Ever wonder how to get what you want in life? Learn how to create affinity, use affirmation statements, and respect yourself with these simple tips from Harv Eker.
How To Get What You Want In Life
I wanted to follow up on a couple of points I made in my blog about negotiating. In particular, being honest while waiting for the other person to state their offer first.
It may seem a little counter-intuitive to not be the one to put your cards on the table first, then to still get what you want. Some people believe being successful in a negotiation means being ruthless or dishonest. It also seems more intuitive to state upfront what it is you want instead of letting that opportunity develop.
Or oppositely, some people are deathly afraid to say what they want. There were times we all trusted someone with our honesty and were taken advantage of. So, a lot of people become cynical or untrusting of themselves and others. Then they don’t get what they really want, all while staying in a place of frustration.
In business, in love, and in life, there are rules that govern how people respond to us. With these rules, we can attract and build upon the kind of connections and relationships we want.
Here are the 3 rules to get what you want in life:
- Create Affinity: Affinity generates closeness and likability. People will usually give much more leeway to someone they like, therefore creating room for possibilities of getting what you want from them. You create affinity by focusing on what you have in common. Directly or indirectly, saying “I’m like you” is another way of saying “I like you”.
- Use affirming statements: When negotiating, use affirming statements like “I understand,” “I see your point,” or “I agree with that”. That doesn’t mean you have to agree with every single thing the person is saying. If you do disagree, though, saying “but” negates everything the other person just said, even if your point is 100% true. Saying, “I see your point of view, and I was thinking …” lets the other person know that they were heard and understood, and opens a door for you to say your piece at the same time (Sounds like it makes sense, yes? You’d be amazed, though, how easy it is to “but” another person to death!).
- Respect Yourself: When you show a need for approval, or you want something too badly, you forfeit your strength and lose all power of negotiation. That’s why it’s crucial to know what you want and not have any fear about expressing it at the appropriate time. The less fear you have, the less anxious you’ll come off, the more confident you become, and the other person is almost forced to reckon with your interests due to the respect that you show yourself.
You Have The Power
You’re not only creating more affinity by giving them the opportunity to express themselves first. You’re also strategically setting yourself up in a position of power. Be ready to counter their counters until the two of you can reach an amicable solution.
That’s why it’s true that not respecting yourself means not fully respecting others either. The best thing to do is connect your truth with their truth courageously yet thoughtfully. You give yourself that much more of an opportunity to get what you want while being honest with yourself and others.
Using these basics, there’s little reason to feel bad about getting what you want in any situation. Awareness of what makes relationships tick is important. It makes good people that much more exposed to love, wealth, and success.
What do you want in life? How are you going to respect yourself? What are some statements of affirmation you like to use? Share your thoughts here.
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August Phang says
Thank you for sharing. It is very true that we have to respect ourselves first (trust ourselves) and be more confident then naturally we let others have the confident in us too.
It is weird that i’m always told by others that i’m confident in others but not myself. Now i know i must really learn to have more confident in myself!!
I have a millionaire mind!
Antonio says
Si sabes lo que quieres en lo que vas a negociar y tienes las bases para estar seguro de lo que quieres la seguridad en ti mismo llega sola y puedes sentirte mas fuerte al momento de la negociacion.
A mi me a pasado que no se lo que quiero y por lo tanto no negocio lo que realmente necesito y la cosas no salen tan bien.
Sigo practicando el llegar a la negociacion con certeza de lo que quiero para negociar en buenos terminos….
Yo siempre pienso, las dos cosas…
Tengo una mente millonaria
Saludos
IMO ginikanwa Edward says
This Harv,is all about huminity in all we do,especially in our business.
Katie J. Long says
I am able to see where I am needing to improve my communication with others and leave the “buts” out of the conversation. I like the phrases; “I see what you mean” and “I need your advice on this matter”. These statements really pull a person into enjoying the conversation with you and then feeling positive about themselves, which ends up in a successful encounter all around.