One of the best ways to improve your odds of getting what you want from anyone is to think about your request before you actually make it.

The big reason many people fail to get what they want is that they are too afraid to ask or they view their requests as all-or-nothing position -instead of a series of negotiations and compromises.

But there is a middle ground. Here are strategies to help you begin the “asking” process and avoid becoming angry if things don’t go exactly as planned.

Tell yourself there is nothing to fear except fear itself.  Fear of punishment or rejection is why most people hesitate to ask for what they want. They are afraid that going out on an emotional limb will result in humiliation if they fail. Read the rest of this entry »