It’s easy to remember your failures. You’re keenly aware of things you haven’t done. You set goals based on subjective indicators of success, as if numbers are all it takes to make you happy.
The right number on the scale.
The right number in your bank account.
The right number in your zip code.
All too often you fail to measure up to your own hopes and dreams. You’re not good enough, not yet.
Bullshit. You ARE good enough.
Even as you work towards your big goals, your best self, know that today, right here and now, you are right where you need to be. You are enough.
In your quest to health, happiness, and success, you shortchange your progress.
You may be familiar with the concept that most people overestimate what they can do in one year, and underestimate what they can do in three years, or six years, or ten years. The key to staying the course is recognizing the progress you’ve made. Progress not perfection! Progress over completion!
Acknowledging your progress is more important than you know. It’s how you stay motivated. It’s your life. It’s happening right now. And the measure of your success isn’t in the numbers, it’s in the progress.
As we approach the end of the year, before setting your New Year’s resolutions, take a moment to recognize your progress. And don’t just do it once a year, do it weekly. Then, once a year, make a list of your progress and celebrate how far you’ve come!
It’s not just you- it’s also me. I’m writing this post because I need this reminder. It’s easy for me to focus on where I want to be instead of where I am. I feel the painfully short of my big goals, only momentarily celebrating how far I’ve come. My successes are fleeting in my own mind. And I’m changing that pattern. I choose to celebrate my progress, and publicly! I volunteer as tribute!
Here’s my celebratory progress list for 2017:
- I prepared and delivered 27 presentations. (In public! In front of people!)
- I wrote 13,249 words of my first book. (To be published in 2018- lookout, 2018!)
- I started a professional women’s community, She Leads, and hosted 4 events to 103 attendees.
- I worked one-on-one with 18 individual clients throughout the year.
- I increased my gross income by 106%!
- I became a licensed teacher of the Art of Feminine Presence, and taught 25 classes.
- I facilitated in the Larimer County Women of the Year program.
- I scaled back my business after a serious illness. (Don’t skimp on self-care!)
- I started meditating daily in February. (11 months of daily meditation!)
Now it’s your turn. I invite you to make a list your accomplishments this year. What progress have you made? Say it loud and proud! Leave a comment and celebrate how far you’ve come! This is the first step towards really owning it.