We're always too busy, although many of us still find the time to celebrate moments like birthdays, holidays, and special occasions, but now what about our own personal accomplishments and achievements. It seems to be so difficult for us to actually recognize our personal achievements? I know personally, it can be for me.
I can take a compliment, but I find it hard sometimes to actually list my accomplishments. I noticed this about myself recently. As a child people would give me words of positive affirmation which served as an indicator to me that I was in the right direction, but found it difficult to acknowledge my own successes. This difficulty has accompanied me throughout my adult life. But I am working on recognizing myself, and my accomplishments.
Understand that if we took time to acknowledge ourselves, we would experience an increase in hope and inner resilience, that is, if we fully consider and honor our achievements. When you hit a big milestone, instead of instantly going on to the list of things you'd like to accomplish next, give yourself permission to meditate on what you've accomplished; it's okay to celebrate you.
Here are five reasons why acknowledging your accomplishments is essential to your growth.
1. More Than A Feeling
When we celebrate, endorphins are produced in our bodies, making us feel fantastic. Celebrating your victories not only feels good emotionally but also demonstrates the attitude you want to personify when confronted with a new obstacle or opportunity. If every day is mundane, you will avoid giving your all. A lack of celebration will lead to a sense of emptiness, resulting in reduced motivation and lower results.
2. Everyone Wins
There are numerous psychological and physiological advantages of genuinely celebrating your victories; moreover, no one wants to dance alone! There are additional benefits to be experienced when we reach to include our tribe and those who have been a part of the journey in the celebration. One of the awesome results is that new ideas and possibilities arise and are exchanged freely when successes are correctly identified and celebrated.
3. Blueprint For Celebration
Celebrating your success will motivate others to adopt a similar attitude. When people around you see how happy you are as a result of your successes, they will want to feel the same way. Your celebrating gives them license to also acknowledge their wins. This is why it's so important to include others in the celebration. Allow them to feel your happiness and inform them of how they played a role in the success that’s being celebrated.
4. Success Breeds More Success.
The story we tell ourselves is incredibly significant within our journey. Telling yourself that you will be awesome and that you will accomplish your goals will improve your confidence. As you aspire to advance throughout your professional and personal life, celebrating not only highlights the skills and qualities of what you're doing, but also empowers those around you, and places your tribe as a desirable community with which others would like to partner with.
5. Learn
You can never really feel successful if you race from goal to goal, always looking forward to the next thing. Taking this opportunity to reflect on what you accomplished and celebrate your accomplishments! Remember your milestones and realize that your commitment is making a difference. Celebrating and acknowledging leads to learning.
As we reflect on the journey, the highs, lows, and moments of failure, we gain insight into how we arrived at the finish line. With this newly gained insight, we are able to put into practice the lessons learned and once again reach new milestones.
Final Word: Thanksgiving.
Don’t just take time to celebrate yourself. But also celebrate your gifts, talents, skills, imperfections, and all. This is what true thanksgiving is all about. Understanding that you are not the same person you were 3 months ago, 9 months ago, or even yesterday. And that change was not done all by yourself, but rather others (even the naysayers) have played a part in this version of you.
