Remember To Pause And Celebrate The Small Wins Too

Today I got a certificate in the mail to mark the completion of one of my yoga therapy trainings! 

Usually I would just acknowledge it and move right on to the next thing on my to-do list.  I haven’t always celebrated as much as I could.  Right now, I’m recognizing that I tend to neglect that part of my life.  I deserve to celebrate successes in my life whether they are big or small.  It took time to finish this training.  I had to do things that I had never done before.  I stepped out of my comfort zone in order to do this. 

I deserve to celebrate!

So, that’s what I’m doing for the rest of the day.  Yes, I’m still getting things on my to-do list done.  Yes, I’m still moving forward with the rest of my day.  But, I’m also enjoying this feeling of knowing that I’ve completed something that was important to me.  I’m letting it sink into my body that I’ve accomplished this goal.

It feels really good to do this.  I also realize that I could do it more often.  I can pause and celebrate when I finish teaching all of my classes for the week and I get a break.  I can pause and celebrate when I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone and made a new business connection. I can pause and celebrate when I just finish my day.

I think it changes my mindset when I give myself this chance to celebrate.  I’m focused on the fact that I did something more than on the fact that I did or didn’t do it perfectly.  I also notice when I celebrate that I’m more willing to keep moving forward in life.  I feel lighter and accomplished at the same time.

Don’t wait for the big wins.

When we wait for those big wins to really celebrate in life, those celebrations are too few and too far apart.  The motivation to keep moving forward just isn’t as readily available. 

Think about birthdays or graduations.   Your birthday is only once a year and graduations only happen a few times in your life.  Are those the only times that you can celebrate your accomplishments?

Absolutely not!

Sometimes just getting out of bed on a cold rainy morning is reason enough to celebrate.  I did it.  I got up and got moving to start the day.  Small win for sure but definitely reason to celebrate.

Next time you complete a project or just cook dinner on a busy night, pause for just a moment and celebrate your accomplishment.  Maybe feel a little gratitude for being able to complete the task.  Notice how your body feels when you celebrate.

Recognize growth

If you’re like me, we spend so much time beating ourselves up over what we didn’t get done in a day and that never feels good.  Try something different and notice how you respond.  I know that ever since I opened up the mail, I’ve felt a little lighter.  Just acknowledging how far I’ve come lets me realize that I’m not where I was a year ago.  I’ve continued to grow in my skills and I’ve continued to develop as a person. 

Celebrations not only feel good, but they also help you to realize just what you can do and what is possible for you still to do.

So, I’d love to hear what you’re celebrating today.  Leave a comment and share with the world what you have done that you didn’t think you could or would do.  Celebrate  the big and small wins with us.

Becky is a Yoga Therapist & has been teaching yoga since 2006. She loves to match people with a yoga practice that helps them to feel better every day & believes that there is a yoga practice for everyone. Click here to sign up for her mailing list & get all of the important news & tips first!