Holiday Season

Gratitude Marketing means many things. Sometimes it means that we need to pay attention to our friends and family and not chase our business opportunities. Remember the phrase, “Stop and smell the roses”? We need to follow that advice more and more to make us grateful for what we have, who we know, and what is possible.

During the holiday season we have opportunities to do different things. That may mean buying gifts for family, visiting with people that we don’t often see, going places which we don’t always visit, and attending holiday events which only occur during this portion of the year. We are reminded of friendship, the joys of sharing, and remembrances of past occasions and happy times, as well as some not so happy times.

This period can be a wonderful break from the hustle and bustle of the work week that we all normally experience. We spend every day running from meetings to other meetings, trying to sign customers to orders for our products or services, and looking for the next target to pursue.

Our current clients, who have been loyal and true to us, should be appreciated for their loyalty, and we should actually let them know that we appreciate them. We should show our friends and family our appreciation for their support, their advice, and even their business.

This is a marvelous time of the year. However, it is also the time when we strive to “make our numbers”, those targets that we need to achieve to be considered successful. We run from post to pillar trying to sign the next customer or make the next sale, which will put us over the top, whatever that level is.

Do we appreciate ourselves, rewarding ourselves with a moment of reflection on life and all that it means to us? Just calm down and stop for a moment and look around you. Take in the joy of this time of the year and let it engulf you, soothe you, and wash over you. Let the smells, the sounds, and the music play over you and then just smile.

This is a time of remembrance, sometimes remembering the good, sometimes the bad. Try to remember what was good, what was funny, and what made you happy. Don’t think of what should, or could have been, or what you may have lost; think of the good that you have, what you had, and the pleasant times that you have shared.

Remember those who made you happy, and let them know, if possible, that you are grateful for them. If they are not still present, honor them by letting someone else know their story and your caring thoughts.

Gratitude Marketing is a way of life, not just in business, but in your personal life also. Make it work for you both in your business life and in your personal life. Please leave me your comments, or call me at 360-314-8691, or email me at Jim@SOC4Now.com, if you wish.

Remember that one of the greatest gifts that you can give someone can be re-gifted or even returned. That gift is the gratitude expressed in a “Thank You”, perhaps accompanied by a hug. Until we speak, have a happy holiday season and consider yourself hugged.