AchieveMax® Blog

Check out our new section of book reviews to learn more about our latest addition, Who’s Your Gladys, … a riveting journey to learn how to turn even the most difficult customer into your biggest fan.

In their new book, co-authors Marilyn Suttle and Lori Jo Vest combine years of experience to produce 224 pages of delightful content on a subject that is indeed critical to any organization concerned about the successful delivery of customer service in today’s competitive marketplace.

Marilyn Suttle is the President of a personal and professional growth training firm (Suttle Enterprises LLC) through which she has presented training workshops and keynotes to thousands. From customer service to work/life balance, her relationship expertise helps people learn how to talk in ways that gain cooperation, inspire personal excellence, and create connected relationships both at work and at home.

Lori Jo Vest has spent most of her career in business-to-business sales positions involving high levels of day-to-day customer contact. Lori has developed extensive expertise in customer service and business development. She currently manages Communicore Visual Communciations, a metro Detroit television production studio and consults with small businesses on methods to enhance their sales and customer service efforts.

Learn much more Who’s Your Gladys from our review in our new book reviews section.You’ll be “gladys” you did!

Harry K. Jones is a professional, motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

For centuries it’s been said that “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb” … and that’s absolutely accurate 50% of the time! Yes, March is unpredictable at best. It’s always been kind of the “mean month in-between months” time of the year as many grow anxious in their desire for warmer weather.

Those animals hibernating during the winter months are emerging in search of a welcome from the season’s first robin. The First Day of Spring arrives and Daylight Savings Time offers us the privilege of running all over the house to reset our clocks.

Basketball fans prepare for the tension and excitement of coast-to-coast March Madness as baseball fans keep an eye on Spring Training as they await opening day festivities on April 5th. This is the month of the Iditarod Race for those who simply can’t let go of winter.

The “Apprentice” and “Dancing with the Stars” return to heat up the competition for the annual TV Sweeps which have this year moved from February tto March. Add to that excitement the glitz and glitter of the Annual Academy Awards.

You can’t forget the “Ides of March” and the traditional journey to Easter festivities as families honor Palm Sunday and Passover.

The month of March also offers a wide variety of monthly, weekly, and daily celebrations for families, workplace promotions, and customer involvement. Take a moment to sit down with family and/or workplace associates to formulate a game plan to take advantage of the many March offerings.

Monthly Celebrations and Observances

• Academy Awards Month
• Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
• American Red Cross Month
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Month
• Deaf History Month
• Employee Spirit Month
• Ethics Awareness Month
• Expanding Girls’ Horizons in Science & Engineering Month
• Honor Society Awareness Month
• Hoops Madness Month
• Humorists Are Artists Month
• International Expect Success Month
• International Idea Month
• International Listening Awareness Month
• International Mirth Month
• Music in Our Schools Month
• National Caffeine Awareness Month
• National Cheerleading Safety Month
• National Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month
• National Clean Up Your IRS Act Month
• National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
• National Craft Month
• National Eye Donor Month
• National Frozen Food Month
• National Kite Month
• National Multiple Sclerosis Education & Awareness Month
• National Kidney Month
• National Noodle Month
• National Noodle Month
• National Nutrition Month
• National On-Hold Month
• National Peanut Month
• National Sauce Month
• National Poetry Month
• National Social Workers Month
• National Umbrella Month
• National Women’s History Month
• Orlando Family Spring Break
• Optimism Month
• Play the Recorder Month
• Poison Prevention Awareness Month
• Red Cross Month
• Save Your Vision Month
• Sing with Your Child Month
• Small Press Month
• Spiritual Wellness Month
• Spring Month
• Supply Management Month
• Women’s History Month
• Workplace Eye Health and Safety Month
• Youth Art Month

