February 29th – A “Bonus” Day – or not …

Today is Leap Day! – February 29th – the day that is added to our calendar in years that are divisible by 4 – unless that year is divisible by 100 in which it is not added – unless the year is divisible by 400 in which case it is …

The reason we add the day is because the time it takes for the earth to revolve around the sun is slightly longer than 365 days (actually 365.256 days). So, if this day were not added, eventually we would have a blizzard on July 4th and who wants to celebrate the 4th of July with a blizzard – unless it is a Dairy Queen Blizzard!

The date actually goes back to the time of Caesar – 45 B.C. I find it absolutely incredible that they figured this type of thing out back then. I find it incredible that anyone could figure this out even today. People are pretty smart – ok some people are pretty smart – some are incredibly stupid, but that is not for this blog.

There are lots of traditions/superstitions regarding Leap Day. If you don’t believe me, Google it. They include:

• It is a day that it is permissible for a woman to propose to a man – and if a man says no to that marriage, he must purchase the woman 12 pairs of gloves. (So, single men, be careful today!)
• Babies born on this day are invited to join The Honor Society of Leap Day Babies.
• In Scotland it was considered unlucky to be born on a Leap Day.
• Greek tradition holds that it is unlucky to be married during a Leap Year. (Hey, I was married during a Leap Year – that may explain a lot to Stacy!)
• In villages of southern Germany, there is a tradition of boys putting up a small May tree in their love interest’s back garden during the night before May Day. But in Leap Years, it becomes the girls’ turn to put of the trees.

What is your view of this extra day? 

In today’s world, I think we can have one of three views – to keep it simple.

1. Today I work for free. 
   If you are paid twice a month and are on salary, today is a day you work for free – although your boss would say that it is worked into you compensation package.
2. Today is a bonus day.
   This is the other view. Today is a “bonus day” – an extra day added to the year where you get to make a difference! One more day to impact the world!
3. . Today I make I close an extra deal. Use this day to close a deal or two and add to your bottom line.

What is your view of today – a day working for free, a bonus day or a day to close a deal?

It makes me sad if you look at this day in any other way than a bonus day. Each day we live, we should enter it thinking it is a day to make a positive contribution to society. Each day is a clean slate. Each day brings new opportunities.

If this is not your view, perhaps you need to change jobs. If you are not excited about life and about what you do, make some changes!

Getting an extra day is fantastic! How are you going to utilize it?

Happy Selling,

David