No. 338 - THE MAGIC THREE LETTER WORD OF SUCCESS

No. 338

The next password is kurt

Jim Davidson...NEWSPAPER COLUMN
THE MAGIC THREE LETTER WORD OF SUCCESS

There is a little three letter word in the English language that when used properly is almost “magic” as it relates to helping us achieve success in life. Do you know or can you guess what it is? Hopefully, you will think with me for a little while about this word but before I tell you what it is, and allow me to share a personal example that will bring it into focus. Here it is important that you do not give too much credence to the example but it is the WORD that I want you to think about.
We have a wonderful young lady in our local Lions Club who has a very outgoing personality and over the past few years we have become good friends. Until recently we always greeted each other with a warm hug but something happened a few weeks ago that has added a new dimension to our friendship. One day prior to the start of our meeting I was visiting with a guest speaker and she came up and not only gave him a hug, but a kiss on the cheek as well. When I saw this I remarked, “Boy, I see how I rate” thinking that would be the end of it. It was not!! She then proceeded to give me a kiss on the cheek and made a comment that is the reason I have shared this personal experience. She said, “You have not because you ask not.”
There it is. The word is ASK!! Before I expand on this simple three letter word, I want to tell you that from that point on each week there has always been a kiss on the cheek. Sometimes I sit at a back table with several other Lions thinking I am hidden, but to no avail. Invariably she will spot me and that’s all she wrote. We have a great spirit in our club and have a lot of light hearted moments. We just love each other and enjoy each other’s company. I can promise you that working side-by-side with someone you love, conducting a service project to help the blind & visually impaired is a lot more fun than being around someone who acts like they were weaned on a dill pickle.
When it comes to using the word ASK to help us achieve greater success there are two additional words that will place what I am saying in the proper context. The first word is information. We must ask and ask in the right way for the information we need to help us reach our goals. The doctor, lawyer, accountant, salesman and many, many other professionals must ask the patient, client or prospect for information. Obviously, the skill in doing this will go a long way in determining his or her success. Remember, what my friend said, “You have not because you ask not.”
The second word is cooperation and this is really where the rubber meets the road. We must have the cooperation of others if we are going to achieve anything worthwhile. Now a doctor can probe us (literally) till the world looks level and get most or all of the information he or she desires but their attitude and their bedside manner will go a long way to determine if we go back or if we recommend them to others. Hopefully you won’t miss my point here because the word ASK is almost magic when it’s used in the proper way.
From the beginning, when we demonstrate a cooperative spirit, when we show up, offer to help and do a good job in helping others, they are going to be much more receptive when it comes to helping us. In a very real sense we must earn the right to ASK and when we do our batting average will improve. The Bible says, “Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you.” Don’t ever sell this short because it’s a great formula for success. The best way on earth to get and to have most of the things in life that we desire is to ASK for them. By not risking success we guarantee failure. God Bless America. (Jim Davidson is a motivational speaker and syndicated columnist. You may contact him at 2 Bentley Drive, Conway, AR 72034.)

The next column password is: Kurt