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Small Wins, Big Results
How celebrating little victories leads to huge success
theDiversityPost Contributors
September 16, 2024
On one of my daily walks, I met a woman whose approach to fitness and goal-setting caught my attention. Doris is a marathon coach here in Sarasota. She mentioned what made her different was that she didn’t push her clients to focus on the long-distance race. Instead, she encouraged them to celebrate every little win—running a block, increasing their stamina, or finishing a training session. Running just one minute without stopping, then two, and gradually increasing. They would do victory dances for every tiny achievement. These small victories, she explained, created the confidence and consistency necessary to eventually run the full 26.2 miles. The process wasn’t about immediate success; it was about steady, incremental progress. Small wins along the way transformed a daunting challenge into an achievable success.
Her approach got me thinking about our own journey and how we approach goals. We started researching this and found great articles in Forbes and Psychology Today on the subject, but the one that stood out was the Harvard Business Journal’s.
In “The Power of Small Wins,” authors Teresa M. Amabile and Steven J. Kramer explore how incremental progress plays a critical role in human motivation and workplace success. Through their extensive research, they found that the key to sustained motivation isn’t grand achievements, but rather the accumulation of small victories. Their study of 12,000 diary entries from employees across multiple industries revealed that when people make even the tiniest step forward in their work, their emotions, motivation, and perceptions of the workplace significantly improve. These small wins create a positive feedback loop, reinforcing engagement and driving progress.
Amabile and Kramer argue that managers and leaders often overlook the importance of celebrating incremental progress in favor of focusing on large, long-term goals. This oversight leaves employees feeling discouraged and disconnected from their work. By recognizing and celebrating small victories, leaders can build momentum and boost morale. The authors suggest that tracking daily accomplishments, no matter how small, can transform workplace culture and productivity.
The concept of small wins is powerful because it keeps individuals engaged in their work. As “The Power of Small Wins” demonstrates, consistent progress creates a sense of achievement that builds motivation over time. Instead of waiting for a big breakthrough, celebrating these small moments can help sustain effort and creativity. Amabile and Kramer’s research highlights the fact that incremental progress, coupled with acknowledgment and celebration, is the true driver of long-term success.
Let’s look at five top tips to build into our daily lives.
Tip 1: Recognize Progress Daily
Acknowledging even the smallest steps forward each day helps to reinforce the value of consistent effort. Research shows that daily recognition of progress, no matter how minor, enhances feelings of accomplishment and builds momentum. By celebrating small wins regularly, you boost your self-esteem and foster a mindset of continuous improvement.
At the end of each day, write down at least one small victory. This could be anything from finishing a task to learning something new. By creating a daily “wins” log, you’ll start to focus more on the progress you’ve made, rather than worrying about how far you still have to go.
Tip 2: Set Micro-Goals
Breaking larger goals into smaller, manageable pieces allows you to make consistent progress and feel a sense of accomplishment along the way. Instead of getting overwhelmed by the magnitude of a big goal, micro-goals keep you focused and motivated. Each time you achieve a micro-goal, you build confidence and enthusiasm to keep going.
When starting any project, divide it into smaller tasks that can be accomplished within a short period. For example, if you’re writing a report, aim to finish one section each day instead of tackling the entire document at once. Celebrate completing each section with a reward, like a break or a favorite snack, to reinforce your progress.
Tip 3: Track Your Wins
Tracking your small wins helps you visualize the progress you’re making over time. By keeping a log of your achievements, you create a clear record of your forward movement, which can be especially motivating during difficult times. Seeing how far you’ve come can give you the extra push to keep going when challenges arise.
Use a dedicated notebook or a digital tool to track your wins each day. Set aside five minutes at the end of the day to write down the tasks you’ve completed or goals you’ve met. Reflect on the progress made and, if necessary, adjust your approach for the following day to keep moving forward.
Celebrating small wins with others creates a sense of accountability and builds a support network. Sharing progress, even minor victories, with friends, colleagues, or mentors can help validate your efforts and keep you motivated. It also encourages a positive feedback loop where others can cheer you on and offer advice when needed.
At the end of the week, choose one small win to share with someone close to you. This could be a partner, friend, or coworker who can appreciate your progress. By regularly sharing your successes, you create a routine that encourages reflection and mutual support.
Tip 5: Reward Yourself for Milestones
Giving yourself a reward when you hit milestones creates a positive association with achievement and encourages you to keep progressing. These rewards don’t have to be extravagant but should feel meaningful to you. By celebrating milestones, you reinforce the idea that each step, no matter how small, deserves recognition.
Choose rewards that genuinely motivate you—whether it’s a fun outing, a small purchase, or simply taking time off to relax. When you plan your goals, also plan specific rewards for hitting certain milestones. Knowing that a reward is waiting for you can make the journey more enjoyable and keep you pushing forward.
What small win can you celebrate today that you might have otherwise overlooked? How can you break down one of your larger goals into smaller, actionable steps starting now? Do you keep track of your small victories? If not, what’s holding you back from starting? Start your own victory dances.
Every habit you build today will shape the person and professional you become tomorrow. The insights we share are meant to do more than just inspire—they’re designed to help you build the foundation for lasting success. Whether it’s celebrating small wins or taking that first step, each piece of advice is a tool to help you get closer to your goals.
Now, it’s up to you to take these lessons and turn them into action. Use what resonates, experiment with what challenges you, and most importantly, keep moving forward. Your future is shaped by the actions you take today, so make each step count.
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