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3 Reasons Why You Should Appreciate Your Small Wins

3 Reasons Why You Should Celebrate Your Small Wins

Here at GenTwenty, we embrace the idea of having goals, big or small. We even have tips about ways you can set and achieve them! Whether you want to make time to travel more, get that promotion you’ve had your eye on, learn a new language, or embrace a healthier lifestyle, there are ways you can make it happen.

Related: 19 Goals To Set In 2019

Goals are important parts of our lives. Having a goal means we have consciously decided we want to make a change that we feel will better apart of our lives and we’re ready to start making it happen.

3 Reasons Why You Should Appreciate Your Small Wins

So why is it that we sometimes find it so easy to give up or not follow through? Many times we find ourselves doubting after time that we’ll be able to achieve it, or we get impatient when we aren’t seeing results fast enough. So how do we fix this?

One way is to start appreciating your small wins. Small wins can be described as small manageable accomplishments that show us we are progressing towards our bigger goal. Don’t let the term small deceive you though, these little guys can play a big role when we learn to embrace them. Here are three reasons why:

1. Confidence.

Confidence is always important when tackling something new, but fortunately acknowledging your small wins will help your confidence.

When recently trying to adapt to a healthier lifestyle myself, I noticed after a month in that a lot of my clothes started fitting more comfortably. My goal wasn’t to necessarily lose weight, but it helped to know I was progressing even through days I struggled. I was seeing a positive effect and for me, this was definitely a small win. It made me stop focusing on the days I may have felt like I was failing and accept that I can do this.

According to Talk Space:

There is science behind this thought process too. When you accomplish something, it activates the reward center of our brains, allowing us to feel a sense of pride. Specifically, the neurochemical dopamine is released and energizes us with feel-good emotions. This chemical helps you to experience the feeling of getting rewarded and can hook you on wanting to achieve even more.

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2. Motivation.

While confidence and motivation are very similar, in this instance small wins affect your confidence by proving that you can do it.

Motivation refers to the actual work you’re willing to put in. It addresses the part of your mind that asks yourself, how bad do you really want this. It’s no mystery that success drives many of us. Success no matter how big gives us the motivation to strive for that feeling again. That motivation is what allows them to keep working towards their goal.

When we learn to appreciate them, that success is what a small win provides. According to Harvard Business Review, there have been studies that show the effectiveness of small wins and how they motivate employees in the workplace. It states,

“The more frequently people experience that sense of progress, the more likely they are to be creatively productive in the long run. Whether they are trying to solve a major scientific mystery or simply produce a high-quality product or service, everyday progress—even a small win—can make all the difference in how they feel and perform.

3. Perspective.

When you understand the significance of your small wins, it can change your perspective of reaching goals entirely.

Celebrating these accomplishments along the way can make the process seem less difficult, even fun! You can use them as stepping stones to track your progress by keeping a journal. You can also use them as a chance to reward yourself for your hard work. Who doesn’t enjoy a chance to treat themselves every now and then?

Related: Goal Setting With Micro Goals

When you allow yourself to change perspective, you’ll also notice you probably aren’t getting discouraged as often. You’ll be focused more on your success and find yourself feeling validated and once again, confident and motivated.

A small win, success, triumph, whatever you plan to call it should be about celebrating you. Not everyone’s journey to reach a goal is going to be the same, and that’s okay! Remember that a goal isn’t something that is supposed to happen overnight, but appreciating any win big or small will provide some of the momentum you need. If you ultimately decide to take time to value yourself and each milestone I’d say that’s a win in itself.

About the Author

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Maggie is a 2014 graduate of Wingate University where she received a B.S. in Communications with an emphasis in Media and Journalism. She enjoys binging Netflix documentaries, exploring new places, and will never turn down a good book. She hopes to establish herself in a career that allows her to help others. In her free time, Maggie can be found writing or adventuring with her two dogs.