Feel good more often Why you should celebrate small wins

Feel good more often Why you should celebrate small winsFeel good more often Why you should celebrate small winsHave you ever noticed how easy it is for us to feel down on ourselves? We generally dont have a problem feeling guilty about what we perceive as poor performance. Whether the misstep is big or small, punishing oneself seems to come naturally for many. But when it comes to feeling proud about accomplishing something, it is easy to let the moment slip through our fingertips.This discrepancy is a problem, as it decreases our motivation and makes it that much harder to achieve long-term successes.The importance of celebrating small winsCelebrating small wins is an important way to track incremental achievements and work toward much larger goals. Plus, it makes you feel good more often.In astudyof how everyday life inside organizations can influence a persons performance, researchers analyzed nearly 12,000 diary entries from 238 employees across seven companies. They found that capturing small wins every day enhances a workers motivation. Simply recording progress in some way helps to boost self-confidence and can be put to use toward future successes.How our brain rewards us for these victoriesThere is science behind this thought process too. When you accomplish something, it activates the reward center of our brains, allowing us to feel a sense of pride. Specifically, theneurochemical dopamineis released and energizes us with feel-good emotions. This chemical helps you to experience the feeling of getting rewarded, and can hook you on wanting to achieve even more.These modestbehavior changesset off a positive chain reaction for even bigger developments later on.Small wins to get you startedTo set off the positive domino effect, start by celebrating small wins each day. Listed below are just a few examples of simple ways you can start to think small.1. Straighten up your bed before you leave the houseWhen you complete this simple task, it incites a nice b urst of dopamine first thing in the morning. This sparks theinitial feeling of accomplishment, which is carried throughout the day. The other positive is that your room will be ready for relaxation when you return in the evening.2. Will it take less than two minutes? Check it off nowWhen you are able to crossminor to-dos off your list, do it. This basic act can help build momentum and propel you forward to accomplish much larger tasks later on. The other positive is getting that surge of dopamine each time something is crossed off your list, no matter how minor.3. Take time to daydreamTaking time to reflect internally is linked with your emotional well-being. This can help you come up with creative ideas and consolidate memories. As long as the reflection is constructive, it is a small way to have a positive impact.4. Improve your postureIt only takes a moment, but straightening your posture throughout the day can help you feel present and accomplished, whether you are seated at you r desk or on the move.Dont forget to celebrateEach time you set a small goal like the ones listed above, take the time to pause and celebrate when you actually achieve one. You may want to consider some light bragging to mark the achievement, to help reflect on how far youve come from the start of a project.Even if they take just 5 to 10 minutes,small winscan stack up over time and become significant markers of progress and happiness.This article first appeared on Talkspace.