Have you been told the secret to opening the inner circle of your network?  It is simple yet it is not easy for most of us.  For some it is an art and yet it is just a three letter word. For some it is possibly a “dirty” three letter word.  This word transforms business relationships.  It compels others to do all that they can for your.

A verb is defined as an action.  An action that compels, accomplishes, empowers and drives.  It motivates.  The meaning of A-S-K in this context is to seek, to inquire, to make a request, to expect, to consider, to invite. Ask is not demanding.  Ask is not attached to a “yes” or “no.”  Ask is open and inquisitive.

For me, it has created powerful business relationships.  Ask has created wonderful personal relationships – but, I also know that if it is not used – “ask”, or the lack of “ask” has and can destroy relationships whether they are business or personal.

Think about it.  How could this three letter word transform and revolutionize small business?  Your small business?  Are you asking?  Are you boldly and confidently asking?  Are you asking for what you need?  Do you know what to ask for?  Who to ask? How to ask?  How many times should you ask?

In my own experience that word, “ask,” has opened so many doors of opportunity it is magical.  I did not always use the good word or even preach it. 

There are many simple opportunities.  For example, asking people to buy, asking for referrals, and asking for business.  Ask for information, vital feedback and advice professionally and personally.  Ask to be mentored.  Ask for strategic business partnerships.

The hardest of all, in my experience, is asking for support.  Ask for help when you need it not when it is too late.

Much deeper than that, I personally do not know if anyone else has had an issue with the word “ask” but, I couldn’t ask.  I am sure we all have different variations on the same story.   Ask – me?  Ask for anything?  No way! Ask for support, ask for business – how?

I believed that I had to do it all myself.  I am not even sure if this is a female phenomenon or a woman in business phenomenon or a entrepreneur phenomenon.  As a business woman I perceived that meant I had to be “masculine” in the business world. To me “masculine” was I have to do it all my self.  What I made up was how a man would do it done.  I don’t think that I am unique in this situation.  It may be part of the human psyche: our pride, our determination to do it all on our own, i.e., my way on my terms.  Does this sound familiar?

You may be starting to ask yourself “how and where do I start?”  If so, that is good my friend, you are on the right track.  It takes practice to ask.  Why?  Why don’t we use the magical three letter word?  We could examine our histories, our life stories of the drama and trauma we all have and try to pinpoint the exact moment in time when we decided not to ask anymore.  Who was involved and why.  What was their motives, psycho babble, blah, blah, blah.  My personal opinion is who the hell cares why?  Why is a mind trap.

The key is to “Get Your ASK in Gear^TM.  Get out there and start practicing.  Can you see the magic moment?  Sitting in your office picking up the phone and asking for what you need and want from anyone and they say “yes.”  The person that you have asked for support is compelled to act. 

Practice.  Over the past couple of years I have had to put my self out there to “ask.”

It is not easy but trust me it does get easier.  Here are some ideas on how to “Get Your Ask In Gear^TM:  

·       List your short term goals

·       List the people you know you can ask (if you had too)

·       List what it is going to take to get you there

·       Do you need support?  Information? Advice?  Do you need an introduction to some  one that can help?

·       Practice. It will get easier.  Really, it will. 

I started by asking for advice.  People love to give advice.  Out of the advice I received what  I needed to start to “Get my Ask in gear^TM.

There are a few ways to take this on.  You can start with the small little “ask” or you can take on the scary “ask.”  I personally like to take on the scary one first. The rest is cake.  Conquer it!  However you start asking is fine.  The point is to start.  Or, maybe it is not the “asking” it is the “who” do you need to ask.  I think that is a topic for a whole other article. Then there is the whole new world of receiving.

Emily Adams
Network 2 Networth, LLC
Connecting your Network to your Networth.

Emily@network2networth.com
www.network2networth.com
www.askemilyadams.com