Celebrate Your Successes! You Deserve It. 

Generation Panic’ers tend to rush from one thing to the other. In doing so, they forget to pause and celebrate their achievements along the way. Ambitious high-achieving professionals are often so focused on the end result that they forget to stop and appreciate what has already been achieved. They do set goals, but once they reach them, frequently do not deem it “worthy” of celebration. As a result, they do not take credit for it before they move on to the next challenge. This mindset is typical for high-achieving professionals – they are rarely satisfied with where they are and what they have done.

If we focus on, and celebrate, our achievements, we can decrease our anxiety, rather than worrying about what is going to happen next. It is exhausting to move so quickly on to the next thing without pausing. 

Building blocks for success

Oprah Winfrey says: “The more you celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” She talks about success as a process, that every step you make and accomplish is a building block to success. Oprah believes that the speech she made in church as a three-year-old girl was the first step towards her successful TV career. What do you think led you to where you are today? 

I would like you to acknowledge your path to success. Take a moment and reflect on your achievements. Success does not come on its own. It is made of small steps. And each individual step counts. 

Reasons to celebrate 

Every small (or big) win is worth celebrating. For me, celebrating an achievement is the same as acknowledging it. I deliberately make sure I stop and celebrate; it is my way of patting myself on the back. Think of what you like to do and how you would like to celebrate all of your achievements. 

When we celebrate, we appreciate our efforts. It can decrease our anxiety, as it puts us in a positive mindset, rather than focusing and worrying about what must happen next.

If we take the time to celebrate, we can:

1. recognise the effort we put in;
2. figure out what our strengths are and what we are good at;
3. reflect on what we have learned from a positive perspective. 

It gives us a positive boost in the right direction. Forward and upwards. Here is how you can learn to celebrate your achievements. 

Toolbox: Celebrate! First, set small goals so that you have many chances to celebrate. Only if we take a break to applaud the small things will the taste of success be even sweeter. So pick out some little goals now that you want to achieve. Anything from going to that yoga class to replacing your caffeinated drink or meeting an old friend for a catch-up. Tell someone about what you are focusing on, so that they can hold you accountable. And make sure you celebrate once you have reached your goal!

Promise me to celebrate your success. You deserve it.