zig-a-zig-ahh......
:::Hey Alexa, play Spice Girls "Wannabe"::::
I need to say something very simple to you.
Ask for what you want.
Don't want your sandwich with mayo? Tell the server.
Meeting time doesn't work for you? Propose a new one.
A product or service you want is too expensive? Ask them if they can work within your budget.
Your partner is putting their laundry jussssssst next to the hamper but not actually IN the hamper? - Not that I have personal experience with this (cough), but if I did, I would say that I told him asked him to take an extra second to dunk the ball into the net, not throw a brick. Basketball metaphors speak to my husband.
Too many times (especially as women), we let FEAR and insecurity keep us from asking for what we want. But like.... fear of WHAT? They won't like you, they will think you're a bitch, they will say no? Fear of an uncomfortable moment? I get it, no one wants to be uncomfortable (just ask me after lunch on a day where I have on my faux leather Spanx leggings.)
OK, anyway... what if they say YES?
WHAT.IF.THEY.SAY.YES?
I keep this swagger with me every day and asking for what I want is a muscle I use regularly. My most recent example is actually a big one as DivaDance HQ is in the process of making a major change to our technology stack and moving from a no-frills Toyota Corolla to the Range Rover of booking platforms. In the negotiation process, knowing we would be a big client for them because of our growth trajectory, I (respectfully and kindly) asked for EVERY extra thing I possibly could. Not only do I not want my owners to pay more for my Range Rover than I do for my Corolla each month, I want even more features added in at no additional cost. I want their most experienced executives to be part of our implementation - and I want them to come to my office to do so. Also, I want a press release, I want my logo included on their website anywhere F45 and Orangetheory are listed, I want quarterly social posts. Oh and, I want introductions to other key players in the space. No, not the Director of Marketing - I want to meet their CEO/Founder. ::::::: actual footage of me after making the asks:::::
They said yes to them all. And those YES's will have a HUGE impact on my brand, our business, and our franchisees. Asking for what you want is a bad-bitch-energy kinda move that can have a BIG impact. It's worth being temporarily uncomfortable.
PS: Asking for what you want also includes asking for seconds on Thanksgiving - enjoy your turkey day next week AND your stretchy pants. SUPER thankful that you read my Emails!