UnitCoach

“Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.” - Napoleon Hill

A number of years ago, Mrs. Fields of Marshall Fields Department Stores, gave a million dollar gift to the University of Chicago. Mrs. Fields lived in Evanston, Illinois, home of Northwestern University and she had always supported Northwestern in the past. Northwestern’s President was dumbfounded that she would give such a large gift to the University of Chicago. W

hy hadn’t she donated the money to Northwestern?
Why did she give it to the University of Chicago?

Shortly thereafter a Northwestern University official called Mrs. Fields to find out why. Her response stunned them. She said, “The people at the University of Chicago asked. You didn’t.”

How many of those women - strangers in the mall, waitresses, teachers, shoppers in the grocery store, mothers, standing in line, waiting in waiting rooms - whom you were too afraid to ask, have since become consultants through someone else? You’ll never know.

Imagine how big your team could have been right now if you had asked every one of them. From now on, always ask.

You have found yourself standing somewhere, watching someone, trying to decide if you are going to approach her about becoming a consultant. If you hesitate at all, I guarantee that the thoughts running through your head are all about you.

Those consultants who have mastered this skill have learned to become egoless. They know that what they have to offer can change that woman’s life. They think only of her and the value they are about to add. If she says no, it is no to the the opportunity, not to you.

Think of it like this - you are standing in a large dark room with a lit candle. All around you are women holding unlit candles. If you offer to light someone else’s candle and they say no, your flame still glows. If you offer to light another candle and they yes, your flame still continues to glow, and now the room is brighter.

Perhaps you believe to some degree that if you ask and are rejected, you have lost something. Maybe you feel that to ask you must pay a price - potential humiliation, rejection, confirmation of your deepest fears. The next time you are standing there trying to decide if you are going to offer to light her candle, ponder this question: What is the cost of not asking?

Now go have a POWERFUL day!
- Ann Vertel, UnitCoach