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Merry Christmas Eve,
This is a picture of my inflatable Darth Vader, wearing a Santa hat.
It's on my front step. I love this decoration.
Star Wars was a great distraction for me when I was growing up and fueled lots of imagination.
This inflatable fellow was a gift from my sister a few years ago. She immediately knew that I'd love it.
I mean, it's so ridiculous. What would Darth Vader ask Santa Claus for Christmas if he could?
- A new light saber?
- A beaded seat cushion for the big chair on the bridge of the Death Star?
- A brand-new C3PO droid that doesn't say stupid things all the time?
Who knows?
The gift is also important in another way.
Donna bought this for me when she had just become a home owner and had to replace a car. She was very tight on cash.
Darth Vader didn't cost a lot. But he was the perfect gift.
Being a responsible adult means making tough choices for the long-haul.
It's easy in this day and age to just spend, spend, spend and worry about the debts and credit card bills later.
Those of you in business already will know what I'm going to share.
You can't let yourself be drawn to this
Dark Side of Christmas.
You need to make the tough decisions that mean you are strengthening and not weakening your financial foundations.
It's easy to get yourself into debt and then complain and regret. This is how most people live, whether through conscious choice or by simply not making decisions.
If you're going to grow personally and financially through business ownership, you need to be in charge. Take control. Invent your destiny and make the choices that will get you there.
If you feel bad that you didn't give enough this year to a person in your life; if you have regrets or are worried about how that person may feel about you tomorrow morning.--
STOP.Lift your eyes up towards the horizon. That's where you'll find the game you're playing.
What's right in front of you today is a distraction that will keep you from the prize.
Those who are approaching the end of their career as owners can tell you, the prize is there for those who play the long game. Sometimes you have to restrain yourself now to be a winner later.
I hope you take the time to relish the true opportunity of the season. A time to turn off cell phones and computers and give your loved-ones something that is truly valuable and irreplaceable.
Your time.Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you of all beliefs (and atheists too.)
Cheers
Dave
P.S. If you did over-spend this Holiday season then now is the time to make a budget and resolve to keep it for 2019. I have always used the 'pay yourself first' method
and it works.
P.P.S. Tomorrow is Christmas and I'll start my own gift-giving. 7 days of
Holiday Chats with people just like you who are either planning to buy or sell a business or need help to figure out what they're doing. You're gonna love it.
If you think someone you know would love it too, get them to join the email list at
www.DavidCBarnettList.comThank you for all your support and kind wishes over the past year. I really am fortunate to be able to make my living in a business where I can help people as much as I do.