I definitely think we should cherish those milestones, big and small. They remind us of how far we’ve come. You have to remember that one day you were just starting and your goals then may look completely different from your goals now and that’s from growth and hard work. Celebrating (whether you’re alone or with others) is so amazing because when those hard days come you can remember how proud you felt when you reached your last goal. I think it just depends on the person’s ambition and what they want to achieve. Great post!
Agree with Vonn, celebrating milestones is essential for recognizing our progress, even if it's just a small step forward. Curious, how do you typically celebrate your achievements, both big and small, to keep yourself motivated, Vonn?
Oh my goodness, sometimes I think I over-celebrate. When I finished my book draft, I had my whole family over for dinner and popped a bottle of bubbly. The other day I hit 50 subscribers here, after being on 49 for months, and I promptly went to the park and leaned against a huge tree so I could feel its bark breathing into me across my whole back, and wept like a baby. Stupid, but I'm sure I'll remember that moment because of taking the time and space to sit with it.
At times we envision these moments as the moments that will change the way we feel about something when in reality we are the ones who decide to feel what we want to feel in the moment.
If we want to celebrate, we make the effort. It does not come automatically when we reach the said milestone.
I feel like a jackass for it, but I ALWAYS celebrate those milestones. Even if it's just about letting myself smile about it.
I learned this the hard way through my corporate career. It was far from my dream job, so I let that motivate me to climb the ladder. I rarely celebrated as accolades or successes were thrown my way.
Now I'm following my passion and every time even one person celebrates that - I feel a lifetime of the crust of corporate drudgery get chipped away.
Not celebrating any milestones made me become an unhappy achiever (term my therapist used to describe me). I’m trying to treat myself more often. This reminds me of Donna and Tom from Parks and Rec who had “treat yoself” days.
Yes ...says the girl who never celebrates any milestone 😪 when I sold 1000 books my husband forced me to celebrate. I was already saying "it's not worth it, 1000 books sold is ridiculous " when just 6 months before I would have paid to reach this milestone. I'll sell 2000 books soon. I'll start thinking about how I'll celebrate right now 😉
I 100% agree. I am a perfectionistic, so I am never satisfied with how many likes, comments or dollars I get for a given piece of writing. Instead, I look for impact. I write because I love it and live for it, but also because I love to educate and entertain others to make their lives better in some way. That's where I derive satisfaction, even if I only impacted one reader or if I've learned something along the way.
I love your comment about celebrating milestones, whatever they may be. Recently, thanks to great advice from a friend, I celebrate daily wins. They might not be champagne-popping celebrations every time, but at the end of each day, I ask myself what I accomplished today that I'm proud of and I write it down. Some days, it is getting out of bed and walking the dog. Other days, it might be that I submitted something on time (procrastinators unite!) or that I wrote or read something that moved me. We have to find our motivation wherever we can.
It is sometimes hard to see our own progress unless we stop to acknowledge it. Most of us are on to the next thing without reflecting on the current achievements (no matter how small).
I often tell my kids that if they could see themselves through my eyes they would be proud of themselves.
I, and maybe many of us, should take that same advice and view ourselves through the eyes of those that are excited & supportive of our efforts.
I definitely think we should cherish those milestones, big and small. They remind us of how far we’ve come. You have to remember that one day you were just starting and your goals then may look completely different from your goals now and that’s from growth and hard work. Celebrating (whether you’re alone or with others) is so amazing because when those hard days come you can remember how proud you felt when you reached your last goal. I think it just depends on the person’s ambition and what they want to achieve. Great post!
Agree with Vonn, celebrating milestones is essential for recognizing our progress, even if it's just a small step forward. Curious, how do you typically celebrate your achievements, both big and small, to keep yourself motivated, Vonn?
I agree!
Oh my goodness, sometimes I think I over-celebrate. When I finished my book draft, I had my whole family over for dinner and popped a bottle of bubbly. The other day I hit 50 subscribers here, after being on 49 for months, and I promptly went to the park and leaned against a huge tree so I could feel its bark breathing into me across my whole back, and wept like a baby. Stupid, but I'm sure I'll remember that moment because of taking the time and space to sit with it.
I have a problem with emotions too.
A few days ago, in less than 24 hours:
- I passed 300 subscribers
- I got more than 30 subscribers in a day
- I earned 3 new paid subscribers, quadrupling their total.
I fist pumped. And shouted like a caveman.
And nothing more.
The day after I itched to celebrate somehow. But I just worked as always.
I think a lazy day. Or just a lazy half day, would have been enough.
At times we envision these moments as the moments that will change the way we feel about something when in reality we are the ones who decide to feel what we want to feel in the moment.
If we want to celebrate, we make the effort. It does not come automatically when we reach the said milestone.
That was insightful David, thanks!
I feel like a jackass for it, but I ALWAYS celebrate those milestones. Even if it's just about letting myself smile about it.
I learned this the hard way through my corporate career. It was far from my dream job, so I let that motivate me to climb the ladder. I rarely celebrated as accolades or successes were thrown my way.
Now I'm following my passion and every time even one person celebrates that - I feel a lifetime of the crust of corporate drudgery get chipped away.
Not celebrating any milestones made me become an unhappy achiever (term my therapist used to describe me). I’m trying to treat myself more often. This reminds me of Donna and Tom from Parks and Rec who had “treat yoself” days.
I agree with you. You can spend a lifetime chasing milestones and the feeling they bring. Thanks for this gentle reminder.
Thank you for your article. I shall follow your advice. Makes sense to me. 🙏
Yes ...says the girl who never celebrates any milestone 😪 when I sold 1000 books my husband forced me to celebrate. I was already saying "it's not worth it, 1000 books sold is ridiculous " when just 6 months before I would have paid to reach this milestone. I'll sell 2000 books soon. I'll start thinking about how I'll celebrate right now 😉
America: "Oz didn't give nothing to the Tin Man/that he didn't already have..."
I 100% agree. I am a perfectionistic, so I am never satisfied with how many likes, comments or dollars I get for a given piece of writing. Instead, I look for impact. I write because I love it and live for it, but also because I love to educate and entertain others to make their lives better in some way. That's where I derive satisfaction, even if I only impacted one reader or if I've learned something along the way.
I love your comment about celebrating milestones, whatever they may be. Recently, thanks to great advice from a friend, I celebrate daily wins. They might not be champagne-popping celebrations every time, but at the end of each day, I ask myself what I accomplished today that I'm proud of and I write it down. Some days, it is getting out of bed and walking the dog. Other days, it might be that I submitted something on time (procrastinators unite!) or that I wrote or read something that moved me. We have to find our motivation wherever we can.
Great post David!
It is sometimes hard to see our own progress unless we stop to acknowledge it. Most of us are on to the next thing without reflecting on the current achievements (no matter how small).
I often tell my kids that if they could see themselves through my eyes they would be proud of themselves.
I, and maybe many of us, should take that same advice and view ourselves through the eyes of those that are excited & supportive of our efforts.