Wayne Gretzky once said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”. While this statement is directed towards his hockey performance, its message can be applied to other situations, including asking questions. If you don’t ask the answer is always no.
One of the local restaurants I frequent offers certain wines at $20 a bottle during the week. One of the bottles is a customer favorite and for $20 it’s a great value. I have introduced many folks to the restaurant and that wine. During a trip with friends that had never dined at the restaurant I was told that the wine I liked was taken off the list due to its popularity. Since so many people were asking for it, it became difficult for them to keep it in stock. Makes sense considering what a great value it was, but now what? Here I was with friends that I raved to about this great restaurant and wine, so I asked if the restaurant would make an exception. The very helpful waitress asked the manager, who said yes, and we were able to enjoy the wine along with their great food.
You may be thinking that I got the accommodation because I am a regular at the restaurant and most people would not have been catered to in this way. Maybe, but how do you know unless you ask? Years ago, at a resort in the Caribbean I booked a room with a king bed in the lowest tier. When I checked in, the room had two double beds instead and some of the furniture was broken. I called the front desk to ask the hotel for a room change and was told they would get back to me. After waiting a little while with no response I decided to head to the front desk and ask in person. I was told that there were no rooms left in the tier I selected, so I asked for an upgrade. The gentleman behind the desk handed me a new set of keys and ask me to check the new room to see that it suited me. The key opened the door to a corner room with views of the ocean and the pool. I got upgraded just for asking!
I am a firm believer that if you don’t ask you don’t get and if you don’t get you are no worse off than before, so what is the harm? You have nothing to lose. The trick of course is to ask with no judgement and expectations.
“You get in life what you have the courage to ask for.” – Oprah Winfrey
This weekend, ask for what you want…what’s the downside?
Have a great weekend.
Vijay