Small wins matter.

You know that feeling when someone gives you a genuine compliment? Just a quick “Hey, you did a great job on that,” and suddenly, the whole day feels lighter. That’s the power of small wins, not just in words. In the little victories, we rack up. Sometimes without even noticing. Celebrating small wins isn't just feel-good fluff. It actually rewires your brain, fuels motivation, and strengthens mental health.

Dopamine: The Brain’s Little Happy Dance

Ever resist the urge to binge-watch one more episode? Finally tackle that pile of laundry? Your brain notices. When you celebrate those moments, even with a “Nice, I did that,” your brain releases dopamine—the same neurotransmitter responsible for pleasure and motivation. It reinforces the behavior, making you more likely to do it again. The more you acknowledge progress, the more your brain learns to crave that success.

Momentum: The First Domino

Big goals can feel impossible, but small wins get the ball rolling. It’s like knocking over the first domino in a chain reaction. Small victories have a compounding effect, making it easier to build on progress. One good decision leads to another; before you know it, you’re further along than you thought.

In the morning, I set three priorities for my day. These are things I must do during the day. They aren’t necessarily tasks, but they can be. Example:

1. Push a little harder when you do weights today.
2. Finish and test the code for the greatstory.ca breathing app.
3. Love your wife well today. She deserves it.

These aren’t unattainable. They are small priorities that remind me of what I can win in my day.

Confidence: The Quiet Builder

Every small win is proof that progress is happening. Even when the big picture feels overwhelming, these little moments remind you that you're capable. Self-doubt thrives in silence, but when you acknowledge the wins—no matter how minor—you chip away at insecurity.

Resilience: Training for the Tough Stuff

Life throws curveballs. Sometimes, it feels like nothing is going right. But celebrating small victories trains your brain to see progress, even in hard times. Instead of getting stuck in everything that’s wrong, you start noticing what’s still working. That shift in perspective helps people keep going when things get tough.

I have a routine in the morning that I dread. My motivation and resilience are still building from the traumatic last few years. These are small things that I make myself do every morning.

• Get out of bed
• Brush my teeth
• Change into anything that are not pajamas
• Deoderant
• Make the bed

Small wins that I know will help me build motivation. When I finally get downstairs, I can even empty the dishwasher!

Mental Health: The Small Shift That Adds Up

Anxiety and depression often involve a heavy focus on what’s missing, what’s not working, or what’s overwhelming. But celebrating small wins and actively noticing them helps redirect that focus. Instead of waiting for something huge to happen, you build moments of success into your everyday life.

So don’t wait for the big milestones. Give yourself credit where it’s due. It all counts, whether it’s choosing water over soda, hitting send on an email you’ve been dreading, or getting out of bed when it felt impossible. It all counts, and it all adds up.

One step at a time. One win at a time. Keep going.

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Russell, Melissa. "Why Celebrating Small Wins Matters." Harvard Summer School, 30 May 2024. Harvard Summer School

McNally, Melanie A. "From Small Steps to Big Wins: The Importance of Celebrating." Psychology Today, 12 June 2024.  Psychology Today

Rivia Mind. "How Celebrating Small Wins Helps Your Mental Health." Rivia Mind, 2024. Rivia Mind

Burkus, David. "Celebrate Small Wins On Teams." David Burkus, March 2023. David Burkus

PwC. "Small Wins Can Yield Big Outcomes." PwC, 2024. PwC

Elite High Performance. "Celebrate the Small Wins: They Matter More Than You Think." Elite High Performance, 17 January 2024. Elite High Performance

Leading experts on the impact of celebrating small wins include Dr. Teresa Amabile, a professor at Harvard Business School, who is renowned for her research on how small wins influence motivation and performance. Her work emphasizes recognizing incremental progress in enhancing workplace creativity and productivity.