National Day of Encouragement

Keep up the good work! Stay positive! You can do it!

National Day of Encouragement offers the ideal opportunity to be an encouragement to someone and make the world a slightly brighter place.

History of National Day of Encouragement

Humans have a tendency to get discouraged when things get tough. Perhaps a lost job, a broken relationship, a disappointing test score or just a rainy day can tend to keep people from focusing on the joy in life. But National Day of Encouragement was meant to promote a sense of encouragement between people in the local neighborhood and all over the world.

First announced in 2007 by the mayor of Searcy, Arkansas, National Day of Encouragement was then embraced by the Governor of Arkansas the following month. Later, US President George W. Bush signed a message declaring September 12 to be the National Day of Encouragement.

As National Day of Encouragement continues to grow in popularity, it’s the best opportunity to celebrate and get others on board with celebrating this noteworthy and impactful day!

How to Celebrate National Day of Encouragement

Taking a moment to be an encouragement to someone isn’t difficult! In fact, it doesn’t have to be limited to National Day of Encouragement. These ideas can be practiced at any time:

Be an Encouragement to Someone

Send a message to someone who is having a hard time to tell them that they will make it and that they are cared for. Craft a handwritten card or note of encouragement to a friend or family member that has an encouraging quote or message. Or give a hug to someone close to you and tell them what a great job they are doing with life!

Get Connected with The Encouragement Foundation 

The Encouragement Foundation (TEF) is a not for profit organization in Australia that works to help people stay encouraged, even in times of trouble. Through their website, blog and Facebook page, TEF works with students and individuals to keep them looking up. Participants can even sign up for weekly emails to get a boost of encouragement into their inbox.

Read (and Share) Some Encouraging Quotes

In honor of National Day of Encouragement, find some quotes that are inspiring or encouraging, and then dwell on them for a bit. Perhaps write them on a sticky note and place them on the bathroom mirror. Or put one on the dashboard of the car, or on the desk at the office. Rotate them regularly to stay in the groove of encouragement. And don’t keep them to yourself – remember to share them!

Get started with some of these encouraging and motivating quotes:

• Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it. – Greg Anderson 
• How wonderful it is that nobody needs to wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. – Anne Frank 
• The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up. – Mark Twain
• Every small, positive change we make in ourselves repays us in confidence in the future. – Alice Walker