A Win Is a Win, No Matter How Small

It's about ten minutes to four. I’m standing at the bottom of a lecture hall, watching as 40 bright-eyed young men and women filter into the auditorium. It’s Welcome Weekend at Drake University. One of the activities is the chance to meet their “First Year Seminar” instructor. Their chance to meet me!

I teach two sections of “FYS: Improv for Leaders.” I developed the course myself and combines two of my passions: teaching and improvisation.

As the groups settle in and wait for me to start my presentation, Ethan says “Hey, Joe!” Ethan was in my FYS class last year and is now a volunteer guide for this year’s freshmen. He then asks, “Have any wins this summer?”

Big? Small? It doesn’t matter - a Win is a Win!

I smiled – I always start class with 3 Wins – an activity to remind us to celebrate our wins, big or small, personal or professional.

Then, I heard myself answering him, “…um, so-so. I was hoping to bring in more coaching clients this summer…” I heard myself saying that out loud! You can’t discount a win.

That’s not really a Win. That’s something I’m working on. I caught myself saying that and realized I had more wins. “…no, wait,” I added. “I did have some big wins. A few improv workshops. Made a lot of connections, some trips. Good wins!”

Ethan smiled and said “Good, good!”

In that moment, I felt better about myself, straightened up ever-so-slightly, and had improved energy for the rest of the evening.

Try this – take a moment each morning and celebrate your wins from the day before. Maybe you woke up on the first alarm. Ate a great PB&J sandwich for lunch. Completed a project on-time. Any win you have, recognize it and celebrate it. Try it at night as you’re winding down. Share that win with someone and ask them about their recent wins!

Let me know how it goes. I’d love to hear about your wins. Drop one in the comments: