If you don’t ask you don’t get - a good one to remember

Some of us are more tough negotiators than others - that’s ok - not everyone can lead great negotiations people have other skills. However, regardless weather we are good at it or not - we have to do it. One of the best pieces of advice someone gave me was that if you don’t ask in life you don’t get. That’s is even more true in today’s world where a lot of people only make themselves the centre of attention.

If you don’t ask you don’t get - what that really means is - if you think k you deserve something stand for it. Of course, not every ask you have will be granted but even if not - you will feel better as you did ask and you know where you stand now . This allows us to move forward and plan ahead while we have certainty. Certainty is a great thing, as it allows us to make more rational decisions about our future based on facts.

Besides the need for actively asking for things to get there, very often this is the biggest barrier. People are busy in their lives and they often shy away from what can be seen as tough negotiations. We therefore tend to choose the easy way to just avoid asking all together. This is a mistake and we should train regularly to face those tough negotiations to learn and improve for when it really matters in the future.

The best example here would be to ask your manager for a promotion. The majority of people just come to work every day and assume that over time their efforts will be rewarded. This is a mistake. Your manager is a busy man that might not always be aware of your hard work. It is your job to point him to reasons why that promotion should be for you and to ask him regularly about it. If you don’t, how would he know your dreams and desires where you want to take your career? Of course, this can be a difficult conversation but why does it have to be ? If he tells you valid reasons why it is not yet your time to get promoted nothing has happened and you know where you stand and can base decisions in it.

Therefore, remember, if you don’t ask you don’t get. Just ask and say what you want and what you don’t want loud and clear. It will give you and people around you clarity and perspective which is never a bad thing. Don’t be afraid to just ask - what’s the worst that can happen? Go out there and authentically state what you want - it will let you achieve your goals much faster.