Lessons from Santa

Santa Claus is coming to town.  He is spreading both joy and generosity as the year winds down.  But the jolly fellow offers more than just good feelings. He offers life lessons at early stages in life.  He is a catalyst for economic activity.  The mere anticipation of his arrival drives optimism.  He can also serve as a tool to teach the importance of incentives.  Although I was told he was watching so maybe he also compelled me to be on my best behavior when reminded he was watching.  Speaking of watching, maybe he helped acclimate us all to the amount of surveillance we encounter each day (this was meant to be a light-hearted note, so I won’t say more on this topic).

Mr. and Mrs. Claus have many elves working for them.  It’s tougher to find a more stimulative program than a workforce with work.  Once their shift is done, surely these hard-working artisans do some spending of their own, possibly taking advantage of the sales which will take place in the New Year.

Knowing he is coming to town drives optimism.  We all know that we shouldn’t cry or pout when he is coming.  Generally speaking, Americans are a rosy bunch.  This positive attitude helps when taking risks in life.  Changing jobs, starting a new business, or moving into a larger home with more expensive obligations are all assisted by a constructive perspective.

These actions are further encouraged by incentives.  Santa incentivizes good behavior with an improved probability that the gift one wanted will be beneath the tree.  Americans take this into the workforce, understanding that producing the way an employer wants is likely to pay off in the long run.

Santa also teaches the importance of adaptation.  When demand for last year’s toys wanes, his firm knows how to pivot and react to the changing wants and needs of children.  America’s economic dynamism is buttressed by its ability to shift when consumers want something else but also by consumer willingness to change their buying habits when a better version of widgets or services are created.

Santa is coming and if you’re like us, you have more preparations for his arrival, so we’ll cut the note off here.  We won’t have a note on Monday since that is Christmas, but they will resume Tuesday.  Please enjoy your holiday weekend. Remember Santa is still watching and keeps a list.