As a Sales Trainer, I judge my success by how well reps that I have trained do. I have had many discussions with other trainers that disagree with me and feel that success as a trainer comes from how far out they are booked for speeches and training sessions.
Then on Saturday (December 24th) I learned what it is really all about. Not just training but living.
My family and I were on our way home from a wonderful week at Disney World, we stopped for something to eat at one of our favorite roadside restaurants, Cracker Barrel. As we were pulling into the parking lot we noticed a red minivan that had “HO HO HO” across the sides, back and hood. We chuckled at it and I made the statement that there was someone who really loved Santa.
If any of you have ever eaten at a Cracker Barrel you know that to get to the restaurant you need to stroll through their shopping area that is filled with all sorts of toys, crafts and my favorite CANDY! As I was making a mental note of what I was going to buy on my way out after eating we were shown to our table. Here is when I first noticed the couple sitting a few tables away. IT WAS SANTA AND MRS. CLAUS!
Like everyone else in the restaurant, we were watching the two of them (actually staring, but that is rude so I will say watching). Every few minutes SANTA would get up, pick up a large Christmas decorated bag, and walk through the restaurant looking for something. He would sweep each section with his eyes and then go back to his seat and continue eating.
It was about his third trip around the restaurant that I saw what SANTA was looking for each time he got up, CHILDREN! He was looking for children that have come in to eat. When he saw a child he would walk up to the table give a HO HO HO, talk to the children and their family and then reach into his bag and give each child a wooden toy.
I made a comment to my wife and daughters about how nice it was that Cracker Barrel has a SANTA for children traveling on Christmas Eve.
After a couple of minutes my server came to the table and I commented to her how nice it was to see SANTA, and how I felt that Cracker Barrel went above and beyond with this promotion. She immediately corrected me. She told me that SANTA did NOT work for the restaurant. He and his wife travel from north of Dayton Ohio every year and make stops along the way handing out the toys. She told me that every toy is handmade and decorated by SANTA and MRS. CLAUS.
She went on to tell me he starts making the toys in June and makes 1000 to give away on his trip south. This was his 5th year stopping at this Cracker Barrel. (Our server told us that he was later this year than usual and they were actually getting worried he wasn’t coming)
I just sat there and watched him for a little while. He always had a smile, he shook the hand of everyone that walked over to him. He had his picture taken at least 10 times while I was there with children, families and the entire staff of the restaurant. He handed out 31 toys in the short time we were there (I started counting after I was told the story so it was actually more than 31)
I wanted to go over and talk to him and ask about what he did before he was SANTA, and try and find why he did this, but then it hit me. HE WAS SUCCESSFUL. This man was doing something he wanted to do, not had to do.
He finally came over to our table and we had a delightful discussion. I never asked him what he did or why he did it. HE WAS A REAL LIFE SANTA and none of that mattered.
I used to measure success by the success of the reps I have trained, but after meeting SANTA at Cracker Barrel I now know what success really is.
SUCCESS IS BRINGING HAPPINESS TO OTHERS.
We may not all dress as SANTA and travel across the country handing out toys to children (but think how awesome that would be to do) but we can all become successful by doing things that make other happy. We can all be successful by doing things that are good, not because we are told to, but because they are the right things to do.
I hope that everyone is having a wonderful Holiday Season and is looking forward to GREAT 2012.
My entire family wishes each of you and your families a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a GRAND NEW YEAR.
Lorin
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