Acknowledging our wins

Freepik

In a world measured in sprint cycles and task lists, we are always expected to look toward the future, and anxiously anticipate our next project. While this process functions to propel us forward, we are perpetually left in a state in which we do not feel enough. There is always a deadline on the horizon, a project to be tackled, an email we have not returned. However, just as quickly as we clear one task, we are gearing up for the next. Over time, this process leaves us feeling depleted and defeated.

Within this fast-paced environment, we are often made to believe that it is more fruitful to focus on “what’s next”, than to dwell on what we have accomplished. To the contrary, acknowledging our achievements allows us to hold a more balanced view of ourselves, and shift away from the belief that we are not enough.

Over a period of 15 years, researchers Steven Kramer and Teresa Amabile studied factors that cultivated joy and engagement among employees. Following in depth review of employee diary entries, they found that employees’ own perceptions of progress best predicted happiness and productivity long term. Surprisingly, it wasn’t major breakthroughs — instead, small wins achieved on a daily basis provided employees with the most consistent sense of progress and buffered against the uncertainty associated with wayward goals.

In applying the research findings of Kramer and Amabile, I invite you to participate in the habit of daily reflections. In particular, focus on what went well, and be as specific as possible (i.e., “I submitted the end of year report I’d been working on for 2 weeks and I am really proud of my efforts” or “I helped Nikhil with his project and solved an issue he has been stuck on and he was really grateful”). Acknowledge your specific actions or contributions and make note of it. When you are having a particularly challenging day, return to these reflections. After all, we could all use a pick me up now and then.