What if, just for today you only focused on small wins?

Nothing big, no monumental goals or tasks, no huge effort, just a few small wins.

Research shows that one of the best boosters of positive emotions is the feeling of making progress. But it’s difficult to feel as though you’re making progress if all you’re doing is measuring up against a large goal.

Identifying and focusing on a small win is a great step towards overcoming procrastination. This is especially useful if there’s a task that you’ve been avoiding, either because you don’t enjoy doing it or you feel like it’s beyond your current ability.

Accomplishing small wins can also help build your confidence. Think of a child learning to walk. The first few attempts are clumsy at best, but then as their legs gain strength, the steps come a little easier, and before you know it, they’re running all over the place.

While identifying and accomplishing small wins is a great start, acknowledging and celebrating small wins is just as important. The reason is that this helps you reinforce your own behavior. Yes, it’s Pavlovian, but it also works. The celebration doesn’t have to be outsized or even out loud, of course, unless you want to. Something as simple as even a ‘mental’ pat on your back for your accomplishment can give you the motivation to continue.

So, as you go about your day today, instead of feeling overwhelmed with all the large grand tasks ahead of you, focus only on small wins. Take baby steps and celebrate yourself for doing so. If you repeat this often enough then, you’ll find yourself well on your way to accomplishing goals that once might have intimidated you.

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