It seems here in Virginia at least, we went right from Halloween to Christmas! Hooray for Capitalism, right? But what happened to the tradition of giving Thanks? Why is the media and your corner coffee shop seemingly ignoring a day that could be steeped with thankful traditions that might help us out of the mess that so many countries are in now?

I doubt my sickness of how we celebrate Christmas with all the red, green and glitter, is related to my introvert preference. So I had to do a little research about this ignored holiday.

-  Sports – Did you know football at Thanksgiving actually started in high schools? Then it expanded to the NFL, UFL or whatever leagues. It's big games, and bigger audiences.

- Company attention – I noticed in our local Starbucks, they did briefly celebrate it with some window decorations in lovely orange, brown and yellow warm colors. Even some of their drinks had glowing names, like Pumpkin Spice latte. But, I guess they had to quickly give way to the bright and cheery red and green, more lively colors and names – Peppermint Mocha, or Gingerbread Latte. Most department stores went directly from Halloween costumes to cheery tree ornaments.

-  The history channel didn't even have a feature on Thanksgiving that I noticed. Maybe because it wasn't really the pilgrims who originated it? Turns out it was the Native Indians who began a tradition of sharing long before the settlers even go to America. But I still kind of expect the "history channel" to step up the attention on it's traditions and meaning.

-  Eating too much – One of the blogs I subscribe to put things into perspective for me. Enjoy this one time of the year you likely over eat. You probably don't overeat every day. Just one day in the big picture isn't going to cause your jeans to be too tight or for you to tip over on the scales. Just be grateful you can enjoy the bounty and tomorrow, eat right.

- Shopping – Oh this got attention. Black Friday to Cyber Monday. Bah Humbug! I opted out. No shopping for me and not even a special for you. Not because I'm not grateful for you, but because Thanksgiving is NOT about the best deals.

This holiday's main attraction these days is more about eating too much, have-to-watch football, and a start of Christmas shopping madness.

Isn't it really about gratitude? Will we ever stop every once and a while as a country, or a world, to be grateful, to express gratefulness, and to give it attention? Are we dooming Thanksgiving to be ignored by the media for what it might be? Or is it up to us as individuals, on our own, to make it a ritual more for gratitude, reflection and enjoyment of simple things, instead of football and frenzied shopping?

What do you think?

Do you prefer to receive or give for Black Friday or Cyber Monday? Bah Humbug! Time to opt out. is a post from: Courage Coach for the Reluctant Marketer

I have been de-cluttering my office. I dread the process although keeping things tidy through the year makes it a much smaller chore. I came across my interview notes of the fall Chef's Table for Entrepreneurs Telesummit.

Sometimes with information coming at us so fast through the year it can feel like we might have missed something important. But here's what I do: I go into hibernation mode this time of year. As an introvert I might spend more time than others in this mode but I find it valuable to both clear out (hence the de-cluttering) and plan for the New Year ahead. Introvert or extrovert, anyone can take advantage of a hibernation period.

Here are four foundational factors I was reminded of from four of the Telesummit speakers. I hope these tidbits will help you going forward in the new year:

- Put people first. Putting this philosophy in your business can help you with sales, with partners, with vendors and as a leader. Bob Burg's wisdom.
- Have a plan of action. Planning creates more confidence, more clarity and greater progress. Perfect. For me, the winter is always that time of planning. Davette Harvey's suggestion.
- Review your approach for your online marketing. With your niche clearly defined, reach prospective clients in-person and online with a planned approach that is measurable. That tells you how to realign your plan. Melinda Janicki, Online Biz Transformation Artist.
- Sure up your financial plan. I stayed within my financial budget this year. Well; within just a couple of hundred dollars which is far better than a couple of thousand last year. And with revenue growing 2011 will be solid. Denise Kirk-Murray, someone in a previous mastermind I was in.

There's nothing like feeling like you are on the right track is there? Having a reminder of these four factors did just that for me.

Consider business foundational factors like these as you plan, or hibernate, to make 2011 even better.

PS - I'm off to continue my de-cluttering to make sure there is room for more. What about you? How will you start the business foundation planning process?

Top Four Business Foundational Ideas from the Gurus is a post from: Courage Coach for the Reluctant Marketer

And another sign is when you can't resist taking a survey.

Maybe it's because I am an introvert that I take extra time for planning every year. Most recently, last year, it really paid off with more to my bottom line. It's important for me to deliver content around what you want. I do write for the love it although it's more important for me to deliver what you want to hear - for the love of it! Since I don't have a crystal ball to tell me this, the next best thing is to ask you.

Will you help with a quick survey? It's only ...

Three quick questions.

And, if you are on my email list you will be getting a summary of the results. We'll be tallying the results!

Thank you for helping.

What do you think of surveys?

Do you offer them? Do you take them?

What are your thoughts about their value?

You Know You Might Be Addicted to Surveys When Either of These Things Happen is a post from: Courage Coach for the Reluctant Marketer

1. Adam McHugh, Introverts in the Church, I did a thorough book review of it. Most of the book encourages the introvert to use their unique personality and gifts in any area of the church community. His first hand experiences; the detailed analysis of the introvert personality and his personal understandings honor and respect introverts everywhere.

2. Joanne Julius Hunold, blogs about Overwhelming Success for Solopreneurs, Wisdom and inspiration for the overwhelmed, frazzled-but-determined solo-entrepreneur (who just happens to be introverted).

