If not, ……… allow me to ask you …………

So, ………… why do you want to succeed online?

Do you have e reason for it? Do you clearly know what reason is?

Do you think other people are succeeding online? Are they more successful than you are? Are you more successful than them? Why?

Are you currently succeeding online? Do you feel successful? How do YOU define success in general?

These questions are very important questions in your journey to online success. The nature of your answer to these questions would significantly impact your mission.

We all have a pre-programmed definition of success. We all know what will make us successful in other people’s eyes and what will personally make us feel successful. We have needs, wishes, wants and cravings for results we desire.

But only you know what's important for you and what would drive you to achieve your vision of success, whether online or offline. You’re only one who can unlock door to your hidden treasure of desires. Desires so powerful that would literally force you out of your comfort zone to find success you seek.

What are you doing it for? What’s in it for you?

Few years back, I joined a network marketing company that was doing business “old way” of calling people on phone, setting a meeting and presenting prospects with a business opportunity. That was one of my best experiences ever.

I had an opportunity to interact with hundreds of different people from different walks of life. Different educational background, different culture, different life circumstances, different age, different business background ……

The most amazing thing was that they all had a different vision of success. They all had a different understanding of what success was and what it meant to them.

Donald works for a small weekly newspaper. He likes his job and his employer, Jeanne. He doesn't get paid much, but he likes his work. His only problem is that he's being asked to shoulder an increasingly large share of responsibilities around office. If there's a late-breaking story that has to be covered or a page that has to be laid out again, job always seems to fall in Donald's lap. He feels he is being taken advantage of; everyone knows they can rely on "good old Donald." But he's afraid that if he speaks his mind, he may jeopardize cordial relationship he enjoys with Jeanne. So he bites bullet and never broaches subject. "There are a lot worse jobs out there," he rationalizes.

Bill, a participant in one of my negotiation training seminars, told us of an old, rust-eaten vehicle that he had advertised for $1,300, never dreaming he'd get it. A young man (we'll call him Paul) came to see car, and he and Bill immediately established a good rapport. They talked about sports and hobbies and atmosphere could hardly have been more cordial. When discussion turned to car, Bill readied himself for a negotiation. Instead, Paul just said, "Well, you're a nice guy so I guess I can buy it for $1,300."

What is going on here? Why are so many people reluctant to negotiate? Fear. But what are they afraid of? It's not a fear of losing. By not negotiating they have already lost all they can. So what is it that so many people are afraid of?

Sarah is afraid of making a bad impression. Donald is afraid of upsetting applecart. Paul is afraid of looking like a bad guy.

When You Negotiate You Don't Make a Bad Impression, You Earn Respect

Tough bargaining actually earns respect. A friend of mine is an manager who interviews and hires a lot of people. He told me a story once about a woman he was about to hire for a middle-level management position. He was fairly certain she was his top choice but he said that he couldn't be certain until he had discussed salary with her. "Why?" I asked.

"Because I want to see how she handles salary negotiation. I'll have serious doubts about her if she just takes what I offer. If she doesn't think enough of herself to push me at least a little, she probably isn't best person for job."

"So you don't get annoyed when people negotiate salary with you?" "Not at all. On contrary, it indicates a self-assurance and confidence that I value very highly in our employees."

There we have it, right from mouth of someone who hires lots of people. Whether we're negotiating with an employer, a landlord, or anyone else, we've been brainwashed into believing that if we stand up and bargain for ourselves we'll make enemies, make a bad impression and ruin any chance of getting along.