Why Celebrating Small Wins is Essential for Your Business Growth
Nov 11, 2024
As entrepreneurs and busy mothers, we often find ourselves chasing the next big milestone without stopping to acknowledge the progress we’ve already made. It's a cycle of hustle, grind, achieve—and then move right on to the next thing. Sound familiar? If you’ve ever hit a significant goal only to brush it off and dive into the next task, this post is for you.
Recently, I passed 7,000 downloads on This Mother Means Business podcast. Now, 18 months ago, I would have been over the moon to hear that I’d hit that number, but when it happened, I barely paused to celebrate. Instead, I started comparing my progress to others: people hitting 25,000 downloads a month or celebrating millions of listens. This comparison trap nearly robbed me of the joy I should have felt from reaching that milestone.
Today, I want to remind you (and myself) of the importance of celebrating every win—especially the small ones. Because let’s be honest, in both business and motherhood, it’s far too easy to overlook those achievements while focusing on how far we still have to go.
The Science of Celebration
It’s not just about feeling good for a moment—celebrating small wins actually has a scientific basis. When we acknowledge our successes, no matter how small, our brain releases dopamine, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter. This boost of dopamine reinforces positive behavior, making it more likely that we’ll continue to push forward with motivation and enthusiasm.
By contrast, if we only focus on what’s next or what others are achieving, we risk creating a negative feedback loop. We end up feeling like we’re not doing enough, which can slow our momentum and drain our energy. This is why recognizing even the seemingly minor milestones is crucial. It keeps us motivated and helps us build a positive mental framework, which, in turn, enhances our productivity and happiness.
Why Comparing Your Journey to Others Is Dangerous
Let’s get one thing straight—everyone's journey is different. Sure, some entrepreneurs are hitting 25,000 downloads a month, but guess what? They once had 7,000 too! Every “overnight success” you see took years of hard work and consistency to get there.
When we compare our progress to others, we lose focus on what we’re building and start doubting our path. I’ve been guilty of this, and maybe you have too. But here’s the truth: business is a marathon, not a sprint. If you’re not taking time to celebrate the smaller achievements, you’re setting yourself up for burnout.
The Connection Between Celebration and Burnout Prevention
We often set long-term goals in our businesses—whether it’s hitting a revenue target, building a certain audience size, or expanding our services. And while big goals are essential, if we don’t stop to acknowledge our progress along the way, we run the risk of burnout.
For example, I remember setting a goal for my first $20K month. When I was only making $3,000 a month, that felt like a dream. I even made plans to celebrate in style—hire a stylist, redo my wardrobe, you name it. But when I hit that goal? I celebrated for about a second, then moved on to the next thing. I didn’t give myself the time to enjoy that achievement, and it contributed to burnout.
Celebration isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s necessary to refuel your energy and motivation for the long haul.
Practical Steps to Start Celebrating More
If you're like me and find it hard to stop and celebrate, let’s work on this together. Here are some simple, actionable steps to make celebration a consistent part of your routine:
- Daily Reflection: Take five minutes at the end of the day to reflect on what went right. It could be as small as sending an important email, showing up for yourself, or setting a boundary. Journaling, sharing with a partner, or even recording a voice note are all ways to capture these wins.
- Track Your Wins: Whether you keep a running note on your phone or use a journal, writing down your victories can have a powerful effect. Even if the win feels small, like signing a new client or hitting a revenue milestone, tracking your progress over time helps you see just how much you’ve accomplished. And these small wins can snowball, creating momentum that propels you forward.
- Make Celebration Part of Your Routine: Build in moments of celebration to your week. For example, plan to do something special every time you hit a milestone—whether that’s going for a walk, treating yourself to your favorite coffee, or simply taking a break to acknowledge your success. The act of celebration doesn’t need to be grand; it just needs to be intentional.
- Get Others Involved: Share your wins with your team, your family, or your business community. If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you know that I encourage celebrating wins publicly. Tag me @itslaurasinclair and share what you’re celebrating, no matter how small it feels. There’s power in bringing others into your celebration—it reinforces the positive energy and keeps the momentum going.
- Focus on Your Journey, Not Theirs: It’s tempting to look at others and feel like your achievements are small in comparison. But remember, your journey is unique, and it’s yours alone. Instead of focusing on what someone else has achieved, spend that energy on celebrating your path. What are the milestones you’ve hit this week? This month? This year? Write them down and acknowledge the progress you’ve made.
- Celebrate Even the Hard Days: Sometimes, the victory is just getting out of bed and showing up. If you’re going through a tough season, remember that simply continuing forward is something to celebrate. We often downplay these kinds of wins, but they are just as significant as the big achievements.
What Will You Celebrate Today?
Take a moment right now to think about what you can celebrate today. Did you complete a task that’s been hanging over your head? Did you take time for yourself amidst the busyness of entrepreneurship and motherhood? Maybe you set a boundary that protected your time and energy.
Whatever it is, take a deep breath, acknowledge it, and let yourself feel proud. Don’t wait for the “big” wins to come—start celebrating today.
Remember, your journey is your own, and every step forward is a victory. Let’s commit to celebrating the small wins, building momentum, and creating a business that feels joyful and sustainable.
I’d love to hear from you—what are you celebrating right now? Share with me on Instagram at @itslaurasinclair, and let’s make celebrating a regular part of our lives and businesses!
Celebrating the small wins will not only boost your motivation but also keep you energized for the long journey ahead. So, what are you waiting for? Celebrate something today—your future self will thank you for it!
