What's this whole "glitter"thing mean?

Always add glitter; my life motto.

Confused? Good.

Remember in elementary school when you had to complete a presentation poster for a project? Maybe a book report, a biography on a president, or explaining the cycle of photosynthesis. Either way, there was a lot of pressure riding on that poster. Your teacher, Ms. Rose, would display all the posters along the classroom walls and from then on, your peers would associate you with your poster. Your successes, your failures, and your ability to perform were all based on the outcome of that poster.

You spent what felt like weeks creating that poster. You meticulously cut each shape, each text-box, and each border to create a pleasing ascetic. When you finally finished, you were incredibly proud. This is me. This is it. This will impress Ms. Rose and everyone in the class will be so jealous!!

On the day of poster presentations you would anxiously wait your turn, eager to share your hard work with all your friends. However, right before you present, Ms. Rose picks Michelle to present her poster.

Oh no. Oh god. OH WHY?!?

I think we can all agree there was always a Michelle in our class. A female (or male, call him Michael #equality), who would consistently one-up everyone else. Whether it was a poster project, a book report, or a simple thank you note, Michelle always had the shiniest work. S/he always had the project that made Ms. Rose clap her hands and exclaim "You made all that? Yourself!? I love it!"

What was the one thing which made Michelle's projects stand out above all else? Glitter.

There was always, ALWAYS, glitter.

Yes, glitter is annoying. Yes, using glitter on projects takes extra effort; meticulous design planning, estimating how much glitter is needed, a trip to the craft store, setting up your work station to catch the inevitable drops of glitter, making small, straight lines with glue to ensure glitter doesn't bunch up and crease on the project. Don't forget about creating the code red plan when your puppy knocks over the open glitter jar all over the floor and you have to scramble and clean it up before there is glitter ingrained into the floor.

Using glitter is a lot of effort. Using glitter requires you to go the extra mile. Using glitter requires plans, backup plans, and backup plans for the backup plan.

But doesn't glitter always look so much better? The posters with glitter are hung front and center, diverting all the attention to the shiny, straight lines.

I always add glitter.

Let's get metaphorical for a second:

Of course I do not literally add glitter to every single project I complete. In the professional world, you rarely see actual glitter on presentations. Imagine if there was glitter on the cover page of a business marketing plan?! Bye. Meeting over before it even began.

By "always adding glitter", I mean I always go the extra mile.

Always adding glitter to your professional work ethic will never hurt you. Always adding glitter means paying strict attention to those minute details that others would not think to notice or include. Always adding glitter takes work, dedication, time management, creativity with resources, and - above all - pride in your work.

If you always add glitter to every aspect of your life - professional and personal - your life will constantly shine. You will see your hard work be rewarded in numerous ways: your colleagues and peers will respect your dedication and creativity, your superiors will appreciate your passion, and you will be entrusted with more important projects since you will be known as the one who always adds glitter.

Always adding glitter means doing whatever it takes to produce the best possible work, regardless of the extra strain it may place on you.

This blog will share tangible ways you can always add glitter to your life and share resources that can help your shiny, glittery search. Please explore, comment, and share these thoughts. Begin to live your life with the always add glitter mindset, and share with me ways you are adding that glitter! I am here to support, encourage, and celebrate individual success. this

Always add glitter and your life will shine.