COLOR TALKS - Introduction

"But it don't sing and dance and it don't walk" ..sing along with me now to Neil Diamond's catchy tune, Forever In Blue Jeans. Fun, right? Ok, Neil's lyrics are about money, not color, but let's get real; life is more colorful when we have discretionary income. Money is one reason we all work and dream about fulfilling our most provocative ambitions. We want to use our minds, our talents, and our guts to serve others. So we go to school, read books, learn new skills and cultivate mentors who will share their knowledge. And, oh yeah..... we dress for success.

Sigh.

What does that even mean in today's technology-driven workplace? As I write, I am in my home office, drinking coffee and wearing what I slept in. ( Use your imagination ) Just how important is our daily clothing and grooming to our success? Does it make any difference? We have all been told not to judge a book by it's cover. But, we all do and for good reason. Walk into any bookstore and look around. If you want an Italian cookbook, you will be scanning the book covers for pictures of food that look Italian. Perhaps displayed on a red and white checked tablecloth along with a bottle of wine and a pasta dish. All this underneath an olive tree with the Tuscan countryside in the background. We will not pick up a book with an ambiguous cover.

We do the same thing with people. We look for someone whose appearance seems authentic. If we are introduced to an expert in a particular area and they are inappropriately groomed and do not meet our perceived visual expectations, we will subconsciously dismiss everything they tell us.

We will not hear their message.

Our grooming choices can reinforce or diminish our DNA; (Divine Natural Attributes) Think about the first time you saw a television program in high definition. Have you ever viewed both versions, side by side? With high definition, the images are more pronounced. There is simply more substance to their being. Appropriate grooming selection can do this for us too.

Most people want to look good, however, women want their clothing to make a statement. The good news and the bad news for women is the staggering number of options; there are literally thousands of garments and accessories to select from. Unfortunately, too many women make choices that undermine their status. This is most prevalent among women in politics and upper management. Men sometimes lean toward the opposite extreme wearing the same few outfits on a rotating basis. Many times men don't want to make a statement and would prefer to "blend in."

Color is the most universally misunderstood tool for presenting ourselves with authenticity. Color talks and it speaks volumes about us before we open our mouths. In future articles, I will share important principles about how to use color to reinforce our DNA. We will begin with "The Little Black Lie." Look for it soon.

I want to share what I have learned to help you make grooming choices that will honor you.

Are you ready to change your life? Read ALL DREAMS MATTER, Laws for Success from Science & Scripture at Amazon.com.