Small wins

"Small wins are the way we maintain hope. When we commit to a small goal and make progress, it's a signal to our brains that change is possible." ~ Teresa Amabile

I've become a small-wins enthusiast. As I dive into new hobbies and resurrect old ones, I've found the best way to continue to be excited about maintaining progress or interest in anything, is to celebrate small wins along the way. Even when I've found myself in the 'not-great-yet' category, acknowledging every incremental improvement keeps me motivated and eager to continue the journey.

Take playing the guitar for example. My Dad bought me my first acoustic as a graduation present from college. My Taylor is currently back in the US since my Dad can play it so he doesn't need to lug out his electric guitar and amp. But I've recently started to play my girlfriend's guitar and guess what? I still remember a lot of chords! Problem is I haven't played in awhile and I'm super rusty, but I've found that as long as I'm getting just a tiny bit better each time I play, I look forward to playing again. Whether it's learning a new chord or getting the knack of a fresh song, these small victories fuel my enthusiasm, making each practice session a rewarding step forward.

Remember, celebrating small wins is really important. It keeps you going and soon enough, I think you'll find that those small wins can add up to even bigger wins. And even if a big payoff never comes, at least you'll be learning and keeping at something and hopefully enjoying it. Because, when it comes down to it, isn't the joy of consistently learning and enjoying the journey, the ultimate win?