Is this the best approach to life?
I’ve recently been trying out an attitude, and in no way is it a brand new philosophical outlook. It’s probably been long practiced by certain individuals — and requires a certain mind set. But why not give it a try and see where it gets you?
It’s an attitude that works well both in business and in general life, and one that I developed initially whilst working as a street salesman for Talk Talk — but an attitude that I quickly forgot as I let the social worries of life infect me.
And that attitude is:
All they’re going to do is say no
It comes across a little pessimistic and negative — but let me explain what I mean.

The mindset
This attitude is going to take a blaise attitude and a dose of self-confidence to work, and if you’re someone that is forever worrying about other people’s opinions then it might not be the approach for you.
But the idea is that you may as well ask for something, because you’re going to be no worse off having done it — you’re only going to be in the same position, or better off.
When I was at Talk-Talk — this meant asking as many people on the street about who their phone network was with, because it was a numbers game. You asked 20 people, the chances are 4 or 5 would actually stop. From those 4 or 5, perhaps 1 or 2 would be in a position to pitch a sale to. But you asked as many people because all they were going to do is say no, and keep walking. You were actually better off because you were down to another 19 people to ask, in the hope of finding that 1 or 2.
In Business
Imagine you’re a brand new freelancer or you’ve just set up a business. You think you’ve got a great idea that can help a potential customer. But you’ve got that voice (that we ALL have) in the back of your head saying “they won’t want it, they haven’t got the budget for it or it won’t fit in with their strategy or they’re just too big a company for someone like me”.
So?!
If you ask them, and they turn out to not have the budget for you, then great! If they’ve told you that then it means they’ve taken the time to read what you offered and you’re in exactly the same place! You haven’t lost any money (ok, maybe a fraction of time), and you might have actually made a contact moving forwards. But what if they say yes? Or maybe? Then you’re foot is in the door and you’ve gained SO MUCH with just one attitude change.

My Experience
This has happened to me quite a bit in recent weeks. I’d was attending an event for one purpose, and I’d been asked to do something completely different at the same event on-top of what I was already doing.
I grumbled about it to the doggo, and realised that I may as well ask for an increased fee. Because all they were going to do is say no and I was still at the event for the original task anyway. In the end, the company recognised the additional work and increased the fee.
“They’re just going to say no anyway”
This is one I hear from people all the time, when I ask them if they’ve asked someone else. It infuriates me, because I know what they’re going through as I’ve been there before — but I’ve since come to realise that you shouldn’t try guess what someone else is thinking.
How have you become so magically talented that you can read their mind?
So go on, kick that voice to the curb, sack-up and ask them the god damn question. Whether it’s “Hey, would you be interested in working together?” or “Can I have some time off for __________” or even just “Will you go out with me?”
All they’re going to do is say no.
And if they do, then you’re no worse off. Ok maybe someone somewhere that you’re probably never going to see again will think less of you. But who gives a sh*t about that person? You need to focus on you.
If they don’t say no — you may have a new business deal, the chance to do what you want, or a shot at love (using the examples above).
Cheesy as a block of chedder — but you see what I mean.
So stop fannying around and ask the question.
