Focus strategy number seven from The Power of Focus is "Ask For What You Want". The Power of Focus (book) goes into greater depth on how this principle is key to increasing and expanding your business but there is a significant benefit for personal success motivation and goal achieve as well. I will discuss them here.

Questions not only help you focus on what you want and what you need to do but questions also allow others to help you succeed as well.

"If there is something to gain and nothing to lose by asking, by all means ask." --W. Clement Stone

Asking is a simple gift and a universal Truth. This Truth is summed up by the phrase "ask and you shall receive". This gift cannot be exercised any more excellently than in young children. When children ask for something, they sincerely believe that they can have it and that they deserve it. Children keep on asking also! I have two children and they are persistent and act in full faith on what you want and desire. When they want something they simply "ask". They don't make it difficult and create complex approaches. They just simply "ask". When they don't get something they ask again...again...again. :)

In order to move closer to what you desire you need to start asking. If you aren't getting what you desire then you probably aren't asking enough. The world responds to those who ask.

Asking isn't just about "getting what what you want". Asking is information gathering and increase in knowledge. In getting knowledge you get the power to get what you want when you use it. When you ask, you get all sorts of information, ideas, strategies, names of people who can help you and even money!

Here is a good acronym to remind you about the power of asking:

Always
Seek
Knowledge

There are many reason why you should ask and why you need to ask but many people don't ask or don't know that the can ask. Why is that?

Here are 3 quick reasons:

1. They have a belief system that says that it's not right to ask.
2. They lack confidence.
3. They fear rejection.

You previously learned from our walkthrough on the book The Power of Focus about building confidence. Asking plays a role in getting you want you want. You have to break barriers and do what you haven't done before in order to get what you've never had right? To overcome barriers to asking you simply act with confidence and ask.

So you may now be asking (Hey that's a good start right there!) ..."How do I ask?". Glad you asked! :)

In order to enjoy the results of asking here are 5 ways to ask effectively:

1. Ask Clearly. Focus and be precise. What do you want? Think clearly about your request, take time to prepare if you need to and create or phrase your questions with words designed to create the greatest impact for you. This is powerful for both yourself and questions you ask of others.

2. Ask With Confidence. When you ask with confidence you ask with the power of conviction. This is detectable by those you ask and reinforces a postive internal belief system. When you act with confidence you certainly get more out of life. Well, when you "ask" with confidence you also get more out life. Avoid asking hesistantly and with uncertainty. If you need to, repeat item number 1. Knowing clearly what you want to ask will go a long way to helping you focus on your outcome and asking with confidence. Be daring in your deserving! Be bold but not brash. Exhibit a quiet strength and ask with confidence expecting a return!

3. Ask Consistently. This is very important. Ask the right questions the right way doesn't guarantee the right answer or success. You must not be discouraged and close up shop if your attempt at asking doesn't yield positive results. You must keep on asking! Ask persistently. Take on the "NO's" in order to get to your "YES's". Hearing a "no" before "yes" is a part of growth and success motivation. Don't shy away from this. Just keep on asking and you shall receive.

4. Ask Creatively. These are busy times we live in. Sometimes you have to be creative in your asking. You don't want to settle for a "no" and you also don't want to accepted the status quo in your asking. If email and phones calls aren't doing the job in your asking of others then find alternate ways to get your questions positioned for an answer. How about homing pigeons? Dancing bears? Sure it sounds wild but brainstorm and come up with alternate ways of getting your questions ask. Apply the same approach to asking yourself questions about what you really want out of life. Think of creative ways to phrase questions that will help you get greater clarity. Don't just ask yourself questions that don't create a reaction. Ask yourself questions that get you excited, mobilized and energized!

5. Ask Sincerely. Be real. When you really need help, others will respond. Being sincere means releasing any facades and it also means being willing to be vulnerable. Just be honest and tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth about your need. Ask from the heart and keep it simple. When you have demonstrated that you've done all that you could to reach a goal and need that extra support you will certainly get it. Never ask for a free ride but do ask for help. Do your part but allow others to help you when really need it by simply"asking for help.

It is up to you to target your desires and generate success. The world is yours for the "asking".

You can't be everyone one but you can be exactly what you want to be. You cannot have everything but you can have what you desire.

Ask for what you want or take what you get! Start asking now.

Check out page 208 of The Power of Focus for an action plan on asking for what you want in order to create success and happiness.

Click here to learn more about this series on The Power of Focus.

There are only 3 more strategies to go as we walk through The Power of Focus. They are:

Strategy Eight: Consistent Persistence
Strategy Nine: Taking Decisive Action
Strategy Ten: Living On Purpose

I hope you have been enjoying these series of discussions and I look forward to sharing with you next time!

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© 2004 T. L. Pakii Pierce - Upgrade Your Mind
The Mindset Motivator
"Think Well & Finish Strong!"

November 22, 2004 in Self-Improvement | Permalink

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Your Comments

Interesting topic. It adjusts to something that happened to me yesterday, when, after a month waiting for my job to start, I contacted my future boss telling her how worried I was about the whole hiring process taking to long. The result? I'm starting next week. Hurray!

I finally had the courage to ask for respect with my time and I got what I wanted.

Posted by: Leda Swan at Nov 24, 2004 11:03:12 AM

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Hi Leda

That's awesome! Proof right there! Asking may not always be the natural inclination but we should realize that it's okay to ask for what we want. So many opportunties can flow from simply asking!

Thank you for stopping by and commenting.

Best to you for Success and Motivation.

~Thomas

Posted by: Thomas at Nov 24, 2004 11:40:40 AM

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Awesome blog. I found you through blogexplosion. I will be reading further.

Posted by: Liz at Nov 24, 2004 6:03:43 PM

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thanks a lot for your motivational and inspirational parckage, am a beneficial

Posted by: tai ogungbe at May 7, 2005 12:32:15 PM

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Your welcome!

Posted by: T. L. Pakii Pierce at May 8, 2005 6:57:13 PM

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ive read your blog.its so cool.thanx for brighting my day with your words..keep it up dude!!!!

Posted by: Dart at Apr 2, 2007 8:04:45 PM

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