Skills
Small asks get big results
Asking an adult for ten hours of help gets you a polite no. Asking for ten seconds gets you a yes, and a yes is how the bigger stuff starts.
Short answer
Small asks are easy to say yes to. Every yes builds a little trust, and you can spend that trust on a bigger ask later. Start tiny, say thanks, and work up.
Big ask vs. small ask
can you spend 10 hours helping me apply to colleges?
uhhhh no
a little busy
👆 FAIL.
🎉 SMALL ASK 👇
can you take a quick look at my resume?
yeah totally send it!
small asks are nbd - you’ll always get a yes
and when ya bring up a big ask later...
you’re more likely to get a yes bc you’ve built some trust!
Small asks to steal
Easy to say yes to, easy to send. Try one this week.
In class
Can you explain problem 3 again?Can I come 2 mins late to class?Is there a day we can talk after class?Where’s the best place for hw help?
Out of class
Wdyt of my ig caption idea?Are you free to give 10 mins of advice?Can I have a bite of your snack?Do yk anyone working in [career]?
Try it out
Type what you’d say, then hit Send.
wanna practice?
pretend I’m your teacher and you want weekly extra help on assignments
what should you ask for before saying I NEED YOUR TIME EVERY WEEK FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE