It’s very easy to keep putting off things we don’t want to do. Hell, it’s easy to put off things we WANT to do. In my case, Noah Kagan’s coffee challenge found itself in a weird spot between the two. The idea is to ask for 10% off when ordering coffee. I finally bit the bullet and committed to trying it.

Last Friday was the last day I could easily do the challenge, and so it had to be then. I was living in downtown Dubuque, which gave me several local shops to stop by and try. Since I was moving that day, I kept putting the challenge off by packing up one thing or another. The whole time playing out what I would say in my head. I finally started packing some clothes and told myself this was the last thing, as soon as I was done here I need to go. So I did.

I made my way down the block to a nearby shop. I walked in and saw a few people near the register. My heart began pounding. One would think I was about to do something illegal. Luckily, most of the other patrons moved elsewhere by the time I was ordering. I went with a simple house coffee. After putting my cup together, the barista, whom I believe might be the owner, asked me if I needed anything else. That was my cue. I asked, “can I actually get 10% off?”

Of course, he was a bit confused. So I asked again with a smidge more confidence. He laughed and gave a polite no. He added a joke that normally they charge an extra 10% if someone asks. I laughed, thanked him, and found a seat to write this up.

Saving 10% on every cup of coffee would be great, but that’s not the point of the exercise. It’s safe to say most people will not ask for things that they really want. Whether it be a raise, a date, or for their roommate to do the dishes. More often than not, we suspect simple asks to end horribly. This challenge gives you a zero-stakes environment to practice. If I can’t ask for something so minuscule, how can I ask for anything of substance?

On top of the fear facing opportunity, you get practice hearing “no” as well as a chance to practice negotiation skills. Anytime you are doing something out of the realm of normality, you will hear a lot of nos. Starting a business? Writing a book? Anything that needs funding, approval, or input from others will likely result in a lot of people saying no.

Though I may not have tried to push for the 10%, anyone else trying this can work on negotiating. Similarly that people don’t often ask for what they want, at the first sign of a no we back down. Sharpening the negotiating skill is critical to success in so many areas of life.

Not sure what I want to try. Let me know if you have ideas for fear challenges like this!