E45: The power of small wins: How celebrating progress fuels success

When was the last time you truly celebrated yourself? Not for a big achievement, but for something small like getting out of bed on a tough day or completing a simple task?

In this episode of Dream Business Dream Life, I dive into why acknowledging small wins is a game-changer for motivation and long-term success. 

You’ll learn:

✨ The psychology behind celebrating small wins (hello, dopamine!)
✨ A real-life story of how shifting focus to small victories led to a major accomplishment
✨ Why waiting for “big” moments can actually hold you back
✨ Practical ways to start celebrating your wins today without spending a penny!

Plus, I challenge you to acknowledge at least one small win today. Are you in?

Want to connect? Find me here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamemmahine

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Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-hine

Website: https://www.emmahine.co.uk

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmmaHineStrategy

Transcript

Hello & welcome to Dream Business Dream Life, helping ambitious people, like you, to grow a business they love.

 I’m Emma Hine and I’m on a mission to show you that it is possible to grow a business without sacrificing your life.

 Having experienced the rollercoaster of making millions of pounds, but feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and totally unsuccessful, I know first-hand the importance of growing a business on your terms.

 On this podcast I'm going to share with you lots of tips and advice that will enable you to grow a business that gives you the financial freedom to live the life of your dreams while sharing with you some inspirational growth stories from other fabulous business owners.

 Ready to live the dream? Then let’s get stuck in…

Hello & Welcome to today’s episode of Dream Business Dream Life.

Let me ask you something: When was the last time you celebrated yourself? Not for something huge, but for something small…waking up early, completing a task, or even just showing up for yourself today?

Too often, we overlook our progress because we’re waiting for the “big” moment…the promotion, the six-figure income, the dream body. But what if I told you that real success isn’t in the big moments; it’s in the small steps that get us there?

Today, we’ll talk about why celebrating small wins is a game-changer, a little bit of the psychology behind it, and how you can start making it a habit. 

So let’s talk science for a second. Have you ever heard of dopamine? 

It’s the “feel-good” chemical in your brain, and every time you achieve something…big or small…your brain releases it. That little boost of dopamine makes you feel accomplished and keeps you motivated to keep going.

Dopamine is the little bit of magic that our bodies create for us.

Think about it like a video game. When you hit a milestone, whether it’s getting to the next level or collecting a reward…you feel good, right? That’s because you’re seeing progress. 

Life works the same way! Celebrating small wins keeps you energised for the long journey ahead.

Here’s a quick story: I once had a client who wanted to write a book. But every time she thought about the entire 200-page process, she felt overwhelmed and gave up. So, I told her, “Forget the book. Just celebrate writing one paragraph a day.”

You know what happened? She stayed consistent, and six months later, that book was done. Not because she waited for a big moment, but because she celebrated the small ones.

Here’s the problem with only celebrating the big moments: It makes you feel like you’re never doing enough. You could be making massive progress, but if you don’t stop to acknowledge it, you’ll always feel like you’re behind.

I see this all the time. People graduate but don’t feel successful because they don’t have their dream job yet. 

Entrepreneurs make their first sale but don’t celebrate because it’s not six figures yet. 

Fitness lovers lose 5 pounds but don’t celebrate because it’s not 50.

The truth is success isn’t just about the destination…its about the journey. If you don’t learn to appreciate the steps, you’ll never feel truly satisfied, no matter how much you achieve.

Now, let’s get practical. How do you actually celebrate your wins in a way that keeps you motivated? 

Well here are a few ideas:

Write it down
Keep a “win journal.” Every day, write down one thing…big or small that you accomplished. Seeing your progress on paper is a huge confidence booster and what better way to look back over the progress you’ve made than by reading your very own win journal.

Say it out loud.
Sometimes, just acknowledging your progress is enough. Say, “I’m proud of myself for getting this done today.”  Ok it might feel weird at first, but trust me, it works!

Share it with someone. 
Tell a friend, post it on social media, or join a group that celebrates small wins. When others cheer you on, it reinforces your progress. In my membership and in my mastermind, we absolutely celebrate each other, and we do it intentionally every single week.

Reward yourself.
Treat yourself…watch an episode of your favourite show, enjoy a nice meal, or take a break. Rewards make the process fun and sustainable, and they do not have to be things that cost you money.

Practice gratitude. 
Before bed, think of three things you accomplished that day. Gratitude shifts your mindset from “I’m not doing enough” to “I’m proud of how far I’ve come.” Gratitude journalling was the thing that helped me to realise how much good there was in my life even at my lowest moments.

So, here’s my challenge for you: Before the day ends, take a moment to celebrate one small win. Maybe you exercised, stayed hydrated, completed a task, or even just got out of bed when you didn’t feel like it. Whatever it is acknowledge it, because it matters!

Let’s create a culture where we celebrate progress, not just perfection.

Remember: The small steps you take today are the building blocks of your biggest achievements tomorrow.

 Keep going, keep growing, and most importantly keep celebrating!

Thank you for listening; see you next time…

You have been listening to Dream Business Dream Life with Emma Hine. If you want to know more about how I can help you to build your dream business and your dream life, then visit my website emmehine.co.uk. Until next time remember you really can have it all!