Congratulations!

In an earlier post, we explored advice that we'd give ourselves, if we could travel back in time.

Here's something else along that line.

If you could travel back in time, what events or actions are you most proud of? Take a few moments and really think back. What stands out? It could be an achievement (grad, promotion, overcoming an obstacle, winning a race, reaching a goal) OR, it could be a single moment when you did something outstanding (made a hard decision, told a great joke well, delivered on a promise, gave something without expecting anything back) and positively impacted another person's life or changed your own.

Remember the feeling of satisfaction or pride in your actions or words?

We've got to celebrate those moments more often. I'm not saying there needs to be a parade and fireworks every time, but a celebration or acknowledgment of an accomplishment will go a long way in helping us enjoy life more. Those events are part of what made us who we are today.

When was the last time you actually celebrated an achievement or success of your own making?

I encourage you to think about one thing that you are proud of in your life, a success, an achievement, overcoming a challenge, something that you've done to the best of your ability. Then pat yourself on the back and say “Well done!” Take it further if you want (make a list of multiple successes – or celebrate one in a big way), but start there – simply congratulate yourself for doing one thing really well and notice how good it feels. When you've got that, choose another one.

Maybe you think it silly to do this, but imagine your best friend, or someone you love doing something worthy of a sincere 'Well done!' It's easy to congratulate them, right? Why shouldn't we do the same thing for ourselves?