Early morning thoughts

Phone alarm starts playing music… it is 4am – time to get up and leave soon. Taking my only backpack, going to the garage and starting my early journey.

London is a crowded city throughout the day, but it is amazing how empty it is at night, especially a bit further from city centre. All streets are mine and it takes around an hour to drive to the airport.

Here I am, around half six in the morning, ordering my first coffee today, sipping it bit by bit and wondering: it is really hard to get up to work every day, but I never have this when getting up for the flight!

Learning while on the flight

Sitting and looking around, some people sleeping, some reading, meanwhile I chose to watch some useful training courses that I’ve downloaded for offline use – I choose learning while on the flight. Negotiation skills. Just the first hour of watching and I understand how many chances to negotiate I have missed in my life and of course seeing those situation examples makes me smile – it really does not seem so complicated. I’m trying to summarise few of the key points:

  • You should negotiate and don’t be ashamed
  • You may spend few minutes negotiating, but may save a few thousands i.e. when buying a new car
  • Money is not the only tradable thing, you may also negotiate for benefits i.e. free service for your car
  • Negotiation should be done in small steps getting closer to the deal which is equally good for both sides (not just for one)
  • Don’t rush to ever close the position i.e. say “this is my last price”
  • Don’t use round numbers, they’re a potential sign that price is not final (when selling)
  • Negotiation involves psychology, you may get a worse deal for yourself if you don’t know how to do it
  • Ask for much higher price when you sell
  • Ask for greater discount than you may get when buying

Pleasant visit

Recently I read a quote, saying that your home is where you feel good. And while I naturally questioned myself where do I feel good, I realised I feel as good in London as I do back in my hometown Kaunas.

I walk down the airport when I see my dad smiling and being happy I came back for a weekend – good time begins. I will let my story to be continued by the gallery.