How to Build Your
Confidence to
ASK
Do you know why most people don't get the
flexible work schedule they want? Right—they don't
ask.
What holds them back? They're afraid. Or at
least nervous.
Is that you, too? Maybe you're stalling because
you're nervous about asking your manager
for a flexible work arrangement. Well, that's natural and
expected—like asking for a raise. Who wouldn't be
nervous?
But please don't let it paralyze you. You
have to ask because nothing will come of your desire
for a more balanced life until you do. The good news?
Asking works! Even with
tough-sell bosses.
I regularly hear from career professionals who say they
do well on the job, but when it comes to making the
flexible work request, their confidence wanes.
So it's common—and it's conquerable! Confidence
comes with preparation. So be prepared (see below),
then move beyond
the fear. You'll be thrilled to discover that asking does work!
There's a right way
to ask
If asking is the door that leads to getting the time and
flexibility you want, then the
Flex
Success Proposal Template
is the
PREPARATION KEY
that opens the door with confidence. I've seen it
happen over and over and over.
Here's how other
nervous-to-ask people got a flexible work arrangement
(excerpts from my files)
I did a search in my Eudora email program of archived
Flex Success testimonials
that contained the words
nervous, courage, confident and confidence.
The result was a
very l-o-n-g list of entries. Here are just eight examples from my gave-permission-to-post folder.
I work in a very large company and
reduced work weeks are not part of our world. I was
so nervous, but I knew
that with the support and backup I got from your
[Flex Success] template, I was completely prepared for whatever they
would ask me. And I was. They were so impressed; I
received several compliments on the proposal.
I am now [working] three days a week and I am loving
it. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You gave me the
tools I needed, the
confidence to present it, and now I
have a balanced personal and professional life. Tina Hinzman,
Senior Work Process Tools Trainer,
Ellicott City, MD

I received many positive
comments and compliments [from my managers] on the thoroughness and overall organization
of my written proposal...Using
the [Flex Success] blueprint as a guide...gave me
confidence and
peace of mind that I would not have had otherwise.
Mary Beth
McCarthy, Head of Corporate Communications, Attorneys'
Title Guaranty Fund, Inc., Champaign and Chicago,
Illinois

I am walking on air and still can't believe my dream has
come true! I truly couldn't have made a better
impression without the help of Flex Success. [It] gave
me the tools I needed to pursue this alternative work
arrangement with confidence.
Thank you...Shannon Bryant, Healthcare Analyst,
Chesterfield, MO
Note:
You can read Shannon's success story as
featured in the
The
Wall Street Journal (new browser
window opens).
I am starting a part-time business on the side, but
wanted to keep my day job (and the salary that goes with
it). My proposal to cut my hours from 9-5 to 11-4 was a
great success!
The Part-time Flex Success proposal template provided me
with everything I needed to create a great proposal, one
my bosses couldn't refuse! I really feel it was the best
$30 I've spent in the last year. Your proposal gave me
the confidence
to ask for a lot AND the ammunition to
get it. Thank you. Jill Giese, Account Executive
(marketing/communications), Boise, ID

...a lot of the women I work with are happy to see
the flexibility my company allows and I am so glad I was
brave
enough to be the first one to
ask
for it. I
know I would never have had the
courage
if I had not had your [Flex
Success] template to
encourage me! The
best money I have ever spent! Rebecca Jami,
Production Manager, (graphics and printing for lobbying
firm), Alexandria VA

My proposal...was completely accepted and approved
within two weeks...The [Flex Success] proposal was so professional,
detailed, and well-written that no one even
asked any
questions! I could never have put together
such a comprehensive and
polished proposal without [it].
My only regret is
that I did not ask
for more!
But now that I
have the proper tool, I would feel
confident
if I needed to
further restructure my position.
I thank
you and so do my husband and
my 3 children. Sanity has been restored to
our lives!
Feel free to post any of my comments
on your website. Your [Flex Success]
program deserves rave reviews! And thank you
again for enabling us all to take control of our
lives and careers. Caren Helms,
Engineer, Standards Department, Underwriters
Laboratories, Raleigh, NC

I have been
commuting from Hamilton, Ontario to Toronto for
a year and a half, which takes two hours each
way—a total of 4 hours per day! Now that I can
work from home three days a week, I'm saving 12
hours of commuting time a week, plus I cut my
commuting expenses in half. I feel like I
have my life back. Flex Success gave me the
confidence to ask
my boss to work from home and I think the
professional appearance of the proposal went a
long way in getting it approved. Thank you!
Andrea Pond, Electronic Copy Editor, Hamilton,
Ontario, Canada
Now I'm
asking: for less than the cost of this month's
cell phone bill, don't you want to enjoy similar
results?
Order
Flex
Success
today so you can have your
proposal done by tomorrow.

Will
YOUR manager say yes?
Take the quiz...
|