Confession: I'm a big believer in celebrating small changes. I got the idea while reading Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything (affiliate link) by BJ Fogg.
In addition to being a successful author and professor at Stanford, he is a lifetime WW, who also has provided consulting services to the company.
I'm a huge believer in his doable approach to behavior change and habit formation. I think you will be too once you test it out.
BJ says, "If you learn just one thing from this entire book, I hope it's this, celebrate your tiny successes because you change best by feeling good, not by feeling bad."
Related: Remember to Take Time to Celebrate Your Successes!
Making a change for the better is a big deal no matter how small and incremental. Don't let the "go big or go home" mentality that pervades our society prevent you from feeling good and achieving the success you deserve.
Celebrating a win, no matter how tiny, will quickly lead to more wins.
I've found this to be very true in my life. I want the same for you.
Let's give it a go, shall we?
"What tiny success did you celebrate today on your journey toward a happier, healthier life?"
Examples of Some of My Recent Tiny Successes Worth Celebrating:
- Took my daily vitamins (affiliate link).
- Chose water at lunch.
- Opted for soup and salad for lunch instead of something else.
- Skipped my evening sweet treat.
- Used my Instant Pot (affiliate link) to make hard boiled eggs.
- Did pushups after using bathroom (when at home)
- Took two short walks, mid afternoon and before dinner.
- Did my AM devotional.
- Didn't snack while prepping dinner.
- Didn't get into the pretzel bag when in the pantry.
- Got to bed on time.
How to Celebrate Your Tiny Habit Successes?
Celebrating tiny wins is key to locking in habits quickly and can help put an end to the all too damaging cycle of negative self-talk. Your celebration does not have to be something you say out loud or physically express.
The only rule is that it has to be something said or done — internally or externally — that makes you feel good and creates a feeling of success.
It could be a "yes!"; a fist pump; a big smile; a V with your arms. You might imagine the roar of the crowd; think to yourself "Good job" or "I got this"; or picture fireworks.
Here are 102 ideas for how to celebrate your tiny wins:
- Fist pump
- Say "yippee!"
- Clap your hands
- Sing "I am the champion"
- Pat yourself on the back
- Smile and feel satisfied
- Stamp feet
- Say "whoohoo!"
- Do a wink and smile
- Smile at yourself in mirror
- Say "yes"
- Say "yes I did it!"
- Say "way to go!"
- Think "that was awesome"
- Say "I rock"
- Do a jig
- Give myself a high-five
- Feel an inner glow
- Adopt a victory posture
- Head nod
- A thumbs up
- Feel gratitude
- Feel appreciation
- Say "right on!"
- Make a check-mark in air
- Finger snap
- Say "yay!"
- Say "great job!"
- Hear trumpets in my head
- Say "well done"
- Say "good job"
- Sing "Celebrate good times"
- Both arms up and think victory!
- Say a chant and clap - This is the way, aha, aha! I like it, aha, aha!
- Shout "Come on!"
- Big smile
- Say "well done"
- Rotate hips & say whoohoo
- Make superhero noises
- Jump up and down
- Do a little shuffle
- Smirk
- Think "that is awesome"
- Victory sign
- Applaud
- Do a victory dance
- Say "bingo"
- Say "yay me!"
- Think "nicely done"
- Think "nailed it!"
- Hear roaring crowds
- Laugh out loud
- Feel happy
- Move your face to be happy
- Fist pump + awesome
- Say "I'm on my way!"
- Click heels together
- Spin around
- Clench fists and say "yes"
- Kung Fu Kid pose
- Do the Ickey Shuffle
- Do cheers to yourself
- Say "go me"
- Snap your fingers
- Do the hula
- Say "whoop whoop"
- Say "shazam!"
- Head up, look to the sky and make a V with arms
- Rub hands together
- Whistle a song
- Breath out and say "yes"
- Sing "Simply the best"
- Do power poses
- "Got this one" finger snap
- Take a bow
- Throw something in air
- Think of a pleasing moment
- Twist on one foot
- Spin around
- Shout "strike"
- End zone dance
- Raise both arms - "score!"
- Blow a kiss to yourself
- Wiggle your whole body
- Hum a song
- Jump up and click heels
- Hip thrust + "yes"
- Cartwheels
- Short tap dance
- Hug yourself
- Take a thumbs up selfie
- Sprinkler dance
- Tap fist to heart 3 times
- Hi-five nearest person
- Howl
- Jump from one foot to other
- Do the twist
- Imagine seeing fireworks
- Raise the roof
- Smile and have a positive thought
- Jump up & down with hands up
- Sing "hey now, you're arock star"
Martha is the founder and main content writer for Simple-Nourished-Living.
A longtime lifetime WW at goal, she is committed to balancing her love of food and desire to stay slim while savoring life and helping others do the same.
She is the author of the Smart Start 28-Day Weight Loss Challenge.
A huge fan of the slow cooker and confessed cookbook addict, when she's not experimenting in the kitchen, you're likely to find Martha on her yoga mat.
This post contains affiliate links to products I like. When you buy something through one of my Amazon links or other (affiliate links), I receive a small commission that helps support this site. Thank you for your purchase!
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Lisa T.
I chose a very sensible breakfast while out with friends.
Regina Schantz
I skipped yummy-looking monster cookie bars in the teachers' lounge today.
Linda Arthur Tejera
I downloaded a free app and started tracking my water intake over the weekend. In the past couple of days I've learned that I haven't been drinking nearly as much water as I thought I was or that I should! LOL! So my little success will be to correct that starting immediately!
Charlotte
17,007 steps and 101 active minutes!
April
Starting the day with a healthy breakfast.
Ginny Mobley
I graduated from 2 kettle balls 10 lbs each to using 2 kettle bells 12.5 lbs each for hip hinge exercises this morning!
Sandra
I ate out in a restaurant twice on the weekend. But I remembered the WW rule: Prepare ahead. I did for both times deciding what I would eat and how much. Before I went to each meal I prayed that Jehovah would give me the strength to stay on track. AND I DID. I was so proud!
Kim Henrichs
I finished a report early!
Kim Henrichs
I brought my own coffee and lunch today instead of buying.
Amy
Said no to free Krispy Kreme donuts at work.
Dolores Boonstra
I got rid of all temptations.
Dolores Boonstra
I filled my cabinets with only healthy snacks.
Georgia
Walking my dogs ? every day and back to lifetime.
beth
walking everyday, mall, cemetery, local trail, anywhere I can!
Helen
Traveling for the next couple of days. We packed fruit and hard boil eggs for snacking. At lunch I only ate 1/2 of a grans slam breakfast!
Helen
With traveling 8-10 hours the next couple of days exercise is hard to achieve. It’s dark so I walk hotel hallways and do exercises on tv or dvd
Martha Meyer
I did all of my meal prep on Day 2 of our Spring Break staycation!!
Judy Hill
Hi, I’m 78 years old, and the sole caregiver to my husband of 54 years. He has Alzheimer’s. We have always enjoyed yard work and flower gardens. So last fall, I showed him where to dig holes, and we planted tulip and daffodil bulbs.
Today, we are self quarantined and we go out to check on our new plants that are now about 4-6 inches high to celebrate the joy that is spring.
Liz Riendeau
Hi know take all my vitamins each morning before my coffee.?
KK
I saw that I was down 3 pounds from the weight I started at, last time I went on Weight Watchers. Winter is always a challenge for me, and I had gained back the weight I'd last over Spring and summer, so this was this was confirmation that I am getting there!