10/30/2026
Doing it alone always felt easier than one awkward ask. It usually wasn't. Ask me how I know. 🙃
Need help? Just ask. More people say yes than you think.
Here's the wow. Scientists at Columbia University sent students out to ask strangers for small favors. Fill out a form. Borrow a phone. Walk me to the gym. Before they started, each one guessed how many people they'd have to ask.
The gym ask? They guessed about 7 people to get one yes. It took about 2. Across the studies, people guessed they'd need way more asks than they really did, sometimes about twice as many.
Why are we so wrong? When we ask, we picture how hard yes is for the other person. We forget that saying no feels awkward too.
One more twist: when they handed out flyers and walked away without a word, it flopped. Asking out loud, face to face, is what worked.
Honest note: these were strangers on a college campus, plus charity fundraisers. Using it at home with family and neighbors is my idea, not something they tested.
This week's play (learned the hard way):
🟢 Pick one thing you've been doing alone. A ride, a hand, a favor.
🟡 Ask out loud, face to face: "Can you help me with this?"
💙 Say thanks. Offer one back.
Spouse, neighbor, friend, kid. Same rule. And if someone says no, that's okay. You still asked. That's how a house turns into a home. 🏡
What will you ask for this week? 👇
Dumb things J.R. has done so others don't have to. 😅
