Please. Don't ever be afraid to ask for the sale.

So many Leasing Professionals and salespeople don't ask for the sale because they are afraid of rejection. And I truly understand that; I do. And to show you how much I understand it, I am going to share a very personal story with all of you that taught me a wonderful lesson.

Years ago, before I realized I had a bit of a 'gift' for sales (ask anyone; I'm a really good salesperson), I was dating a man whom I adored. We had been going out for about three months and ladies, I decided I was going to spring 'the L word' on him.

I had been at a cookout at his home and he had walked me to my car. As we stood there, my arms around his neck, his arms around my waist, on a warm summer night, I took a deep breath and said 'it' to him. Here's how it went:

Me: "I love you".

Him: (silence)

Me: (stressing out a little bit, wondering if I should repeat myself)

Him: (slowly and with great hesitation)..."I love my Mom. And I love my dog. But, I don't love you."

Me: (amazingly enough) I laughed out loud. 

Here it was: a moment in my life where I thought I'd found 'the guy' and I'd done the unthinkable and used 'the L word' first and he basically tells me I come after his Mom (I can accept that) and the dog (say what?). All I could do was laugh.

I had made such a big deal over this moment and it wasn't really a moment at all. It was something I wanted and needed to do and I did it. And afterward I realized it wasn't really all that important that the feelings were reciprocated. It was that I had the courage to share my feelings. And I figured he'd come around.

Now, some of you are probably thinking, "What the heck does this have to do with asking for the sale?" Well, a lot of you DON'T ask because you're afraid of rejection, right?

Think about it:  if the prospect says, 'no' or 'I need to think about it', they aren't rejecting YOU. They are rejecting the sale at that particular moment.  Doesn't mean they won't buy from you at some point. Doesn't mean they don't like you.

So do it! Ask for the sale! And if you have the slightest hesitation, think of me coming in second to Duchess, the Golden Retriever, and you'll know you can finish ahead of me.