The Quiet Revolution of Small Wins: Why Your Tiny Victories Are Actually Life-Changing

Are you only as good as your last huge accomplishment?

I want you to pause for a moment and think about how you measure your worth. Do you find yourself in that relentless cycle of head-down, go-go-go energy, telling yourself you’ll celebrate when you get the big thing done? When you land the promotion, finish the project, and reach the milestone that feels worthy enough of your attention?

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And you’re also missing out on something profound.

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The Science of Celebration (It’s Not What You Think)

Here’s what I’ve learned after decades of working with clients and, honestly, wrestling with this in my own life: those tiny moments you’re rushing past? They’re not just nice-to-haves. They’re the actual building blocks of lasting change.

Harvard researchers have found that celebrating small wins triggers dopamine, your brain’s natural reward system. But here’s the beautiful part: that dopamine hit doesn’t just feel good in the moment. It literally rewires your brain to crave more progress, more growth, more of the person you’re becoming.

Think about it like this: every time you pause to acknowledge a small victory, you’re not just patting yourself on the back. You’re teaching your nervous system that forward movement is safe, that you can trust yourself to keep going, that you are someone who follows through.

What Actually Counts as a Win

Let me tell you what I celebrated this week: I completed a 54-minute advanced interval workout with heavy weights and a trampoline. I told myself, “You’re going to do this, no stopping,” and I did it.

Now, you might be thinking, “Terri, that’s not so small!” And you’d be right. But here’s what I’m really celebrating: the moment I decided to trust myself enough to try something that felt a little scary.

Your wins might look completely different, and they’re all valid:

You set a boundary without apologizingYou took an actual lunch break instead of eating standing up by the fridgeYou spoke up even though your heart was racingYou listened to what you needed and honored it

Can you see how these aren’t really small at all? Setting a boundary without apologizing, do you know how much courage that takes? How much it changes your life when you start doing it consistently?

The Stories We Tell Ourselves

Here’s where it gets tricky. I see this with my therapy clients all the time, and I catch myself doing it too: we qualify our wins before we even fully feel them.

“Yes, I finished that chapter, but I still have so much more to write.” “I spoke up in the meeting, but it wasn’t as articulate as I wanted.” “I went to the gym, but I didn’t work out as hard as I should have.”

Listen, love. I get it. You’re not going to forget about the bigger picture. You’re not suddenly going to become complacent because you acknowledged something you did well. But what you are doing is training yourself to never be satisfied, to never feel worthy of your own appreciation.

The Depression Factor

If you’ve ever struggled with depression (and many of us have), you know that getting out of bed can feel impossible on some days. Taking a shower becomes an act of self-love. Making one phone call you’ve been avoiding becomes monumental.

These aren’t “small” wins for someone climbing out of that dark place. They’re evidence of your incredible resilience, proof that you’re stronger than you know.

Your Identity in Motion

Here’s something James Clear said that stopped me in my tracks: “Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.”

Every. Single. Action.

When you speak your truth, you become someone who values their voice. When you rest without guilt, you become someone who honors your needs. When you celebrate your progress, you become someone who recognizes your own worth.

You’re not broken and waiting to be fixed. You’re not incomplete, rushing toward some finish line where you’ll finally be enough. You’re evolving, moment by moment, choice by choice, small win by small win.

Making It a Practice

You don’t need confetti or champagne (though honestly, break out the champagne if that feels good). Start simple:

Keep a running list of weekly wins in your phone. Share them with someone who celebrates you back. Pair your reflection with something that feels nourishing: a walk, a cup of tea, a few minutes of just breathing.

The magic happens when you make this muscle memory. Each time you notice a win, it becomes easier to spot the next one. You start living from a place of abundance rather than scarcity, focusing on what’s working rather than what’s missing.

The Micro Moments Are the Big Moments

So much of this life isn’t about the peak experiences or the loud milestones. It’s about the quieter choices you make every single day. The boundary you hold. The truth you speak. The rest you take without guilt. The way you return to your intention again and again.

These are the moments that actually matter. These are the moments that shape who you’re becoming.

A Gentle Invitation

This week, I’m inviting you to pause. To reflect. To celebrate whatever your wins look like, however small they might seem to that critical voice in your head.

You are worthy of your own recognition. You are worthy of celebration. You are worthy of the kindness you so freely give to everyone else.

The micro moments are building something beautiful. Trust the process. Trust yourself.

And remember: you are inherently worthy, exactly as you are, right now in this moment.

What’s one win you had this week? I’m genuinely curious, and I’m already celebrating you for it.

A Place to Be Celebrated

If this resonates with you, and you’re ready to practice honoring your growth instead of just your hustle, I’d love to invite you into the Terri Cole Membership.

Inside, we end every week by celebrating our small wins together. We witness each other, hold space for one another, and create consistent rituals of support.

You don’t have to do this alone.
And you don’t have to wait until you’re “ready” to be seen.

Come exactly as you are.
Your progress — messy, beautiful, and real — is already worth celebrating.

Learn more and join us here .