Celebrating Personal Wins

This week at the gym, we’re talking with the kids about celebrating their wins and accomplishments.

Most of us spend a lot of time working hard to improve. That’s not a bad thing…but it can lead us to focus mostly on what we can’t do yet, and discouragement often follows. And when discouragement sets in, it can lead to giving up or to a whole range of negative outcomes.

That’s why it’s so helpful to pause regularly and ask yourself, “What have I accomplished lately? What wins do I see?”

When we take the time to reflect, we start noticing the small wins too. Those matter just as much as the big ones. They’re markers of progress and reminders of how far we’ve already come.

Getting into this habit can open the door to some really positive things: more confidence, renewed motivation, and a deeper sense of gratitude, just to name a few.

Celebrating ourselves can feel a little strange. But it’s not about bragging or showing off…it’s about honest self-reflection. If you’re anything like me, you’re often your own toughest critic. So give yourself some grace. It’s not insignificant when you keep trying even when you’re frustrated, when you’re patient with someone, or when you choose kindness.

And yes, there’s always a balance. There is a danger in over-inflating our pride. But considering how hard we tend to be on ourselves, let’s just leave that as a gentle reminder to be aware of.

Most of us could simply stand to be a little kinder to ourselves.

So…what recent wins can you celebrate? What have you accomplished lately? Where have you seen growth? Don’t be afraid to cheer yourself on. I bet there’s a lot more reasons to than you might think. 

Oh, and for the parents of young Ninjas who might be reading this…I just want to let you know that your kids have tonnes to be proud of! We see them all improve every week, in big and small ways. Not just in strength or speed…but also in listening, patience, kindness, and so much more. 

Thanks for reading.

-Coach Evan