Everyone wants success. Some burn down the world for it, some take the easy step, and some step out of their comfort zones. Irrespective of what you do, success is not going to come instantly; Hard work is the key. But if you are wondering where to start, well, the former visionary CEO of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) Steve Jobs laid down the key formula – If you want something, just ASK with keeping the fear of rejection aside. In an old video of his interview in 1994, Steve Jobs renders some simple wisdom on how to get what you want.
‘Ask And You Will Receive’Â – John 16:24
“I’ve never found anybody who didn’t want to help me if I ask them for help”, quotes the late CEO of Apple Inc. And he quickly presented an anecdote from his own childhood to prove the same – “I called up Bill Hewlett when I was 12 years old”.
According to Jobs, he found the Hewlett-Packard founder’s phone number in a Palo Alto phone book and dialled. And the reason? Well, apparently, he was seeking for parts to build a frequency counter and wanted some spare parts.
Given the fact that I never managed to put together enough courage to do something like this, I think it was a daring move from a 12 years old kid. And to be frank, a risky one too!
But nevertheless, it paid off. Not only did Steve get the parts, but he was also given a summer job in Hewlett-Packard, to work on frequency counters.
“He got me a job in the place that built them. And I was in heaven” ~ Steve Jobs.
He then went on to become the CEO of Apple, CEO of Pixar, and founder and CEO of NeXt. He became a brand everywhere, revolutionizing the computer industry with the Macintosh.
Almost all the success stories begin with a simple step: To Ask. And by ask, I do not mean demand. There is a fine line between demanding and asking for help. There’s always a right place and a right moment for the same. Not every person in the world will extend a helping hand just because you asked for it. Not unless there are some benefits in exchange.
‘It’s your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.’ -Rumi
There are many people who do not ask for anything in return for help. They will just do it out of pure goodness of their hearts and would be proud to see you shine out. And clearly, Steve Jobs was fortunate to come across such amazing people in his entire lifetime.
“I’ve never found anyone who said no or hung up the phone when I called. I just asked.”
Like I said, Mr Jobs was a very lucky man to have met such selfless people. So how do you repay someone who doesn’t want anything from you? Steve Jobs had a befitting answer for the same- “When people ask me, I try to be responsive to pay that debt of gratitude back.”
‘You Get In Life, What You Have the Courage To Ask For’ – Oprah Winfrey
Even then, many people are not courageous enough to ask. They are too afraid of coming across as pushy or demanding. This is more common in people holding higher positions, who never want to rely on someone inferior to them. This, however, is what separates the procrastinating crowd from the successful crowd.
In reference to such people, Steve added, “Most people never pick up the phone and call; most people never ask. And that’s what separates, sometimes, the people that do things from the people that just dream about them.”
‘If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always No. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.’ –Â Nora Roberts
You need to act. You need to be willing to fail, crash and burn, no matter what it is. Whether with people on the phone, or anything. “If you’re afraid of failing, you won’t get very far,” he concluded in the interview.
Here are a few tips you can use to ensure you get what want, courtesy of Iyanla Vanzant:
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Ask with commitment:
Be sure of what you need before you ask someone. You need to be committed to the task at hand.
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Ask with awareness:
Be aware of the possible consequences of asking for help. Let’s be honest; not everyone gives help without expecting a reward.
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Ask without fear:
Clear your mind of all fears; fear of responsibility, fear of failure. Focus on the present.
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Ask with trust:
Trust that you are worthy of the aid you are asking for. And don’t feel undeserving or unworthy.
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Ask without expectations:
There is a difference between asking for help and relying entirely on someone. Be mindful that you don’t expect the same help all the time.
Watch the full video of Steve Jobs below:
