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!
Subscribe to Get: Top 10 Reader Favorite Recipes
The Top 10 Most Popular Recipes (PDF) on Simple Nourished Living + Weekly Support Emails with Tips & Easy Healthy Recipes Not Found Anywhere Else!
Charlene Mears
I thought when I realized I would have to stay at home because of the virus that I would put on a lot of weight because the food was right there. However, I kept to my routine of planning meals and tracking everything and I have actually lost a little weight, even though I am a Lifetime member and have at or under my goal for manyweeks
Joanne "Cookie" Bentivegna
I just bought a new top and it is an XL in stead of an XXL. I have also lost over 120 pounds.
Cindy Belanger
I played "Turning Up" by Arashi and danced around the livingroom! Felt SO good.
Gloria
My husband and I walked the neighborhood,for 10,000 steps, three days in a row. Enjoying the sunshine while social distancing.
Karianne
Working from home amidst this panademic I am not moving around as much. I hardly leave my apt. just for essentials. I thought for sure stress eating and different schedule would lead to a weight gain, but I lost 1.4 lbs this past week. I am proud of myself , holding my self accountable for what I am eating, tracking each day and making healthy meal choices ?
Crystal Skelton
I took a walk for 1 mile instead of staying inside watching Netflix.
Melissa Layne
Not feeling well today due to a weird rash on my face, but since not feeling well I still needed a workout so I engaged in a wonderfullly relaxing seated yoga routine! Yay me!
chris
Started some micro greens for healthy additions to salads and sandwiches.
Shana Sadowsky
I am walking almost 10,000 steps a day and making an effort to exercise daily.
Stella
Prepare lunches for the rest of the week
Cate Thomassen
Adding fruit back to my diet !
Martha Meyer
Get up every hour and move! Go for a walk or make a few laps around the house!
Martha Meyer
Meal plan and prep! It puts you in control!
Sandy
I added a 15 minute beginner dumbbell routine on weekends. I plan to extend it into the week, but building up to it! My arms are sire, but I am excited to add a new positive thing!
Char
Attended the virtual meeting! It really helps to see everyone. Lost a pound since last week!
Sandy
Squeezed in steps while babysitting. Got the 3 year old to race back and forth from livingroom to kitchen over and over! Wore me out...her? Nope! 3's are energetic, lol!
Jill Nelson
Tried a new (2 smart point) food to add to my repertoire that added flavor, fiber, nutrition and variety to my new eating habits.
Jill Nelson
Have been doing some kind of movement every day in addition to my PT in preparation for a total knee replacement in October. My reason for starting ww in the first place - easier recovery after surgery!
Jill Nelson
Going up the stairs has gotten easier on my knee now that I've been doing daily PT and have lost 13 pounds!
Chris
I took my dog for a one mile walk. I’ve been trying to do this daily, weather permitting.
Jeanne
Walked the dog twice as far as normal
Linda Arthur Tejera
We finally have some sunshine. Hubby and I picked ourselves up off the couch and for two days in a row now we have walked about a mile. Don't feel that's too bad for just starting out!