Ever have days when nothing seems to go well? Does getting what you want seem impossibly difficult at times? Maybe you wonder how to get others to change and start recognizing your needs. The answer, however, may start with you and how you ask for what you want and respond when you get it. Whom you choose to ask makes a world of difference as well. Use the following tips to get what you want more often:
Ask for What You Need
When you’re pressed for time and overwhelmed with things to do, it can be easy to assume that others know what you want. Maybe you expect that your assistant knows exactly what you need from a project, a colleague knows the perfect time to speak with you, and even the server knows how you like your eggs. But the key to getting what you want is being clear about your needs. Whether you are assigning a project to a virtual assistant or ordering food for an upcoming event, take the time to provide a concise description of what you need. It will take a few minutes to do so, but just think of all the time you’ll save when you get what you want the first time around.
Specify When You Need It
Do you want your coffee with dessert rather than while you await your meal? Your server won’t know this if you don’t tell her. The same applies when it comes to business relationships. To you, ASAP may mean in the next couple of hours, but your assistant may interpret ASAP as the next day or two. Some people may avoid giving firm deadlines because they think it makes them seem rude or pushy. In reality, it only helps the team member or employee feel confident in his ability to meet your needs. It allows him to prioritize his work and plan his schedule. It also frees you both from frustration. You won’t have the frustration of receiving something you requested later than you needed it, and the other person won’t feel frustrated about letting you down.
Give Feedback
Nobody is perfect, and of course, you can’t take the time to provide feedback on every little thing. But when you do have a minute or two to spare, be sure to let those around you know how they are doing. If they’re doing well, your feedback might motivate them to keep up the good work. If they’ve made mistakes, your feedback is valuable too. It helps them recognize where they went wrong and avoid the situation in the future; that’s a win-win for both of you.
Choose the Right People
Sometimes getting what you want is simply a matter of asking the right person. You might find some individuals who are just good at everything, but many people have a few things at which they really shine. When you need help and you want a project done well, ask the person with the skills and talent for the job. For instance, some people are better at talking to people and inspiring trust while others are more effective behind the scenes. Each person may have a place in your work environment or on your project, but you’ll all be most productive if you assign tasks according to each party’s attributes and abilities.
Develop a Rapport
Getting to know a little about the people you work with can only help your business. First, people like to work for and with people they consider personable, so taking a minute to ask about a colleague’s weekend or inquire about a client’s birthday plans can make her feel more comfortable with and friendly towards you. Likewise, if chatting with a business associate reveals that she is insanely busy on Monday mornings, you now know that Tuesday morning is a better time to approach her with an idea or request. Additionally, people tend to be much more willing to give referrals and extra help to people they’ve gotten to know a bit.
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