One of the key lessons I’ve learned over the years is the importance of celebrating our “wins”.
We always tend to focus on the negative moments in life and discount or ignore our triumphs.
Let’s change that!
This week, I’d love to know: What good things are happening in your life right now?
Feel free to share your "wins” - whether big life changes or everyday victories. No win is too small!
Here are a few of my wins from the past week:
I’ve been working hard on my book about finding acceptance. Last week’s essay helped me clarify that this is a priority and I should treat it as such.
Lately, I’ve been feeling a little lost. I have a general sense of what I want to do in my life, but I’m struggling to articulate a clear strategy for my career and how I want to make an impact in the world. It’s involved a lot of soul-searching. Although I don’t have all the answers I’m seeking yet, I’ve made significant progress in the last week.
I got a haircut!
I watched an insane squirrel chase in our backyard yesterday. 30 seconds in, the squirrel being chased ran into a rock in our yard and — I kid you not — flipped into the air, did a 360, then landed back on the grass. Somehow, he was still able to evade the other squirrel. A profile in courage if I’ve ever seen one.
It’s been sunny here in the Northeast the last couple days. It’s been nice to go out in the sun and not immediately turn into an ice cube. It’s amazing what sunshine can do for your mood.
A friend of mine had a health scare last week, but tests came back okay!
I’m looking forward to celebrating your wins and accomplishments! Humble bragging is allowed. (At least this week 😀.)
Congrats Wendi! I'm looking forward to learning more about your ebook. I am considering writing one myself. And congratulations also on the article! Please share that when it's published.
Thanks Chris! And if you do write an ebook, you can buy wonderful templates to customize (using the free version of Canva) for as low as $5 on etsy, and reuse them for future ebooks. That’s what I did, and it’s worked very well!
yesss thank you!!! That has been one of my mental blocks when it comes to making an ebook. If I was in charge of design my book would be a google doc. 😂
Same here, except my first ebook was a Word doc! I definitely need to redo it using the beautiful template I have now, but despite the lack of visual appeal some people have bought the current version. And my beautiful new ebook is now live: https://wendigordon.gumroad.com/l/mdryi Some sneak peeks of its contents will be in my newsletter tomorrow.
Thanks, and yes it is very exciting! I think this is my favorite creation. I'm very happy with it, and as a perfectionist with a brutal inner critic it's rare for me to feel that way (especially since I found a minor typo I haven't corrected yet).
As usual, I really enjoy your posts. Great topic. A lot of times I’ve found that some things that seem initially like “losses” actually can be wins upon deeper reflection. They’re disguised. :) So today I celebrate what seems like a loss - a few prospective jobs I did not get - because I believe there might be better coming soon.
That's a great perspective to have. This is something I struggle with, especially when job hunting. I don't get a job and can't see the good that comes out of the rejection. But it always seems to work out in the end. I can't tell you how many times I didn't get a job, only to learn later on from someone at the company that it would have been a terrible fit, or the work environment was toxic, etc.
It’s so true, right? We don’t get the thing we were hoping for or believed would be “good” for us, and the response is to be bummed out. Or worse, what’s wrong with ME? Then. we look back at what actually ends up happening and go “phew, glad it happened how it did, it turned out much better”. :) I don’t know, keep doing the right things and keep the positive vibes, then the good outcome does happen even if we don’t control the “when”. I think people smarter than me call it resilience.
Was planning on cancelling PT yesterday since I've been going for 2 months and just doesn't seem to be getting that last bit better. Went anyway because I forgot to cancel, and discovered another muscle that needed attention, got it needled, and feeling things happening. Glad I went and feeling hopeful again! Win!
Molly Jane - so glad that the latest session was helpful! It's funny how sometimes, right when we're about to quit or stop doing something, that's when the breakthroughs happen. I hope future sessions bring you continued relief.
A few years ago, i started teaching English to my mom. Last week, after a two-year hiatus, she asked me to restart teaching her and today was our second session. I wasn't really sure whether i could pull this off, but I DID IT ANYWAY. That's what i call A BIG WIN for myself.
I love this, Negar! I have always admired anyone who is willing to learn a new language. I've tried to learn Spanish, Italian and French over the years and they never quite clicked for me.
Wow that squirrel is my hero! Wins right now, getting my son through this last chemo treatment(almost done!) celebrating my youngest’s 8th birthday, and getting out my latest substack post (I was late in my schedule for it) 🎉
Mary Beth - I am wishing all the best for your son and his treatment! I'll keep your family in my prayers. And happy birthday to your son!
