There’s one piece of advice that I give to almost EVERYONE I meet.
In fact, for anyone who has ever asked me a question, or how to get something or how to achieve something, there are two critical questions that I ask each and every time.
So if you’ve been stuck in a place in your business or life, and you want to know what to do next – read this.
This works for negotiation, goal setting, team planning, and even the most tense and emotion filled scenarios in the world…
Communication in your own family.
Trust me, it’s ground breaking.
A few months back my dishwasher stopped working and basically, I wanted a full refund.
Some internet marketers talk about their $20,000 a month rent in Dubai.
Some talk about their car collection and travelling the world.
Not me.
Even though it was out of warranty, it had no guarantee and I had no extended coverage or insurance on it.
I didn’t need any of that.
I won’t go into detail, because it’s a) extremely boring and b) details don’t make a story.
But all the customer service reps and managers and even their legal team laughed at me when I told them my request.
I want a full refund.
I was given excuses, legal reasons and I was straight up made fun of.
I was even lied to.
Didn’t matter.
Because all I wanted was a full refund.
Even after having a manager get angry with me on the phone.
After being offered a £90 “gesture of goodwill”.
I kept calm and repeated my goal.
I want a full refund.
And I got it.
Why?
Because of two key points.
- I knew what I wanted.
- I made sure they knew what I wanted.
It sounds so simple and even a bit obvious.
But when you’re faced with roadblocks, uncertainty, and even being made a laughing stock of – knowing what you want and making sure that other people know what you want, you will get it eventually.
Tired of clients calling you at all hours?
1. What do you want?
Not what don’t you want – what DO you want?
“I want my clients to wait until Monday to call me.”
Great!
Do they know that?
2. Make sure they know what you want.
It’s such a simple framework that it even works on animals (and very stupid people).
I don’t want the dog jumping up on the couch.
Ok great. What do you want?
“I want my dog to stay on the floor.”
How can you tell your dog to do that?
Reward them and speak positively to them when they’re on the floor.
Encourage the behaviour you want.
I’m exhausted when I get home from work and my partner talks my ear off when I just need 10 minutes to decompress.
Ok – so again, 1. What DO you want?
I want my partner to leave me alone for 10 minutes while I change my clothes, decompress, and then I will engage in better conversation.
Ok – 2. Tell them what you want.
“I want to engage with you better when I get home from work. I feel I’m very snappy when I get home because I’m carrying some of the stress with me still. Would I be allowed 10 minutes when I get home just to decompress and then I’m all yours?”
- Know what you want.
- Make sure they know what you want
