We are only a couple days away from Christmas eve. Christmas Evening (or Eve for short) traditionally starts at sunset a day before Christmas Day. It’s usually the day to prepare food, watch some Christmas movies & have a few drinks to relax before the big day. If you love this day, here are a few festive facts about Christmas Eve you may not have known.
From the home office at the North Pole, Here are The Top 10 Things you may not know about Christmas Eve.
10 – In Norway, people hide the brooms. An old tale says that witches and other evil spirits appear on Christmas Eve to steal the brooms and ride around causing mischief!
9 – A large part of Sweden’s population watches Donald Duck cartoons every Christmas Eve since 1960.
8 – Telling ghost stories is an old Christmas Eve tradition that has died out in the past century.
7 – During World War I, an unofficial Christmas truce took place between British and German troops. The truce began on Christmas Eve 1914, and decorations were put up, carols were sung and gifts were exchanged. The truce also allowed for recently fallen soldiers to be bought back behind their lines by burial parties.
6 – Christmas Eve is a public holiday in countries such as the Czech Republic and Estonia.
5 – According to tradition, Saint Nicholas left gold coins in the stockings of three poor sisters. One night the girls went to bed, leaving their stockings to dry over the fireplace. Saint Nicholas threw three bags of gold coins down the chimney which landed in the stockings as a gesture of good will, since then, children all over the world continue the tradition of hanging stockings up on Christmas Eve.
4 – Christians traditionally celebrate Midnight Mass at midnight on Christmas Eve. This ceremony, which is held in churches throughout the world, celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ who is believed to be born at night. However, in recent years, the time for Midnight Mass has varied, and is not often midnight any more!
3 – Christmas Eve is not a public holiday in the United Kingdom however it is a day of preparations for the Christmas season, including last minute shopping, food preparations and decorating the house.
2 – In France, Children place their shoes near the fireplace on Christmas Eve, as they believe Santa (le Père Noël) will fill them with toys and sweets.
And the #1 Thing you may not know about Christmas Eve is……
1 – Scientists calculated that for Father Christmas to deliver all gifts to people around the world, on Christmas Eve, he would have to visit 822 homes a second, traveling at 650 miles a second! Now that’s fast!
So there you have the Top 10 Things you may not of known about Christmas Eve. Before I leave you to finish wrapping presents & eating a slice of pie, I’d like to know any traditions you do (or know of) that occur on Christmas Eve.
The only one I can think of, which wasn’t mentioned above, In researching for this post I read that on Christmas Eve in the UK, many families will allow their children to open one present of Christmas Eve, but the rest have to be saved for the following morning. I did this as a kid as well.
I wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year to come..
Six days until Christmas! While the world is caught up in a frenzy of last-minute shopping and holiday hustle, I say it’s time for us, to take a breather. We’ve worked hard all year, closing deals, building relationships, and helping businesses thrive. Now, it’s time to reward ourselves with the gift of relaxation and rejuvenation.
Why Unplugging is the Best Holiday Bonus
Recharge Your Batteries: Our industry can be demanding. Take this time to step away from the pressure, de-stress, and come back in the new year with renewed energy and focus.
Reconnect with Loved Ones: The holidays are about spending time with family and friends. Put down the phone, close the laptop, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Reflect and Re-strategize: Use this downtime to reflect on your accomplishments this year and identify areas for growth in 2025. Set new goals, explore new strategies, and prepare to reach even greater heights.
Enjoy the Simple Joys: Savor the magic of the season. Indulge in holiday treats, cozy up by the fire, and rediscover the joy of giving and receiving.
Prepping for 2025 While Relaxing
While relaxation is key, you can also use this time to subtly prepare for a successful 2025:
Network Naturally: Holiday gatherings are a great opportunity to connect with people in a relaxed setting. You never know who might need your services or become a valuable referral source.
Stay Informed: Casually browse industry news and trends to stay ahead of the curve. A little light reading can spark new ideas and keep you informed.
Set Intentions: Take some time for introspection and set clear intentions for the new year. Visualize your success and commit to achieving your goals.
A Toast to us all!
So, Let’s put on our comfy pajamas, grab a cup of hot cocoa, turn on a bowl game and embrace the holiday spirit. We deserve this break. Let’s recharge, reconnect, and return in 2025 ready to conquer the world!
It’ s that time again for my next attempt to re-write another Christmas classic into a sales “song!” (Well, I do love Christmas for other reasons, but this is fun, too.) This time I took Frosty the Snowmanand created ” Sammy the Salesman” who is every ISO’s dream prospector. Sing along and have some fun!
(Verse 1) Sammy the Salesman was a jolly happy soul, With a pitch deck and a smile and a quota to make whole. He called on the shops on Main Street every day, “Low rates and free terminals!” he’d cheerfully say.
