When was the last time you asked for something you really wanted?
Not something you kinda-sorta wanted.
Not your kid to take out the trash, or your partner to empty the dishwasher.
Not your co-worker to pick up a pumpkin-spice latte for you on their way in to the office.
Something you REALLY wanted.
That can be hard and it can feel vulnerable. And we might choose to believe that we already know the answer.
“I want a promotion – but I don’t think my boss likes me enough.”
“I want to go to that conference – but I can’t take time off.”
“I’d love to be working on the cool new project – do you think my boss will pick me?”
“My employer won’t pay for the training I want.”
Did you ask? Or are you assuming?
You don’t have to work for a big company to get financial support for conferences or training. Two recent students are there because their small-business employers are paying part of the fee. How did that happen? They asked.
If you don’t ask to be assigned to that cool project, how can your manager know you’re interested?
If you don’t ask for a promotion, how will you ever know what you need to do to get it?
If you don’t ask if you can attend a training program or conference, how will you know what support you might get?
The worst that can happen is that you’re told no.
And at least then you’ll know.
If you don’t ask, you’ll never know what might have been possible. So in essence, if you don’t ask, the answer is already, and always, no.
There are many options and opportunities available … if you ask. And if you don’t ask, you’ll never know what opportunities you might be missing.
What do you want?
Why not ask?
(Check out Seth Godin’s blog post And Your Company will Pay For It.)