Our brains are wired to respond to rewards. Celebrating the completion of small accomplishments leads to the completion of larger goals. According to research by Teresa Amabile from Harvard Business School, people who tracked their small achievements every day enhanced their motivation.
The simple practice of recording your progress helps you to appreciate your small wins, which in turn boosts your sense of confidence. Any accomplishment, no matter how small, releases the neurotransmitter dopamine, which boosts your mood, motivation, and attention. It also signals you to keep doing the activity again and again.
There are lots of reasons to celebrate—sporting victories, birthdays, weddings, a new job—and ways of doing it—parties, presents—and so the list could go on and on.
Why should we celebrate our success?
1. To learn and adapt
Recognize what works well and why, and whether there is anything you can learn from it to inspire or reproduce in other actions and goals.
2. Developing a success mindset
Whatever we desire to alter, achieve, or have more of—whether it’s money, health, fitness, romance, or happiness—success is at the center of it all.
Because your mental state influences so much of your success, having a success mindset is critical.
3. Motivation
Motivation is also connected to mindset because we are motivated by our successes. So, give yourself as many opportunities to be successful as you can.
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4. Feeling good
One of the best reasons to celebrate success is simply that it feels good.
We’re driven to make changes in our lives because we want to feel better, be happier, and feel good.
5. Sharing success
Celebrating success isn’t necessarily just about you. It might be, but it can also give others the chance to join in with your celebration, be motivated, and share in your success.
How to celebrate our success
There are many small ways to celebrate success:
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Reflect on your wins.
After achieving a goal or completing a big task, always take time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished. Consider the variables of your efforts that were successful and take inventory of what you learned. Use this reflection time to consider what you’d do the same or differently next time.
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Express gratitude.
When you’re in the middle of the most difficult stretches of working toward a goal, gratitude helps you maintain perspective. It also allows you to honor your hard work after completing a task. Practice gratitude for your success by making a list of what you’re grateful for regarding the task.
List out what made your success possible, reflect on your hard work, and give credit to others who helped you.
Take a deep breath and let yourself feel relieved, happy, or excited. Then set your intentions for what’s next. You’ll simultaneously celebrate success and shift your focus to a new goal.
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Organize an activity.
Plan an outing with friends or coworkers to celebrate successful milestones. Organize a celebratory dinner with friends, a team-building activity, an awards ceremony, or a self-care night with loved ones.
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Practice self-care.
Achieving your goals isn’t always easy. It takes hard work and inner strength, and it’s easy to forget to take time for yourself.
A great way to celebrate success is to take time for self-love, exercise, meditate, call a friend, or make your favorite meal.
Celebrate success with self-care like a cup of coffee, a moment alone, and some self-reflection. You’ll feel re-energized for new goals.
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Take time for yourself.
Everyone needs to rest. There is no better time to take a day off than when you have just accomplished something big.
Celebrate in fun ways that nurture your mind, body, and spirit. Decide to celebrate in ways that speak to you and what you enjoy most. Hosting a dinner party with loved ones, going for a walk or jogging in the park, watching the sunrise or sunset, getting a massage or spa treatment, going on an adventure, and trying a new hobby are all ways to celebrate while nurturing yourself.
This alone time will allow you to reflect on your accomplishments.
The bottom line:
Allow yourself to celebrate the next time you accomplish something you’re proud of before moving on to the next objective.
Take the time to celebrate your success in healthy ways. Take pleasure in your efforts, energy, and achievements. Include individuals who have supported you along the journey and remember to celebrate in ways that nourish your mind, body, and spirit.