Cheering the Wobble
Source: Dall-E/OpenAI
I recently found myself at the airport, lost in the usual sea of tired travelers, when a surprising moment of joy broke through. A one-year-old boy, still mastering his wobbly first steps, toddled with fierce determination, his little legs working hard to find balance. His mom, glowing with pride, shared that he had just started walking. Each time he took a tumble, he sprang right back up—and something beautiful happened. Strangers—young and old, from every background and corner of life—began cheering him on, united in encouragement for this tiny explorer. In that brief moment, we came together to celebrate something simple yet profound: the beauty of progress.
This got me thinking: When did we stop cheering for the wobbles in our own lives? When did we start treating every fall as a failure instead of an essential step forward?
As adults, we often lose sight of how important it is to celebrate small wins. We wait for the big milestones—a promotion, a degree, or a major achievement—before we allow ourselves (and others) to feel worthy of applause. But research shows that it’s the little victories, the everyday progress, that drive motivation and long-term success.
The Power of Small Wins: Progress, Not Perfection
In their research on creativity and motivation, Harvard Business School professor Teresa Amabile and psychologist Steven Kramer developed what they call The Progress Principle. Their studies revealed that one of the most significant factors in sustaining motivation isn’t achieving major breakthroughs—it’s making consistent progress, no matter how small. Even seemingly minor accomplishments can trigger a positive emotional response that boosts motivation and enhances performance.
Small wins, Amabile explains, create an “upward spiral.” Each little victory reinforces our belief that progress is possible, even when the final goal feels distant. The problem is that, as adults, we often dismiss small wins as insignificant. Instead of celebrating small moments of progress, we focus on how far we still have to go, leaving us feeling stuck and unmotivated.
This brings us back to the toddler at the airport. Every stumble he made wasn’t met with criticism or a grim reminder of how much more he had to learn—it was met with cheers and encouragement. Imagine how different our lives might feel if we celebrated each other, and ourselves, the way we cheered for that toddler: for trying, for wobbling, and for getting back up.
Why Celebrating Small Wins Matters
Celebrating small wins isn’t just a feel-good strategy—it has real psychological benefits, including:
- Boosts Motivation and Momentum. When we acknowledge small wins, we trigger a release of dopamine, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical. This chemical boost reinforces positive behavior, making us more likely to keep going. Small wins build momentum, reminding us that progress is happening, even if it’s not always obvious.
- Strengthens Resilience. Life can feel overwhelming when we only focus on the end goal, especially when setbacks happen. Celebrating incremental progress helps us stay resilient by shifting the focus from failure to learning. Each win, no matter how small, reinforces the idea that effort matters and that getting back up is part of the process.
- Fosters Connection and Belonging. Just as the group of strangers at the airport united in cheering for the toddler, celebrating small wins can strengthen relationships. Whether it’s a colleague completing a tricky project or a friend hitting a personal milestone, shared celebration fosters connection and builds a sense of community.
3 Simple Ways to Celebrate Small Wins (Without Waiting for Big Milestones)
Ready to bring more celebration into your life? Here are three ways to start recognizing small wins in meaningful ways:
1. Keep a Progress Journal
Write down at least one small win each day, no matter how minor it seems. Maybe you finally tackled a task you’ve been avoiding, or you made time for a short walk during lunch. A progress journal helps you focus on what’s going right and builds a record of achievements you can reflect on when motivation wanes. Why it works: Writing things down reinforces positive experiences, letting your brain relive and amplify the joy of small wins.
2. Share Your Wins with Others
Make it a habit to share small victories with friends, family, or colleagues. You could start a “wins channel” at work or a weekly check-in with a friend where you both highlight something you accomplished that week. Celebrating together deepens connections and normalizes the idea that small steps are worth recognizing. Why it works: Social reinforcement strengthens the positive effects of small wins. It’s also contagious—when others see you celebrating small moments, they’re more likely to do the same.
3. Create Mini-Rewards for Yourself
Set up small, enjoyable rewards for completing tasks or making progress toward a goal. It doesn’t have to be elaborate—a five-minute dance break, a favorite snack, or an episode of your favorite show can all serve as meaningful rewards for your efforts. Why it works: Mini-rewards train your brain to link effort with enjoyment, making you more likely to push through challenges.
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Cheering for the Wobbles in Life
The next time you feel like your progress isn’t enough, remember that toddler at the airport. His wobbling steps weren’t perfect, but they were celebrated because they were steps in the right direction. What if we treated our own lives the same way?
Progress isn’t about perfection—it’s about showing up, wobbling a little, and getting back up when we fall. Whether you’re working toward a major career goal, navigating a personal challenge, or just trying to make it through Monday, every small step matters. So, let’s celebrate the wobbles. Let’s cheer for ourselves and for each other—for every effort, every stumble, and every time we get back up. Because life isn’t just about reaching the destination—it’s about finding joy in the journey, wobbles and all.
