Bright Ideas # 55 – How to Get What You Need 

Today, I want to share with you one of the best methods I’ve ever found for getting what you really need—in your business, and your life. To do that, I’m going to share the story of how I first discovered this powerful technique…

More years ago than I care to count, I moved from Georgia to Colorado on my own—ostensibly to finish college. Since I needed to pay in-state tuition rates, I had to live there for a year before starting to school (it’s a rough life…).

Having already been a whitewater raft guide on the Ocoee River in Tennessee, it seemed natural to get a job as a raft guide for the summer. Then, in the winter, I figured I could wait tables in a resort town and learn to ski.

There was one small problem though…

I had a dog.

You see, finding housing in a mountain town can be really difficult. And finding housing with a dog can be close to impossible.

So, at first I camped out while I searched for a room for rent.

Lucky for me, my Mom came out to visit and decided it was high time I found a place.
Then she promptly embarrassed the heck out of me by asking each and every person we ran into if they knew of any place for rent.

I’m not just talking about asking acquaintances or coworkers. I’m talking about bank tellers, check out girls, random people on the street, the postman…you name it.

Needless to say, I was totally mortified each and every time I heard her utter the words “Let me ask you a question…” to some total stranger.

I kept begging her to stop until finally she explained her strategy…Something she called the “Three Foot Rule”.

Basically, anytime she needed something, she asked everyone who came within three feet of her if they could help. Or if they knew someone else who might. Until eventually she found what she needed.

Once I realized she wasn’t totally insane I let her keep asking.

And you know what?

An amazing thing happened…

Someone (I think it was the bank teller) did know of a cute little studio apartment that had just become vacant. And best of all, it was dog friendly.

I was blown away!

This became one of my most important and valuable life lessons. I promptly began putting the power of the Three Foot Rule to work for me.

When I moved to Breckinridge that winter, I accomplished the unheard of feat of finding a place to live with my dog by literally knocking on doors. This at a time when people were paying rent for couch or floor space.

Later, I discovered I could use the Three Foot Rule to find almost anything—business or personal. I’ve used it to find quality printers, graphic designers, event locations, hotels, referral partners, real estate agents—even clients.

I’ve even seen networking groups use the concept by having attendees introduce themselves, then ask for whatever they need most in the next 30 days.

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How can the rule work in your business?
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Here’s a good example…

A skilled copywriter I know has been struggling for a while to build his business. Then, one day recently, he mentioned that he was focusing solely on writing Web and print sales letters (how’s that for narrowing your target market?!).

A few weeks later at a seminar, I found a flyer advertising for a freelance copywriter to write sales letters. I remembered his comment, passed it along, and he followed up. His first project starts in the next week or two.

Here’s the most recent email he sent me …

“Yeah, it's been weird. Ever since I made a conscious decision to go after that kind of work (sales letters), I've gotten leads for that kind of work. And it pays to tell people what you're looking for, too.”

The reality is …it’s not weird at all. It’s just the mighty power of the Three Foot Rule at work.

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Ready to try it for yourself?
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• First, decide what you need. And be as
  specific as possible.
• Second, ask everyone you come in contact
  with (make no exceptions)if they know
  where you can find or get it.

I know this might seem a little weird or uncomfortable at first, but just give it a shot. Most people love helping, and are happy to offer advice, recommendations or referrals.

Trust me; once you see the amazing results using the Three Foot Rule gets easier and more effective. So don’t be shy. Get out there and start asking for what you need.

Because, as my Mom would say, “If you don’t ask, you don’t get”.

©2002-2006 Success Stream. All Rights Reserved. www.success-stream.com

Do you have a marketing, advertising or writing question you’d like to have answered? Email me and you might see the answer in a future edition of Bright Ideas.

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