- PPF Points
- 2,100
Alright, let’s just be real for a sec: everyone’s hyped up about big flashy success these days, right? The viral stories, the “I made my first million by 23!” flex, the constant pressure to do something huge. But honestly, that whole vibe can totally drown out the little stuff that actually keeps us going. I’m talking about those tiny victories—like the “heck yes, I actually drank water today instead of just coffee” wins—that pretty much hold our lives together when everything else feels like a hot mess.
Let’s talk about why small wins totally matter (and yeah, I’m throwing some personal stuff in here because, let’s face it, no one wants to hear just textbook psychology).
Chasing the big stuff is cool and all—dream job, five-bedroom house, inventing the next TikTok killer app (lol, please don’t). That’s what we’re told from the beginning, right? But this obsession with epic wins can also leave you constantly feeling like you’re behind, or just… not enough. Like, what, am I supposed to feel accomplished only when I climb Everest? Nah, man. Everyone acts like the “big win” will suddenly make you feel complete, but spoiler alert: it won’t.
What even counts as a small win? Honestly, anything that gives you a little “heck yeah!” moment. Doesn’t have to be wild. Could be getting your ever-loving laundry folded before it turns into a new form of sentient life. Could be sending that one annoying email you’ve dodged for a week. Could be making your bed instead of rolling out and stepping over it till 2 p.m.—don’t pretend you haven’t done that.
Here’s one from my own life, just to keep it real: literally today, after fighting with my own brain for several days, I finally finished writing a piece that’d been haunting me. Is it some masterpiece? Nah. Did I avoid doom-scrolling for an hour and actually get it done? You bet. That little push gave me just enough momentum to tackle the next thing instead of flopping onto the couch like a deflated balloon. Progress, not perfection.
Now, why do small wins matter so much? Look, it ain’t just a “good vibes only” thing—there’s actual brain science behind it. Every time you snag a win, even a dumb little one, your brain does a mini-celebration and shoots out dopamine. It’s why checking something off your list feels like a tiny hit of happiness. Humans are basically just rats pressing levers for snacks, but in adulting form.
Plus, researchers (Teresa Amabile knows what’s up) say feeling like you're making progress is the number one work motivator. Little wins stack up, build momentum, make you feel like you’re not a lost cause, even if the big goal’s nowhere in sight. Ah, the relief.
And let’s not ignore the mental health side. Focusing on what’s going right—even if it’s basically “I didn’t screw this up today!”—can be the difference between spiraling and, well, surviving another Monday.
If you’re like me and need help noticing your wins before they speed by—do these, seriously:
Those tiny wins? They do the heavy lifting for confidence. Each time you pull something off, your brain remembers, “Oh yeah, I can actually do stuff.” That piles up, gets you believing you’re not just faking it. Plus, repeat something often enough and—boom—it turns into a habit before you know it.
Breaking down big, scary goals into bite-sized pieces is also way less evil when you see each step as a win, instead of feeling like you’ll never make it to the top.
Long story short: celebrate the small stuff. Never underestimate the satisfaction of crossing “water the one surviving houseplant” off your list. Life — and honestly, sanity — depends on it.
Oh, and if you send one email and finally clean your desk today? Yeah, count that. That’s some hero-level adulting right there.
Let’s talk about why small wins totally matter (and yeah, I’m throwing some personal stuff in here because, let’s face it, no one wants to hear just textbook psychology).
Chasing the big stuff is cool and all—dream job, five-bedroom house, inventing the next TikTok killer app (lol, please don’t). That’s what we’re told from the beginning, right? But this obsession with epic wins can also leave you constantly feeling like you’re behind, or just… not enough. Like, what, am I supposed to feel accomplished only when I climb Everest? Nah, man. Everyone acts like the “big win” will suddenly make you feel complete, but spoiler alert: it won’t.
What even counts as a small win? Honestly, anything that gives you a little “heck yeah!” moment. Doesn’t have to be wild. Could be getting your ever-loving laundry folded before it turns into a new form of sentient life. Could be sending that one annoying email you’ve dodged for a week. Could be making your bed instead of rolling out and stepping over it till 2 p.m.—don’t pretend you haven’t done that.
Here’s one from my own life, just to keep it real: literally today, after fighting with my own brain for several days, I finally finished writing a piece that’d been haunting me. Is it some masterpiece? Nah. Did I avoid doom-scrolling for an hour and actually get it done? You bet. That little push gave me just enough momentum to tackle the next thing instead of flopping onto the couch like a deflated balloon. Progress, not perfection.
Now, why do small wins matter so much? Look, it ain’t just a “good vibes only” thing—there’s actual brain science behind it. Every time you snag a win, even a dumb little one, your brain does a mini-celebration and shoots out dopamine. It’s why checking something off your list feels like a tiny hit of happiness. Humans are basically just rats pressing levers for snacks, but in adulting form.
Plus, researchers (Teresa Amabile knows what’s up) say feeling like you're making progress is the number one work motivator. Little wins stack up, build momentum, make you feel like you’re not a lost cause, even if the big goal’s nowhere in sight. Ah, the relief.
And let’s not ignore the mental health side. Focusing on what’s going right—even if it’s basically “I didn’t screw this up today!”—can be the difference between spiraling and, well, surviving another Monday.
If you’re like me and need help noticing your wins before they speed by—do these, seriously:
- Jot your wins somewhere—journal, phone note, post-it, whatever. No need to get all poetic, just a quick “sent invoices” or “didn’t lose my mind in traffic.”
- Yell about your wins to someone. Grab your group chat, tell your dog, brag to your grandma—they’ll hype you up, promise.
- Celebrate, even if it’s a dumb treat. Gummy bears, a weird dance break, blasting your favorite cringey song. Positive reinforcement, baby.
- Also, sometimes NOT doing something—like not losing your temper or not failing your diet for the sixth day straight—that’s a win too. Reframe the “almosts.”
Those tiny wins? They do the heavy lifting for confidence. Each time you pull something off, your brain remembers, “Oh yeah, I can actually do stuff.” That piles up, gets you believing you’re not just faking it. Plus, repeat something often enough and—boom—it turns into a habit before you know it.
Breaking down big, scary goals into bite-sized pieces is also way less evil when you see each step as a win, instead of feeling like you’ll never make it to the top.
Long story short: celebrate the small stuff. Never underestimate the satisfaction of crossing “water the one surviving houseplant” off your list. Life — and honestly, sanity — depends on it.
Oh, and if you send one email and finally clean your desk today? Yeah, count that. That’s some hero-level adulting right there.
