A couple weeks ago on the same day, I flat-out asked two people if they’d like to hire me.
Both of them said no. (Very kindly)
They weren’t strangers. In fact, I know them quite well, and genuinely thought it would be cool to work and play together.
What I love about this is that I just asked.
In the past, my MO has been to beat about the dragon bush with creative language like, “Would you like to create something together?”
(Create what, exactly? A three act play? A finger painting? I mean, who says that, Steph?)
Saying directly, “Would you like to hire me?” was a big deal for me.
Even cooler: I didn’t feel disappointed to be rejected. There are no hard feelings, and we’re still buds.
But I did feel disappointed a bit before that when I reached out to someone to ask about a collaboration (I was sure they’d say yes) and they turned me down. Very directly and again, nicely.
I was secretly pissed.
“You have no idea what you’re missing out on!” I thought.
Yep, my ego had a field day with that one.
What do I take from all this?
Keep asking.
Keep going.
Collect those no’s, baby.
A real ask, when I genuinely see how I can help someone and authentically would love to do so, is simple and clean.
My job is to offer. Their job is to respond.
INo convincing, persuading or manipulating is required.
When there’s already connection and understanding, a simple, real ask feels good, and is well-received (in my experience) even when the answer is no.
So today, think about the people you’ve met in the last week.
Who would you love to help?
Who has a need you could meet or a problem you could solve?
Let them know about it.
Your job is simply this: make the offer. Let it be as simple, easy, and human as it really is.
Yours in love and play,
Steph
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