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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Karianne
Staying on track especially being home and stressed with all that is going on. Some days wantIng to go back to my junk food for comfort, but finding other ways to curb that.
Thank you for all that you do to help us!
Stay safe. Be well.
Sheila Castellini
I used lettuce instead of bread for my sandwich!
Jean Gottel
It was suggested to get dressed first thing in the morning. Love staying in my robe and slippers from pre work days. Started doing this. Does give you a different mindset and I have become more productive with home and weight. Thank you for all you encouragement. Takes one to know one ?
Doris King
I have curbed my snacking by planting vegetables for my garden. I have also been clipping and saving healthier recipes to use for that supply of garden veggies when they produce.
Diane Fox
Have encouraged my husband to eat what I serve. He's been surprised he likes it. It works better if your spouse follows along willingly.
Barbara Ezell
I started to move more with Circles. Circles of arm movements, small to large. Circles of leg movement (lying down) and circles rotating ankles. Circles reaching up to the sky. Circles of rotating my neck around and up and down. It really feels great to use music too! This continued on my think ing about circles of friendships and how they began and the circle of life. My body thanked me and I felt more grateful and humble and centered.
Carol Woods
They sound fantastic can't wait to try them. Chocolate cream mousse sounds like a winner.
Karen Binder
I would love to try one of your favorites, raspberry chocolate creme!! I’m hoping it tastes like one of my favorite raspberry chocolate candys ?
Karen Binder
I would love to try one of your favorites, raspberry chocolate creme!! I’m hoping it tastes like one of my favorite raspberry chocolate candies
Carlie Willoughby
I have never tried the Built bar. It would be interesting to know what they taste like before I invest in them. Testing the waters!!!
Elizabeth Fogarty
I have heard of these bars but have never tried them, anything chocolate is my passion, chocolate keeps me calm, this is my excuse & I am sticking to it!!!!!
Barbara Vardabash
I am most interested in trying the Double Chocolate Mousse bar.
Sandra weishaupt
Would love to try the almond coconut
June Barth
I can hardly wait to try the Coconut Almond! Sounds like the perfect combo! 🙂
Betty Naten
Before WW, one of my favorite snacks was a combination of salted and buttered popcorn and milk duds. This gave me the salty/sweet treat that I was craving. I am sure I would love the salted chocolate caramel so this would definitely be a first choice for me.
Shari Bailey
I would love to try your mint brownie Built Bar. Being locked in with a recent cancer diagnosis amid the Covid-19 issue, I need a healthy comfort food that won't cause me to gain weight.
Susan Arbuthnot
I'm really excited to try these bars-I'm a chocoholic so can't wait to try these.
Rhonda
Peanut butter!! I love chocolate and peanut butter flavors!!
Myrna Dobson
Salted chocolate carmel
Rachel Millette
The raspberry chocolate are my favorite. They are so good.