As someone who deals with the ups and downs of getting a post out every week, any time you can hit send is an accomplishment worth celebrating, no matter when it goes out!
Thank you so much Chris🙏🏼 Yes! It is something to celebrate 🎉 Reading your post this morning helped because I already felt myself thinking…ok next…Appreciate your words!!!
I love posts like this. It always forces me to step back and think about what's going right instead of focusing on what's going wrong (which personally was plenty today).
We recently celebrated my son's 7th birthday, and he's the one that almost didn't live past day 2! We added a new puppy to our family that our kids have been begging us for. And earlier in the week we had an issue with our garbage disposal which I initially guessed would be a $400-500 repair, but with a few quick Google searches and a YouTube video, I was able to resolve myself!
Oh, and I recently got my first true paid subscriber on Substack after some comps expired!
I posted a mini-brag last week on Notes about all I accomplished last week (because coming back to work after a week off, I was greeted with 460+ emails, and that was just the start). But on Saturday, I got so much done (like a freakish amount, and didn't feel drained, which was the freaky part), I did a little personal back pat. I'm on the verge of spreading myself thin, but won't let it get to that. I hope. And congrats on focusing on your book, Chris! I can't wait to read it. I still need to schedule my haircut, though. And SQUIRREL!!! LOL. xo
Small win = Made it back to the gym yesterday after being sick for the past two weeks. I am sore today, but grateful for a return to routine.
Also, I'm getting a haircut on Friday! My stylist has been out on maternity leave for months now and I like her so much, I've not gone anywhere else and am overdue!
Yay for wins! There's nothing quite like a fresh haircut either. My car was having an issue last week and had it fixed by a very nice local person (was terrified of finding a new mechanic after I moved), I've forgiven myself for a lot of things and been more compassionate with myself lately. I've been sticking to my healthier eating/exercise shtick well. Got a glowing review at work. Appreciate the prompt to shift the focus to the positive. This was hard at first and that definitely tells you something.
We are building our new home and the plumbing and electrical inspections passed yesterday!
Also at the end of last year, we formed a land investment company so that I will be able to leave my job when I am no longer able to perform it. Looking to the future so that I can still provide an income for my family when that day comes. We closed our third deal this week.
I agree that celebrating our wins is important and enjoy reading other people’s. I had two this week:
1. I finished my latest project and love how it turned out! It’s an ebook I’ll share more about in my newsletter on Friday.
2. I just got paid $1000 ($1/word) for an article the organization has approved the final draft of but hasn’t published yet! That’s a first.
Congrats Wendi! I'm looking forward to learning more about your ebook. I am considering writing one myself. And congratulations also on the article! Please share that when it's published.
Thanks Chris! And if you do write an ebook, you can buy wonderful templates to customize (using the free version of Canva) for as low as $5 on etsy, and reuse them for future ebooks. That’s what I did, and it’s worked very well!
yesss thank you!!! That has been one of my mental blocks when it comes to making an ebook. If I was in charge of design my book would be a google doc. 😂
Same here, except my first ebook was a Word doc! I definitely need to redo it using the beautiful template I have now, but despite the lack of visual appeal some people have bought the current version. And my beautiful new ebook is now live: https://wendigordon.gumroad.com/l/mdryi Some sneak peeks of its contents will be in my newsletter tomorrow.
It looks wonderful, Wendi! Congratulations. This is so exciting.
Thanks, and yes it is very exciting! I think this is my favorite creation. I'm very happy with it, and as a perfectionist with a brutal inner critic it's rare for me to feel that way (especially since I found a minor typo I haven't corrected yet).
As usual, I really enjoy your posts. Great topic. A lot of times I’ve found that some things that seem initially like “losses” actually can be wins upon deeper reflection. They’re disguised. :) So today I celebrate what seems like a loss - a few prospective jobs I did not get - because I believe there might be better coming soon.
Hi Mike,
That's a great perspective to have. This is something I struggle with, especially when job hunting. I don't get a job and can't see the good that comes out of the rejection. But it always seems to work out in the end. I can't tell you how many times I didn't get a job, only to learn later on from someone at the company that it would have been a terrible fit, or the work environment was toxic, etc.
Wishing you the best on your job hunt!
It’s so true, right? We don’t get the thing we were hoping for or believed would be “good” for us, and the response is to be bummed out. Or worse, what’s wrong with ME? Then. we look back at what actually ends up happening and go “phew, glad it happened how it did, it turned out much better”. :) I don’t know, keep doing the right things and keep the positive vibes, then the good outcome does happen even if we don’t control the “when”. I think people smarter than me call it resilience.
