I subscribe to a variety of newsletters to keep a pulse on what is happening both in the consumer end and the professional end of my industry. This evening I received a newsletter for coaches asking to remember to celebrate. A timely reminder for myself and I hope my inspiration can be passed along to you. If you are in the coaching or consulting professions, I would encourage you to check out David Wood’s website, www.solutionbox.com. While the words below are mine, the inspiration for this article comes from him.
In our time-crunched, hyper-efficient society, we are always looking ahead to the next project, often even before we have completed what we are working with now. Sophomores in high school or college are focused on their senior year, completing a project at work is uneventfully finished as the next big item on the list is tackled. A completed To-Do list is a highly valued accomplishment in our society, but often the list gets longer faster than we can complete what is already at hand.
When we are so focused on the future and the next big accomplishment, we fail to savor the journey we are experiencing now. Life rushes by so quickly because we aren’t really living it – we have set our intentions on the future (or are stuck in the past) instead of today. Instead of the Now.
When we are entranced in the present, time is lost. Time goes forever. I recall when my high school boyfriend and I would spend a full day together, and the hours were slow and sweet as we enjoyed each others’ company. Often the last time we remember time being slow is as a child, when we had long summers that seemed to last for years. Children tend to be less preoccupied with the future and past. They haven’t learned to place so much importance on tasks, accomplishments, and progress for progress’ sake. They also aren’t asked to take on so many responsibilities.
While we can’t shirk the responsibilities of the adult world, we can stop and celebrate our accomplishments before rushing onward to the next task on the list. I’d bet all of us have accomplished something notable in the last three to six months. Maybe you overcame your fear and tried a new activity, spoke out for what you believe in, ran your fastest mile or your longest distance to date. Perhaps you entered a new relationship (romantic or not), cleaned out that closet that you’ve been meaning to get to for two years, or filed your taxes early this year. It’s never too late to celebrate the wonderful things you have accomplished! This is not indulgent behavior – gratitude for what you have done is a way of thanking the universe and allowing more prosperity in your life because you are acknowledging that great things do happen!
Gratitude and celebration also flood the brain with mood-boosting neurochemicals that fight depression, enhance immunity, and allow the creative side of us to awaken and find more avenues to happiness and success. You can’t go wrong by stopping to smell the roses.
Below are some examples of various accomplishments and ways to honor and celebrate them:
- Going to the gym regularly for the month –> buy a new workout shirt or tunes for the IPod
- Paying off a credit card –> Put the money you paid each month into an interest accruing account.
- Making a new friend –> Have a special lunch together
- Cleaning the office —> Fresh flowers for your desk
- Completing a major project at work –> take a “sick day” and do what makes you the happiest!
Write down every goal you have reached in the last six months – no matter how small it is. Which ones did you celebrate or acknowledge?
Choose ways to celebrate all the wonderful things you have accomplished in the last six months. Tell someone important to you. Support increases the potency of the neurochemical boost and inspires others as well. Share it with the VIBRANCE community by commenting on this blog or sending me an email. And inquire and encourage your friends, colleagues or clients to share their accomplishments. More celebration in the world is a beautiful thing!
