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lls from students or researchers needing advice with technical issues. Being a helpful sort, he’d leave whatever he was doing and make his way through the department hallways and stairwells to the person needing assistance.</p><p id="daff">Ron often found by the time he arrived, the person would’ve already solved the problem. Frustrated about the energy wasted on these fruitless rescue missions, he came up with a strategy. My husband later named this <b>The Ron Dolling Principle, </b>and it<b> </b>states that:</p><p id="255f" type="7">When someone asks you to come and fix their problem, you must wait 15 minutes before rushing to the rescue.</p><h1 id="cd0c">The Ron Dolling Principle in Action</h1><p id="e6ca">Over the years, people continued to ask for Ron’s help. The difference now was that instead of dropping everything immediately and rising from his desk, he would respond, “Sure, I’ll be there in a few minutes.”</p><p id="28d7">Fifteen minutes later, before leaving his office, Ron would pick up the phone and call the person who’d asked for help. Almost invariably, he’d find that his technical services were no longer needed. With a knowing smile and a silent “Hehehe,” he’d put the phone down and continue his work.</p><p id="5d12">Amused at how often he’d observe this strategy in action while working with Ron, my husband began to employ The Ron Dolling Principle in his own life.</p><h1 id="a3aa">Some people are more technically gifted than others</h1><p id="a1e7">As an electronics engineer and DIY-er extraordinaire, Warren is in his comfort zone when presented with technical challenges. I am not. There is nothing that bores and intimidates me more vehemently than an instruction manual. Present me with an IKEA “How to Assemble a Thing” pamphlet, and every cell in my body will let out a tiny groan.</p><p id="53a7">Previously, when I’d call for assistance, Warren would feel slightly guilty if he couldn’t come straight away to help me. He’s generous with his time but would usually be busy working and couldn’t just drop everything to swoop to my rescue.</p><p id="f572">After reminding me to check with Google first, Warren often found that I would’ve already fixed the problem when he came to assist. He assured me that, together with my new friend Google, I could probably figure out most things by myself. He’s right, of course, but don’t tell him I said so.</p><p id="d834">Having adopted The Ron Dolling Principle, Warren can now sit back and relax for 15 minutes after I call for help. He can carry on with the guilt-free satisfaction of knowing that I’ll most likely fix the problem <i>and</i> feel goo

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d about myself for learning something new. Talk about win/win!</p><p id="64b2">I have to admit to feeling delighted with myself when I do manage to find a solution to my technical issues. Of course, I’m careful to make a show of being a little peeved by Warren’s tardy response to my emergency calls.</p><h1 id="c915">Are there times when the Ron Dolling Principle does not apply?</h1><p id="607a">Yes! As implied by the title, there are situations when you might need to seek or give help immediately. For example, if grandma has stumbled off the ferry deck and is bobbing around with knitting unravelling in the water, do not hesitate to alert the captain and launch the rescue vessel!</p><h1 id="08b2">What can we learn from all of this?</h1><p id="7237">If, like me, you frequently have to deal with technical challenges and feel madly frustrated that you don’t know everything in the world, please, give yourself a break. After all, we can’t be experts in everything. Remember, your best friend, Google, is always happy to help.</p><p id="4b0f">If people are always asking you to solve their problems, consider adopting The Ron Dolling Principle. When someone asks for your assistance at work, unless it’s a genuine emergency, tell them you’ll be there in 15 minutes.</p><p id="643b">If their office is on the other side of the building or across a rainy parking lot, you may want to call them before you leave your cozy desk. When they happily inform you that they’ve figured things out for themselves, pour yourself a coffee and say a quiet thank you to our good friend, Ron Dolling.</p><figure id="c255"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*8zGiKDhBAIfdWOkkoG8lAA.png"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><p id="c79a">Thanks for reading! If you enjoy stories like these and want to support me as a writer, consider becoming a Medium member. It’s $5 a month, giving you unlimited access to stories on Medium. If you sign up <a href="https://gill-mcculloch.medium.com/membership">using my link</a>, I’ll earn a small commission. Thank you. :)</p><div id="0678" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/gill-mcculloch-story-index-a4d6bdad2219"> <div> <div> <h2>Gill McCulloch — Story Index</h2> <div><h3>undefined</h3></div> <div><p>undefined</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*-gaHET701jNyHJhsbOORew.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

Why Sometimes It’s Smart to Pause Before Seeking or Giving Help

Learn how to save time and reduce frustration at home and work by adopting the Ron Dolling Principle

Have you ever had this experience?

You’ve got a problem, and you call for assistance. A co-worker or family member comes to your rescue, but by the time help arrives, you’ve figured out how to solve the issue or, weirdly, it’s fixed itself.

