The real spirit of Cheer Leadership is encouraging others, boosting morale and having fun as a team! Did you know that every day has been deemed a national recognition day? Yes, there are actual holidays such as “Jamaican Patties Day,” “Sneak Some Zucchini into Your Neighbor’s Porch Day,” “Wiggle Your Toes Day” and even “Chop Suey Day!”
You’ll find one long list of the recognized reasons to be festive at NationalDayCalendar.com. To excel at this tip, find a really fun “National Day” that everyone would enjoy, mark the calendar, notify your troop and have fun! Be sure to take photos and email me at info@janspence.com so that I can share you in action with your squad!
Did you know that December 9 is “National Pastry Day” and that pastries can be traced as far back as the ancient Mediterranean where they had almost paper-thin, multi-layered baklava and Phyllo dough?
The US workplace tends to be all work, all the time while in the office. The mindset of having fun at work is foreign for many. However, research has found that when workplaces “make fun a factor, it creates happier employees that feel more satisfied. And happy employees are all around better at their jobs. Workplace fun has been linked to: enhanced motivation, increased productivity, reduced stress, higher job satisfaction, and improved task performance.”
One unique and easy way to bring some fun into your office is by celebrating silly “National Days” with your team. There is something to celebrate each day of the year. Some can be no-cost options, like “National Find a Rainbow Day” on April 3 or “National Compliment Day” on January 24. Others might cost a little money (perhaps you take your team out to lunch on September 5th’s “National Cheese Pizza Day” or buy a handful of $1 scratch off tickets for “National Lottery Day” on July 17), but the investment will be worth it!
This week, I challenge you to head on over to NationalCalendarDay.com and check out their calendar. Pick one day each month to celebrate with your team. Or create a poll and let you team vote on which ones to celebrate. Invite other departments in on the fun and take turns hosting a party. Or keep it a surprise - imagine the smiles you’ll see when your team walks into the office on “National Apple Pie Day” or “Nation Marzipan Day!”
FUN FACT: The first four congressionally designated federal holidays were created in 1870, when Congress granted paid time off to federal workers in the District of Columbia for New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. In 1880, George Washington's Birthday was included.