Trick-or-Treat Lessons for Business Success

Every October, kids hit the streets with a clear mission — to fill their pumpkins with candy. They dress up in costumes, plan their routes through neighborhoods, and head out door to door. Some houses are dark with their porch lights off, some hand out a single mini-bar, and others give out jackpot handfuls of chocolate. No matter what, the kids keep moving.

It’s a straightforward Halloween tradition — but it also serves as a perfect analogy for business success.

1. Dress for the Role You Want

Before the first doorbell rings, every child makes a choice: Who am I going to be tonight? A superhero, a princess, a doctor, or a ghost — it doesn’t matter as long as they own it. They show up in character, believing it.

In business, you also need to put on your “costume” — your professional identity and mindset. If you’re building a business, leading a team, or selling a service, you must become that person before the world believes you are.

Confidence is contagious. Dress, speak, and act like the person who already has what you’re working toward.

2. Knock on the Doors

Trick-or-treating only works if you step off the sidewalk and actually ring the doorbell. Kids don’t just look at decorated porches and hope for candy — they ask for it.

Business success works the same way. You have to knock on doors — make calls, send proposals, post offers, and ask for sales. Some doors will open immediately. Others won’t. Some people won’t even turn on their porch light. That’s not a reflection of you; it’s just a “not tonight.”

Kids understand this naturally. They don’t take a dark house personally — they just move on to the next one. Adults could learn a lot from that persistence.

3. Expect Variety

Every street is a mix: some homes give out full-size candy bars, others hand out raisins, and a few give toothbrushes (there’s always one!). But every stop is part of the adventure.

In business, your “neighborhood” remains consistent. Some clients will be dream partnerships — enthusiastic, generous, and aligned with your vision. Others may not be ready or may not appreciate what you offer. If you expect a perfect response every time, you’ll burn out quickly. But if you see each interaction as data, feedback, and experience, you stay flexible and keep moving forward.

4. Manage the Energy, Not the Outcome

When kids encounter a house with no one home, they don’t sit on the porch and sulk. Instead, they run to the next one, laughing. Their focus remains on the goal — a pumpkin full of candy — rather than on the individual “no’s.”

In business, this is crucial. When you spend your emotional energy analyzing every rejection, you lose momentum. Instead, stay focused on your bigger vision — your metaphorical pumpkin. What matters is the collective payoff over time, not a single response on a single day.

Keep your energy up, stay focused ahead, and maintain a playful attitude. Momentum benefits those who keep moving.

5. Celebrate the Wins

When the night is over, kids dump their candy on the floor, sort it, and show it off. They share their favorites, trade a few, and celebrate their haul.

In business, do you pause to celebrate your wins? Do you acknowledge the new client, the brave conversation, the completed project, or the personal growth from hearing “no” gracefully? Wins multiply when they’re recognized. Gratitude keeps your spirit light and reminds you how far you’ve come down your own neighborhood of goals.

6. Keep Your Eye on the Pumpkin

At the end of the night, the best trick-or-treaters share one thing in common — they never lose sight of what they’re after. The lights, costumes, and conversations are enjoyable, but the goal remains the same: fill the pumpkin.

In business, distractions are everywhere — comparison, doubt, overthinking, and fear of rejection. But the people who succeed are those who keep their eyes on their own version of the pumpkin: freedom, impact, financial independence, or influence.

When the porch light is off, keep walking. When someone opens the door and gives generously, say thank you and keep walking. Both moments are part of the same success story.

Putting it Into Practice

Halloween reminds us that achievement comes from courage, curiosity, and persistence. The kids who go the farthest aren’t always the ones with the most elaborate costumes — they’re the ones who knock on the most doors.

So this October, learn from them. Dress for the role, knock with confidence, and keep moving toward your goal. The sweetest rewards always go to those who keep their pumpkin in sight.

If you’ve been standing on the sidewalk wondering which door to knock on next, this is your sign. Success isn’t hiding; it’s waiting for you to ring the bell. Let’s fill your pumpkin with clarity, confidence, and courage.

Love and BIG Belief,

Terri Schafer

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Schedule a discovery call, and we can explore how to fill your pumpkin with clarity, confidence, and courage. The lights are on, and I have full-size candy bars ready.

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