Have you ever noticed how the minute you accomplish one thing, your head is already looking for the next thing to do?
It’s so easy to forget to stop and take a moment to celebrate your wins. We live in a society where constantly achieving the next thing is revered. You're always off, moving, pushing forward onto your next goal, your next win, the next thing on your list.
I’m as guilty of this as anyone else. But the awesomeness I feel when I do take that moment — even if it’s a small break — is always mindblowing with the amount of joy and relief I feel. And I truly believe the Universe hands us more when we appreciate what we have - where we are, right at this moment.
And when we don’t?
We find the struggle so much harder.
So let's take the time to stop, take a moment to breathe, to enjoy, appreciate, and feel gratitude for our wins as we move on to why it's so important to celebrate them.
Why It's Important to Celebrate Your Wins
Celebrating your wins is important because it helps with:
- confidence
- thinking positive
- building momentum
- attracting more success
- how you view the world
and sets you up with motivation for moving forward towards your next goal with enthusiasm.
When you don't take even a moment to acknowledge what you've done, you teach yourself that achieving your goals isn't all that important or exciting. Or when you just celebrate the big wins and ignore all the little ones.
Celebrating any achievement, large or small, gives your life and your work meaning. Without meaning, there's no motivation or reason for doing something. So, here are six things you can do to celebrate all your wins and accomplishments before you move on to the next thing. I've also included some suggestions for a daily action plan.
Don’t Forget the Small Stuff
The big events get all the credit in our lives. But what about the little ones?What about all the steps and actions that lead up to completing the large tasks? What are you doing today that is better than you did it yesterday?
It's so easy to remember the big stuff because the small seem so inconsequential. But if it wasn't for all those little steps, the big would never happen.
So, let’s take a moment and celebrate the small victories - the baby steps - the little wins - that turn the big, huge goals and dreams into reality.
Take a Grateful Pause Before Moving On
When is the last time you stopped to say 'THANK YOU' to yourself and those around you for making your wins happen?
We're so busy bouncing on to the next thing, that we forget to be grateful for the people, the things, that got us there, including ourselves. So, the next time you achieve a win, - big or small - stop, pause, and...
Don’t worry about the past and don’t think about the future. Just clear your mind, focus on the present and be grateful for where you are — right here, right now.
Give Yourself Permission to Celebrate
Why is it that we celebrate other's wins but not our own?
The next time, you achieve a win, forget feeling guilty or downplaying it. Instead, give yourself permission to bask in the glow of your achievement. And ignore anyone who says you're bragging or tries to make you feel guilty for enjoying your moment.
I mean really, why should you feel guilty or only tell people about your failures?
Just stop it!
It's okay to celebrate your wins and not feel a hint of guilt that you appreciate your coolness. Give yourself permission to be amazed at how fucking AWESOME you are.
Appreciate the Things that Got You Here
How often do you stop and look back at all the events — good or bad — that got you where you are today?
After all, they are the things that made you who you are today.
If you're like most of us, you probably haven't given it much thought, especially to the bad ones. So, let's work on changing that.
While you're celebrating your current achievement, take a moment to look back at all the things that allowed you to have what you have right this exact moment. Yes, it's all in the past, but without the past, we couldn't be the AWESOME WHO we are today.
Call, Email, Text Someone and Tell Them
When is the last time you shared any of your wins other than the really large ones?
Let others help you celebrate your wins, whether you're just happy you got out of bed this morning and put on pants (a huge accomplishment for the work from home peeps) or got a raise at work. It doesn’t what the win is, share it.
Sharing your wins with others allows them to get to know more about what makes you. It can also inspire others. And hey, who couldn't do with a little inspiration.
Be your own inspiration. This is about you living your life and enjoying the things that got you to where you are today. So live it, celebrate it, and share it.
Don’t Forget the Fun
Celebrate your wins because it's fun.
It’s so easy to get trapped in the seriousness of life, we forget the fun. Don’t ever, ever forget the fun, especially when you're winning.
The fun is what makes life worth living. It’s what keeps us from being trapped in all the “seriousness” of life that everyone makes it out to be. Do that happy dance. Shout at the sky. Jump for joy. Say cheers over a glass of wine.
It’s okay for the wins to be fun. And the more fun you have, the more you'll look forward to what's to come.
Daily Quick Action Steps
Looking for a quick way to celebrate your wins? Here are the only five steps you need.
- Think of one recent accomplishment you did, no matter how big or small, and take a moment to enjoy it. Go ahead and give yourself a huge pat on the back.
- Express gratitude for three things in your life that helped you accomplish your achievement.
- Take a pause and reflect back on all the accomplishments that set you up for where you are today.
- Tell someone about your accomplishment, share the joy.
- Have fun celebrating your achievement.
Wrapping It Up
It’s time to stop looking forward to the next step, the next goal, before stopping to celebrate the wins we just achieved.
Forget, for a moment, the next thing on our to-do list. Use the five action steps to get started quickly. And soon you’ll be realizing all your actions are freaking amazing.
Because without them, you would not be where you are or who you are today — right now. And right now — you are the most awesome person you can possibly be because yesterday helped make you who you are today and tomorrow isn’t here — yet.
