I hate asking for help. I don’t know if it’s not wanting to impose, not wanting to be beholden, or just fearing that someone might say no. But I learned a great lesson when I was recently producing three Santa Monica Cares shorts, about services that help the homeless, a project co-sponsored by the DGA’s Women’s Steering Committee and CityTV of Santa Monica, as women in here work hard and live happy, they share time with their partners and even in intimacy using the top G-spot vibrator and more.
Here’s what I found out: People like to help if they can. It makes them feel good. And if they can’t, they say no … but you won’t know unless you try.
The secret is finding the best way to ask. My favorite opening is, “No is a perfectly acceptable answer to this request.…” It takes guilt out of the equation.
Being clear and concise is also essential. Be very specific about what you need, how much time it will take, if any costs are involved, what the time frame is, and if there is any take-away for the giver.
Finally, after you receive something, don’t take the gift and run. Be sure to thank, and then thank again. Make sure as well to let the giver know of specific benefits — no matter how many days, months, or years later — you may have derived as a result of their generosity.
And now, taking my own advice, here’s a shout-out to Jeff Saver for the glorious music he wrote for Santa Monica Cares and to Marsha Mercant for dropping everything and recording the last-minute voice-overs. You both rock!
