5 steps to celebrating milestones

Working towards a goal is sometimes easier said than done. Obstacles get in the way, time seems to fly by and before you know it its time to start the next big thing. But wait! There's a really important step that needs to happen first! YOU MUST CELEBRATE!

Something that I have to remind myself to do is stop and smell the roses. I've always got my eye on goal setting - what can we accomplish it and when? I'm training myself to stop and celebrate milestones. Sometimes victories are the smallest things, like cleaning out my inbox to read zero! Other times there are huge things to celebrate. We recently were chosen as one of the Blue Ribbon Winners for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Dream Big Small Business of the year award. This prestigious award ranks us among the top 100 small business in America! We could not be more grateful!! Here's what the U.S. Chamber President and CEO had to say about all 100 businesses:

“While our economy still struggles to reach its full potential, small businesses like our Blue Ribbon Award winners have continued to act as examples of the resilience, ingenuity, and opportunity at work in the free enterprise system,” U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue said. “Times can be tough, but these businesses have proven that they can be too. And by taking risks, watching out for their employees, and giving back to their communities, they’ve shown that success is achievable.”

To celebrate, we got some party supplies; noise makers, streamers and silly string and recorded a short video celebration to share with our friends, families and clients. We also had cupcakes and a group hug (yes, there were tears). View the video on our Facebook page!

I encourage you to celebrate your milestones. Even the smallest victories are victories! Here are a few things I recommend:

1. Celebrate as a team. Join in recognizing the person that has accomplished a goal or hit a milestone. Don't let them celebrate alone, bring everyone in! Everyone deserves time in the spotlight.
2. Go out of your way to verbally recognize. I love recognizing a team members accomplishment as a group but also in private. Tell your team how proud of them you are, what they did that you loved and how you've seen their growth. Spread some smiles and encouragement. 
3. Treat them when you can. A little thank you present goes a long way. Your team loves to feel needed and appreciated. It could be something as little as coffee on you! Know your team well enough to know what excites them. Treat them to something that shows your appreciation.
4. Share the love! Share your accomplishments with your peers and clients. Not in a bragging way, no one wants to hear that, but in a way that shows how grateful you are. Reaching goals and growth shows stability and success which gives peace and comfort. 
5. Treat yourself! If you've been working hard towards something, treat yourself when you reach it! Do something you love to do that you don't get to do very often. You've worked hard!

Last but not least, I give you permission to drive to your local party store, purchase some ridiculous noise makers and make a mess! It feels so great to take a break and look at what you've been working towards from a different perspective. Building on accomplishments gives everyone the energy and excitement they need to work towards the next one.

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