Simplifying the ask

One of the best ways I know to get someone to do something for you is to ask them to do one thing at a time.

You could call it ‘simplifying the ask.’

If you need someone to do 3 things or 8 things or 20, it’s better to break it down. To sequence your asks. To ask them to do one thing and one thing only now, and wait until they’ve done it before you ask them to do another thing.

Because, of course, people forget. But because, more often, they worry.

Fretting that they might not be able to fully acquiesce your request makes them feel both afraid and stupid. Not the best states, for sure.

Keeping it simple, on the other hand, works wonders. Because then it isn’t a question of if they can do it. It’s merely matter of asking themselves whether or not they should.