Weekly Celebrations and Observances

• National Cheerleading Week: 1 – 7
• National Ghostwriters Week: 1 – 7
• National Write a Letter of Appreciation Week: 1 – 7
• Newspaper in Education Week: 1 – 5
• National Procrastination Week: 1 – 7
• Return the Borrowed Books Week: 1 – 7
• Universal Human Beings Week: 1 – 7
• YoYo and Skill Toys Week: 1 – 7
• Iditarod Race: 6 – 21
• Bubble Gum Week: 7 – 13
• Celebrate Your Name Week: 7 – 13
• Crochet Week: 7 – 13
• National Consumer Protection Week: 7 – 13
• National Words Matter Week: 7 – 13
• Save Your Vision Week: 7 – 13
• Telecommuter Appreciation Week: 7 – 13
• National Professional Pet Sitters Week: 7 – 13
• Read an E-Book Week: 7 – 13
• Teen Tech Week: 7 – 13
• Make a Referral Week: 8 – 12
• National Sleep Awareness Week: 8 – 12
• Universal Women’s Week: 8 – 14
• Campfire USA Birthday Week: 14 – 20
• National Poison Prevention Week: 14 – 20
• National Toad Hollow Week: 14 – 21
• National Agriculture Week: 14 – 20
• National Animal Poison Prevention Week: 14 – 20
• Act Happy Week: 15 – 21
• Wildlife Week: 15 – 19
• International Brain Awareness Week: 15 – 21
• Wellderly Week: 15 – 21
• American Chocolate Week: 15 – 21
• National Inhalant and Poisons Awareness Week: 16 – 22
• Clean Your Closet Week: 17 – 24
• National Bubble Blowers Week: 19 – 27
• Consider Christianity Week: 21 – 27
• Passion Week: 21 – 27
• World Folk Tales & Fables Week: 22 – 28
• National Cleaning Week: 28 – 4/3
• Holy Week: 28 – 4/3
• National Protocol Officer’s Week: 29 – 4/4
• Root Canal Awareness Week: 28 – 4/3

Daily Celebrations and Observances

• 1 – Share a Smile Day
• 1 – Peanut Butter Lover’s Day
• 1 – St. David’s Day
• 1 – Peace Corp Birthday
• 1 – National Pig Day
• 1 – Plan a Solo Vacation Day
• 1 – Refired, Not Retired Day
• 1 – Beer Day
• 2 – Old Stuff Day
• 2 – Namesake Day
• 2 – NEA’s Read Across America Day
• 3 – Peach Blossom Day
• 3 – I Want You to Be Happy Day
• 3 – National Anthem Day
• 3 – Peace Corps Day
• 4 – Benjamin Harrison Day
• 4 – Courageous Follower Day
• 4 – Holy Experiment Day
• 4 – International Scrapbooking Industry Day
• 4 – March Forth – Do Something Day
• 4 – Hug a G.I. Day
• 4 – National Grammar Day
• 4 – Toy Soldier Day
• 5 – Saint Piran’s Day
• 5 – Nametag Day
• 5 – World Day of Prayer
• 5 – Employee Appreciation Day
• 5 – National Salesperson Day
• 5 – Multiple Personality Day
• 6 – U.S. Snowshoe Day
• 6 – Iditarod Race Begins
• 6 – Dentist’s Day
• 6 – National Frozen Food Day
• 7 – Academy Awards
• 7 – Daughters’ and Sons’ Day
• 7 – National Be Heard Day
• 7 – National Crown Roast of Pork Day
• 8 – Day for Women’s Rights
• 8 – Fun Facts About Names Day
• 8 – International Working Women’s Day
• 9 – Get Over It Day
• 9 – Organize Your Home Office Day
• 9 – Panic Day
• 9 – Unique Names Day
• 10 – Learn What Your Name Means Day
• 10 – International Day of Awesomeness
• 10 – Mario Day
• 10 – Money Day
• 10 – Registered Dietician Day
• 10 – Salvation Army Day
• 11 – Dream 2010 Day
• 11 – Johnny Appleseed Day
• 11 – Worship of Tools Day
• 11 – World Kidney Day
• 11 – Girl Scout Day
• 12 – Plant a Flower Day
• 12 – Stop Smoking Day
• 12 – Middle Name Pride Day
• 13 – Donald Duck Day
• 13 – Ear Muff Day
• 13 – International Fanny Pack Day
• 13 – Genealogy Day
• 13 – Jewel Day
• 13 – Good Samaritan Involvement Day
• 13 – K-9 Veterans Day
• 14 – Check Your Batteries Day
• 14 – Daylight Savings Time Begins
• 14 – Learn About Butterflies Day
• 14 – International Ask a Question Day
• 14 – National Potato Chip Day
• 14 – National Pi Day
• 15 – Brutus Day
• 15 – Buzzards Day
• 15 – Ides of March
• 15 – Napping Day
• 15 – True Confessions Day
• 15 – Dumbstruck Day
• 15 – World Consumer Rights Day
• 15 – Everything You Think Is Wrong Day
• 16 – Freedom of Information Day
• 16 – Lips Appreciation Day
• 16 – Everything You Do Is Right Day
• 16 – St. Urho’s Day
• 16 – Wellderly Day
• 17 – Campfire Girls Day
• 17 – St. Patrick’s Day
• 17 – Submarine Day (the boat)
• 18 – Incredible Kid Day
• 18 – Awkward Moments Day
• 18 – Companies That Care Day
• 18 – Supreme Sacrifice Day
• 18 – Forgive Mom and Day
• 18 – National Biodiesel Day
• 19 – National Chocolate Caramel Day
• 19 – Poultry Day
• 19 – Operation Iraqi Freedom Day
• 19 – Swallows Return to San Juan Capistrano Day
• 20 – Great Amercian Meat Out Day
• 20 – Kiss Your Fiancé Day
• 20 – International Earth Day
• 20 – National Ag Day
• 20 – National Quilting Day
• 20 – Snowman Burning Day
• 20 – lst Day of Spring
• 20 – Won’t You Be My Neighbor Day?
• 20 – Corn Dog Day
• 20 – Maple Syrup Day
• 21 – Memory Day
• 21 – Children’s Poetry Day
• 21 – National Common Courtesy Day
• 21 – Single Parents Day
• 21 – Fragrance Day
• 21 – World Down Syndrome Day
• 21 – As Young As You Feel Day
• 22 – International Day of the Seal
• 22 – International Goof-Off Day
• 22 – World Water Day
• 22 – National Sing Out Day
• 23 – National Puppy Day
• 23 – Near Miss Day
• 23 – National Chip & Dip Day
• 23 – World Meteorological Day
• 23 – American Diabetes Association Alert Day
• 24 – Kick Butts Day
• 24 – National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day
• 24 – World Tuberculosis Day
• 25 – Letting Go of Stuff Day
• 25 – Waffle Day
• 25 – Pecan Day
• 26 – Legal Assistants Day
• 26 – Make up Your Own Holiday
• 27 – Celebrate Exchange Day
• 27 – Education and Sharing Day
• 27 – Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day
• 28 – Palm Sunday
• 28 – Weed Appreciation Day
• 28 – Something on a Stick Day
• 29 – Knights of Columbus Founders Day
• 29 – National Mom and Pop Business Owner’s Day
• 29 – Passover
• 30 – National Doctors Day
• 30 – Pencil Day
• 30 – I Am in Control Day
• 30 – Take a Walk in the Park Day
• 31 – Bunsen Burner Day
• 31 – Tater Day
• 31 – National Clam on the Half Shell Day

