How I Celebrated My Small Win!

We all have big goals and dreams we want to achieve in our personal and professional lives… get promoted two years after starting work, finish that professional paper to up our skills, run a marathon soon.

All these are great but what about the small steps that lead us there? Within your path to your big dreams are smaller goals you need to achieve first. For example, your first big win securing an important job with an important client or even that 10km you run without feeling tired or breathless.

These are called small wins, and they are the milestones, achievements, and progress that we make every day, week, or month. Essentially, they are signs that you are moving in the right direction towards your big goal, and they indicate that you’ve come a long way from Day One. And if you keep hitting these small wins, you feel more motivated and inspired to keep going until the jackpot, you hit that big win!

Which is why we say, celebrate your small wins! And science tells you to as well. Research has shown that taking pride in small accomplishments leads to completing larger goals. It triggers feelings of pride and happiness, which keep us motivated to work towards the next steps and eventually whatever overall goals you’ve set for yourself. Scientifically, wins – big or small – release dopamine which boosts our mood and motivation. You can read more about this in our article here.

How has celebrating small wins at work turned out awesome? We’ve got some champs to share their stories with us.

“We successfully launched our new product feature after weeks of hard work. It feels incredible to see it live and being used by our customers. All the small wins we had during the entire process fuelled our determination to continue innovating and pushing boundaries.” – SC Lim

“I’ve always felt a little underwhelmed at work, not knowing if I am going the right direction or not. There was this time though when I completed an important task for my manager. She sent an email to the entire team, acknowledging my role in the project’s success. It felt great to be acknowledged! I kept that email and every other email that came in acknowledging whatever work I’ve done – regardless of how big or small the task. Whenever I feel a little less sure, I re-read these emails and feel confident and sure about myself.” – Johan M

“I received positive feedback from a client recently, praising my attention to detail and dedication. It might seem like a small gesture, but it's a reminder of why I do what I do. Celebrating these victories keeps me focused on delivering excellence." – Zhen Li

“I've been learning a new skill in my spare time, and I finally mastered it! It's a small victory, but it's a testament to my determination and commitment to self-improvement.” – Amie

“I received recognition for my contribution to a project, and it felt incredible. It's validation that my hard work and dedication haven't gone unnoticed. These small wins remind me of the impact I can make and inspire me to strive for excellence in everything I do." – Henry T

“I managed to tackle that daunting project one step at a time. Each small victory, from organising my thoughts to completing tasks, has built my confidence and reminded me of my capabilities. It's proof that persistence pays off, even in the face of challenges. Now, when it comes to other daunting projects, I’m not so anxious anymore because I’ve done it!” – Sam

What are some of your small wins?

Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash.