By Joyce Hansen

I recently went through an experience with my family where greed was rampant.  It really made me reflect on what was important in life.  I arrived at the conclusion that efforts to acquire material possessions can bring out the “true colours” in people demonstrating their “me first” mentality.

In the past, it has been tradition for many businesses to buy gifts at Christmas for their staff, customers and key contributors to the success of their business.  This year, I challenge you to think of something that you can do on a personal basis for those who have helped you to succeed, rather than use your money to buy them a material type of gift. 

Money is a form of energy and has the most value when it is exchanged from a giving heart rather than a greedy hand.  
Here are some tips to monitor greediness in yourself or others.

1. When someone gives you a gift, do you automatically calculate what the value of the gift is?

2. Do you donate gifts without the recipient knowing that it was purchased by you or do you need specific recognition?

3. Do you purchase corporate gifts to give to clients purely from a PR perspective, or from a thankful heart for their contribution to the success of your business?

4. Do you only give business to those who “scratch your back” at Christmas and golf tournaments or do you consider recognizing all of your business relationships with a call or a token of appreciation?

5. When you receive a gift, do you take the time to thank the person or do you re-gift it and send it along to someone else in your workplace if it doesn’t appeal to you?

Do any of these scenarios resonate with you?  If so, here are some tips to help you with greediness and inconsiderate tendencies:

1. Buy a gift that you really like and give it away anonymously.

2. Write a personal note to everyone who sends you a gift thanking them for thinking of you.

3. Volunteer your time instead of your money to your favourite charity in lieu of purchasing Christmas gifts.  Take pictures to send, along with your Christmas card, sharing your experiences with your clients, colleagues, etc.

4. Trust that you will always have enough to look after your material needs and let go of the need to control the outcome of every penny you spend or donate.

5. Automatically ask yourself am I only thinking of how it can benefit my company or me to contribute to this holiday season or am I thinking of how I can help others in as many ways as possible to enjoy the true meaning of Christmas – the celebration of life.

As a PR and Communications practitioner, this is certainly a different approach to the “get your name in front of them” traditional practices, but I truly believe that you will receive all the recognition you deserve in meaningful and useful ways if you give unconditionally of your time and resources.

Enjoy this holiday season and reach out to others to share yourself, your wealth and the resources available through your business or workplace.  Replace greed with generosity and experience increased wealth and prosperity in ways that you never thought were possible.

Copyright Joyce Hansen 2009.  All rights reserved.  Joyce Hansen, President of Class Act Connections, is an Intuitive Communicator who helps her clients with brand enhancement, connecting strategies, creative promotion and intuitive guidance.  Joyce can be reached at 905-278-0952 or joyceh@classactconnections.com

You can find these and more articles and shopping ideas in the Holiday Gift-Giving Guide for Women (PDF) here: : http://bit.ly/1Z6LSF