Imagine this… You are a busy woman. You have planned your entire day, and even your week for that matter, and then you get the email. You know: the email from a dear friend or a respected colleague with the subject line that reads “I need a favor…” Your first thought is “Sure I’d like to help, let’s see what this is about”. You read further and you realize they aren’t making it easy for you to help them.
If Only…
If only they had made it easy for you, you’d be happier about complying with their request. You’d be happy to pick up their kid from school – if only you knew the exact time and what door to go to. You’d be happy to vote for their cause, if only they gave you the direct link and instructions. You’d be happy to share their upcoming event or book launch, if only they provided you with the information so it is easy to copy and paste. In reality, they didn’t provide you with all the information and now you have to do some digging or some writing or make a few phone calls. Now it’s more than a favor, it’s your time. Ugh!
Now You Think Back to When You Asked a Favor
Are you a good ‘favor-asker’? Time is precious to everyone and pretty much everyone is busy, so the easier you make it for others to help you, the more positive responses you’ll receive. And remember, people are good at heart and are generally happy to help.
Here are some tips to getting what you want and allow people to feel good about helping you:
- Ask directly and politely. Be sure to say please.
- Allow as much lead time as possible.
- Provide concise and specific details of what you would like them to do.
- Don’t put them on the spot. Graciously leave them an out.
- Say thank you in advance.
Asking favors is something we all do and most people are generally really happy to help out. In fact, many people thrive on it. Be a good ‘favor-asker’ and as Jerry Macguire would say…
Help Me, Help You
Now, that’s Powerful!
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About the Author: Sue Urda is an Author, Speaker, Inspirer and Co-Founder of Powerful You! Women’s Network and Powerful You! Publishing, She was named twice on Inc. Magazines list of the 500 Fastest-Growing Private Companies and is the author of three books, Powerful Intentions Everyday Gratitude, Women Living Consciously and Empowering Transformations for Women. Sue’s vision is to contribute to a global consciousness of women helping women succeed in business and in life and to open them to truth of who they are. www.sueurda.com www.powerfulyou.com
I have been taught that if you ask for help you are weak. That is hard to forget.
Hello Barb,
Good point. Yes, many of the lessons we learned as children stay with us our whole lives. It is up to us, with our new awareness to make our own decision as to what is a weakness or a strength. Try re-framing it that you are strong enough to know you need help and smart enough to ask for it.
Also, I am of the belief that we are all in this together and that we all have different abilities and connections for a reason. Let’s open ourselves up to allow others to help us, and also be there for them when they need us! This makes the world a smoother running, easier and more blessed place to live.
Blessings,
Sue