If You Don't Ask, You Don't Get

Whenever we get together for an episode of Agents In Action, I often ask myself “what is it I should share this time?”  I have been devouring several books these past few weeks, and one of them jumped out as the obvious answer for this conversation.  I realized, without one’s ability to do this effectively...especially someone in sales...it can be a long uphill climb that leads to endless frustration.  It’s a great book by Mark Victor Hansen & Jack Canfield called “The Aladdin Factor” The book focuses on a skill that arguably, is the absolute foundation for the results we have, not only in business, life itself.  It’s all about learning how to be “masters of the lamp” as the authors call it...having the ability to...simply put...yet easier said than done...just ask.

As I was reading the book, it hit me between the eyes how this simple idea is so important to be aware of in our lives.  As you know, my focus is always searching for ways to chunk it down to the simplest ways I can help the agents I work with get to that next level.  I trust discussing this will help you gain a new perspective and allow you to make the adjustments in your approach to have more success.  When you think about it...we are asking for one thing or another at one time or another - all the time!  Step back and take notice...how much of our day involves some form of “asking”.  Sometimes, (I would even suggest most of the time) we have a hard time asking in general.  If we do, often it’s not for exactly what we really want to see happen.  Why?  The obvious - fear of judgment, rejection and embarrassment to name a few.  We lack confidence, worry about what someone’s response will be to us fully expressing ourselves.  When we really focus our attention on this, we quickly realize how often this takes place on a daily basis.  What impact is it having on your life and business?  Your family and loved ones? The causes you are behind?  It’s almost as if we’re living in self-imposed prison with bars we can’t necessarily see, and worse, don’t even feel the limitations after we’ve become accustomed to living inside these parameters we’ve set for ourselves.

I'd bet this is the underlying fuel that feeds many agents resistance the essential activity of lead generation. At its core, prospecting/lead generation is “asking”  If you are uncomfortable asking, concerned about all the stories rolling around in your mind, if you’re vulnerable to allowing yourself to become emotional and attached to the outcome...then yes...any kind of “asking” will cause you to pause or avoid what you perceive to be pain...remember, we will do more to avoid pain than gain pleasure.  If this is you, how can you create new associations to lead gen or prospecting?  It’s what we focus on that expands.  Once again, let’s really go back and get connected with our purpose, our passion, and work to reverse these self-defeating habits.

One thing I have always fallen back on is how passionate I have been to have a BIG vision for how I desire my life to be.  Maybe I am lucky or just too foolish to know otherwise...I have always been a HUGE dreamer and allowed myself to buy into the concept of having dreams and that they can come true if you’re willing to take action and do what’s necessary to achieve them.  I just believe it’s possible.  Generally speaking...there’s two groups of people...those that believe all things are possible...and the other that doubts and dwells on why nothing will probably work out anyway.  Something else that has helped me keep healthy mindset is this well-known verse about “Ask and you shall receive” and the other that's so powerful is...ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  Here’s what’s interesting and yet likely overlooked,  even if you don't ask… you still rec