We Need to Be More like Shellfish Regarding Our Commissions

Well actually, to be precise, we need to be more like oysters. Picture it, it is New Year's Eve and I am running to the market to get fresh oysters in those convenient little glass bottles with the screw top and oh my, go figure, they are out. All they have are the oysters still in the shell. I ask the kid behind the counter if he can shuck them for me and he looks at me like I am on crack.

Oh well, I've seen those guys at the oyster bars slipping their knives in and easily revealing that luscious little gems. Yeah right....I get them home and immediately sense they are on the defense. I get out my knife and proceed to try to pry one open. It resists so strongly that I end up banging it with my meat mallet just to get it to crack. Nothing!! Will not budge. I put the little resister on the butcherblock and get eye level with it just waiting for it to have to breathe or something....just a little hint of a crack and I am going in for the kill. My dream of succulent oyster fritters is quickly waning and my frustration level with these little b%*&*&*&s is getting the best of me. I finally resort to a pot of boiling water and steam the suckers open.

Think about it, the oyster is protecting itself with all it's might and (almost) won against my efforts to snuff out it's life. When we are able to break the protective seal of the oyster, we are able to kill it. When clients break your commissions protective seal they kill your income potential and make it virtually impossible to maintain your value to future clients. Word gets around fast if you cave at the table. Stay strong in your confidence in your value. Besides, if a potential client wants to pry me open, bang my head on the concrete and eventually throw me in boiling water to take away my ability to provide for my family...do I really want them as a client?