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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Melody C
I walked, even though I was bundled up in a coat with the hood up, neck fastened, and gloves!
Martha Meyer
I meal prepped for the coming work week - even if we are telecommuting!
Debbi Waugh
I celebrated not diving into the junk food during this time of social distancing!
mel
Feel gratitude & smiled lots of smiles.
Wanda Kratzer
I have been trying to walk down our long (1/8 of a mile), steep driveway to collect the mail on good weather days. Well twice now I have decided I could not let a little rain stop me. Grabbed the umbrella and away I went. Felt proud of my determination to get the exercise in no matter what! HAPPY DANCE!!
Pat Marzi
My husband has trouble with his feet so does not do a Lot. Yesterday and today we have gone for walks! Huge accomplishment for both of us. Felt so good!
Maya G.
Did some 30 pushups this morning.
April
I took an online fitness class.
RobinM
Got a great walk in today . so nice to get out in the fresh air .
Chris H
I just started My WW 5 weeks ago. My first week of telecommuting went well. I stayed on track every day. I ordered a stepper to work on my more advance physical therapy at home.
Suze Couchey
Used a small plate for Sunday dinner.
Linda Davis
Today I slept late, then I took out healthy foods from my freezer to prepare for today's meals, ones that would appeal to my fussy meat-and-potatoes husband too.
Annmarie Weeks
We have been spending time away from everyone by ‘hiding out’ at a place at the beach. And for the past few days, I’ve been walking the beach each morning. Each day, I’ve gone further than the day before!
ELIZABETH Barron
Woke up this morning and told myself that it was going to be a great day. Walked 4 miles enjoying the morning.
Lesli
I am reorganizing my pantry area so I can better stock what I need to be healthy.
Mary McKay
I finally got everything together and made a giant pot of unstuffed cabbage! I not only had it for dinner but had 5 containers to freeze for future meals!
Sandy
I celebrated the 50 pound mark (52!) with pizza delivery for the family. I indulged and stayed in range- 26 points, so 3 over my 23, but still got a blue dot! Never use weeklies so I had it coming! ? It felt good to just have fun during the chaos of this virus and being temporarily laid off. I hate feeling a lack of control and right now that is most of my life. WW gave me a place were I can always have that control though. That is huge right now! So, hurray for pizza being ok and hurray to 52 pounds gone!
Char
Still on track with food and exercise!
Kim Henrichs
Added to my daily gratitude list while working from home.
Donna L
I drink 8 glasses of water - 1 on each hour- daily to help with weight maintainence and hydration.