Happy Monday, everybody! And Happy Vincent Day. National Vincent Day is celebrated on January 22 annually. The name “Vincent” is of Latin medieval origin; it comes from the word ‘Vincentius,’ derived from the Latin word ‘vincere’ meaning to ‘conquer’ or ‘to win.’ Thus, it’s no surprise that it’s a name popularly considered bold, strong, and suitable for courageous people with a penchant for the arts. It would be an excellent choice for parents who want a more classical name for their baby boy. So, today, we celebrate my friend Vincent DeGeorge, a brilliant, creative, and kind man. Today, we also celebrate all the vicarious Vincents of the world who show courage and boldness every day of the year.
It’s also “Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day.” “It’s National Hot Sauce Day,” too. Tomorrow is “National Measure Your Feet Day,” leaving me with many questions. But the most fitting for Happy Monday this week is Wednesday’s “National Just Do It Day.” Celebrated annually, National Just Do It Day was established in 2015 to encourage people to get things done! At the beginning of the year, January is the perfect month to reach down into that motivation and get stuff done. Forget procrastinating or putting things off until another day because you can have tomorrow to rest when you get things done today!
Most people know “Just Do It” as a slogan from the American athletic shoe and apparel company Nike. The slogan became famous as the shoe company encouraged people to move, exercise, work out, and play ball. This turned out to be a prevalent phrase during the years that the company’s sponsorship went to Michael Jordan, the famous basketball player for the Chicago Bulls.
The first Nike television commercial to incorporate the Just Do It slogan featured an 80-year-old marathon runner named Walter Stack, who ran over 60,000 miles in his lifetime! While impressive, Just Do It Day can be about those less glamorous things we’ve meant or wanted to do.
Here are three ways to celebrate Just Do It Day this Wednesday:
Stop Procrastinating. The most important thing to do on National Just Do It Day is that thing you’ve been putting off doing for some time. Whether it’s an item on the honey-do list or just a book you’ve been meaning to read, this is the time to do it! Take that pile of clothes to the dry cleaners to be mended, clean out that closet, empty the recycling bin, or send that bag of donations to the homeless shelter. Whatever is lying around, a little bit forgotten but never far out of mind, can be accomplished today!
Find a “National Just Do It Day” Buddy. One of the best ways to avoid procrastination is to have an accountability partner. A great way to make this work is to share each other’s National Just Do It Day lists the day before. This allows for some accountability, knowing that this friend will ask about the various tasks on the list. It’s an ideal situation for helping each other get some stuff done.
Brush Up on Some Motivational Learning. Motivation is the condition that can help activate behavior and keep it going toward meeting a goal. Learning more about what brings motivation can help people apply it to their lives. And, of course, National Just Do It Day is the perfect time for it!
This content is for educational and entertainment purposes and is not the same as therapy. If you need to talk to someone, go to PsychologyToday.com or one of the many online therapy platforms available and start treatment with a professional today!
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