(Chorus) Sammy the Salesman, was slick and so bold, He’d weave you a story, a tale to be sold. With promises whispered of riches untold, Sammy the Salesman, a master of old.
(Verse 2) He’d dazzle the merchants with charts and with graphs, And talk of PCI compliance and chargeback mishaps. He’d conjure up visions of lines out the door, With customers clamoring to pay and buy more.
(Chorus) Sammy the Salesman, was slick and so bold, He’d weave you a story, a tale to be sold. With promises whispered of riches untold, Sammy the Salesman, a master of old.
(Verse 3) But when the contracts were signed and the deals were all done, The rates would creep upwards, the troubles begun. The merchants would grumble, and Sammy’d be gone, To find new prospects, before the next dawn.
(Chorus) Sammy the Salesman, was slick and so bold, He’d weave you a story, a tale to be sold. With promises whispered of riches untold, Sammy the Salesman, a master of old.
(Outro) So if you see Sammy, with deals in his hand, Just smile and wave nicely, but don’t take a stand. He’ll melt away quickly, like frost on the pane, Leaving you wondering, if he’ll come again.
That concludes this years attempt of me of me butchering classic Christmas songs. With only 6 days left until Christmas it’s time to enjoy the season. Wrap some gifts, drink some eggnog and enjoy time with family and friends.
Yesterday we discussed that Mindset Matters and that embracing change is a part of life. Today I want to expand on five ways we can build momentum with our mindset.
We all know that sales can be a rollercoaster. Some days the deals flow like water, and other days… well, let’s just say it feels like an uphill battle. But here’s the secret: your mindset is the engine that drives your success.
Think of it like this: your mindset is the steering wheel, and your actions are the gas pedal. If your head isn’t in the game, it doesn’t matter how hard you push – you’re not going to get where you need to go.
So, how do we cultivate a winning mindset that fuels consistent momentum? Let’s dive into 5 powerful strategies:
1. Embrace the Power of “Yet”
When you hit a roadblock (and you will!), don’t let negative self-talk creep in. Instead of saying “I can’t close this deal,” try “I haven’t closed this deal yet.” That simple word – “yet” – shifts your perspective from failure to possibility. It reminds you that success is a journey, not a destination.
2. Focus on the Value You Provide
Remember, you’re not just selling a product; you’re offering a solution that helps businesses thrive. When you truly believe in the value you bring to the table, your confidence skyrockets. And guess what? Confidence is contagious! Merchants are more likely to trust and buy from someone who exudes genuine enthusiasm and belief in their product.
3. Celebrate Every Victory, Big or Small
Closed a huge deal? Amazing! Landed a meeting with a promising prospect? Fantastic! Every step forward deserves recognition. Celebrating your wins, no matter how small, reinforces positive momentum and keeps your spirits high. So go ahead, treat yourself to that coffee, that new book, or that celebratory dance party!
4. Surround Yourself with Positivity
Your environment plays a crucial role in shaping your mindset. Surround yourself with supportive colleagues, inspiring mentors, and uplifting content, like this post. Limit your exposure to negativity and naysayers. Remember, positive energy is infectious, and it can make all the difference in your sales journey.
5. Practice Gratitude
Take a moment each day to appreciate the good things in your life and career. Gratitude shifts your focus from what’s lacking to what you already have, fostering a sense of contentment and abundance. This positive outlook can significantly impact your interactions with merchants, making you more approachable and persuasive.
Bonus Tip: Visualization is a powerful tool. Take some time to visualize yourself succeeding – closing deals, building relationships, and achieving your goals. The more vividly you can see it, the more likely you are to make it a reality.
Remember, your mindset is your most valuable asset. By cultivating a positive and proactive mindset, you can unlock your full potential, create unstoppable momentum, and achieve remarkable success in the world of merchant services sales.
Over the years, I’ve had the blessing to be around many successful people all around the country. I have found that what most determines their lifelong success and achievements are the mindsets that they develop to keep moving forward.
Long-term success requires a unique way of thinking about how you look at the future and how you can remain consistent over a prolonged period of time.
To achieve high levels of success, it does require a change. I have met so many people filled with talent, but unfortunately, they allow fear to stop them from making those necessary changes.
Change is a positive and exciting part of life. No matter what comes along, we must recognize that we have been blessed with the skills and the talents which allow each of us to succeed. We must view change with a positive mindset.
It’s important to embrace change. Change is part of life. I’d like to encourage you to get excited about the change around you. This will help to inspire you to constantly grow and move forward.
With a positive mindset about change, as you experience new situations and challenges, you’re able to continually take advantage of them and benefit from them. You have the power to choose which mindset that you are going to have. Your mindset is going to determine the structure and the outcome of your life.
