What's the worst they can say?

When I was at the ICEA Conference in Chicago Tracy Lyn Moland said in one of her speaking sessions that you should ask for what you want. The worst they can say is "No". If you don't ask, you never know what you are missing out on. I was talking to my husband about it and I told him we needed to start doing it more.

Although I have asked for things in the past, I thought I could brush up on my asking skills. When my husband and I were at Disneyland recently, we were just getting ready to get on Splash Mountain when the ride broke down. The guy next to us had stated that two of the rides he had tried to get on earlier in the day had broken down when he was just getting ready to get on the ride.

My husband and I went to City Hall and explained how dissatisfied we were with the way things were going. They not only apologized, but gave us Fastpasses for three rides. Then we happened to go to Pizza Port to grab some dinner before heading over to Space Mountain for use of our first Fastpass. Apparently there was a staff shortage and everyone had to wait in line just to pay for their food. People were really starting to get irritated.

I have never seen this bad of service in one day during my many years of visiting Disneyland. I was very surprised. My husband and I finally made it to the front of the line and my husband started to complain again, this time about the wait. The gentleman apologized and said that half of the cashiers did not show up for their shift. When my husband asked if speaking to the manger would help, the Cast Member said it wouldn't and then turned around and gave us a 15% discount on our bill.

One thing that didn't hold us back was the fact that if they had said "No", we would just move on to someone who could say "Yes". When you let that first "No" get to you, it is hard to move past that and continue to ask for what you want. If you look at the bigger picture, such as the person you are asking is not in a position to tell you "Yes" or you need to follow a certain procedure to get what you want, then you will realize that it is not your fault and you should keep moving ahead.

When my husband went to ask for what he wanted, he was honest about what he wanted from the situation and they were able to accommodate him. If you are asking for new business, be passionate about why you are asking for the person's business. Explain to them what you can give them in exchange for what they can give you, which is their business.

If you are looking for someone to write a guest article in your newsletter, just ask. As Chat Director of ICEA we would not have had some of the guest speakers we have had in the past if I did not take the initiative to take the first step, whether it was an email or phone call. I just keep pushing ahead to the next guest speaker.

You never know how many of your dreams and goals will come true until you ask. All I am asking of you right now is to take a few moments and think about what you really want, make a list, and start asking the people that can help you fulfill those dreams and goals.