Great story and agreed. If you can handle any perceived psychic/ego damage from being rejected, then asking for things is essentially "free luck".

Other ways to put things in your favor over the long term:

- Keep increasing your capacity to do things. Learn ubiquitous skills such as sales, basic accounting, negotiation, speaking, etc.

- Keep increasing your network. Asking is a huge part of this.

- Improve your signalling. Signal your achievements, your opinions...share.

- Grow your assets. Even if it means putting a little bit of money away or cutting down on expenses.