Bargaining is “An agreement between parties settling what each shall give and take or perform and receive in a transaction.”

Most are familiar with the word bargain. The word bargain brings to mind intense transactions that occur in a boardroom or in some marketplace.

 

Or perhaps conjures up images of deals on retail products, “Bargain Shopping”.

Although we typically think of bargaining in the typical sense of market exchange, and as a positive, there is a negative side of bargaining.

In relation to achievement, bargaining can carry a more negative connotation.

When bargaining includes a willingness to exchange one’s priorities, health, or values for what one believes will fast track or enhance one’s growth,  one’s come up, or success then bargaining becomes extremely negative.

Sadly, the success that comes from such is usually short-lived, as one essentially manipulates their way to the top.

“Some people become incredibly good at playing the bargaining game. For many, the manipulation rarely fails them in any meaningful way” (Hanson 149)

while bargaining is essentially negative, it does not necessarily impede success, but just muddies the water and cheapens that success and achievement.

Those who go unfazed by the substance of their success, continue to bargain their way to succeed.

At some point as an individual, you have to decide what success means to you and by what means and measures you are willing to go to achieve success.

It is my belief that to get the best out of life one does not bargain everything away to achieve it.

Every time we bargain we lose a little of ourselves and thus some of our freedom.

Sometimes the price is just too high.

Besides, price is never a true indicator of value. While the price may create perceived value, perceived value is just that a matter of perception not an actual indicator of real value.

No matter how much you are willing to pay for something does not make it any more valuable. It is just an indicator of the lengths that you as an individual are willing to go to possess something.

“The only things in life of real value and meaning are achieved without condition, without transactions” (Hanson 149)

You have to ask yourself what are you shooting for, what is it really worth, and is it worth bargaining away everything.

If you want real and authentic success, refuse to bargain those things away that are essential and important to you such as; your character, values, priorities, and self-worth. 

Hanson, Mark. Everything is #@%!ed a Book About Hope. New York: NY, Harpers and

Collins Publishers.