Are we too lazy or impatient to take time to solve our problems, or is it a lack of confidence that makes us turn to others for help? There’s a little known strategy you may find useful, whether you’re the person seeking or providing assistance. Allow me to introduce you to The Ron Dolling Principle.

A common occurrence in our home

Me, calling to my husband:

“Honey! My computer’s not working. Can you come and fix it, please?”

“Sure, I’ll be there in a minute.”

“Can you come now, please? I really need to get this stuff done.”

“Give me a minute. I need to finish what I’m doing first.”

Heavy sigh, fingers drumming impatiently on the desk.

15 minutes later

Scenario 1

Warren arrives, presses a single key on the keyboard, and magically, everything is fixed.

“But I just did that exact — same — thing!”

With an air of gracious nonchalance, “Well, it seems to be OK now. Anything else I can help you with?”

“Grrrrrr”

Scenario 2

“OK, I’m here; what’s the problem?”

“Never mind, I fixed it.”

In scenario 2, if Warren had employed the Ron Dolling Principle, he could’ve avoided a wasted journey to my office.

Who is this Ron Dolling fellow?

Ron and my husband were co-workers for nine years at an engineering company. Previously, Ron had worked as tech support in a university civil engineering department. He would often get calls from students or researchers needing advice with technical issues. Being a helpful sort, he’d leave whatever he was doing and make his way through the department hallways and stairwells to the person needing assistance.

Ron often found by the time he arrived, the person would’ve already solved the problem. Frustrated about the energy wasted on these fruitless rescue missions, he came up with a strategy. My husband later named this The Ron Dolling Principle, and it states that:

When someone asks you to come and fix their problem, you must wait 15 minutes before rushing to the rescue.

The Ron Dolling Principle in Action

Over the years, people continued to ask for Ron’s help. The difference now was that instead of dropping everything immediately and rising from his desk, he would respond, “Sure, I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

Fifteen minutes later, before leaving his office, Ron would pick up the phone and call the person who’d asked for help. Almost invariably, he’d find that his technical services were no longer needed. With a knowing smile and a silent “Hehehe,” he’d put the phone down and continue his work.

Amused at how often he’d observe this strategy in action while working with Ron, my husband began to employ The Ron Dolling Principle in his own life.

Some people are more technically gifted than others

As an electronics engineer and DIY-er extraordinaire, Warren is in his comfort zone when presented with technical challenges. I am not. There is nothing that bores and intimidates me more vehemently than an instruction manual. Present me with an IKEA “How to Assemble a Thing” pamphlet, and every cell in my body will let out a tiny groan.

Previously, when I’d call for assistance, Warren would feel slightly guilty if he couldn’t come straight away to help me. He’s generous with his time but would usually be busy working and couldn’t just drop everything to swoop to my rescue.

After reminding me to check with Google first, Warren often found that I would’ve already fixed the problem when he came to assist. He assured me that, together with my new friend Google, I could probably figure out most things by myself. He’s right, of course, but don’t tell him I said so.

Having adopted The Ron Dolling Principle, Warren can now sit back and relax for 15 minutes after I call for help. He can carry on with the guilt-free satisfaction of knowing that I’ll most likely fix the problem and feel good about myself for learning something new. Talk about win/win!

I have to admit to feeling delighted with myself when I do manage to find a solution to my technical issues. Of course, I’m careful to make a show of being a little peeved by Warren’s tardy response to my emergency calls.

Are there times when the Ron Dolling Principle does not apply?

Yes! As implied by the title, there are situations when you might need to seek or give help immediately. For example, if grandma has stumbled off the ferry deck and is bobbing around with knitting unravelling in the water, do not hesitate to alert the captain and launch the rescue vessel!

What can we learn from all of this?

If, like me, you frequently have to deal with technical challenges and feel madly frustrated that you don’t know everything in the world, please, give yourself a break. After all, we can’t be experts in everything. Remember, your best friend, Google, is always happy to help.

If people are always asking you to solve their problems, consider adopting The Ron Dolling Principle. When someone asks for your assistance at work, unless it’s a genuine emergency, tell them you’ll be there in 15 minutes.

If their office is on the other side of the building or across a rainy parking lot, you may want to call them before you leave your cozy desk. When they happily inform you that they’ve figured things out for themselves, pour yourself a coffee and say a quiet thank you to our good friend, Ron Dolling.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoy stories like these and want to support me as a writer, consider becoming a Medium member. It’s $5 a month, giving you unlimited access to stories on Medium. If you sign up using my link, I’ll earn a small commission. Thank you. :)