Celebrate! Celebrate! Celebrate! If you are feeling bogged down, flat or feel like you are not moving towards your business or career goals as fast as you think you should, it could be time to stop, acknowledge and celebrate. We are often so busy planning and implementing our goals that we overlook one of the most important steps needed to keep us focused and motivated. We need to celebrate the steps we have achieved along the way towards the goal and have a very big celebration when the goal itself is actually reached.
Why Acknowledging Your Achievements is Important
Acknowledging and rewarding ourselves for the achievements along the way to the ultimate goal reinforces our self esteem and helps make today as successful and memorable in our minds as the tomorrows we are reaching for. Otherwise, there is the risk of getting caught in a cycle of feeling we never quite get there because there is always more to do – not a very uplifting and supportive frame of mind. This pattern often stems from childhood when, whatever we achieved, we were told we could and should do better. We never got into the habit of acknowledging what we had actually done. Get a writing pad out and list all the wins you have had so far towards getting your business and personal goals. You afforded new equipment, got ‘x’ number of new clients, profits are up, systems in – these are all wins worthy of celebration.
Identify Your Wins
Some of them may not even be tangible, measurable wins, but may have come out of lessons you have learnt along the way. What do you know now that you didn’t know before? How are you stronger? What skills have you acquired? These are also wins that will carry you forward both personally and professionally. Do this process with a friend or colleague who knows you well and you can call each other on any wins you gloss over.
Reward Yourself
Now look at that list of wins and find some special ways to reward yourself. No, “well done me” is not enough. Buy something you have wanted for a long time, have a mutual celebratory dinner with a friend, do something special. CELEBRATE – then move on reassured and remotivated towards bigger and better things.
