Is it OK to ask?

Young clients of mine refused to meet with me last week to learn about how they could rent a house for free or close to free (via an augmented tenancy) and they said, “No we just want to rent!” No wonder they’re poor.

Are they stupid for saying this? Maybe. But I think not… it’s something else.

If someone comes from a long line of working-class people or an oppressed minority, it never occurs to them that: a) they can act to change their lives and b) they can ask for things even if the answer is likely to be “no.”

Malcolm Gladwell wrote that it is a matter of mental stance. A white child brought up in a privileged household never questions her/his right to demand better/challenge the status quo/take risks/ask for things/reach for the top.

Others find this much more difficult to do; they just tend to accept things the way they are and assume (incorrectly) that they are powerless and the status quo is unchangeable.

I deal with this every month—part of my job as a coach is to say to folks who are not doing as well as they could: BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! IT’S OK TO ASK!

My young friend Majeed wrote a book for kids about this and gave me a copy, which he allows me to share with everyone for free, https://www.dropbox.com/s/7f4t5uezr1x3w23/Winning%20At%20Life%20eBook.pdf?dl=0. 😊

It’s simple but worth reading, and re-reading. Send it to your clients, friends, family, fans and followers who are struggling with this aspect of their lives…

Prof Bruce

Bruce M Firestone, B Eng (civil), M Eng-Sci, PhD
Real Estate Investment and Business coach
ROYAL LePAGE Performance Realty broker
Ottawa Senators founder
1-613-762-8884
bruce.firestone@century21.ca
twitter.com/ProfBruce
profbruce.tumblr.com/archive
brucemfirestone.com

-MAKING IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE
-FREEDOM VIA REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT AND PB4L, PERSONAL BUSINESS FOR LIFE
-FEHAJ, FOR EVERY HOME A JOB
-MAKE YOUR HOME WORK FOR YOU, INSTEAD OF YOU WORKING FOR IT
-HIGHER ROI NOT JUST FOR OWNERS AND INVESTORS, BUT FOR TENANTS, GUESTS, VISITORS, NEIGHBORHOODS, COMMUNITIES, TOWNS, VILLAGES, AND CITIES TOO