Celebrate!

As all of us go about our online journey we should be mindful to take time to reflect on our learnings and our achievements - great and small. One of the things I have never been particularly good at is celebrating my own achievements. I would always just push them aside as "that is what I needed to do', 'that is just part of my job', 'that is what I am paid to do'.

As a manager however I was great at ensuring the achievements of my team were always celebrated. That they knew someone appreciated their efforts - even if to the person the achievement didn't seem that significant. By celebrate I don't mean having a big party or spending money to do something. Sometimes it was a message to the whole team or the company telling of an achievement and the value that it had added. We also had a brag board in our office where achievements were posted.

One of the things that I have been learning to do is recognise my own achievements and 'celebrate' my wins. Sometimes it might just simply be acknowledging that I have actually achieved something. Other times, if I deem the achievement more significant, I treat myself to something.

Why is this important? Because recognising achievement is good for esteem, motivation and success. When we recognise an achievement that someone else has made they feel good and we also feel good for them. When we recognise our own achievements (and others recognise them) the same works for us.

And that is something that this community both encourages and does.

So go ahead! Pat yourself on the back. Give yourself a high five. You have taken the initiative to be part of an awesome community. your journey here might be learning, helping or contributing. No matter what - you are an achiever!