Harry K. Jones is a professional, motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

A few weeks ago I wrote ”To Ask or Not to Ask … That Is the Question!” which offered a dozen questions you might want to consider asking yourself in a refreshing exercise of truth and revelation.

I received some interesting e-mails and even phone calls providing very positive feedback as a result of this challenge. So much so, in fact, that I’m expanding the list of provocative questions.

As in the initial exercise, find a comfortable seat and make certain you have a legal pad and pen at your disposal. Take a look at the following questions and choose a few which you feel might address a current challenge in your life. While doing this alone, you should have no fear or reluctance in answering each question truthfully. Failure to do so would certainly defeat the purpose of this exercise.

Read your question of choice, think about it for a few moments and then jot down all thoughts which may come into your mind. Don’t evaluate your responses at this point, just record them. Upon completion, you may want to add additional notes or revise some content upon further thought.

If you are perfectly honest in your answers, I can assure you that you’ll discover some personal insight you might find not only find revealing but, in some cases, even surprising. Your data may lead you to additional research, conversation with a trusted source, or even more professional couseling should you feel it necessary.

Here are some additional questions you might want to consider:

1. How much time are you actively spending to increase your knowledge?
2. What is it you’ve been putting off and KNOW you should do right now … before it’s too late?”
3. What is one thing that I can do for someone else who has no opportunity to repay me?
4. Have you seriously considered where you want to be and what you want to be doing five years from today?
5. Would you be willing to allow someone to videotape your personal life and then use that tape as a training resource for others?
6. What are the most important characteristics you would like to be remembered for?
7. Must your children, grandchildren, and/or spouse fight to get your attention?
8. If I neglect taking action on my most critical challenge, will it get better or worse?
9. Have you clearly defined your personal and/or professional goals? (Don’t discount this one … it can produce life-altering results!)
10. Who could you write to or phone this weekend to give a “boost of encouragement” to?
11. What time-wasting activities can you eliminate or drastically reduce?
12. When was the last time you complimented your family or staff members?

