THE POWER OF JOY: WHY YOU SHOULD CELEBRATE THE WINS

We live in a culture that constantly tells us to chase more—more goals, more milestones, more achievements. There’s always a next step, a next big thing, a next level to reach.

But in all that chasing, many of us forget to stop and ask:

What’s the point of all this if we don’t take time to feel joy along the way?

Joy isn’t some fluffy, feel-good extra. It’s not just for birthdays, weddings, or once-in-a-lifetime achievements. It’s essential. It’s fuel. And one of the most powerful ways to tap into it is through something many of us overlook:

Celebrating our wins.

Big ones. Small ones. Even the ones no one else sees.

This post is a reminder that joy doesn’t come after you reach your goal.

Joy is what gets you there.

Why We Struggle to Celebrate

You’d think celebrating our progress would be natural. But it’s not. Most of us have been conditioned to keep our heads down and keep moving.

We say things like:

• “I’ll celebrate when I hit the real goal.”

• “This isn’t a big deal, anyone could’ve done it.”

• “I haven’t done enough yet.”

Sound familiar?

Somewhere along the way, we learned that celebration should be reserved for huge accomplishments—a degree, a promotion, a finish line. But in reality, most meaningful growth happens in the quiet moments:

• When you almost skipped your workout, but didn’t.

• When you had a tough day at work, but still came home with a smile.

• When you hit “publish” on a post or project you were scared to share.

• When you chose patience over anger with your family.

• When you simply showed up, even when it was hard.

These aren’t just moments.

They’re wins. And they’re worth celebrating.

But here’s the thing:

We often don’t celebrate because we don’t feel like we’re there yet. We’re in “the gap,” as described in the book The Gap and the Gain. We measure ourselves against where we want to be, instead of looking at how far we’ve come.

And when we do that, we rob ourselves of joy.

The Psychology of Celebration

Celebration isn’t about throwing confetti.

It’s about rewiring your brain.

Books like Atomic Habits by James Clear explain this well: every time you reward a positive action, you’re reinforcing the neural pathway behind it. You’re telling your brain, “That felt good—let’s do it again.”

Small wins celebrated consistently create momentum. And momentum leads to mastery.

Here’s why celebrating your wins matters:

• It builds self-trust: You’re proving to yourself that you can follow through.

• It strengthens habit loops: Positive reinforcement encourages repetition.

• It boosts motivation: When you feel good, you want to keep going.

• It shifts your focus: From what’s missing to what’s working.

So no, it’s not silly to celebrate that you woke up early, or that you chose water over soda, or that you wrote 500 words of your book.

It’s smart. It’s effective. And it brings joy back into the process.

Joy Is Contagious—Share It

There’s something beautiful that happens when you not only celebrate your own wins, but celebrate others too.

When you:

• Tell your spouse, “I’m proud of you.”

• Cheer on a friend’s new project.

• Clap for your kid when they try something new.

• Thank a coworker for their effort.

You don’t just make them feel good—you raise the emotional energy of everyone around you. Including yourself.

Joy multiplies when it’s shared.

And in a world where people are quick to criticize and slow to celebrate, being someone who brings joy is a quiet form of leadership.

Moments of Joy I Almost Missed

There have been so many times in my life where I was so focused on what’s next that I missed what was right in front of me.

When I hit a personal record in running but didn’t pause to reflect—because I immediately started planning for the next distance.

When I finished a podcast episode and skipped over how far I’ve come—because I was already thinking of the next script.

When I got through a tough week with my family and work, but forgot to say to myself, “Well done for staying grounded.”

We all do this.

But now I try to catch those moments. To pause. To smile. To say “Thank God” with my heart, not just my tongue. Because those are the moments that fill the soul.

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How to Start Celebrating Your Wins

Celebrating doesn’t have to be loud. It just needs to be intentional.

Here are some simple ways you can begin:

1. Keep a Wins Journal

Every night or once a week, jot down 1–3 wins from your day. No matter how small. Over time, you’ll build a powerful record of progress.

2. Create a Celebration Ritual

Maybe it’s a special coffee after a deep work session. Or a walk outside after recording your podcast. Tie your efforts to something you enjoy.

3. Say It Out Loud

Get comfortable telling people, “I’m proud of myself for…”

Not out of pride, but to acknowledge growth. You’re allowed to be proud.

4. Pause and Reflect

Don’t rush through milestones. Whether it’s finishing a run, publishing a blog post, or getting through a tough conversation—pause. Soak it in.

5. Celebrate Others Too

Text a friend about their progress. Celebrate your kids’ effort, not just their results. Encourage your partner for the small things they do every day.

The more you celebrate around you, the more joy you invite into your own life.

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A Final Thought: Don’t Miss the Moment

We’re all in a hurry. We’re all juggling a hundred things. But here’s the truth:

If you’re always waiting for the “big” win to feel joy, you’ll miss your whole life.

Because life isn’t made up of massive victories. It’s made up of small moments that stack up.

The coffee shared after a long day.

The journal entry that helped you sort your thoughts.

The walk you didn’t cancel.

The post you finally shared.

The prayer you whispered, even when you were tired.

These are wins.

And they’re worth celebrating.

So today, I invite you to pause. Reflect. Smile.

Life is short. Don’t just chase your goals—celebrate your growth.

Because the real power of joy?

It reminds you that you’re not behind. You’re becoming. 

And that’s something worth celebrating.