Neon colors energize me.
Shocker, right? Maybe it’s because I’m a child of the 80’s – who knows?
When flipping through the NYT a few months back, my jaw dropped when I witnessed the bold New York Times Magazine cover below (Warning: it’s even brighter in person!). The hues humbled me. I think I even mumbled, “Holy moly, that’s SO me.”
So yes, the obnoxiously-neon-pink-and-yellow combo spoke to my inner child. I ripped the cover and taped it to my soon-to-be office wall. This swatch would dictate every single aspect of my new office decor.
When I dragged my torn NYT magazine cover to our local hardware store in search of a matching shade of pink, I was disappointed to hear that this particular color was just too flippin’ bright. The paint warehouse couldn’t match it.
Did I want to select a different shade of pink, the manager asked? Perhaps something more toned down?
I thought about it.
Maybe “Crushed Berries” or “Raspberry Mousse” would do the trick.
I kept glancing at the brilliant cover design in my hand. No, these other shades of pink were super lame and I would not tone down my desires.
I refused to settle. I would find my hotter-than-hell pink out there in the universe of eternal swatches. I mean, we do live in the 21st century – how hard could it be to find exactly what you want on the internet?
So my search is on. It just started, really. I am 100% confident that I will find the perfect shade for my office and feel oh-so-happy when I fill my walls with this pigment that has tickled my core.
My takeaway: I will not settle with this paint … or any other aspects of my business or life.
Settling is the worst.
We’re all guilty of it at some point or another. Settling for a frozen pizza for dinner again (whoops, did that last night!), settling for one more date with that dud because he is somewhat attractive (uh huh, go on), settling for a career that drains you because you’re already a big-time Director (I could name a few friends in this position…).
You get the idea.
Before I write copy for my clients, I tell them that I believe in never-ending revisions. Yep, never-ever-ending, just like reruns of Saved by the Bell.
Why, you ask? Because I believe the words surrounding your business and brand should bring your true essence to life. Your words should represent who you want to be, not who you were yesterday. And if they don’t, we are NOT finished yet.
I don’t want my clients to ever settle, especially with me.
It’s time to practice what we’re preachin’: Over the next week, as you make decisions big and small, refuse to settle. Ask for what you really want.
Before making decisions, envision what you desire and push and push and PUSH (and even wait … yes, there’s a lot of waiting involved when you boycott settling) until you reach the result that you actually imagined. Push until you feel rapturous, jubilant, euphoric.
Or just push until you need a nap.
