Today’s post isn’t rocket science. In fact, it is an easy concept that you would think is obvious to everyone. However, I never did it until recently, and when I have talked with friends and family they have been equally surprised and enchanted with the whole concept:
Ask for what you want. You might just get it.
How did I come upon this ‘amazing’ truth that so few seem to use in their everyday lives?
Financial Blogs
I first came across this idea while reading posts on how to be frugal and save money on The Simple Dollar and Get Rich Slowly. Both blogs, at different times discussed the idea of haggling for discounts at stores, and the fact that you have nothing to lose. The worst thing that can happen is the sales person says no.
With these posts fresh in my mind I went on a shopping trip to Spokane and decided that every time I made a purchase I would try and get a discount on the price of the item and see what happened.
In the end, every single sales person said no, and stuck to their price. Haggling didn’t work once. However, I believe there is always something to learn from every experience, and, in this case I learned something very important:
Asking for the discount was easy, and harmless
Expanding the idea
With this new realization in mind I started thinking about my life in general and all of the times I thought about something I wanted to ask someone but never did. I had an “aha” moment:
When I didn’t ask I had absolutely no chance of getting what I wanted.
If I did ask there was a probability, even if small, that I would get what I wanted.
So, why not just start asking? (I told you this wasn’t rocket science)
A serious test
Recently I put this “groundbreaking” concept of asking for what I want to the test. Andrea Lee was offering a year long telecourse on Thomas Leonard that included classes, coaching calls, and new books of Thomas Leonard’s ideas that she would be publishing. I had just paid for my coach training with the ICA and had no money to spare on this course, but it really interested me. I decided to try out the “ask for what you want” method and sent her an email.
The email explained a bit of my background, my money situation, and why I was so interested in taking her course. Then I asked for what I wanted:
“Is there any type of work that you need done for the training or your company that I could assist with in order to “barter” for my entrance into the program? I am open to any suggestions.”
I admit I was nervous to be so bold, but I hit send. What did I have to lose?
The response
Six days passed with no response and I figured I was out of luck. Fair enough, it was a long shot and it didn’t work out. The best part was that the lack of response had no effect on me. I had lost nothing, in fact, I felt empowered because I took the chance and at least tried to get what I wanted. I felt way better about asking and not receiving than I did about just thinking about what could have been.
On day seven after sending my request I opened my email and was surprised to see a response from Andrea Lee in my inbox. I clicked it open and was amazed to read:
“Hi Jeremie, thanks for your great request. I am thinking that yes there may be something we could work out.”
The rest is history. I have been volunteering for Andrea’s Best of Thomas Project for almost two months now. The benefits I have received have been great:
1. I have gained a great deal of knowledge and insight into Thomas Leonard’s writing.
2. I have attended some interesting and powerful teleclasses.
3. I received my first two newly published books written by Thomas Leonard.
4. I made a connection with Andrea Lee, someone who is very successful in the field I am just getting my start in.
5. I have gotten to connect and work on projects with Tina Forsyth at OnlineBusinessManager.com.
It all worked out
All of this happened because I asked for what I wanted. Think about it, even if this concept only works 10% of the time, or even 1% of the time; you are ahead of where you would have been if you never asked.
It isn’t rocket science, it isn’t difficult in any way, so why have you never done it?
Do it right now. Think of something you have wanted to ask someone, write it down, commit to asking, then send the email, make the phone call, or walk up and ask that person for what you want.
You have nothing to lose, and so much to gain.
Let me know who you are going to ask, what you are going to ask, and how it turned out.