One of my most frequent admonitions in my communication seminars is that it never hurts to ask questions for you never know unless you ask. Recently I was checking into the Grove Park Inn to present one of my seminars. There was a gatekeeper stopping all cars and giving them instructions on where to go so that the bellmen could help them and park their cars. I did not want to get that involved in simply parking my car and getting my luggage to my room.

I looked around and saw a parking lot to my right. I wondered why people were not simply turning right and parking in some of the open spaces. When it came my turn and the young man was preparing to give me the same instructions as he had everyone before me, I simply asked, “Is it all right for me to park myself in the parking lot to my right?”

His response was, “Sure, that’s fine.” I quickly found an empty space, parked my car, and carried my suitcase to check-in. Within minutes I was happily set in my room.

As I was checking in, I found that by parking myself I saved seven dollars. Actually, when I checked out the next day, the lady at the registration desk simply said, “Oh, just forget it. No charge.”

There is a statement in Alice in Wonderland that applies to this story. She said, “I give myself very good advice…but I very seldom follow it. That explains the trouble I’m always in.” This is one of the few times that I was able to accept my own advice as well as give it.