Wednesday is February 14th, and while some people think of Valentine’s Day as a “Hallmark holiday” invented to sell greeting cards, I encourage you to think beyond this cynical label.

As you make plans with your loved one, buy treats for the children in your life, and pick out chocolates and flowers, it’s worth asking:

How can we utilize Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to pause and appreciate everyone we care about?

Last month, I had the most wonderful opportunity to reunite with my sisters from the 1976 Berry College women’s basketball team. We won a National Championship together (in fact, we won the championship on my and my teammate’s Lynn’s shared birthday—what a way to celebrate!), and we have remained in touch across the miles all these years.

When we let Berry College know about our idea to gather in person for a women’s basketball game this season, they rolled out the red carpet for us! It was the first time in 48 years our championship team was back on campus together, and it was beyond special.

From arranging for us to spend time in some of the most magical places on Berry’s campus, to a halftime honor on the court of the women’s game, to a special lunch and cake at the one and only Doug’s Deli, we felt like celebrities all weekend. The school even had a photographer follow us around to recreate some of our 1976 photos!

To kick off the weekend in a truly beautiful way, we visited the House o’ Dreams, a mountaintop cabin on the Berry campus. There Coach James, who led our team in 1976, led us once again in a spiritual devotion inspired by the book Heaven by Randy Alcorn. Together, we reflected on the words “sisters” and “reunion,” and we thanked God for the incredible gift of our 48-year friendship.

Berry College, my teammates, and Coach James all made me feel deeply loved and appreciated. And it was an important reminder for me that the message of Valentine’s Day spreads beyond just romantic partners. It’s important to honor everyone you love in your life.

Your Family

Regardless of what your family looks like, Valentine’s Day is a chance to honor everyone in it, starting with your spouse. We have talked before about the importance of supporting our partners, and Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to lift up those who lift you.

My husband, Mike, and I always make sure to appreciate each other in a special way on Valentine’s Day. We love to create a February 14 memory to cherish forever, like spending time with close friends, sharing an exceptional meal, or taking one of our long walks together. I’m very lucky to have a spouse who also happens to be an excellent cook, since he spoils me with homemade goodies on Valentine’s Day (and all year long!).

If you’re blessed to have children, take time to appreciate the gift they are in your life. Children may require more time, energy, and commitment than you ever imagined in your pre-parenthood days, but they are the greatest thing you’ll ever create.

For those of you still fortunate enough to have your parents or other aging relatives, treasure them. As parents age, we have an opportunity to honor them and express gratitude for all they have given us.

• Be present with them. Busy professionals and entrepreneurs have sprawling to-do lists, but what is all of your hard work for if not to provide the blessings you share as a family. Whenever you get time together, turn off your phone, shut out distractions, and give each other the gift of time.
• Love your children unconditionally. That means making sure they know that they mean the world to you regardless of their grades, their successes, or the choices they make.
• Check in with your parents regularly. To ensure you maintain regular contact despite your hectic schedule, pencil visits and calls into your day planner. Accompany them to doctors’ visits when you can. Make sure they have what they need and they are taken care of.
• Encourage them. Regardless of age, everyone needs encouragement to reach their goals. Inspire them to dream big. If they fall, motivate them to get back up again. Obstacles and failure are part of life and family takes care of one another in good times and bad.

Your Team

Make sure that your employees or colleagues feel the love on Valentine’s Day and everyday. If you’re an entrepreneur, you know that a team allows you to accomplish more than you ever could on your own.

• Acknowledge their efforts. In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to take your employees or colleagues for granted. Words of recognition can make people feel more positive about contributing and motivate them to produce even greater results. Gratitude should be part of your daily routine.
• Seek their feedback. One of the best ways to make employees feel valued is by asking for their input and ideas. When you welcome their opinions, not only will they feel valued, but you’ll benefit from the feedback of people who play a hands-on role in your business. They can share a different perspective on how to drive sales, improve client relations, or increase efficiencies.
• Learn to let go. It’s your job to make sure you have the right experts on your team. Once you’ve entrusted someone with a job, learn to let them own it. Some entrepreneurs struggle to give up control and wind up doing everything themselves. However, it’s important to show your team that you trust them and value what they bring to the table.

Your Clients

Without customers or clients, you have no business. Although you should show your clients love and appreciation year around, this is a great opportunity to actively remind them. They most likely won’t expect it, which will make it all that much more meaningful.

• Serve them well. When people give you their business, you show them how much it means to you in the way you treat them. If you don’t put much value on them, it will show. On the other hand, when you value them greatly, you give them the best possible service. Remember that clients are your best source of referral business, and they can always choose to take their business elsewhere.
• Express appreciation. Do you have a way you express gratitude to clients? For some entrepreneurs, it’s sending a small box of chocolates to each new client. For others, it’s an annual holiday gift. (Why not an annual Valentine’s present?) For still others, it’s a token of appreciation when the client reaches a milestone. Whatever it may be for you, make sure you’re actively letting clients know how much you appreciate them.
• Honor commitments. One aspect of love is committing to another person. When you promise something to a client or customer, keep your promise above all else. Under-promise, over-deliver, and always show up with integrity.

Let Valentine’s Day be a reminder that unconditional love is a powerful force in both your personal and professional life. Show passion and compassion for the people who matter most to you and you’ll build a more fulfilling, prosperous life for yourself and your loved ones.

May your life be filled with love, prosperity, and blessing in all that you do.

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And if you’re ready to make 2024 the year you finally achieve what you’ve been hoping for, contact me today. We can create a plan that will allow you to build your legacy business and “double plus” your revenue this year.

 

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Celeste Giordano’s mission is to help business owners develop the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to “DoublePlus™” their income and become effective and inspirational leaders in their fields. Whether it’s taking your successful business to the next level or starting a new venture, she will teach you the exact skills and strategies you need to enroll more quality prospects, build a rock-solid team, and break through obstacles to achieve real profit and lasting success. Celeste is a professional business growth specialist, a master sales strategist, and dynamic speaker with more than 40 years experience in direct sales and managing high-performing teams.

To learn more about Celeste, click here.

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