From the course: Communication Foundations (2018)

Tool kit: Making an ask

From the course: Communication Foundations (2018)

Tool kit: Making an ask

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- If we are going to request things we want and need, we have to get over our inhibitions about asking. We need to face the fact that we might get rejected, but learn to ask anyway. No isn't the end of the world. So here's your toolkit assignment. Spend the next 30 straight days asking for some low-stakes, unimportant thing every single day. On Monday, maybe you order something that isn't on the menu. On Tuesday, ask a friend to give you a lift to work. Throw in a few crazy requests that are bound to get a no just to get comfortable with the idea of rejection. Walk into your local gas station and ask for a discount. You're going to get laughed at, but so what? You're training your brain to ask. Kick this exercise up a notch by asking a friend to play along. Share what your request was each day. The accountability will help you stick to it when the asking gets tough. After a month of practice, let's ask for something that really does matter to you. When you're ready, keep these two things in mind. Many of us are much better at asking for other people. So first, imagine that your request isn't for you, but for someone you care deeply about. Listen to how you would ask on their behalf and use some of that language in your real request. Second, remind yourself that if you never ask, you'll never know. Find us on LinkedIn and drop us a note about your experience. We love hearing your successful request stories.

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