Celebrate Small Successes During a Crisis

 ‘The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing you fear and get a record of successful experiences behind you.’

William Jennings Bryan

I love that quote. It is so important. Why?

Sometimes we spend so much time pedalling, achieving, and doing that we forget to stand still and smell the roses. We forget to take time to reflect on what we’ve achieved and successes we’ve had especially during this time. We are all going through challenging times where many of us feel like we are climbing mountains, however it is important to celebrate the small successes and milestones each day, each week or even each month.

It’s easy to forget the little achievements or successes and focus on the stuff-ups or mistakes you’re currently experiencing. You’re stuffed-up right now? So what? Think about the great things you have done or achieved. This is what truly matters.

Trust me. When I’m on my death bed dozens and dozens of years from now (I hope!) I doubt I’ll be thinking about the stuff-ups. I know I will want to remember what I’ve done and achieved.

Ultimately, it’s those small successes that lead us up to our big moments. Think about it as a long, uphill slog to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, or some equally huge mountain. (We won’t use Everest as an example—I’ve never been interested in participating in what those people have to do to get to the top of that mountain.)

So, let’s use our imagination (or maybe a mountain is symbolic for whatever other big success you have planned for your life). Pretend your lifelong dream is to stand on the highest precipice of your gigantic mountain. Don’t you think it would be worth every one of those knee-crushing steps and horrible blisters to see the beauty splayed out in front of you at the summit?

I hope I hear a resounding “YES!” from all of you!

Think about it. Almost every large goal you’ve ever accomplished in your life required you to achieve small successes along the way.

Here are some extreme examples, but examples nonetheless:

·     If your goal is to become a millionaire, and you haven’t started yet, you need to save $1 first.

·     If you’re determined to shave off 45 kilograms, you have to begin with losing one kilogram at the start.

·     How about getting out of debt? If you have $10,000 in credit card debt, you’ve got to chip away at it, a little at a time.

Again, these are extreme examples. Let’s take the last bullet point, though, and consider what the small success could be. What if you have three credit cards, all maxed out. What if you completely pay one of them off? Small success? 

Absolutely! Even if you still have two credit cards left, what an amazing, empowering feeling to accomplish something that’s pressing heavily on you. Getting rid of one will ramp up your momentum, get your energy churning, and encourage you to squash the rest of that debt.

Have you ever heard of Dave Ramsey? If not, he’s an American personal money-management expert and national radio personality. In his vast teachings, he has for many years purported that success in personal finance results from a little bit of math’s and a lot of psychology.

For example, he advises his clients to never use a credit card and to pay off small bills first (to score small victories!) rather than focusing on, say, the mathematics of paying off credit cards with a higher interest rate first—especially if the balances are bigger.

Whew! Enough with the credit card and personal finance examples! They’re not meant to make you feel bad about your credit cards—they’re simply a way to show you that baby steps can truly make you feel like hitting the gas pedal toward achieving your big goals.

I remember when I first wanted to start being a keynote speaker. I would imagine myself on the stage of a TEDx event or speaking of 1000’s at a Global Conferences; then my knees would turn to jelly and myself sabotaging would take over. I knew I could do it and had to start small. So, I did to build up my confidence. I would speak for free at local association groups or small events and the more I did it; the more confident I became.

Then I would start speaking at much larger events and associations conferences, mostly for free, just to gain more small successes and confidence. Now I love to speak, the bigger the audience the better! Remember to celebrate the small success and embrace them. It doesn’t matter how small or how big, they matter.

It works. I promise. Give it a whirl. Baby steps equal a big payoff down the road!

Make a list of five small successes you can achieve on your way to achieving your major goal:

My major goal:

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Stay Kind. Stay Courageous. x

About the Author

Sonia McDonald is one of the Globe's Leading Keynote Speakers on Leadership, Courage and Kindness. Keynote speaker, award winning writer and author, workshop facilitator and leadership coach with one on one and online programs. Working with event managers, organisations, teams and individuals to develop authentic and courageous leaders who inspire and bring out the best in others.

For more than 25 years, Sonia has been on the front lines of leadership. She has held leadership positions worldwide and through experience, research and study come to realise what it takes to be a truly great leader.

Sonia has an ability to speak bravely and authentically about her own development as a leader, personal and career challenges in a way which resonates with her audience.

She is an award-winning published author and writes regularly for publications such as The Australian, HRD Magazine, Smart Healthy Women and Women’s Business Media. Sonia has become recognised for her commentary around the topic of leadership, kindness and courage.

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