Black Belt Negotiating: Become a Master Negotiator Using Powerful Lessons from the Martial Arts

1. Clarify Your Own Wants and Needs

The point here is that before negotiating, you must first be clear about your own objectives. Start by making a list of your needs. These are the terms and conditions that must absolutely be met in order to make the deal acceptable to you. If you are looking for a mate, you might realize that you want him to have a certain level of education, have achieved a certain income level, own his own home, be considerate and kind, and have a sense of humor. If his income is in the high six figures, however, you might be willing to forgo the last two. If he lives with his mother, that could be a deal breaker. Figure out what you can’t live without. The man, himself, is the need. It’s quite possible that everything else ...