We all set goals in life – whether they are huge and life-changing, or small and seemingly insignificant.

If they are important to us, we make an effort to achieve them. It might be running a certain distance, hitting a business goal, or even staying out of the kids’ treats for a week.

So what do we do when we actually achieve a goal?

Too many people do not take the time to pause and celebrate themselves for having had the persistence and tenacity to work on a goal and achieve it. Instead, they immediately devalue the goal, following the pernicious Groucho Marx principle – “I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member”. No matter how hard they worked, if they could achieve the goal, it must not have been worth very much.

How sad is that?

If you recognise yourself in the paragraph above, I want to urge you to reconsider the way you treat yourself, and how you celebrate the goals that you achieve. Too many people have internalised a view of themselves that does not make them feel good. For whatever reason, they speak to themselves in cruel and abusive ways that they would never use to anyone whom they loved.

It can be a long road to self-love, and I can recommend a few excellent books if you are interested. But start by a moment of celebration when you have achieved something, however small. Pause and pat yourself on the back, do a little celebratory dance, treat yourself in some way. 

You deserve it, in the best possible way. Not because you are feeling sorry for yourself and are trying to numb and soothe your pain, but because you set a goal and achieved it. Don’t devalue the goal as soon as you have grasped it, and set your sights on the next peak. Just pause and celebrate the one you are on.

What goals are you working on now? I’d love to cheer you on and celebrate your achievements. Drop me a comment and let me know!