It’s the time of year again for gratitude, reflection and celebration
December is the month of celebration, stress and reflection. It’s also about sales or lack thereof. Many companies close their fiscal year and we look back and measure. I’ll talk about sales, growing your business and all that good stuff during 2012, but for now let’s focus on this special time of year.
Christmas and the holidays are always a good time for reflection. As we all rush to get things done, dealing with last-minute purchases and searching for the perfect gift, we sometimes forget to be thankful for the things we already have.
Gratitude
For me, it’s one of the best ways to stay authentic and give back. Yes, I write checks to my favorite charities, everyone who can afford it should and does. It is certainly a way of showing gratitude. But being grateful for what we have and showing it to other people is another way of paying.
We must call our customers and tell them that we are grateful for their business. We could tap our employees on the shoulder and share with them how much they mean to us.
Make someone feel special every day for a week and you’ll be amazed how the universe will pay you back. Whenever I smile at a baby or toddler, they usually smile back. Sometimes I am amazed at how receptive people are when you pay them with smiles. We all want to be heard and seen. The holiday season is the perfect time to wrap a smile and give it away.
Reflection
The holiday season is also a good time to reflect. What has worked in the last year and what has not. Without being too critical or harsh, it might be time to replace employees who no longer serve us, or to promote the person who has added a lot of value. It is also the time to reflect on our own behavior to see if it still serves us. Perhaps the one customer who quit did not go with the competitor because his service was superior but because he felt more valued?
Celebration
Finally, let’s not forget to celebrate. Every little thing worth celebrating should be noticed and honored. Why? Because as entrepreneurs and/or sellers we usually live a solitary existence. We are measured by our achievements and rarely are we celebrated for our achievements.
Celebrating will help us get through tough times, cold calls, rejection, missed deals, and unhappy customers. We entrepreneurs and marketers put up with a lot of stress from the outside world, so celebrating is important to keep us motivated.
HEALTH!!!
For a happy, healthy and successful 2012. Let’s start this journey together!