The power to choose is an amazing gift that we have. When you face challenges, choose to look at them as opportunities rather than problems or stop signs. Choose to learn from them, which will allow you to grow and improve.
Many people don’t realize that your mindset can be affected by who you choose to surround yourself with.
Choose your circle wisely because you become who you hang around with. Surround yourself with individuals who think positively. Be around the people with positive, growth oriented, and exciting mindsets.
Going forward, focus on things that are positive. What occupies your mind shapes your actions. Fill your mind with faith, hope, and positivity. Do not allow any space for negativity, self-doubt, and lack of belief.
You are created for greatness and it’s important to understand that. Your mindset truly matters. Make sure that you are setting up your mindset for success. Start today and start right now! This is your time!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. For a couple of weeks every year the world takes on a magic glow, people seem merrier and even winter some how feels cozy.
Whether you’re celebrating a religious festival, like Hanukkah or Christmas, or a more secular occasion, you’re sure to have your own selection of rituals or customs that make the holiday season so special. Our favorite Christmas traditions around the world are loud, proud, and guarantee oodles of festive fun.
Here are Top 10 Cool Christmas traditions from around the world
10. Giant Lantern Festival, Philippines
The Giant Lantern Festival (Ligligan Parul Sampernandu) is held each year on the Saturday before Christmas Eve in the city of San Fernando – the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines.” The festival attracts spectators from all over the country and across the globe. Eleven barangays (villages) take part in the festival and competition is fierce as everyone pitches in trying to build the most elaborate lantern. Originally, the lanterns were simple creations around half a metre in diameter, made from ‘papal de hapon’ (Japanese origami paper) and lit by candle. Today, the lanterns are made from a variety of materials and have grown to around six meters in size. They are illuminated by electric bulbs that sparkle in a kaleidoscope of patterns.
9. Gävle Goat, Sweden
Since 1966, a 13-metre-tall Yule Goat has been built in the center of Gävle’s Castle Square for the Advent, but this Swedish Christmas tradition has unwittingly led to another “tradition” of sorts – people trying to burn it down. Since 1966 the Goat has been successfully burned down 29 times – the most recent destruction was in 2016.
If you want to see how the Goat fares this year when it goes up on December 1st, you can follow its progress on the Visit Gävle website through a live video stream.
8. The Yule Lads, Iceland
In the 13 days leading up to Christmas, 13 tricksy troll-like characters come out to play in Iceland. The Yule Lads (jólasveinarnir or jólasveinar in Icelandic) visit the children across the country over the 13 nights leading up to Christmas. For each night of Yuletide, children place their best shoes by the window and a different Yule Lad visits leaving gifts for nice girls and boys and rotting potatoes for the naughty ones. Clad in traditional Icelandic costume, these fellas are pretty mischievous, and their names hint at the type of trouble they like to cause: Stekkjastaur (Sheep-Cote Clod), Giljagaur (Gully Gawk), Stúfur (Stubby), Þvörusleikir (Spoon-Licker), Pottaskefill (Pot-Scraper), Askasleikir (Bowl-Licker), Hurðaskellir (Door-Slammer), Skyrgámur (Skyr-Gobbler), Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage-Swiper), Gluggagægir (Window-Peeper), Gáttaþefur (Doorway-Sniffer), Ketkrókur (Meat-Hook) and Kertasníkir (Candle-Stealer). Visit Iceland this Christmas and catch them all!
7. Norway
Perhaps one of the most unorthodox Christmas Eve traditions can be found in Norway, where people hide their brooms. It’s a tradition that dates back centuries to when people believed that witches and evil spirits came out on Christmas Eve looking for brooms to ride on. To this day, many people still hide their brooms in the safest place in the house to stop them from being stolen.
6. Lighting of National Hanukkah Menorah, Washington, D.C. – US
The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah is celebrated with much fanfare across the United States with one of the most elaborate events taking place on a national stage. Since 1979, a giant nine-meter Menorah has been raised on the White House grounds for the eight days and nights of Hanukkah. The ceremony in Washington, D.C. is marked with speeches, music, activities for kids, and, of course, the lighting of the Menorah.
The lighting of the first candle at the White House takes place at 4pm, rain or shine, and an additional candle is lit each successive night.