3. Doris Helge, Ph.D., and I collaborated on two separate ebooks. Hers is Joy on the Job for Introverts & Shy People. She offers an accompanying free report, 11 Habits of Highly Confident Introverts & Previously Shy People!

4. R.L. LaFevers and Mary Hershey otherwise known as The Shrinking Violets, blog at http://shrinkingvioletpromotions.blogspot.com/ with a focus on marketing tips and survival strategies for introverts.

5. Wendy Gelberg, The Successful Introvert: How to Enhance Your Job Search and Advance Your Career. That about sums this one up.

6. Nancy Ancowitz, Author of Self-Promotion for Introverts: The Quiet Guide to Getting Ahead. Nancy Ancowitz is also an introvert and a business communication coach. Even though you can find an excerpt of her book, she does offer an amusing video.

7. Jennifer B. Kahnweiler, Ph.D., The Introverted Leader: Building on Your Quiet Strength. If you are thinking that because you are an introvert that you can't be a leader, this one will change your mind forever.

8. Lee Ann Lambert, Living Introverted: Learning To Embrace The Quiet Life Without Guilt. This is a quick read, covers a broad amount of topics like the introvert at work, at home, as children, in marketing.

9. Christie has a blog at The Introvert Zone. I'm not sure why we don't know her last name, unless it's an extreme introversion part of her at work. The posts are always thoughtful and informative.

10. And the one I can tell you the most about is by Patricia Weber, yep that's me, Debunking Negative Introvert Myths: Bringing Your Strengths to the Party! It's a 92 page ebook, comes with lots of bonuses (who doesn't like something else with their purchase and will help you let go of the introvert misconceptions by being just who you are. You can claim a 32 page excerpt of it now.

If you are still hiding from your introversion, make 2010 the year that you change that. The world, I do mean the world, needs our thoughtful contemplative style and quietly effective manner, now.

Do you know of other books, ebooks or blogs for introverts that might be on the list this year? Not ones of past years, but ones of 2009?

2009 The Year Being an Introvert Became Desirable! is a post from: Courage Coach for the Reluctant Marketer

Here are some great ways to celebrate National Forget Me Not Day:

- Send Forget Me Not Day ecards to everyone on your email address book.

- Send Forget Me Not gifts to clients you haven't seen in a while.

- Give Forget Me Not flower seed packets to prospects and friends. Seed packets are inexpensive and easy to mail.

- Phone people you haven't seen in a while and wish them a happy National Forget Me Not Day.

- Do you know a client or prospect or referral partner who likes flowers? Forget-Me-Not’s are actual flowers you can send to them.

- Do you have a photo of a memorable event with a customer? What about with one of your best alliance partners? Send them a customized photo card with a sentence or two that remembers the event. Free GIFT for you: send a card now! I've paid for it for you.

- Invite a previous or inactive client for coffee or lunch just to let them know you still think about them.

- Set aside an hour that you can devote to doing small tasks for any prospect, client or connector who you talk to throughout the day.

- Schedule part of the day to visit your clients and take a photo of you with them. Develop it and then surprise them with it as a gift the next year on Forget-Me-Not Day.

Get creative, in particular with those clients or prospects you haven’t talked to or seen in some time, in as many ways that you can to show them you remember them. In sales, people are more likely to use your product or service if they remember you. People are more likely to remember you if you remember them and you make them feel important. Use the Forget-Me-Not Day to act on this wisdom.

Join me on Mondays for Monday Motivation guaranteed to demolish your devastating doubts: visit http://www.askpatweber.com

Top Salespeople Stay in Touch with Prospects and Customers is a post from: Courage Coach for the Reluctant Marketer

Every Monday, dial in to 2008 Sales Goals To Reach? Stay Focused, Stop Procrastinating and Get More Sales. Your questions about procrastination, being more confident, how to follow up, how to hire top notch sales representatives - all those questions you have that are holding you back from the freedom you want are answered.

Go to http://askpatweber.com to register and get the details.

Freedom to Sell Like a Top Sales Person is a post from: Courage Coach for the Reluctant Marketer

Part of my report will be around Follow-up. Here's a tip - either hire a coach or find someone to be your buddy for the next few weeks. You will be using telephone and in-person whenever feasible for sales follow-up. At least once a week check in with your coach or buddy to report on your results. Make it fun! Reward yourself at certain set goals. When I'm caught up on follow up, my buddy and I are going to lunch together.

While I continue to work on a blueprint for your consideration to Fill Up, Firm Up and Follow-Up, you may be interested in a Teleseminar Extravaganza. Go to http://askpatweber.com for details.

100 Days to Sell and Meet 2008 Goals is a post from: Courage Coach for the Reluctant Marketer

My strategy now is to plan out each and every week with a Fill Up, Firm Up and Follow up approach. I plan to offer this as a report to you in the next day or two.

In the meantime I found some no and low cost sales related top tips:

• Top 100 Tips for Lead Management and Sales Success;
• How To Reach Your Year End Goals Even If You Haven't Started On Them;
• and as a dog lover, Top Dog Sales Secrets.
  

Sign up for my ezine with dozens of free reports and you'll get the Year End Fill Up, Firm Up, Followup, End of Year Sales Plan.

Patricia Weber
The Sales Accelerator Coach for Introverts, Shy and the MOST Reluctant
What is the area of sales of your greatest sales reluctance?
Take this sales survey.

Reach Your 2008 Sales Goals in the Last 100 Days is a post from: Courage Coach for the Reluctant Marketer