The "Magic" of a Wish-List

As we get into the marketing frenzy surrounding the holidays, the theme in so much of the messaging is so often around wish-lists. Kids are encouraged to write a letter to Santa, asking for everything they want this year, and then Santa makes at least some of the items on the list appear on Christmas Day. It is a magical concept, and kids all over the world are all over it.

But what has hit me recently, is that there is more than just parental-bankrolling behind the Santa-magic. The kids are onto something that we can -- and should! -- use in our businesses too.

Recently, I've been on an asking mission, asking for interviews with high-profile business leaders for my podcast, introductions to professional contacts, a place at a banquet table, discounts on services, part-time home support, and lots of other big and small things that I know will drive me and my business forward. I've made a list, and then asked for all of the things on it. And as with Santa, I've gotten some, but not all, of the things I've asked for.

But the real magic is in the asking itself AND in deciding that for every "no", we will ask somewhere else or ask in a different way or ask with more precision. In deciding that we will ask for the sale, ask for referrals, ask for testimonials... and then actually get them. And in deciding that we will ask and ask and ask some more because asking is just a numbers game (to get a lot, we have to ask a lot), and a "yes" will eventually come, and a "no" isn't anything personal.

And the other magical thing about our wish-lists is that we can make the things on the list happen ourselves. We can start the business. We can buy the domain. We can hire the personal assistant. We can let go of that horrible investor. We don't have to wait for someone else, and we don't have to ask for permission.

So, whether we are being our own Santa's or need others to play a role, let's start using the magic of the ask and the magic within ourselves to make our wish-lists come true. And let's remember that if we never ask -- of ourselves or of others -- we'll always wonder what could have been, and that kind of wonder isn't magical at all...