Inquisitive.me

I recently came across a beautiful story Simon Sinek shared. He spoke about a close friend who had been through a very difficult time—without ever telling him.

He felt torn. On one hand, he wanted to be sympathetic. On the other, he was frustrated. Why hadn’t she asked for help? He would have shown up for her in a heartbeat—but he never got the chance.

Except… she had reached out.

When he looked back through their old messages, all he found were texts like: “Wanna come over?” To him, it seemed like a casual invitation, the kind of message she’d sent a hundred times before. But for her, it was really a quiet plea: “I need you.”

That’s the tricky part, isn’t it? We’ve all sent or received messages like that. How are we supposed to know when it’s just a casual question—and when it’s a cry for help?

Simon mentioned an article that said sometimes, when someone is struggling, all they really need is just eight minutes of support from a friend to help them find their footing again. So he and his friend created a simple code: “Do you have 8 minutes?”

Such a tiny phrase. Such a big meaning: “I need you.”

Support doesn’t have to be grand. It’s the little things.

I see it in my work every day. Sometimes I stay a few minutes after a physiotherapy session, give up part of my lunch break to explain something again, or simply sit and listen. For me, it might be a small pause in a busy schedule. For a patient, it can mean everything—feeling understood, encouraged, a little less alone.

We all have eight minutes to spare. To listen. To show up. To make someone feel seen. It might not change your world, but it could completely change theirs.

When we struggle, asking for help can feel impossible.

I’ve been there—helpless, lost, knowing I could reach out to family or friends, yet staying silent. Sometimes it was shame. More often, I simply didn’t want to bother anyone.

And sometimes, I didn’t even know how to start.

It’s like standing in front of a huge project—cleaning an attic, writing a thesis—and having no idea where to begin. The task feels so overwhelming that your thoughts turn into a jumble.

That’s what makes this simple question so powerful.

“Do you have 8 minutes?” is easier to say than “We need to talk” or “Can I borrow your time?” It’s specific enough to invite a real conversation, yet casual enough not to alarm anyone.

The person you’re reaching out to knows what it means. To everyone else, it’s just a regular question. And sometimes, that small, unassuming start is all we need.

Whether it’s a friend, a family member, a patient, or even a stranger, those few minutes of undivided attention can be life-changing.

🧪 Let’s Experiment

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Eight minutes of presence can matter more
than hours of advice.

Life feels rushed—it’s tempting to move straight from one task to the next, whether you’re in clinic or off the clock. But pausing for just a few intentional minutes can create a connection that lasts far longer than the time you spend.

🎯 Try This:

Next time you feel the urge to hurry—from one patient to another, or from work to home—pause and look back: does someone need just eight minutes of you?

• Simply listen—sometimes that alone builds trust and gives a patient the courage to stick to their plan.
• Make a quick check-in call to a patient or friend; even a two-minute chat can keep them from giving up on their exercises—or on themselves.
• In a busy clinic, a short, genuine conversation can make someone feel seen and valued.

And it’s not only for patients. With friends or family, you can even borrow the simple code from Simon Sinek’s story: “Do you have eight minutes?” A small phrase with big meaning.

🧠 Final Thought:

Your presence—just eight focused minutes of it—can be the quietest yet most powerful gift you give today.

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Keep it simple, stay curious, and keep learning—you’ve got this.

Take care,

Carina 🦊