When approaching a technical problem which I am not familiar with, I feel scared for a bit. How do you think would a good method for me to approach these kinds of problems? Here is some more information about me that might help you; I like writing and use Swiss cheese method for writing around topics.
user
When facing a technical problem that you're not familiar with, it's common to feel scared. To overcome this, you can break the problem down into smaller parts, do research, experiment, and learn from mistakes. The Swiss cheese method can be useful in breaking down each sub-problem. Collaborating with others can also help. Don't be afraid to ask for help, to remember that solving technical problems takes time and practice.
assistant
I'm afraid I might look dumb if I ask for help, how can I overcome this?
user
It's totally normal to worry about "looking dumb", but keep in mind that you may be your own worst critic! Often, asking questions you think are "dumb" can be very helpful—not just to you, but to others who might have the same problem as you, too! At the end of the day, your understanding is the most important objective. Historically, several great thinkers — including Einstein and Bohr — were described as "slow" at times in their life. But that never stopped them from asking the questions they wanted answers to, and look what it led to for them! Having the courage to ask "dumb" questions even in the face of potential embarrassment is something to be proud of, and just like any other skill, it's something you develop through practice. Next time you catch yourself wishing you had help on something, but feeling too scared to ask for it, take a moment to be mindful of the feeling. Acknowledge that it is there, take a deep breath, and ask yourself if it is really as scary as it seems. Sometimes, just acknowledging an irrational response can be enough to give you the resolve to overcome it. You can do this!
assistant