From Ask For It: How Women Can Use the Power of Negotiation to Get What They Really Want, by Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever.

 This first week, we’re asking for things we think we can get and just warming up. 

Ask for at least one thing every day of the week.

Ask for something you’d like to get but won’t care much if you don’t.

Ask for something from a complete stranger, someone who doesn’t know you and whom you’ll probably never see again.

Ask for something you feel comfortable asking for, where doing so doesn’t make you anxious.

Ask for something that you know will be easy for the other side to give you.

In each case, state your request simply and then wait for the answer. Try to conceal that you’re nervous (if you are). Page 219 of the hardcover.

 This week it’s easy, but read the book to get ready for what’s coming up.

 Here are some examples:

Ask to leave work early

Ask for a frequent-customer discount at a store

Ask a partner or a friend to do something for you (share responsibilities for an event, pick up your kids, cook dinner, do chores)

Ask if you can get the floor model at a discounted price

Bonus question 1

What are you asking for? When I started it was hard to even jumpstart my brain into thinking of things to ask for. I pride myself on being independent and self-reliant, so at first I felt like I was scrambling for things to ask for.

 
Bonus question 2
What are you doing to increase your sense of personal entitlment? In other words, the feeling and belief that you have the right to ask for or to do things and to have your needs fulfilled just as much as any other person (not less than your partner, your kids, your boss, or the guy sitting with his legs wide apart and taking up three subway seats).