It’s well known that celebrating accomplishment is one of the keys to improving results. That’s true whether the goal is personal or shared among a team. If you’re like me, though, times of celebration may be rare. Rewarding myself for goals attained can seem frivolous and self-indulgent. Especially when I think I could have, or should have, done more.

Apparently, I’m not alone. One of the outcomes of Dream Intensive workshops I conduct is a 90-day action plan we create for our dream. A section of that plan is the way in which we will reward ourselves for accomplishing our stated goals. For many attendees, that section of the plan is left with a lot of white space. Choosing a reward when a goal is attained is often more challenging than identifying the goal itself.

It’s easy for me to set goals. Often I find, however, that it’s hard to keep at the ones that are most important to me. That’s when assigning a reward to a goal is particularly helpful. It makes that goal stand out from the rest and more likely, as a result, to be met. I’ve learned that celebrating my accomplishments is important for three reasons:

1. Celebration recognizes excellence. Not everything we do is extraordinary. In fact, most things are not. So, when a notable milestone is achieved, it’s worthwhile to take a pause and celebrate. Practicing the art of celebration is our way of imitating God’s declaration when He looked at His creation and said, “It is good.”
2. Celebration gives honor and credit to God. When we accomplish a task, especially something important, it’s vital to remember that it couldn’t have been done without God’s participation. Practicing the art of celebration recognizes God’s work in and through us with the skills, energy and opportunities that He provides. “For from him and through him and to him are all things” the Bible reminds us (Rom 11:36).
3. Celebration gives fuel for the road ahead. “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” as the saying goes. Neither is anything worthwhile. Great successes are the accumulation of smaller ones. But each success and failure can take its toll. We have limitations—we tire. Practicing the art of celebration recognizes our need for rest and enables us to better take on the tasks before us.

Because I’m so self-critical, the art of celebration does not come easy for me. I have to work at it. Like any art form though, I’m getting better at it with practice. Perhaps that’s worth celebrating too.

Encourage others with your comments: What are other some other reasons to practice the art of celebration?