5. Venezuela
Love Christmas, but think it could be improved by a spot of roller-blading? If the answer is yes, visit Caracas, Venezuela this year. Every Christmas Eve, the city’s residents head to church in the early morning – so far, so normal – but, for reasons known only to them, they do so on roller skates. This unique tradition is so popular that roads across the city are closed to cars so that people can skate to church in safety, before heading home for the less-than-traditional Christmas dinner of ‘tamales’
4. Day of the Little Candles, Colombia
Little Candles’ Day (Día de las Velitas) marks the start of the Christmas season across Colombia. In honor of the Virgin Mary and the Immaculate Conception, people place candles and paper lanterns in their windows, balconies and front yards. The tradition of candles has grown, and now entire towns and cities across the country are lit up with elaborate displays. Some of the best are found in Quimbaya, where neighborhoods compete to see who can create the most impressive arrangement.
3. Cavalcade of Lights, Toronto
In wintry, wonderful Toronto the annual Cavalcade of Lights marks the official start to the holiday season. The first Cavalcade took place in 1967 to show off Toronto’s newly constructed City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square. The Square and Christmas tree are illuminated by more than 300,000 energy-efficient LED lights that shine from dusk until 11 pm until the New Year. On top of that, you’ll get to witness spectacular fireworks shows and engage in some outdoor ice skating.
2. Saint Nicholas’ Day, Germany
Not to be confused with Weihnachtsmann (Father Christmas), Nikolaus travels by donkey in the middle of the night on December 6 (Nikolaus Tag) and leaves little treats like coins, chocolate, oranges and toys in the shoes of good children all over Germany, and particularly in the Bavarian region. St. Nicholas also visits children in schools or at home and in exchange for sweets or a small present each child must recite a poem, sing a song or draw a picture. In short, he’s a great guy. But it isn’t always fun and games. St. Nick often brings along Knecht Ruprecht (Farmhand Rupert). A devil-like character dressed in dark clothes covered with bells and a dirty beard, Knecht Ruprecht carries a stick or a small whip in hand to punish any children who misbehave.
And the # 1 Top 10 Cool Christmas traditions from around the world is.
1. Kentucky Fried Christmas Dinner, Japan
Christmas has never been a big deal in Japan. Aside from a few small, secular traditions such as gift-giving and light displays, Christmas remains largely a novelty in the country. However, a new, quirky “tradition” has emerged in recent years – a Christmas Day feast of the Colonel’s very own Kentucky Fried Chicken.
The festive menu will soon be advertised on the KFC Japan website and, even if you don’t understand Japanese, the pictures sure will look delicious with everything from a Christmas-themed standard bucket to a premium roast-bird feast.
KFC for Christmas? I may get behind that. Is the coleslaw allowed? They do have good biscuits.
Okay, the holiday hustle is in full swing! Only 9 business days stand between you and Christmas Eve. While your friends and family are busy decking the halls, you’re aiming to deck those sales goals. Feeling the pressure? Don’t worry, I’ve got your back with a motivational boost tailored to your unique selling landscape:
1. Rev Up Your Engines (Automotive Repair Shops):
Picture this: a busy auto repair shop, swamped with holiday travelers needing quick fixes. Their old credit card processing system is slow, clunky, and causing frustrating delays. Enter YOU, the hero of the hour! Remind yourself how your services can streamline their operations, improve customer satisfaction, and boost their bottom line. Vroom vroom!
2. Unlocking Success (Storage Facilities):
‘Tis the season for decluttering and storing those holiday decorations! Reach out to storage facilities and show them how your payment solutions can simplify their rental process, improve security, and offer convenient online payment options for their customers. You’re the key to their success!
3. Consigning to Greatness (Consignment Shops):
Consignment shops are bustling with shoppers hunting for unique gifts and holiday treasures. Help them capitalize on the season by offering seamless payment processing, gift card options, and loyalty programs to keep those customers coming back for more. You’re the secret ingredient to their consignment kingdom!
4. Prescribing Profitability (Doctor’s Offices):
Even doctor’s offices need a little holiday cheer (and efficient payment processing)! Remind them how your services can simplify billing, reduce administrative burdens, and improve patient satisfaction. You’re the cure for their payment processing woes!
5. Beyond the Verticals: Universal Motivation Boosters:
Visualize Success: Imagine yourself hitting those targets, receiving accolades, and enjoying the fruits of your labor. See it, believe it, achieve it!
Prioritize and Conquer: Time is precious! Focus on your hottest leads, streamline your processes, and make every interaction count.
Spread Holiday Cheer: Inject some festive spirit into your outreach. A personalized holiday greeting can go a long way in building rapport.
Celebrate Every Win: Acknowledge your accomplishments, big or small. Each closed deal, positive interaction, and step forward deserves a celebration.
Self-Care is Key: Don’t burn out! Prioritize sleep, healthy eating, and exercise to stay energized and focused.
Lean on Your Team: Connect with your colleagues for support, encouragement, and a shared sense of camaraderie.
With these tips in your arsenal, you’ll be closing deals faster than Santa delivers presents!
