I got off the T this morning thinking, I need to stop by the Bostonian Tailor and ask if he'll give me a discount on the leather pants he's altering.
No, that's silly. We already agreed to the price.
Ask anyway.
I opened the door. A little bell jingled my arrival. The tailor was sitting at his sewing machine.
“I know we've already agreed on a price, but I'm trying to practice negotiating,” I said. “Will you give me a 10% discount?”
He laughingly, but warmly, wondered, “Why 10%?”
“Arbitrary,” I answered.
“A 10% discount will make me neither rich, nor poor, and it will give you joy. There is more to life than money. Yes.”
He made a notation and we were done.
I struggle to ask for what I want. Perhaps you do too. Today I practiced. If I can ask for a discount, then I am one step closer to asking for a piece of my dream.
What will you ask for?
Oh, and in case you're wondering — I will most definitely go back to this tailor.
For more on asking and negotiating, click here.