What’s your definition of success? The fact is that success means different things to each of us. Do you measure success by how much money you make, your possessions, or social status? Maybe you count how blessed you are to have great friends, a happy marriage or peace of mind as successes to celebrate?

I count all of the above as successes!

I was having a conversation with a client last month who was beating herself up for “not doing" enough. She has high professional standards and an endless to-do list. Listening to all of her daily accomplishments, I started to chuckle at how hard she was on herself. I imagined a woman looking like an old school marm; that picture of a woman with her hair pulled in a tight bun, pointing a finger and scowling.

I pulled out my Webster’s Dictionary and looked up the definition for accomplishment. It said “the act or state of completing something successfully“.

Well, this really opened up the conversation! She never really defined accomplishments like that before! Now, she began to look at everything she successfully completed (personally and in her business) during the course of the day, as an accomplishment.

She began to include things like answering part of her emails, getting her daughter off to school, doing the first draft of an article - things she never would have counted before because they weren’t totally completed! Her whole attitude shifted. Being able to see accomplishments in a different way allowed her to feel more successful. Get it?

Here’s an example:

Let’s say you’re working on a project like creating a product. You’ve laid out an action plan with specific steps and timelines for product development and marketing. Each step you complete counts as an accomplishment AND a success. Guess why some people lose motivation? One reason is they don’t give themselves the recognition and pats on the back for the small steps along the way. PS - that why we create short-term goals along with long-term ones! We need those WHOO-HOOS to spur us on!

Here’s your call to action:

Develop a habit of acknowledging your daily accomplishments and write them down. I encourage folks to start a success journal. If you already have one, I want you to get really specific and acknowledge both your tangible and intangible successes - like having the willingness to do this exercise (and doing it!).

See how many things you can recognize during the course of the day. Include the things you take for granted and do without thinking. Make it a game! In time, this will become a powerful resource and living document you can refer to when you need a nudge or a boost (especially from YOU!)