It is the week of Christmas. The pre-eminent cultural holiday in the Western world that encompasses family, kindness, sharing, reconciliation and much much more. For many this year it represents the book end of a long year of challenges.

What does Christmas mean to you?

One favorite holiday movie, It’s A Wonderful Life, captures the Christmas spirit for many. Sitting down to watch the film is a widely shared tradition. It gets at the heart of the holidays right from the opening credits. Here’s how it begins:

Joseph, send for Clarence.

You sent for me, sir?

Yes, Clarence.

A man down on earth needs our help.

Splendid! Is he sick?

No. Worse. He’s discouraged.

A lot of people out there have to feel pretty beaten up after 2020. Many tech companies have done phenomenally well during this accelerated digital transition too! Yet other areas of the economy have been decimated. The vaccine is on the way, yes. But there is another illness spreading that afflicts just as many: discouragement.

One interesting note about the Christmas classic It’s A Wonderful Life comes from this 2016 Vanity Fair article. When it was released it underperformed. It didn’t win any Academy Awards and with time the movie faded from public view. In the 1970’s the copyright even lapsed. And then, its popularity rose again. The lapsed copyright turned out to be a blessing when television stations across the country realized they could play it unencumbered.

The movie is a tale of redemption inside and out. And the path to redemption begins with a little encouragement. Maybe some time, luck…or a distribution hack can help too.

As your teams prepare to close out the year, remember what matters and how important encouragement can be to turning a corner. Be the spark plug that we need on teams and in the world to overcome the initial challenges of today to kick off a brighter new year of opportunity ahead.

Sprinkle a little luck and encouragement out there this Christmas season. It’s a wonderful life full of new beginnings and second chances.

Merry Christmas to all!