Pat Your Own Back!

As a business owner, sometimes I work well into the night, because I am required and inspired. When the product of my hard work is good, I used to feel that this was exactly what I expected of me. The reality is that even if good work is a requirement, it doesn’t make it any less inspiring. Since positive reinforcement is the foundation of healthy development, are you only patting yourself on the back when others are around? Do you only expect recognition to come from the outside? Let the celebration start from within! Celebrate the small wins, so that you can savor the big ones. Are you criticizing yourself for missing the gym last Tuesday? Were you there Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday? Honestly, that’s four more days than most people went and 80% of the days you were scheduled to go – a passing grade in anyone’s book. The joy of accomplishment is much more productive than the negativity of disapproval, so have a toast for one! Even when no one else is around, pat your own back – and let others join the celebration.