When the going gets tough, what do you do?  I don my pumps and challenge the world to “bring it on”!  Too aggressive for early morning?  Only if you decide to relinquish control to outside forces.  My weapon of choice against such forces provides the opportunity to dig in my heels.  No course reversals, no receding, no slipping and sliding.  I’m in “woman heel drive” mode.

We’ve come far; too far to surrender gains.  If you are willing to trade for something of equal value, by all means.  Place market value on what you are willing to barter.  Establish a floor below which you refuse to venture.  What you have should command a premium, not a discount.  Recall the price paid to acquire your valuables, the jewels of your life.

Don’t allow others to establish the worth of your treasures.  “Market forces dictate value.” You believe the economists’ theme song.  They are not wrong.  But their tag line is overly simplistic.  There are forces at work in the market; one of which is your valuation metrics and your ability to promote intrinsic equity.

“Sure, easy for you to say.” I understand the skepticism.  Let’s utilize experience to determine where this discussion goes.  When was the last time you felt shortchanged?  You’re fortunate if you are able to unequivocally claim nary a moment has darkened the doorway to your life.  If you’ve experienced the discomfort of being taken advantage of by a person, place or thing, then you know there are teachable moments around every corner.  But are you willing to learn?

I can feel the scars from the effects of diminished value. I’m not masochistic; I don’t enjoy trading away a dollar’s worth of myself in return for fifty cents.  You’re probably agreeing.  And why would you do such a thing to yourself other than to do someone a favor.  But in so doing you receive the difference through intangible satisfaction, right?

But we cannot live on satisfaction alone. Losing value on each transaction is not recovered by higher volumes of the same.  I’m not advocating hoarding your bounty.  I’m suggesting you retain enough to support the mental, physical and emotional health that is paramount to success.  

At the end of the day, when the streamers have fallen, the balloons are drooping, the bar is closed, friends have departed for home and you are alone with yourself; do you feel good, bad or indifferent?  There’s nothing wrong with any of those feelings presuming the middle one is not dominant.

Enjoy yourself, build your franchise, be open to learning and don't be afraid to live.  Buy at Walmart; sell at Bloomingdales and bank the difference.  You deserve to be upscale and successful – the next move is up to you.

Live the life you love and love the life you live.  Life is as good as you make it.

Love and hugs, Nikki Nicole DeCaro