Tip: Remember to A-S-K!
I love information that is clear, simple and easily understood. When information becomes part of our everyday life, we can actually use it. Knowledge is power and the best knowledge we possess is that which is practical, applicable, transferable, and duplicatable. Who wants to start learning everything all over again everyday? It is true that we build on the information that we already possess, and nothing is more important than having a working framework of knowledge for life, business, and relationships.
A simple way to keep growing on our daily journey is to learn to ask. Though the word “ask” has only three simple letters in it, each one represents an important part of our daily success and activity. Let me break it down for you.
A stands for ask.
I am not repeating myself to be redundant; it is the part of the three-letter process that reminds us that we must ask for what we want. I have heard that the hardest part of learning to be a salesperson is to ask for the order. Sometimes sales people beat around the bush so much they fail to ask for the order and complete the sale. If you do not ask, the answer will always be no. It is important that we learn to ask for what we need. If you are in a relationship with another person, don’t expect him or her to be a mind-reader. Learn to first ask what the other person might need, but then don’t be afraid to say, “May I share with you some of my needs as well?” This is necessary if you are to have a healthy relationship.
S stands for seek.
Sometimes you have to go the second or third mile looking for that which you seek. One of the reasons gold is so valuable is that you must dig for it. It does not simply lie on the surface of the ground waiting for someone to come along and pick it up. It is valuable because it must be worked for and earned. We must diligently seek for the things we want. If you want to have a better income opportunity, then you may need to seek other methods than you have tried in the past. Maybe it will include getting more education. Perhaps it will be stepping out and trying something new. The old saying is always true, “If you keep doing what you have always done, you will keep getting what you have always gotten.” If you want to get something new, you have to do something new. That is what seeking is all about. It is learning to reach out, try new things and take a chance. Anything worth doing at all requires extra effort. When you seek to grow in your personal life it sometimes can be costly, but it is always valuable because of the lessons you learn in the process of seeking.
K stands for knock.
We must knock for new doors of opportunity to open for us. When you knock on someone’s door, you usually get a response. They may ask, “Who’s there?” or they may say, “Come in.” But, nothing will happen until you begin to knock. I am not talking about being obnoxious or “beating a door down,” but simply knocking in order to explore new possibilities that may have not existed in the past. It requires a little bit more effort than just asking or seeking. Knocking means that you really are trying to make progress and reach a new level of success. It does not come easily. In fact, it will not come at all unless you learn to insistently keep knocking until you see progress in whatever goal you are trying to reach.
Those three little letters, A-S-K, make up one of the most important concepts that I know. Nothing will ever happen if we don’t first ask. Then, if things don’t go at first like we want them to, we may have to try a little harder and begin to seek. In my opinion, learning to seek is the part of life that shows what we are made out of – our substance – our grit. If we face opposition, or get knocked down in the process, we still must continue to try. That is what seeking is all about. It shows our desire and our determination. Then the final step is knocking. That is when we persevere through the process and the pain in order to reach our goal. That is where character and fortitude is revealed in how willing we are to take a chance. Real leadership and success only come at the knocking level. And sometimes, it may be very difficult and take a long time.
Each one of these is a different step and they get progressively harder. Yet, each one carries its own reward and blessing. If we practice these three steps, we will grow in our business, our personal life, and in our relationships.
I am just a simple person and a word that has three letters is something that I can remember. However, it is remembering what those three letters stand for that has given me guidance in my own journey through life. Start to practice them this week. They are valuable and will give you guidance, too! Ask – seek – knock and watch what happens!
Tip: Remember to A-S-K!
Have a great week! God bless you!
Dr. Robert A. Rohm
