“Celebrating the Small Wins” Reylena Lopez, MSW

When talking to most women I usually hear them say that they are on a journey towards completing something amazing, whether that is prepping to finish school, plans for a big move, starting a new job, rejuvenating their health or a new business venture. They are pursuing a goal, setting a vision and taking steps to get there. As humans, we are always aspiring towards something. But what gets in the way and what can we do to keep us moving forward despite obstacles? Obstacles like self-doubt, lack of motivation, distraction, fear of failure and lack of support systems during the journey.

We are all familiar with the obstacles, but we overlook the small wins during the journey. Without the milestones, we could never achieve our ultimate goal. Here are three reasons to celebrate the small achievements during the journey:

1) When we meet a milestone, whether it is small or big, the reward system in our brain is triggered. As a result, the brain releases dopamine, the “happy” chemical. In better terms, your mind is throwing itself a party! This act serves as an intrinsic reward system and serves a motivation for the future.

2) Jodi Clarke, MA, from VeryWell mind states that “While celebrating your milestone is important, it is equally important to reflect on how you got there”. Here are some questions to reflect on during the journey: what strengths did you utilize to achieve your goal, how did you overcome the obstacles, and who helped along the way? These reflective questions slow us down; help us identify what we did well and what it took to get there. It is a way to honor the process. For more ways to slow down, check out this mindfulness page for more tips: https://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/

3) The smallest day to day tasks may seem mundane, but without them the goal is unachievable. Burn out is common, especially when trying to achieve a long-term goal. So in 2011, the Harvard Business Review stated that “Of all the things that can boost inner work and life, the most important is making progress in meaningful work.” It would be easy to overlook the mundane tasks, but this is the progress we as women need to celebrate with one another.

Let’s work to celebrate our tribe’s milestones. The women in our lives need encouragements in their journey. What are some ways can we support each other?

The final goal is what we show on our social media; it is the picture-perfect product. However, the small day-to-day successes were the best milestones.

It was when no one was looking that you were slowly succeeding.

These are the moments to savor.