Let me ask you something: why is it that when we feel the excitement of getting closer to our creative goals and it’s bursting out of our chest, we stamp down on it before we become “too giddy.” 

Why do we keep quiet about our accomplishments?

Why do we downplay our pride in ourselves? 

Recently, I wrote the final scene in this novel I’d put on hold for over a year. After dusting off the cobwebs and putting in months of grueling work to complete it, I finally got to write those two special words: The End.

Then, I put the manuscript aside for six months and planned a trip to the grocery store to buy myself a treat (sour keys) and celebrated my small win with an episode of my favourite t.v. show. It was a simple celebration, yet I was proud of my small win and I quietly patted my inner writer on the back.

But, that small smile on my lips was still waiting to grow and the wish to dance is still being held in my bones for the proper time- perhaps when I get published.

That makes me sad.

I stopped writing for over a year when it got hard. My motivation waned when my inner writer felt defeated by the length of the journey and the lack of recognition I was receiving.

My creative self was worn out and didn’t know how to keep going.

Writing an entire novel is a huge success and it should be celebrated, but, I wonder if the discouragement that I felt and my ability to so easily pack it in could have been avoided if I celebrated earlier.

Today, I want to encourage you to celebrate your small wins.

Not just the successes that come with plaques and public recognition, but the stepping stones that have brought you to where you are today– the mini successes that only you and maybe a handful of people recognize. 

After I’m done, I want to leave you with a way to reflect on your successes and celebrate for you alone. So, I’ve created a short journal reflection for you.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary states that success is “a favourable or desirable outcome.”

This definition seems to focus strongly on the end result– in other words, that big accomplishment.

It implies a success or failure dichotomy. An “if it doesn’t work out in the end, according to my planned goals, then it wasn’t a success” notion.

That definition doesn’t work for me.

What about success within failure?

Learning, diverging from the goal, and finding something even richer?

What about all the difficult choices and challenging work that you put in before the outcome?

Can you not find success in any of that?

I believe that the definition of success is fluid. It can change for each of us, from one moment to the next, from one goal to another.

As I work on my novel, I feel successful when I’ve set that 20-minute timer and committed to writing during that time. Success is completing a chapter of my novel. I put in the work and I’ve seen results. I already have an outcome brewing!

Pause for a minute and ask yourself:

What does success mean to me?

Does it change for each situation in my life?

Dopamine!

That feel-good chemical that’s released in your brain and gets you eager to repeat the actions that make you feel great. 

When we recognize our accomplishments and take the time to celebrate them we are allowing our brain to release this chemical that makes us feel so amazing.

If we hold off on the celebration then our neurotransmitters don’t have as many opportunities to build strong connections regarding positive actions and habits within our brains. 

If we can remember to celebrate the small wins, recognizing the mini milestones that set us closer to accomplishing our greater goals then we’ve provided our brains with numerous opportunities to strengthen these dopamine-induced connections.

We’re making it easier to feel eager and motivated to keep working toward our goals. 

Your brain is now focused on finding ways to repeat these positive actions. 

By celebrating your hard work, you are making it easier for yourself to keep working toward your goals! 

So, we shouldn’t just wait for that big win to throw ourselves a party, we should be breaking down our goals and celebrating as we accomplish each task or milestone that brings us closer to its realization.

To celebrate small wins means to do something to mark or highlight your achievement.

It should be something that you sincerely love to do.

Just because some people love to celebrate their successes by throwing a lavish party or spending the night out at a club, it doesn’t mean you should feel pressured to celebrate this way. 

Success doesn’t even need to be publicly announced or Instagramed. It could be a solo celebration. 

Your celebration can be small and quiet or big and loud- whatever will genuinely mark just for you that you have accomplished your mini-goal.

As far as I’m concerned, If I try to celebrate my success in some fashionable way that I don’t honestly enjoy, those dopamine shots won’t be circuiting through my brain. 

However you decide to celebrate your small wins, do it for you alone.

I mean, I really can’t tell you how to celebrate success. If you’ve read the previous section of this post then you’ll know that how you celebrate is a personal decision.

It could be practically any way so long as you love to do that thing. Celebrations could be extravagant, on a budget, or with no budget at all.

If you’re looking for some ideas, here’s a list of ways to celebrate your successes.

Personally, I’m a solo success celebrator.

• Buy a tasty, sweet treat (Sour Keys or Skittles anyone??)

• Take my dog on a walk while listening to upbeat music (immediately after the accomplishment)

• Journal it out (use the fancy pen and drink some tea)

• Extravagant At-Home Spa Day (light all the candles, spend hours indulging)

However you decide to celebrate, make sure that you do it for yourself- invite others if you choose, but allow yourself to shine in the spotlight. You deserve it!

Reflection time: What successes have you had lately? Take a close look. Where do you see your mini-wins?

Share your small wins in the comments below. Let’s celebrate each other’s successes!

Download this self-reflection sheet to help you appreciate and set a celebration time for your win.

Talk soon!

Julia