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Here’s something I learned the hard way at a Sunday flea market, holding a fading $5 bill and eyeing a vintage radio I desperately wanted: if you don’t ask, you don’t get. That pattern has echoed everywhere—job offers, friendships, even that extra chili on my street tacos. Maybe you’ve noticed it too? This post isn’t another preachy ‘work harder’ rant. It’s about daring to ask, with conviction, clarity, and a dash of belief that would probably make your inner skeptic roll their eyes. Let’s unpack what it means to actually *ask* for what you want and why that’s the real start of every success story.
Stop Hustling—Start Asking: Why Effort Alone Isn’t Enough
When it comes to effective goal setting, most people think the answer is to work harder, hustle more, and simply outdo everyone else. But here’s the surprising truth: hard work alone rarely delivers the results you truly want. In fact, research shows that transforming your approach to success means mastering the art of asking for what you want—clearly, confidently, and intentionally.
Think about it. You can spend years grinding away, putting in long hours, and still end up feeling stuck or empty-handed. Why? Because effort, no matter how intense, can’t replace the power of asking. The act of asking is considered the beginning of receiving. It’s the spark that sets everything else in motion. As one wise quote puts it:
“You’ve got to be better than a good worker, you’ve got to be a good asker.”
So, what does it really mean to ask? It’s more than just making a request. It’s about defining exactly what you want—whether it’s a promotion, a new opportunity, or a personal milestone. This is where effective goal setting techniques come into play. When you ask, you’re not just hoping for something to happen. You’re making a clear, intentional statement to yourself and the world.
Here’s the fascinating part: asking triggers a mysterious but powerful process. Even if you can’t see how it works, the simple act of asking sets positive change in motion. It’s like pressing a button and watching a complex machine come to life. You don’t have to understand every detail of the process; you just need to trust that it works.
Many high-achievers fall short, not because they lack motivation or discipline, but because they never learned to ask for what they wanted—at least not clearly. They might set vague goals or keep their desires hidden, hoping that hard work alone will carry them through. But without the courage to ask, their efforts often lead to frustration and missed opportunities.
Let’s break this down with a few key points:
- Great results come not just from hard work, but from having the courage to ask for exactly what you want.
- Asking starts a unique process—mental, emotional, and sometimes even practical—that moves you closer to your goals.
- The real problem isn’t failing to receive; it’s failing to ask in the first place.
Effective goal setting isn’t just about writing down what you want. It’s about being specific, measurable, and intentional. Techniques like SMART goals and the PACT method help clarify your desires, but they only work if you’re willing to ask—first of yourself, then of others, and sometimes even of the universe. Goal motivation grows when you see progress, but that progress starts with a simple, bold question: “What do I really want?”
So, before you double down on your hustle, pause and consider: have you actually asked for what you want? The art of asking is the missing link that turns effort into results and dreams into reality.
Bring a Bucket, Not a Teaspoon: The Scale of Your Ask Matters
When it comes to achieving your goals, the size of your ask can be just as important as the effort you put in. Imagine standing at the edge of an endless ocean—this is the abundance of opportunity and success available to you. But if you show up with a teaspoon, you’ll only ever take away a teaspoon’s worth, no matter how vast the supply. This is the heart of the goal challenge many people face: thinking too small and asking too little, even when there’s more than enough to go around.
Receiving is like the ocean, there's plenty.
Success isn’t rationed. It’s not a limited resource that runs out if you don’t get there first. As the source material puts it, “Success is not in short supply. It isn’t rationed and you stepped up to the window and it was all gone. No no no, it’s like an ocean here.” If you believe this, the real question becomes: what are you bringing to collect your share?
Many people approach goal planning with a “teaspoon” mentality. Maybe you’ve set vague intentions, or you’re hesitant to ask for what you truly want. Old habits, doubts, and a lack of faith can shrink your vision. You might work hard every day, but without clear, bold asks, your results remain small. Research shows that clear and measurable goals improve focus and increase the likelihood of success. When you define exactly what you want and ask for it with confidence, you expand your capacity to receive.
- Upgrade your container: If you’re used to thinking small, challenge yourself to dream bigger. Instead of asking for “a little more,” ask for what you really want. Picture yourself bringing a bucket, not a teaspoon, to the ocean of opportunity.
- Be specific and bold: Vague requests lead to vague results. Replace “I want to be successful” with “I want to double my business revenue in the next 12 months.” The more explicit your ask, the more likely you are to achieve it.
- Believe in abundance: Let go of the idea that resources are scarce. When you approach your goal challenge with faith in abundance, you’re more likely to spot opportunities and act on them.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of under-asking—especially if you’ve been conditioned to “play it safe” or avoid disappointment. But remember, the ocean doesn’t run dry just because you bring a bigger bucket. In fact, expanding your ask is often the first step to unlocking more results and opportunities. Studies indicate that people who set ambitious, well-defined goals are more likely to achieve them, and regular progress tracking helps keep momentum strong.
So, as you approach your next goal planning session, ask yourself: are you showing up with a teaspoon, or are you ready to bring a bucket? The scale of your ask truly matters when it comes to achieving your goals.
Two Ways to Ask: Blending Intelligence with Childlike Faith
When it comes to achieving your biggest dreams, how you ask for what you want matters just as much as what you’re asking for. There’s a simple but powerful formula at play here: make plans like an adult and believe in them like a child. This blend of intelligence and faith is at the heart of effective goal setting—and it’s the difference between wishful thinking and real results.
Ask with Intelligence: Be Clear, Be Specific
First, let’s talk about asking with intelligence. If you’re vague or hesitant—if you mumble your wishes or hope the universe will just “figure it out”—you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. Instead, be precise and intentional. Don’t just say, “I want to be successful.” Define what success means to you. How big is your goal? How soon do you want to achieve it? What does it look like in detail? Why does it matter to you?
Research shows that clear goals and measurable goals are much more likely to be achieved. That’s why the SMART goals framework is so widely recommended. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. When you use this approach, you’re not just dreaming—you’re creating a roadmap. For example:
- Specific: “I want to increase my monthly sales by 20%.”
- Measurable: “I’ll track my progress weekly.”
- Achievable: “I have the resources and time to make this happen.”
- Realistic: “This goal fits my current business stage.”
- Time-bound: “I’ll achieve this within the next 90 days.”
Describing your goal in vivid detail turns it into a magnet. The clearer your vision, the more it pulls you in the right direction. Studies indicate that breaking down large goals into mini-goals or milestones helps keep you motivated and on track. This is one of the most practical goal setting tips you can use.
Ask with Faith: Believe Like a Child
Once you’ve mapped out your goals with intelligence, it’s time to let go of skepticism. This is where childlike faith comes in. Remember how, as a kid, you could believe in the impossible? That’s the energy you want to bring to your goals. After all, “The formula really reads, make plans like an adult and believe in them like a child.”
It’s not about ignoring reality or pretending obstacles don’t exist. It’s about holding onto optimism and believing that what you want is possible. When you combine strategic planning with genuine belief, you unlock a powerful force for change.
Try the Ninety Day Challenge
Here’s a practical way to put this formula into action: take the ninety day challenge. For the next three months, set a clear, measurable goal using the SMART method. Plan your steps like an adult, but approach each day with the enthusiasm and faith of a child on the night before summer vacation. Track your progress, adjust as needed, and see what happens when you truly blend intelligence with belief.
Wild Card: Would You Rather Be Picking Fruit or Digging Roots?
When it comes to goal setting motivation and building an effective goal setting strategy, it’s easy to fall into one of two camps: those who spend their time digging roots, and those who get out there and pick the fruit. Which one are you?
Let’s break this down. Some people feel the need to understand every detail before they take a single step. They research, plan, and analyze—sometimes endlessly. This is what we call “digging roots.” It can feel safe, even productive, but often it leads to what’s known as analysis paralysis. You get stuck in the planning phase, always preparing, never doing. The truth is, you don’t need to know exactly how everything works to start seeing results. As the source material wisely puts it, “Asking starts a unique process, mental and emotional. I don't even know how it works. All I know is it works. It's like pushing a button and all this machinery starts working. I don't know how, it just works.”
On the other hand, there are those who are out there “picking fruit.” They take action, even if their approach isn’t perfect. They use what they know, apply it, and adjust as they go. These are the doers—the people who get noticed and admired, not for their flawless plans, but for their willingness to act. As one quote sums up,
“Some people are always studying the roots, others are picking the fruit.”
Research shows that continuous progress tracking, rather than just measuring outcomes, helps you keep your momentum. When you take action, even small steps, you create a cycle of feedback and improvement. You learn what works and what doesn’t, and you get better at asking for what you want. Commitment and accountability are also key. When you commit to picking fruit—taking action—you’re more likely to follow through and stay motivated.
It’s tempting to wait until you have every answer, every detail mapped out. But the world doesn’t actually reward perfection or caution. It rewards those who are willing to try, fail, and try again. The act of asking, of setting your goals and moving toward them, triggers a process that works, even if you don’t fully understand it. You don’t have to see the whole staircase to take the first step.
So, as you think about your own goal setting motivation and the strategies you use, ask yourself: Are you digging roots, or are you picking fruit? The next time you catch yourself overthinking, remember that progress comes from action, not endless preparation. Apply what you know, track your progress, and stay committed. The fruit is out there—don’t be afraid to reach for it.
