Professional Development Michael Askins Professional Development Michael Askins

National Coffee Day - Show Some Appreciation

It seems like every day is National Day of something, the reality it is a National - Something day every day. There are several websites dedicated to what topic your first social post of the day should be.

It seems like every day is National Day of something, the reality it is a National - Something day every day. There are several websites dedicated to what topic your first social post of the day should be. Recently I found out that Daughter’s Day was followed a couple of days later by Son’s Day. Tomorrow (as of the posting) will be National Chewing Gum Day. Let us not forget that October has more than Halloween. We pick up National Taco Day and National Sausage Pizza Day which is just a mere month from September’s National Cheese Pizza Day.

It all seems a bit much, doesn’t it? I could carry on highlighting the various and sometimes humorous National Days and their World Day counterparts but that would be a mere diversion to the original intent of this post. It is National Coffee Day! I do like a good espresso (which has its own day in November). Making a run to the locally-owned coffee shop I had heard of this national day of appreciation and thought should we be biting on the marketing ploy that is a national day, or should we maybe use these days as a means to show someone appreciation?

It is far too often that we can overlook someone who has gone the extra mile or is constantly working predictably well. We sometimes take their work ethic or just the fact that they are there for us for granted. Find someone who makes a difference in your day and show them you are grateful for them by giving a simple token of appreciation. A random gift card on the national coffee day (or whichever day you choose) will be an unforgettable gesture.

This is a perfect opportunity to scare up some loose bills and send over an e-gift card to your coffee shop of choice. Yes, the big chains like Starbucks work in a dispersed environment but consider a local business if you can physically drop off a card (socially responsible ways please). I am sure the local workers and owners would appreciate every bit of business.

As I anxiously await National Tea Day, I give you this parting thought. When was the last time you did something for someone where you had no direct benefit? Try that sometime this week and let me know in the comments on Twitter.

-Michael Askins

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