How to Celebrate Your Victories: Creative ideas to reward yourself

We all have big dreams. Society and culture encourage us to have larger-than-life fantasies. We want to own businesses and homes; be celebrities, and become presidents. These big goals drive us in life, and they are fantastic to have, but since they are so long-term, it is easy to lose energy and become demotivated. That is why it is vital to celebrate small victories if we want to have long-term success.

What’s worse is that we get so wrapped up in waiting for the big stuff that we lose sight of the small victories. It might not make much sense now, but if you stick around long enough, we promise to shed more light on the subject in the paragraphs below.

What are small victories?

You are not hearing this for the first time, and if you are, you are in the right place.  Small victories are achievements that align with your long-term goals, whether in your personal life, career, or finances. It is easy to miss these small wins because they may seem insignificant compared to everything else you want to accomplish.

Consider this example:

You have always wanted to own a clothing brand, but you are yet to be able to afford it. Then you get a sales representative job for a small brand yet to make a name for itself. You don’t want to be a sales rep; you want to own a brand as massive as Fashion Nova. But have you stopped to celebrate that you are working in the industry and have the opportunity to learn the ropes and understand your clientele? That in itself is a preparation for where you want to be.

Why should we celebrate small victories?

Why sulk and lose faith waiting for the big things to happen when you can turn up the music and celebrate the little things? There is so much to be happy and grateful for. Learn why celebrating the small stuff is important.

•   Energy and motivation

I’ve been trying to complete a book for a while now, and honestly, I am spent. I have decided to celebrate every new page and chapter I manage to add to the reader. And I have become more excited and motivated to continue the work ahead.

When energy is low, accomplishing tasks becomes incredibly challenging. You find that you start to procrastinate and be lazy despite the severity of your goals. But when you celebrate the small things, you become more energetic about other things. You are motivated to keep going because if this was possible, the others are too!

• Personal and professional growth

By acknowledging the small wins, you can track how far you have grown as a person and see how far you have come in your professional life. Tracking your successes will come in handy when trying to learn a new habit or unlearn an old one. For instance, if you have made a conscious decision to quit drinking and smoking, start by celebrating your 24-hour milestone, then grow to 7 days, 4 weeks, 3 months, etc. This allows you to keep a record of all you can achieve.

•   Self-love

Celebrating small wins is a fantastic show of self-love. It cancels out self-doubt, critique, and imposter syndrome. Be happy about what you can achieve. So you are working on getting your degree, but do you remember patting yourself on the back for an outstanding end-of-semester result? If you cannot show yourself a degree of compassion and respect, even the big wins will mean nothing when they come.

•   Happiness

Psychologist Dr. James Hollis said, “Joy and happiness are not goals in themselves, but they are by-products of those moments when we are doing what is right for us.” Happiness is a by-product of a thriving business, a stable relationship, healthy children, and a successful career. So to be happy, you must learn to add meaning to your life. This can mean celebrating that you are in a stable marriage while you wait on having kids or being happy that you have a job while waiting on starting your own business. It just makes you happy!

How to celebrate your victories big and small 

Here are simple and creative ways to celebrate yourself for even the (seemingly) small milestones: 

• Throw a Party! 

Whether it's a small gathering with close friends or an all-out bash, celebrating your wins with loved ones is a fantastic way to mark the occasion. Pop some champagne, dance the night away, and relish in your success!

• Treat Yourself! 

You deserve it! Indulge in a special gift, like that item you've been eyeing or a luxurious experience. A little self-care goes a long way in savoring your accomplishments.

• Plan a Getaway! 

Book a weekend trip or a day of pampering. Escape the everyday and recharge by enjoying your win in a new setting.

• Do Something Fun! 

Find an activity that brings you joy, whether it's trying a new hobby, taking a dance class, or simply enjoying a night out. Celebrate your hard work in a way that's meaningful to you.

• Reflect and appreciate! 

Take a moment to savor your achievement, no matter how big or small. Write in a journal, create a vision board, or simply bask in the feeling of a job well done. Appreciating your wins is key to staying motivated and inspired.

Final thoughts

Do you know how many wins you have in a day? Are you attentive enough to notice the small things that are going right for you? Get a journal and count your blessings. Name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.