In order for me to enjoy my own family this holiday season, this is the last Coaching Tip of the Week for 2006. I will return on January 5, 2007. I wish you all the love and happiness this season can bring and may the New Year find you healthy, happy, prosperous and full of joy.

by Robert Middleton

It's almost Christmas.

I remember two Christmas presents I longed for when I was a kid - a watch and a bow and arrow. I knew they would make me happy.

And in their own way, I guess, they did.

But as you get older things change. Material things simply don't hold the appeal they once did. As someone once said, "You can never get enough of what you don't really want."

So what do you really want (for Christmas or any other time)?

The best I've been able to figure out is that people want, more than anything else, to make a difference, to make a contribution to others (family, friends, clients, anyone and everyone).

In other words, to give fully of ourselves. But what can we give that will make that difference? What will make the biggest possible contribution to others?

If you get this one, you not only get to fulfill your greatest desire but the greatest desire of others. And the best thing about it is that it costs nothing, takes little time, and has long-lasting benefits. It works any time and in any place.

The funny thing is that we have a terrible time giving it.

And no, it's not love, compassion, friendship, etc. Those are wonderful gifts as well. But they are not the ultimate contribution. They really pale in comparison.

And one of the saddest things is that if you fail to give this you can trigger a lot of misery, resentment, frustration and misunderstanding. The inability to give this causes alienation, divorce and wars. And yet it's so simple to give.

Are you ready for the answer?

The greatest contribution

you can make to another

is to let them contribute...

to YOU.

Since what we want most of all is to contribute, if you fully receive that contribution (whatever it is), you're making the ultimate contribution to another.

When someone wants to help you - let them. When you get a compliment - receive it graciously. When someone has an idea or resource for you - show your thanks. Whenever a loved one tries to share something with you - listen attentively.

When you accept a contribution, another wonderful thing happens - you pave the way for more contributions. It can be a never-ending upward spiral. And it feels wonderful.

Now don't mess this up by waiting for others to accept your contributions with open arms. They might not. Turn it around. Put your attention on accepting their contributions in the most expansive way you can imagine.

I hope you realize that applying this to your business could add a whole new dimension of fun and fulfillment. It just might transform the way you do business and enrich you in the process.

Copyright © 2006 by Robert Middleton and Action Plan Marketing. All rights reserved. Please visit Robert's web site at: http://www.actionplan.com

The greatest contribution you can make to others is allowing them to contribute to you. Take this on as a challenge - find as many ways as possible to do this in your life and your business and see what miracles happen.

Bob Prosen and I have an exciting offer I think you will enjoy. (Bob was featured in the December 1, 2006 Coaching Tip of the Week - Top 7 Ways Leaders Create Accountability.)We are gifting an inscribed copy of Bob’s best selling business book, Kiss Theory Good Bye to the first 2 people who can accurately identify The Five Attributes of Highly Profitable Companies. Here’s a hint www.kisstheorygoodbye.com.

Kiss Theory Good Bye sales continue to sky rocket. In just four short months since publication, KTGB has already sold out the entire first printing of 10,000 copies, achieved the #1 Business & Investing book on Amazon and received the 2006 Best Book Award for Best Management Book. As a result, many companies are using it as their operating blueprint for 2007.

I hope you take me up on this unique offer. Act quickly, I think you’ll be glad you did. Please send your entry along with your mailing address to andrea@coachandrea.com.

Coach Andrea's Coaching Tip of the Week is brought to you by Andrea Novakowski, Master Certified Coach who provides Business and Personal Coaching to Executives, Small Business Owners, Professionals and Managers. Andrea is a professional coach who partners with people to set goals and create momentum to produce effective results in their business and/or personal lives.

Andrea is available for individual coaching. If you are serious about reaching your goals and living with greater fulfillment and satisfaction, consider using a coach. To schedule a COMPLIMENTARY initial consultation, send an e-mail to Andrea at
andrea@coachandrea.com.

Please feel free to pass on Coach Andrea's Coaching Tip of the Week to your friends and colleagues. If you need to get in contact with us directly for any reason, send an e-mail to andrea@coachandrea.com.

Coach Andrea
Focusing your vision, achieving results

email: andrea@coachandrea.com

web: http://coachandrea.com