Mind CapitalTM

Learn How to Dominate Your Brain: Rev Up Productivity, Whip Procrastination, Accomplish More

Home thinking it done thinking creativity  thinking business     thinking career    thinking success 

brain power     resources & Links articles & tools

Thinking Success

 

Ready to rev up your productivity, whip procrastination, accomplish more?

Get Your Ask in Gear

  • I was talking with a friend and we began to explore the reasons why we are reluctant to ask other people for help. I began to wonder: how much time and energy do we waste because we are reluctant to ask?

    If you start to pay attention to the numerous situations in which you don't ask (at work or in your personal life), you might be surprised. When we don't ask, we make assumptions that can turn out to be false or misleading. When we don't ask, we miss out on opportunities. When we don't ask, we tend to fill that blank space with negative conclusions (The Principle of Bermuda Triangles of Information).

    Why don't we ask? One reason is that in the old economy, it just "wasn't done." Employees didn't feel they had the right to ask, information was power, and people who asked questions were labeled as "troublemakers" or not "team players." Another reason is that in the old economy, there were lots of closed questions that had right answers, and we were supposed to know the answers. Asking meant we didn't know. Because of this, people are still reluctant to ask because they don't want to be seen as incompetent or ignorant. In some situations, we don't ask because we don't want to be rejected when someone refuses to answer a question or refuses our request. In other situations, we don't ask because we are afraid of the answer.

    When we do ask, surprising things happen. We get insights into our colleagues, businesses and customers that help us succeed. We might learn about a trend in the industry, a new idea or different way of doing something. When we ask, we benefit from opportunities that otherwise would slip by. We also take back control of our lives and our jobs.

    This coming week, how about trying one courageous ASK? Some suggestions:

    • Ask your boss for feedback on your performance. Or, for the opportunity to work on an intriguing new project.

    • If you're the boss, ask your employees what they like and don't like about their jobs and what changes would encourage them to stay with your organization.

    • Ask your customers how you're doing, what processes you could change to serve them better, or what needs they have that you're not currently serving. Or, ask your former customers if you could help them with their business.


    Shannon Bradford is a writer and coach, helping people learn how to master their brains to succeed in their careers and businesses. She is the author of Brain Power (Wiley, 2002).

    © 2001 Shannon Bradford


party image

Ready to rev up your productivity,
whip procrastination,
accomplish more?

 

 

 




Mind Capital
Thinkology®