The Color of Money and Much More

Green is the most universally accepted color along with blue, but it does depend on the shade or tint. Most veterans are not fans of camouflage green and that means sage and moss as well. If you are specifying apple green make sure you know where your apples are from! Certainly a Washington apple will taste different than a Maine apple and that goes for color too.

Green is considered an undemanding color. It is one of the easiest colors to perceive. It represents perfect balance, as the center of a rainbow. Green provides a sense of quietness, compassion, relaxation and comfort and is the easiest neutral. It is popular in home interiors as it gives the illusion of bringing the outdoors inside. And it is a neutral with personality far beyond a beige or taupe.

Green is also a hue of rebirth, regrowth, and renewal. It is what most of us in seasonal climates look forward to in the Spring. The astounding regreening with all the new leaves and plant growths after the grey of winter. It is a time for our spirits to reawaken and recharge.
It is also, of course, the color of money and for many alone that makes it a favorite! And often, it is money that can provide growth, and rejuvenation.

Change Direction for a New Perspective

I often enjoy getting outdoors for exercise particularly in the cool crisp temperatures of approaching winter. Just 2-3 miles is enough to clear my head, open my mind, and renew my vision. Recently, I reversed my usual walk and was surprised at how completely different the very same route looked from a new direction. It made me realize that all too often we do things one way only and lose our perspective. In order to regain it, we need to approach our routine from a new angle. Next time you feel your life and business getting trapped in tunnel vision or feeling myopic in focus, consider viewing it from another angle, or approaching from a new direction. You are bound to get a different perspective, fresh insight, and possibly a new solution and opportunity for greater success.

Want to Spend More Money? You Must Be Seeing Red!

It’s true, in the presence of red a person will spend more money, lose track of time, and eat more! Remember red tag sales, well they are red for a reason. It is the color of impulse buys and a more self indulgent mood. Certainly this makes for a festive spending mood at the holidays!

On the food front, take a look around next time you are out at an Italian, Chinese, or Mexican restaurant. There is a lot of red, and typically we eat more, spend more, and lose track of time. Pay attention when you are out and about and you’ll realize just how many fast food institutions use red to great degree: Chick Filet, Arby’s, Wendy’s, KFC, even McDonald’s.

So many dining rooms are traditionally burgundy; red with a bit of blue. (These days call it Merlot, Cabernet or even Pinot Noir for that touch of romance!) It encourages the appetite. Don’t paint your kitchen red if you are on a diet. Think of icons like Big Red gum.

Red raises a person’s blood pressure and energy level. It is the perfect antidote to wear if you aren’t feeling well. It also explains why the lady in the red dress or man in the power tie gets more attention. A touch of red tends to create an atmosphere of agreement. It is an important tool and valuable accessory for successful selling.

Red is also an auspicious color as it is used for red-letter days. The scarlet letter was red! Use it wisely, it is powerful.

Self Esteem Sabotage and How to Avoid It!

I’ve gotten to a neat place in my life, I like me. Do you like you? I asked a great friend recently, a lady that I consider to be a singularly terrific person, wildly successful entrepreneur, generous friend, loving daughter and sister, gracious hostess and much more, and she said “no.” I was floored. I had another instance later in the same week with someone that protested how he couldn’t stand women with low self esteem yet, several times in our conversation, he confessed that he was just a “boring” guy. Hmm, and this isn’t low self esteem? Wow.

Now, I know that some of you will resist what I am about to share and request, but try it anyway. Stand in front of the mirror at least twice a day and say to that amazing reflection, “I Like You.” I’d have you start out full tilt with “I love you,” but some of you are going to have a tough time with just liking you. You’ll giggle, blush, feel silly, shake your head in disbelief, but do it anyway. I’d also like you to create a list of at least 10 reasons you are likeable. No one else gets to see this, just you. Repeat it twice a day. I guarantee that you will feel better, warmer toward you, and more confident in 30 days if you truly stick to this regimen. You will also find yourself taking better care of you and learning the art of being grateful for compliments instead of denying them as so many do.

The next time someone says, “you look great!” Say thank you, not “no I don’t” or “I’m feeling fat,” or “in this old thing?” Just be gracious. You deserve it, accept it, and enjoy it. Give yourself a holiday from low self esteem and the demons it brings. You can always go back to it in January!!

