Well Christmas is over and I hope you had a great time this year. I thought I had ruined everything for my children just a few days ago.
It all started around 6 weeks ago when I was asked a question that sent fear right through my veins. “Richard would you be kind enough to be Santa for the children at nursery 3 days before Christmas?”
‘Me! But I’m Ginger’, I thought. The staff at nursery our two eldest children attend convinced me that I would be perfect in the role, despite my attempts at finding reasons that I couldn’t do it.
Be Courageous
My wife Helen bought right into the whole idea and finally persuaded me to agree to it, and believe me it required me to dig as deep as possible and find the courage required to step outside my comfort zone. Of course, I could have tried to wing it, but there was so much at stake: Firstly I had the children within the nursery to deal with as well as my own children ages 4 and 3. If I got this wrong then I could shatter their belief in Santa and the thought of that really motivated me. And secondly I had to impress the parents with my efforts at trying to keep my reputation intact.
Now if you have heard me speak, Michael, then you will know that one of the things I include in my talks is that in order to achieve something we might not have done before we can:
Model Successful People
Which is exactly what I did. I decided to take my children to no less than 3 different Santa Clauses to see how the professionals did it. I noted the dialogue, the demeanor, the movement and began building up a picture of just how I should be on the big day. That helped to settle the nerves and as the big day drew close I began to believe that I would do a reasonable job. My main concern was that our eldest, Skye, just might work out that it was her father behind the costume, but I felt pretty good.
Two hours ago I found myself dressing in the Santa costume. Firstly the postbox red trousers and jacket, and before you mention it, yes I did have a cushion under the jacket. I’m not stupid enough to think that my slight frame wouldn’t ring alarm bells. Next was the white wig and beard, which once I had put them on, put my mind at rest. There was hardly any of my face on view by now. Next came the hat and last of all black over boots, which covered most of my shoes.
I was all set. I had an elf to help me with the names and to hand me the presents.
So there I was, sat in position, and then the hoard of children and parents were brought in. Young Conner was first with his Crocodile T-shirt looking very enthusiastic.
“Hello Connor” I said.
“Hello, can I have a Headless Horseman” he asked without being prompted.
“I’ll see what I can do” I replied. “First of all can you tell me if you’ve been good this year”?
“Yes, yes, yes.” He must have been really good this year.
“Have you been eating your meals, brushing your teeth, stopping in bed when mummy and daddy put you there?” And on it went until I gave him a small gift to keep him going and my nightmare was over. I had done it and got away with it. I hoped that Connor couldn’t see the fear in my eyes as I spoke with him.
1 down and 49 to go.
Child after child was fooled. I think some of the parents were too. I even got past some children of some very close friends who stood to attention throughout. I was beginning to enjoy it and if I may say I was getting rather good at the role. My wife had cleverly left our own children until last. For my own children I had to change the voice as much as I could and Ellis our son didn’t suspect a thing. Brilliant! Now the tester: our daughter Skye who is so advanced for her age ;-) (My wife has said that about all three).
I went through the routine and within a few seconds my world caved in.
“It’s Daddy behind the beard.” She really was advanced for her age. She had seen through me within seconds. I tried to carry on regardless without giving myself away any more. I was disappointed with myself. I felt a failure. Had I spoilt the magic of Christmas for our 4-year-old?
I changed back into my clothes and made my way to my family, really puzzled as to how Skye had worked it out. My wife had already spoken with her about it and it was as simple as my shoes. She knew her Daddy’s shoes and it was them that had given me away. She also went on to say that she spotted my wedding ring and my ‘finger’. The middle finger in my right hand has the end missing. I learned a very important lesson today. I didn’t:
Go The Extra Mile
What I could have done was to wear some shoes that were not as noticeable as the ones I had. Maybe even wear someone else’s. I could have taken off the wedding ring and I should have worn some gloves. That would have done it. Yes, I felt a failure, but as a motivational speaker I have a few thoughts on failure. Courage is all about the risk of failure. We have to try things, despite the risk, but whatever happens in life: Failure is never permanent.
Hopefully Skye will believe our explanation that Santa got stuck in the snow and called me to ask if I would help out. And if she doesn’t buy into that, one day she will grow up and love her dad even more for putting himself through the whole ordeal for the love of his children.
Merry Christmas
Richard ‘Unemployed Santa’ McCann
p.s. If you would like to improve your communication skills and you are willing to be courageous enough to attend, you are willing to model other successful speakers, (I have given over 650 talks now) and you are prepared to go the extra mile rather than try and wing it the next time you speak, then our next Speaker Bootcamp is on 24th Feb in Leeds.
Click here: The early bird price expires on 31st Dec and there are only 12 spaces left.
