Are the Ho Ho Holidays Holding You Back?

By Cys Bronner, Woman in Business, Founder of ActionSteps4Success and Certainty Adventures Network, Possi Global Gratitude Evangelist, and The Constant Social Media Networker

I want to ask you something: have you ever closed your business just a little too early (and often!) for the holidays?

I love the holidays—don’t you? For me, it’s all about the spirit around us, the giving, the joy, the connections. It’s a real-life embodiment of Givers Gain™, and I love seeing it in action.

For me, the fun begins around Halloween. I adore seeing everyone dressed up—spooky or cutesy, big or small. I get to open the door, share some goodness (stickers or sweets), smile, wave, and wait for the next trick-or-treater.

Then comes Thanksgiving—a time to share my table with loved ones and help feed our community. And December… wow, December! Decorating, gifting, cooking, wrapping, holiday parties, mixers, business get-togethers… the list goes on and on, all the way through New Year’s Day.

When I look at the calendar, August is the only month without a major holiday—though I usually take the first week off for community gifting. So, it’s not just December that’s busy!

Here’s the thing: many businesses slow down during the holidays, while others scramble to hit year-end goals. But they all share one thing—existing business relationships.

What I often see is business owners or entrepreneurs putting those relationships on pause, saying, “let’s connect after the holidays.” Even our BNI chapters sometimes pause meetings for weeks at a time. And it boggles my mind. These are the people we’ve worked hard to build strong relationships with—why would we stop showing up for them?

It reminds me of a story Dr. Ivan Misner once shared: a chapter wanted to try meeting every other week for six months. After just three months, referrals had dropped by 50%. They asked to go back to weekly meetings. If you want more referrals, show up more often!

4 Ways to Make the Most of the Holiday Season:
1️ Keep your usual business commitments and meetings on your calendar—don’t disappear for two months!
2️ Swamped? Set up planned meetings for after the holidays. Reach out to at least 4 people (one per week in January!) you’ve been meaning to connect with.
3️ If it’s a slower time, host a Holiday Coffee & Cocoa Morning at your office for your network and their business friends.
4️ Set aside time to reassess your goals for the coming year. Adjust your schedule if your January pipeline isn’t aligned with your goals.

The holidays are for joy, giving, and celebrating—but they’re also a chance to strengthen your business relationships and set yourself up for an even stronger year ahead.

💬 How did you navigate your holiday business connections? Share your tips and stories in the comments!

#Networking #BusinessGrowth #BNI #Referrals #HolidayBusiness #WomenInBusiness #ActionSteps4Success #CertaintyAdventures #Gratitude #ConstantSocialMediaNetworker

In business and networking: The more memorable (positive and helpful) you are, the better the results.

Questions? Feel free to call The Constant Social Media Networker, Actionsteps4Success Founder and Possi Global Gratitude Evangelist Cys Bronner 866-889-3466 or email her at Cys.Bronner@ActionSteps4Success.com
Her motto: Building bridges, creating opportunities, celebrating connections.