Success Advice
How To Get Disproportionate Results To Everyone Else: Have The Guts To Ask

There’s a tool I want to give you for free that has allowed me (and people I know) get disproportionate results. Like any good advice, the hack is really dumb, stupid and something you would probably discredit straight away.
Are you ready ladies and gentlemen? The answer is this: have the guts to ask.
There was a big build up to that moment right there and I actually told you the answer in the headline, so there was no need for it — but I’m a weirdo sometimes.
Knowing the answer is not going to help you. That’s because you already sort of knew the answer.
Why is asking so crucial?
It’s crucial because questions form our entire human experience. Asking is how you get everything you ever wanted. Does that mean just asking will make your dream come true?
Hell no. Just because you ask, doesn’t mean you’ll get the answer you want. With asking brings possibility though.
“Questions steer a conversation and you can dance around what you want by asking in different ways”
Many of you email me about your career negotiations and remuneration. You want to know how to ask, essentially. Here’s a quality example of how a friend went about ‘The Ask.’
He was negotiating a review of his remuneration package because he was looking to move from Melbourne to San Fran and to take a promotion.
He was going to let them tell him the offer. I forced him to do some asking (well not literally — haha). I got him to ask the following:
“Can I do four days instead of five for that rate?”
“Would you consider six weeks of leave instead of four?”
“Would sending me to two events a year be part of the salary package?”
“Would you agree with me working with Joe for one day a week?”
Just by asking, and being open-ended about it, possibilities start to open up that most people never think are possible.
My friend didn’t get most of what he asked for but he did get more money than they were prepared to offer him just by asking.
His teammates at work were surprised. They couldn’t figure out how he was able to get a better result than they got. Spoiler alert: he asked for it.
How do you ask?
You need to focus on these three little gems:
- Have a curious mind
- Believe in yourself
- See possibility
Having the guts to ask is all about your mindset at the time. These three components form how you need to think to approach ‘The Ask’ in the right frame of mind and actually get the other side to agree, thus creating disproportionate results.
The worst that can happen?
The receiver of your ask says no. What do you do then? Ask something else or ask in a different way.
In the end, asking for what you want causes lots of rejection. The thing is, it only takes a few of your asks to be agreed upon for you to have more than those who never ask.
You’re not going to die a horrible death because you ask.
Asking is not rude.
Asking is a tool that you can use.
If there’s no downside, why not use it?
If you don’t ask you won’t get — everything is negotiable.
There is one idea that shaped my entire life and career: everything is negotiable. As soon as you realize this, EVERYTHING CHANGES.
There are no rules and you can politely ask for anything. Tim Ferriss does a famous demonstration of this on his TV show where he gets a local Yoga instructor to walk into a cafe and ask the owner for 10% off her coffee. To her pure shock, he says yes and doesn’t even ask why.
When you ask for something, most people don’t think to ask you why. They just respond to your request.
Asking builds confidence.
A lot of the belief I have in myself and my confidence has come from the habit of asking. Asking has taught me so much because questions can shape so much of our possibility.
Asking is how you respect yourself and what you stand for. Going with everybody else’s rules eats away at your confidence and has the opposite effect. You start to think that “That’s just how life is.”
“Life is whatever you make it and asking is how you develop that belief”
Don’t be afraid to ask because if you won’t, then someone else will and they’ll get the results that you had the same access to.
Before you go, don’t forget this rule about asking.
Always ask with respect. Never ask with your ego in control otherwise you’ll piss the other person off and prevent yourself from asking them something else in the future.
“Respect should be superglued to every ask you make”
Leading with respect and not your ego is more likely to produce the disproportionate results we’ve been talking about.
When we feel respected, we become open to an “ask” much more than we normally would be. Respect doesn’t equal sucking up someone’s ass either.
Respect is having an understanding of the other person’s situation and being mindful of that.
So next time you’re faced with the opportunity to ask for something, feel the fear, embrace it and ask anyway. That’s how you get the results that so many people dream of and never get!
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If you want to increase your productivity and learn some more valuable life hacks, then join my private mailing list on timdenning.net
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These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident
Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.
But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.
Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.
1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task
Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.
After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.
Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.
But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.
2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First
Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.
Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”
For example, if you’re a writer:
-
Research your topic at night.
-
Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).
-
Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.
You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.
3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace
Focus is the foundation of success.
According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.
Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.
Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.
4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life
Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”
This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.
If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.
5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills
Knowledge compounds over time.
Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.
I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.
Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.
6. Develop a Growth Mindset
Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.
-
A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.
-
A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.
Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.
7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You
I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.
If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.
Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.
Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.
8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions
Good mentors can fast-track your growth.
While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.
If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.
9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations
Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”
Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.
When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.
10. Focus on Your Strengths
Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.
If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.
A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.
Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.
11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs
Your beliefs shape your reality.
For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.
Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.
Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.
Final Thoughts
Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.
Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.
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