Love for sale
Don’t give away the store
Prior to the existence of readily available paper money, bartering for services was way more convenient. The value of the exchange was accepted by those involved which resulted in less use of attorneys. Even today, humans exchange services without breaking out a debit card. Parents decide who does what in regard to childcare, teachers make deals with failing students to entice them to complete papers and managers lean on employees just enough to make sure that projects get done. There is choice involved by all of the parties. Or at least the semblance of that option. There is also pressure involved in the exchange of goods. Outside of the cost of items, inflation does not often get mentioned. Throughout everyday life, non-negotiables take up a high percentage of interactions. Setting the alarm at a certain time can be based on how much time it takes to get ready before starting the tasks of the day. Bedtimes are up for grabs in some homes due to the length of reading or TV watching. The components of a meal can range from a bowl of cereal to three courses if someone is willing and able to take on the effort. Cleanup can sometimes be negotiated when lucky. But what should not be up for arrangement is giving away a part of oneself. Dealing, arranging or transferring that ends in the feeling like too much of a compromise or tends to chip away at the ease of trust. The trick is looking out for each deal.
Take Five
Each week this year, read through the suggestions and see how they call out to you.
- Are you a shrewd negotiator?
- Do you know your value?
- What are you most willing to give in on?
- Who do you trust to look out for a great exchange?
- How are your routines set up to negotiate the life you want?
Come back each day to see if something changes about the effect of an activity. Repeat choices to identify different thoughts. You are not the same person every day. Your life shouldn’t be either.
Live Alive.
