The Art of Celebrating Today: Harvesting the Joy of Showing Up
"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." ~ Robert Brault
Let's talk about celebrating.
This topic came up recently during a call with my business mentor, George Kao, in a discussion about celebrating. George shared a perspective that genuinely surprised me and it got me thinking about my take on the importance of celebrating. I'd like to share his wisdom, my approach, and some tips for other solo entrepreneurs.
The Importance of Feeling
Do you celebrate along the way?
During one of our group calls, someone asked George for tips on how to celebrate milestones and achievements. George Kao emphasised the importance of finding joy in the process, the journey itself, rather than being solely outcome-driven. For him, it's about cultivating happiness in the day-to-day, moment-to-moment, which allows us to detach from the highs and lows of running a business.
I couldn't agree more with this sentiment. Focusing on how we do things, rather than fixating on the inevitable ups and downs of business success, is undoubtedly crucial. But here's where George and I differ. As someone who spent a long time emotionally numb, I've come to appreciate the value of allowing myself to feel. Whether it's the exhilaration when someone wants to work with me or the disappointment when someone doesn't show up for something I offer, these feelings remind me that I genuinely care about what I do.
For individuals like me, recovering from perfectionism and overachievement, celebrating is vital for a sense of fulfilment. If I don't take the time to pause and celebrate, I find myself constantly chasing the next big thing. I keep moving the goalposts without acknowledging my achievements. It's a never-ending path of seeking, without appreciating the progress made.
The Role of Cyclical Living
So, how can we change this pattern? Here's where cyclical living comes into play.
This involves taking the time to pause and celebrate at the end of specific cycles - whether that's a working sprint, the end of the day, the week, the month, or even a project launch. By doing this, we can "harvest" our experiences. This is one of the powers of the autumn of cycles - the transition phase between the doing and the not-doing. By harvesting and taking stock, we give our creativity something to mulch on to fertilise our ideas in the next spring.
Harvesting has three key aspects: What went well, what didn't go well, and what did we learn.
What Went Well: This part is all about recognising your achievements. What are you proud of? What moments brought a smile to your face? Celebrate your wins, no matter how small they may seem.
What Didn't Go Well: Acknowledging what didn't work is equally crucial. This is not about self-critique but an opportunity for growth. What do you want to let go of? What frustrated you? Turning towards these feelings and experiences can help you accept them.
What Did You Learn: Every experience, whether positive or negative, is a lesson. What did you learn from the cycle? What knowledge will you carry forward? This is your chance to grow and evolve.
What are you gathering and taking away?
My Personal Approach
Personally, I use different models to help me with this process. One of my favourites is the "Rose, Bud, and Thorn." The rose represents what's blooming, what's going well. The bud symbolises something emerging and new. The thorn is what's challenging or didn't work.
Another approach I've found helpful is the "Apple, Lemon, Sponge." The apple stands for the sweet moments, the lemon for the sour ones, and the sponge represents what you've learned.
You might prefer "Win, F**k, Win". You get the idea.
These simple models offer a structured way to review and celebrate your journey. I like to do this at the end of every week and every month. It helps me go into the winter of rest with a sense of satisfaction and fulfilment.
In conclusion, as we continue our entrepreneurial journey, it's crucial to take moments to pause and acknowledge how far we've come. Celebrating the present and harvesting our experiences is just as vital as striving for the next achievement. If you have your methods of celebrating and harvesting, I'd love to hear about them. Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Until next time, keep celebrating and keep growing!