Ask Santa (or anyone!) for What You Want

Picture it, 1979, a small brown eyed, brown haired girl in an even smaller town realizes what it would take to make her happy, change her life and realize her every fantasy, one thing, one Christmas—it was all about the Barbie Dream House. 

I was focused like never before. I had never wanted anything like I wanted the Barbie Dream House. My commitment to all things Barbie was approaching the near climax. I had about 13 dolls, the camper, the swimming pool, two cars, furniture, store bought clothes and hand sewn clothes. But, alas, all my Barbies and their one very busy Ken were homeless. Ken struggled throughout his tenure—many car accidents, sudden heart attacks and very long business trips. Ken had more lives than a cat because he kept getting reincarnated as the “new man” in town so all the Barbies could get dressed up, go on dates and have lavish weddings.

Anytime someone asked, “So, Julie, what do you want…” and before they finished, with unshakable confidence “Barbie Dream House.” Some people foolishly followed up, “what else do you want?” since they knew they were not going to by me a $100 gift. “Nothing. Barbie Dream House.” Every time we went to see Santa—it was “Barbie Dream House” to the mall Santa and “Barbie Dream House” to the Santa at the Lion’s Christmas Party at the Town Hall. When I wrote my letter to Santa—my messaging stayed very consistent. One gift Santa, three words—Barbie Dream House.

Such passion, focus, one thing, one message—and my parents—delivered. It was no easy task either. The Barbie Dream House was one of those ‘it” gifts that year. Many, many little girls hoped and dreamed. My father not much of a planner, waited a bit too long to make this essential purchase for his daughter’s happiness. Alas, there was no Barbie Dream House to be found in Quincy, Illinois the town only 30 minutes away. They drove to St. Louis—three hours away to make my dream come true. They even called before—not my father’s style but they were running out of options. This was an expensive gift for my parents. It was the sum total of what all my Christmas presents were supposed to cost if not more. And I probably needed some clothes too! They wanted to make me happy, and quite frankly, they might have been a bit afraid of my reaction on Christmas Day without it (see reaction to Fisher Price Hospital).

When was the last time you wanted something like you wanted nothing else. You were absolutely inspired to make it happen. You used everything you knew, worked your network, did your homework to make sure you got it. And you asked! You asked with confidence. You made it perfectly clear why someone should listen to you unequivocally. Why someone should buy from you. Why you were the right person/company/choice for their unique need. If you don’t really want it—maybe you aren’t the right fit—and that’s okay too. Yet, when you are, show up, ask the questions, do the work, make it happen and get what you want.