“It’s beginning to look a lot like Chris … ah, er …”

It’s “holiday” time.

When I was growing up, they called it Christmas. Now, in order to offend no one, they call it nothing. Sad.

So, it’s shopping time, party time, vacation time, family time, gift-giving time, bonus time, travel time, football time, basketball time, TV time and now – Facebook posting time. BUT ACCORDING TO LAWYERS AND HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENTS, IT’S NOT CHRISTMAS.

With all of that, and the economy, and politics, and world unrest – it’s time to sell, and celebrate.

What will you be doing? How will you be selling? How will you be celebrating? How will you be getting ready for next year? Or are you just making your list and checking it twice?

The holiday season is an emotional one. Time to reflect, time to remember, time to review and time to reconsider what you’ve done in the past, so you can resolve what to do in the future.

Many plans and goals are made during the holiday season – some of them are even kept and achieved. Most, unfortunately, are not. Reason? Goals and plans made in the heat and the emotion of the moment are often not realistic.

I’m writing about this so that you might take more time and put more realism into next year’s list of proposed achievements.

My planning and goal setting has always had the luck of the calendar. I start thinking and writing about the next year during December and January – and decide what I will document as my goals on my birthday, Feb. 11. By then, the emotion of the moment has calmed, and I am able to set them having had a month to think about them.

But let’s get back to today and the “holiday season.” Santa (can I say that?) and holiday trees (what an insult to tradition). Hey, let’s go build a snowperson. Just kidding.

Here’s what you need to be doing this holiday season. These are my personal recommendations for maximum holiday enjoyment, both in business and with family:

• Do not use auto-reply telling people you’re out of the office for the holidays. Either respond or let them sit until you return.

• Send cards that are saved. Go to Ace of Sales (aceofsales.com) and send email holiday cards that rock. Thank your customers. Don’t just wish them well.

• Change impersonal to personal. I want a card signed by people, not a printed corporate name.

• Spend as much time as you can playing with children. They relax you and bring you back to a less stressful time. They also tell you what’s next. Remember a few years ago when they were texting and you weren’t? Ask them what’s new. Then start doing it as soon as you can.

• Get together with the people closest to you and tell them how grateful you are that they’re in your life.

• Stay positive. Stay sober. Stay focused on family, not just football.

• Make peace with at least one person. There’s someone you’ll see during the season who’s not your favorite. Talk it out and make it a better relationship. You’ll feel great.

• Be your own Santa Claus. Make a list of gifts to buy, and put yourself at the TOP. Buy yourself something nice.

• Select a local children’s charity and give it some books.

• Select a local children’s hospital and visit with small gifts. You’ll feel way better than the children you visited. (And they will feel great!)

And as much as I want to keep work out of this writing, I cannot. This is an excellent time to set meetings, have meetings, make sales and solidify relationships.

It’s the season, baby. Let it snow, let it snow.

Jeffrey Gitomer can be reached by phone at (704) 333-1112 or by email at salesman@gitomer.com. © 2011 Jeffrey H. Gitomer