Tweet

Do you have the Courage to ASK?

Guest post by: Bob Urichuck

Article Overview: When I speak to audiences around the world, I always ask, “Why don’t people have the courage to ask for what they want?” The answers are fear of rejection, fear of losing face or fear of being embarrassed. All of them live with the fear of what may happen because they do not have the courage to ask. For now, let me explain a few things about asking. Firstly, it takes courage to ask but if you don’t ask, you don’t get. Am I right?

Do you have the Courage to ASK?

When I speak to audiences around the world, I always ask, "Why don't people have the courage to ask for what they want?" The answers are fear of rejection, fear of losing face or fear of being embarrassed. All of them live with the fear of what may happen because they do not have the courage to ask. For now, let me explain a few things about asking. Firstly, it takes courage to ask but if you don't ask, you don't get. Am I right?

By simply not asking, the answer is automatically "NO"! In my mind, you routinely lose because you lack the courage to ask. Why?

The answer is simple. If you have the courage to ask, you increase the odds of receiving a "yes" reply. The odds are 50/50.

When you possess the courage to ask, you increase your odds of getting a positive response. However, if you get a NO answer, did you lose anything?

No! How can you lose something you never had? Therefore, make it a habit to have the courage to ask. Also, be careful what you ask for, because you may just get it!

Imagine the outcome for the salesperson who doesn't have the courage to ask questions in order to understand the prospect's needs or to request the order. Picture the person who doesn't have the courage to ask for a promotion; and the person who doesn't have the courage to ask for a loved one's hand in marriage. Do they get what they want?

Don't ever be too shy to ask. All it takes is a little courage. What is the worst response you can get? If it happens to be a "no", what have you actually lost?

Now, imagine you had the courage to ask the same question and the answer is "yes". How much further ahead are you now?

If I hadn't had the courage to ask my wife Joan to go to the high school graduation with me, I may never have found that wonderful and loving partner in life. If I hadn't had the courage to ask my friend John for a loan, we may not have been able to build our first home, or live in our dream home today.

If I hadn't had the courage to ask for guidance, I likely wouldn't have received it. If I hadn't had the courage to ask myself what I wanted out of life, I doubt I'd be where I (happily) am today.

The quote from the Bible, which I have attached at the end of this article, has been around for over 2000 years and is very accurate.

A.S.K. is the short form for a very important message. I believe A stands for Ask, S for Seek and K for Knock.

You must have the courage to ask yourself what you want out of life. Once you know what you want, you can seek it out. It is by seeking out what you truly want that you will discover all the doors of opportunity right in front of you. Finally, you must have the courage to knock.

My book, Disciplined for Life, You Are the Author of Your Future, covers that subject. It will provide you with the necessary courage and it will guide you to ask yourself some questions that will require some internal soul searching.

As you formulate the answers and write them down in the space provided, you will find yourself and discover what you want out of life. You are the author of your future. This alone will increase your level of courage, motivation, confidence, self-esteem, self respect and self-worth.

Once you know the truth about yourself, you will then have the courage to proceed and create a personal plan to seek out those opportunities which will give you the life you crave.

Have the courage to ask of yourself questions, to ask of others, and to ask often. Don't ever be shy to ask. If you don't ask, you don't get.

Indeed the more you ask, the more you get. If you need help, if you want a promotion, if you want a referral, if you do not understand something, if you want more out of life, what must you do? Ask!

You do have the right to ask! Make it a habit to ask. Asking can help you choose how to use your time and energy most effectively.

Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. Luke 11: 9-10

Related Articles
  How to deal with Overwhelm
  LEADERS DISPLAY COURAGE BY CHOICE NOT BY CHANCE.
  Courage
  Fear vs. Courage
  Women Entrepreneurs Find The Courage
  Live The Life Of Your Dreams: The Top 5 Ways To Live The Life Of Your Dreams
  Follow the 3 Cs to achieve long term goals
  HR and Courage
  Sales Courage and Resilience
  Six Characteristics of Leaders
  5 Secrets of Turning Failure Into Success
  Question of the Day: What will you do with your failure?
  Stepping out of the comfort zone & Building the Business
  The Emperor Has No Clothes
  Sales-Moxie . . . You Gotta Have It To Succeed In Sales
  What is your DNA of leadership?
  Courage and Charisma
  Discovering Your True Self-Worth
  The Three Most Important Leadership Qualities in Small Business.
  The Courage of Your Talent

Article Tags: asking questions, courage, discipline, fear, motivation, rejection, sales, sales management training, sales training



Related Forum Posts
Re: Essential Leadership skills - Courage
Re: Ladies Who Launch Profiles - What a truly amazing lady! Thanks for posting this ideasuniverity, it had me hooked from beginning to end and then I had to go and look at the website. The words "Courage is not a gift, courage is a decision" really make you think. Take care, Carol


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Common Sense Stress Management

Starting A Set of Books

The Digital Diet by Daniel Sieberg

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.