The 8 principles of asking
This is an informative post by Juanita Waterman.
1) Act as if you expect to get: The most important characteristic of a good asker is their sense of certainty. They come from a ground of being in which they know that they will get what they want and, this certainty, has a positive impact on the listener.
2) Ask with conviction: Most people are shy when they ask, as if to say that they do not feel worthy of getting what they are asking for. You must ask with conviction if you want to get what you truly desire. There is a very good story about an author who was writing a book called ‘America’s Greatest Sales People’ and wanted to have Zig Ziglar as one of the people he interviewed in it. Initially, Zig Ziglar’s secretary said no. However, when he realised he was not asking with conviction, he started to rephrase his question and said, ‘can you imagine a book called America’s Greatest Sales People without Zig Ziglar in it?’ Needless to say, he got his interview.
3) Ask someone who can give it to you: This may sound simplistic but most people ask the wrong people. One of the biggest steps in getting what you want is to find the right person to ask. If that person cannot help you, ask them to introduce you to a person they know that can.
4) Be clear and specific: By being clear and specific, the listener will know exactly what you want and will be able to give it to you. Try to tell them what you need, when you need it by, where you need it and how much you need. Also, enforce your question with credible reasons as to why they should give you what you want.
5) Ask from the Heart: Ask in a kind voice, ask politely and ask with respect and admiration.
6) Ask with humour and creativity: There is a story of a gentleman who wanted to ask a lady out on a date and he did this by sending a homing pigeon with his message written on it. We are asked for many things each day and by asking creatively, you will ensure that your question will be treated with proper thought and time.
7) Give in order to get: Life gives to the giver and takes to the taker. If you are a person who gives, you will attract other givers into your life.
Ask repeatedly: Do not give up if the first person you ask says no. If they say no, ask someone else. Jack and Mark had to ask over 100 publishers before somebody published Chicken Soup for the Soul. What you have heard of them if they had stopped at the 99th publisher?
With these principles, and the other elements of asking that we have covered in the previous messages, you should now be able to ask for, and receive, what you truly desire.
Mohammed Ali
Hope this helps
Robert Secrest
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Robert, Excellent Post!
Herb