When I was speaking at Thunderbird School of Management in Phoenix today, I asked one question: How Do You Bounce?

I know there can be alot of pressure around this time of year, but I actually love these last few weeks. In keeping with the spirit of “lists” this time of year, here are my top reasons.

1. We slow down. There is an ending date by which people want to do business every year. Today it is the weekend before Christmas. Next week, we all get a free pass.No one calls. No one emails. It feels like August in Europe. We don’t have to accomplish anything. For at least, one week we are guilt free.

2. We take time off to be with their family. I do not believe that life/work balance really exists. This week belongs to your family and friends. See #1.

3. We stop to reflect on their year. We look back on our celebrations, our accomplishments and our failures. We stop and say thanks to those who have been on the journey with us.

4. We make resolutions. I am not a big fan of making resolutions but the intention is in the right place. If we strive for minimal acheivement and make just one, we have more of a chance to achieve it. We have a chance for the change to stick.

5. We give each other gifts. We think about our clients, friends, and families and shop for something they might like or something they might need. Having an excuse to give someone a gift is alot of fun.

6. We greet each other with a smile. We say “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year”. This beats “hey, how you doing?” or “bye”.

Why do you love/ hate this time of year?

There is alot of hype around entrepreneurship. I don’t buy into the rags to riches stories since in between, there is always alot of hard work, heart ache and some luck.

Scott Jordan is a true American entrepreneur. I had the good fortune of working with Scott many years ago in Chicago when he first got started. He was a lawyer that was frustrated with trying to carry all of his gadgets, so he decided to do something about it. Investing his own money in an industry he did not know alot about, Scott created the first Scottevest  jacket was born where you could carry all of your devices concealed and comfortably. He was at first concerned that he could not get any of the major retailers to carry the product. This did not hold Scott back- he went directly to the public garnering unprecedent media with his product in every major online and offline publication. Fast forward to today, where Scott now has an entire patented line and his products are available at major catalog companies. There aren’t better clothes to live and travel in!

Scott is featured in the new Bounce! book and I am now honored to join is board of advisors which includes Steve Wozniak, founder of Apple and Kenneth Klopp, founder of North Face.
 

Tiger always says that you need to have a short memory in sports. Forget what just happened. You need to always focus on the next shot.

This is what it is to “Bounce!” in business. Make a short celebration of your victory OR feel sorry for your failure. But then focus your energy on what is coming next. It really does get you ready for your next great success. Focus on this long term cycle. It will give you the true business confidence that ultimately, in the long run, determines who succeeds.