SUCCESS KEY #15 - MAKE THE RIGHT BARGAIN

 

1. One of the things that keep happening in life in both our conscious and the subconscious state is negotiations and bargaining. A lot of people have paid so much attention to the physical marketplace and studied same to mastery, and yet they paid no attention to the spiritual marketplace which is where the real matters are decided before physical manifestation, and so still find themselves failing to get what they were so sure they were qualified and have proven beyond doubt that they are the best for it.

2. Sometimes in life the best is not selected because they didn’t pay good attention to the deciding factors. They may have provided all the physical evidence to prove that they are simply the best, yet they will wake up the next day to the sad news that someone who came far below has been selected. Physical negotiation that is at variant with spiritual conclusion will only lead to failure of manifestation. Psalms 50:5-6. “Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah”.

3. The battles of life are won by negotiation, not by ammunition. 2Kings 3:26-27. “And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to break through even unto the king of Edom: but they could not. Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him and returned to their own land”.

4. Do your homework. A lot of people fight sore for the positions in life that are not vacant and then turn around to wonder why they were not given the offer. Get all necessary and relevant information about what you are about to engage before your first meeting, and if you must enter into the bargain, enter from the vantage point of good knowledge. Know the opportunity that is presented by God, and also know the opportunity that is provided by the devil. Think of what the opportunity will do to your physical and spiritual well-being, and you will know the sponsor.

5. See the situation from all angles. Try to understand where the other person is coming from; try asking them to tell you about their needs and key concerns. Test all spirits and know the one that is of God. The oracle that will eat cows and human heads later always start from kola-nuts. Evil does not produce good and good does not produce evil. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Matthew 7:16-17. “Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit”.

6. Clearly define your goals. Prior to the discussion, make sure you are clear on what you want as well as your “walk-away” point (the minimum outcome you’re willing to accept). Remember the three key components of divine success, viz: 1. physical prosperity, 2. prosperity of your spirit (good health), and 3. prosperity of your soul (3John 1:2). Refuse to be short-changed by anyone, it does not always have to go your way, but it should not go against you. In the quest to acquire the temporal things, you have to be sure that you are not sacrificing your eternal heritage. Whatever offer that warrants that you compromise your salvation and faith is an offer from the pit of hell. The offer of sex or bribe might look harmless, after-all nobody will find out, but where will your spiritual life and confidence be after you take the offer? That is what you must take into consideration.

7. Determine the best timing for the discussion. You will want enough time for the discussion and to hold it when all parties are relaxed and not emotional. One of the things that will enable you to remain calm despite the odds is to understand the real value of what you bring to the table, don’t let your opponent belittle your value, they will eventually use it against you. If your opponent says they will get another if you don’t accept what they offer, reject the offer and walk out of the negotiation.

8. Remain calm and avoid getting emotional. The more emotional you become, the more clouded your thinking will be. 2kings 6: 15-17. “And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha”. There is no victorious strategy without a secret ingredient; there must be something that you know and see that they are not seeing.

9. Listen, listen, and listen some more. Spend more time listening than talking during the discussion. Ask for what you want. Don’t be afraid to explain your needs and what you’d like to see occur as an outcome but do so calmly and in a non-confrontational tone of voice. Your demand should be bold and unequivocal catering for all aspects of the engagement, allow room for bit-by-bit concessions and not increments except your opponent decides to change the terms or add to the obligations. Often-times you discover areas that were not covered as your opponent is talking, take note of those and use same to repackage your offer accordingly. Do not rush into conclusion until you have exhausted all aspects of the negotiation.

10. Avoid finger-pointing. Focus on the issues, not on personalities. Be smart enough not to waste your time negotiating with subordinates except they can show proof that their decision is binding on their superiors or master. Subordinates are often more difficult to work with as they can always come back and tell you that the agreement didn’t go well with their superiors and call for re-negotiation, a total waste of time and resources. Some subordinates will even deny they make any decisions especially when their superiors want to have their heads.

11. Find a creative solution.  Think win/win, not that someone must walk away a winner and the other a loser. There’s nothing wrong with working together to determine creative ways to meet the needs of both parties. Psalm 125:3 “For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity”. Do not allow a sleeping dog to lie when it is sleeping in the wrong place. When you find the rod of the wicked on your lot, instead of putting your hands into iniquity, burn that scepter. Yes, burn the scepter, and if that is not enough, burn the crown also, that is the right way to deal with wickedness.

12. Remember that there will always be a tomorrow. If the discussion heads in a wrong direction and tempers flare, it’s OK to recommend picking up the discussion on another day, after everyone has an opportunity to take a step back, relax and think. Your mind is the battlefield of life, where decisions are won and lost. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Use every largesse to push your vantage and advance your course as you discover more. If your opponent shows up for the next meeting, that is a proof that what you have is important to them, hold your ground. The devil did not tempt Jesus 3 times for nothing, he knew what he will gain should he succeed. 

Hebrews 10: 35-36. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise”.  

May The Peace of God abide with you. Amen.

Pastor James Okon.