By the way, you may not like the answers … but you need to hear them!

Harry K. Jones is a professional, motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

The Associated Press reports that Americans spend about $34 billion annually to visit therapists support when they are going through difficult times … family troubles, relationship issues, school and/or work challenges, etc.

While there are a wide variety of treatment strategies, many therapists use the power of questions to identify and sometimes arrive at a method of treatment.

This approach can also be utilized to a certain degree in our everyday lives as well. While I would never recommend this strategy in leui of professional treatment, it can certainly assist us in areas of personal growth and self-realization.

Find a comfortable seat and make certain you have a legal pad and pen at your disposal. Take a look at the following questions and choose a few which you feel might address a current challenge in your life. While doing this alone, you should have no fear or reluctance in answering each question truthfully. Failure to do so would certainly defeat the purpose of this exercise.

Read your question of choice, think about it for a few moments and then jot down all thoughts which may come into your mind. Don’t evaluate your responses at this point, just record them. Upon completion, you may want to add additional notes or revise some content upon further thought.

If you are perfectly honest in your answers, I can assure you that you’ll discover some personal insight you might find not only revealing but, in some cases, even surprising. Your data may lead you to additional research, conversation with a trusted source, or even more professional couseling should you feel it necessary.

Here are just a few of the important questions you might consider:

1. What one decision would I make if I knew it would not fail?
2. What one thing should I eliminate from my life because it holds me back from reaching my full potential.
3. Am I on the path of something absolutely marvelous, or something absolutely mediocre?
4. Am I running from something, or to something?
5. What can I do to make better use of my time?
6. Who do I need to forgive?
7. Of the people I respect most, what is it about them that earns my respect?
8. What would a truly creative person do in my situation?
9. What outside influences are causing me to be better or worse?
10. In what areas do I need improvement in terms of personal development?
11. What gifts, talents, or strengths do I have?
12. What is one thing that I can do for someone else who has no opportunity to repay me?

By the way, you may not like the answers … but you need to hear them!

Harry K. Jones is a professional, motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

If you thought January was a busy month, prepare for a frantic February as well! It may well be one of our shortest months as far as the number of days, but each and every is jam packed. And here’s a rarity, February 14th has 14 special designations!

Are you patriotic? February offers President’s Day, Washington’s birthday, Lincoln’s birthday, Susan B. Anthony’s birthday, Thomas Edison’s birthday, Boy Scout Day, National Freedom Day, G.I. Joe Day USO Day Iwo Jima Day and is the official Black History Month.

Are you a big sports fan? Grab your chips and drinks, gather with friends and enjoy the SUPER BOWL, the Daytona 500, Curling Is Cool Day, Tennis Day, Kite Flying Day, Pro Sports Wives Day, Jobs in Golf, National Girls and Women in Sports Day, African American Coaches Day and XXI Olympics Month.

Got a Big Heart? Enjoy Valentine’s Day, American Heart Month, National Weddings Month, World Marriage Day, National Mend a Broken Heart Month, Satisfied Staying Single Day, Celebration of Love Week, Creative Romance Month, International Flirting Week, National Shut-In Visitation Day, National Have a Heart Day, World Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day, Random Acts of Kindness, National Women’s Heart Day, Greet Your Neighbor Day, and Make a Friend Day.

Enjoy a good party? Of course, we mentioned the SUPER BOWL but don’t forget Mardi Gras, the Grammy Awards, Chinese New Year, Dayton 500, and Valentine’s Day,

Are you a humanitarian? Take advantage of Random Act of Kindness Day, National Organ Donor’s Day, World Human Spirit Day, Do a Grouch a Favor Day, and Give Kids a Smile Day.

February not only provides some of the coldest days of the entire year but also denotes the beginning of Lent with the celebration of Ash Wednesday.

