National Leave the Office Early Day
Isn't the idea of skipping out early appealing? As great as it sounds, it will still take some effort to get your work done before you leave. The goal of National Leave the Office Early Day is not to leave work unfinished, but to increase your productivity while you're at work. This will leave you more time to enjoy time with family and friends.
Productivity expert, Laura Stack provides these tips:
* Tackle the task you like the least first.
* For the first two hours of work, don't open email or answer the phone; instead, use those hours to focus on the tasks that require the most concentration.
* Stop flitting around from one project to another. Finish one before moving onto the next.
Heimlich Maneuver Introduced
Approximately 50,000 people in the United States have been saved since by the Heimlich Maneuver since it was first performed. Dr. Henry J. Heimlich "published findings on what was to become the Heimlich Maneuver in 1974. A week later, the first choking victim was saved by the method," according to the Heimlich Institute. Prior to this accomplishment, Dr. Heimlich performed the "first total organ replacement in history." Brush up on how to perform the maneuver.
The Heimlich Maneuver has also made its way into pop culture.
* Bill Murray does it in "Groundhog Day."
* Robin Williams, dressed as a woman in "Mrs. Doubtfire" gives away his identity thanks to the life-saving maneuver.
* Sandra Bullock does it in "Miss Congeniality."
National Doughnut Day
Free donuts. That's right. Krispy Kreme is giving away a free doughnut of any variety, no purchase necessary. There are a number of doughnut-based holidays throughout the year, but National Doughnut Day has a solid history: "Since 1917, when a cheerful Salvation Army lassie handed a fresh doughnut to a homesick doughboy in France, The Salvation Army doughnut has symbolized loving concern for those in the armed forces," according to the Great War Society.
The Salvation Army cooks, called "lassies," were sent to the front lines during WWI to cook for the troops. They cooked doughnuts in oil contained in metal helmets. Doughboys can be made at home by frying bread dough in heated oil. They can be served with cinnamon and sugar and are easy to make. Today, most enjoy the convenience of ready-made doughnuts from the corner bakery.