Why Bigger Isn’t Better!

I had a very trying experience this week with one of my usually favorite vendors, FedEx. I had brought with me an armload of manuals, books, and professional materials that needed boxing and got them into the best box, and I even snagged a single sheet of wrapping paper to prevent things from shifting about. (These days, if you need more than “trash wrap” it is going to be an investment in supplies!) I had my last preprinted air bill with me (I am a loyal account holder) and provided my package with a completed bill on it for shipping. It was when I asked for additional preprinted air bills to be ordered that I understood all too well the incredible insignificance of my business to FedEx.

The clerk behind the counter said to me “You have to call the 800 number or go online.” I looked at her dumbfounded because here I was, in the flesh, with my last air bill and my account number, and yet I “had to” take other action prescribed by FedEx. To me, it made sense for her to graciously take my air bill and account number and offer to call it in or get online to do this. I know they have slow periods and downtime. Instead, I went out to my car, camped on my cell phone only to be further dismayed by the typical gargantuan company automated voice system that has never liked my voice. After a minimum of 6 prompts and connections, and two unsuccessful attempts at speaking my account number into their computer, I was reduced to (through gritted teeth) saying “REPRESENTATIVE” enough times to get through to a live being. She was delightful, quick, efficient and friendly. Now wouldn’t it have made sense to have her at the counter??

I am forever amazed at how grossly impersonal gigantic companies have become and still succeed despite themselves. FedEx is not alone. They save themselves with the “REPRESENTATIVE” but what a painful journey for me, their customer, and my valuable time gone forever. I am betting they could cut back on phone personnel if they simply allowed their counter clerks to truly be customer centric in their service.

The Lesson: Never outgrow the extra mile, the personal touch, or the live experience. There is no shortcut to success for happy clients and satisfied customers.

Victim or Opportunist

I was attending a morning business forum recently and was curious by the language one of the participants used. He noted he was a Victim of Katrina, but that it had brought him to Atlanta where he had created a successful new business opportunity. So in fact, how was he a victim? Please don’t misunderstand, I don’t wish a national disaster on anyone, but in order to be a true victim we need to accept that mantel of belief and lack of action. Instead he turned this into an opportunity and went from a Victim to an Opportunist. How great it is to be able to turn a situation seemingly out of our control into one of possibility and success rather than wallow in the disaster.

We all have this ability. We can each decide whether to be a Victim or an Opportunist. Whenever we are faced with a bad situation, a wronged relationship, a business failure, and even ill health, we can look beyond at the lessons we must learn and how to move forward with greater wisdom. All in this life is based on our perception and our processing of it. Will you process it as a setback or as a stepping stone. Are you faced with insurmountable obstacles or solutions waiting to happen? It may be merely a game of words, but by using the best words and making the positive choice you will change your beliefs, your outlook and your outcome.

What you reinforce in yourself and in your life becomes real. Take a close look and make sure it is what you truly want and not simply what you are conditioned to expect. Often our conditioning leaves us with substandard expectations. We are each capable of great accomplishments with the very talents and skills we are born with, few of us believe it.

What’s Your Good Story?

In attending the James Ray Harmonic Wealth Weekend recently, he used a term “good story” to remind us of the many ways we each hold ourselves back. It was a valuable reminder. How often do you say to yourself: “I’m too busy; I don’t have time; I’m waiting for the right time; I don’t have the money; I am too fat; It’s too hard” or any other story you tell yourself?

The point is we do this all the time and the result is the same, our good stories simply hold us back from whatever it is we want most. We all do ultimately what we want to do and are ready to do. If you don’t want it and aren’t ready, you won’t do it. If you are, nothing can stop you.

I’ve always been a busy person, but my health and fitness have become so important I no longer ignore them with excuses. I train twice a week with a trainer and by myself at least 4 other times. The result is I feel better, have more energy and like me more. When I want something that requires a stretch financially, I make a few changes to my spending, and then research how I can make it work. I always have gotten what I wanted so badly, or I’ve been willing to bear the debt my desire incurred (temporary only!) Think hard about your life, but I’m betting you’ve gotten the things you really wanted badly, because you made them happen. The things you haven’t, you didn’t want them badly enough. Stop making excuses and telling good stories.

Architect your dreams, design your life!