Lesson 2: Asking for What You Want

Make it easy for people to help you – ask for what you want clearly and others are able to help you better.

Having gone through the questions in the previous section, you should now have a better idea of what you want.

This puts you in a better position to get results – because you know exactly what to ask for. And you can explain and clarify what you want much more easily.

This is important, because if others don’t know or don’t fully understand what you want, they cannot possibility help you.

So make it easy for people to help you – ask (clearly)!

However, as I mentioned last time, although this sounds simple enough, it’s not necessarily easy to do.

Self-Assessment Quiz

If you’re looking for a new accountant or web designer for your business, or looking for other people with whom you may be able to exchange referrals, what do you do?

  • Do you tell people that you know or meet that you’re looking for such people?

  • Or, do you attend a networking event and hope that as you mingle you’ll eventually meet the right person?

If you don’t typically ask for what you want and need, take a step back and consider why this is.

Networking Mistake #2

The second most common networking mistake is not asking for what we want.

Often, even when we know exactly what we want, we don’t ask for it.

Why not?

Here are some common reasons:

  • Feeling awkward or self-conscious about asking people for something.

  • Fear of “rejection” (i.e. What if they say “no”?)

  • Assuming that people already know what you want so you don’t need to ask.

Pay attention to what assumptions you’re making and how valid they are, when you don’t ask for what you want.

Because once you’re able to readily turn to the people in your network and ask for help, you can start reaping the benefits of true networking.

And, as you probably know, enlisting other people’s help on any endeavor can dramatically reduce the time and effort on your part.

How to Correct Mistake #2

Confusion “leaks” confidence, so be clear about what you want. And check your assumptions, so you can ask for what you want and need without feeling “like a pest”.

Module 2 of the Effortless Networking self-study program teaches you how to do all this in great detail.

For today, here is ONE simple question you can answer, to start moving in the right direction:

    During this past week, whom did you ask for help to achieve your business goals? How and why did you choose these people (i.e. based on what)?

Being aware of your thoughts and assumptions is the first step towards confidently and easily asking for what you want.

It paves the way for you to tap into the real power of networking.

In the next lesson: How to build a network of people that you’re comfortable with, and don’t mind asking for help.

Till then,
signature

Sri Dasgupta
Phone: 1-650-704-5384

5 Simple Ways to Network Successfully — links to all online lessons below:


Leave a Reply