So true, indeed! I keep thinking back to a job opening a few years ago. I dodged a bullet! the person quit within a couple months.
Was planning on cancelling PT yesterday since I've been going for 2 months and just doesn't seem to be getting that last bit better. Went anyway because I forgot to cancel, and discovered another muscle that needed attention, got it needled, and feeling things happening. Glad I went and feeling hopeful again! Win!
Molly Jane - so glad that the latest session was helpful! It's funny how sometimes, right when we're about to quit or stop doing something, that's when the breakthroughs happen. I hope future sessions bring you continued relief.
A few years ago, i started teaching English to my mom. Last week, after a two-year hiatus, she asked me to restart teaching her and today was our second session. I wasn't really sure whether i could pull this off, but I DID IT ANYWAY. That's what i call A BIG WIN for myself.
I love this, Negar! I have always admired anyone who is willing to learn a new language. I've tried to learn Spanish, Italian and French over the years and they never quite clicked for me.
Wow that squirrel is my hero! Wins right now, getting my son through this last chemo treatment(almost done!) celebrating my youngest’s 8th birthday, and getting out my latest substack post (I was late in my schedule for it) 🎉
Mary Beth - I am wishing all the best for your son and his treatment! I'll keep your family in my prayers. And happy birthday to your son!
As someone who deals with the ups and downs of getting a post out every week, any time you can hit send is an accomplishment worth celebrating, no matter when it goes out!
Thank you so much Chris🙏🏼 Yes! It is something to celebrate 🎉 Reading your post this morning helped because I already felt myself thinking…ok next…Appreciate your words!!!
Aw thanks! I was thinking of a discussion question for a few days and figured this would be the most fun.
I love posts like this. It always forces me to step back and think about what's going right instead of focusing on what's going wrong (which personally was plenty today).
We recently celebrated my son's 7th birthday, and he's the one that almost didn't live past day 2! We added a new puppy to our family that our kids have been begging us for. And earlier in the week we had an issue with our garbage disposal which I initially guessed would be a $400-500 repair, but with a few quick Google searches and a YouTube video, I was able to resolve myself!
Oh, and I recently got my first true paid subscriber on Substack after some comps expired!
All great wins! Happy birthday to your son!
What type of puppy did you get??
She's a little corgi. All teeth and attitude at the moment, but super cuddly too when she wants to be.
Ahh I love it! I love corgis.
I had a pic of her on a post a few weeks back right after we got her (https://theoscarproject.substack.com/p/2024-best-picture-bracket-challenge-5ab)
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh
I posted a mini-brag last week on Notes about all I accomplished last week (because coming back to work after a week off, I was greeted with 460+ emails, and that was just the start). But on Saturday, I got so much done (like a freakish amount, and didn't feel drained, which was the freaky part), I did a little personal back pat. I'm on the verge of spreading myself thin, but won't let it get to that. I hope. And congrats on focusing on your book, Chris! I can't wait to read it. I still need to schedule my haircut, though. And SQUIRREL!!! LOL. xo
Yay to a productive Satuday! That's the best.
I don't miss coming back to 400 emails though....
Small win = Made it back to the gym yesterday after being sick for the past two weeks. I am sore today, but grateful for a return to routine.
Also, I'm getting a haircut on Friday! My stylist has been out on maternity leave for months now and I like her so much, I've not gone anywhere else and am overdue!
Yay to getting back in the gym routine! And good luck with the haircut! I was overdue for one...my head feels lighter now.
Yay for wins! There's nothing quite like a fresh haircut either. My car was having an issue last week and had it fixed by a very nice local person (was terrified of finding a new mechanic after I moved), I've forgiven myself for a lot of things and been more compassionate with myself lately. I've been sticking to my healthier eating/exercise shtick well. Got a glowing review at work. Appreciate the prompt to shift the focus to the positive. This was hard at first and that definitely tells you something.
All excellent wins! Congrats on the job review, that's always satisfying. And I'm glad that you were able to get the car fixed.
We are building our new home and the plumbing and electrical inspections passed yesterday!
Also at the end of last year, we formed a land investment company so that I will be able to leave my job when I am no longer able to perform it. Looking to the future so that I can still provide an income for my family when that day comes. We closed our third deal this week.
Congrats on the inspections! That must be a huge weight off your shoulders. Congrats also on the new company.
Thank you. Learning a language can be a very fun activity. Like when a child is learning how to walk, learning a language is the same.
I've advanced the furthest using Duolingo. This is making me want to give it another shot!
Great. Go for it !