A rational man, said Ayn Rand, “never leaves his interests at the mercy of any one person or single, specific concrete. He may need clients, but not any one particular client — he may need a job, but not any one particular job.”

To hammer home Rand’s point, I would add a few more items — “He may need a mate, but not any one particular mate. He may need a deal, but not any one particular deal. He may need a home, but not any one particular home.” The ability to say “Next!” applies to all areas of life.

People often think of this as bluffing, but you’re not bluffing if you really mean what you say. Personally, I make it a point never to bluff. I’m careful about throwing out ultimatums to people, because once I do, I follow through. I hope you do as well.