Monthly Celebrations and Observances

• Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
• AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month
• American Heart Month
• An Affair to Remember Month
• Bake for Family Fun Month
• Canned Food Month
• Creative Romance Month
• Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month
• Grapefruit Month
• Great American Pie Month
• International Boost Self-Esteem Month
• International Expect Success Month
• Jobs in Golf Month
• Library Lovers Month
• Marfan Syndrome Awareness Month
• Marijuana Awareness Month
• National African American History Month
• National Bird Feeding Month
• National Black History Month
• National Care About Your Indoor Air Month
• National Cherry Month
• National Children’s Dental Health Month
• National Laugh-Friendly Month
• National Mend a Broken Heart Month
• National Parent Leadership Month
• National Pet Dental Health Month
• National Senior Independence Month
• National Time Management Month
• National Weddings Month
• Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month
• Pull Your Sofa Off the Wall Month
• Relationship Wellness Month
• Responsible Pet Owner’s Month
• Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month
• Spiritual Teachers Month
• Spunky Old Broads Month
• Wise Health Care Customer Month
• Worldwide Renaissance of the Heart Month
• XXI Olympics
• Youth Leadership Month

Weekly Celebrations and Observances

• Children’s Authors & Illustrators Week: 1-7
• National Patient Recognition Week: 1-7
• National School Counseling Week: 1-5
• Solo Diners Eat Out Weekend: 1-7
• Women’s Heart Week: 1-7
• International Networking Week: 1-5
• International Hoof Care Week: 2-5
• Boy Scout Anniversary Week: 3-9
• International Snow Sculpting Week: : 3-6
• Dump Your Significant Jerk Week: 7-14
• Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week: 7-14
• International Coaching Week: 7-13
• Jell-O Week: 7-13
• Just Say No to PowerPoints Week: 7-13
• Publicity for Profit Week: 7-13
• Rejection Risk Awareness Week: 7-14
• Freelance Writers Appreciation Week: 8-13
• World Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week: 8-14
• International Flirting Week: 8-14
• Celebration of Love Week: 10-16
• Children of Alcoholics Week: 10-16
• Random Acts of Kindness Week: 12-15
• Great Backyard Bird Count Week: 13-16
• Alzheimers and Dementia Awareness Week: 14-21
• Love a Mensch Week: 14-21
• National Engineers Week: 14-20
• National Nestbox Week: 14-21
• National Pancake Week: 14-20
• Shrovetide: 14-16
• International Friendship Week: 17-23
• Build a Better Trade Show Image Week: 21-27
• National Eating Disorders Awareness Week: 21-27
• Read Me Week: 22-26
• Telecommuter Appreciation Week: 24-3/6
• American Crossword Puzzle Week: 26-28
• Texas Cowboy Poetry Week: 26-28

