Make the Ask.
You never actually know what the other person will say.
When we think about ourselves, we know that we are super complex, and that our reactions and sentiments towards things can change from day to day as we grow and learn. We know we don’t respond the same way to something every time.
And yet when we think about others, we feel that their attitude and sentiments are fixed in stone. We often think we know exactly what they’ll say, and exactly what they’ll do, in a given situation.
Yesterday, I was reminded of this when someone I know had a really good business idea for another friend of ours. When they told me the idea, I said: “There’s no way that person would ever go for that! She hates that kind of thing!”
But my friend said: “Well…I’m going to bring it up anyways!”
And he did.
And he told her why it was such a good idea.
And she actually really considered it. And she might do it. And her life might be changed by it.
That would never have happened if my
friend didn’t share his idea.
I was reminded: it is SO easy to slide into the thought pattern of thinking we ‘know’ what someone will say or do.
“They’ll never say yes.”
“They’ll say I’m out to lunch.”
“They’ll tell me it’s not for them.”
“They’ll say they’re too busy.”
But take on that you know so very little about other people, even those who are close to you.
If you give them the opportunity, people will surprise you in the most wonderful ways.
So, knowing now that you have no actual idea what they’ll say:
What’s one bold request that you haven’t made, because you’re afraid of what they’ll say?
What’s one thing you want to tell someone but haven’t told them, because you’re afraid of how they’ll react?
Take this post as a sign to swing out right now, (before you chicken out again!).
Make the ask.
Tell them how you feel.
Share your idea.
And watch the miracles start to happen.