Ask For What You Want

So here’s a little story to remind you to ask for what you need and want….

Last week, I took a last minute trip to NY to be there for my niece as she got engaged. 

I had some Marriott points and free night certificates so I decided to use those to book a hotel in Brooklyn. Since I was using these particular certificates, I had to choose one in the category that matched the certificates (i.e. no luxury hotels ;-)). I found an Aloft and booked it for a few nights. I hadn’t stayed at this one before- but I’ve stayed at plenty of Alofts and they’ve always been nice, clean, and had everything I needed.

After a long flight on Friday I arrived at the hotel to check in and as I walked into the lobby, my heart sank. To say the lobby was less than inviting would be an understatement. There was construction equipment everywhere, there was one desk clerk in a hoodie slouched over- practically asleep, and it looked like an abandoned run-down hostel.

I took a deep breath and just said- it’s ok, I’m not hanging out down here, and checked in to my room.

As soon as I opened the door to my room a huge waft of the worst mildewy, musty smell you can imagine hit me like a freight train.

I walked in, tired (and starting to come down with a bad cold) and just stood there bewildered not knowing what to do. 

See, the old me didn’t like to “complain” or “be difficult” so I would often just take what I was given and deal with it - even if it meant suffering.

For a few minutes, the old me was winning and I was trying to convince myself that the smell would go away and I could just deal with it.

But then I gently reminded myself that that was the old me talking and now, I stand up for my needs. So I went to call down to the front desk… but the phone was broken.

I swear, I have no idea how this hotel was even still functioning.

I took the elevator down and could tell the guy at the front desk was just waiting for me….

Desk Clerk: something wrong with your room?

Me: yes, I would’ve called but…

Desk Clerk: the phone was broken?

Me: Uh, yeh. And the room really…

Desk Clerk: It smells really bad?

Me: Yeh, really bad.

Desk Clerk: Ok, I can transfer you to the Sheraton next door.

Me: Um, ok!

It was that easy. 

Upgrade to a whole new hotel in a higher category than my original certificates allowed for.

Clearly, this was happening a lot (there was another guy checking in who wasn’t even willing to check out the room after seeing the lobby). For a moment, I started to berate myself that I was even for a moment willing to deal with such shitty circumstances.

But here’s the thing…. we are not taught to honor our wants and needs. Especially as women! We want to be polite, accommodating and not make a fuss.

But sometimes we need to make a fuss. 

And we need to make space for ourselves - because we are here to make an impact, to make the world better and be there for the people we love… which requires, at the very least, a clean place to sleep where you don’t feel like your lungs will burn with every breath.

You can’t make the impact you want without first taking care of your own needs.

And you can’t receive what you don’t ask for.

What is it that you need?

ASK FOR IT!

P.S. I'm a music industry impact coach and I will help you ask for what you need. I will help you unblock whatever it is that's holding you back, figure out what you need and want- and put it out to the Universe, the people in your life, and everywhere else so that you can actually receive it! 

If this sounds good to you... send me a note and let's get on a free consult call!