Daily Celebrations and Observances

• 1 National Freedom Day
• 1 G.I. Joe Day
• 1 Give Kids a Smile Day
• 1 Hulu in the Coola Day
• 1 Robinson Crusoe Day
• 1 Spunky Old Broads Day
• 1 Working Naked Day
• 2 Candelmas
• 2 Groundhog Day
• 2 Imbolic (Irish Festival)
• 2 Sled Dog Day
• 3 African American Coaches Day
• 3 National Girls and Women in Sports Day
• 4 Liberace Day
• 4 Quaker Day
• 4 USO Day
• 4 World Cancer Day
• 4 Thank a Mailman Day
• 5 Weatherperson’s Day
• 5 Wear Red Day
• 5 World Nutella Day (hazelnut cream)
• 5 Bubble Gum Day
• 6 Dump Your Significant Jerk Day
• 6 MOBIUS Awards Day
• 7 Send a Card to a Friend Day
• 7 Ballet Day
• 7 Daytona Pole Day
• 7 Greet Your Neighbor Day
• 7 Man Day
• 7 Super Bowl XLIV
• 8 Boy Scout Anniversary Day
• 8 Laugh & Get Rich Day
• 8 Grammy Awards Day
• 8 Clean Out Your Computer Day
• 8 Kite Flying Day
• 9 Read in the Bath Tub Day
• 9 Toothache Day
• 10 Plimsoll Day
• 10 Umbrella Day
• 11 Be Electrific Day
• 11 Pro Sports Wives Day
• 11 Make a Friend Day
• 11 National Shut-In Visitation Day
• 11 Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day
• 11 Satisfied Staying Single Day
• 11 National Inventors Day
• 11 White T-Shirt Day
• 11 Thomas Edison’s Brithday
• 12 Darwin Day
• 12 Lincoln’s Birthday
• 12 Winter Olympics Day
• 12 Oglethorpe Day
• 12 Plum Pudding Day
• 12 Safety Pup Day
• 13 Employee Legal Awareness Day
• 13 Chinese New Year (Year of the Tiger)
• 14 Daytona 500
• 14 Ferris Wheel Day
• 14 Library Lovers Day
• 14 National Have a Heart Day
• 14 League of Women Voters Day
• 14 World Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day
• 14 National Women’s Heart Day
• 14 National Call In Single Day
• 14 Race Relations Day
• 14 National Organ Donor
• 14 Quuirky Alone Day
• 14 Shrovetide
• 14 Valentine’s Day
• 14 World Marriage Day
• 15 Lupercalia
• 15 Orthodox Green Monday
• 15 Susan B. Anthony Day
• 15 Singles Awareness Day
• 15 National Gum Drop Day
• 15 Presidents Day
• 15 Westminister Dog Show
• 16 International Pancake Day
• 16 Mardi Gras
• 16 Paczki Day
• 16 Do a Grouch a Favor Day
• 16 Shrove Tuesday
• 16 Washington’s Birthday
• 17 Ash Wednesday
• 17 Random Acts of Kindness Day
• 17 My Way Day
• 17 National PTA Founders Day
• 17 World Human Spirit Day
• 18 National Battery Day
• 18 Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day
• 19 National Chocolate Mint Day
• 19 International Mother Language Day
• 19 Iwo Jima Day (Landing)
• 20 Love Your Pet Day
• 20 Northern Hemisphere Hoodie Hoo Day
• 20 Cherry Pie Day
• 20 World Day for Social Justice
• 20 Clam Chowder Day
• 21 International Mother Language Day
• 22 Single Tasking Day
• 22 International World Thinking Day
• 22 George Washington’s Birthday
• 22 Be Humble Day
• 23 Curling is Cool Day
• 23 Iwo Jim Day (Flag raised)
• 23 Tennis Day
• 23 Spay Day USA
• 24 Inconvenience Yourself Day
• 24 International Tortilla Chip Day
• 25 Quiet Day
• 25 National Chili Day
• 25 Pistol Patent Day
• 26 Levi Strauss Day
• 26 Carnival Day
• 26 Tell a Fairy Tale Day
• 26 National Personal Chef’s Day
• 26 National Pistachio Day
• 27 Open That Bottle Night
• 27 International Polar Bear Day
• 28 Floral Design Day
• 28 International Sword Swallowers Day
• 28 National Tooth Fairy Day
• 28 Public Sleeping Day
• 28 Purim
• 28 Perigean Spring Tides

Harry K. Jones is a professional, motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Rather than adding an additional category to the 30 we’ve created thus far for our Words of Wisdom feature, we’ve decided to enhance the number of thought-provoking quotes focusing on the popular subject of goal setting.

As I’ve scoured the web over the past week, I couldn’t help but notice the heavy emphasis on the subjects of resolutions and goal setting. It’s not unusual as a new year brings hope and dreams for many who may have been disappointed by the challenges of the previous year.

Feel free to check out our in-depth offering of additional quotes on many subjects should you be in need of a refreshing thought, idea, slogan or profound nugget for an upcoming meeting, presentation, or lunch room bulletin board.

We offer interesting quotes on the subjects of attitude, change, chaos, creativity, customer service, dreams, employee engagement, employees, empowerment, enthusiasm, execution, fear, gender, goals, leadership, mentoring, motivation, networking, passion, persistence, politics, potential, random acts of kindness, reading, repetition, sales, sense of urgency, teamwork, time management, and women!

Click on “Words of Wisdom” in order to review our entire offering.

Harry K. Jones is a professional, motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

As promised, here are the monthly celebrations and observances for the month of January. This should make it more convenient to download, sort, and organize as you make plans for the coming month.

Use this data in plotting some get-away time with your family, sales and marketing promotions for your organizations, in-house celebrations or competition among your staff members or simply expanding your knowledge base about the critical month that kicks off what will surely be a very successful year!

Monthly Celebrations and Observances

• Bath Safety Month
• Birth Defects Month
• Book Blitz Month
• California Dried Plum Digestive Month
• Celebration of Life Month
• Cervical Cancer Screening month
• Financial Wellness Month
• International Change Your Stars Month
• International Creativity Month
• International Quality of Life Month
• International Wayfinding Month
• International Wealth Mentality Month
• National Be On-Purpose Month
• National Bird Feeding Month
• National Braille Literacy Month
• National Clean Up Your Computer Month
• National Get Organized Month
• National Glaucoma Awareness Month
• National Hobby Month
• National Hot Tea Month
• National Mail Order Gardening Month
• National Mentoring Month
• National Oatmeal Month
• National Personal Self-Defense Awareness Month
• National Poverty in America Awareness Month
• National Radon Action Month
• National Rising Star
• National Self-Help Group Awareness Month
• National Shape Up US Month
• National Skating Month
• National Soup Month
• National Thyroid Awareness Month
• National Volunteer Blood Donor Month

Harry K. Jones is a professional, motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

As promised, here are the weekly celebrations and observances for the month of January. This should make it more convenient to download, sort, and organize as you make plans for the coming month.

