If You Never Ask, the Answer is Always "No"

Let me state this clearly: If you never ask for something, I can guarantee you that 100% of the time you will not get. Every single time you do not ask, the answer will be a "No"? How could it be anything else if there was never the opportunity for it to be a "Yes"? Whether it is asking for a sale, asking a business partner for funding, asking someone to mentor you or any other question of proposition, there is only one possible answer if the question is never asked.

Many times we are afraid to ask for something because we are afraid of the answer. We are afraid they are going to say no. But let's think of this from a different perspective. What if they do say yes? If you never ask, you have zero chance of getting a yes from someone. Simply asking raises your chances of success infinitely. You may still only have a very slight chance at getting a yes, but at least there is a chance. Don't hesitate wondering if someone is going to give you a no as an answer. If they do, who cares? It was already a no before you asked, and all you did was confirm it. If you never asked, you would never have known for sure. But who knows? They could say yes, and it could end up being the best question you've ever asked.

You also have something to work with when you get a no, versus having nothing at all to go on when you don't know what the first response is going to be. A no does not necessarily mean no forever. It could mean no for right now, it could mean they need more information or it could mean they don't understand. Whatever the reasoning, at least you have something to work with and you can start dealing with the objections. Without the knowledge of their original yes or no answer, you have nothing to go on.

So make sure that whatever endeavors you are in, ask the questions you are currently hesitating to ask. Ask for more than you think you can get. Ask for the sale when you think there is no chance they will go for it. One thing is for sure, they will definitely not go for it if it was never proposed to them.