Understand that people genuinely enjoy doing kind things for others, and helping makes them feel good, which is a universal psychological truth.
View asking for help as giving others an opportunity to do something kind for you, thereby making them feel good and fostering connection.
Recognize that fears about asking for help are often exaggerated and miscalibrated, as people tend to respond more positively and be more willing to help than expected.
Confront your fear of rejection by intentionally asking for help or favors, starting with mild challenges and gradually building up to more significant requests.
Begin your rejection therapy journey with small, low-stakes requests to test the waters, then progressively increase the difficulty to expand your comfort zone over time.
Review your experiences, possibly by filming them, to understand your own reactions and identify missed opportunities, using this feedback to improve future interactions.
If initially rejected, do not immediately disengage; instead, stay calm, negotiate, or explain your request, as this can lead to a more positive outcome or feeling.
Have the courage to expose your vulnerabilities and ignore worries about seeming needy, as people often like you better when you show weakness or seek their help, making you more relatable.
Strengthen relationships by asking for help and opinions, and being vulnerable with others, as this give-and-take dynamic increases the bond you have with each other.
Actively change any negative mindset you have about soliciting assistance, as your internal tension can make interactions uncomfortable for everyone involved.
Come to terms with and relax about the possibility of being rebuffed, understanding that if you are open to rejection, you give yourself the freedom to ask whatever you want.
Give the other person the explicit freedom to say no to your request, which can put them at ease and make the interaction more comfortable for both parties.
When making a request, explicitly state that you know it might be big or weird and that it’s okay if they can’t do it, which helps alleviate their potential doubts upfront.
If you feel guilty about asking for help, think back to how you felt when someone asked you for assistance, considering whether you would truly be annoyed if the situation were reversed.
To ensure you stick with your commitment to overcome fear, publicly declare your intentions, as knowing others are aware can prevent you from quitting easily.
Proactively give the people in your life opportunities to support and care for you, as this will make both them and you feel much better than you expect.