss. And maybe some of your senior colleagues. You may also need your partner’s support—whether because a promotion will mean a shift in hours, or because you want him to help you practise your interview skills.

Dealing with any kind of life or work problem is going to be a whole lot easier if you have good friends, or your partner again, backing you up. And if your family is really with you, it can provide that crucial practical and emotional support. Maybe you also want a network of other people in your situation.

Perhaps you’re on your own and would like to meet that special somebody. Do you know anyone who can introduce you to people? If you want to try online or speed dating, would it be a good idea to get advice from someone who has tried it before? (The answer’s yes to that one.)

Right, now we’re getting somewhere. We’re starting to see what you need and who you need, so you can lay the groundwork thoroughly and make this aspiration far more likely to come true.