Even week one started out hard.

Like I mentioned before, I see myself as self-reliant and independent, so it was difficult to think of things to even ask for. But once I practiced a couple of times, it did get a little easier and I started identifying more opportunities. I think the self-reliant self-concept (like the obsession with being perfect) can be a trap for women in different ways. We let it sap too much of our time and energy, we spend time doing things we could easily delegate to others, and we let it get too wrapped up in our sense of self, so when we aren’t perfect or self-reliant, we take it too personally. I’ll never be Blanche from A Street Car Named Desire, but I did manage to ask every day of the week for something.

Here’s what I asked for:

1. I asked my husband to help clean up the kitchen
2. I asked the executive assistant in the office to get my printer working (this was dicey for me since she’s older than me, I’m new in the office, and I’ve never had an assistant before)
3. I asked the assistant I share with several other editors to send me the documents I was missing
4. I asked to get a flu shot through the office even though I’m a temporary employee
5. I asked for more hot water for my tea at brunch (you can laugh, but I never do!)
6. I asked to be seated before our whole party had arrived (this is the only one I struck out with)
7. I asked a friend and her new boyfriend to help me get my stuff out of storage and drive from NJ to NYC with it
8. While waiting on line, I asked a stranger if she had a mint or gum
9. I asked a stranger to help me get my bag down from the overhead rack
    

Everything I asked for was pretty small, but in some cases it was still a surprise when people said yes. And it was a good feeling to speak up and affect what happened to me and my environment, even in a small way.

Anyone else give it a try? What happened?