Celebrations are an interesting thing. We have birthdays, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, the Queen’s Birthday and even a Secretary’s Day; but when was the last time you celebrated your business? Yes, you might have an anniversary and acknowledge that you have been in business for x number of years, but what about celebrating what you have achieved and how far you’ve come?
More than a calendar day
The great thing about a day that is set aside to acknowledge something specific is that we take the time to really celebrate and reflect. For example, Father’s Day is a time to get together with our dad and say thank you and to really connect with them. So even though it’s on a set date, it’s so much more than that.
Celebrate the wins
As a business owner, our to-do lists constantly bombard us. We know that as soon as we complete one task, the next one is looming, or all of the due dates are arriving together. We are so busy getting things done and working toward whatever we’re trying to get to, that we forget that we’re doing some great work on the journey too!
We need to be proud that we’re getting through the tasks and the bigger projects.
We need to celebrate the wins, no matter how small.
Think about this, when we celebrate the moments of the journey, we build our confidence to move ahead and achieve more. It’s essentially a positive knock-on effect for our business!
Look back and see the path
So here is what I am proposing. You need to take time out from your business and look at everything you have achieved and how far you have come.
Here are some things to consider:
- Projects you’ve completed
- Each of the tasks you’ve completed to finish the project
- Obstacles you overcame
- Solutions that you came up with and implemented
- The difference you’ve made to the lives of your customers
- Review the feedback you’ve received and really absorb it
- Acknowledge your team and what they have contributed
- The commitment it takes to stay in business
- The positives of being in business and being your own boss
Make a plan
So when you’ve looked at all of the reasons you have to celebrate being in business and what you’ve achieved, it’s time to think about ways to celebrate what you do. Often the main reason for not truly celebrating your business is the idea of celebrating in the first place and how to do it.
Of course, there is always the option to go out to the standard lunch but I am talking about really stepping up and creating something to get you not just thinking about your success, but relishing in it.
I’ve put together some suggestions on how you can celebrate what you do in a meaningful way:
- Share posts on social media about your wins
- Share details on your client’s successes
- Develop a reflection board for your business – include beautiful imagery, positive quotes, success stories and mementos from the process
- Write a blog post to share how far you’ve come
- Share your success at a networking event with colleagues
- Tell your family about your wins, no matter how small, don’t just focus on the troubles of your day
- Take a day off to volunteer at a charity with your team
- Buy some super cute stationery to brighten your office
- Get your team to write a note of praise to each other – make it anonymous for added impact
- Attend an unexpected team building exercise that has nothing to do with work – think crushing grapes at a winery – follow it up with a fab lunch!
- Treat yourself to a massage
- Enjoy a morning tea in the sunshine
- Meet at the beach for your regular team meeting
The big picture
So what is the point to all of this? We spend so much of our time in our business that we rarely have or make the time to reflect. By scheduling in some time to celebrate, we begin to focus on the positive aspects of our journey and not the negative. When you shift your focus, your mind shifts with it and looks for the silver lining in each situation and in every part of our lives, not just business.
It’s time to enjoy every aspect of our lives and this includes our business! I would love to hear what you’ve come up with to celebrate your business. Be sure to share your images with me on Instagram and Facebook!
Until next time, Belinda
