The 1 Thing You Can Do To Get Whatever It Is that You Want

I heard about this a little late in life but I was still grateful that it had come my way.

The thought that I could get what I want, but by doing something for others was both confusing and a little overwhelming.

But I am getting ahead of myself. Here is the 1 Thing You Can Do To Get Whatever It Is that You Want:

“You can get whatever you want in life, by helping enough people get what they want”

It’s by Zig Ziglar, and it is a fantastic, life-changing, life-affirming statement.

So let’s break it down:

1. You have to know what you want in life
2. You have to know what others want in life
3. You have to help them get what they want
4. You have to find a way for them to help you get what you want

Let’s delve into each for a little more detail:

You have to know what you want in life

This is of paramount importance. Time and again, I have wished I could have a ready reckoner that could help me or tell me what to ask of somebody when they say ‘is there something I can do for you?’

My most common answer is, ‘thank you so much. nothing as of now, but I will reach out to you if there is.’ I‌ never do.

The question is also bigger in scope, like what do you really want in life? money, power, other forms of measuring success? whatever it is, if the goal is clear, you can pretty much move to the next step.

If not, now is the time to take stock of that.

I‌ want to be a good consultant. Someone people pay for new ideas, for getting things done, counsel and helping them get more productive.

You have to know what others want in life

Before you can start helping people, you have to find out or know what help they want, need.

It is not always the first thing they say or tell you. Often, you have to do a little digging, some talking, Q&A to figure out what is it that they really really want.

People might say ‘oh, as long as I get a job that pays a XX, I will be happy’. ‌It is never that easy. Once they get a job that pays them that much, they may need a better work-life balance, understanding colleagues, a nicer boss, a simply a better location.

Interestingly, it is also important to find out if what you think they want, is something that people will pay for or barter for. Payments are important if you want to run a successful business, barters are important if you are looking to amass power. Favours count.

You have to help them get what they want

So, you now know what it is that someone wants, you are pretty sure you can help and that you can make some equity of it.

Now you have to do it.

No good knowing, if there is no action, no execution.

This is the step where a lot gap exists. A hotel knows that people want clean rooms and want those rooms ready when they arrive. But getting it done seems so difficult ( I travel a lot, and I see lots of people just waiting in the lobby or coffee shop for their rooms to get ready!)

Once you have found what people want, and you have realised you are in a unique position to make it happen, and you want to make it happen, then move heaven and earth to accomplish it.

You have to find a way for them to help you get what you want

It’s done! You created a solution for someone, you found them something they were looking for, you got them some information, you connected them to someone and now comes the question ‘thank you so much, what can I do for you?’

Don’t be me. Be ready.

If it is monetary, ask for a reward.

If it is not monetary, ask for something specific.

If there is nothing, ask for deferred favour.

Don’t be shy, ask.

How to ask? I think I‌ wrote about it somewhere, lemme see if I can link you up :)