Think back to your last big win – what did it feel like when you got that big account or closed the monster deal? To me, it feels a bit like driving past a Krispy Kreme doughnut shop with the “hot” light on. It’s a sense of relief and reward. Time seems to slow down for a moment to let you savor the victory, and you want to replay it over and over in your mind’s eye.
When Ralph Friedgen was coaching the University of Maryland’s football team, he described the feeling he got after a win: “Food tastes better, flowers smell sweeter, the sky is bluer and the sun is brighter. Even the young ladies on campus look prettier.”
It’s important to remember that every big victory comes from many smaller ones over time. Behind every huge victory is a ton of effort and sacrifice, with small losses and hits that you have to recover from along the way. The big victories don’t come around nearly as often, so in order to keep ourselves going along the road towards them it is important to take time to celebrate the smaller ones, too.
At the end of each day I have a personal ritual: I write down 5 positive things which I accomplished that day. I transcribe in detail each positive occurrence, drawing from both my personal and professional life. This exercise allows me to reflect on my day and remind myself of the small victories, even if negative things may have also happened that day. It helps me reset my mind so I will be ready to get up and start the fight all over again tomorrow.
Take some time to celebrate the small victories today. You might be surprised at how many positive things are happening in your life, if you can only start to focus on them.
Have a great weekend,
Ro