THE POWER OF ASKING
Asking is one of the triune prerequisites {seeking, knocking and asking} for progress in life. It’s like a Master key. Asking comes in different forms: you can ask for advice for a situation, you can ask for assistance in a task, guidance in a project, promotion at work, you can ask for direction.
How do you get what you want? Ask. You stand to loose nothing by asking. More often than not, people keep silent than ask; their silence is like a protection, a shield, but truly it is the fear of rejection, which is an enemy of progress. Honestly speaking, rejection is embarrassing and hurts one’s ego. Let’s look on the bright side. Don’t take the safe route by keeping quite and letting that golden moment pass you by. Be bold, confront your fear, ASK. It is self fulfilling. Sometime ago, I was a victim of this same fear. While in transit via air travel, I was hesitant to ask the gentleman seated next to me, if, on landing he was heading my direction. As the conversation developed, I suppressed the fear. I asked. With a cheerful smile, he said yes, and offered to give me a ride home. Was I Thankful!? Oh yes. He was glad to be of great help. Let me reiterate my point, Ask, Ask, Ask, you could be saving yourself from a lot of trouble.
Many people don’t get what they want, because first: not everybody actually asks. Secondly, most people don’t know how to ask properly. One must bear in mind when asking; to ask with precision and to ask the party that can help. This is true, very true. If you dare to ask, bearing these two in mind, you have set yourself to get it right all the time. For the group of people who don’t even know they can get what they want by asking; the remedy is, start this day to ask. I once read that men seem to be genetically programmed not to be able to ask for help especially asking for directions. For example, it takes a million sperm cells to fertilize one egg, because, the stubborn little guys won’t stop and ask for directions. Funny, but it makes a point. Many people are suffering today, because they do not know what they ought to know? As often said, knowledge is power. What you know today is a security for your tomorrow. Knowing who and how to ask is vital.
In the world of business, asking plays an important role in negotiation, acquisition of contract, buying and selling and so much more. To beat your competitors, you must ask questions and keep making enquiries. It aids your advancement. Also, when you want to mature an idea and take it to the next level, ask others for help. When you expose an idea to the right people, incredible things happen. The original idea often grows, along with its vision, power and impact. Don’t ever be afraid to ask. You will be surprised at what you get just by asking. Think of it, what is the worst that can happen to you when you ask? Probably you get a ‘no’, but not a broken arm. What many people don’t know is that people are waiting for you to ask. Every one is at a liberty to ask; you mature, you gain knowledge, you add value to yourself and so much more. However, do not be a pest while asking. ASK RIGHT AND ASK FAIR. For those asked, if you are not in a position to offer help, politely let the person know. Do not discourage, offer worthy suggestions, and keep the person on the right track.
Quick tips: ask for what you want, ask clearly, ask specifically, and ask the right person. For the youths, if you know what you want, but don’t know what actions to take, what do you do? Basically, you ask. Find someone who is doing or has done it similarly, and then ask them a few concise questions. This is a safe way to reach the top of the ladder faster than your peers. It gives you an added advantage. Never let any opportunity to ask slip. Do you know opportunity is akin to a ‘haughty goddess’ who wastes no time for those unprepared for her? Like I said, be bold, ask as the need arises. Many of life’s experiences have proven that there is power in the sentence “ask and it shall be given unto you”. Be the captain of your destiny.
