Business, Channels, Jeffrey Gitomer, SUCCESS Experts, Wealth - Wednesday, December 23, 2009 19:53 - 1 Comment

Be Your Own Santa Claus

In 1972, when I was studying sales and positive attitude, I watched a movie called “Challenge to America,” almost everyday.

It was a story told by the great Glenn W. Turner who wrote a letter to Santa Clause every year asking for everything his wealthy cousins received. Glenn was a poor farmer’s son who never got anything but apples and oranges, even though he asked Santa for the same gifts as his richer cousins. And every year, Glenn would go out behind the barn and cry when Santa failed to deliver.

One year his cousin wanted a brand new bicycle and Glenn wanted a brand new bicycle. As usual, the cousin got it and Glenn didn’t. This time though, he went behind the barn and said, “O.K. Santa, if that’s the way you want to play!” Turner ended the story by saying, “And on that day, I decided to become my own Santa Claus.” He challenged the audience to be their own Santa Claus. The first few times I watched the movie I didn’t think too much about it. I thought it was just a story. I thought he made a good point, but that was it.

That was November of 1972.

Two weeks later, I made a shopping list for Christmas. Like everyone, there were the obligatory “Why do I include you?” people on my list. While I’m shopping reluctantly in the department store–the men’s department–for some reason Turner’s lesson, “be your own Santa Claus” pops into my head. Guess what? The first gift I bought was for me.

I bought myself something nice and expensive, because I deserved it. Continue…