The Discipline of Celebration

I have a confession. 

I am a recovering perfectionist. By nature things are rarely ever “good enough.” I did say I am recovering. I have grown tremendously in this area. 

These days I am able to embrace and enjoy the journey more because I have learned to celebrate more. 

For most people I know, celebrating wins and enjoying the journey does not come easily. For most of us celebration is a discipline. 

Does that describe you? 

If so, do what I did...

Discipline yourself to celebrate.

Here’s a 3-step system that has helped me grow tremendously in this area...

1. Celebrate Daily

Every day, first thing in the morning, I reflect on the day before  and I write down three things for which I am grateful.

To be honest, there are a lot of days I sit there for a while before the celebration begins to flow. Then, all of a sudden, it’s difficult to stop with just three things!

Create a system whereby you celebrate the small wins daily.

Why daily?

For me it’s like exercising.

• Exercising once a week just makes us sore all over. It never makes us better.
• Exercising a little each day stretches and trains our muscles to be fit.

The same thing happens with daily celebration. It stretches a muscle we all recognize as a need for growth!

2. Celebrate Weekly

Take a chill pill.

Rest.

Sabbath.

Reflect on the week.

Stop and smell the roses.

Look over the last week and evaluate whether you were just busy or effective.

Make adjustments.

Remember, traction equals satisfaction. Go back over your "Thankful Lists" for the last week.

If you have been faithful to work the system, and write down three things each day, you now have 21 things you have been thankful for over the last week!

There have been some wins and some losses. Our tendency is to focus on the losses. Don't you do it.

Celebrate the wins. Celebration and depression cannot coexist. Drive discouragement away by celebrating! 

3. Celebrate Annually

Retreat.

Take some extended time.

Set up your email and voice mail auto responses and simply spend a week (or two) enjoying your life. Enjoy your family. Celebrate the accomplishments of the last year.

You are not yet where you want to be but thank God you are not where you were! Thank God for how far He has brought you.

Now...get focused on the future. Don’t ask God to help you “make it through” the rest of the year. Ask God for some big things. Set new audacious goals! 

Thank God for surprising You with His blessing before He even does it.

Now then... don’t you feel better?