Use this data in plotting some get-away time with your family, sales and marketing promotions for your organizations, in-house celebrations or competition among your staff members or simply expanding your knowledge base about the critical month that kicks off what will surely be a very successful year!

Tomorrow, we’ll post the January monthly celebrations and observances.

Weekly Celebrations and Observances

• Celebration of Life Week: 1-7
• Diet Resolution Week: 1-7
• Silent Record Week: 1-7
• National Lose Weight Week: 1-8
• Someday We’ll Laugh About This Week: 2-9
• New Year’s Resolutions Week: 3-9
• Home Office Safety & Security Week: 3-9
• Women’s Self Empowerment Week: 4-10
• Universal Letter Writing Week: 2-9
• Cuckoo Dancing Week: 11-17
• National No-Tillage Week: 13-16
• International Printing Week: 17-23
• National Handwriting Analysis Week: 17-23
• Healthy Weight Week: 17-23
• Hunt For Happiness Week: 17-23
• National Activity Professional Week: 17-23
• National Fresh Squeezed Juice Week: 18-23
• No Name Calling Week: 20-24
• Sundance Film Festival: 21-31
• National Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week: 23-30
• World Leprosy Week: 23-29
• National Nurse Anesthetists Week: 24-30
• National Medical Group Practice Week: 25-29
• National Take Back Your Time Week: 25-29
• Catholic Schools Week: 31-2/6

Harry K. Jones is a professional, motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Why “Jet-Lag” as part of this month’s title? The answer is simple and obvious—that’s exactly what you’re feeling about now. You’ve managed to survive Thanksgiving and Christmas and everything that comes with that holiday 1-2 punch (food, friends, family, shopping, weather, parties, etc.)! You’ve also endured one of the most challenging years this country has faced in decades. That’s the good news.

“Jet-Lag” may also describe how you’re going to feel after taking a look at what the month of January holds for you. The coming month is solidly packed with activities and opportunities! So much so, in fact, that we’re going to handle this month’s calendar a little differently. We’re going to share the calendar in thirds. Today we’ll post the daily celebrations and observances, Wednesday, we’ll post the weekly celebrations and observances, followed the next day by the monthly celebrations and observances. This should make it more convenient to download, sort, and organize as you make plans for the coming month.

Use this data in plotting some get-away time with your family, sales and marketing promotions for your organizations, in-house celebrations or competition among your staff members or simply expanding your knowledge base about the critical month that kicks off what will surely be a very successful year!

Although the new year doesn’t actually begin until January 1st, we begin celebrating on December 31st … midnight church services, New Year’s Eve parties, and cozy family gatherings around the fireplace as we witness the decorative ball drop in New York City’s Times Square amidst several million snow-covered but jovial party-goers. Everyone has their favorite way to celebrate.

I’ll pass on any supposed wisdom on resolutions …. you’ll either make them and break them or make them and strive to uphold them. Good luck with that!

We’d like to wish you all a joyful and prosperous New Year, filled with good health, great success and good friends. Let the next year be full of promise, hope, and dreams fulfilled.

