Let me (Jim Rohn) give you a Biblical philosophy that teaches you how to get whatever you want:”ask.” Of all the important skills to learn in life, be sure to include the skill of asking.
You may be a good worker, a sincere, hard worker, but you’ve got to do better than work hard and be sincere all your life. You will wind up broke and embarrassed. You’ve also got to be a good asker.
Le me give you some key points regarding the power of asking. First, asking starts the receiving process. In fact, the complete formula for asking is staggering. It says, “Ask and you will receive.” Asking is like pushing a button to start your mental and emotional machinery. I don’t know how it works, but I do know it does work. Asking is the beginning of receiving.
Second, receiving is not the problem. You don’t have to work on receiving. It’s automatic. If receiving is not the problem, then what is? It’s failing to ask. The man says, “I see it now. I got up every day this year and worked hard, but nowhere in my house is there a list of what I want from my life.” Can’t you see? He is a good worker, but a poor asker.
Third, receiving is like the ocean–there’s plenty to go around, especially in this country. It’s like an ocean here. Success is not in short supply. The problem is, some people go to the ocean with a teaspoon. What I suggest you do, in view of the size of the ocean, is trade your teaspoon for at least a bucket. You will look better when you approach the ocean with a bucket. Kids won’t make fun of you.
Here’s something else to remember about asking: there are two ways to ask. One is to ask with intelligence. Don’t mumble. You won’t get anything by mumbling. Be clear, be specific. Intelligent asking answers questions like this: “How high? How long? How much? When? What size? What model? What color?” Describe what you want. Define it. Remember, well-defined goals are like magnets. The better you define them, the stronger they pull.
You need to know the answers of two very important questions. “What do I want?” That’s the object. “What for?” That’s your purpose. Purpose is stronger than object. What you want is powerful, but what you want it for is more powerful.
Finally, ask with faith. When it comes to asking with faith, children are the masters. They firmly believe that they can get what they want simply by asking. That’s what you need to do. By becoming childlike, you can get everything you want and more. That’s the power of skillful asking.
* Source: Leading an Inspired Life by Jim Rohn