How do you celebrate and reward yourself for completing tasks on your to-do list?

Additionally, it has been noted that effective leaders take the time to recognize and celebrate their employees. According to Harvard Business Review, during the COVID-19 work-from-home transition, "Good leaders quickly learned that acknowledgement is one of the greatest positive motivators." Why should this be limited to leaders recognizing their team members? Lead, and motivate, oneself by taking a moment to recognize personal achievements and be proud of what has been accomplished so far. Recognition can be contagious, and when that positive self-esteem and behaviors catch on, recognition from management will follow suit as well.

The benefits of celebrating and rewarding ourselves for completing tasks on our to-do list stimulates dopamine release in the brain, a feel-good chemical that reinforces the learning experience, strengthens our sense of accomplishments and gives us the important feeling that reinforces our successes.

I believe it’s essential to reward oneself. That could be in the form of a short weekend trip somewhere or Crumbl Cookies. Whatever floats your boat and truly makes you happy! Even rest is a reward. Being easy on yourself is a reward. Being patient and loving with yourself, is a reward.

I used to take weekends off when I was writing my PhD thesis. I had a hard deadline and had to submit when my findings ended. There was lots of anxiety and pressure to finish on time, but weekends were my way of celebrating what I had accomplished during the week.

Most times, to do lists are long. What I have learnt is taking time to appreciate and recognize my accomplishments, not just rewarding myself, helps me to feel content and motivates me to make tomorrow even better. Reflecting on yourself and analyzing your performance helps better time management thereby task accomplishment resulting in greater satisfaction

I use my to-do list like the bible to manage my time and prioritize my tasks 24/7/365. The numerous ways to celebrate listed in the article are fantastic. Find a way that works best for you and go for it. I celebrate with mindfulness and intention. Whatever way I choose to celebrate and reward myself always brings me joy!

However, self-care and recognition are unique to everyone and you shouldn't feel pressured to do anything. Self-care and relaxation during periods of intense stress can simply be catching up on sleep or sitting on a bench enjoying the sunshine. The idea of doing can add on more stress especially if you're going through financial issues as many traditional self-care activities can be quite expensive, such as beauty treatments or a trip outside the city

Or just take the time to notice the achievement and reward yourself depending on how you feel at the time. Noticing can bring its own feel good reward.

??Understanding the neuroscience behind the benefits rewards for performance, thanks to Professor Huberman and his Podcast, has greatly influenced the executive coaching work that I do with my clients and how I lead myself, using a protocol I call dopamine dripping.

If I am able to complete challenging tasks or goals before my self-imposed deadline, I get creative on what my reward will be. Sometimes it is a day at the beach, since it is only 20 minutes away. Other times, it the first showtime of a movie I want to see. The bigger the goal, the more creative I have gotten in the past for rewards. A new business card design and purchase was a reward. Another reward was a fancy laptop case for when I travel with it.

?? With most sharing the desire to live a long and happy life don’t forget in the ‘race to do more, have more, achieve more’ that YOU are the one doing this and how much you enjoy the process aka your life is a huge part of life long ‘true success’.