There is a saying that, “success is a series of small wins”. However when we are busy working at our life; our career, family and the process involved in achieving and reaching our goals we can overlook and underestimate a powerful source of daily happiness and joy in our lives. This source is to be found in celebrating our accomplishments and our to do lists that we managed to get done – essentially our wins! For there is real power in winning, no matter how big or small and a feeling of fulfilment that comes from progressing in our goals.
There is a temptation in many of us to incessantly be driven forward, to keep climbing the ladder; to always be focused on “what’s next”, whilst negating the importance and energy generated by taking the time to acknowledge and properly celebrate our progress.
Wins like getting up to exercise and eating healthy today. Wins such as tackling a difficult project, trying something new or pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone. Wins like facing and overcoming a fear or negative habit, having a daily quiet time and spending regular quality time with God. Wins like stepping out to share our faith or pray for someone, building into our relationships, making time for our partner and kids, and taking the time to do the things we love.
God is also totally into celebration as is documented all through the bible. For example the shepherds, wise men, and angels celebrated the birth of Jesus with gifts, singing and prayer. God gave Israel many directives to mark their calendar with celebrations such as the Feast of Booths, the year of Jubilee, Passover and later communion and baptism.
Jesus said that He came to give us joyful, overflowing life (John 10:10). He actually expects us to celebrate at every opportunity – both in our relationship with Him and also in every win we experience in our daily life. It was never God’s plan for us to live dull, boring lives and Jesus’ example shows that as He was even criticised for partying too much by the religious people of the time.
Documenting our achievements and special moments and then celebrating these wins regularly helps us to get in the habit of living in the celebration frame of mind.
Today give yourself permission to celebrate when you win no matter how small. Document when and where you have accomplished something this week or month, remembering it’s the small wins we can easily forget about in the daily routine. Wins like managing to exercise and eat healthy for a certain amount of days for the week or finishing a project or facing a challenge. Keep track of these things and then reward yourself in a productive way. Pause, thank God and savour your achievements, understanding that these wins are the very things that fuel our progress, add to our sense of happiness and give us the motivation to keep going.
“At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres.” (Nehemiah 12:27)
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”(John 10:10)
Prayer: Lord please help me to recognise and celebrate even the small wins in my life. That I would be able to see the progress and steps I am making to become all that you made me to be and that I would recognise your hand of goodness more upon my life. In Jesus name Amen.