Celebrate Your Wins

It’s both physically and literally difficult to pat yourself on the back. When you accomplish small steps, do you celebrate?  It’s a foreign idea for me to get my head around. It seems like bragging or “blowing your own horn:” embarrassingly self-serving. However, there is value in celebrating those wins.

A Checklist Is Not Sufficient

When I’m working towards a goal, I tend to have a list of items that I need to do to reach that goal. I’ve never celebrated each item with anymore than a firm checkmark when completed. Even when some of the steps are tricky and involve a lot of effort, I didn’t feel a “round of applause” for myself was necessary. I just moved on to the next item on my list. Sometimes, my enthusiasm for the project started to wane. I’m learning that I may have be sabotaging my motivation and success by failing to celebrate.

Celebrating small wins stimulates dopamine release in the brain, a feel-good chemical that reinforces the learning experience and strengthens our sense of connection to those we work with. Change and growth are promoted through positive emotions more than through disciplined practice.”*

by Whitney Johnson, Harvard Business Review

How do you celebrate a small win? 

I know how to recognize the momentous occasions like milestone birthdays, graduations and weddings. But I don’t want to pop champagne every time I learn a new skill, or consistently complete a new healthy habit for a month. I don’t work with anyone anymore, so my celebration has to come from me.

Here are some ways to celebrate the small wins?

• share the good news with someone supportive
• create and listen to a celebratory playlist (dance to an favourite song)
• treat yourself to a slice of cake/favourite coffee
• buy yourself flowers or pick some flowers for your room
• take some time off to watch a favourite movie/show
• change the home screen on your phone to a celebratory picture or message**

When you recognize your hard work and dedication, it builds momentum and gives you the energy and willpower you need to keep moving forward. 

🎉Today is the ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY of this blog, Retired, And Now What! I’m celebrating by sharing this with you.  Woo Hoo!🎉

What will you celebrate today? Comment below.

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*https://hbr.org/2022/01/celebrate-to-win

**https://www.inhersight.com/blog/career-development/celebrate-small-wins

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