7 minute read
Harvey Mackay
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The holidays are full of tradition and are a time to gather with family and friends. But no matter if you are a parent or a child, everyone recognizes the big guy in the red suit – Santa Claus. Business can learn a lot from Santa. Santa is full of holiday spirit. He is always the life of the party. He’s jovial and always in a good mood. Santa is forever positive. If you think positively, you will be more inclined to speak positively. Your positive words will spur you to positive actions. If you get used to behaving in a positive way, you will form good habits. And your habits will help define the kind of person you are. That will lead you to your destiny: what you will eventually become as a person. Positive thinking has no negatives.
Santa’s charm is unquestioned. In a perfect world, a course on personality development should be part of a business school curriculum. Why? Because no matter how advanced our technology becomes, personal interaction often seals the deals. Charm is what you bring out in other people because you are genuinely interested. It’s a life lesson, not just a business strategy.
Santa has a great sense of humor. He appreciates a good story and has a jolly ho, ho, ho. He even laughs at his own jokes because he knows laughter is the best medicine. It makes people happy and links us together. Humor and laughter strengthen our immune system, boost our energy by destroying boredom, and keep stress at bay. A good sense of humor helps to overlook the unbecoming, understand
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Santa is a giver. He is active in every community because he is everywhere. We’ve all heard the old adage that you can’t buy happiness. Well, it turns out that’s not exactly true. You actually can buy happiness – when you spend your money or your time on others. A great way to feel happy is to help other people by getting involved in volunteer work that supports your community. During this traditional time for giving, organizations are clamoring for all kinds of help. Sharing precious time may seem burdensome, but the rewards are immeasurable.
Santa is a great listener. Whenever I see Santa in shopping centers, he is patiently listening to children tell him the same gift ideas over and over and over. Santa knows you can win more friends with your ears than your mouth. Listening is a critical skill in everyone’s life. Hearing is one of the body’s five senses, but listening is an art. Being a good listener can make or break a career. Your success could hinge on whether you have mastered the skill of listening.
Santa is kind. Kindness is one of the strongest of all virtues. When you are good to others, you are best to yourself. Kindness is the oil that takes the friction out of life. And the best part of all, everyone can be kind – if they decide to be. Kindness is not weakness. Quite the opposite, kindness demonstrates a basic decency and respect that reflects a willingness to get along even when you disagree.
Santa maintains great relationships with his customers. Even when he can’t deliver exactly what they order, he tries very hard to satisfy their wishes. It isn’t easy for his elves to make every item or fulfill every request, but he’ll never stop trying. And he has been known to offer options to soften the blow. Good salespeople know to do that too.
Santa treats everyone with dignity and respect. He is patient with crying babies and does his best to put frightened children at ease. Kids love Santa because he makes them feel important. A minutes-long encounter reinforces their faith in the goodness of people. In business, customers are much the same. They like to know that they are important and will be treated respectfully.
Santa always tells the truth. Sometimes Santa just can’t do what is asked of him, but he honestly explains that there are some things that even Santa can’t do. Businesses that are honest with their customers may disappoint briefly, but people appreciate that honesty.
And finally, Santa respects deadlines because he knows he has to satisfy his customers by Dec. 25.
Mackay’s Moral: Is your business naughty or nice? Learn from Santa.
Reprinted with permission from nationally syndicated columnist Harvey Mackay, author of the New York Times #1 bestseller “Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive,” “We Got Fired!...And It’s the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Us,” “The Mackay MBA of Selling in the Real World,” and “Use Your Head To Get Your Foot In The Door.”
Grey Eagle United Methodist Church Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Friday, Dec. 24 • 3:00 PM
The Grey Eagle United Methodist Church is located at Todd County Roads 2 and 47
Upcoming Events
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17 • Holiday Harp Music from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Upsala Public Library.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23 • Grey Eagle-Burtrum Lions American Red Cross Blood Drive from 1-7 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Grey Eagle. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24 • Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 3 p.m. at Grey Eagle United Methodist Church. See ad on page 2. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31 • Long Prairie Chamber Orchestra Fare Well Come VIII at 6:30 p.m. at LPGE Secondary School, Long Prairie. See ad on page 8. ALBANY TOWNSHIP • Meets the fourth Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Albany City Hall. • Planning Commission meets the second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Albany City Hall.
BURNHAMVILLE TOWNSHIP • Meets the last Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Burtrum City Hall. BURTRUM CITY COUNCIL • Meets the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m.
FEET FIRST CLINIC • Meets the 1st Tuesday of the month from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Holdingford City Hall. FOOD DISTRIBUTION • Ruby’s Pantry Food Distribution first Saturday of the Month from 10-11 a.m. at River of Live Church, Sauk Centre.
FREEPORT SENIOR MEETING • Meets the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. with cards/Bingo/coffee/dessert.
GREY EAGLE CITY COUNCIL • Meets the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. GREY EAGLE TOWNSHIP • Meets the first Monday of the month at 8 p.m.
MELROSE VFW #7050 POST/AUX. • Meets the first Tuesday of the month at
7:30 p.m. at the Melrose American Legion Clubrooms. STEARNS CO. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY • Meets at 7 p.m. on the 2nd Monday of the month at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Albany. SUNSHINE CLUB • Meets every Monday, weigh in starts at 8; meeting at 8:30 a.m. at the Village View Apartments, Grey Eagle. ST. ROSA CITY COUNCIL • Meets the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Community Park building. SWANVILLE CITY COUNCIL • First Tuesday after the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. SWANVILLE TOWNSHIP • Meets the secondTuesday of the month at 8:30 p.m. at the Swanville Fire Hall. TODD COUNTY REPUBLICANS • Meets second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Church, Clarissa. UPSALA CITY COUNCIL • Meets the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. If you have an upcoming event or meeting, please let us know by email: htnews@icloud.com or call 320-285-2323.
Temperatures
Date High Low 12/8 21 -2 12/9 34 21 12/10 28 14 12/11 28 14 12/12 36 21 12/13 41 19 12/14 37 28