Daily Celebrations and Observances

• 1 New Years Day
• 1 Mummer’s Parade
• 1 Rose Bowl Game
• 1 Tournament of Roses Parade Day
• 1 Saint Basil’s Day
• 1 Z Day
• 2 Earth at Perihelion (closest approach to sun)
• 2 55-MPH Speed Limit Day
• 3 J.R.R. Tolkien Day
• 3 Festival of Sleep
• 3 Humiliation Day
• 3 National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day
• 4 Dimpled Chad Day
• 4 Trivia Day
• 4 World Braille Day
• 4 Pop Music Chart Day
• 4 World Hypnotism Day
• 5 National Bean Day
• 5 National Bird Day
• 5 George Washington Carver Recognition Day
• 6 National Cuddle-Up Day
• 6 Epiphany or 12th Night
• 6 Three Kings Day
• 7 Harlem Globetrotter’s Day
• 7 I’m Not Going To Take it Anymore Day
• 7 International Programmer’s Day
• 8 National Bubble Bath Day
• 8 National Learn To Ski Day
• 8 National English Toffee Day
• 8 Midwife’s Day
• 8 Women’s Day
• 8 National Joy Germ Day
• 8 Show & Tell Day at Work
• 9 Balloon Ascension Day
• 9 National Apricot Day
• 9 Fruitcake Toss Day
• 9 Positively Penguins Day
• 10 National Cut Your Energy Costs Day
• 10 National Secret Pal Day
• 10 United Nations Day
• 10 Stephen Foster Day
• 11 National Clean Off Your Desk Day
• 11 National Milk Day
• 12 National Work Harder Day
• 12 National Pharmacist Day
• 13 Make Your Dreams Come True Day
• 13 National Poetry Break Day
• 13 National Rubber Duckie Day
• 14 National Dress Up Your Pet Day
• 14 National Ratification Day
• 14 National Organize Your Home Day
• 15 National Humanitarian Day
• 15 National Hat Day
• 16 Religious Freedom Day
• 17 Bald Eagle Appreciation Day
• 17 National Customer Service Day
• 17 Hot Heads Chili Day
• 17 Kid Inventor’s Day
• 17 Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day
• 17 Judgement Day
• 17 World Religion Day
• 18 Do Dah Parade Day
• 18 Winnie The Pooh Day
• 18 Thesaurus Day
• 18 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• 19 Rid The World of Fad Diets Day
• 19 National Popcorn Day
• 20 National Camcorder Day
• 20 Penguin Awareness Day
• 20 National Cheese Day
• 20 National Disc Jockey Day
• 20 National Buttercrunch Day
• 21 Get To Know Your Customers Day
• 21 National Hugging Day
• 21 National Squirrel Appreciation Day
• 21 Women In Blue Jeans Day
• 21 Women’s Healthy Weight Day
• 22 National Blonde Brownie Day
• 22 Celebration of Life Day
• 22 Roe vs. Wade Day
• 23 National Handwriting Day
• 23 National Pie Day
• 23 National Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day
• 24 National Belly Laugh Day
• 24 National Compliment Day
• 24 Beer Can Appreciation Day
• 25 Better Business Communication Day
• 25 Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day
• 25 Macintosh Computer Day
• 26 Lotus 1-2-3 Day
• 26 National Peanut Brittle Day
• 26 Spouses Day
• 26 National Speak Up & Succeed Day
• 27 Holocaust Memorial Day
• 27 Chocolate Cake Day
• 27 Viet Nam Peace Day
• 28 National Kazoo Day
• 28 National Fun At Work Day
• 29 National Puzzle Day
• 29 Freethinker Day
• 29 National Cornchip Day
• 29 Thomas Paine Day
• 29 World Leprosy Day
• 30 Tu B’ Shvat (Jewish Arbor Day)
• 31 Inspire Your Heart with Art Day
• 31 National Seed Swap Day
• 31 National Backwards Day

Harry K. Jones is a professional, motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

We’ve added still another category to our growing list of “Words of Wisdom” subjects, bringing our current total to 30 categories.

What better year to focus on the subject of “dreams” than the one that’s winding down at the moment? What better time of this dreary year to focus on the critical importance of “dreams” than the Christmas season and the launch of a brand new era leading into what will hopefully be a much better year?

This country and the many successes it has produced were all built on the dreams of those who simply wouldn’t give up … those who knew there was something more to be accomplished … and those who wouldn’t stop until their “dreams” became reality.

All of those in the above category overcame fear, doubt, and numerous hardships to make certain their dreams came true. Hopefully, some of our “dream” quotes will encourage to stay the course and experience that same success.

Feel free to check out our in-depth offering of additional quotes on many subjects should you be in need of a refreshing thought, idea, slogan or profound nugget for an upcoming meeting, presentation, or lunch room bulletin board.

We offer interesting quotes on the subjects of attitude, change, chaos, creativity, customer service, employee engagement, employees, empowerment, enthusiasm, execution, fear, gender, goals, leadership, mentoring, motivation, networking, passion, persistence, politics, potential, random acts of kindness, reading, repetition, sales, sense of urgency, teamwork, time management, women, and now dreams!

Click on “Words of Wisdom” in order to review our entire offering.

Harry K. Jones is a professional, motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.