A fundamental habit of success is regularly and routinely asking for what you want. It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? Just ask, and you might get it. But let’s face it, asking for what we want is easier said than done. We pride ourselves on our independence and self-reliance. We’re strong and powerful and believe we don’t need any help! After all, that’s why we own businesses and have amazingly successful careers, right?
Well, here’s a little secret: while we might be capable of achieving our goals without help, it actually holds us back. Sure, we may not need assistance, but we can certainly get there easier and faster with some support. So, let me ask you this: do you ask for what you want or settle for the status quo?
Picture this: one weekend, I found myself at a conference. The organizer had a coffee set up, but as luck would have it, I’m not a coffee person. I prefer a good ol’ cup of tea. So, on the first day, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment all day long—no tea for me to enjoy. However, when I saw someone come to refresh the coffee station on the second day, I mustered up the courage to ask for help. “Is it possible to get tea instead of coffee?” I inquired, holding my breath. To my surprise, the person responded, “Sure, what type of tea would you like? I’ll bring a few teabags and a carafe of hot water.” Just like that, it happened. I wanted something, and I asked for it. And you won’t believe what came next—the tea magically appeared.
The real magic happens when you ask for what you want. Let me share another story with you. When I wrote my first book, I decided to aim high. I asked Jack Canfield, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul, to write a forward for my book. You might expect such a successful author to decline such a request, but guess what? He was more than happy to contribute. Throughout my life, I’ve learned that when I summoned the courage to ask for help, it was often granted. You see, you get more of what you want, and you get it faster when you master this simple habit.
So, why do we often hold ourselves back from asking? The answer lies in a place of lack—a mindset that limits us. We’re afraid to ask for a whole bunch of reasons we make up in our heads. Maybe they’re too busy. Perhaps the ask is too big, and they cannot afford to help us. Perhaps we believe we don’t deserve it. But here’s the truth: these are all statements of lack and scarcity. They stem from a place of believing there isn’t enough, and perhaps, we can’t have everything we want.
But let me tell you something—the world works in abundance, not lack. Wherever you focus your attention and energy, the results are amplified. If you search for reasons why people can’t give you what you want, you’ll find them and create more of those reasons. However, if you shift your focus to asking for what you want, you’ll find that you get more of what you want more often than not.
It’s time to put this habit into practice. Start asking for what you want from people who might be able to give it to you. If the options presented aren’t quite what you’re looking for, ask if alternatives are possible. Whether in your business or personal life, ask anyone you can how they might help, and you’ll discover the answers you need to achieve all your goals. We live in a connected society where knowledge and skill-sharing are becoming more and more common. Believe it or not, people want to help you find success. Show them how they can.
Now, let me leave you with a few questions to ponder: What are you missing out on by not asking for what you want in your business? What risks do you take by not asking for help? Think about the valuable time you spend doing and learning things yourself when you could simply ask for help. And finally, what is the first thing you will ask for after reading this message?
Remember, the art of asking is a pathway to success and a gateway to tea, magic, and all the extraordinary things you desire. Embrace it, and watch how your world transforms.
