Negotiations. The word is scary to some and avoidable to others. In growing up we are given a sense of no negotiating by our superiors, like parents and teachers. So the skill of negotiating starts to become a lost art. You go to the supermarket, there is no negotiating. Clothes stores, Best Buy, and in named brand places there is no negotiating. So when you go to buy a car or get a job you think to yourself, I guess there is no negotiating.

The reality is a little different. Yesterday there was some software I needed for RideSearch 3.0. Even though I owned a previous version they were still wanting me to pay full price for it. Having high self esteem is essential to good negotiating. By saying "I am worth more" and "I deserve more." you can actually make the deal better. I told the company I would pay for an upgrade and not full price, take it or leave it. They got off the phone and called me back and a little later gave me the upgrade price. One of my work friends actually talked a company down from $5000 to $500 for their software.

On the job front, knowing how much you are worth is hard. For instance, a couple of years ago I was a vendor for Lockheed. I was making above industry standard. I am always above it and rightfully so given my experience. So when I go job hunting I have to keep in mind that their initial offer will not be the final one. Especially since I can get more than one offer. In the long run, what is 5 to 10 grand in relation to having a mediocre worker to exceptional worker. If I can do twice the work, it is a great deal for any company. So as I start to get offers I have to say "I am worth more" and "I deserve more" and look in the mirror and say "I like myself". Thank you SNL.