I think you can tell a lot about someone by the things and ways they celebrate.
Birthdays are big reasons to celebrate. My daughter’s birthday is soon. She wants to go to a big box, run around and scream really loud win tickets and stuffed animals’ kind of place, but neither my wife nor I want to do this. We would much prefer that she have 2 or 3 friends over to the house with a more traditional celebration. The fact that we want anything traditional is laughable, but for some reason when it comes to our children we seem to favor “traditional”, and “classic” things. Something to do with the fact that black and white TV seems to dominate viewing in our home. Outside of that most things for us are new and cutting edge.
Work or career success is another big reason to celebrate. If you work in the corporate world and just got a promotion with a financial boost – something you can translate into food or electronic goods – you will be ready to party! I’ve known individuals that have gotten what they thought was a raise but it was really just a new title that came with a whole new list of responsibilities. Be careful of celebrating these types of promotions they might burn you out quickly. If you’re an entrepreneur that’s just landed a new customer that will increase your annual revenues and profits, you will also be ready to party.
First Communions, Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs are religious based ceremonies that are important and also provide good reasons for celebration. Holidays, Sweet 16 parties, and Quinceanera provide additional reasons to celebrate!
If I was a single man, I could see wanting a girlfriend in every city as a way to celebrate my success, but as one of my married golfing buddies recently showed – this is not a good way to do it. I think that you can also tell a lot about a company by the things and ways they celebrate. Although Ford, Honda, and Kia probably want to party right now, slamming Toyota is probably not a good decision. I drive an Avalon and respect Toyota for doing the right thing. It will be interesting to see how the auto manufacturers show their celebration with their increased revenues.
Take things to the next level and be excited for your friends and acquaintances that are in your tribe. Send a hand- written birthday card to one of your employees or customers – it will be unexpected and remembered. If one of these same people are having a new baby, send them a congratulations card along with a cute outfit. If you can celebrate along with others in their special moments, it will make a huge impression.
How and what you celebrate will define you and your brand in the days and years to come. I wish you many reasons to celebrate and encourage you to do it often, do it right, and do it smart!
Since today is Friday I might have to have a martini –
Those one minute celebrations are ooooohhhhh so sweet, aren’t they! I probably celebrate more like 5 or 10 minutes before I move on, but I agree that we all need to remember to get on to the next project quickly when it comes to career success. Take it easy and have a great weekend!
I like it Ted! Celebrations are a way to highlight and bring attention and focus to an already good thing, many of which took a lot of hard work and time. Yet, in my humble opinion, the celebration should last about one minute (OK, maybe longer), and then you should go accomplish even something greater to celebrate. When you can look back at a series of celebrations over your life acknowledging an ever growing series of accomplishments, you wll be fulfilled in knowing you lived this life fully. By the way, liked the martinis up top, one of my favorite ways to celebrate!
Ahhh… you struck a chord with me here! Celebration lately is a collection of all the simple things throughout the day – life with a 7 year old girl, speaking of daughters! Simple meaning thinking craftily to find a CRAFT with items you already have at home, instead of making yet another shopping trip. And why is it what we adults utter the exact expressions of our parents ‘so, do you think money grows on trees ?’. I admit my daughter is so fortunate in finding money, cash and coins – but what a celebration it will be when she finds the real money tree! On a serious note, living debt free would be the sweetest reward ever!
I can almost celebrate NOT having to travel which is something I did a great deal in my past – we’ll be taking a trip or two this year and I can hear it now – ‘why did they take my water bottle?’, ‘why do we have to take our shoes off?’. And now to go through the new age x-ray machines and hand swabs for explosives?!! Never mind my talkative one will blurt out ‘What’s a BOMB THREAT!?’ and have us detained for hours…. Oh joy. Oh wait, Denver IS in the news now for exactly the above. Am I telepathic?
I am a mixed bag today – onward and upward to prospecting for meetings and conventions to DENVER 🙂
Jean,
Thanks for your comment. I think that raising a child from birth to 7 is a reason to celebrate all by itself. That’s a big accomplishment for anyone! Someone mentioned to me that raising one child today is equivalent to raising 2 children 40 years ago. Their reasoning was based on the assumption that our world has gotten more difficult and complicated for those raising children today compared with the way the world was back in the 60’s and 70’s. Enjoy your trips – hopefully the airport piece won’t beat you up too much!
Matthew,
You are indeed an adventurer that knows how to celebrate! I went to your site but your message blew up after 5 seconds. : ) Travel is indeed a great way to spend many of our hours in this thing called LIFE.
This would explain why I want souvenirs from places that I visit. I’ve got pictures, and don’t need anything back at home, but I still feel the tug of getting a new trinket. It’s my way of celebrating the experience, of bringing something physical back to remember it by.
However, I’m learning. Take lots and lots of pictures, blog/write about my experiences, and I’ll have all the memories that I want, more of my money staying in my pocket, and less clutter to take care of later.
Hey Ted — Great points.
My uncle owns a management consulting firm and, at one point, was researching the habits of world-class performers. He mentioned the concept of celebration as a part of continued success, specifically how important it is to have a “trophy”. He said, “That’s why people say that ‘Dan Marino didn’t win a ring’ instead of ‘Dan Marino didn’t win a Super Bowl’ — in the end, it’s the ring, the trophy, the physical reminder of success.”
In practical terms, it means setting goals AND a trophy when those goals are accomplished. No matter the size or cost, it has to be memorable and a constant reminder of success.
Albert,
Your Uncle is a smart man! It’s always nice to look back on our trophies and awards as a reminder of our successes. I do believe that having hard goods or something tangible as a reminder of those special moments in our life is key to celebrating life. I read your “About” page from your site – it’s obvious to me that you know how to celebrate. You don’t seem to be the type to sit around and let life pass you by.