Ask for what you WANT and Get it.

One of life’s fundamental truths states: Ask and you shall receive. Isn’t that simple? Of course it is. The world responds to those who ask. Most people in this world, however, find themselves in settled lives, never really achieving or receiving

what they hold in their dreams … because they just never ask.

The truth is, when you take control of your life by asking for what you want and need, you can accomplish anything your heart desires. No doubt, you know of people who seem to walk into any situation and any relationship expecting success. They achieve success again and again because they’ve learned and acted on one simple truth: You will reach your goals only with the help of others.

Here are seven ways to ensure that your asking gets results.

• 1. Ask with confidence.

If you ask with confidence, you will get more than

those who are hesitant and uncertain. A confident

state of mind will affect everything else: your

body posture, eye contact, tone of voice, and

choice of words. Confidence, however, does not

mean being brash, arrogant, or conceited. When

you’ve figured out what you want to ask for, do it

with certainty, boldness, and confidence. The only

downside is that your request may be denied. You

are in no worse position than before, and it

simply means that you need to look for another

route for results.

• 2. Ask clearly.

Be precise. Think clearly about your request. Take

time to prepare. Use a notepad to pick words that

have the greatest impact. Words are powerful, so

choose them carefully. Ask for what you want, not

for what you don’t want. At the same time, be

careful what you ask for. More often than not, you

get exactly what you’ve requested!

• 3. Ask someone who can give it to you.

Before you ask someone for something, make an

assessment of whether or not that person will be

able to give it to you. Some people are very

qualified and motivated to help. Others just

aren’t capable of delivering. Watch people and

review that capacity. Do you know that this person

is capable of delivering what you’re about to ask

him or her, or are you just hoping the potential

is there?

• 4. Ask consistently.

Some people fold after making one timid request.

And they quit too soon. Keep asking until you find

the answers. In sales, for example, there are

usually four or five no’s before you get a yes.

Top producers understand this. When you find a way

to ask that works, keep on using it.

• 5. Ask creatively and with humor.

Humor captures our attention and breaks down our

defenses. Creativity disarms our resistance and

opens our minds to new possibilities. In this age

of global competition, your asking may get lost in

the crowd, unheard by the decision makers you hope

to reach. There is a way around this. If you want

someone’s attention, don’t send an ordinary email,

fax, or letter. Use your creativity to dream up a

high-impact introduction. You may not want to go

so far as the saleswoman who sent a chief buyer a

homing pigeon with her card attached to one leg,

and on the card she had written, “If you want to

know more about our product, just throw our

representative out the window.” Think of what you

could do to create a powerful impact with your

most important prospects and don’t be surprised

when those impenetrable doors swing wide open to

welcome you in.

• 6. Remember: You must give something to get

something.

As Zig Ziglar says, “You can get everything in

life you want if you will just help enough other

people get what they want.” When you’re asking,

always be sure to explain how the other party will

benefit and win because they’ve acted positively

on your request.

• 7. Ask sincerely.

You can have anything you want if you want it

desperately enough! Keep that unbridled passion

for your purpose, project, or goal stirring in

your mind as you begin to ask. When you truly need

help, people will respond. Sincerity involves

showing a willingness to be vulnerable. Tell it

the way it is, lumps and all. Don’t worry if your

presentation isn’t perfect; ask from your heart.

Keep it simple and honest, and people will open up

to you. Maintain eye contact throughout the entire

asking process. This further demonstrates your

integrity, trustworthiness, and passion for the

subject.

You can turn your life around, regardless of the obstacles you currently face. Get clear. Get passionate. Take a giant step past that fear. And if at first you don’t succeed, take this minor setback as a signal to you … to ask again!

                                                                                                                                                                    Article by Mark Victor Hansen

The world responds to those who ask. When you begin to ask for what you need and want, you’ve taken control of your life—you are proactively steering its direction. Many wonderful and great things come to you as a result. What is your take on this? What has worked for you? Would love to learn from your experiences.