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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Marilyn McEnaney
I lost 1.5 pounds this week!
Elena Notarfrancesco
Walking to work without huffing and puffing!
Gerry Wright
I love your recipes!
Kim Henrichs
I went to therapy today!
Laura Jacoby
I made cabbage roll soup in my Instant Pot. I'm new to Instant Pot and still learning how to use it. Now I have a healthy, low points soup to go to when I'm hungry.
joy e russell
I want to try the birthday cake!!!!!!!!!!
Wanda Bigelow
I'm working on being organized with menu plans for the week. Thanks do much for your meal plans weekly.
Kim Henrichs
I got some work in early that was stressing me out!
Vivian
Stopping and closing my eyes and just taking a breath!
Brian
Went for a run. 1st time I have run in more than a year. Surprisingly Osurvived the 4 mile effort without walking or injury.
Elizabeth Barron
I cleaned out my freezer getting everything that did not support my healthy lifestyle. Have myself a BIG high Five
Angie Geilfuss
My not so tiny but important action was to cancel our planned 1,200 mile trip to Florida to enjoy some vacation time and visit with our son . I had been looking forward to it for weeks , but as I’m 69 and immune compromised And my hubby and I felt it was the responsible thing to comply to our country’s crisis . It was a good decision , but I felt sad . But I turned it around and instead of giving in to a mood , redirected myself to get active and clean the house thoroughly and rake leaves and pray . I had a beautiful day , made a delicious WW spaghetti sauces, and plan on being healthier and thinner when we do get to go to Florida . Resisting feeling sorry for myself and rather being grateful for the gift of time Home was the key to my success!
Johanna
I am taking a multi-vitamin and walking more.
Susan R Muller
I lost 96 pounds 7 1/2 years ago and have kept it off through change in diet and exercise. So grateful!
Kim Henrichs
I went for a long walk this morning!
Linda
I treat this as a time to Pray, connect with people I haven’t talked to in a long time, house reorganizing, getting those weights out to finally use, going for a walk, trying out new recipes, watching movies with my hubby, WW viral workshops and viral prayer services, staying connected with family and close friends on their health. This to shall pass. Stay well my friends!! God Bless!!
Nancy Collins
I made the healthy choice of scrambled eggs and blueberries for breakfast this morning instead of the donuts that my husband bought. In this time of social distancing and staying home, it's easy to just say "the heck with it" and eat whatever.
Patricia Hoffmeister
Take some deep breaths.
Cindy Belanger
Today is my birthday. I'll be having my cake but it's made with a lower calorie cake mix and diet soda.
jennifer mattes
I made a container of Onion Dip for a bag of chips I had purchased - went to have some last night, but decided to throw both away!!!